The Resolve of the White Flower (2)
"Calling me big sis again? Aren't you past the age for acting spoiled?"
"No way... I... Big sis... Big sis...!"
"There, there. Come here. It must've been tough, huh?"
Claire didn't care about the stares around her. The moment she saw Shiroko, she broke down, burying her face in her big sister's ample bosom like a child craving her mother's embrace, sniffling and sobbing.
"Shiroko sis... Shiroko sis...!"
"Yeah, yeah. Big sis is right here."
"Huuu...!"
Not long after she became knight captain... after losing her father and becoming an orphan adrift in the world, the one Claire had leaned on like family was Shiroko. In the White Flame Knights, Shiroko was her big sister—and mother figure (though she'd get mad if anyone said she was that old)—taking care of her in every way imaginable.
Of course, the gap in their skills was vast. Claire had nothing left to learn from Shiroko when it came to the sword. But in everything else, it was fair to say she'd learned it all from her. Their human bond was that tight-knit.
Claire sobbed like a child, face buried in Shiroko's generous breasts for a moment. A rare sight: the lofty flower of the cliffs, breaking down in tears.
"Glova... Uncle Glova and Uncle Jonas... Hic...!"
"Yeah. We're on our way back from Jonas's funeral..."
Shiroko gently stroked Claire's hair, smiling warmly.
"If it was bad enough to make you bawl like this, why didn't you come find me sooner?"
"......"
Yeah. Shiroko hadn't gone far away. They'd just drifted apart due to their different paths, but she was still in the capital.
And yet...
Even so, guilt had kept Claire from seeking her out until now.
Eight years ago, on that day... after getting ambushed by the Chokgoe in the Monster Forest, Shiroko had retired abruptly after some activity. The official reason was weakened strength... but no one bought it. Shiroko was still strong, still beautiful... Her level might've been lower than Claire's, but she'd always handled the White Flame Knights' tactical command, so everyone opposed her retirement. There was no reason for someone in her early twenties, at the peak of her powers, to step away.
But Shiroko seemed unable to overcome the Chokgoe incident... and retired anyway.
Claire felt responsible, as if it were her own failure for not saving her in time, so she'd only exchanged letters, never visiting in person.
"My retirement wasn't your fault, you know."
Shiroko wiped Claire's tears and grinned.
She already knew. How Claire felt.
That's why she held her so warmly.
Shiroko's embrace was incredibly warm and soft. As Claire kneaded her breasts, Shiroko looked utterly exasperated.
"Keep that up, and you'll be asking for milk next."
Claire's ears turned red. The Saintess watching from the side chuckled.
"We interrupting? Feels like we're crashing the knight captain's nursing session."
At the Saintess's joke, Claire snapped back to reality, pulling away from Shiroko's arms and stammering incoherently.
"Ah, that's... This is... I mean..."
"......"
Meanwhile, Esilla's husband, Hero Ethan, had politely looked away, pretending not to notice while staring at distant mountains. Two stunning beauties tangled in an embrace was plenty erotic; no man wanted to stare straight at that.
Realizing what scene they'd just put on, Claire's cheeks burned even hotter.
"Sorry... So undignified of me..."
"Sorry for what? That the kingdom's strongest knight captain is a crybaby?"
Esilla smirked.
"I won't go blabbing. Don't worry."
"Ugh... Saintess..."
"It's humanizing. Better than some emotionless ice block, no matter what."
Ethan eyed Shiroko steadily.
"...You throwing shade at me?"
"If it stings, you lose. Uncle Ethan."
"Who're you calling an ice block? Ethan's plenty passionate."
"Y-Yes, Hero!"
Shiroko bantered casually with the Hero, but Claire was on edge.
"Relax. Right now, he's not the Hero or anything—just some lame old guy on crutches."
Lame old guy? Claire could never see him that way. She'd seen the Demon King with her own eyes... Whether on crutches or in a wheelchair, the man who'd faced it down earned nothing but infinite respect.
"...You're making me uncomfortable."
"What brings you here...?"
"What do you mean? I figured the knight captain could use some cheerleading!"
Esilla grinned.
"Cheerleading...?"
Claire couldn't have imagined it. Support from the Saintess and Hero. And Shiroko sis, too...
Shiroko stroked Claire's hair. No one else dared ruffle it like this. How long since she'd felt this?
Claire felt utterly at ease in Shiroko's presence. This was family.
In truth, Claire was so untainted by the world that her heart remained as pure as when she was twelve. Watching her innocent smile, the Hero and Saintess felt a twinge of unease.
"You okay? Vision clear? No depression?"
"I... I'm fine. Cried it out, so I feel a bit refreshed..."
"Good to hear."
"Sorry... I should be escorting you safely."
"Yeah, total curveball. Stuck shuttling light magic around the injured camp with my daughter."
Claire looked miserable.
"Sorry..."
"Plus, we came to check on the knight captain's health."
Her words were teasing, but Esilla's demeanor was refreshingly straightforward. She already extended her hand, casting light magic on Claire.
A brilliant glow that pierced the darkness... Claire felt her mind clear.
"Mental state follows the body. Eat well, sleep well. Basics, right?"
"Yes. Thank you."
Whether she realized it or not, she owed so many people. No matter her strength, her White Flame, a person couldn't survive alone.
"You came for a reason too, didn't you?"
"Ahem."
Ethan cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Heard about the carriage talk and wanted to see you."
"......"
