I think it's a choice to turn your back and go back to the road.

　I think it's a choice to show your back and go back to the road..." Fialat said, muttering as he spread out the betting cards in his hand. What, you've got a bad hand? I'm telling you, if you're going to get out, get out early. That way we don't have to waste time playing games. After all, I don't have a good hand either.

"Brother, what are you talking about?

　You shake your head at Wood, as if you don't know.

　Wood, the man who used to call me "brother" in the Garouamaria Ghetto, now resides inside the walls with his sister. Judging from the creaking floorboards in some rooms, it seems that he didn't immediately build a fine dwelling, but it's still good enough compared to the poorhouse.

　Even after I got my own room in the fort, I still made it a point to visit Wood's place from time to time.

　The people in the fort are not necessarily deadly, but they always have an atmosphere that makes my skin crawl. It is not that there is anything wrong with that. In fact, it is a good thing that the people who guard the fortress live their lives with a sense of tension. However, it is too stifling.

　Compared to the cramped confines of a fortress, it is especially comforting to be around people with a gentle nature, like Wood and his sister Cereal. It's as if I'm resting in the marrow of my bones.

　That's why I've been coming here with a few souvenirs of my own. But today, there was an intruder. The woman sitting in front of me across the table, Fialat-La-Borgograd.

"Of course I'm talking about you, Lugis. Your future. Yes, Triumvirate.

　Fialaert says, opening her hand on the round table. I scowled, tilted my head slightly, and said.

I scowled, tilted my head lightly, and said, "Framed, one role. So what, you're referring to the last time I was executed?

　He puckered his lips to imitate Kalia, who was not here, and threw the cheese he had brought as a souvenir in front of Fialaat.

　Now I have nothing more to bet. Not that there was anything wrong with that, since I had come here with the intention of giving it to Wood and Cereal. But I'm a little cynical when I'm being gambled away.

I don't like the idea of private punishment. Everything was done justly, and in the end, it just made things simpler, didn't it?

　With that, Fialaert purses his lips. That's the perpetrator's point, but I hope you'll give the victim's point some consideration.

　The black eyes that looked straight at me had a strange glint in them. The brilliance of her eyes, combined with her black hair, was so bright that it drew my attention. Ever since his travels, Fialaat had occasionally shown this kind of expression and sparkle in his eyes that people from the west did not have.

　Perhaps it was a kind of demonic charm that people in the east were said to possess.

　A slight sweet smell of wine caressed his nostrils.

But it's clear. Neither the heraldry nor Gazalia has the slightest intention of letting you go. That's okay for now, because both heraldry and Gazalia have their hands in it. But there will come a day when people will say, "Well, which side are you on?

　Well, it's not so much the two forces that are looking for you, but rather the head of the two. As he said this, Fialat narrowed his eyes. I'm not sure how to describe the emotions in his dark eyes, they seemed to be both happy and annoyed.

I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

　Wood opened his thick lips and crushed the roasted beans noisily.

　Wood opened his thick lips and crushed the roasted beans, making a noise. Wood seemed to like the beans, even though Fialaat had brought him some chicken. No, he might as well have kept the greasy chicken and soft bread for his sister.

　Fialaert's black hair bounced slightly, and her eyes narrowed further, as if she were looking somewhere in the distance. I take a mouthful of the refried beans spread out on the table. I couldn't taste anything, even though it was probably coated with salt. I just felt a slight numbness on my tongue.

"So, Lugis. What will you do? I'm sure everyone will ask you to make a decision, ask you to be ready. They'll say it's your duty.

　I couldn't open my lips to Fialaat's words. I could not open my lips to Fialaat's words, only wet my lips a little with the wine poured on the china. It tasted rather bland, too.

　Next to him, Wood was listening to Fialaert's words with his eyes rolled back in his head.

It's an extravagant concern, and now you're being asked to write your name in a script.

　Fialaert's black, almost haunting eyes looked straight at me. In those black eyes, my image is reflected. I couldn't bear the pressure of those eyes. I unknowingly opened my lips and said, "I don't know," almost as a stopgap.

　I knew that Fialaat wasn't trying to push me away with those words. I'm sure he's not twisting his tongue to push me away. However, every time Fialaat's words hit my ears, I felt a hardening deep in my chest.

But, well. But, well, I won't be so foolish as to run away again. Even if you run away, you'll end up--

　In the end, just as in the past, there will be nothing left to hold in my hands. You'll be left with nothing but a burned-out heart and a scorch mark of resignation.

　Oh, I don't want to do that. I'm sure that's the biggest emotion that's driving me right now. The painful past itself is forcing me to move my feet.

　So," says Fialaert, cowering exaggeratedly, his face close to mine.

I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will help you get through this.



　Fialat's neat face was right beside mine. My eyes widened and I arched my back. I felt a numbing, jumping sensation in my heart. My face must be twisted and twitching right now.

　On the other hand, Fialaat's face up close seems to be relaxed. Funny. At least in this era, I think Fialaat was more often upset by my words.

　I heard the sound of spit licking at my throat. The sound of Fialaat's voice, leaking so close to me, echoed in my brain.

I can't tell you to be as strong as Kalia or Mattia or Elddis. I know how difficult it would be, how much it would tear you apart.

　It was an indifferent voice. It was not a voice without emotion, and it was not a voice that told you what to do. It was just a voice that told the truth as it was.

"People can't be strong so easily. How hard it is to be ordinary. At least I was, and I know that if I try to make myself look strong when I am weak, I will end up having my soul chipped away.

　His dark eyes, shining with a strong light, showed a slight hint of weakness. You can't read the past itself behind those words, but you can at least understand what they mean, even if it's just me.

　Should I feel shameful or grateful that I made her say these words? Or should I feel like a fool?

　No. I still can't seem to open my lips. If I make even the slightest sound, the rush of emotion will leak out in waves.

I'm sorry, I can't keep it together. Anyway.

　"Anyway," Fialaert continued, her lips pursed in embarrassment.

I'm going to be on your side no matter what you decide. So don't worry, that's all. And if you want to be strong, if you want to be a hero, I will make you golden.

　How beautiful. Those black eyes on me were unmistakably beautiful. They were so close to me, they could blind me with their gaze.

　I think I should say something back. A thank you, an apology, anything. I should say something back. But my heart was still stuck in my chest and my throat wouldn't let out a sound at all.

　So I listened to the next words Fialaat whispered in my ear, and I didn't answer.

　--And if you want to run away, don't worry. If you want to run away, don't worry. I'll always find a place for you to run to.

　The sound that escaped from Fialaert's lips was so sweet that it made the depths of her ears swoon.