Chapter 115 From Now On
After the emotional hug with Elvira, they left, thinking I wasn't fully recovered yet.
I was alone in the room, lying on the bed, and gazing blankly at the unfamiliar white ceiling, savoring the joy... and before I knew it, I had fallen asleep due to the sense of relief.
For several days, I focused on recovering my strength, doing some light rehabilitation. It was just a peaceful daily routine, getting out of bed, eating solid food, and taking an evening stroll.
Lukas and the others were busy, but mainly Marcedes-san and――
"Laura I'm so glad you're okay!"
...Iris was the one who came to visit me.
It seemed Reinhardt-san and the others had refused to let her participate in this experiment this time because she was still young and inexperienced. I didn't notice her face that day, being too focused on Elvira.
"Aw, I could've helped too!"
Iris puffed out her cheeks, and somehow, it felt like "normal life" had returned.
She was being considerate of me, or maybe she was just full of energy because she was left behind, but she laughed loudly and cheerfully, and even joined me on a walk.
――Anyway, after several days of peaceful life, I was summoned by Hagen-san, the leader of the Rustu people. To be exact, not just me, but Lukas and Arnold as well.
The place I was called to was a grand room inside the castle-like building where I first met Hagen-san. Vake was also there. Besides us, Vake, and Hagen-san, Diona and Reinhardt-san were standing nearby.
Looking at the gathered faces, I sensed it. We were going to discuss our future plans here.
Hagen-san smiled faintly as he looked at my face.
"I'm relieved you've regained consciousness."
Then, he offered us the empty seats. Following his suggestion, the 3 of us sat down in the luxurious chairs.
On the other hand, Hagen-san, who had been sitting until just now, stood up. And then, he slowly and carefully bowed his head.
"I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude regarding this matter. Thanks to you all, we were able to take a big step forward."
When Hagen-san lifted his face, a smile was floating on it. However, that smile immediately disappeared, and he bowed his head again, this time with even more vigor.
"There's something I must apologize for. The reason for the monster's attack on that day lies with us."
It was an unexpected truth.
I glanced sideways at Lukas and Arnold, who were sitting next to me. Lukas's eyes were wide open in surprise, but Arnold didn't show any surprise, and instead seemed to be waiting for the next words.
Hagen-san, still with his face up, slowly opened his mouth, his gaze still cast down.
"The people of Rustu, who didn't think well of this experiment, were possessed by a monster and had their actions controlled, resulting in a part of the barrier being weakened and allowing the monster to invade."
The image that came to mind was of the powerful people we had met in this room. I didn't know who the culprit was, and I didn't think of pursuing it, but somehow their cold gazes lingered in my mind.
Still, the story of being "possessed and controlled" was quite terrifying. It might be a common tale in a fantasy world, but... it was just like the demon king of "Last Brave," who took over human bodies and did as he pleased.
"It's not exactly 'controlled.' The monster that possessed that person didn't have the power to take over human consciousness, but rather amplified their desires."
"What do you mean by 'desires'?"
"...things like this ritual, thinking it's better to fail..."
Arnold's blunt question was met with a painful expression from Hagen-san. Everyone in the room let out a sigh of understanding at his answer.
"We are truly sorry for injuring all of you due to our mistake."
"There were no deaths, and treatment has already been completed. You're the one who's had a tough time due to your friends' mistakes. Don't worry about it."
The first one to raise his voice was Vake.
Vake emphasized the good points and even showed consideration, making him a great balancer in the party, even in "Last Brave". I think having a superior like him is ideal.
"Thank you for your kindness."
Thanks to Vake, the tense atmosphere eased, and a calm air flowed in.
From Hagen-san's perspective, this incident must have been quite heavy, but Vake's words made him feel a little lighter.
It's not like everything is okay just because the outcome was good, but we did achieve our original goal of defeating the demon king with Elvira's help, and we received sufficient treatment. Since there were no casualties, it would be harsh to pursue the matter further.
After a few seconds of silence, Hagen-san opened his mouth again.
"About that dark cloud... We've sent a few investigation teams from Rustu's people, but we haven't received any reports yet."
"The Savila Knight Order is the same. Maybe there's already a report in the royal capital, but we haven't received any messengers yet."
In other words, neither Rustu's people nor the Savila Knight Order ―― or rather, the Ostria Kingdom, the main stage of "Last Brave" ―― have grasped the true identity of the dark cloud.
I was asleep for 5 days, and it took a few days for my rehabilitation, so it's been around ten days since the dark cloud appeared. It's natural that we still don't know its true identity.
"We suspect that the demon king is hiding under that dark cloud. ...We'll send an elite team as soon as we receive a reliable report."
――Elite team.
Those words made my heart skip a beat. Hagen-san's gaze slowly turned to the person sitting next to me. And there was Lukas.
Elite team. That must refer to the Hero party of "Last Brave".
"Lukas-sama, no, Hero-sama, we need your power. We'd like you to accompany Diona on her journey to defeat the demon king."
I had expected those words. I knew that my childhood friend's journey was about to begin soon. Yet, my heart started pounding loudly.
I looked at Lukas. He didn't respond. He didn't nod or shake his head.
It was Vake who broke the long, awkward silence that felt like it would last forever.
"I'm in too. They're young, and they might get into trouble sometimes. I'm well-known in various places, so I think it'll be a good deal. Take me with you."
――Ah, Vake is going to travel with them again. That's reassuring. I couldn't ask for a better vanguard than him.
