--I can't do that, Lord Lugis.

　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've. The fact that he can wield a battleaxe that is normally difficult to handle with ease is probably due to his daily training.

　However, Vesterine's fingertips, which normally would not show a single shiver, were strangely agitated on this occasion. Her hot breath rushed through the cold air and disappeared in midair.

　Vestalynne heard her heart beating strangely and furiously.

Why, oh why? Did you have a better idea that would make everything work? If so, I'd prefer it too.

　It was not a question of suspicion or dismay that Lugis made, but a genuine question.

　If we lose time mischievously at this point, the more time we lose, the more time we lose. After all, the guards could come running here with spears at any moment.

　Time is our only enemy here and now.

　The proof is right in front of us. The two-horned demon that sits in the corridor looks belligerent, but it has not shown any signs of stepping out on its own.

　On the contrary, it is waiting, ready to bite you with its big jaws. Perhaps it is waiting for its prey, who can no longer stand the waste of time, to jump into its mouth.

　She has the appearance of a young child, but her ugly little tantrum is that of a demon.

　But Vestalinu didn't jump at the idea out of rivalry with Lugis. She knew that it was not a malicious idea.

　And no matter how foolish the idea was, it was better than the two of us being stranded here together. I know that. I know that.

　But Vestalinu can't respond to Lugis. Her legs just won't move.

"...... No, sir. It's not that she won't, it's that she won't. I told you, I can't. Lord Lugis.

　The words that came out of her mouth were so trembling that Vestalinu herself was surprised. I never expected such a weak voice to come out of my lips. It was beyond pathetic.

　I'm sure you've heard of it. I'm not sure if I should call it rage. I'm not sure if I should call it rage or remorse.

　The first thing you need to do is to look at your eyes. Like a lump of iron exposed to the night sky. It's terrible. Vestalynne's cheeks twisted in mockery, as if to say, "What could be more disgusting than this?

　No matter how hard she struggles to move her legs, the demon known as fear clings to her legs and refuses to let go.

　Yes, fear. Vestalines stands here now with an abundance of fear.

　She is not afraid of the fierce demon in front of her, or of spitting out blood, or of her body turning into a mere lump of flesh.

　The only thing she feared was that he, Lugis, would not abandon her.

　If you want to go forward on your own, you have to trust Rougis behind you. If Lugis abandons you, your life will end at that point.

　Vestalinu does not know, but he asks himself the question. And then she thinks. Isn't it possible to be abandoned? Will I be betrayed? Such suspicions erupt one after another from the depths of her heart.

　In my skull, I understand. At least from Vesterine's point of view, Lugis, though frivolous, does not have a vile nature.

　Rather than taking it easy and slashing people's backs, he seems to be strangely obsessed with taking on hardships head-on.

　I may think this way of life foolish, but I do not despise it. I'm sure that's why my sister forgave me for being such a person. Yeah, but still...

"Don't you see? There is no guarantee that you will not cut my back. That's what I'm saying.

　A still trembling voice escaped from the woman's mouth.

　Life was once great for a woman named Vestalines-Gerua.

　She was born into a great family, had a wonderful father, and could devote her life to the city of Belle Fain.

　It was everything and happiness for Vestalines. She wished for the prosperity of the House of Gorn, for the prosperity of Belle Fain, and had done everything in her power to achieve it.

　He endured the training that made his bones creak as he desperately dragged the battle axe that was too heavy for him.

　The fact that I worked so hard to cram the culture of a great family into my skull while eating and sleeping.

　Even though she knew that it was not really her nature, she still managed to bring together the unrestrained mercenaries and even displayed the name of the Steel Princess on her chest.

　It was all for the sake of Bellefane and his father, Mordor Gorn.

　--Oh, and they were all lies.

　He never knew that all the love he was given was nothing but a lie, and for more than ten years he adored his false father, Mordor Gorn, who had killed his own father.

　This falsehood was exposed by her sister and Lugis, and Vestalines lost everything in her life as soon as she saw the truth.

　When Vesterine looked back to start a new path, there was nothing there. She only knew how to devote herself to Belfain.

