Chapter 44 - Zieg-san’s Request (1/2)

—Raust—

「…That came from nowhere. I’m really sorry, both of you.」

Shortly after Armia left, Zieg-san apologized to us.

However, he couldn’t hide the bewilderment on his face as he apologized, it seemed Zieg-san also surprised by Armia’s action.

「Armia hasn’t recovered from the shock yet.」

……After the apology, Zieg-san muttered that. He stared at the direction Armia ran away with worry on his face.

With that expression, I understood that Zieg-san was seriously concerned about Armia.

It was painful to see Armia’s current state even for an outsider like me.

I couldn’t imagine how it felt for Zieg-san who was in the same party as Armia currently.

When I looked next to me, even Narsena who harbored animosity the most toward Armia here, looked a little bit guilty for feeling that way.

「Can I ask you a little favor?」

After saying that, Zieg-san made his request.

「I know about your discord with Sword of Lightning, but, for the sake of Armia, I hope you can lend me a hand.」

「Ugh!」

Narsena reacted to Zieg-san’s request.

Her attitude said clearly that she wouldn’t allow the acceptance of that request.

「Thank you Narsena, but I’m fine.」

Before I took any action, I threw words of restraint toward Narsena.

It was Zieg-san who requested that, moreover, I didn’t feel any discomforting feeling.

It’s for her sake, was the feeling I had.

Also, after seeing Armia’s tragic look and now, Zieg-san who helped us before asking us for a favor, I wasn’t heartless enough to refuse.

——Besides, I’m now happy, isn’t it fine to share it with others if only just a bit?

「……If you say so, Onii-san.」

I smiled despite myself when I saw Narsena closed her mouth, albeit reluctantly because of my words.

Narsena was angry for me.

Narsena, currently putting discouraged expression, didn’t know how much happiness and thankful feeling I have for her doing that.

That reminds me once again how precious Narsena is to me.

After thinking that, I reached out for Narsena’s head.

「Fuee!?」

Triggered by my sudden action, Narsena raised a weird squeal, her face dyed in red.

While seeing her current state, I remembered the uneasiness I caused to her, even so, I still said my gratitude to her.

「Seriously, thank you so much, Narsena.」

「Huh!? N-No! W-We’re fellow party member after all!」

Narsena answered me in a fluster.

However, she never rejected my hand.

Seeing her appearance, love and happiness overflowed from my chest and my face relaxed despite myself.

「I don’t know if we can cooperate, but can you tell us the full story first?」

Still with the same expression, I talked to Zieg-san.

「Thank you.」

Up until now, Zieg-san’s looked uneasy, but after hearing my answer, he looked relieved.

「This will be a bit long……」

With that as a preface, Zieg-san started recounting the story.

◇ ◆ ◇

「That kind of thing……」

A few minutes later, that was all I could say after I heard the event that led Armia to her current condition.

……As for Narsena, she was completely speechless.

One part of the story Zieg-san told us about Armia and Sword of Lightning was completely shocking.

Regretting what she did in the past, Armia tried to start over.

…But her determination was betrayed by Margulus and Sarveria who desperately trying to prop themselves back up.

For the people in this Labyrinth city, this story wasn’t a tragedy, but a comedy.

This city was full of people like Margulus.

Under such circumstances, Armia who was deceived for fun because she was unable to see through other’s true nature was simply laughable.

However, I knew her innocence, so I couldn’t do that.

As mentioned, I didn’t have a very good feeling for her.

Because of her innocence, I couldn’t accept her blind faith toward Margulus and Sarveria.

That was precisely why, I couldn’t hide my surprise when I heard Armia was thinking for herself and trying to start over.

I never thought she was someone who would reflect in a situation like that.

Hence why I was surprised, and also impressed.

Armia carried a longing and gratitude toward Margulus and Sarveria who changed her from an orphan to a first-class adventurer.