Volume 3 Chapter 5 Part1 (2/2)

I feel like he doesn't think of h I'e!

I squinted at Louie and clung to Eru Eru's so good—he heals ainst Eru's steel-colored fur in an effort to pretendas hard as it was Maybe I should start acting irl What should I do if other people started treating er than I actually am too?

Besides, what a stuff like he wants to beco the problem of whether I'd actually be able to wield him or not, I'hted this fact in ht do you think is cool, stupid Master? You have no eye for things

I suddenly heard Solt sounding like he wasbecause I'd iined what Louie would look like as a sword and co he was cool?

”Solt, you're unexpectedly cute sometimes……”

——Get lost, Master Your nuive Besides, you once put on so on my body, Master Take it off, you foolish Master!

He was really going off onabout? Had I put so on Solt before?

I only realized after I had turned to look at Solt on the floor Ooh, he was talking about the heart-shaped glow in the dark sticker!

——How dare you put such a senseless thing on me, dahing at how pained Solt's as The sticker looked good on him, too

It was funny, so I decided to keep it on hienore it I let out a deep sigh and relaxed my body Yeah, it's probably true that I should rest while I can

True night would fall upon us soon Soes of ht

”Oh……the number of people here…”

Everyone looked tomy question to no one in particular out loud It was a little unpleasant to have everyone looking at uess my consciousness had been a little distracted whilearound outside of my body I'd decided that everyone was here like it was natural withoutsure to confirm it Now that my soul had returned to my body, and I could look around with so off about the nu?”

When I looked to Louie for affirs to the side with the tips of his fingers so that they wouldn't touch the divine stone on ht”

Louie wouldn't kno many people I'd resurrected in the temple……but then he quietly refutedat you”

”Lou……”

The inside ofsorowling in agreement

”Umm, Rittei?”

The Rittei looked down, troubled, when I passed the baton to hi for you to wake, so I haven't been payingelse……”

Even the Rittei was saying things like that! What an unexpected ambush Were there just a lot of very passionate people in the Kingdom of Gallè?

”Does anyone know?”

There was no way that nobody knew But everyone one tensed up and held their breath for soht this They were so nervous that I even I was starting to get nervous

I had a terrible feeling about this My eyes met the stubbled man's But he swiftly looked away before I could ask hi

”Was there a proble that soination

I didn't have an exact grasp on how hts there were I hadn't had the tihts I'd resurrected because we had been surrounded by Rei where I found Louie earlier I didn't remember everyone's faces But I remembered the number and faces of the people I'd resurrected near the temple

I didn't know all of their names, but I knew their faces

”The Rittei, Ilfai, Dilcarette, Clara……”

And then there was the man with the dark blond hair, the stubbled man, the man who confronted everyone else a lot……, I realized asas I confirmed everyone as present The

”Two people are ht?”

I asked everyone as I wanted to believe this wasn't true It had become rather difficult to tell since our nuhts had joined up with us I strongly hoped that I was mistaken

”You rereeable click of his tongue My chest tightened as fear and panic began to bud in my heart

”Where are they?”

”They went to another rooo about their business,”

Ilfai replied calmly

But if that was true, then as everyone so nervous?

”Then can I go check on theirl like you want to see growntheir business? That's the very epitome of shamelessness”

But I wasn't one to be fooled by his words

”I wouldn't go there personally I'd have Eru check on theainst, twitched The fur all over his body was sticking out like a hedgehog,to desperately hide how uneasy he was

”——The two of the just a little farther ahile looking at me with a strict look in her eyes

”They went outside?”

I closedaround hts For whatever reason, there were a lot of knights ere treating h it could have to do with the fact that I'd fought and overcohts who looked ata little farther away

Ilfai, the Rittei, Dilcarette, and the stubbled athered next to us, and everyone else was huddled up at the far back reaches of the hidden room Of course, there were a few people, like thealone away from everyone else To suroups

But ood trend to follow

I returnedShe had only ever shown ood will But that was also why she would give things toto trick s

”……Why did they go outside?”

”Isn't it obvious if you think about it?”

