Disillusionment (1)
The snow that had been pouring down finally stopped. Ashtain watched the man dissolve into particles. It was a sword swung with the full resolve to kill. Even if he was still breathing, whatever time remained would be woefully short. Would they even manage a brief conversation?
Crack. The black helmet he wore split in half a moment later.
"……That face."
The face revealed beneath was identical to Ashtain's. The only difference was his hair, now stark white. He wore a gentle smile, as though all the hostility he had shown until now had been a lie.
-The test is over. Though not entirely satisfying, I acknowledge your potential.
Ashtain felt nothing but disgust at the man's tone, still acting superior even in defeat.
"You talk big for someone who lost."
-Do not be content with the present. Your skills are meager, insufficient.
"I know."
This battle had driven the point home. It had not been a true victory. Without Azazel and Aria's help, it would have been nothing more than a fluke.
-That's fortunate. You must protect them with your own strength.
The man's gaze shifted toward Aria and Azazel. The emotion in his eyes—was it pity, or regret?
Ashtain stared at him in silence. The man looked as though he carried regrets.
What had he lost? What had he failed to protect?
Ashtain did not ask such questions.
"I'll handle things my own way, so spare me the lectures, predecessor."
-Well, a loser's words are only good as a cautionary tale.
The man laughed heartily, a boisterous sound. When the laughter faded, he pointed west with his left index finger.
-Take the Sword of Condemnation and go to the Gallia Royal Palace.
"The Gallia Royal Palace?"
-The truth is there.
Ashtain was about to press further, but pressed his lips shut instead. The man's form was already scattering like burned ashes.
"You're disappearing."
-I'm merely returning to where I belong.
Saaaah.
Moments later, nothing remained where the hero had stood. Nothing at all.
"Thinking it's cool to vanish after leaving only cryptic words behind."
He was an outdated, old-fashioned fellow. Ashtain never wanted to cross paths with him again.
……Anyway, it was over, wasn't it?
There had been a moment when he truly thought everything might end. This outcome was fortunate enough.
The Holy Sword, which had taken on a strange form during the fight, had returned to its original appearance. A sword capable of changing shape—full of secrets.
"Hoo……?"
He tried to sigh, but his breath caught. Aria and Azazel had thrown themselves into his arms from behind. Ashtain relaxed the tension in his shoulders and turned around.
There stood the short-haired woman with black hair and the girl whose red hair reached her waist. Both were sobbing, their faces crumpled with worry. Women with furrowed brows and tear-streaked cheeks, crying loudly—it was difficult to handle.
Ashtain offered an awkward smile.
"……Let's go back. It's cold out."
Thus, the incident came to a close. It had been an utterly exhausting day.
The three descended from Mount Ascendio and arrived at the village inn. Ashtain ordered a simple dinner, and the meal was served promptly. Aria and Azazel ate with their eyes half-closed. Ashtain thought the sight was precious enough to preserve in a painting.
"How about we divide the rooms like this? What do you two think?"
"……Do as you please."
"……Me too."
Aria and Azazel would share one room; Ashtain would take the room Azazel had been using. It was his way of being considerate—same-gender roommates would likely feel more comfortable.
The two women entered the room in complete exhaustion and collapsed onto the bed. Their synchronized movements were so identical that anyone watching might have mistaken it for a rehearsed act. They buried their faces in the same posture, then turned to look at each other at nearly the same moment. Their eyes met.
It might have been awkward, yet both of them chuckled.
Perhaps their bond had deepened after overcoming crisis and hardship together.
"I'm so sleepy, but I can't sleep. Is this insomnia?"
"Really? Me too."
"Want to talk?"
"Sure."
The two chatted amiably.
"……It was a chaotic day. Crying, getting angry, crying, and now laughing. This is the first time in my life I've had such fluctuating emotions."
Aria agreed with Azazel's grumbling.
"Indeed. I feel the same."
"I feel like I've aged ten years."
"For someone who's experienced ten years' worth of time, you still look pretty?"
Aria's compliment lacked the usual pretense. Her tone was straightforward and sincere. Azazel was genuinely happy about that, though she couldn't express it outwardly.
"……Is flattery your specialty, Saintess?"
"It used to be, but not lately."
Azazel's lips pouted.
"What does that mean? Is it flattery, or isn't it?"
"It's not flattery."
"Can't you say it in a way that's easy to understand?"
She sounded like a child whining. Was this how Azazel acted spoiled?
She continued in a small voice.
"……And Aria is pretty too."
"Thank you for saying that."
Azazel, who always wounded others with sharp words. Perhaps that was why a conversation full of empty praise felt incredibly awkward.
"Thanks. Pretty is pretty, why call it ugly?"
Her pointed tone was an added bonus.
For some reason, Azazel unconsciously reached out her hand. Seeing this, Aria gently took hold of it.
