Stigma Effect

Proofreader: kuroneko_chan

Two months have passed since Yuriel found out she was pregnant. What Yuriel did for two months was simple. She went to Shudmuel’s office to talk, and was visited by alchemists.

The purpose of the alchemists’ visits was to check whether Yuriel had undergone a major change.

The purpose of the first visit was to determine the location of the escaped monster. They needed her help since she was the only one who had the ability to locate the monsters.

The traces of the monster that escaped from the laboratory were nowhere to be found. There were traces of the monster staying around the Knights Order, but its ability to hide its existence was considerable.

The knights who were good at chasing after monsters were unable to find the monster that was just hovering around Albraka. As if someone was hiding the monster, the knights’ got heated up at the trail that was always cut off in an ambiguous place.

The alchemists consulted Yuriel to find the monster, but an unwelcome answer came back.

‘Are your abilities disappearing?’

To be precise, it wasn’t completely gone, but Yuriel’s ability was weakened enough to say that it had disappeared. The range of the ability to determine the location of monsters was reduced, so Yuriel could only grasp the energy of the core that was implanted on Raphlet.

It seemed that the small energies were eaten by the big energy and could not be sensed.

It was the same with the ability to predict the location of monsters in dreams. Yuriel’s occasional dreams were all about Raphlet and the winter forest.

The monsters were no longer seen in the dream.

‘Because Miss Yuriel’s ability was to detect threats from monsters…. Could it be that we are no longer threatened by monsters?’

‘It is very likely.’

‘The monster was trying to protect Miss Yuriel, so there’s a good chance.’

They talked in a loud voice. Their eyes full of enthusiasm scanned Yuriel.

It was literally like Shudmuel said.

They did not treat Yuriel as a human being. Just like what they had done with the monsters they had experimented with so far, they were excited about what kind of experiment they could do with Yuriel.

Yuriel couldn’t stand the feeling of nausea that grew as she looked at their faces. The feeling of nausea that started from looking at the alchemists’ faces grew bigger and bigger, and now, two months later, even looking at the faces of passers-by, her body trembles to the point of repulsion.

‘It would have been better if we had done the experiment before the ability disappeared….’

‘Tsk, the people of the Temple do not know how to see important things.’

‘They thought it would be everything once they made the Knights Order, that’s all. It’s because they’re ignorant.’

‘It’s the same with the monster core. If it was used as a power source right away and transplanted to the general public, the results would be better now.’

It was all the more so because the grumbling voice contained nothing but complaints.

Yuriel, who once saw these alchemists favroably, felt strange about her past self.

Yuriel never hated people. That was until she got pregnant.

She didn’t feel like she hated anyone who was tormenting her or harassed her. All the people Yuriel saw had nothing for her to hate. She didn’t hate them, so it wasn’t difficult to be kind to everyone.

Yuriel just wanted to give favors to the people around her.

As she went on like that, the people who hated Yuriel for no reason were likely to come to her.

Yuriel felt uncomfortable with people to the extent that it was surprising that she had such a personality before.

She didn’t like the language that seemed to exude poison or the breathing that was monster-like. After Yuriel became pregnant, she thought that it would be better to be by the monster’s side.

Rumors still circulating about her outside of the Temple also played a part. Yuriel was being treated like a plague. It was difficult for Yuriel to bear the public pointing fingers at her.

‘Aren’t you worried about that too?’

‘Ah, are you talking about the rumors that have spread about Miss Yuriel?’

‘Yeah. They said that if there is a monster core, monsters will gather. Rumors that Miss Yuriel can control monsters have circulated, so….’

‘I’m really worried. That’s why people don’t want to use monster cores these days.’

‘If people don’t use monster cores, our position will be….’

When she was pointed at like that, she felt a sense of injustice and had such thoughts,

‘If I were that kind of person, I wouldn’t be upset!’

If she could really control monsters, she wouldn’t feel how unfair this was. Yuriel spent more time contemplating what it would have been like if she could control monsters like the stigma people put on her.

‘Yuriel.’

