The First Deadly Sin

......

What's wrong, Nikeh?

...... This is all very unexpected... I never imagined that one day I'd set foot in this land again.

Huh? Wait, so... Are you saying that Gadaro is your hometown?

No, I do not wish to imply that I have lived here. However, this place has a particular meaning to me.

Lady Nikeh?!

It's a great honor to welcome you to Gadaro... I believe you're heading to the Talgana Mountain Trail?

...? What is this about?

Oh? Umm, I don't know what to say...

Idiot... Look at the way Nikeh is dressed. She's all fancy, unlike usual. Probably she's not here on business.

Ah, I see. She must be here on a date with that man she's with...

Huh?! On a date, you say?

You idiot!

Don't just go blabbering whatever dumb idea comes to your head!

Umm, Aldo and I are...

I understand, Nikeh. You don't have to explain anything.

It is not that! What I meant to say is...

Anyway, we will be waiting on the Talgana Mountain Trail as promised. We'll see you there.

Fate is a strange thing... I never thought we'd ask for Nikeh's help again.

"Again"...?

Nikeh... Did you and those two know each other when you were here last?

I believe not. This was the first time meeting them.

Is that so? Because obviously they knew you, judging from the way they acted.

I find it odd as well, Aldo.

I was only a child when I left this continent and traveled to the West. I haven't returned ever since.

How did these people know me even though I am an adult now?

Very weird indeed...

...... Here's one possibility. Someone might be pretending to be you.

Pretending to be me?

How about we follow that couple and find out more? I want to know what's going on.

I agree... They said they'll be waiting for me on the Talgana Mountain Trail. Let's head their way.

Lady Nikeh... You came at last.

That was the man's voice just now, right?

It seems so.

I was right. There's someone pretending to be you.

Look, Aldo!

We really needed your help, Lady Nikeh.

There is no need to worry. I can guess the sort of request that you seek from me, the Maiden of Death.

Oh, how wonderful! Thank you, Lady Nikeh!

I can't see what she looks like.

She seems to be hiding in the shadows.

By the way, what's with the Maiden of Death thing? Didn't you say that you were called the Flower of Death?

Well... I used to go under that alias back in the West. However, I was known as the Maiden of Death in this land.

I see... That means they're not making things up.

They aren't. So let us stay here and see what happens next.

So, please tell me the details.

......

......

Please tell me about what troubles you two.

Thank you, Lady Nikeh. It all happened the other day, when...

Was that... A dogu?

Yes... It looked like a dogu to me.

Um... It's hard to judge my own appearance... But do I happen to look like a dogu?

No, not at all!

I guess we'll have to go up there and confront them.

Yes. It's time to reveal ourselves, Aldo!

Guys! How could you allow yourselves to get tricked like this?!

What?!

I'm the one who you met in Gadaro.

What does this mean?!

There are two Nikehs?!

You've got to be kidding! That's obviously not Nikeh. That's a dogu!

Why are you pretending to be me?

Are you... the real Nikeh? I can't believe this... you were alive!

See? That's a dogu!

B-But how can that be?!

Hey wait!

It looks to be some kind of invoked spirit.

Please tell me. Why were you trying to seek help from the Maiden of Death?

Oh, well... The truth is...

We had a daughter...

"Had?"

Yes... But recently we were attacked by a monster...

She was about to turn ten... *sob*

I'm very sorry to hear that. I offer my deepest condolences.

I understand now. As the Maiden of Death, you wished to ask me to...

Would you bring her back to life, Lady Nikeh?!

Huh?!

Please, I'm begging you! My husband says that you're able to bring back the dead!

......

Please help my daughter!

You do not mean... I thought the Art of Seance was lost along with the whole clan.

Are you all right, Nikeh?

I'm fine. Thank you.

I'm sorry, but... I, the Maiden of Death, am not capable of bringing the deceased back to life.

No...!

......

I see, Lady Nikeh...

Huh? What's on your mind?

We're fine with whatever you're able to do. Maiden of Death, would you please agree to help us?

In that case, yes. It's my pleasure. But first... I've got to deal with this thing pretending to be me.

Of course. Whenever you're ready, Lady Nikeh. We'll be waiting for you back in Gadaro.

Hey dummy! I thought we decided together to have her brought back to life!

...... There are things that just can't be done. You've got to understand this.

I'll explain once we get back to Gadaro.

