Chapter 76 I'm with you
{TL: By Creed}
"Haa!"
I mow down the private soldiers coming towards me.
Using the sword like a cudgel, it's quite a rough technique.
For now, I have to catch everyone here and ensure they receive proper judgment.
So, I try not to take lives as much as possible.
Despite my physical abilities, my swordsmanship is still clumsy.
It's thanks to Licorice that I can go easy on so many opponents.
"Fate, they'll be out of the room in five seconds!"
"Understood!"
Licorice can use a magic only fairies can use. She seems to know when and where the enemies will come. Essentially, she's our navigator.
Thanks to her, we're never caught off guard and can even launch surprise attacks.
It's really reliable.
I knock down the enemies.
I clear obstacles.
And I push forward steadily.
And then...
"Is this... it?"
The room deepest underground.
There, a particularly strong door is visible.
Part of the door has a window, allowing us to see inside.
Peeking through it...
"Aisha!"
"...Huh?"
I see Aisha sitting on the bed, hugging her knees.
A room without a single window.
But she doesn't seem to be treated poorly; she doesn't seem to have any wounds.
"Fate... and?"
Aisha looks at me as if she can't believe her eyes.
She probably thinks I've abandoned her.
And she's probably wondering why I'm here now.
My chest twinges with pain.
To betray the trust of this young girl...
I'll never do such a thing again.
I vow it firmly.
"Aisha, move away from the door. It's dangerous."
"Huh...?"
"It's okay, there's nothing to be afraid of."
"Umm... o-okay."
Aisha, looking bewildered, moves to the back of the room.
Good.
Now I can go all out without holding back.
"Divine Dragon Sword Style - First Strike...... Mountain Breaker!"
It's a sturdy door that no one can approach...
But it can't stand up to the swordsmanship Sofia taught me; it blows away in one go.
Boom! A thunderous sound.
Dust fills the air.
"Aisha, sorry to keep you waiting."
"K-keep... me waiting?"
I enter the room and move towards Aisha at the back.
She still looks puzzled.
"What's... going on?"
"Sorry for this situation. You might not believe it, but we didn't abandon you, Aisha... No, that's just an excuse. Anyway, sorry. You were scared, right?"
"Huh..."
"But this time, everything will be okay."
I gently hold Aisha's small hand.
"I won't ever let go again."
Aisha's round eyes turn to me. Then, she looks at our joined hands.
"Will you stay with me?"
She asks timidly, in a small voice.
"I don't want to be alone... No, that's why... I want you to stay with me."
"Of course."
"...Really?"
"Absolutely. I promise this time. I won't let go of your hand."
"Really...?"
"Really."
She stares at me intently, as if trying to ascertain the truth of my words.
She gazes at me for a moment, then slowly leans closer.
Sniffing softly.
"Aisha...?"
"It's your real scent... and it's comforting."
After returning to her original position, she says,
"But... I shouldn't be happy..."
Aisha, with a face on the verge of tears, says such a thing.
TL Note: A new twist?
Trap?
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