The next morning.
Because the Water God was gone, a clear blue sky spread endlessly overhead.
Warm sunlight poured down, making the entire town shine.
Yeah.
With this weather, the ferry across the river should be running again.
“Good, the town’s back to normal. Now we can resume our journey.”
“Well, actually—”
Licorice opened her mouth.
“If it were us, couldn’t we have crossed the river even during the storm? Maybe we didn’t have to go out of our way to defeat the Water God?”
“That might be…”
What Licorice said was probably true.
Since we can make footholds out of wind…
If Sofia and I carried Aisha and Snow, we could have crossed that raging river.
Probably…
“But I didn’t want that.”
“Didn’t want what?”
“There were people in trouble, and pretending we didn’t see it… I just didn’t want that.”
If I can help, I want to help.
Even if I can’t, I want to at least try to find something I can do.
Is it selfish to think that way?
“I think that’s perfectly fine, Fate.”
When I turned around, Sofia was smiling gently.
“Your kindness is one of your most charming qualities… and I think it also becomes your strength. When you wish to help someone… that’s when your power shines strongest.”
“Really?”
“It’s true. When you move for someone else, that’s when you’ve always shown your greatest strength.”
It’s a little embarrassing…
But hearing her say that makes me happy.
“Honestly, you’re impossible. I’m not against it, but at least think about my situation when I’m dragged into all this.”
“Licorice… are you a tsundere?”
“Ofu!”
“How did you even get that idea!? And more importantly, who taught Aisha that word!?”
“Eh? No, I didn’t—”
“I’ve never taught her that either…”
Sofia and I tilted our heads in unison.
Probably…
She picked it up from the other guests back when we stayed at the inn.
Children are so mysterious.
They grow up so quickly, learning things their parents don’t know.
How will she grow from here?
What kinds of things will she learn?
I want to know that.
And because I want to know, I have to do something about the Dawn Alliance targeting her.
And also…
Because I want to stop someone’s tears from falling.
I don’t need gratitude.
Even if it’s just self-satisfaction, that’s fine.
I simply want to do it—so I will.
“…Excuse me.”
When I turned around at the voice calling out, it was the old man from the inn—Hemming.
“…Thank you.”
“Huh?”
“I told you about the Water God… and then the storm stopped completely. I don’t know the details, but you did something, didn’t you?”
“Um, well—”
“You don’t need to say anything. I just wanted to thank you. Truly… thank you.”
“…Yes.”
By fighting, I can stop someone’s tears.
If that’s the case, then I’ll fight.
“You’re heading north, aren’t you?”
“Yes. We’re aiming for the royal capital.”
“Then take this.”
He handed me a palm-sized card.
“The capital is heavily guarded. Getting in is no easy task. But with this pass, you should have no trouble.”
“Thank you very much.”
“Think of it as a small token of gratitude. Well then.”
Hemming smiled warmly and walked away.
Then Sofia shot a sly smile at Licorice.
“See? Helping people brings benefits too.”
“Mmgh…”
“Well, in Fate’s case, he doesn’t do it expecting anything in return… and that’s exactly why I love him.”
“Th-thank you. I also—about you, Sofia, I—”
“Yes, yes, cut the flirting already. Come on, let’s get moving.”
Urged by Licorice, we headed toward the pier.
And like that, after everything that happened in Aqualate…
We left the town behind and continued our journey toward the capital.
Comments
Post a Comment