Chapter 174 The Future
Rumble, rumble. I heard a rumbling sound like thunder from far away, and I looked up.
It's been several days since Arnold and I entered the holy land. The power of the demon king within him has been quiet, not activating the prototype, and I've been keeping watch diligently.
What was that sound that shook my eardrums just now? I stood up and looked around, and then I heard a voice coming from beyond the thick stone door.
"Laura-chan, are you okay?"
It's Marcedes-san. I rushed to the door in a panic and replied.
"Yes, what's wrong?"
"No, it's just... the dark clouds floating in the air have started moving violently. Maybe..."
Marcedes-san's words trailed off, but I could easily imagine what she was trying to say, and it made my heart skip a beat.
The dark clouds are a symbol of the demon king's presence. If they're moving violently, it means the heroes might have finally reached the demon king's stronghold. Or maybe they're already facing off against each other...
(Lukas, everyone...)
From within the holy land surrounded by stone walls, I couldn't see the sky with my own eyes, but I looked up in the direction where the dark clouds should be, and I clasped my hands together in a silent prayer. And I simply prayed for the heroes' safety.
"How's Arnold doing?"
My prayer was interrupted by Marcedes-san's question.
I glanced at the cave entrance before answering, but from where I was standing in front of the door, I couldn't see Arnold's condition.
"There's no change in his condition so far."
"Okay... that's good."
Marcedes-san seemed to let out a sigh of relief at my answer.
Since we can't see Arnold's condition directly, Marcedes-san and the others might be more mentally exhausted. I'll make sure to report any changes immediately.
"Are the others okay, Marcedes-san?"
"We set up a tent outside, cooking with a campfire... it's kind of like we're camping, and it's a little fun. I don't know if it's okay to have fun, though."
Marcedes-san raised her voice in a gentle tone, as if to reassure me.
When I think about her answer, I'm reminded of what Marta said a long time ago. She said that when you're on a trip, you should enjoy the fun parts because it's not always easy. And now that we're in a situation where we can't afford to let our guard down, I realize that what Marta said was true.
Humans aren't capable of staying focused all the time, and we need to take breaks to catch our breath. That way, when it really matters, we can use our full strength.
"Let's enjoy ourselves when we can!"
I also raised my voice, trying to sound cheerful. Marcedes-san smiled and nodded, saying "That's right."
The atmosphere became calm, and then I heard the sound of something being placed on the bed. It was probably the dinner she had prepared for me.
"I'll leave dinner here."
"Thank you."
Akari would carry our meals and clothes, which were placed in front of the door, into the holy land. Since the Spirits could move freely near the holy land, this was the only way to exchange items without opening the door.
After finishing the warm dinner, I suddenly felt sleepy. Maybe it was because of the mental exhaustion, but my body felt heavy all the time.
At times like this, it's better to just take a nap. I lay down, and Akari snuggled up close to me, as if sharing body heat.
"Sorry, Akari, I'll take a short nap. If anything happens, wake me up."
I saw Akari's small head nod, and then I closed my eyes.
* * *
Suddenly, I became aware of my surroundings again. I felt someone's presence beside me, and I sat up.
I rub my eyes. And then I looked around――
"Good morning, Laura-sensei."
I was startled to see Reinhardt-san, with his bright red hair, smiling at me.
Why was he here?
"W-what..."
"The spirit-sama asked me to re-implant the power of light because it's weakening,."
When I asked in surprise, Reinhardt-san was crouching down beside me, staring at Akari. It seemed like Akari had invited Reinhardt-san and the others. ――Which means, I thought, and I looked towards the door of the sanctuary, but the stone door was firmly shut.
Would it be okay for him to be inside the holy land, which was closed, without permission from the spirit? Since humans without permission would be burdened, I had volunteered to keep watch alone.
Reinhardt-san continued, ignoring my concerns.
"It seemed like you were taking a break, so I also kept watch."
It seemed like he had stayed behind for my sake, and I felt embarrassed. I must have been sleeping soundly, without a care. In reality, my consciousness was quite clear. I might have slept for a considerable amount of time, saying I was just taking a nap.
When I apologized and thanked him, Reinhardt-san chuckled. His expression was different from the one I knew, and I tilted my head.
"...What's going on? Your atmosphere has changed."
"When we first met, I was quite dirty, right?"
"Ah, no, I didn't mean it that way!"
It's true that the clothes he's wearing now are much fancier than when we first met. But more than that ―― his dark circles are gone, and his sharp gaze has softened.
I think he's changing, and he's probably having a fulfilling time in the midst of the changing Rustu people.
"Mistake, don't worry about it. In reality, my attire has become more refined... Hagen told me to be careful as the long's assistant."
"Assistant..."
Come to think of it, after Elvira's experiment, Reinhardt-san had been entrusted with full authority by Hagen-san. It seemed like he had now been officially appointed as the head's assistant.
Suddenly, Reinhardt-san's smile disappeared, and he bowed his head deeply towards me. I was taken aback by his sudden action, and he opened his mouth to speak.
"Diona took care of me, thank you so much."
"Ah, no need to thank me I'm the one who's been getting taken care of in various ways..."
"Please take care of Diona and Iris from now on, okay?"
Of course, I nodded in response to those words, but then I suddenly had a question. Diona said that she could travel freely even after everything was over, but could Iris do the same?
After all, she became an alchemist with the clear goal of getting close to me. Now that she's achieved her goal and even helped seal the demon king, wouldn't she have to return to the village surrounded by a barrier to connect with her blood relatives?
"Can Iris still be an alchemist even after everything is over?"
Reinhardt-san smiled and nodded in response to my question. It was the face of a brother who loved his sister dearly.
"If that's what she wants. I think the young people who know the outside world will give us a future."
――In the distant future, when the next Hero appears, the people of Rustu, who will have changed greatly, will support the Hero just like they do now. That's a very reassuring thought.
Suddenly, Reinhardt-san's body swayed, and I reflexively supported his shoulder and peered into his face.
"Reinhardt-san?!"
"I'm sorry, I'm just a bit dizzy..."
His face was pale, and sweat was beading on his forehead.
I was taken aback, wondering what was happening, and quickly realized that this was the burden of not having permission. However, I didn't expect the burden to be this great. I had thought it would be lighter, based on Ciello-sama's words.
"You should get out of here quickly."
Akari warned in a serious tone. Its face was not its usual cute, puppy-like face, but a sacred, Spirit-like face.
Reinhardt-san stood up unsteadily and turned to face me once.
"I'll do that. ...So, Laura-sensei, be careful. We'll be waiting outside, so call us if anything happens."
He left the holy land, leaving those words behind. After seeing him off, I returned to Arnold's side.
As I was alone, the faces of Diona and Iris suddenly floated in my mind. Those 2, who shared the same colored eyes, were siblings. Perhaps due to the difference in the strength of their light-based powers, one was given the mission to directly assist the Hero, while the other was tasked with approaching an alchemist who possessed the spirit's power to counter the demon king.
I had seen their ordinary girl faces, despite being born into a special clan. So, if they could live freely, unbound by their missions, I would be truly happy for them as friends.
I imagined a wonderful future where Diona would travel the world, periodically reuniting with her, and watching Iris grow as an alchemist, fully utilizing her talents. Thinking about such a future, my exhausted body and mind seemed to regain their energy.
"Please be there in that future too."
I whispered softly to the sleeping Arnold.
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