Chapter 73 The Heavy Metal In Hand, Light On This Back
From the view of the Capital of the Holy Western Country, this situation seems small and unimportant, but for me, it feels like a big deal.
After I defeated Ruzure, things started to settle down. The team members sent by Instructor Shidou took the nobles and Ruzure to jail.
They really hurt someone with a lot of people against one, so it's not a light crime. Especially that Paella guy, he might get serious punishment for bribery and other charges. He's definitely going to lose his knight title. I think Ruzure and Shouk will also face serious consequences. Ruzure acted that way because of me, so I feel pretty mixed about it.
(Well, I'm still gettin' punished anyway...)
(You did take the job, after all. I think it's a week of being grounded and writing ten reflection papers?)
(Ah, man, bein' grounded ain't so bad. But them papers are killin' me. I suck at writin', ten somersaults would be way more chill...)
(Master... your sense of balance is off, in many ways.)
Purity can also mean fairness.
Instructor Shidou, known as the "Pure Priest," wasn't going to let me off easy. But at least it's better than losing my knight title.
Anyway, a resolution is a resolution. Looking back, there were a lot of things to think about, but I felt a bit of relief.
As I walked back to the dorm, I sighed in relief.
Then, a weak voice whispered from right behind me.
"...You can just laugh, you know."
"Huh?"
The voice belonged to Shura. Yes, that's right. I'm currently carrying Shura on my back.
It turns out Shura hurt her leg during the fight. I used healing magic on her, but she's still in pain.
I couldn't just watch her struggle to walk, so I forced her onto my back.
"What's so funny about this?"
"Do I have to say it? You shameless person."
"Huh, what makes you think that?!"
"Shut up. You're too close, so don't yell."
"...Whatever."
It was a quiet night on the empty road. A guy carrying a girl, and no one else around. Quollio was with us to the infirmary, but he said he had things to do and disappeared. He was grinning for some reason.
(...Hmm)
(Master, you've been thinking a lot, huh? Are you feeling a bit h*rny or something?)
(What the... I ain't attracted to nobody that's hurtin. That ain't how heroes act.)
(...Boring. You're too dry, Master.)
(I don't care.)
I don't get why Ruthless is acting all disappointed.
Sure, I can feel her weight and the touch of her thighs, but she's hurt, and Shura is my rival.
"Aren't you going to laugh?"
"Why would I?"
As I was having this internal comedy routine, Shura's soft voice came again. She didn't sound like her usual strong self.
Right now, Shura felt like a small flame that could go out at any moment.
"...I mean, I rushed in to help you, got myself into trouble, and you were already saved by Quollio."
"...Huh?"
"And now, here I am, being a burden to you. I couldn't do anything in the end. It's so embarrassing, it makes me want to cry."
"...You."
"So, just laugh already."
She said this, and I could hear her voice crack a bit. It was a self-deprecating laugh.
She felt useless for not being able to do anything. That frustration and emptiness seemed to weigh down on me even more.
(Oh boy, what a troublesome girl. Why not just throw her off and insult her? Useless and all that.)
(Shut up, Missy Ruthless, good kids are sleepin now.)
(Hey, don't treat me like a kid!)
(So a grown woman's just s'posed to chill? Read the room, huh?)
(Hmph. I don't like being told that by you, Master.)
(Get real.)
Of course, I'm not great at reading the room either.
I'm not sure if I've lived a life that can find the right words. But I didn't want to end things without doing something for the person who worked so hard for me.
Before being the protagonist. Before being a hero.
As Atami Shou too.
"What a total pain."
"..."
"I ain't just about gettin results, I care 'bout the process too, got it? I said that back in the nurse's office, remember?"
"...I remember, but..."
So, I want to share my feelings.
Even if I can't find the right words.
Even if the words I try to say come out wrong.
I just hope the passion behind every word gets through.
Since we're so close right now.
"Hah. If you really feel that way, there's no way I'd be laughin at you."
"..."
"If you can't even get that right, then you're the idiot too, dummy."
"...Whatever."
I think my encouragement was kind of weird.
But I said what I wanted to say, and I don't have anything else to add.
So, I decided this conversation was over. Without waiting for a reply, I started walking again.
"...Then, I'm fine being like you."
Did it reach her? Did she understand?
I'm not good at reading people's feelings, so I couldn't tell.
But I didn't feel like turning around to check.
"Hey. You're walking really fast."
"Huh?"
"It's shaking. It hurts."
"...Alright, alright, I'll chill."
I adjusted my pace to match her request.
Shura's voice, which smiled a little, sounded brighter than before.
"...Okay. Let's go slow like this. Alright?"
"...Tch, ...Spare me the act."
Shura wrapped her arm around my neck and held onto my shirt.
Her nails sparkled white in the moonlight as they gripped my shirt, like she wanted support.
"Hiiro."
"What?"
"Nothing."
"...Is that so?"
In the corner of the night as I was falling asleep.
The black ribbon I had just returned was fluttering in the corner of my vision.
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