Several days passed after the night where it was known that Lefille had been cursed. While Suimei and Lefille remained wary of Mazoku attacks, the two continued to walk through the forest depths.
The path they tread was dense, often shrouded by various types of trees.
Of course, while there was the issue of the Mazoku’s presence, the most pressing matter was with regards to the two’s poor relationship.
The two walked together, side by side.
With that said--
Suimei, together with Lefille, displayed the behavior of turning to their side simultaneously before they froze, like a frog who had been trapped within a snake’s ensnaring gaze.
And then, almost as if someone had coordinated it, the two who simultaneously attempted to start a conversation realized that, in the midst of their own carelessness, their voices sounded terribly awkward.
--Indeed, between these two human beings was nothing that could be considered as threatening. Nor could it be called a rift. Yet suddenly, just like what had transpired moments ago, the timing between the two’s conversation seemed to connect no longer. If one had to say whether or not the timing was perfect, then perhaps one could say that the timing was a little too perfect.
Like so, this is how the two ended up, their breath uneasy due to the fact that they were unfamiliar with talking to members of the opposing gender. Suimei, reluctantly holding out his hand with a red face, and Lefille, the one whose gaze kept darting here to there in order to respect her partner.
Owing to the fact that their conversation topics weren’t particularly crucial, the two could not engage in verbal exchange. Perhaps due to the fact that their hearts had been captivated by boredom for far too long, this strenuous tension continued to persist.
Sure enough, the origin of this did not need to be said.
Suimei did not possess the sort of personality that would cause him to become overly aware of Lefille, especially after finding out that she was cursed. Even if this were not the case, however, after thinking about the details of the hex, somehow it became difficult for both his mind and mouth to move. He had seen through everything. Touched everything. Though Suimei hadn’t done it out of vulgar, carnal desires, as well as the fact that it was necessary at the time, the person in question had kept the appropriate boundaries when doing so, even if he still felt some inhibitions towards her.
On one hand, it was clear that he should tell Lefille that her secret had been exposed.
That kind of thing had occurred with someone whom he had just started to get along with. It couldn’t be helped if their relationship soured due to this.
In the end, the two simply continued to simmer. And so, both of them simply continued to let out various moan- and groan-like voices.
As though something were manipulating them into having awkward moments time after time, the two of them nonchalantly went through several days while continually missing the chance to hold a proper conversation.
--however, if they were to continue in this manner, both their relationship and their path would swerve out in a disastrous manner. Therefore, thinking that this was where a man needed to do his utmost, Suimei took a firm step forward as he asked Lefille, the one who was walking next to him, about their movements from now on.
Although he thought that they should discuss whether or not they should change their route to their destination, Suimei’s tone grew somewhat awkward as he raised his voice.
However, in reality, due to the fact that the two were currently advancing while wary of encountering Mazoku, they had yet to leave the forest, diverted off of their planned path, and had yet to determine the route they would take to get to Kuranto City.
“Eh?”
“Iya, we need to have a proper discussion about this, so……”
“Ah, yeah. You’re right.”
With this, Lefille’s serious visage finally returned to the conversation.
Indeed. As Lefille had indicated, there was always the possibility of the Mazoku being spread around the forest outskirts. On top of Rajas extensively moving his subordinates, it was appropriate to assume that there would be various Mazoku stationed between the forest and Kuranto City.
With that, upon hearing Lefille’s predictions, the map which he had seen once before began to surface within his mind.
Their current position was in the middle of a forest, deviating slightly south from the Omoto-route highway. At the border of the highway which connects the cities of Mehter and Kuranto, from the foot of the mountain to the plains nearby Kuranto lay an expansive forest, one that spread in parallel with said highway.
If you were to continue even further south from there, it would be one considerable detour to Kuranto City.
With regards to provisions, seeing as they had secured a sufficient amount of it, the two did not have any problems about facing hunger. However, if they took this route, the two would find resting properly to be an arduous task, seeing as they would have to constantly camp out. And, because of this, they would inevitably find themselves wasting energy.
“If we’re heading to Kuranto City, it would be best if we were to delay to some degree. If we can continue to go unnoticed by them, then I think we should be able to skillfully get past them.”
