Lefille seemed to be roaring at the mercilessness of the world. It was the cry of a girl who couldn’t vent all this while. That’s right, because she had been betraying her emotions, her self reproach became even more painful. It was even more so, if the feelings she had been going against was the right one. Because of her strong conviction, her self reproach was even more unbearable.
And then, tears came out from the corner of Lefille’s eyes after her emotions burst forth.
The tears were filled with sorrow and suffering. It was the crystallization of a girl imprisoned by her responsibility and obligations.
… And finally, she calmed down and her breathing became steady. Lefille apologized for losing her composure and turned back once more. Without looking back, she bidded farewell as if it was forever.
“... I am sorry, Suimei-kun. It was for a short time, but I have been in your care.”
“Lefille!? Don’t go!! Wait!!”
The voice persuading her to stay didn’t reach the girl, and disappeared futilely into the air. Lefille ignored Suimei’s restraint, and started running with abnormal speed along the way they came with her crimson spirit powers.
“Hey. She really left…”
The mutters of Suimei who was left behind echoed in the forest. His voice couldn’t reach Lefille anymore.
He halted his legs chasing her, and lowered his outreached arm. Suimei stood stiffly on the spot.
She left just like that, to help those who cursed and chased her away. And also to forge ahead in the path she believes to be just.
“Tch…”
This fact made Suimei grit his teeth.
Was it fine for her to go like this? To a battle alone, where only despair waits.
Then chase her, Suimei thought. But if he went too, his life would be endangered. And of course, he would need to fight that Mazoku Rajas and his minions. It would be a brutal fight, and he might even die.
But he mustn’t die, He had his reasons. Suimei had to fulfill his father’s wish, and realize the ideal of the Association. He had already sworn to do so. Even if the one who made him swore was no longer amongst the living, even if this was decided one sidedly, an oath was still an oath. Once decided, he won’t give up until he fulfilled the promise. But would things be fine like this? If he accepted this, and use the excuse that he had things he needed to accomplish, he could move on and walk on his safe route. Could he ignore the battle that would be breaking out soon? And leave the girl to walk the path without salvation?
That’s right—
— The topic of his research was to save those who couldn’t find salvation. If he abandoned someone like that so he could continue his research, wouldn’t that be putting the cart before the horse?
He saw the contradiction in his introspection, and that voice echoed in his mind.
When did he start fearing death so much? When did he start to fear the unknown, and hesitate in stepping forward? When did he become so weak and cowardly, like those without power?
And so, he thought about it carefully. What was the power he possessed. He had been working hard to learn magic that surpass all the powerful mages since he was young. Didn’t the mystic exist in order to solve all the problems in the world? Wasn’t this the power that existed in order to not leave anyone who couldn’t reach salvation behind?
… The dilemma in his heart was wavering. But he arrived at this only answer a bit late. No, this only truth. Even though his heart was in conflict, the alarm in his head kept ringing. He wanted to put his own plans, victory, and defeat onto a scale and weigh them. But—