Chapter 5
Zieg-san’s Request
—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 .
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……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 .
But Armia decision to cut off her blind faith and then support Margulus and Sarveria must be what troubled her .
Worry, regret, and other feelings too, as a member of the same party for some time, I could somewhat understand them .
Hence why, Armia whose feeling was betrayed, couldn’t recover .
「………Terrible . 」
Narsena muttered that word .
In her eyes were the feeling of revulsion toward Margulus and Sarveria who were no longer here .
I also shared her sentiment .
「I have a request I want to ask you about Armia . 」
While our expression still cloudy, Zieg-san opened his mouth .
「I know it’s unreasonable to ask both of you this, but, we can’t leave her like this for longer, that’s why, I beg you, can you please talk to her? 」
He looked pained as he said that .
His expression showed how worried he was having to say that .
Being the third party who didn’t know the full picture, Zieg-san would want to avoid stepping into my relationship with Armia .
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「I’m not asking you to unconditionally forgive Armia . But, I hope you can talk if over with Armia, Armia had been tormenting herself over her connection with you . 」
And yet, he committed the taboo .
From that, it was apparent how much Zieg-san worried about Armia .
「……I’m sorry, I can’t answer that request . 」
……But even knowing that, this wasn’t a request I could accept .
「Kh!」
In response to my reply, anxiety floated on Zieg-san’s face for a moment .
「My bad . I forgot to say the important thing, about the reward . 」
However, Zieg-san’s immediately regained his composure and kept talking .
「In terms of rewards, I will give you all the rewards from the phoenix subjugation . Of course, this is the conclusion of my party’s discussion . 」
「………Huh?」
「……No way」
I couldn’t hide my agitation hearing Zieg-san’s words .
Giving us all the reward from phoenix subjugation was an exceptional reward .
Moreover, doing that meant Zieg-san’s party would be in the red .
「Please!」
Even so, there was no hesitation in his words .
I was touched by his appearance who cared for his comrades so much .
「……I’m sorry, it’s not the issue with reward . There is no point even if I forgive her . 」
「Wh!?」
…But I couldn’t accept Mr . Sieg’s request .
「Wait! In her current condition, she wouldn’t be able to take part in the phoenix subjugation . If Armia returns to normal, the subjugation would surely be easier!」
Responding to my words, Zieg-san kept talking as if he was impatient .
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In order to somehow convinced me .
…Alas, I didn’t accept his request not because I couldn’t forgive Armia .
It was just, no matter what I do, I wouldn’t be able to save her .
「I don’t think she will be back to normal even if I forgive her . 」
「…………Hah?」
Seemingly not understanding what I meant, Zieg-san was at lost for words .
「I think Armia is only trying to erase the feeling of emptiness from being betrayed by Sword of Lightning by obsessing over her atonement for me . Whether I forgive her or not, the void in her heart would still remain… No, forgiving her may even have a greater impact on her . 」
However, after hearing my explanation which ignored his reaction, Zieg-san looked shaken for a moment, then he opened his mouth .
「…Is that so?」
From his murmur, it seemed he was deeply convinced .
That was when I knew Zieg-san finally realized there was nothing he could do about this .
The reason for her current condition was not her guilt toward me .
The matter with Margulus and Sarveria still occupied her heart, trying to atone to me was just her trying to turn her head away from the matter .
So, I couldn’t possibly cheer Armia up no matter what I do .
…… Understanding that, Zieg-san, unable to hide his discouragement, left the cafe to talk with his party members about the phoenix subjugation tomorrow .
「……Is this alright?」
All I could do as I watched Zieg-san’s went away with drooped shoulder was muttering that .
But when I realized I couldn’t get involved in this, I let out a sigh .
While praying that Armia will recover somehow, I got up to leave the cafe .
「…Um, O-Oniisan」
「What’s wrong?」
It was at that moment Narsena called out to me timidly .