...?

So, Nikeh... Are we going after that dogu?

Yes. I have something I wish to ask it...

The dogu was heading towards the Funeral Cavern. Let's get going, Aldo.

Look!

Oho! You must be Nikeh, the once maiden of our clan.

Indeed I am.

Ohoho...! I did not expect you to look the same.

I'm not disappointed with the quality of the soul produced with our special soul imitation technique.

What are you talking about?

See it for yourself.

Huh?! Nikeh?

...... An imitation of my soul, known as a pseudo-soul, is sealed within that dogu, is it not?

Exactly. We've collected your hair, blood, and accessories you've left behind to replicate your soul. The dogu will appear to be you to ordinary people... Although that is not the case for you or those who know you well.

But you just mentioned "my clan" a moment ago. Why do you speak such lies?

We, the Twilight Clan, died out long ago.

Just as you say, you are the sole survivor of our clan. An the reason for that is...

Because you are the one who massacred us!

What?!

......

Fortunately for us... Our clan managed to find a way to return to this world. All thanks to the Ancestor.

The Ancestor?

Ho ho ho!

Now... It's time I punish the traitor who betrayed our clan.

Get 'em!

N-Nikeh?!

Not to worry, Aldo. These are merely lifeless dogu...

They cannot defeat me!

You destroyed it with just one stroke!

You...are next.

Wait, Nikeh. You promised you wouldn't take a life again.

Nikeh!

Gwah!

Huh? What's going on?

That old man was also just a puppet of the deceased revived by the Art of Seance.

Brought back to life? Nikeh, you knew that the old man wasn't an ordinary person from the beginning?

......

No... Even I cannot identify whether a person is alive or one brought back by the Art of Seance.

Wait a minute, Nikeh! Did you think about the consequences if he were just an ordinary man?!

Yes. I could have inflicted some harm to the man. But I have the skill to control the severity of the damage.

A-Are you sure?

There is no doubt.

After taking away countless lives with this sword... Not only do I have the skills to end lives, but also the control to keep them from major harm.

Nikeh...

Who is it?!

The Ancestor?

That's not possible! Our clan was founded over three thousand years ago!

......

What should we do? Are we going to go and find that Ancestor guy?

I will go there alone. This is something I have to deal with, and I can't drag you into this.

......

Where exactly do we have to go, then?

Aldo, were you even listening to me?

Didn't I tell you before? You're not alone anymore. Allow me to help my friend, will you?

...... Thank you, Aldo. Without you, I...

Anyway, let's go. We will proceed deeper into the Funeral Cavern!

Here we are... This is where I massacred my own clan...

...... What really happened then?

Well...

Perhaps I should tell you everything. You know that I used to be the Maiden of Death when I was still a child, right?

Well, we had been known as the Twilight Clan or the Wielders of Deadly Shadows for a reason. It's because the Maidens of Death were able to use a summoning skill called the Sword Dance. Existing between the world where the light shines and the world of death is the twilight world. The power of the twilight world had the ability to call back the souls of the dead from Purgatory.

Is that even possible?

Yes. And the one who discovered that power was known as the Ancestor.

I see. But that's different than bringing back the dead, right?

Yes. The Sword Dance only brings back the souls of the deceased to speak with. It's referred to as the "Sword that Calls Death" for a reason. The Sword Dance technique channels souls.

So this... Art of Seance was it? How does it bring back the dead?

I do not know the details... But the Art of Seance is a forbidden skill. Only a few from my clan knew it even existed. I never knew about it until that day either... Until that day when it all happened...

Listen, Nikeh, Maiden of Death. It is time for you to master the Art of Seance... But for that to happen, you must accept death and then return to this world through the Art of Seance.

Accept death?

There is nothing to fear. Once you're back in this world, you will find that nothing has changed... Your time as a living being will end, but you will continue without worry of death. Thus, the normal cycles of life that other living beings possess will no longer be necessary for you.

......

I see. If that's the fate of the Maiden of Death...

That's the spirit.

Well Nikeh... Enjoy your moment of death.

...!

Nooooo!

I do not remember anything that happened after that. Afraid and desperate, I wielded my katana, but only my hands remember. By the time I woke up...

Only I was still standing among the bodies. They were covered in cuts from head to toe. Most of the people were those who had been brought back from the dead. My mother and father included...