Shoot, I forgot that there was also the possibility that she'd refuse to answer irl, Master The answer is sinored the others' efforts to stop them and went outside because they could not bear to wait for you to return

Solt answered readily in Dilcarette's stead with sarcas in his voice

My return……did that mean that they went outside when there weren't any ht after leaving to find Louie and they got tired of waiting?

”Where did they go?”

I turned back to Ilfai I had a feeling that he would tell

”I don't know”

I found myself at a loss for words at the curtness of his response

”…… Ilfai, you really don't know?”

I tried pleading with hih and brushed back his hair as was his habit His hair would beco with it like that And it was such a pretty color too

”They deter to us and left in search of safety this hts Naturally, we tried to stop theerous”

”Why did you let the like that?!”

”We let down the barrier while there weren't any Reiic If it was only the appearance of ainst them hat little sorcery I reer”

”It's o outside with just the two of them!”

Shouldn't they have stopped the them out?

”Let me tell you that one of the and yelled at us not to speak out of line…”

”——Will social standing hold back the Reims or the monsters?”

I replied sharply on reflex Deep wrinkles formed on Ilfai's brows as he snorted

”I suppose the Holy One doesn't know about the stubborn discrimination that permeates the mundane world The rest of us aren't so tolerant that we'll think things through carefully and kindly stop them after they'd looked down on us to the extent they did”

Ilfai abruptly turned to his side, thoroughly put out

If social standing was the probleh up the ladder, so why had he allowed the two of them to do as they'd pleased?

”Oh, and there's political enmity within the temple too The head priest is in opposition to the Rittei”

I shot Ilfai a scolding look that said, Ilfai, you can't keepsnide comments like that! and he turned the corners of his lips doard like a rebellious child Then, he began to cohten it out this tiic, just h to protect himself frohout the night

”Her return was delayed because she was rescuing us,”

proclaih he was covering forat everyone's faces that they were all feeling soh, the lared at Juvist in discontent

”Yeah, and she put the rest of us in danger while she was at it”

Juvist furrowed his brows at the other man's sarcastic words

”……They aren't fools They'll likely return once they perceive danger,”

the Rittei said with a face full of regret Just then, I heard the sharp cry of afrom far away

”Just now…”

Ilfai, who had been scuffling with his disheveled hair, stopped co and turned his strict eyes on ain The two of them left this place of their own accord”

”But!”

I looked around at everyone as I sensed the denial in the air I see, so they kept the fact that two people had left froain

——The Reie of the Rei into their corueso cry as they destroyed and devoured their own bodies

”The two of theer”

I felt like I heard another voice htly in my hands Weren't their voices too far away for anyone to hear them normally?

”Is Silvai's power at work……?”

Silvai was the God of the wind and the atmosphere Voices made the air quiver Maybe that hy they reached ”

The people who'd left were on their way back to the terew dizzy the very mogered

Louie held me up before I could fall My stamina hadn't returned yet A cold sweat ran down my back

”Hibiki, youattacked byto Louie's aro They'll get killed”

”Hibiki!”

Louie shouted at me with such ferocity he could have slapped me across the cheek when I focused my attention on the direction where the screams had come from He continued,

”Do you understand what kind of state you're in? Youattacked!”

There was no emotion in Louie's face as he looked down at ht that was either hatred or fury—I couldn't tell

”So, what are you planning to do about it?”

”What a look in his eyes

”Lady Hibiki”

The Rittei suddenly called my name

”Why do you know my name……?”

I was only surprised for a moment before I realized that Louie had called me by my name just earlier

”Please bear with it ——I was here all night protecting the barrier after you left to rescue the Moon General I do not know if it is because I resurrected only recently, but ic levels are close to nonexistent at the moment But I have erected yet another barrier despite my condition It pains me to say this, but I am truly atalht now All I've done is to draw the foundations for the barrier I wouldn't be able to draw the foundations again if you left it, much less maintain it on my own”

I looked back at the Rittei's ashen face There was no doubt that he, who had supported ht after he had resurrected and had also created a barrier afterward, needed resttheo I implore you to punish me, but stay here with us”

”……I don't plan on punishi+ng you”

”Hibiki, or whatever your name is You're barely able to move yourself Just bear with it for now,”

Ilfai said suddenly but gently

But, ahh, listen, they're screaain!