“Do you really think it will go so well?”
“Even their war potential can’t possibly just up and leave the plains nearby Kuranto City.”
“Well, if they were to openly utilize their military might, they would be discovered by the people of this country and draw out the disciplinary forces. In which case, it would probably turn into a full blown battle. If they desired such a thing, then the situation changes, but……”
“It’s unlikely. While Kuranto City may certainly be a large town, in the end, it is a city of humans. It doesn’t hold any strategic importance in a military sense, and there are little to no merits for them to cause a large scale battle here. Even if they felled the city, were they to forcibly induce a war around here, even they would be subjected to losses, to the point where they would eventually become isolated and vulnerable upon victory.”
“I know what you mean. In their eyes, such a situation would only bring them to a decline.”
(However……)
Well, for the time being anyway.
Lefille phrased her unlikely concern into words before immediately denying it. Usually, it wouldn’t be strange for the Mazoku to dispatch at least a reconnaissance force within the confines of the forest. Nevertheless, the fact was that they had not.
Lefille also seemed to share the same thoughts. Although her manner of speech was slightly ambiguous, Lefille also displayed agreement with this projection.
However, Suimei, who presented similar predictions in optimism, felt a tinge of anxiety in the pit of his stomach.
Ruminating over the words he heard from Rajas the day prior, a thoughtful expression lingered on Suimei’s face. What in the world did that Mazoku come up with? Those words that incited anxiety. The fact that his enemy had conjured up something diabolical unavoidably resulted in fostering Suimei’s torment.
“Well, whatever the case, at the moment, we need to cover a certain distance, right.”
“I guess so.”
“Phew……, somehow, we were able to hold a normal conversation……”
“……I apologize for causing you such concern.”
“Uoraba-!”
“……what’s wrong? You made such a strange sound.”
“Y-you heard!?”
“That’s obvious. I mean, we’re this close to each other.”
“A-ahaha. Yeah, that’s right……”
“Fufufu.”
And in the face of this, Suimei asked the following with a blank expression.
When you hit a bull’s-eye, it is no different from delivering a lethal blow. Releasing a groan that would seem to be expressed during such a predicament, Suimei dejectedly dropped his shoulders.
And in the face of this, as if continuing to add insult to injury, Lefille spoke.
Suimei slumped over, his head cradled between his hands. If one were to add onomatopoeia, then it would probably be “hemo hemo”. Certainly at that time, in order to manipulate his rank, Suimei placed a strong suggestion--Malm・Hypnotic on the Guild Staff Dorothea and the others. However, what he carelessly didn’t prepare any countermeasures for what had happened on that day.
In which case, the topic would probably be raised here. The people who were there were quite plentiful so they would obviously start rumors.
Crestfallen, he fell into despair--. As Suimei made an expression that implied this completely incomprehensible example had hit the mark, a grin surfaced upon Lefille’s face.
Pouting, Suimei grew sulky as he issued a voice that sounded similar to a pig’s cry.
“--ttch, Suimei-kun!”
“Got it.”
“H-Help……”
“--!?”
“O,oi!?”
“Keep it together!?”
“Ah, gu……y-you’re……”
“What in the world happened!?”
“M-Mazoku…attacked…us. In the……mountains……”
“Mountains? Mazoku?”
“Hey, Lefille. This man.”
“What about him?”
“No, this is the adventurer from that time.”
“That time? Ah--”
“Lefille. Put that man to sleep. I’ll apply the treatment now.”
“Ah, yeah. I got it.”
Upon hearing these words, Suimei nodded. Following which, he then began to apply healing magic. So long as it wasn’t instant death, or a serious condition very close to it, he could still use his techniques to compensate for the type of injury. With regards to physical trauma, Spirit Therapy was a viable and effective option. For severe blood loss, although there would inevitably be some residual symptoms, he could cover it up through the use of Restoration Magic.
Beneath the adventurer, a color similar to the Magic Circle that surfaced from Suimei’s hand could be seen. Being healed by a faintly rising, smaragd-colored Magical Light, the adventurer’s scars closed within moments.
However--
“......”
“Eh……?”
