“...So, that’s how it turned out…”
We returned to the inn, and I explained the situation to Sofia.
“...”
“...”
Sofia gave me a deadpan stare.
Licorice also gave me a deadpan stare.
“?”
Aisha didn’t seem to understand what was going on and tilted her head slightly in confusion.
At her feet, Snow was playfully frolicking.
“…Fate.”
“Y-Yes!?”
Sofia sounded oddly scary.
I instinctively straightened my back.
Sofia continued to glare at me with that same deadpan look...
Then, after a moment, she let out a sigh.
“For something that important, I wish you had consulted us instead of deciding on your own... But I suppose it can’t be helped. You’re kind enough to hear something like that and act right away.”
“Uh…?”
“Well, just make sure you think things through next time.”
Thank goodness.
It looks like they weren’t angry — just exasperated.
…Wait?
Is that actually any better?
“I understand the situation. If there really is a ‘Purgatory Dragon,’ then we can’t just leave it alone. Like you said, if the seal is broken by some trigger, it would be a disaster. We should defeat it while we still can.”
“Also, it ruined Nonoka’s adventure, right? Then we can’t let it roam free. I need to give it a proper payback for what it did.”
Licorice’s eyes burned with anger.
She wanted to avenge her best friend.
That feeling seemed to be swelling strongly inside her.
“I’m glad.”
It wasn’t right for me to decide things on my own.
But the two of them still promised to help.
Yeah.
I felt grateful to them once again.
“But hey,”
Back to her usual tone, Licorice spoke up.
“How exactly is Fate going to fight? You don’t have a sword right now, right?”
“…Ah.”
Crap.
My Snow Crystal sword still hadn’t been repaired yet.
“Have you already decided when to leave?”
“Horn-san said the day after tomorrow…”
No way it’ll be ready in time.
“In that case, we’ll either have to delay the departure, or find a replacement sword.”
“Delaying might be hard…”
The Purgatory Dragon’s power was said to change with the phases of the moon.
It weakens during the new moon, and reaches full strength during the full moon.
And the day after tomorrow is the new moon.
Even if we miss that day, another new moon will come around in a month…
But I could never ask Horn-san, who’s prepared to risk her life, to wait a whole month just for my convenience.
“It can’t be helped then. I’ll lend you one of my spare swords—”
“No need for that!”
“Dad!?”
At some point, Dad had entered the room.
“Risking your life for a friend… ooooh, that’s the kind of thing that brings a tear to your eye!”
“You were listening to us?”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to, but I overheard and just couldn’t help myself.”
Dad… It’s fine because it’s us, but don’t do that to other people, okay?
You have zero sense of delicacy — you could get sued for that, seriously.
“If that’s the case, I’ll have your sword repaired by the day after tomorrow.”
“Huh? You can do it?”
“Yeah, no problem. I’ll prep tonight, work on it tomorrow, and finish it up the morning after. It’s doable!”
Dad never lies.
If he says it’s possible, then I’m sure it really is…
“Are Licorice and Aisha okay with this?”
The issue is that Dad can’t do all the work alone.
He absolutely needs Licorice and Aisha’s help — but are they…?
“If it’s for avenging Nonoka, I’ll do whatever I can.”
“I’ll… do my best.”
The two of them were full of determination.
“Fate.”
“What is it, Dad?”
“I’m not just going to repair it — I’ll make it into the best sword it’s ever been. So you focus on doing what only you can do.”
“…Yeah!”
I was glad to be my father’s son.
In that moment, I truly felt that from the bottom of my heart.
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