“The Hero wishes for you to come to the Holy Church’s main sanctuary. To show up uninvited and then summon you, who does he think he is… Aria, is that ‘promise’ still valid?”
Elena-san used the word “promise” and stared intently at Aria.
I don’t know what happened between them, but does using that mean she can avoid the Hero’s summons?
Is it a secret just between the two of them…? It’s a little irksome, but I guess it can’t be helped. It’s Aria, after all. Keeping a “promise” like that with me is so typically Aria.
But, just as Elena-san said, deciding on her own to make Aria a companion and then summoning her on top of that, he’s really messing around.
“Nn, it’s not necessary.”
But Aria gently shook her head at Elena-san’s offer.
“I’m not that desperate yet. Besides, it would probably be more troublesome if the Hero came to the Kingdom of Claydale.”
“That… is probably true, yes.”
Elena-san looked troubled by Aria’s words.
Indeed, that possibility is high. If the Hero were to come, important figures from the Holy Kingdom would likely accompany him, and if that happened, it might become difficult for the kingdom to refuse.
If their promise was for Elena-san, as royalty, to protect Aria, she would be taking a considerable risk.
“Why not just ignore him?”
When I said that teasingly, Elena-san also smiled a little.
“I’d like to do just that. If the messenger who brought this news was from the Fandora Theocracy, it wouldn’t be strange for them to ‘go missing’ without a trace, but this messenger is the new temple chief here in the Royal Capital.”
The previous temple chief, a robed noble, retired, taking responsibility for the various misdeeds of his grandson.
In reality, it was probably more due to the mental strain of his grandson being possessed and killed by a demon than any talk of responsibility. How terrible.
I haven’t met the new temple chief, but if he was entrusted with delivering a message on such an important matter by direct order from the main sanctuary via a Long-Distance Communication Device, he might be overzealously publicizing it.
In that case, we can’t very well pretend ‘there was no messenger from the start,’ can we? As we calmly discussed seriously making the messenger disappear, the ever-so-serious Dolton-san just scowled, closed his eyes, and pretended not to hear.
“Joking aside, it really depends on the Hero’s personality. It’s possible he himself has no such intentions and is just being swayed by the Holy Church’s opinions… In the end, we won’t know until we meet him.”
As Elena-san said that, her azure eyes reflected me for just a moment.
Whether the Hero is ‘just a person who happens to have power’ or ‘just a fool consumed by power’ will change how we respond.
It’s also possible he’s ‘an upright and noble individual befitting a Hero, genuinely inviting Aria out of a desire for world peace,’ but that might be the most troublesome case of all.
Not that my response would change, though.
“In any case, I’ll go see this person for myself first. If it’s going to be troublesome whether I go to him or he comes here, it’s better to meet him over there.”
“Aria…”
It’s still better if the Holy Church people come at us with authority. If the Hero seriously intends to resort to violence, there’s no telling how much damage there would be.
“—Don’t tell me you plan to go alone?”
At that, Dolton-san, who had been listening silently until now, muttered in a low voice, and Aria turned to him without changing her expression.
“That’s the plan.”
“Kitty and I will go with you.”
As I said that, following Aria’s words, a faint growl of affirmation could be heard from Aria’s Shadow.
But—
“No, even just you two isn’t good enough.”
Dolton-san firmly objected to our declaration.
“But, in the worst-case scenario…”
“That’s what I’m saying is no good. If you girls have a falling out with the Hero, you’d probably manage to escape or disappear somehow. You probably think you can even manage a fight against the Hero, but don’t underestimate the Holy Church.”
“Then what should we do?”
If we end up opposing the Hero, we’ll be wanted criminals on this continent.
As Dolton-san paused, I interjected with a faint smile, and Dolton-san furrowed his brow, glaring at Aria and me.
“You two have put in extraordinary effort and gained experience since you were young, and you’re powerful individuals, among the strongest on this continent, but you’re still ‘children’ who haven’t even come of age. Do you think we ‘adults’ can stand by and watch as you’re forced to live in the underworld again because of adult entanglements? We adults will stand on the front lines. This is decided. No objections allowed.”
Having declared that much, Dolton-san crossed his arms and leaned back into the sofa, as if to say he wouldn’t hear any other opinions.
Both Aria and I are aware that we’ve acted selfishly, possessing power that surpasses adults.
There were circumstances where we couldn’t have survived otherwise, but having chosen to live that way, even if we interact with and trust adults, we don’t rely on them from the bottom of our hearts.
Whether we live or die, we decide for ourselves. To us, who have lived with such a conviction, Dolton-san said that as an adult, he would protect children.
Even for people like us… no, even for me, is he saying it’s okay to live in the light?
“…Understood.”
Aria, who had been listening intently to his words, nodded at Dolton-san’s statement.
I don’t know what “answer” she reached within herself, 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 it.
I am fine being your “Shadow.”
Because you are my “light”…
Our secret meeting with Elena-san for that day concluded.
Since we didn’t know the Hero’s character… and more importantly, the Holy Church’s schemes, it was ultimately decided to leave the final judgment to Aria personally.
As the “Rainbow Sword,” they would respect Aria’s opinion, and if things broke down, Dolton-san and the other adults impressed upon us that they would be the ones to face the brunt of it.
“What do you think, Snow?”
Perhaps Aria was still troubled, as she uncharacteristically muttered such a thing while we were out shopping in the Royal Capital for our long trip.
For Aria, who had always acted and decided things on her own, never relying on adults even when with others, she probably wasn’t used to being under someone’s protection.
“Do as you like?”
Aria showed a faintly displeased expression at my somewhat dismissive way of speaking. …She’s a little cute.
“Besides, how could someone like me, who has lived even more freely than you, possibly understand a way of life that relies on others?”
“…Well, that’s true.”
It stings a little to have her nod so readily there.
“Aria, you really should just do as you please. If a problem arises from that, you just have to deal with it like you always do, so nothing changes, right?”
We’ve lived like that until now. It’s just that the scope of the problem is a bit larger.
It might cause trouble for others, but if we eliminate all the problems, then there will be no problems.
“I see…”
Perhaps my outrageous argument struck a chord with Aria, as she showed a slight smile.
You should do as you please. It’ll be fine. That’s what your “Shadow (me)” is here for.
We’re setting off on a journey abroad. Next is the Fandora Theocracy.
It’s been a while since I posted a map, but it’s quite far, isn’t it?