“Suimei-kun!? What’s the big idea!? Why did you stop!?”
“......it’s impossible. The Astral Body has been exhausted beyond repair. Right now, no matter how much this man is healed, it will only be in vain.”
“What are you looking at? His injuries were healed by your treatment, you know? There’s no way that this could be in vain. Why……?”
“I can heal the wounds. Just the external injuries. However……”
“Then--”
“Why……”
“Suimei-kun. Don’t tell me that the reason you stopped the treatment was because this man was the person who expelled me? Do not underestimate me. I wasn’t bothered at all by what happened at that time! So please, hurry up and continue the treatment!”
“......”
“Suimei-kun!”
“No, it’s no use. Certainly, as you have indicated, Lefille, I can cure the injuries sustained by the body. That is possible. However, like I said earlier, the Astral Body--in other words, the soul’s main body and its vessel, the shell of the spirit, has been eroded. Furthermore, no matter what healing technique I apply from here on, there is no possible way for this man to survive.”
“Wha……!? That can’t……”
“Even if various healing magic was applied to his body, there’s nothing that can be done about another’s soul.”
“.......is it really impossible?”
“Under the right conditions, there might be a one-in-one thousand chance that it might not be. However, if we were to use that approach, we lack time. Even if preparations were made now, this man’s body would first need to be maintained.”
“……!”
“T-The others……a-are still…being attacked...by Mazoku.”
“Are there still some that are alive?”
“I don’t……know. If so, they’re still……”
“They could still be alive, right!?”
“……”
In an attempt to try and capture oxygen in his lungs, the adventurer’s mouth floundered, no longer able to voice his thoughts. Although it was unclear what she was thinking, Lefille used a faint voice to ask the man in such a miserable state the following.
It was undetermined whether such a question held meaning. Her voice was so calm that one could mistake it for being almost chilled. Towards such an alarming question that seemed a touch too ghastly, the man faintly nodded.
And shortly after, the man took his last breath.
In the face of the man’s death, Lefille released a silent cry while Suimei’s expression darkened.
……eventually, however, Lefille rose from her kneeling position, standing on her feet before turning around. Turning her back to Suimei, the direction that the girl had faced was--
What this signified, she did not know. Therefore, after being asked thus, with her back continuing to face the boy, Lefille, for some reason, uttered a word of apology.
In the face of such a question, Lefille, in a tone that seemed to suggest it was only natural, spoke thus.
The way that she phrased it implied that the reason was something obvious. --no, it certainly was something that could be considered obvious. Currently, what lay before her was the same path that the two had tread through. Needless to say, the destination of said path was the mountain that they had previously passed through. It was probable that after the incident, the people of the caravan turned back in order to run away from the Mazoku, leading them to this mountain.
Before long, Lefille had made up her mind. Turning her back from here, she voiced her thoughts and resolution.
They should go. To save them. To recklessly aid them, or so it might be said. However, they should not. By no means should they head over to them. After all--
Indeed, this was a trap. A ploy. Of course, this was something that anybody would be able to discern. Anticipating that Lefille would go to help the people of the caravan was such an atrocious plan of enticement. On top of that, the plan considered to read the action that Lefille would take upon witnessing the escapee nearing death. So long as one knew her personality, it was probably that they could concoct such an idea.
Certainly, here in the deep forest, his arrival to this location would probably be attributed to complete chance. Yet, the speculative possibility that they originally let him escape was more than enough. It is not hard to imagine that Rajas would most likely be waiting for Lefille who would rush to the caravan’s aid.
However, in the face of Suimei’s fruitless complaints, Lefille returned a calm and composed voice.
In the face of Suimei who stood his ground, continuing to insist that she should go, Lefille began to overflow with emotion. It was likely that the identity of the emotion was all of the mental torment she had accrued up until now. The desire of wanting to help, and the idea that she was obligated to save them was severely conveyed through her words.
However, from this, Lefille’s self-condemnation could not be seen as anything else but excessive.
Indeed. An ambush was not something that one could take so lightly. In anticipation of fighting the waiting party, it is preferable for one to prepare accordingly. Not only would it be impossible to avoid being disadvantaged, the opponent was one that they had lost to once before before.