Claire looked anxious. In front of the Hero, she had nothing to her name—like that twelve-year-old girl. Back then, she'd wanted to kill the Demon King, wipe out every monster... Drunk on power and emotion, spouting reckless words without grasping her duty.
Was she any different now? She'd just realized her shortcomings.
Ethan removed his hood, revealing hair half-turned white and a scar across his eye.
...His face and body bore countless scars even Saintess light magic couldn't heal. His weathered, hardship-lined face made him seem like Esilla's dad, exaggerated as it was. Ethan had aged far beyond his years.
The Hero said nothing, just gazed at Claire quietly.
"......What? Not staring 'cause I'm pretty, are you?"
"Ahem."
Before his wife could tackle him. It was true she'd grown into a beauty any man would fall for, so Shiroko and Esilla could only laugh.
"Not that... You've grown up well."
"...Hero."
"Still wanna join the Hero Party?"
Claire shook her head.
"No. I have my duties."
She was the knight captain again, resolute.
The retired Hero Ethan smiled, satisfied.
"You'll do fine."
What encouragement could match the Hero's? Claire swallowed her surging emotions and nodded. Lest she cry again.
"If you get hurt, I'll look after you. No worries."
"Yes...! But I can't impose like that..."
"Special service from a kind-hearted Saintess. Heck, I could even let you grope my boobs?"
Claire's cheeks flushed.
"That's... fine, thanks..."
Ethan deadpanned at the perfect moment.
"I won't allow it. Those boobs are mine."
"You perv! Seriously~!"
Esilla pounded the Hero's shoulder, unable to hide her joy.
"Urk."
"What'd you talk about inside? Strategy session?"
"Yeah, sis."
Recounting the indoor discussion darkened their faces.
"What a pain. Can't we just declare emergency and smash 'em all?"
"Shiroko! That's not vice-captain talk. What if it's not the Demon King? Princess can't take that heat."
"That's why a former vice-captain can say it. Kingdom's in danger now. What..."
"Um... Can't the Saintess tell?"
Claire asked cautiously. After all, Prophet Saintess Esilla had foretold the second Demon King's emergence. She couldn't always prophesy, but Claire wanted answers.
"Could the prophecy not come true?"
"Hmm... Never happened yet. I still think the second Demon King will appear in the kingdom."
"Then... Any way to know when?"
"Wish I could. Sadly..."
"What we know for sure: nothing Demon King-level has shown up in the kingdom yet."
Ethan said. Weighty words from the Hero himself.
Claire and Riana had reached the same conclusion. Chokgoe wasn't the Demon King.
"I think so too."
"So you're shouldering all that risk alone, Claire?"
Shiroko asked.
"Captain Riana's with me."
"Wish we had Changwol Knights right now."
"Changwol...?"
"Disbanded ages ago when their captain vanished, but they say it was the kingdom's strongest order."
A tale from when Shiroko was a fresh-faced 15-year-old recruit. The kingdom once had three knight orders: Seongyul, White Flame, and Changwol... Changwol existed solely thanks to its founding captain's overwhelming charisma.
But after she vanished, her elite knights followed, leaving only the name.
"You left me the strongest White Flame Knights."
"Left? Never mine to begin with."
"Shiroko sis could jump right back in active duty!"
Shiroko's expression was a mix of joy and sorrow.
"Can't drop everything now."
"How's the new gig?"
"Well, don't have to run around naked all the time."
Unlike her knight days, she wore a neat suit. The H-line skirt hugged her wide hips perfectly. Her commanding bust was still prominent, but compared to her old revealing style, this was modest.
"Teacher now."
"Suits you, Shiroko Teacher."
"Gotta head back to Deseval soon. Slipped out to say hi to family."
"...Already?"
Shiroko and Claire locked eyes. Two who seemed eternal comrades, now diverged: one knight, one teacher. But in their hearts, still partners.
"Claire. Be careful."
"...Shiroko sis."
"If that's the same Chokgoe I fought eight years ago... I think it's the Demon King."
Claire was stunned. Back then, Shiroko hadn't spoken of Chokgoe so vehemently.
Now she could say it.
So... Shiroko sis's sudden retirement was deeply tied to Chokgoe.
"Not saying I'm right and the Hero's wrong. But that's how I saw it."
"That tough?"
"Not exactly... Hard to say. Ominous."
Claire recalled her talk with Glova. He'd said the same: endlessly ominous. Maybe even more than the Demon King...
"Felt more ominous than the Demon King."
...Just like Glova.
Why? Common view among those who'd faced the main body... Though Captain Riana, who'd clashed with it most recently, didn't see it that way. She thought it couldn't be the Demon King.
"Got it."
"That thing does anything to survive. It'll go for your feet or pull some unimaginable feint."
"Feint..."
"That's what worries me. You're strong, but pure... Tough matchup for a bastard like that."
Sorry for worrying you. Clinging and bawling on sight—unavoidable, maybe.
Claire straightened, declaring proudly.
"No matter how dirty their tricks, I won't yield."
Shiroko smiled softly, saying no more. Piling on worries now would just look pathetic. She'd been a knight once. She knew Claire's resolve for the mission.
She just hoped Chokgoe's vileness wouldn't surpass it.
"Let's meet again... healthy and smiling."
"Yes!"
Night deepened.
Back in her room, Claire spent two hours inspecting gear, checking greave straps. Finally, she polished the national treasure White Dragon Sword, then curled in the corner—not on the bed—sword in arms, dozing like a shrimp.
"...I'll protect you all. No matter what..."