‘Baraha!’

Fortunately, there were still people who she couldn’t hate. She feels no abhorrence to Baraha, Helio, and the knights of Albraka.

It has become a daily routine to save her from the alchemists. The alchemists who rebelled against the Commanders did not show any hostility towards Baraha.

Whenever Yuriel reached an unbearable point, Baraha would appear and rescue Yuriel. Yuriel followed him and asked carefully.

‘… Baraha, what about the monster?’

‘They didn’t catch it.’

‘Is it gone?’

‘No.’

Her abilities disappeared, but Yuriel knew where the monster was. Or rather it was more accurate to say that the monster knew where Yuriel was.

Whenever Yuriel was left alone, the monster came out easily. Once, while looking at the monster in bewilderment, the monster bit the nape of her neck and she almost was dragged away.

If she resisted, it would release her immediately and whine, but the monster seemed to want to get Yuriel out of this place.

It had no intention of harming her, but rather, as if it was trying to protect her, Yuriel was slightly inclined to the monster. The affection she should have towards humans moved to the monster, and Yuriel erased the traces of the monster several times.

While secretly meeting the monster, Baraha caught her.

‘Why don’t you erase your footprints every time?’

Seeing Yuriel hiding the monster behind her back, Baraha said indifferently.

Rather than grabbing the tail of the traitor who hides the monster, he had a bored face, as if he wanted to avoid troublesome work.

Baraha shook his head and added.

‘If you want to hide it, hide it properly.’

His responsibility as a commander was nowhere in sight. Baraha’s helpless attitude had never been more pleasing than at this moment.

Yuriel answered with sincerity.

‘Uh…,thank you for the advice.’

When Yuriel responded, the monster sniffed its nose and walked out next to Yuriel. This time, she was worried that the monster would attack Baraha, but when Baraha showed the back of his hand and showed that he had no intention of attacking, the monster became strangely calm.

If Baraha heard it, it would be ridiculous, but Yuriel looked at it and thought that Baraha was even communicating with the monsters.

She didn’t even say that she thought it wasn’t too bad to be next to a monster without a weapon.

It has been two months since she hid the traces of the monster who did not intend to leave the Temple with Baraha, and concealed her pregnancy from Raphlet.

Preparations for the subjugation had been completed, and the date of departure set.

Yuriel counted the few remaining days before the subjugation and dug into Raphlet’s arms.

“I really can’t go with you?”

“If you can’t detect the monster, there’s no reason to participate in the subjugation.”

While most people regretted the loss of Yuriel’s ability, only Raphlet was happy.

He was satisfied that Yuriel did not have to go to the subjugation with him.

After the kidnapping, wherever he went, it was a very different move from that of accompanying Yuriel. It was because he was concerned about Yuriel’s weakened body.

“I was worried because I wasn’t feeling well these days…. That’s a relief.”

“I’m sorry. You can’t sleep well at night because of me. I think you better go back to that room now.”

“I can’t sleep at all because I’m worried if you’re not by my side. Stay in this room.”

It has been a month since she couldn’t swallow water properly due to morning sickness. Not only could she not eat, but even while eating, she covered her mouth and ran to the bathroom.

Every time that happened, Raphlet rushed to the infirmary holding Yuriel, and even Shudmuel was exhausted.

Even making excuses that it was because of the stress of the kidnapping didn’t work. He said he could not believe the diagnosis of the medical chief Shudmuel, and Raphlet even summoned a member of the imperial doctor.

The imperial doctor kept his mouth shut under Helio’s pressure, who had been asked by Yuriel.

With the help of several people, it was confirmed that Yuriel’s illness was trauma from the kidnapping.

Raphlet murmured softly as he traced Yuriel’s forehead in his arms with his finger.

“Even with such training, you are too weak.”

Thanks to this, Yuriel was taking Raphlet’s concern. Raphlet, who kissed her pale face with a sigh, spoke as if it was natural.

“After this subjugation is over, let’s go back to Mogris together.”

It was something that Yuriel had never even thought of.