If that is so, how should I put it? Lefille understood she was in the weaker position, and couldn’t make such high handed speech. Looking at Lefille who was caught in anxiety, Suimei spoke:
“Lefille, you think it would be better if I stayed with the caravan and leave you alone?”
“That is…”
Suimei raised a different question to Lefille who couldn’t answer. Peering through the forest canopy, the sky was cloudy just like the gloomy atmosphere between them. Suimei said calmly as if he was asking the question to the sky.
“— Hey, tell me the truth Lefille, which side do you think is better?”
“What do you mean…”
“For you, would you rather I come here or stay with the caravan?”
“D-Do you even need to ask!? Staying with the caravan is better! That’s what you should do!”
“Really?”
“R-Really.”
Lefille made a face that seemed a little angry, and answered as if she was confirming something. Was she angry because she was not believed, or was she just putting on a strong front? Suimei pointed at Lefille and dealt the final blow.
“Then, can you swear to Alshuna that you are not lying?”
“What!? That is…”
“How about it?”
“... You really are a mean man.”
After Lefille sighed in resignation, Suimei asked again:
“Well then, how do you feel about it?”
“Ahhh, it’s great here if you can come. But—”
“In that case, isn’t it fine?”
“Huh—”
“Nothing, there is no need to debate whether this is a wise choice. It’s fine if we feel like it, so let’s stop the topic here. This is the smoother way of dealing with it, right?”
“Ah…”
Suimei looked at Lefille who turned silent after hearing something unexpected.
It’s true. Even if they discuss this further, what could they achieve? The best way of doing things couldn’t be found if you don’t search for it. Just arriving at the answer and saying it out would be enough. No matter how much she argued, the sorrow and pain in her heart wouldn’t fade.
That’s why he didn’t want to continue arguing about it. No matter how much they argue, the conclusion wouldn’t change. Hence, Suimei interrupted what Lefille wanted to say.
“... What? You still have some complaints?”
“No. Everything is as you said in the beginning.”
Her voice was more cheerful than earlier. She didn’t accept it outright, but she still rolled with it.
Suimei scratched his head and sighed. From the perspective of a third party, his choice right now wasn’t correct. Doing this would only give him disadvantages. But the decision on whether this action was right had to be made by the person himself. If the subject thought that it was correct, it wouldn’t be a big deal even if it wasn’t the best or wisest choice.
— And brooding too much about the pros and cons at this point would be rather shameful.
“I’m sorry, Suimei-kun.”
“Why do you need to apologize?”
“It’s probably my fault that the Mazoku came. That’s why...”
“Ahhh, what that bulky Mazoku said? But at that time, it seemed like it was the first time he remembered you though. No matter how I see it, I don’t think he was targeting you from the very beginning.”
Suimei objected to her apology. That was just excessive self reproach on herself. What Rajas said was fragmented, and there was a part about blaming Lefille that didn’t make sense. The adventurers all blamed her for the appearance of Rajas but, if you think about it carefully, it had no relation to her. The Mazoku came looking for a different person and encountered Lefille coincidentally would be a more convincing story. It just happened that everyone panicked and didn’t recover from the shock of being attacked by the Mazoku, and an easy target to cast the blame on just happened to be nearby. It was a result of a series of unfortunate coincidence.
Not everyone could keep their cool and judgement, without someone like that around, being forced into a corner will result in this happening most of the time.
However, Lefille didn’t seem convinced.
“However, they actually divert some of their forces into Aster when they were still in a standoff with Thoria and various other western nations. That could only mean...”
“What, you think the Mazoku diverted some of their forces just for you? You seem awfully confident in your own power.”
“Wa, I’m speaking seriously though? Don’t make fun of me please!”
“Heh heh, my bad my bad. True, Lefille is strong.”
Suimei apologized for his joke and flattered Lefille’s strength. But Lefille responded in a sharp tone with an unhappy expression for some reason.