Chapter 173 Budding Emotions
It was 5 days after everything was ready that we were able to bring Arnold to the sacred domain.
We placed Arnold on a floating platform created by Ciello-sama, the sky spirit, and surrounded him with The Drinking Water of the Spirits, which contained the power of light granted by the people of Rustu, thanks to the power of water spirit Akari. The wind spirit Wentle-sama shaped the water barrier, and the earth spirit Likerland-sama created a small cave outside with purified earth. Finally, the fire spirit Avour-sama lit a sacred flame at the entrance to ward off monster.
I gazed at the cave from outside the sacred domain, thinking about Arnold who was sleeping inside.
"It's... quite elaborate, isn't it?"
'I'm going to do everything I can to do it!'
Wentle-sama chuckled and twitched his nose. We did everything we could. Now, all that's left is... I glanced at the bag slung over my shoulder.
Inside the bag, there were several prototypes sent by Lukas and the others through the power of the light vessel. This was the last resort in case we couldn't suppress it with the power of the Spirit-sama. However, I was still unsure whether we should use it or not.
"If we can just suppress it with this...."
I muttered to myself, looking up at the cave again.
Suddenly, a Rustu villager holding a cauldron approached me. When I looked, I saw Lukas and the others reflected on the water's surface. They seemed to be worried about our situation and had contacted us.
'That's amazing!'"
Lukas gazed at the cave through the water's surface, expressing his honest impression. Since I had explained how it was made, my childhood friends should also know that Arnold was sleeping inside the cave.
The other friends were also amazed when they saw it in person. I didn't think it would be this elaborate, so I shared their surprise.
After some light chatter, silence fell. Lukas broke the silence.
'Laura, we're leaving for the city tomorrow.'
"...Yeah."
Tomorrow, the Hero party will finally head towards the Demon King's lair. I thought we were ready, but hearing it from him made my anxiety spike.
I couldn't help but look down, gazing at my shoes.
'I think we won't be able to come back once we leave this city. But... I have to see Arnold again, and I have to give him a good punch.'
"Yeah."
'So...'
Lukas trailed off there.
He, too, was carrying a great deal of anxiety in his heart ―― the anxiety of facing the Demon King, and the anxiety of possibly losing his travel companions.
Ever since I discovered my synthesis abilities, I've thought that I could use this power to support the Heroes in the future. But honestly, I don't know if I can achieve that goal. I've always been supported by many people. But ―― if I can just alleviate their anxiety a little...
I patted my cheek lightly and looked up, gazing at the water's surface with a smile.
"Leave Arnold to me."
My voice didn't tremble.
I repeated myself to Lukas, who had his eyes wide open.
"It's okay, we'll do something about it with the help of Spirit-sama and the others."
It was a unreliable promise. But it was all I could say right now.
We'll do something. We'll do anything. So, I want Lukas and the others to focus on the battle against the Demon King. The anxiety gnawing at their hearts might trip them up.
I want them to believe in me, in us, and in Arnold.
Thinking that, I stared intently at my childhood friend. He nodded slightly in response.
'If things go wrong, please drive the Demon King's power out of Arnold's body, like you did with Elvira.'
My kind childhood friend was still willing to take Arnold's life if worst came to worst. I hesitated for a moment ―― but my desire to not lose Arnold was the same, so I looked him in the eye and nodded.
"...I promise."
Then, Lukas's expression finally relaxed.
The Heroes had made up their minds. Then, I won't worry anymore either.
We'll release the seal, open the holy land, and deploy the prototype. The reaction of Arnold's sealed magic was a major concern, but with the help of Rustu's people, like Elvira's time, we'll do our best to extract the demon king's power from him.
I glanced at my friends' faces, and then Lukas declared strongly.
'Don't worry, we won't lose absolutely!'
I felt a weight lift off my chest, and my mouth naturally curved upwards.
Lukas had never lied to me, so I believed him this time too. I could wait, trusting in those words.
"I believe you. Please be safe."
'You too, Laura.'
We exchanged smiles and nods, and then cut off our communication.
The Rustu people carrying water cauldron device stepped back. I held the bag with the prototype and approached the holy land.
――This time, it's the final push.
The large stone door was open, and if I took one more step forward, I'd be inside the holy land. As I looked up at the cave outside, the orb of light drew near.
'Close the door, and seal the holy land. The barrier will become stronger, and we can block the escape route.'
It was Ciello-sama. I nodded once and then asked.
"Is it possible for humans to be inside the holy land when it's sealed?"
'Well...if it's a long stay, I think it would be a burden on the body unless you have direct permission from us spirits. The power to expel intruders would work, and the holy land would become stronger if sealed.'
"Ah..."
If the door was open, it seemed possible to enter and exit to some extent. After all, it was Rustu's people who had carried Arnold in and poured the light's power into The Drinking Water of the Spirits. They had been busy going in and out of the holy land.
――However, it seemed that not just anyone could stay for a long time with the door closed. You needed direct permission from the spirits.
And right now, the only one who qualified was――me alone.
"Can't we get permission from you spirits?"
It was Sieg-san who suddenly joined the conversation from the side. He must have wanted to keep an eye on Arnold's surroundings, just in case something happened.
Wentle-sama's voice responded to Sieg-san's question.
'We can't prepare 2 Spirit Stones, unfortunately.'
Spirit Stones. They're proof that the spirits have given their permission.
The fact that the spirits can only prepare one means... in other words, we can't give the people of Rustu new permission right now.
