“The Hero wishes for you to come to the Holy Church’s main Temple. I think it’s presumptuous of him to summon you after coming here on his own… Aria, the ‘promise’ is still valid, you know?”
Elena uses the word “promise” and stares intently at Aria.
I don’t know what happened between them, but does that mean I can avoid the Hero’s summons if I use it?
A secret just between the two of them…? I’m a little annoyed, but I can’t help it. Because it’s Aria. It’s really like Aria to keep such a “promise” with me.
But, as Elena says, it’s outrageous to decide to make Aria a companion without permission, and then summon her.
“No, it’s not necessary.”
But Aria gently shakes her head at Elena’s offer.
“It’s not that urgent yet. Besides, it’s probably more troublesome if the Hero comes to the Kingdom of Claydale.”
“That’s… probably true.”
Elena makes a troubled face at Aria’s words.
That’s certainly a high possibility. If the Hero comes, the dignitaries of the Holy Kingdom will probably come as well, and if that happens, it may be difficult for the country to refuse.
If the promise between the two is to protect Aria as royalty, Elena would be taking a considerable risk.
“Why don’t you just ignore him?”
When I say that teasingly, Elena smiles a little.
“I wish I could. If the messenger who brought this story was from the Fandora Theocracy, it wouldn’t be strange for him to go ‘missing’ without anyone knowing, but the messenger is the new Temple Head in this Royal Capital.”
The previous Temple Head, a noble in holy robes, has retired to take responsibility for the various things his grandson did.
In reality, it’s probably more due to the mental strain of his grandson being possessed and killed by a demon than responsibility. How awful.
I haven’t met the new Temple Head, but if he was entrusted with a very important mission as a messenger by instructions from the main Temple via long-distance magic tool, he may be overly enthusiastic and publicizing it.
In that case, we can’t really pretend that “there was no messenger from the beginning.” Dolton, who is so serious, is closing his eyes with a grimace, pretending not to hear us discussing in earnest whether to get rid of the messenger without batting an eye.
“Joking aside, it really depends on the Hero’s personality. There’s a possibility that he’s just being swayed by the Holy Church’s opinion, even if he doesn’t mean to… In the end, we won’t know until we meet him.”
Elena said, her blue eyes reflecting me for a moment.
Our response will change depending on whether the Hero’s insides are “just a person with power” or “just a fool swallowed by power.”
Perhaps “a pure and upright person worthy of being a Hero wishes for world peace and sincerely invites Aria,” but that might be the most troublesome.
Even so, “my” response will not change.
“Anyway, I’ll see that person for myself once. If it’s going to be troublesome whether I go or welcome him, it’s better to meet him over there.”
“Aria…”
It would be better if the Holy Church people came with authority. If the Hero is serious about resorting to violence, I don’t know how much damage will be done.
“–Are you seriously planning to go alone?”
There, Dolton, who had been listening to the story in silence, muttered in a low voice, and Aria turned around without changing her expression.
“That’s what I’m planning to do.”
“Kitty and I will go with you.”
As I said that, continuing Aria’s words, a faint groan was heard from Aria’s Shadow, as if to affirm it.
But–
“No, even just you guys is no good.”
Dolton stubbornly objects to our declaration of intent.
“But, in the worst case…”
“That’s what I’m saying is no good. If you guys break with the Hero, you’ll somehow manage to escape or disappear. You think you can somehow fight the Hero, but don’t underestimate the Holy Church.”
“Then what should we do?”
If we end up antagonizing the Hero, we’ll be wanted people on this continent.
When I interrupt Dolton’s words with a faint smile, Dolton frowns and glares at me and Aria.
“You guys have put in extraordinary effort and experience since you were young, and you are strong people with some of the best power on this continent, but you are still ‘children’ who have not even come of age. Can ‘adults’ silently watch you live in the back world again because of adult entanglements? We adults will stand in the line of fire. This is a decision. No objections allowed.”
After saying that much, Dolton leaned back on the sofa with his arms crossed, as if he wouldn’t listen to any other opinions.
I and Aria are aware that we have been acting selfishly with power that exceeds that of adults.
There are circumstances that we had to do so in order to survive, but we who chose to live that way are involved with adults, and even if we trust them, we do not trust them from the bottom of our hearts.
We decide whether to live or die. To us who have lived with such a belief, Dolton said that he would protect children because he is an adult.
Even us… no, even me, are you saying that I can live in the light?
“…Understood.”
Aria, who had been listening to his words intently, nodded at Dolton’s words.
I don’t know what kind of “answer” came out in her mind, but I will follow you.
Aria… you can live in the light.
Even if your hands are stained with blood, they are not tainted by blood.
I’ll be your “Shadow.”
You are my “light”…
The secret meeting with Elena that day ended.
Since we don’t know the Hero’s personality… or rather, the Holy Church’s intentions, it was decided that the final decision would be left to Aria’s individual judgment.
The “Rainbow Sword” would respect Aria’s opinion, and in the event of a break, Dolton and the others would stand in the line of fire, he told us.
“What do you think, Snow?”
Even so, Aria is still worried, and she muttered such a thing unusually while shopping in the Royal Capital for an outing.
Aria, who has always relied on herself without relying on adults, and who has basically acted alone and decided on her own even when she is with someone, is probably not used to being under someone’s protection.
“Do as you like?”
Aria showed a slightly dissatisfied face at my way of saying it, which was like a light rejection. …It’s a little cute.
“Basically, there’s no way I, who have lived as freely as you have, would understand how to rely on someone.”
“…Well, that’s true.”
I’m a little hurt that you agreed so easily.
“Aria, you should really do as you like. If a problem arises, you can just do what you always do, so nothing will change, right?”
We’ve been living like that until now. It’s just that the scope of the problem is a little bigger.
But if we eliminate all the problems, the problems will disappear.
“I see…”
Aria showed a slight smile, perhaps because she had something in mind with my outrageous argument.
You can do as you like. It’s okay. Because “I (Shadow)” am here for that.
I will travel abroad. Next is the Fandora Theocracy.
I’ll post a map for the first time in a while, but it’s quite far.