"Eek, what? Why are you grabbing it?"
She startled as if someone had shoved ice down her back. Had she not expected to be grabbed?
Aria stroked her small hand softly.
"You had a look that said you wanted to be held."
"Me?"
"Yes."
"………."
Isn't it strange for women to hold hands? She tried to speak, but no voice came out. So Azazel silently fiddled with Aria's hand.
Aria asked,
"Do you have something you want to say?"
"……Hic."
A hiccup escaped. She was flustered by the sudden direct question.
"Did I say something surprising?"
"…No, I was just surprised because it felt like you read my mind."
"How could I read the witch's mind?"
"……It seems possible, Aria."
What a cute girl.
Aria released her hand and stroked Azazel's forehead. Her face flushed pink like a balsam flower. The way color spread across her pale skin was a sight to behold.
"Azazel, your head is hot. Shall I get you some cold water?"
"A, a, no, it's fine. More than that, what I want to say is……."
Her tension was visible.
What words could ease it? Aria recalled what Ashtain had once said to her.
He had told her to speak when she felt comfortable.
"I'm not pressuring you. Speak when you want to, Azazel."
With those words, silence fell.
How many tens of minutes passed?
Azazel stammered,
"……I was curious why you tried to save me even by pushing me away back then."
"'Back then'—which time are you referring to?"
"Before I got cut by that tin can."
"Ah, you were curious about that?"
Azazel nodded. Their gazes met.
"I don't know either. My body moved on its own."
"……Liar."
"It's true."
"………Idiot?"
"Are you calling me an idiot for speaking sincerely? How harsh and narrow-minded."
"A, no. I didn't mean to hurt you, I, I didn't."
"I know."
"……Damn it, I feel like I'm getting swept up by you."
Aria gave an elegant smile. Azazel wondered if this was what it would feel like to have an older sister.
Speaking of older sister, she suddenly became curious about her age.
Even asking cautiously could be a sensitive issue. In times like this, it was better to be bold.
"How old is Aria……?"
Still, she couldn't help but feel nervous. What if she got snapped at for being rude?
"Ah, me? Hmm, I'm twenty-one this year."
Aria answered more readily than expected.
"Older sister, then. I'm twenty."
"What? Twenty? I thought at most fifteen or sixteen……."
"What?"
A fierce gaze like a wildcat poked at Aria. What could she do if that's how she looked on the surface? Aria felt wronged.
"A, anyway? So Aria is older than me?"
"Hmm, I suppose so?"
"Then can I call you older sister?"
A straight shot, packed full. Older sister. An unfamiliar term. But it would be one she needed to get used to.
After finishing her thoughts, Aria smiled gently.
"I welcome it."
As soon as permission was granted, Azazel changed the address.
"Aria unni."
"……Yes."
Hearing it anew, embarrassment flooded in.
"Aria unni, Aria unni, Aria unni."
"……You only need to say it once."
"It just felt like a novel sound."
Thus, Aria was teased with the address several times.
Azazel suddenly sat up.
"Ah, it's stuffy, unni. Want to take a bath or something?"
"……Yes?"
"I've always wanted to try it once, since I always bathed alone."
Always alone. Those words felt melancholic to Aria.
"Sure, there's no reason not to."
* * *
Ashtain looked at the faint scenery outside through the window. The dark clouds had cleared, and a round full moon had risen. It was bright too.
"Karelin."
A low voice.
-I'm listening, Ashtain.
"Did you know from the beginning that it was a test?"
-……What would you have done if the girl had known?
"Why didn't you say anything?"
-There are things that can only be seen when one is desperate.
Silence hung in the air. It wasn't a gentle silence.
"Even if it was necessary, your actions weren't justified. You deliberately led me, didn't you?"
-It was something that shouldn't be overdone.
"That was your arbitrary judgment."
-I won't argue. It's true that I induced your actions.
Ashtain growled in a low tone.
"Trust is important, Karelin."
-………I know.
"Aria and Azazel didn't see it, but that man's face was 'identical' to mine. You knew, right?"
-…….
The Holy Sword, which usually chattered so much, was silent as if honey had been poured into its mouth.
Ashtain took a breath and continued.
"You said you've lived for 500 years."
-That is so.
"Is there really truth in the Gallia Royal Palace?"
-Do you wish for an answer?
"Don't tease me and tell me."
-If it's the truth, it exists.
"Then let me ask again. Do you know what that truth he spoke of is?"
-I do. However, I don't think it's something you need to know right now.
"Would it be okay if I knew when I go to the Gallia Royal Palace?"
-At that point, it should be fine.
"Karelin."
-Yes, hero.
"There won't be a second time. If Aria or Azazel gets hurt because of a problem you brought without prior notice, I'll either break you or discard you. So give some warning in advance."
-……I will do so if possible.
One night.
It was a secret conversation between the Holy Sword and the hero.