Black Solstice-Chapter 18: Fog of Memory [2]

A few minutes passed before someone else entered the infirmary and closed the door behind them.

It seemed the stand-in nurse had arrived.

Opening my eyes, I raised my head and examined the figure who had just entered the room.

A female, apparently.

She appeared youthful, likely in her twenties, with short black hair cut into a neat chin-length bob. Her frame was slim, her shoulders softly defined, her waist narrow, her bust moderate, and her hips...

Well, how should I put this.

Have you ever seen a butt that could be noticed from the front?

This was far beyond the realm of child-bearing hips.

Moreover, her thighs were broad and thick to support the pronounced backside that genuinely looked larger than her head.

What kind of demon was she? A succubus?

Even a succubus could not be gifted in such a way, right?

No one could, for that matter.

Was this what the nurse had been referring to? My attention was certainly captured.

"..."

The young woman glanced around the infirmary, her eyes drifting from bed to bed. It seemed she had some trouble navigating the space, either because of the room’s size or simply unfamiliarity with the layout. Still, after a moment of quiet searching, she managed to locate me and began to approach.

I took a closer look at her.

She seemed to be wearing a white nurse attire. There was an air about her that suggested she took her duties seriously. What caught my attention, however, was her complexion, which seemed paler than Seraphis when she awakened her True Form as a vampire.

From a certain angle, it almost looked as though she lacked any trace of blood or fluid in her body.

Maybe that was the case. Maybe it wasn’t.

Regardless, she didn’t appear to be suffering from any demonic illness or anything similar. Glossy and smooth, it looked almost porcelain-like, as if her skin had been created.

An artificial being?

While thinking this, she finally arrived at my bedside.

"Good morning. Are you student 00147, Cassius Cain?"

What’s with the numbers?

"Um... I am. You’re the stand-in nurse sent by Ms. Kat, right?"

"That is correct."

"I see..."

What was with this awkward atmosphere? It felt like she wasn’t putting much thought into the conversation.

Trying to shift things a little, I scratched my cheek and asked, "Excuse me, forgive me if this sounds rude, but why do you look like this?"

"Are you referring to my body appearance?"

"Yeah. Does it go against the rules?"

She shook her head. "I’m an L’Isle-Angelus, but you can call me by my given name, Remigia or Remi."

"L’Isle-Angelus?"

"I’m an artificial being, not a devil. It’s alright to tell you that much and it isn’t against any regulations."

Artificial being, huh? My initial assumption turned out to be correct.

I felt uneasy.

Could it be that the demon society had developed their technology to the point where they could create artificial beings for their own purposes?

"Are you in distress?"

Remi suddenly asked.

"Huh?"

"I asked if you are in distress."

"My hearing is fine, thank you. How did you know I was in distress?"

"I read your emotions."

Wait, she could do that? Doesn’t that mean she could...

"No, I can’t read your mind," she answered again without hesitation.

I frowned.

"If you can’t do that, then how did you know what I was thinking?"

Remi explained without the slightest change in her expression.

"By reading your emotions, I can make accurate predictions about what you might be thinking. However, do not misunderstand. I can only read emotions, and predicting thought patterns is quite troublesome. I received permission from Ms. Kat Fleming so I can monitor your condition and respond appropriately."

"In other words, you can know what I’m thinking?"

She nodded. "Hm. Currently, you’re primarily experiencing confusion, unease, and slight sexual arousal."

"You don’t have to say that out loud! Besides, it can’t be helped that I’m somewhat aroused. You said you’re an android, right? That means you were created inside a lab or something, right?"

"I have no memories regarding the manner of my creation, but I suddenly gained awareness and could think and process information." Her eyelashes lowered slightly. "Though I do not understand why my body is so off-balanced."

"Was your creator a pervert?"

"It is possible. It does not seem like I was designed with combat in mind. In any case, I am proficient in everything else, including cooking, cleaning, data collection, and medicine. Essentially, all the functions of a living being."

"I see..." I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck as I tried to process everything she had just said.

Remi, meanwhile, stood perfectly still. She simply existed there, waiting for my next words like an ever-ready machine.

"So you’re basically... a fully functional artificial person?"

"Correct. I am designed to perform all standard tasks efficiently."

"Right. And you said your body is off-balanced. Is it uncomfortable?"

