Heresy and Taboo Between (6)
The Altar Guardian Knight and Kaya's speeds are equal.
Speed Roll
“Ah.”
Only after the speed roll message appeared did a sliver of reason return to me. Of course, that tiny bit of regained sanity couldn't change the course of events. It just made me realize that the reflected attack on Shae earlier had happened on Shae's turn—a useless realization that changed nothing.
Thank heavens, it was a tie, just like with Shae earlier. Another roll was terrifying, but better than losing right then and there.
The Altar Guardian Knight's turn precedes Kaya's turn.
“Why!!! Why this time!!!”
Even in the midst of this, I hated myself for analyzing the reason in my head. It was probably some intimidation effect or that disgusting form of his. But knowing that wouldn't bring back the stolen turn.
“Even if it kills me, you bastards will pay.”
The monster's glowing blade pointed straight at Shae.
“The price.”
As soon as the words ended, it swung down at Shae. I couldn't even close my eyes or scream. I just stared blankly at the blade.
Was this really how it played out? Was Shae really going to die like this?
Kaya.
You're a total mess, bawling your eyes out. Veins bulging in your neck.
Yeah. You won't move either. You know it, but you're panicking.
Ah. Me too, huh? Figures.
My eyes feel like they'll burst, my body's tearing apart. My throat's probably wrecked already.
Blade of Vengeance
Shae hadn't officially joined the hero party, but we'd fought together. In that short time, it felt good seeing Kaya gain another comrade besides me. Her outbursts were creepy, but she was reliable in battle.
No. You can't die.
Who says? I won't let you go like this. No way.
You think I'll send you off like this? You're already slated to go to the end of the dungeon with me.
So don't die. You can't die.
You called me Captain. So as your captain, that's an order. Don't die.
Please.
The Altar Guardian Knight's attack misses.
Silence.
The Altar Guardian Knight's attack grazed past Shae's body, teetering on the brink of death. Anyone unaware would think it was a joke.
“...”
Just before the sword connected, a faint silver glow seemed to envelop Shae protectively. Probably my imagination.
It didn't feel real. Like someone grabbed my hair and forced me on a rollercoaster. Hope and despair leaped from one extreme to the other in seconds.
But I had to do what needed doing. The reason I'd resented moments ago now did its job. I suppressed my emotions and gave Kaya her orders.
“Kaya.”
“...Yes, Captain.”
“Kill it.”
She nodded, roughly wiping her tears, and approached the monster. Her boots shattered the silence, and what I assumed were its eyes rippled violently.
What're you gonna do, staring like that? Your finisher failed.
Shae survived, and you're next.
There's that saying: all pain that doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Thanks for the stark warning in person.
Now I won't get too excited even if good things happen, thanks to you.
“Such... resentment...”
All According to God's Will
-6 HP
Kaya deals 6 damage to the Altar Guardian Knight.
Remaining HP: -5/69
The Altar Guardian Knight has been defeated.
**
“Daddyyy!”
Thud thud thud—
Hug—!
“Whoa, my girl. Been good?”
“Yeah!”
“Haha! Listened to Mommy?”
“Yeah!”
The tall, handsome blond man lifted his daughter up to his chest. Overflowing with elegance, wealth, and striking looks, he passed the servants bowing politely and headed inside.
“Studied a lot?”
“Tch. Studying's boring!”
“Oh dear. Didn't you say you wanted to be like Daddy? To work where Daddy does, our girl needs to study hard~”
“I'm Daddy's daughter, so it's fine!”
“What?”
“I like seeing Daddy a lot! Even more at home!”
“Hahaha!”
Enjoying the reunion with his daughter on the way to what could be called a mansion, the man quickened his steps upon seeing his wife standing with hands neatly clasped in front.
“Darling.”
“Welcome home, dear. You must be tired.”
“Tired? Nah. I'm home.”
“**, don't bother Daddy. Come down now.”
“Nooo...”
“**.”
“No...!”
“**!”
“No!”
In that instant, the eyes of the happily smiling woman and man were hollow, maggots crawling in their sockets.
“Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!”
**
“Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!”
“Shh... It's okay. You're okay.”
“Aaaahhh!”
“It's alright, it's alright. You're okay. Okay.”
“Ah... Mommy...! Daddy...!”
“It's okay. Okay. There, there.”
After the battle with the elite monster, Kaya and I barely retreated from the instance dungeon. Saving Shae was nothing short of a miracle.