The thing is... Among all the things I have killed, there were ordinary people too. Ever since that day, my sword has been blood-stained.

Nikeh... I never knew you had to go through all that.

To escape from my sins, I grabbed my katana and traveled west. You know the rest of the story, Aldo.

I do... But hey, you've washed away the past.

Yes, thanks to you. That's why I realized I must return to this land and face the past I've feared for so long.

True, and I'm willing to help you do that.

Thank you... I could use your help this time.

As a friend...

May I count on you?

Of course!

Are you done talking?

Pleased to meet you. I'm the Ancestor of your clan. And these are the newly reborn clan members that I've called upon.

Stop lying. I do not know any of them.

Of course you don't. You slaughtered everyone you ever knew, am I wrong?

......

The new members have only recently been reborn. The new clan has yet to be completed. Specifically...we need a Maiden of Death who knows how to use the Sword Dance. That is why I am offering you death and a place in our new clan.

I will not allow that!

Heheheh...! You sound so serious. I'm really scared to speak the truth.

What the heck are you talking about?

I know very well what you are capable of. That is why I hope you do not mind if I use my full power to defeat you!

Grr! So this is the Ancestor's true form, is it?!

Even now I... I still regret it. I regret taking the lives of all those people by my own hands.

Yet, as a Maiden of Death... I cannot allow anyone to play with the souls of the dead.

It is wrong to drag the souls of the dead back to this world using forbidden techniques. That is why I will send you to Purgatory where you belong!

You did it, Nikeh!

Yes. Thank you, Aldo. I couldn't have done it without you.

Nah, I didn't do all that much.

By the way, what's with the outfit you're wearing?

Oh, this... This is the formal attire of the Maiden of Death. This outfit is said to be woven in Purgatory... And it covers me whenever I attempt to use my maiden powers.

Hmm... Those are some very odd clothes.

Now that I'm dressed properly as a maiden, there's somewhere I must go to.

And where would that be?

Hahah... Have you forgotten about the couple we met earlier?

Oh! I'd completely forgotten about them.

No wonder... A lot has happened since we talked to them. But I'm willing to do whatever I can to help that couple.

As a Maiden of Death, I must...

Got it. Let's head to Gadaro now!

Here I call to the soul of this couple's beloved daughter that wanders Purgatory! I summon you here!

Where...?

Oh!

Daddy! Mommy!

Dear... We missed you!

......

I'm sorry but... Please take good care of her, will you?

Of course, darling...

Daddy! Where are you going?!

Daddy...has to go now.

No! I don't want that!

Don't you worry. Mommy will always be there for you, and she'll take good care of you!

Good bye, darling! Don't you worry about her!

Lady Nikeh... Please do what you have to do.

Well, then... Let's get going.

Okay, Mommy!

I'm sad, though... Good bye, Daddy!

Until we meet again!

My wife passed away giving birth to our daughter. I felt sorry that she would never know her mother, so I brought my wife back to this world. I regretted that decision all along.

Why would you regret it?

She would murmur each and every night when she went to sleep. She kept saying "Please let me die" over and over. Her nightmares would never stop.

When she would wake up in the morning, she wouldn't remember a thing. Yet, I apologized to her every night. And then, she had to witness our daughter's death...

That's truly horrible.

Nikeh is right. The Art of Seance is really wrong.

......

It is now my duty to protect the graves of my wife and daughter.

I truly appreciate your help, Nikeh.

Nikeh... I was concerned about something.

What is it, Aldo??

Well... You mentioned that only those brought back to life can use the Art of Seance, right? Then who was the first one to use it?

My guess is that it was the Ancestor.

But the Ancestor was alive at that time, right?

It is as you say so, but perhaps the Ancestor had some special power.

Special power, huh? I wonder what it was.

Anyway, I'm glad it seems like you've managed to face your past.

Indeed. I'm no longer hiding anything, Aldo.

And it feels absolutely refreshing.

That's wonderful. I'm happy to see you smile.

Well, you made all this possible... It's because you accepted all my past.

Wait, I didn't catch that. What did you say?

Oh, nothing.

Huh? Okay...you're acting really weird now.

I shall remain quiet here for now. That maiden has some power I do not want to interfere with.

For the time being, I shall wander about in a different time and space.

Mua ha ha... Some day, I shall resume this experiment... There are still others in this land who were brought back from the dead.