When my eyes caught sight of those two tufts of silver hair, the first thing that came to my mind was how did they get here? After all, that knight must not even know that I was in Belle Fain. And yet, somehow, she is wielding a silver long sword as if leading her lord's army.

　But there's no doubt that there's some sort of discrepancy between her and me. She clears her throat as if to hold back the blade that has been thrust at Bruder.

"Hey, hey, you're acting like a tragic villain, huh?

　The moment he said the words to reach his ears.

　A shiver ran down my spine, as if licked by cold wax. Her fingertips involuntarily brushed against the hilt of the sword. Slowly, Kalia's gaze turned from Bruder and Vestalinu to me. I can see that her silver eyes are filled with a glimmer of fire within them.

"You've arrived too late, Lugis. You've become a great man, making me wait for you.

　In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. The way she blinked her eyelashes, she seemed to be in a good mood.

　I see, the knight who suddenly appeared seems to be in a bad mood. I'd rather he vent that kind of thing in a place that has nothing to do with me.

How did you get here ......? I'd like to know why you're here, sir. I was going to take care of this on my own.

　I'm not sure why or how, but I don't think those words are necessary. I've got a pretty good idea. It's not something I want to do, but... And I doubt we'll have time for long conversations now.

　He glanced over his shoulder and locked eyes with Kalia's silver eyes.

What can I say, there are some fools who don't think of their friends as friends. I've come to help you and tighten your neck a bit.

　As he said this, a graceful smile appeared on Kalia's cheeks, as if she had drawn lines on them. But the smile was not one of kindness or compassion, but rather a reflection of her fundamental nature.

　Oh, I see. Apparently, she's upset with me. And a lot. My cheeks fluttered involuntarily. I felt like my knees were going to buckle from all the emotion I was feeling.

　He muttered jokingly in a trembling voice that there are some people who are just plain deadly, but he didn't turn his head away and looked at Bruder and Vesterine.

　Vestalinu has a bloody wound on his shoulder, and Bruder is stopping the bleeding, but how long will that last? And the mercenaries are clearly shaken by the loss of their commander, Vestalinu.

　That's terrible. Things are going in a much worse direction than I imagined. If there's a God of Fate, I want to rip his hair out of his back.

　Bruder is staring at me with a blank look in his eyes.

My employer, ...... why. No, it's more like, oh my God!　You're an idiot!

　Bruder muttered in confusion as he held Vestalines in his arms. His eyes flickered strangely as he spat out the words in a confused manner. Please don't call me stupid. That's what we both want.

　Besides, the reasons for people like me to act are just plain stupid no matter how you make them up. It's not something to talk about at length. Once again, I looked back at Kalia and pointed with my thumb to the back roads.

"Let's talk about it over venison after all is said and done, Bruder. We can't just give away what we've got. Am I right?

　He's telling me to back off.

　Despite his concern for his sister, Bruder knows that this is an unacceptable choice. Right now, Bruder's heart must be throbbing with all kinds of emotions, and he must be screaming and opening his mouth wide.

　So, as if to blow away all those emotions, he points to a back road with strong words. Go. It's the right way, like a command.

　Yeah, get the hell out of here. Even if it causes the war to collapse and your mercenaries to die in the street, it's not your fault. I made that decision for you. I'm the one who spoke up and ordered you to do it. It's not exactly what I'd do to a good friend.

　Then a word rang out, cutting off the space between me and Bruder.

"Lugis. You are a fool. She, Vestaline, is a warrior. Cutting off her head here and now is the only way to honor her.

　Kalia's silver eyes turn from me to Vestalynu and tell her with a hint of annoyance in her voice. I'm not going to let you get away with this. He was about to swing his silver long sword and cut Vestaline and Bruder in half.

　Well, you're right, that's not a mistake. If the whole of Belfain was an enemy, then Vestalines must be an enemy. But that is now a thing of the past. The wheels of Belfain have already begun to turn in the opposite direction.

　Standing between Bruder and Kalia, he moves his lips. As if to explain everything. To make sure that Kalia hears that there is no longer any point in being hostile.

"Karia. I'll tell you more later, but Bruder, Vestalinu, they're kind of--well, they're kind of with us now. We don't need to chop their heads off.



　That's why I was going to tell you to get the hell out of here.

　--Lugis, I'll take it easy on you.

　I'm not sure what to do.


　...


　--I'll be back!

　In the middle of the air, the silver and purple lights intersected and made a rumbling sound. I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but it's a good idea.

　In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, there are a few things you can do.

　Did this guy, Lugis, just call them his friends? Did he just say that to me so easily? Pointing at them as if it were natural. You treat me like I'm not one of them.

　Yeah, I get it. I'm ashamed. The emotion creeping from deep within my gut, raging like a fire under my skin, is unmistakably jealousy. One of those emotions that I admit is foolish. But that doesn't mean, that doesn't mean, that I can't suppress these feelings right now. How can I crush it with my teeth and swallow it down? I'm not sure I'll be able to.

"I see, Lugis. A companion. For you, perhaps. And for me?

　That's a terrible thing to say. I almost hate myself for it. It's so ugly, it's so disgusting. I know. I know that, I understand that. But still, this throat refuses to know when to stop.

　Kalia's chest is spitting out words as if it has exceeded its capacity. It is no longer a list of emotions. It was no longer an eloquence of thought, but the throat of Kalia must be the voice of emotion.

After all the hand-wringing, whose hand are you going to take in the end, Lugis? Mine or someone else's? Yes, I don't care. Do what you want. But, but... But if by any chance ...... you should betray me.

　--I'll make sure you're destroyed.

　The words sounded like they could not have come from his own throat. Kalia blinked her silver eyes reflexively and felt her heart almost burn with shame.

　Oh, that's disgusting. I can't believe I'm spewing out words like this, like a weak woman. Such, such words, just like... It's like I'm clinging to him, begging him not to throw me away. Shame, what greater shame can there be?

　Against Kalia's will to not move anymore, her lips swayed and spun with the emotion in her heart.

"I will ask you once more, Lugis. You are on my side, are you not?

　As if seeking salvation, the lips repeated the words and oaths of the past here.