Volume 6 Chapter 41 Even a Great Magician Exists Alongside a Sword Saint
Before Ellie and the others, a gigantic woman appeared.
Clad in pure white robes, she bore a serene expression, her long hair cascading down gracefully.
Her features vaguely reminded one of Ellie and Liz, yet her feet seemed to be transparent, hinting at her ethereal nature──she was likely a nonexistent entity.
"If someone told me this was a goddess, I might just believe it,"
Catherine remarked, brandishing the hinoki stick that Ellie had gifted her during the birth festival.
With a smile, Ellie responded, "A goddess, huh?"
"Perfect. If we defeat her, we could ascend to that divine throne,"
It was the sly observation made by Cecilia, who clenched her teeth tightly as she noticed Ellie gripping her staff even more fiercely.
The aura radiating from this being was undeniably extraordinary.
Despite the overwhelming power she sensed, there was an odd tranquility, as if gazing at an utterly clear surface of water.
The stark contrast made her mind resist acknowledging the formidable presence before her.
That's why Catherine couldn't help but express her thoughts.
──A goddess.
Before this magnificent being, she perceived a divine essence.
Indeed, as the goddess raised her hand, numerous angelic figures materialized around Ellie and her companions.
With divine authority and the power to command angels, Livia, clutching a sword in one hand, was licking her lips in anticipation before such a great entity.
"Seems like there's a chance to strike!"
"That's the spirit!"
Ellie, displaying a fierce grin akin to Livia's, raised her staff high.
"Alright, everyone, let's go all out──"
As Ellie's staff gleamed brightly, bolts of lightning cascaded down towards the goddess.
* * *
Meanwhile, the men left outside the cave were staring into it with expressions that were hard to read.
"If what you're saying is true, isn't it bad that Miss Catherine went in?"
Julius frowned, suggesting that if they were gathering memories of the Saint, then Catherine's memory would undoubtedly serve as a counter within the cave.
"It's bound to happen. After all, she's still stained with the title 'The Witch Who Brings Ruin to a Kingdom.' Saint's polar opposite, that's her. And with suspicions of overthrowing the nation added to the mix, she's a pure 100 percent, unadulterated black sheep."
Randy, hunched over, knows that only a few, including Randy, Liz, Cecilia, and the person herself, are aware of the situation, and most of them are hiding in the cave.
"Are they okay?"
With a serious expression, Julius sighs softly as Randy lets out a small sigh.
At the edge of Randy's vision, Luke is restlessly pacing back and forth.
"Luke, calm down a bit."
"I am calm."
Luke frowns, and Randy sighs again.
Since hearing Randy's hypothesis, Luke has been acting this way, restless and pacing.
"I understand how you feel."
Both Julius and the anxious Leon nod in understanding.
──Livia is stronger than you, isn't she?
Randy swallows the words that were about to escape.
Randy knows it's not that simple.
Randy understands everyone's feelings.
But it was their own choice to go inside, and Randy believes that those on the outside have no right to complain.
So, once again,
"Luke, calm down already."
"I said I'm calm──"
Luke cuts himself off.
Randy's gaze is more serious than ever.
"I get how you feel. It must hurt so much you want to say, 'Hit me because I couldn't stop it.'"
Randy, with a sigh mixed in, taps Luke's shoulder and says, "But still."
"Miss Cecilia isn't stupid. She listened to our story and went into hiding, knowing the risks."
At Randy's words, Luke briefly averts his gaze.
It's not just Cecilia; Ellie, Livia, and Catherine are the same.
...The two behind seem to only partially understand, or so it seems.
"Your feelings are shared by everyone here. But...the only one who hesitates and doubts is you."
Luke's face turned surprised at Randy's words.
"As I said before, I understand your feelings. I'm worried. Leon and I, and even Julius are."
Looking past Luke, Randy saw Julius and Leon nodding with firm expressions.
"But Ellie said, 'Leave it to me.' A woman showed her determination. Then, as men, it's our duty to trust her."
Luke, with averted gaze, said "I understand" while narrowing his eyes.
"No, you don't understand. That's why you two will always be 'the Lady and the Knight.'"
Luke glared at Randy instinctively.
"How long will you walk ahead? How long will you only show your back to Miss Cecilia? It's time to stand beside her."
Randy pushed Luke away with a curt remark.
Luke responded with a snort.
"You're saying whatever you want."
"Of course, I would. With my feelings for you, I wouldn't hold back. It would be disgusting."
Randy chuckled and Luke scratched his head, muttering "Damn it!" while still maintaining his usual mischievous grin.
"Remember this. What I said about you being hesitant, I will definitely take it back."
"Right, right. I appreciate the enthusiasm. Well, it seems like it's getting late."
Randy, who grinned as smugly as ever, continued, "It's been a while since things have been interesting."
From then on, their bickering began anew, but it was a completely different atmosphere from before.
Though they argued, a firm trust was visible between them.
"What a unique bond."
"That's a special case."
Leon shrugged, and Julius nodded in agreement.
"Well, while Ellie and Liz are gone, we have some things we want to investigate."
Randy paused, then turned to Julius and Leon.
"Speaking of which, you were mentioning something like that earlier."
Julius nodded as if he remembered something and looked around, "What are we investigating?"
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