Which is why Suimei relentlessly continued to stand his ground as he attempted to detain Lefille.
However, Lefille did not look back--
It happened when Suimei was about to say thus. Lefille, whose shoulders trembled in silence up until now, opened her mouth.
What stopped Suimei’s words was a cry that came from the depths of Lefille’s heart. It was then that her accusations continued, her thoughts overflowing like water rushing out of a broken dam.
Lefille’s words struck Suimei’s ears. They struck his heart. In the face of this, the boy’s mouth could no longer form words.
What she possessed, her thoughts and passion, was something that she had hidden within the depths of her heart. The bitterness of being unable to save anyone. The pitiful self that could not help anyone. Being unable to bear this pain, to the point of crying out, truly displayed just how strong her thoughts of wanting to save someone were.
In which case, how could one obstruct such a will?
Her shout was one directed towards the unfairness of the world. The wails that she was unable to direct anywhere until now pierced Suimei’s heart.
Indeed, whilst continuing to betray and betray her own feelings, the several layers of torment continued to pile up. Seeing as it was the right thing to do, then Lefille’s pain was even more justified. And for her, whose beliefs were entrenched and unwavering, this guilt would be something that even she could never endure.
It was then that, after exhausting herself through screaming her thoughts, the corner of Lefille’s eyes were blurred by faint tears.
It was painful. It frustrating. These tears were the crystals filled with grief, belonging to the girl who had been bounded by chains.
……before long, the girl’s rough breathing finally calmed. Distraught, Lefille voiced an apology before turning around once more. And then, whilst not daring to look back a second time, she uttered a word of parting, almost as if declaring that the course of her life had been decided.
The voice which intended to detain her ultimately ended up falling upon deaf ears.
“O-Oi. Did she seriously heading there……”
“……”
“-tch……”
However, if he went, he would surely endanger his own life. Naturally. After all, the ones that had no choice but to fight were the Mazoku known as Rajas, as well as his subordinates. The fight would most likely become appropriately severe, and, in the worst case scenario, it was possible for him to lose his life.
However, that was not acceptable. Suimei had his own reasons as to why he could not allow himself to die. Suimei needed to fulfil his father’s wish, realizing the ideals of the association. That was his promise. Even if this commitment was not an exchanged agreement, or even if this was a one sided arrangement, a promise was a promise. Although it was already decided, it was something that Suimei could not give up on until it had been fulfilled.
However, was he fine with this? Was he fine with using the excuse that he had his own obligations to fulfill, to simply walk down the safe path whilst not daring to look behind him?
Without saving the girl who was running full speed along the path without salvation.
Indeed--
--abandoning people in need of rescue so he could complete a thesis that saves people in need of help. Wasn’t this an extreme case of placing the cart before the horse?
Questioning his own contradictory ideals, a voice echoed within Suimei’s head.
“That’s right. Yakagi Suimei. You are a magician of the association. A mage of the association wouldn’t dare to not follow such ideals……”
“……”
From behind him, he could sense something rise to their feet. Along with the presence of a power that appeared to be emitted from a Mazoku, it swayed from side to side, similar to a departed soul.
Seeing the life which was so feeble just moments before completely change, it was quite an ominous tonic.
--the cure being ineffective, so that’s what it meant……
In light of the hidden truth, the questions Suimei harbored were dispelled.
The questions regarding the unnatural corrosion that the adventurer’s Astral Body received.
Excessive wear and tear of an Astral Body was not something that occurs as a result of physical trauma. Even if it was a fatal injury, without exception, there was an absolute amount of the soul that would not be lost. Certainly, if one suffered an injury, their spirit force would weaken. However, the spirit would simply diminish. The soul, on the other hand, would not shrink in size.
On the other hand, the man who was an adventurer would have had to have suffered an additional attack aside from his external injuries. If it was an Astral Attack, a blow that would be effective against a soul, had occurred, then a factor that would corrode the soul would be necessary. The current situation could be described into one of these two options.
If one were to look at the present results, the situation was undoubtedly the former.
“--tch!”
“##############!!”
Appearing behind Suimei, about to chase after the weeping girl, the living corpse raised its first cry, gasping in agony.