「Whew… that was surprisingly easy, huh?」
「Both the Holy Knight-sama and Saintess-sama are unbelievable…」
「General Varicius was amazing too. Casting shortened chants in the middle of combat?」
Yes, in Amilia’s era, that was normal.
But in this time, there were no dedicated mage or sorcerer units.
Most people could only use a little magic here and there.
「Ahaha… Because I could use magic, they ended up forcing the general position on me…」
Varicius sighed deeply, looking utterly exhausted.
My condolences…
「Hmm… We still have a few hours until dawn〜」
Amilia stretched lazily, breaking the heavy mood, then flopped onto her back.
「Considering march speed, the main force should arrive around noon tomorrow. So Holy Knight-sama and Saintess-sama, please rest first.」
「Ah, I can go a few days without sleep if needed, so you two go ahead and sleep. In exchange, General Varicius, I’d like you to handle the daytime negotiations.」
「Understood. Then I’ll take you up on that.」
Varicius disappeared into his solo tent reinforced with defensive magic.
I thought Amilia would head to hers too, but she came back dragging a sleeping bag and blanket.
「Ehehe〜 Since we’re here… is it okay if I sleep next to Yuuki?」
「Sure, but the ground’s stone tiles. Won’t it hurt?」
「I used to be an orphan, remember? Sleeping on hard ground is nothing new to me.」
「Right… Come here then.」
「Fweh!? W-wait, Yuuki!?」
I pulled her close and sat her between my legs.
She flailed in adorable panic, but I simply wrapped my arms around her from behind, blanket draped over us both.
「Not cold?」
「N-no!? I-I’m not cold!!」
「What’s wrong?」
「It’s just… Yuuki has never come this close before, so it feels… really new…」
「Hm〜 Now that you mention it, maybe you’re right?」
While she fidgeted nervously, I gently stroked her hair.
Slowly, her shoulders relaxed, tension melting away.
「Feeling better now?」
「Y-Yes…」
「But why the sudden change?」
This time she leaned back heavily against my chest.
「I heard from General Varicius and the soldiers that Amilia’s been working incredibly hard… I just wondered if maybe you were pushing yourself too much〜」
That rumor Varicius mentioned earlier today, about Amilia venting her frustration, had stuck with me.
(I figured she must’ve been really anxious and lashing out… but I wonder how she really feels?)
「Ugh… You probably heard about how I was going wild earlier, didn’t you…」
Amilia gave a dry, awkward laugh.
「Yeah… that’s part of it. But you’re such a hard worker, Amilia. I got worried you might be pushing yourself too hard.」
「Ugh… I already knew you were incredible, Yuuki. And you really are doing amazing things. But somewhere deep down… I still feel like I’m being left behind…」
「I see… Sorry.」
「No, it’s my fault. If I’d stayed calm, I would’ve realized how ridiculous it is to try catching up to someone as overwhelmingly strong as you…」
Amilia gazed off into the distance, voice quiet.
「Then how about tomorrow we go apologize together? I’ll come with you.」
「Yeah… Thank you…」
As I kept stroking her hair, Amilia gradually drifted off to sleep against me.
「She must’ve been so anxious… Growing this fast all at once, then hitting something even bigger…」
I’d gone through it myself once.
Back when I was traveling with Aerith and the others, there was a period of explosive growth.
But right after, Yuki’s village was attacked and suffered massive casualties.
I’d felt the full weight of my own arrogance then, how fragile everything really was.
「I was a real mess after that… No matter how much healing Aerith gave me, I kept pushing recklessly, nearly dying… Myuriel, the Holy Knight, punched me square in the face. Aerith lectured me for hours… Yuffie just looked bored the whole time.」
Remembering those old failures made me chuckle softly.
◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆
「Um… I’m sorry. Those individuals are currently stationed at the royal castle, guarding Her Majesty the Queen.」
The next day at noon, we arrived at the kings’ encampment, only to be told the people we wanted to see hadn’t joined this expedition.
「I see… Then we’ll head back.」
「「「「「Eh?」」」」」
「It’ll take half a day just to return, you know?」
「Eh? Round trip is instant for me. Amilia, hold this for a second. Excuse us, Your Majesty.」
I handed Amilia the portal marker and activated the transfer.
In an instant, we were back in our room at the royal castle.
「Nnah!? Is this… the same teleportation magic the gods once used!?」
「Yes, though it’s limited to two or three people at most. It also requires a destination I’ve been to before, or one of these markers.」
I decided not to mention that the ring I’d given Amilia was also a marker.
「So, we’ll be heading back now! …Whoops.」
Another flash, and we were back before the kings.
The surrounding lords stared in absolute shock.
「Your Majesty! Are you unharmed!?」
「Yes… I have borne witness to the divine power with my own body. Truly befitting of the Holy Knight and Saintess sent by the gods.」
The king knelt deeply.
The nobles hurriedly followed suit, dropping to their knees.
「Well then… we’ll be off for a bit. Here, Your Majesty, this is for you. Amilia!」
「E-eh!?」
I handed the king another portal marker, took Amilia’s hand, and teleported us once more.
Leave a Reply