“What do you think you’re doing?! This won’t change anything!”
“Tch…”
Lefille’s words of restraint brought Suimei back to his senses. Thinking it over, he came to the same conclusion – his actions wouldn’t change the end result. Her exit was already inevitable, something that was obvious to anyone thinking calmly.
In order to reduce the risk to the caravan as much as possible, it was necessary for her to leave.
His voice tinged with regret, Galeo spoke.
“Gurakis-san. We’re going to leave now. I think you know what you need to do…”
“I do. I’ll head in a direction different from the one the caravan takes, I understand.”
“That’s right,” was his only response. This was necessary to minimize risk to the group.
As the two spoke, Suimei abruptly turned to the adventurer party that was well acquainted with Lefille.
The magicial girl who had laughed and chatted happily with her and the warrior who had praised her ability. At this time, their gazes, like the others were estranged. They weren’t even willing to meet Lefille’s eyes, let alone come to her aid.
Suimei, however, couldn’t blame them. They were afraid of the Mazoku army. If they were to ignore the feelings of the others and protect Lefille, then who could say what the consequences would be? Plus, it wasn’t like they could be sure that Lefille wasn’t in fact the target of the Mazoku.
In such a situation, they could only prioritize their own safety. Suimei didn’t intend to criticize their cowardice, however; he, of all people, did not have that right.
…At long last, negotiations over provisions settled, Lefille called out to Suimei.
“Lefille…”
“…Our time together has been short, Suimei-kun, but I’ll pray for your safety.”
“…”
How can she smile at a time like this? His gaze fixed on her smile, he wanted to ask, “Is this really okay?” but he knew that she’d simply reply that it was.
She turned away. The sight of that back, carrying that large sword with such ease, carried no trace of the reliability that it had once shown. No, burned into his vision now was the fading figure of a young girl who looked every bit her age.
And that’s why—
“Hey, let’s get going.”
Right, and that’s why—
“Hey, did you hear me?”
Right, this is different from that time with Reiji and the others.
Yeah, this is no different from forsaking Lefille.
Lefille, and that vulnerable, retreating back and gaze, would thus be abandoned to a lonely hell without so much as a single hand outstretched to her.
“…Give me my provisions.”
Before he realized it, the words had already left his mouth.
“Huh?” the adventurer said in shock.
His gaze still following Lefille, Suimei continued.
“I’m going with her. Thanks for watching over me until now.”
“Huh?” the adventurer repeated.
Galeo sighed.
“Are you really okay with this? If you leave us now, you won’t be rewarded for the commission, you know?”
“I don’t need that sort of thing, but I do need food and water. Consider it payment for my work up to this point if you wouldn’t mind.”
“…I understand. Take care of yourself out there, Yakagi-san,” Galeo replied, his eyes closed, giving in without trying to persuade him otherwise.
If he did not possess this sort of calm, disinterested disposition he could never have made it as a caravan leader.
“What’s this? In the end, you still—”
—*BOOM*
Without getting to finish, the adventurer was sent flying by Suimei’s magic. He’d already lost all patience and had no desire to allow the man’s vulgarity to further offend his ears.
“Hey, are you really going to be okay…?” the warrior asked, concern on his face.
“Yeah, don’t worry about it,” Suimei replied, filling his bag with provisions.