But even so, even if things were like this—
“This is fine. This is…”
She found it hard to hold back the tears welling up, it was a warmth that welled up like a tide from the innermost depths of her heart. It was filled with sorrow and anguish, the pain of having no choice but to bear such a fate. If she could meet that young man in another way, she wouldn’t have such an ending? When he followed her, when he chatted with her while enduring with the awkwardness, when he tried to stop her from going. She felt so happy during each of these moments.
That’s why emotions she never felt before spilled forth when she reminiscence those times. It wasn’t the sadness of a cherished person passing on, or the sorrow of missing a home that was already gone. It was a pain that gripped at her heart, her reluctance to part with him.
But she didn’t want to run anymore. She didn’t want to see anyone else die. Being helpless while someone besides her was being tormented, she had enough of such things.
“...Ugh.”
That’s why, she wiped away the warm thoughts falling from the corner of her eyes away, and ran with all her might.
________________________________________
Cleaving through the things that were in her way, Lefille finally reach this place.
If she focused on her senses, she could detect the presence of multiple humans and Mazoku. She could already sense the strange atmosphere of this place from the depth of the forest, and Lefille cut through everything blocking her path and dashed out.
It was an open plain where the vegetation growth seemed unnatural. It was almost dusk, but the air was still heavy as she took in the scene before her eyes — A terrible hell.
“——Tch!?”
The first thing that assaulted Lefille who gave a prayer for having made it in time as she cleave through the trees and dash out, was the mind numbing smell of blood and gore. And the reason behind the bloody smell appeared in her clear eyes. It made her doubt if she had stumbled onto an execution site.
Are these Rajas’ minions? Several Mazoku covered in dark demonic aura was rampaging. Some of the people were busy running for their lives, while others were covered in wounds and lying in a pool of blood, probably dead from the Mazoku’s attacks. Admist the chaos, roars, wails and screeching laughter could be heard.
This scene Lefille witnessed before and didn’t want to ever see again filled her with rage.
“Ohhhhh!”
Allowing her emotions to drive her body, Lefille slashed at the Mazoku besides her.
The Mazoku couldn’t react in time to Lefille’s sudden attack.
The vertical slash that glowed with a crimson glow. Dirt and the death throes of the Mazoku were blown away by her large sword, sending the Mazoku flying in two pieces.
Be it the struggling survivors or the Mazoku that far outnumbers them, all their eyes fell on her. In order to confirm what was happening, everyone watched the interloper who finally arrived after much hardship.
One of them noticed.
“I-It’s you!”
It wasn’t a question asking who the young girl was, but an exclamation because he found someone familiar.
She wasn’t too late, there were still survivors. There were still people surrounded by Mazoku, waiting for rescue. People who resisting death in a hopeless situation.
Yes, she made it. In order to protect those hoping for a miracle.
The girl came to help them, in response to their pleas. That should be the case but—
“Why the hell are you here!?”
What greeted her was the merciless voice of rage.
“Wha…?|
Her movement turned stiff because of the sudden hostility and disgust. Why was she treated with such ill meaning words even though she ran here because everyone was in danger.
“Ms Grakis…”
It was a voice that came from another place. The low tone voice came from a middle aged man, the caravan leader Galeo. He only survived this long because he was a merchant not involved in the fighting. But his voice was trembling with rage. His eyes were filled with hate directed at Lefille. Those eyes seemed to be saying the culprit was right there.
“Mr Galeo…”