"I do not experience discomfort," she replied plainly. "However, I am aware that my proportions are... atypical. Navigating narrow spaces is inefficient, and sitting requires caution too. Running is quite impractical."

That was an understatement.

"You really weren’t made for combat then."

"No. My capabilities lie in diagnostics, care-giving, and high-speed information processing. Physical optimization was not prioritized."

"That sounds more like someone wanted a helper than a fighter."

"Possibly." Her head tilted slightly, as though mimicking curiosity. "Ms. Kat Fleming approved my deployment here due to staff shortage. She deemed my skill set suitable for your care."

"That makes sense."

A small silence followed. However, it was not awkward. It was just painfully quiet.

I tried to reset the conversation.

"So... If you’re here to monitor my condition, what exactly are you supposed to do?"

"Primarily observe. If your emotional state becomes unstable, I will intervene. If your physical state deteriorates, I will administer treatment. If you attempt to engage in self-harm, I will restrain you. If you ask questions, I will answer."

"...That’s very specific."

"Accuracy is important."

"I can see that."

She stepped a little closer. Her movement was fluid yet oddly stiff. It was as though she had learned how to walk by observing others.

Her gaze lingered on my face for a moment.

"You appear calmer now."

"Is that so? I mean, it’s a lot to take in, but you’re... surprisingly straightforward. Talking is a good way to pass the time."

"Many have said this."

"Yeah, I can imagine."

Another pause.

Then, out of nowhere, she added, "Your arousal level has decreased by approximately forty percent."

"Damnit!"

"What’s wrong? I was providing an update."

"That’s not an update that needs to be said out loud!"

"So noted."

But her expression didn’t change in the slightest.

I sighed and dropped my head back into the pillow.

"This is going to be a long day, isn’t it?"

Remi tilted her head. "The flow of time in the Demon Realm is similar to that of the Human Realm. Although most researchers have noticed subtle variations, such as a day lasting slightly longer in rare instances, I can understand if this day feels extended for you."

"That’s not what I meant! Also, are you just going to stand there?"

"I do not understand. If I do not stay close, how am I going to monitor you properly?"

"And there’s something called personal space. I’m not going to relax while you’re standing in front of me and staring into my soul. In situations like this, people usually... take a seat," I finished, gesturing vaguely toward the chair beside the bed.

Remi slowly turned her head toward the chair, then back to me, as if calculating something.

"A seat... You wish for me to sit?"

"Yes. That’s what normal people do when talking to someone in a bed. This is simple common sense."

"I see. Understood."

Then she moved.

If her walking earlier had been stiff yet fluid, sitting was... a spectacle.

She approached the chair carefully, rotated her hips with mechanical precision, angled herself as though measuring the distance between her and the seat, and then stopped moving.

She stared at the chair like it was a complex puzzle.

"Is something wrong?"

"I am calculating the most stable sitting posture. My center of mass is shifted due to my... atypical lower proportions. Incorrect posture may lead to imbalance."

"In other words, you’re afraid of tipping over."

"Correct."

It took all my willpower not to laugh.

After another brief moment of internal computation, Remi finally attempted to sit. She lowered herself slowly, cautiously, as if the chair might explode on contact. However, none of that happened. Forcing her to adjust mid‑descent by gripping the armrest, she shifted again before finally settling down.

The chair creaked slightly but that was all.

Remi folded her hands neatly in her lap.

"I have successfully taken a seat," she declared.

"Congratulations..." I muttered, unsure whether to be impressed or concerned for the furniture.

"Is this position more acceptable?"

"Yes. Much better. Thank you."

She nodded, satisfied. "Very well. I will remain seated for the duration of your observation period unless you request otherwise."

... Actually, wasn’t that more problematic?

I only realized that now for some reason. Well, there was nothing I could do.

"Your stress level just decreased by twelve percent."

I groaned. "Remi, please stop narrating my vitals."

"Noted. I will only report when necessary."

"Thank you."

Silence fell again.

Remi continued to stare at me without blinking. She really seemed intent on watching me.

It would be more problematic if I tried to change the current situation so I ignored her presence as best I could and tried to sleep, shutting my eyes.

But.

’Damn. This is hard.’

Apparently, it was hard to sleep with someone watching.

I grumbled under my breath.

Still, after far too much tossing and turning, I eventually drifted off.