Spirit Stones are necessary to open the door to the holy land where the holy sword sleeps. It's not something they can easily prepare, and that's a concern... but it's especially unfortunate this time.
Sieg-san nodded, looking down, and then glanced at me.
We didn't have the option to open the door from the start. We could ask Spirit-sama and the others to keep watch, but... if something happens, I want to be able to respond quickly and prepare a prototype.
"I understand. Then I'll go inside and stay by Arnold's side."
I nodded, and Marcedes-san and Ingrid-san rushed over to me.
They must have been listening to our conversation, because they both looked worried, their eyebrows furrowed in concern.
"Laura-chan, we'll be right in front of the door. If anything happens, shout right away."
"Yes, thank you."
I felt a warmth in my heart, seeing Marcedes-san worry about me like a mother. On the other hand, Ingrid-san looked even more serious than before, and proposed in a low voice.
"Laura-kun, it would be better if you stayed outside..."
"No, I want to notice any changes as soon as possible."
I shook my head firmly. I appreciated their concern, but I wasn't going to back down.
If we're even a little late in noticing any changes, it could be fatal. Someone needs to be by Arnold's side. And... I wanted to be by Arnold's side.
Ingrid-san seemed to understand my determination, and bit her lower lip, bowing her head deeply.
"Please take care of Arnold."
"Please leave it to me," I couldn't say. Instead, I gently touched Ingrid-san's shoulder and nodded slightly towards her, looking up at her face. Ingrid-san responded with a faint, awkward smile.
I exchanged glances with Marcedes-san and the others, then took a few steps back. That's when we entered the sacred domain.
The stone door closed with a loud "Rumble, rumble" sound. After making sure it was securely shut, I gazed at the cave created within the sacred domain.
"Laura."
Akari, who had grown a bit since I last saw it, guided me into the cave. The interior was surprisingly simple, and as soon as I entered, I saw Arnold's figure surrounded by a water barrier.
It seemed Likerland-sama had taken pity on me, as a part of the ground rose up with a "rumble" sound, forming a chair-like shape. I sat down, looking up at the water barrier from below.
For now, Arnold's condition seemed stable. Since being brought to the holy land, he had been sleeping peacefully, and I couldn't see any black mist around him. In this situation, I thought even a little pressure from the demon king's power would be welcome, but...
'Ampère.'
Arnold's voice echoed in my ears. Although he had called out to me just a moment ago, his voice now seemed distant and unclear. The fear that I was gradually forgetting his voice sent shivers down my spine.
Lukas and the others had left for the city. Marcedes-san and the others were waiting on the other side of the door. I was to keep watch here and raise an alarm if anything unusual happened. And if necessary, I would use the prototype...
It's okay. I'm doing everything I can. But when I'm alone like this, anxiety washes over me like a wave.
(If something happens to Arnold...)
Memories of Arnold flashed through my mind like a revolving lantern.
When I first met him, I thought he was a stuck-up, arrogant rich kid. But as I got to know him, I started to want to help him with Elvira's treatment. Of course, it was for the sake of this world and for the future Hero Lukas, but even if he take that away, I was moved by his willingness to sacrifice everything for his sister.
He's excellent, unsociable, hard to understand, and kind. He always goes ahead of me, never looking back, but he's been waiting for me up ahead.
'Little Girl.'
As I stepped into the holy land, I couldn't help but remember. Arnold, who was possessed by the demon king, with his red eyes.
I had vaguely believed that our time together would continue from now on. But that future crumbled right before my eyes, and I was shaken to the core. The reality that he was no longer by my side hit me hard, and my heart――
"Laura?"
Akari looked up at me with concern, tilting its head. I came to my senses, realizing that tears were streaming down my cheeks.
――These tears were a deep sadness and fear that had been eating away at my heart, pretending not to notice. I knew that if I acknowledged "this," I would lose my footing.
I wiped away my tears and took a deep breath to calm down. I couldn't let fear and sadness consume me now. Arnold would scold me if I did.
I stood up and looked up at Arnold, who was being protected by the water barrier.
'Laura.'
Right before I fell asleep, Arnold called my name for the first time. He was smiling beautifully at the time.
Without even realizing it, I had reached out my hand. Then, Ciello-sama and Akari kindly invited me into the barrier, letting me see Arnold's sleeping face up close. I almost cried again.
I reached out my hand, brushed away the hair that had fallen on his forehead, and looked at his right hand that had been thrown out. I couldn't help but take his hand, and I gripped it tightly with both hands.
So, I'm probably touching Arnold for the first time with my own intention. It's probably because of the sealed magic, but his cold body temperature is trembling ―― I want him to hold my hand back, and I've realized this in my heart.
Ah, that's right. That's how it was.
I must have wanted to touch Arnold all along. I wanted to touch that back that carries everything alone, those clumsy cheeks, those large hands, and that gentle heart. I don't need him to return the same feelings, just accepting me is enough. But if I'm allowed to be selfish, if Arnold would lean his heart towards me even a little ―― I wanted him to hold my hand back.
I don't know what to call this feeling. I'm not even sure if I can call it love or affection. It's too settled to call it love, and it's still too immature to call it affection. But now that I've realized it, I can't deceive my own heart anymore.
(If I could just hear him call my name again, I feel like everything would be cleared up)
That's why I can't let Arnold die.
I slap my cheek to gather my courage again. And I stand up straight, determined not to miss even the slightest change.
I let go of his hand. Next time I touch him, I hope his hand will convey warmth.
――The unknown emotion that has started to breathe quietly in the depths of my heart has given me courage.
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