novelraw Chapter 68
Chapter 68
Chapter 68
*
In the forest of the Demonlands, near the Church in the Demonlands, in a hastily dug hole, amidst the first experience of magical energy depletion.
Erika Solnzari, at the moment she heard the sound of space itself shattering, clearly realized she had accepted her own death.
Various emotions welled up in her heart.
If only she had just a little more magical energy, she could think of her best friend in the capital, of her parents.
Strangely, there was hardly any resentment or bitterness about her exile; at most, she thought, "That damned prince should go bald."
Was her heart so strangely calm because, in the end, she had a period of freedom she longed for but could never attain? A freedom she could say she fully enjoyed?
Or perhaps, for a fleeting moment, she thought it might be thanks to Shara, who was smiling and speaking to her in this situation.
But delving deeper into the fact that someone could smile and talk to her in this scene might lead to some unpleasant truths, so Erika quietly averted her eyes from the smiling sister.
And then Erika Solnzari saw the blue flames.
*
It was a quiet morning, as if the festival uproar from the day before had been a lie.
Due to the arrangements of the lord of Hekatai, alcohol was free in the city for two days, turning the streets of Hekatai into a festival uproar.
Seeing the adventurers drinking, singing, and dancing despite their injuries, Erika envied their freedom, then corrected herself, realizing she was now one of them.
She understood that their overly hasty revelry stemmed from the uncertainty of tomorrow, from the possibility of dying the next day, but Erika Solnzari found herself drawn to that life, to that freedom.
To live fully, and if lacking, to die.
What a simple, clear way of living, she thought.
For Erika, who had lived as the daughter of a marquis family, it was a way of life that seemed to assert freedom itself.
While writing a letter as a substitute for a diary at the table in her room, Erika thought.
About the boy her age who had truly brought her this freedom.
About the boy who threw away a proper noble life just to gain acquaintance with her best friend.
If one sought acquaintance with the Priestess of Light while overturning the status of a viscount family, it would be impossible through proper means.
But even so, could one throw away their life for it? Even if acquaintance was gained, what would happen next is unknown; just because there's a means to reach for what you desire, is it something to throw away?
At the very least, Erika knew she couldn't do it, and a self-deprecating smile crossed her face.
While yearning for freedom, she had given up on such a luxury from the start, knowing she was born into a marquis family.
That's why Shin Longdagger seemed so beautiful to Erika.
Simple, straightforward, supported by a freedom chosen by his own will, that resolve, that figure, seemed truly beautiful to her.
Suddenly, feeling a sense of guilt for simply being by Shin's side, Erika's pen stopped.
At the same time, she reconsidered, thinking this wasn't her fault.
Most of this guilt was, after all, Shin Longdagger's fault.
That person was a bit too serious about his role.
Erika thought of the many conversations she'd had with Shin.
That kind of kindness and sincerity should be reserved for when he meets her best friend.
To let such words slip out so easily, so casually, was a bit much, she thought.
That was somewhat an enemy to a maiden, she felt.
Throwing out words she wanted to hear at terribly pleasing moments was, lightly speaking, a crime.
And she wanted to ban those surprise words of happiness as well.
In other words, the slight fluttering of her heart was Shin Longdagger's fault, and this guilt she felt now was also his fault.
——And someday, it was something she would return.
Erika Solnzari let out a small, barely audible sigh like threads, then continued writing the letter.
A letter to her best friend with no destination.
A moment of hesitation.
Was the expression that surfaced a bitter smile or self-mockery?
For a little while, I'll borrow your man.
Erika Solnzari concluded the letter with those words.
*
Erika Solnzari, within the shattered space, was at a loss for words as she saw Shin Longdagger erupting blue flames from his entire body.
It was ultra-pure magical energy; ultra-dense magical energy that, just by existing, caused the phenomenon of magic.
That phenomenon itself had no effect.
But causing it was synonymous with the presence of a masterstroke.
It was the kind of masterstroke that would normally be a family's secret technique, like the secret technique of the Solnzari family, something that should be kept hidden.
The miracle caused by driving a magic circle with ultra-efficiency was, in terms of efficiency, one of the pinnacles of magic.
The Solnzari family achieved it by using their own hair as a magical energy tank, subduing efficiency with an enormous amount of magical energy.
But the phenomenon happening before her eyes now was not "that kind" of thing.
Erika was left speechless by a miracle caused purely by individual talent, by a single body.
With the first shockwave, the large shield Shin carried shattered, and Shara, who had been staggering, let out a small "kyu" and fainted.
While gently holding Shara's head as it fell to her chest, Erika couldn't take her eyes off Shin.
Clenching his teeth, looking at her with eyes that seemed unsure of where they were focused, did he even realize the miracle he was causing?
But there was something she knew clearly, with unshakable certainty; Erika knew Shin had not given up on living.
The death she thought she had accepted vanished so easily.
She reached out to Shin, so terribly close yet so terribly far.
Did this unserious former classmate know?
That the true malice of Rainibati's Fifth would manifest after this shockwave that seemed to sweep the land?
That the shattered space itself would steal the magical energy from every living being in its range and reap their lives?
Her outstretched hand touched Shin's cheek.
"......I might end up believing in you, you know? My Longdagger."
Erika felt the last of her magical energy being sucked away the moment it touched the blue flames.
Was it being absorbed by the Church? Even as an irresistible drowsiness rapidly overtook her, she tried to trace its destination.
As her consciousness faded, feeling as though she was being enveloped by something, Erika regretted that her hand was slipping away from Shin's cheek.
*
Setting down the pen, sealing the letter in an envelope.
Whether the sigh that escaped her lips was from the exhaustion of writing or something else, Erika herself didn't know.
But at the very least, it was undoubtedly mixed with exasperation at Shin's un-noble-like behavior as he shouted loudly in the next room.
Honestly, my dear husband is utterly lacking in noble decorum.
To be capable of such a masterstroke, yet so easily raise his voice and panic.
He should take a more objective, serious view of his own abilities.
Rising from her chair, Erika gave a wry smile.
Well, since he claims to barely remember what happened in that hole, perhaps it can't be helped.
And since he also says he doesn't remember the words she spoke, thinking they might be her last, perhaps Shin truly is an enemy to maidens.
No, well, she was grateful he forgot, though.
Still, what on earth was he making such a fuss about?
Erika Solnzari opened the door, aware of her heart pounding a little faster.
She took care not to let her voice sound too excited.
With a truly challenging smile, she spoke.
While wondering what would happen next.
"Just what are you making such a fuss about, my dear husband?"