As Koutarou was starting his re-entry into the atmosphere, the battle on the ground was about to commence. And that information was sent to Elfaria, who was with Harumi.
“Harumi, the battle is about to start. Sadly, this is as much as I can help”
Clan, who had given Harumi the news, positioned her ship, the Cradle, in the sky and observed the battlefield. But regardless of how well the Cradle was able to conceal its appearance, chances were high that once the battle started, any enemy too close would be able detect it. She would cut off her communications and take a more elevated position.
“Thank you very much, Clan-san. I'll see you later”
“I'll be praying for your victory”
“Yes, thank you very much”
After Harumi thanked Clan for a second time, she cut the call. After operating her bracelet and terminating the call on her end as well, Harumi turned back to Elfaria.
“Your majesty Elfaria, it seems the battle is about to start”
“I see...”
Elfaria looked out the window. Harumi and Elfaria were inside of a small cottage in the mountains. Because the cottage was in the middle of a thick forest, all that could be seen through the window was a dim forest. But Harumi knew that Elfaria wasn't looking at the trees; she was looking towards Kiriha and the others, far away, on the other side of all these trees. She was worried for those helping her.
“To think I would make people completely unrelated to me fight in my stead...”
Elfaria deeply regretted the situation she was currently in. Because she had spoken for the disarmament of the army, she had forced unrelated people to fight. Moreover, that included several young girls. Though it couldn't be helped, Elfaria couldn't find it in her to accept it.
“Your majesty, please don't say something so lonely. We might not know about Forthorthe, but we know of Theiamillis-san. She is a very wonderful girl and a precious friend. And your majesty is Theiamillis-san's mother. That's all the reason we need to stake our lives”
“Harumi... but...”
“Even then, your majesty won't admit that we are Theiamillis-san's friends?”
Well aware that she was talking to the empress of a country, Harumi spoke her mind without flinching.
If I knew the current day Forthorthe well, I might not have been able to say this...
What Harumi knew of was the past Forthorthe that had been used as a setting for the play. She had memorized every detail of that setting, but she had no knowledge of the current Forthorthe. Because of that, she thought of Elfaria as Theia's mother, rather than an empress, allowing her to talk about how she really felt. At the same time, she knew that what she was saying was really bold, and couldn't help but find it funny.
“Harumi, you...”
Despite the serious discussion, Harumi had a gentle and happy smile. Seeing Harumi like that, Elfaria's impression of Harumi changed.
The conviction in her words... Her dignified behavior and elegant gestures... She is far too well made for a common girl... This girl really is...
Harumi was a timid girl, but in a crisis, something inside of her would surface. Elfaria felt like that something was just too noble and beautiful. It was as if Harumi had been possessed by a princess.
“I'm sorry. That was rude of me... I'm sorry”
Misinterpreting Elfaria’s stumbling for words as denial, Harumi apologized and lowered her head. She regretted getting too carried away.
“That's not true, Harumi. I was just moved thinking about what great friends Theia has made”
Elfaria smiled at Harumi. There were no lies in Elfaria's words. She really felt like Theia had been blessed with wonderful friends. However, because they were so great, she started worrying for a different reason. They were complex feelings for a mother who wanted her daughter to be happy.
“Really? Hearing you say that makes me happy”
“That's why I hope everyone will stay safe...”
“It will be okay. I'm sure everyone will return safely”
“...You're so strong, Harumi”
“I'm a girl after all... Weren't you the same in the past, your majesty?”
“That's true. I'll believe in those strong feelings of the past and wait”
“Yes”
But that was as long as the two could smile.
An explosion could be heard in the distance. The battle had finally begun.