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n“What now, Master?” Lydia asked.

n“I don’t know…” I said, sniffling.

n“Master is crying!”

n“I was in the moment and trying to be a tough guy, but it was really scary!”

nLydia wrapped her arms around me and I sniffled in her chest for a while. I wasn’t crying. Those were man tears. I just got really angry seeing people attacking Miki and I acted impulsively. However, I had no ready plan, and worst, I had dragged these girls down this path with me.

nI just needed a few moments to clear my mind, and after Lydia patted me a few times my brain snapped back into action.

n“It’s okay…” I responded, wiping my nose with the back of my hand. “I’m good now. Rather, my plan is pretty simple. Rather than plunge into the middle of town like before, we’re going to slowly clear things out. This city was abandoned in a single night and then sealed. That means that all of the town’s goodies are inside, and should be sufficient to supply use. We take a home, clean it out, and then make it a base, and then when tackle one property at a time, wiping out block after block.”

n“What about at night?” Lydia responded nervously as she watched the sun just starting to rise.

n“My holy circle seems to be able to keep ghosts at bay. If I cast it around a house, we shouldn’t be bothered. I suppose we can take turns keeping watch to make sure. All of us have different advantages when it comes to ghosts. You can see them, I can resist them, and Miki can hurt-“

n“Why are you doing this?” Miki’s weak voice came out.

nWe both looked down to see her collapsed on the floor, her legs having given out. She was looking up at the pair of us with tears in her eyes.

n“What do you mean?” I asked.

n“Why did you help me? Why did you abandon a city for me? Why are you talking so calmly like you just didn’t give up everything? I’m just your slave! I’m useless property! Even my own family gave me up when the town pressured them a little! You could just give me back to the slave trader and you’ll have no problems!”

nI looked over to Lydia. Lydia was watching Miki, her tail swishing back and forth, with a slightly sad expression on her face. I kneeled down so I was right in front of Miri. I put my hand out, and she flinched for a second, but then I put it on her head and patted her gently. Her eyes slowly closed and her ears straightened back out.

n“Because… I believe you’re worth it.”

n“I destroy everything I touch…” She said back.

n“Do you see that town down there.” I pointed out, moving aside so Miki could look. “That town has already been destroyed. There is only one direction to go, and I think you’re the only girl who can make that dream a reality. Let’s build something new… together.”

nI stood up and reached out my hand. Miki stared at it, her mouth slightly open, her eyes wide as if she wasn’t sure if she should take it.

n“Isn’t that why you showed interest in Master in the first place?” Lydia suddenly spoke. “You saw he was a kind man and thought he wouldn’t stand to see a young girl die?”

n“He didn’t know what a 9-tailed fox was. It didn’t matter what he thought of me after I was brought back. I just wanted to live… a little longer…” Miki said weakly. “That’s different. You might throw a beggar a few coins. You don’t take them home and call them family.”

n“Well… that’s just the kind of Master that Master is.” Lydia smiled, holding her hand out too. “Will you help your family?”

n“Family?” Miki looked at both of our hands in wonder.

nThen her hands slowly came out and grabbed each of our arms. It was time to get to work.

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