Vestalynne could see that her own breath was coming in surprisingly ragged gasps. This is crazy. This can't be happening. Why would I be so shaken and agitated by the words of that mercenary?

　Bullshit. Yes, it must be. It's all just a stupid lie. Vestalinu tells himself this over and over again. Each time, her heart calmed down a little.

　But still, deep down inside, it was still shaking, and it would not stop stirring. Whenever Bruder's voice filled the tavern, Vestalines whole body shook.

　Because what she hears is so real that what she hears is reflected in her eyes. The tone of her voice was not pale, but heavy, heavy to the point of no return. The voice is not thin, but heavy, heavy, heavy.

　And then... Oh, no. It can't be.

　In a dimly lit tavern. This was a cage of Vestalinu's own choosing. If you bring your men in here and surround them with mercenaries, no one can escape. No one would be able to come to his aid. Then you'll know what you want to know. That's why Vestalines hand-picked the place and the situation.

　But what about now? It's as if this space is a prison that blocks even my escape route. This strange darkness blurs even the boundary between what is real and what is false. I wanted to run away with my legs, but the gaze of the mercenaries surrounding me prevented me from doing so.

　Her reputation as the Steel Princess and her self-esteem, which is stronger than steel, prevented her from making a run for it.

　Vestalinu's eyes blinked quickly. Over and over again. The cold-hearted mask on her face seemed to wobble badly.

　--Boom, boom.

　So that sound from the outside world must have been Vestalinu's savior. And the messenger said. My father is calling me.

　--Yes, your father, Mordor.

　Oh, now the guidance has returned to my heart. Where I should go, what I should aim for, seeps into my mind.

　Vesterline felt as if her throat hadn't breathed in a long time. She felt as if she hadn't breathed in a long time.

　That's enough. I don't care what they, these two mercenaries, say anymore. I can't deal with them.

　I'm not running away. I just have to get away from here. I don't want to drown like that again. Let's go home. To my father. That should bring everything back to normal. That's good. That's fine. Vestalynne's cheeks contort, her eyes tremble far more than they would in normal times. No longer, no matter what is routine, no matter what is false. It doesn't matter what is routine, what is false, as long as there is peace for you.

　After all, that's what human beings are. There's no way I want to know the truth of anything until I force open my own wound. I just want to be at peace now. As long as today is safe. Isn't that enough? If you hide your eyes, everyone will choose to lick the sweet poison rather than drink the bitter medicine. Leave the pain in the distance to the curious. Stick out your tongue and lick the momentary pleasures that lie nearby.

　Oh, that's how I've been living. Vestalinu just repeated the empty thought, and held such a conclusion in his heart.

　I trained to be admired by my father, not to be abandoned. I didn't even think of mentioning my mother's death because my father would frown upon it. I lived my life to please my father, not to deviate from his wishes. I never tried to confront him, never went against his wishes. Yeah, that's how I've been living my life, licking the sweet candy.

　Yes, after all, I've always run away. Running, running, running. Seeing nothing because I'm afraid. I didn't want to know and be afraid, so I dismissed it as something I didn't need to know. Isn't that how it was supposed to end this time, too? It's ridiculous. Trying to know is a sin in itself. All I had to do was beg for help and listen to my father.

　Let's go home. That's it. My father will praise me. And then I'll never leave my will again.

　That was the moment when Vestalynu turned his feet toward the doorway of the tavern. The moment she turned her back on Bruder and Lugis. A voice echoed.



"Where are you going, Vess?

　Bruder's voice pierced Vestalinu's back. Vestalynne felt her spine flutter and her legs stop moving as if they were frozen in place.

　Vess. That was Vestalynne's nickname. And it's a name she only allows her beloved father, Mordor, to call her. I've never allowed anyone else to call me that. Anyone who called her that name was never allowed to call her that again.

　If anyone other than my father called me that name, there should have been a gut-wrenching anger. A feeling close to hatred should have risen up from my heels.

　So why... Why is a feeling of nostalgia sprouting in my heart now?

　It was a spur-of-the-moment action, and Vesterine turned on the spot to look at Bruder.

I have told you many times that you should not be separated from me, because you are easily lost.

　Bruder's tone of voice and tone of voice seemed to have changed from the grave voice he had used earlier. Bruder stands up and removes the hat on his head. His long, brown hair spread out in the darkness.

Oh, ...... who are you, .......? That's crazy. That's crazy. I don't know you.

　I'm scared. I don't want to know. I don't want to know. If I did, something bad would come over me.

　It was a hoarse voice. A voice Vesterine had never heard before in her life. So faint and yet so weak. It was a weak, weak voice that could have disappeared before it reached Bruder.

　However, Bruder accepted the words with a kind smile on his face.

"That's terrible, Vess. You've been so good to me... come here.

　Her long brown hair swept through the darkness as if she were swaying.

　Vestalinu's legs shook. And then, as if the voice calling out to her was her own will, with the voice of the messenger still echoing in her ears, her feet went back into the tavern.

　Everyone was staring at the scene as if they were dreaming. None of them understood what was happening in front of their eyes. Not even Vestalynne was an exception.

　Strange, why, why, why... Vestalynne wondered if she had lost her mind. Strange, I don't know, I don't know anything about this. That's what reason is telling me. But the voice calling out to her made her feel nostalgic. I miss it so much, I'm so happy that I'm about to burst into tears.

　One step at a time, Vestalynne is closing the distance.

"----

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'm not the only one.

　Then, without hesitation, he took the hand that was extended to him.

Welcome back, Vess.

　Bruder's voice gently stroked his sister's ear.

You're back, .......

　Vestalynne's eyes softened and collapsed. As if remembering something, as if nostalgic for something, and as if afraid of something.