After contacting Ayaka-san, I, along with Lisha and Kanami, went on a trip.
There's no point in us being there for post-battle cleanup, and we can't afford to leisurely go to university in broad daylight when there are opponents attacking. As a result, we headed to a peaceful rural area with expansive fields.
At least here, if a battle were to break out, the damage would be minimal.
"It feels like this area resembles places I know."
Lisha, dressed in her nun's outfit, says while feeling the wind. Against the backdrop of greenery, her white clothes flutters, giving her an almost ethereal appearance.
Despite being called a klutz and all sorts of things, her essence as a Saint is truly top-notch. Even in a quite countryside, she manages to create an atmosphere equivalent to a secluded place where spirits reside. Her potential is truly frightening.
"Yes, but it seems that the farming methods here aren't exactly the same."
Kanami, on the other hand, isn't wearing her gothic dress combat attire. Apparently, she can deploy it in an instant and usually keeps it folded to avoid standing out. Impressive, she's a princess from a nation known for its magic tools.
By the way, the reason she wore her dress when we first met was because she didn't know Lisha's situation at the time.
But still, being able to put on clothes in an instant, isn't that like a magical girl? Maybe Kanami-san uses a magic wand or something. A 16-year-old with a Pretty Cure vibe makes my heart race a bit!
While thinking about such things, I suddenly shift my gaze to the field Kanami mentioned. There doesn't seem to be any distinct features; it looks like an ordinary field.
"Is that so? I thought farming methods were pretty much the same everywhere."
Actually, during my time as a Hero, I traveled around and even helped with farming, but I didn't notice much difference.
Kanami, seemingly about to swell with pride, holds back her violet-colored hair and shakes her head.
"Well, the general methods might be the same, but the presence of magic power here is weak, and the scent of fertilizers and the color of the soil are different."
"I see. ...Do you get it, Lisha?"
"Huh? S-Sorry, I really don't get it at all."
"That's expected."
"...I don't think Lisha, who hardly ever leaves the church, should be expected to know."
Yeah, I agree with that, but I couldn't help asking on a whim. So Lisha doesn't need to feel sorry, and I don't have a clue either.
"But Kanami, you seem to understand it pretty well. You hardly ever get the chance to go out to the fields, right?"
While it's natural for Lisha not to understand, Kanami should be in a similar position. There's no way a member of the royal family would engage in manual labor.
Kanami blushes slightly and looks down, seeming embarrassed.
"Well, um, after the Great War ended, agriculture suffered serious damage, so there was a period when I helped out on farms to make agricultural magic tools, desu~wa."
"That's amazing! As expected of Kanami-san!"
"At that time, it was a period where everyone had to pitch in. I'm not special."
Lisha's eyes sparkle with admiration as she waves her hand at Kanami.
While it might indeed be the era that demanded it, not just anyone could go from not having any issues to working in the fields and becoming a warrior. Talent alone doesn't make a hero. That's why I'm curious about the girl who attacked us earlier. Silver hair and ice-blue eyes. She may not have much experience, but being able to instantly invoke a magic of such magnitude is a considerable skill.
It takes a lot of effort to reach such heights, an effort that can't be dismissed lightly. It requires spitting blood, discarding everything, and being willing to sacrifice your life.
"Hey, Kanami."
"What is it?"
"The issue you mentioned this morning, it's about that guy, right?"
Kanami immediately tightens her expression and nods.
"That's correct. While I don't know her name, she's undoubtedly a Guardian. I don't know when she started, but she's been acting alongside the Senai (chaos) demon."
I knew it; it had to be that guy.
"Do you know the reason?"
"No, I don't know that much."
Hmm, we're seriously lacking in information. If we could at least find out her affiliation or what kind of person she is, we might be able to make some educated guesses.
There's no way the people from Asteris would be on social media. Nowadays, it's dangerous to think that personal information can be easily obtained if you try hard enough.
As we continue to walk in silence, Lisha, who had been wearing a solemn expression due to the shocking news, breaks the silence.
"Come to think of it, I recognize the clothes she was wearing."
"Really?"
I think Lisha only saw that girl for a moment.
"Reall... I don't know what you mean, but when the knights from the church weren't wearing their armor, I remember them wearing similar attire."
"Now that you mention it, it does look similar."
Oh, right. I vaguely remembered it too. It resembles the clothing worn by the Saint I knew during my Hero days and her attendant.
However, I didn't see any emblem that would indicate her affiliation with the Holy Goddess Church.
"So, does that mean she's affiliated with the church?"
"Wouldn't that be quite odd? I find it hard to believe that followers of the church would readily assist demons like that."
In normal circumstances, yes. Mercenaries might align with demons for selfish reasons in some cases, but when it comes to members of the Holy Goddess Church, that would be unthinkable. Faith is their very reason for living.
"In other words, it's highly unlikely that she was on the demon's side from the beginning or willingly offered her help."
"Could there be some other reason?"
"Well, it's reasonable to think that way."
Lisha tilts her head thoughtfully. To be honest, with her affiliation being the Holy Goddess Church, the reason is fairly obvious. Betrayal by honorable knights, no matter where or when, usually follows a certain pattern.
Kanami, resting her chin on her well-defined jawline, gazes up at the sky.
"Most likely, she was protecting one of the Keys. That seems to be the case."
"Probably."
"If that's the case, she might have been taken hostage, or perhaps her family was already secured before she came to this world."
"It's a coincidence, but I was thinking along those lines too."
No matter how noble a person may be, no matter how proud, they can easily yield before love. Whether it's love for family, romantic love, or love for a dear one. It's an irresistible fever that one can't control.
It's not particularly unusual. In the midst of war, there's no such thing as cowardice or dirtiness. To win, all means are employed, and taking hostages was a common tactic.
Listening to our conversation, Lisha looks down with a somber expression.
"So, that means she's being forced to follow the demons."
"..."
Yes, that's right. It's just a deduction based on the situation, but it's not far from the truth, I believe. So, it's not wrong for Lisha to be troubled by it.
However, Kanami says to Lisha in a stern tone, as if to cut through her hesitation.
"Lisha, at this point, the circumstances don't matter. What's important now is the fact that she's betraying us. If she sides with the demons and stands in our way, we will kill her."
"Yes, I understand."
"Then that's all that matters."
What Kanami says is correct. In a battlefield, betrayal is a crime punishable by death. No matter what the reason might be, one must not hesitate to draw their blade. It's because people know that as a result, someone dear to them will be hurt.
However, even though people understand it in theory, it's not something that can be easily accepted. I'm the same, and Kanami, with a stern expression, gazes at the empty air, glaring at it.
People always hesitate, make mistakes, regret, and learn. Even if the result of what they've learned isn't satisfactory, they swallow it down. Knowing that bitterness might also be a form of growth.
As we continue to walk aimlessly, with no signs of battle nearby, our silent thoughts continue to revolve, and we find ourselves without answers.
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