41 Departure (1/2)
In the hallway outside of the infirmary room. There were two people wearing a complicated expression. One is a middle-aged man, while the other is youth.
With a heavy silence engulfed the two; suddenly, the middle-aged man broke the uncomfortable atmosphere between the two. ”So that's what happened, huh? The only thing that I did not understand is, why would you decide to let her be?” The middle-aged man said in confusion.
”... Instructor Ralph, the thing is. I did not want to leave her alone. It was because when I saw the resolution inside her eyes. I knew that it would only be a futile effort for me to persuade her at that time.” The youth said in a voice filled with regret.
”Plus, the situation wasn't in our favor and I don't have the luxury to explain it to her.” The youth said while shifting his gaze at the infirmary room. ”Even if I knocked her consciousness. Another person would go forward to search for Kiro.”
”Mm, I understand you go now; Aldin and explain yourself to your party members.” Instructor's Ralph said with complicated emotion. ”Remember, it's not entirely your fault. In fact, what you did was the correct choice as a leader of the party.” He reminded him that he was only doing his duty.
”If you want to blame someone. It should be me; after all, I sent you guys to the unknown while not surveying the place.” Instructor Ralph sighed as he darted his gaze up above the sky.
Seeing the Instructor's reaction. He could only nod in agreement. ”Okay, Instructor Ralph. I will be going.” With a moment of hesitation. Aldin gathered all of his courage as he went inside the room.
However, before he could step inside, he heard a subtle voice of Instructor Ralph. ”Leave it to me.”
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Inside the infirmary room.
Alyva and the others were busy conversing with each other. Suddenly, they heard light footsteps in the corridor.
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Two light knocking sounds resounded inside the room. ”Who is it?” Alyva said. Moving her gaze toward the entrance.
”It's me, Aldin.” He said. ”How is Missa doing? Is she now awake?” Aldin who was behind the door nervously said. While gripping the handle of the door tightly.
Hearing his question, Alyva was about to answer when Missa interjected. ”I'm already awake, Aldin. Is there something you need?”
Aldin was stunned momentarily when he heard her voice. Still, as he gathered all of his strength. He then opened the door slowly.
Upon opening the wooden door. Aldin saw the resting Missa on the common wooden bed with a feather mattress along with her sister who was sitting next to her. ”... Are you fine now?” He said while scanning her condition. Noticing that the color from her cheeks returned to bloomingly red, Aldin was relieved inside.
”Yes, thanks to all of you. I managed to recover swiftly.” She said, but at the moment when she was about to add more. Aldin abruptly bowed his head at the shoulder level. ”I—I'm sorry!”
With the sudden development, Missa and the others were startled on the scene. But Missa who was staring at him with a complicated look spoke. ”Please raise your head, Aldin,” She softly said.
”You did nothing wrong. You only did what you have to do, so please raise your head. There is no need to ask for forgiveness; because it was an inevitable incident.” Missa consoled Aldin. Though she said those, deep inside she was still rather feeling upset about what happened inside the forest.
However, she certainly knew that she has no right to condemn the person who saved her life.
Hearing her voice Aldin raised his head then he saw the figure of Alyva who was watching the scene in the silence, stepped forward.
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A crispy sound of Aldin's cheeks was being slapped by Alyva resounded inside the room.
”Will you cut it out!” Alyva said while fiercely darted her enraged sight to Aldin. ”Can you stop appearing like that Aldin... You're not the only one who deeply regret what happened to that damn forest!” Then she grabbed Aldin's shoulders as she slowly put him into her bosom.
”We all grieve for what happened. So stop shouldering all the burdens. We all made a mistake, not only you.” Saying that Alyva glanced at the two behind her back as she said. ”But all of us made an error.”
Hearing her remark. The sisters lowered their heads in shame. What Alyva said was right, they all have the responsibility for each other. As soon as they abandoned Kiro and Alina, they made the same mistake.