I was certain that I'd felt a wave of so——help us!

What should I do? I couldn't ask soo rescue them in my place Everyone was exhausted in both mind and body Eru was the fastest present, but he had already beennonstop to help me

And more importantly, I couldn't send soun to awaken

”If I don't hurry……!”

Is there a way to protect the barrier AND save them!?

”……Solt”

Louie looked at me sternly when I uttered Solt's name

This was my only option If the barrier would break if I went outside Then all I had to do was construct another one

”I'll create the Sea of Trees again”

I could go and save them while the Sea of Trees protected everyone else I was sure that Solt's barrier wouldn't break even if I stepped out of it

”That wouldn't happen to be the barrier you erected in the training roohts, too, stared at ain

——I refuse

I was astounded, as I had never dreamed that he would refuse

Why not?!

——Do you wish to die, Master?! How much blood do you think you lost the first tiood reason Listen well, spells that require the use of blood are taboo, and you mustn't use them so frequently!

But I can't think up of any other way!

What a You are h you are but a weak little girl, are you not?

I felt a note of sorrow in Solt's voice, which norht, I knew Solt's name for some reason I had seen so many dreams The divine sword's name shone with a distinct radiance in the hazy mist of my memories It was a name that I knew I must never lose

I bit down at my lip I was too powerless I didn't have a means to save the but overlook the fact that they were in danger­——

”Then why did I…”

…Coh people

That unforgettable night at Urs What was different between then and now?

”For us, Hibiki”

Louie said firently

”Please don't go”

”……But I…”

The Rittei shook his head a little

”There's no need for you to go and save the himself”

Then the man who often spoke to the contrary spoke up quickly Several people nodded in agree you, don't put everyone here in danger just for the few”

”……The few aren't lives worth saving?”

”What?”

”Are the few ”lives to be cast ahenever it's convenient?”

Silence fell upon us for a short ti such a stupid question Was I planning on uys so I could pretend to be the only voice of justice?

”We would stop you even still, girl Sit down,”

even Ilfai dean to pull at

I turned around to find Eru withme to sit

”The reason I ca uish in his eyes It was only then that I'd finally realized that he wasa conscious effort to appear indifferent He continued,

”I finally understand But you ht now”

I looked down at htly in my hands

I felt everyone's eyes onthe barrier

……What aht now?

I covered my forehead with one hand A pain that h ainst the area where the divine stone was

”Please, Lady Hibiki”

The Rittei took ht now, there was a part of me that was relieved that everyone had stopped me like this I mean, my body felt so heavy, and it hurt soin the depths of o and save them,” deep down, I think that I firmly expected Louie and the others to stop me

Like I'd be a bad example if I didn't at least pretend to try to save them

I'd shamelessly put on a mask of justice just now, and this hy So that I'd have the excuse of saying ——I wanted to go and save theainst it, later

It's so I don't have to bear any responsibility for this, isn't it? I ascertained to myself in my shock

”How could I…”

Plus, to be honest, I was a little annoyed at the two for going outside despite knowing about the danger

Why did I feel this way?——I was afraid of everyone learning about the dark feelings hiding in s I' around and being so reckless! sooosebumps It was only natural that Dilcarette and the others were so wary of s like these

I wanted to cover ot sick of s

”You ought to rest It is wrong for you to have to be responsible for those who acted of their own accord”

Louie wrapped an aredto rest, s of wanting to go and save theer able to tell which one of them was the undeniable truth Was it really okay for ? I felt the atmosphere shi+ver just as I was about to fall to the teent call for help that was hardly any different from a shriek

”——I can't”

I couldn't deceive myself There was no s of wanting to escape s that had been born fros of wanting everyone to stay safe were also real And it looked like I was right

”I'et Solt's cooperation even if I had to force hiain Then, I'd leave Solt here There wasn't any need for ainst the Rei on hiain and race to their rescue at full speed and escape back here I couldn't think of any other way to ht now

But just as I was about to tell the out of the barrier anyway

”Hyah!”

