Sepakai (GXG) (GIRLXGIRL) (GL)

61

“Then Saluena and I will go!”

“I can’t allow that.”

“You can’t……W-Why’s that!!?”

“Have you forgotten? I, we, have been ordered to protect you. Do you think I would just sit back and watch as you run off to a place I know is fraught with danger?”

“B-But if it’s Saluena…… If she goes with me……”

“Yes, I…….with your aid Iris, I could surely strike down even a carbunculus that governs over death. However…….aren’t you forgetting something else? What happened the last time you summoned the power of the Dark Violet Knight?”

“……..”

“We cannot guarantee that those three are still alive. Rather, it’s far more likely that they have already perished. If so, the battle against the carbunculus would fall to just you and me.”

After I summoned Saluena, she slew the dragon, and I lost consciousness for a few days. While I’m knocked out, Saluena would be unable to stay in this realm during which time I would be left completely alone. Saluena is taking into account the dangers of being left unconscious in the middle of some ruins where you never know when or where an enemy will attack you from.

“I know that…….but still…….”

“Talking as your knight, I cannot allow you to run off as you are now to what is almost assuredly death.”

“Saluena……..”

I know I’m being selfish, but I was certain Saluena would agree with me. I thought she would follow me. But, I was wrong. Saluena took a position right next to Aronda-san, and now they were both standing in my way, trying to stop me.

Stay calm. I keep telling myself this over and over, trying to keep my composure. But, even with a calm mind no good ideas are coming to my head.

“Saluena, aren’t you…….”

So with no good thoughts coming forward, a bad one arose instead.

(aren’t you worried about Rose-san?)

My impatience gave way to anger, and I almost blurt out what I was thinking. But I covered my mouth before I could finish that thought and swallowed the words deep inside me.

“I’ll say it once more. I can’t let you go as you are right now.”

Of course she’s worried too. This stubborn, old-fashioned knight always looks like she’s having fun whenever she’s talking about Rose-san.

After coming back to the world a thousand years later, her one and only sister whom she’s formed an ancient bond with.

Of course she wants to help. She actually has the strength to make a difference, so I’m sure she wants to drop everything and start running right now even more than I do. Run right to Rose-san.

But, I’m in her way. I’m holding her back. Her options are limited because I’m not strong enough.

“Uu, Toslin…….Carol, Rose-san…….”

I, I……..what should i do? I can’t find an answer no matter how many times I ask myself. Saluena keeps calling me wise, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Whenever the important moment arrives, I’m an incompetent who can only run away or crouch down on the ground and hide my head in my arms.

The proof…….isn’t just the fact that I can’t do anything here. I can feel it, deep down, when Aronda-san and Saluena stopped me from going, I was relieved.

The fact that I can’t do anything to help is just an excuse.

(The worst……..I’m the worst………)

Aronda-san and Elzella-san have gone back to talking about calling for a detachment of priestess warriors.

“Iris. Can you stand?”

Saluena tried supporting me after I crouched down and buried my face into my legs right there on the floor. But that kind of kindness just hurts all the more right now. You should be yelling at me. Yell, scream, curse me for my weakness. Maybe then some small part of this overwhelming guilt will fade away.

“Y-Yeah…….”

“It’d be best if we went home for today. As far as research goes, we’ve done all that we can for those three. We know our enemy, and it’s all thanks to you. You managed to finish the request Rosa and the others took. Be proud of that.”

“Uu, Uuu……..”

Too bad it won’t be of any help to them. Because, it might already be too late. As the thought crossed my mind, I could feel my eyes grow hot…….

“Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!”

so I jumped into Saluena’s chest, and cried.

1. For clarification, they’re meant to signify love, passion, and a zest for life.