　What a fool, what a foolish woman, Vestalynne thought to herself. I'm nothing more than a piece of junk. She must be holding on to her sister's hand because it's all she has.

　Please don't abandon me. Please don't betray me. Because this time, there really will be nothing.

　Ever since that day, Vesterine has been unbearably frightening. The act of betrayal, the act of being betrayed. Everything but her sister was now an object of ugly suspicion.



　Of course, I usually keep it in check with reason. In order to be human, I try to show some trust.

　But the truth is. But the truth is... at the core of her being, she doesn't trust anyone.

　The reason why she acted as a steel princess was to avoid betraying people's expectations. So that they would not see through her weakness and betray her easily.

　The reason why I left the mercenaries outside the prison and worked with Lugis was because I was more afraid of him betraying me out of my sight than the mercenaries.

　I'm scared, scared, scared. Eye-gouging fear.

　Vestalinu's skull shudders more than anything at the thought of being abandoned. Just thinking about it gives me a feeling of pressure in my heart.

　What should I believe and what should I doubt? Vestalines is not even able to make such a normal judgment.

　That's why Vesterine just couldn't move forward. If Lugis had taken the enemy's hand the moment he stepped forward into the corridor. What if he had slashed at her from behind with his sword?

　Such impossible imaginings came out of her body one after another, binding Vestalinu's legs.

　Vestalines laughs at herself, "Iron and Steel Princess", what an unfitting name. Ever since that day, I have only been shivering inside my iron-clad armor, afraid that someone will give up on me, that someone will betray me.

　If you're going to laugh, just laugh, Vestalynn muttered to herself. I don't even know if Lugis heard the murmur or not.

　There were a few moments. Vestalines didn't move, and Lugis didn't lean back as he received Vestalines' words.

　Only the demonic nature is looking at you with something like a deep smile on its face. There was such an incomprehensible stiffness.

　--Sah, n...

　It was Lugis' fingertips that broke through it.

　The long, frayed, angular fingers reached for the sword at his waist. And then he pulled out the sharp white sword, just like the treasure sword.

　The sword, without any ornamentation, gives a seemingly indifferent impression. There is no inscription on it, and the authority it shows to the people around it is very modest. Yet, it is beautiful in its own way.

　In contrast to the white sword, Lugis said as he tucked the treasure sword into its sheath.

I'm relieved. After all, I'm surrounded by inhuman people. I'm relieved to hear such human words.

　I'm relieved to hear you say something so human." With a smile on his face, his cheeks unraveling and his canine teeth showing their sharp edges, Rougis threw his treasure sword, sheathed and unsheathed, into Vestalinu's arms.

　Vestalynn's eyes flickered as she took it. As soon as she picked it up, she felt an unbelievable heat coming from the sword. It was as if something was howling inside the sheath.

　It's not like I've known him that long. Still, it was the first time Vestalinu had seen it leave Lugis' waist.

　It was as if they had been absorbed into each other and would never leave.

　No, that's what masters and weapons are supposed to be. Especially those who lay their bodies on the battlefield and put their minds in sword fights never want to distance themselves from their weapons. Because he knows that it will save his life.

　Why would he do that to himself?

　Lugis takes a step forward. There is no sign of retreat on his back. There was a glorious majesty hidden in his gait.

　The white sword gleamed in the air as it writhed in response to the magic. Vestalinu's eyes widened. Lugis speaks over his back.

"Who can laugh? Only those who have never stood on their own feet can laugh at those who are afraid. Listen to me, Vesterine. I'm entrusting you with my sword. It's more important than my life. Treat it well.

　What am I to make of that? What am I supposed to take it as? Vestalinu's eyes moved in confusion and he swallowed his spit. She could feel her fingertips trembling badly.

　However, Lugis no longer stopped moving and raised his white sword. He roared and let out a mighty roar, ready to crush the demon.

　One chance. Only when he swung his first big blow. I'm sure the demon's consciousness will turn only to him then.

　So he can only run through the corridor for that one moment.

　Unconsciously, Vesterine's legs, which were heavier than steel, just ran forward.