So position and brought my arms behind my back

My divine sas also forcefully taken out of my hands

”W, what!?”

I was like a handcuffed crihtly around ht behind my back I tried to stand back up in a panic, but so

”I aid voice fro?!”

”You really are unreasonable”

”I, I can't believe you'd actually tie ether!”

”I', that is”

”You're socruel here?!”

I cringed in fright at the roughness of his response He continued,

”if you really want to go outside that badly, you can go over my dead body after you've undone your restraints”

”You don't have to put it that way!”

I tried to glare back at Louie but ended up catchingcolder and more ruthless about his expression than usual

”That's enough fro that's way past your limits is no different from what a selfish child would do”

”Wha……!”

To think that Louie would say that toup at hiain in the heat of the moment before I stopped myself There was an emotion in Louie's eyes that was so dark and passionately violent that it chilled , but it was also so pretty

”Why are you like this? Whythe words out as he turned away My chest iive up on o rant me an order?”

he whispered quietly in my ear He continued,

”no, you don't even intend to ask me to come with you Am I really that useless? ……And I had only just finished telling you that I wanted to be your sword; Hibiki, why must you make such a villain out of me?”

”That's not it……, I just didn't want you to have to fight the Reiain, Louie”

”I don't need such kindness”

There was distress in his eyes when they looked to ain We looked at each other for a short while

”——Do you knohere they are?”

Juvist suddenly dropped to his knees before me I returned to my senses and turned to face him

”Huh……?”

”The place where they are You said that you heard the, but I couldn't tell There is no need for you to step outside of the barrier There is still a brief ao and bring thehts knelt as he had while he was speaking

”You can't; there are athered so a few ritual tools”

”It's not only monsters There'll be oes”

”There's no time for discussion! Where are they?!”

I closed ht in that the two of theue like this But, I hesitated because I couldn't really explain where they were very well I didn't really know about the temple's layout, and I couldn't really tell how far away they were either

Eru cooed just then

Eru, who's senses were sharp, could tell where the monsters were

”……Eru”

I'er like this I'hts to where they are”

It hurt so much just to tell him this I had to send him into the darkness when I couldn't be there with him Eru licked my cheek once and turned to the Rittei So that he could leave the barrier

”Are you guys sure about this?”

Ilfai asked Juvist and the other knights while ehtly and turned to me with a small smile

”Please don't make that face We'll be back soon I don't intend to die here”

”……Okay I'll be waiting”

”Well then”

Juvist bowed to naled his couide

Louie wouldn't undo hts' footsteps faded far away It felt like he was paying even more attention to me now that Eru, ever the reliable one, wasn't here

I was pretty sure he wouldn't trust me even if I proht to keep sitting in such an unco forward a little

”Please lean against me”

He pulled my shoulder closer to hi such kind consideration toward ht There's no need to worry over him,”

Louie told h there are many who are deceived by his mild demeanor He is a man with a steady sword”

I could tell that he was trying to hold back that violent passion froh nobody had any leisure to spare And that probably included Louie

And besides, I don't think he's forgiven ht”

”Huh?”

”I will only be thinking about your survival, no matter who may criticize me for it And I will only continue to do so”

”Louie, but I…”

”Even if you are the one criticizing me”

Louie said as much to me before he cast a chilly expression at Solt, as placed by my side, as if it was his rival Then, he continued,

”and that is why I will not untie your restraints I'll tie you down no matter how many times I must if that's what it takes to keep you alive”

”Louie”

”Please don't forget that I want to release you even less the more you plead”

I didn't kno to reply to him, so I aardly scooched closer to his chest instead

The air around him felt kind and sympathetic despite the harshness of his words I couldn't tell what he was thinking, but I was sure that I had been the one who had cornered hirate

nobody spoke There was only a heavy air that hung over the room

An explosion echoed from sohts used a ritual tool”

I orried about the two people who had gone outside, but the knights who had gone to save the their lives

Juvist and the other knights et killed I finally felt how real that possibility was I really was as stupid as Solt said I was

”Please don't die”

I couldn't do anything but wish for this