I can't stop worrying about Fearat right now. I feel like my heart is about to burst. If it weren't for your eyes, I might even be distraught. So I want to tell you something. If by any chance he were to harm Fialat, I would turn against him.

　Kalia Vardnick twisted her eyebrows at these words as she looked down at her white fingers in the dimly lit underground temple.

　That's strange. No, if anything, this is normal. But I don't know what I'm feeling.

　Helt Stanley. He is definitely a man of righteousness, and his words are sincere. If I had to choose between trustworthy and untrustworthy, I'd say trustworthy.

　However, I only met him a few days ago. In fact, this is the first time we've had a serious conversation. And yet, why? I wonder why. Why does it seem as if his words are correct so much? The moment he said that Lugis was harming Fialaat la Volgograd, my brain almost decided that it was true.

It's not something to be questioned now. When the time comes, I will take the necessary action.

"Let us hope that your sincere words are justified.

　Even though they were his own words, Kalia was fed up with the ugliness of their content. I'll take the necessary action when necessary.

　What an excuse. The kind of ambiguity, deceit, and deception that he hated most. It's still wrong. Now there's something not quite right about this thought. I'm sure of it. But why? I don't know why.

　Lugis. He's not the good guy Herdt said he was. He's aloof and does evil with a cool face. I'm sure he has no qualms about deceiving people. Heldt said that he was not vicious, but from the perspective of Caria, with whom he had had a brief but strangely intense relationship, he was definitely vicious. He's the kind of guy who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

　Oh, then again. Is Held Stanley right?

　It's not just a hunch, it's a guess. So if that's the case, then we should follow what's right.

"What's the matter, Mr. Kalia?

　It was probably because I was suddenly lost in thought. I turned my head and naturally stopped in my tracks. A shadow flickered on the cobblestones, illuminated by a faint light.

　He replied that it was nothing. He tried to say more. You're right. What's right is what should be done. Despite the low light, Held's presence only grew hotter. A grace like the sun, a light that illuminates the truth. Oh, yes, that's right, that's right.

　As Kalia looked up from her prone position, something moved for a moment out of the corner of her eye.

　It was a shadow. A shadow, shimmering, moving, taking shape against the light, lingering in Caria's eyes.

　--What a lovely thing to lean on, the word of God's favored one.

　The Shadow. It's a shadow speaking to me. It's a shadow talking to me. I understand that the words are ringing in my ears.

　It was so improbable that Kalia blinked her eyes and swallowed the words with a quick breath.

　--So give it up if you must, Kalia Vadnick. Like a tame sheep that blindly follows its shepherd down a cliff. Think nothing, question nothing.

　The words are so wild, so stormy. It's as if you're watching a bad play being performed in front of you. His body is frozen, and his throat cannot even tremble.

　But the content was unacceptable. Unexpectedly, Kalia's back teeth clacked.

　--That would be bliss. Drown, drown. Drown. Drown.

　Shut up. The words didn't come out of her throat, only a slight quiver in her mouth.

　Kalia's body was on fire, from the tips of her hair to her toenails, as if she'd been poisoned. Her chest was boiling and bubbling, and her expression could have been evil if she could have moved it.

　But there is no mistaking the burning rage in those silver eyes. Oh, yes. Oh, my God. Nonsense. Yeah, it's crap.

　It's great to be right. With what mouth do you speak those words and with what mind do you conceive those thoughts? You have broken the guild's ban and entered the forest of trees. A knight who has lived too wildly.



　A taunt that seemed to mock everything in the world flashed through Kalia's mind.

　--Who do you think you are? Who do you think I am, Kalia, that you have trampled down the house of lawlessness? Stupid Karia.

　She glared at the shadow and said in her mind as if to say something back.

　Kalia cowered lightly. Strangely enough, her body was already moving. The shadow had already stopped trying to speak. Whether it was an auditory hallucination or the truth, the words of the shadow. I don't know anymore.

　No matter the means to an end. It's natural. I used to be like that. And now you want to correct it, twist it.
And. That would be a trampling of your pride.

"...... Oh, no, I've decided. If Lugis is doing something illegal, that is.

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it. His presence still radiates a divine and unmistakable heat.

"Yes. Right now, by contract, Fialaat can't touch him. Whatever's happening, I don't think it's crazy. Then I'll have to take the blame. I don't want to have to take the blame for not being able to stop Fialaat when it comes to you.

I see.

　Well, you're right. That's wonderful. It's a pleasure. Kalia moved her body again, her silver hair, tufts of it, bouncing, the sword at her hip, swinging.

I'm afraid we're not compatible then. I don't know what you think, but he, Lugis, saved my life and defended my honor.

　A battle with a large hexenbiest. The question and answer at Fort Coryden. And the escape from House Vardnik.

　It's all been so outrageous. He really can't help it," Kalia said, smiling as if she were seeing something that made her smile.

　It's a graceful smile that soothes even those who are watching. It was a radiant, warm smile.

　If it wasn't for the smile on Kalia's face as she drew her silver long sword, it certainly would have been.

I decide what is right for me. He's the one who led me here. And it was I who decided to take his hand. Then the choice is now made-- mine and his, because we are mates.

　My heart burst. That's the feeling Kalia got. Oh, I see, maybe that's how I feel about him. It's like a heavy fetters have been removed. But this can't be expressed in terms of love, affection, or amorous affairs. That's why I say so, with my friends.

　In the dark, still dimly lit underground passage. In the dark, still dimly lit underground passageway, Kalia, who had drawn her silver long sword, and Heldt, whose eyes were wide open in astonishment, were quietly confronting each other.