I felt like I was seeing things from the protagonist's perspective, and I couldn't help but smile secretly, hoping no one would notice. Vake's words were always powerful and reliable.
I wondered what my childhood friend would say, and I looked at him again――but it was Arnold who spoke up next.
"Wait, please. We should hear Lukas-dono's intentions first. He hasn't decided to go on the journey yet."
Everyone's gaze turned to Lukas at Arnold's reasonable words.
He gazed at the ground for a few seconds, as if thinking deeply. But the next moment, his blue eyes turned towards me. Our eyes met for a few seconds――my childhood friend smiled calmly.
I felt a pang in my chest at our intertwined gazes. I couldn't laugh or nod, but Lukas didn't seem to mind, and he looked away from me to gaze at Hagen-san.
"――I'll go. If my power can be of use, I'll go anywhere. Honestly, I don't think of myself as a hero or anything."
He smiled wryly. But there was no hint of hesitation in his eyes.
――Lukas had decided to embark on the journey. The hero's journey was finally beginning.
Hagen-san clearly looked relieved, while Diona, standing next to him, gazed at Lukas with a complex, worried expression. Vake pumped his fist in excitement, and Arnold――
"Then I'll join the journey too. Having someone who can make healing potions and use magic would be a big help."
He said something I hadn't expected, with a completely serious face.
――Will Arnold also join the Hero's journey?
I couldn't help but look up at him in surprise. However, Arnold just kept staring at Hagen-san without even glancing at me.
In "Last Brave," Arnold didn't join the party. Of course, that's because he didn't even appear in "Last Brave." It was Elvira who joined Hero's group as a character who could use magic, not Arnold. But thinking about it, it somehow makes sense that Arnold would travel with Lukas now.
Just until yesterday, Elvira was possessed by the demon king. There's no way her brother, Arnold, would let her go on a journey in that state. And even if they weren't related, anyone would object to letting her go on a journey now. So, if Elvira can't go, the one who takes her place as a "stand-in" with equal magical abilities would be... Arnold.
"Wow, the balance is really good, isn't it? ...Well, I don't know what the higher-ups will decide, but..."
Vake's words make me nod in agreement, thinking that's true. After all, the party members were created by the gods (creator) to have a good balance.
Hero Lukas can use his sword to wield Hero's power. Diona can heal her allies with her spear and light magic. Vake uses his greatsword to take the lead and guide the young ones with his experience. Elvira... no, Arnold can overwhelm monsters with his incredible magic from behind.
It's a well-balanced party with no weaknesses.
"For now, we're going back to the royal capital. We've been told to report back in detail, after all."
"We'll head back too. We need to consider our next move and get instructions from above."
Vake and Arnold stood up in turn. They still hadn't been officially allowed to join the Hero's journey, so every second counted. They had to report back to their superiors quickly and get permission for their journey.
"I wish I could've gone with you all, but dealing with this mess is too embarrassing, so I'll leave it all to Reinhardt instead. If you have any requests for the people of Rustu, please ask him."
Hagen-san said in a bright tone. Maybe this incident will give us a chance to make a strong appeal to the conservative faction. But still, having Reinhardt-san as the proxy for the lord is... I wonder if the people of Rustu will change their ways.
Everyone quickly left the room after finishing their conversation. Vake and Arnold were especially quick to act. On the other hand, I was still sitting in my comfortable chair, feeling like I hadn't grasped the reality of the Hero's departure.
Suddenly, a hand was stretched out in front of me.
"Laura, are you okay?"
Lukas, looking worried, peered into my face.
I couldn't bring myself to ask if he was going on a journey. Even if I had, Lukas would just nod. And didn't I already know that he was going on a journey?
But even so, when the moment finally came, I couldn't help but feel...
"...You're going on a journey, huh"
The words slipped out of my mouth.
Lukas pulls his chin, and then he smiled awkwardly.
"I've been watching you, Laura, working hard all this time. Now it's my turn."
Lukas's words were genuinely heartwarming. Maybe I'm just being arrogant, but it seemed like he was influenced by my actions.
To be honest, I'm worried sick. He'll be fighting many monsters and getting hurt, and there's a risk to his life. I may not know everything about Lukas's journey, but I know how harsh the Hero's journey can be.
But if it's him... Gentle and strong Lukas, with Diona, Vake, and other reliable friends, and now with Arnold as well... I believe they'll definitely succeed.
I took Lukas's outstretched hand. I couldn't find the right words, so I just smiled.
Then Lukas also smiled at me. I felt a sense of comfort in our relationship, where we could understand each other without words, and I felt a sense of relief at that moment.
"I need to talk to my mom about going on a journey, so I'll head back to the village once."
――Suddenly, the crest on his left eye glowed.
The scene that flashed back in my mind was from the early stages of "Last Brave". A movie scene where a hero sets out on a journey, and a childhood friend, a girl from the village, sees him off with tears in her eyes. The scene changed. What floated up in my mind next was the figure of Petra, a friend from this life, who quietly told me that she liked Lukas.
I wonder if the scenario of a childhood friend waiting anxiously in their hometown for the hero who confessed their love will unfold again in this life as well.
My spine froze for an instant, but――I reassured myself that the Lukas in front of me wouldn't do something like that.
The Lukas I know wouldn't leave a childhood friend who confessed their love hanging in the air, whether he reciprocates their feelings or not. If Petra were to confess her feelings to Lukas during this visit, he would surely give her a proper answer. ――I believe that.
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