Volume 2 Chapter 19 I Couldn't Answer Anything
Opening my eyes, I found Lene's face, her eyes gently closed.
Something had been transferred to me through her lips, and I obediently swallowed the liquid that flowed into my mouth.
Wait, what?
The shock I'd felt from the wound on my back was gone.
Could it be... that was an antidote, a fast-acting one for magic crystals?
When did she make that?
Once the flow of medicine ceased, Lene pulled back and opened her eyes.
The light returned to her gaze, which quickly darted to where Adiliana must be behind me.
The pain still lingered from my injury, but I managed to stand up and turn around.
"Lady Lene... Don't tell me—you created an antidote for the Demon Crystal?!"
"That's correct. ...However, by the way you put it, it seems you have a connection with my sister, Adiliana."
Lene, now fully awake, confronted a flustered Adiliana with a serious expression.
Considering what Adiliana had just said, it must mean Lene's sister had been giving her instructions.
"Lene, thank you. I thought I was done for."
"No... it was originally my fault for getting us into this mess. I'm truly sorry."
I wondered if she was referring to the Orb from earlier.
Seeing Lene awaken so suddenly hints that it likely played a role in transforming her into Adiliana's puppet.
"Well then, the situation has changed to 2 against one. What will you do?"
I picked up the fallen dagger and aimed it at Adiliana.
I couldn't completely rule out the possibility of more hidden enemies, but I wouldn't let my guard down now.
Adiliana clicked her tongue in annoyance and pivoted around.
Was she planning to escape?
Not if I could help it.
We chased after Adiliana as she fled,
ignoring the pain in my back.
"Wait, what?"
Just as we rounded the corner, a wall appeared in front of me where Adiliana should have been, and I stumbled back,
sensing her presence but having no idea where she vanished to!
"Mr. Ryuuji! It's an illusion!"
"That thing from Cattle Village? Damn it!"
Realizing what Lene meant, I quickly activated the <Magic Stone of Dispelling>,
but Adiliana was already gone.
Ahead, I could see people staring out at the harbor.
"Did we let her get away..."
The golden tendrils that had threatened the harbor had already vanished,
but the ship lay in tatters, its bow gruesomely torn apart.
What a disaster of a ceremony this turned out to be.
"For now, let's report what's happened to Lord Reichner and then head home. Also, there are things I want to ask Lene."
"Okay..."
I couldn't back down from pursuing the matter, after all.
Lene lowered her ears in defeat and nodded.
* * *
I reported to Lord Reichner that "we chased a Dark Mage targeting the harbor, but they escaped."
If I went into too much detail, it might end up being our responsibility.
...Well, it's true that I was the target, and Lene was controlled, so we bear some of the blame, but I didn't want to risk my life over some grudge I didn't even remember.
I had to navigate this situation carefully.
"Adiliana had actually been appearing before me quite a while ago,"
Lene started to slowly explain as we walked the familiar path home.
The sun was already dipping low, casting a rosy light on her troubled face.
"It was the day after we returned from Cattle Village. Mr. Ryuuji took Belle as his disciple, and I was jealous at that time."
"......Jealous?"
Such an unexpected word came out of Lene's mouth that I instinctively blurted out a response.
I never imagined that the usually gentle girl would have that kind of feeling.
"Yes, jealous. I didn't want to be bothered by Mr. Ryuuji and Belle's time together. Adiliana took advantage of that feeling."
"That is──"
No, not now.
Now it's about Adiliana.
"Every time I went outside alone, Adiliana would appear. And gradually, my awareness became hazy. I suspect she used some kind of spell to control people's minds."
"So, you've been absent-minded lately?"
"That's probably how it looked to everyone else. So Adiliana told me to get the Orb. It seems that was the last key to make me move. The people of Cattle Village had vacant eyes, probably because Adiliana used the Orb to cast a barrier."
I see.
There was one Orb left.
It's best to smash it, right?
Lene, taking a deep breath, stopped and looked straight at me.
The setting sun was glinting in her tear-filled eyes.
"...I'm sorry for keeping Adiliana's secret, Mr. Ryuuji. I just couldn't say anything. I didn't want to."
"...That is──"
Was that related to Lene's jealousy from earlier?
Was she hiding it for that reason?
I wanted to ask that, but my mouth wouldn't cooperate.
If I asked, I might delve into the cause of her jealousy.
Lene wore a smile that seemed caught between amusement and trouble.
It was as if she could see right through my thoughts.
"Mr. Ryuuji, you're surprisingly timid, aren't you?"
"...What are you talking about?"
I found myself blurting out a denial that felt all too natural.
I just wanted to wrap this conversation up as soon as possible.
That's right, someone like me──this kind of thing was unacceptable.
"Well then, Mr. Ryuuji, I'll just be blunt. I like you."
The sunset deepened into a vibrant crimson, painting the pale elf in vivid colors.
Lene's expression, free and clear, was no longer the troubled look from before, nor did it hold a hint of laughter.
But perhaps that was why I found her, in all her naturalness, honestly beautiful.
"......I see."
In response to Lene's confession, all I could muster was that simple reply.
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