Volume 4 Chapter 19 Side Braver, Viii
After the demon attack incident for a while.
We have expanded our range of activities and started touring villages and towns in Arcus more than ever before.
This was partly due to the royal capital strengthening its defenses after the previous incident. The units that normally patrol various areas and sweep monsters during peacetime now have some of their members stationed in the royal capital.
As a result, there is a shortage of patrol units. If left unattended, there is a risk of monster attacks causing damage to villages and towns. We, with nimble feet, have been called upon to fill in for the lacking patrol units.
Fortunately or unfortunately, the demon attack seemed to have its sights set on the royal capital, so there was little damage to the surrounding areas. Still, news of the incident spread, and everyone looked worried.
One of the roles of the "Brave" is to reassure and encourage the fearful populace, which is why we travel to different places.
And perhaps, once the royal capital regains some stability, we'll finally set foot outside the country. I had heard similar things from the king.
The demon attack is undoubtedly a sign of the Demon King's revival. He boasted as much when I actually fought the demon.
However, by the time I hurried to the great hall of the royal castle, the situation was almost resolved.
――The story goes back to the horde of monsters just before the demon attack.
Just as we received reports of the demon attack on the royal castle, we had just destroyed one of the magic circles summoning monsters. It felt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped on our excitement as we cut off the source of endless monsters and turned the tide of battle.
It was then that we realized this massive army of monsters was just a diversion.
If the royal capital falls, the whole country falls.
Despite the voices of the army captain and mercenaries urging us to stay and fight, we quickly rushed back to the royal capital, leaving the battlefield to others.
Finally reaching the royal capital, we saw magic projections hovering above the castle, showing scenes of the hall where the king and Aina-sama were, as well as the demon scattering the soldiers.
And then――there's a moment when Yukina rushed in just in time to save Aina-sama from danger.
Never would anyone think of breaking through the ceiling and entering the hall.
──Are you back at the center again?
Before receiving the report of the attack, the words Mikage-san said as she left came to my mind.
――Yukina-sama stayed in the royal capital not because he was afraid, but because he himself judged it necessary.
Did Yukina anticipate the demon attack?
A twinge of jealousy throbbed deep in my chest.
To shake off the dark emotions, we hurried to the royal palace. Right now, we are more concerned about the king and the princess than such small matters.
The doors of the hall were sealed by a 'barrier' set up by the demon, which Mayuri sensed through her visions. We also considered entering the hall using the hole in the ceiling that Yukina pierced, but Leiva stopped me.
'With my Holy Sword's white flame, breaking through that barrier is like cutting butter with a hot knife.'
Leiva declared as if it were obvious.
Indeed, if I can break the barrier, it's faster to head straight to the hall rather than bother going upstairs.
While keeping Leiva's identity a secret, I informed everyone that the barrier can be broken with the white flame, and we headed towards the hall.
Even though Yukina is skilled, facing demon alone is too risky. We hurried to support people and raced through the castle.
Then, as we reached the hall in a rush, suddenly, the grand doors were blown open from the inside.
We hurried inside, only to be stunned by the sight before us.
A huge dragon split in two.
A deep scar cutting through the floor.
And at the end of it all, Yukina, cloaked in black light, wielding a spear of black and crimson, striking down with tremendous force.
'No way... that young person awakened the 'Magic Blade'? In such a short time!?'
Leiva's voice was filled with unprecedented astonishment. Even though I couldn't grasp the meaning of those words, I felt the same shock.
Since entering the royal castle, we couldn't confirm the situation in the hall. It was natural because the magic projection that reflected the inside of the hall was floating above the castle.
So, we couldn't know what happened during that time. It was impossible to understand.
But it was clear that Yukina had done 'something' for sure.
The jealousy that I thought I had shaken off earlier now throbbed again. Even though I knew it wasn't the time for such feelings, my chest was overflowing with regret.
Afterward, Yukina collapsed as if he had exhausted all his strength and lost consciousness.
I swung my sword at the demon as if venting my frustration. Already battered from the battle with Yukina, the demon cursed at me, glanced at Yukina, and then disappeared. The demon had prepared the teleportation magic in advance.
In this way, the demon's plan to attack the royal capital and kill the royal family was narrowly prevented.
――As a result of this incident, I once again realized my admiration and jealousy towards Yukina.
After the victory celebration, I confessed everything to Yukina without holding back.
The feelings I had been harboring all this time. The reason I brought Yukina to the royal capital. And the ridiculousness of myself, still being shown up by Yukina. Anyway, I poured out everything I had been holding in my heart to Yukina.
After hearing my confession of jealousy, Yukina said,
There is no 'intention' in my actions.
That I became Brave because others wanted me to be Brave.
Even though I wanted to deny it, no sound came out of my throat.
Yukina, while speaking, seemed as if he contained frustration in his expression.
And then he said.
That I am a doll.
A marionette doll that moves at the will of others.
The moment I heard those words, I felt a strong anger like never before. Before I knew it, I was shouting Yukina's name and grabbing him. I had never let emotions move my body before. Maybe it was the first time in my life.
If his argument is off base, it's better to just laugh it off or smile bitterly.
But what I expressed was anger.
It's like I'm somehow acknowledging his words deep down in my heart.
Like a child throwing a tantrum when presented with a valid argument.
That's why I was unbearably frustrated.
Yukina grabbed me by the collar, and at first I was surprised. But he continued talking as if he didn't care.
I'm afraid of disappointing someone, so I can't keep up with Yukina, who isn't afraid of disappointing anyone.
That's the gist of it.
And I still can't deny it. All that comes out is just anger.
Every time I express that anger, I feel terribly miserable.
So at least I pointed out the contradiction in his actions.
Even though he blames me for fighting for someone, he himself fought for Aina-sama when the demon attacked.
How is his actions different from mine?
He grabbed my collar and gave me an unexpected answer.
──Aina is already a part of me.
Not just Aina-sama. Kyunei-san, Mikage-san is a part of himself.
What he's saying is all messed up. Yet, his eyes glaring at me from up close told me that his words were sincere.
──In the end, he (Yukina) didn't give me any answers regarding the difference between me and him.
Thinking about it again, it was strange to seek answers to surpass the person you want to surpass, so it was natural that he didn't provide any.
After that, we traveled around various parts of the country and led busy days.
During that time, the conversation from that night kept coming back to my mind.
Among the words exchanged that night, there was one that left the strongest impression.
――'Becoming brave' and 'being chosen as brave' are completely different.
Despite thinking about it ever since, I still hadn't understood the difference.
I haven't told Leiva about the conversation we had that night. She might sense something, but at least I didn't plan to tell her. That's why I hadn't even asked about the difference between those two words.
One day, a messenger from the royal capital visited us.
Apparently, they had a special mission they wanted to entrust to us.
The task was to investigate a cave near a village close to the royal capital. It seemed that the cave was an important location during the attack incident, and an investigation had once been conducted under the command of the Mercenary Guild, but new facts had emerged since then.
As soon as we finished dealing with the monster subjugation we were working on, we headed to the scene.
It wasn't until a little later that I found out Yukina was the one who set up this mission. When I learned the truth, I couldn't help but frown.
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