Shae didn't regain consciousness even after the fight, so I had to carry her. On the way back, we encountered trash mobs twice and another poison gas zone. We kept Shae in the backline during the trash fights, taking hits ourselves to protect her. Before finishing them, Kaya used her Battle Vestal's Penance skill, sacrificing her own HP to partially restore Shae's.
Shae briefly came to thanks to that but passed out again soon after. By the time we escaped the instance, both Kaya and I were battered wrecks.
We dragged ourselves back to the inn and poured everything into healing and nursing Shae. That was just a few hours ago.
Shae would regain consciousness only to thrash in nightmares, mumbling incoherently. Kaya and I couldn't rest, tending to her nonstop.
“Kaya. Wouldn't it have been better to send her to the monastery?”
Kaya shook her head.
“That might be safer. The sisters walking the path of mercy are far better healers than I. But that could put you in a tough spot, Captain.”
“Me? How?”
“She's a Crusader from another order. Likely sent to scout heresy sites and monitor us—specifically you. You knew that much, right?”
“Yeah, unless the orders want war, they won't suspect you.”
“But if the Justitia Church learns their Crusader's on the brink of death while we're relatively fine despite our wounds? What would an outsider think?”
“...That we did something to her 2-on-1 inside?”
“A possibility. I don't know the intricacies, but as a novice nun, I saw plenty of how heresy cases are handled. It might sound absurd coming from a nun, but... when orders deal with heresy, reason and logic take a backseat.”
Sorry, but isn't religion inherently distant from reason and logic anyway?
I wasn't tone-deaf. I shut my mouth and just nodded.
“If it were my Raella Order, fine. But to Justitia, I'm an outsider nun. Witnessing their Crusader nearly die without clear evidence? They could brand me a heretic too. That's what heresy means to orders.”
“So that's why you're going through this.”
“...I don't see it as hardship. I believe we escaped thanks to Lady Shae.”
“...Then what am I? I think the same. Without Shae, we might all be dead.”
Kaya nodded, brushing Shae's hair back. Sweat beaded on her exposed forehead. I wiped it with a damp cloth. It warmed quickly.
“Kaya.”
“Yes.”
“Shae almost died.”
“Yes.”
“It was scary.”
“...”
I kept talking while wringing the cloth.
“First time again. Seeing someone on the verge of death. I was prepared from the start, sure. Knowing death could come anytime, even for me. But seeing it for real? Different.”
“I see.”
“Yeah. When the Shae we just met nearly died, I resented the world, felt everything crumbling. Should've taken the hit, tanked it. Shouldn't have gone there at all...”
Exhaustion made my words come out flat.
“'Don't die. I'm your captain—that's an order.' Begged that a dozen times in those moments. She was burdensome, kinda creepy, but facing her death right there? Desperate.”
“I felt the same.”
“Kaya.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“Don't die. At least, not before me.”
“...Captain?”
Damn. Getting sentimental like this. Still sunk in those intense emotions.
But the words were out; I couldn't hold back.
“If you die, I might go mad.”
“...!”
“Might just give up in despair. That kept crossing my mind.”
Kaya's half-lidded, fatigue-heavy eyes widened.
“C-Captain. Why say that...”
“I know it's pointless, but I wanted to say it.”
“...”
“And Kaya.”
“...Yes.”
“If you ever want out... anytime...”
“No.”
Her gaze sharpened, almost angry.
“Are you... testing me?”
“No, not testing. That's not it.”
“Was I that disposable? Did I earn so little trust? Am I not worth holding onto desperately?”
“Opposite. Feels too good for me. And it's not forced. You're free to choose, so I meant it that way.”
“Yes, well said. I'll go to the end with you. By my will. My freedom.”
When I came to, Kaya had grabbed my collar, pulling my face close. Her eyes and lips were too near.
“Unlike you, Captain, I follow fate well. Why would I kick mine away?”
“...Right.”
“Say it again, and even to you, Captain, I'll get mad.”
“Scary. Guess I'll have to obey.”
“Yes. I'll get scarily mad.”
“...Haha.”
Classic Kaya comfort. As I felt grateful for the easing in my heart and met her eyes to thank her—
Gulp.
Situation aside, no real skinship since that day. This eye contact triggered something.
We'd survived death together. Kaya felt it too—our faces drew closer. I saw her close her eyes; I was about to—
“Whoa.”
“Gasp!”
“Hweh?!”
“S-Sorry. First time seeing this up close... hehe.”
Shae, who’d been deep asleep, blinked with a beaming smile.
“I'll sleep more, so keep going?”
“As if.”
Kaya turned tomato-statue red; I couldn't help chuckling.
Good. Shae.