Chapter 32 Splitting Eardrums, Voice
――The next morning, when I woke up, Arnold had already left the mansion.
I hurriedly got ready, thinking he might have gone to work early, and was greeted at the dining table by Emiliana-san and another person. It was Vilma-san, a member of the Platonovena branch of alchemists, not Alex-san.
She explained with a smile when she saw my face, "Arnold left early this morning with Alex-san."
Left with Alex-san. From those words, probably...
"Are they going to defeat monster?"
"No, just patrolling."
I hadn't heard about such a thing. Neither Arnold nor Alex-san mentioned anything like that during last night's dinner.
Maybe it was a sudden decision. I wonder if a group of monsters appeared near the city last night or early this morning, prompting them to go on patrol.
While feeling confused, I turned my gaze towards Emiliana-san. She smiled apologetically with a pale blue face. Seeing that expression, I realized she must be worried about Alex-san.
I couldn't say "It's okay," so I just smiled and nodded.
Around this city, Platonovena, groups of monsters often appear. Even though there are patrols, there is a high chance of encountering monsters. It may sound like a game reference, but the Platonovena region is like a late-game area. Naturally, the monsters there should be strong. If they encounter them, they might get a few injuries, or worst-case scenario—
Suddenly, Vake's face came to mind.
He lost his right eye. If I could somehow navigate things well, maybe that future could have been changed. The regret grows bigger every time I remember it.
I haven't been able to meet Vake yet. When I return from this business trip, I'm thinking of visiting to check on him. No, I must go.
"――What's the relationship between you and Arnold, Laura-kun?"
In the midst of my thoughts, I blinked several times at the sudden question.
Vilma-san looked at me frozen, then smiled and spoke again.
"Oh, nothing. It just seems like Arnold really admires you."
Vilma looked very pleased, with a curious glint in her eyes.
In my mind, I pictured my boss with messy hair.
I swallowed the urge to laugh, took a sip of soup, then spoke slowly.
"Even if you ask about our relationship... he's a senpai. Before becoming a Royal Alchemist, we met a few times... but other than that, nothing."
Kasper-san and Vilma-san, why are they asking such things? I really wonder about that.
Even though we share the same goal regarding Elvira, it doesn't mean I've become friends with him. We are simply senior and junior, and there has always been a certain distance between us.
From an outsider's perspective, it wouldn't seem like we are particularly close. We only engage in minimal conversation and only act together when necessary. The more I think about it, the more doubtful I become.
"Was Vilma-san acquainted with Arnold from before?"
Trying to steer the conversation away, I asked Vilma-san. When I first visited Platonovena, she and Arnold were exchanging words as if they had known each other for a long time.
In response to my question, Vilma nodded and said,
"I was in charge of Arnold and Lina's education."
Upon an unexpected response, I instinctively placed the bread I was holding in my hand onto the plate. Leaning forward slightly, I awaited the next words.
"He was such a cheeky kid. He never listened to his senpais' advice, not even a bit of a smile! ...Oh, was he still like that even now?"
Vilma-san smirked, and I couldn't help but laugh.
I also know a bit about Arnold from his trainee days — when he was 14 years old. After all, I accompanied him to the Royal Alchemist's exam.
I thought he had lost some of his cuteness back then, but it seems he was the same way in front of his senpais. In a way, he's a man who doesn't disappoint expectations.
I recall the somewhat younger face of Arnold, with a sullen expression, from back then.
"But he worked harder than anyone. People called Arnold a genius, and while I do think that's true, he put in a lot of effort. I'm sure he still does."
It was a very gentle voice. Even though the tone and manner of speaking were different, it was a voice filled with affection that somehow reminded me of Marcedes-san.
Vilma-san looked straight into my eyes. Feeling uncomfortable with her eyes that didn't tolerate teasing or deception, I involuntarily averted my gaze.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"I thought there might be some stories that only Genius-kun and the genius-chan could understand."
Genius-kun and the genius-chan.
The choice of words that came out of Vilma-san's mouth made me feel someone's presence.
"...Did Kasper-san tell you something?"
"Correct."
I sighed heavily as Vilma-san nodded without evasion. I didn't know what connection Vilma-san and Kasper-san had, but it seemed like Kasper-san had whispered something unnecessary.
"Well, shall we go soon?"
With a worried expression on my face, Vilma-san smiled apologetically and stood up. I followed suit. Immediately, Emiliana-san also stood up and said, "I'll see you off to the entrance."
We walked through the wide hallway, past the grand entrance, and as Emiliana-san waved her hands vigorously at the gate, I turned back. As we chatted casually, we were getting closer to the impressive branch building.
......Just then, a woman's scream pierced through my eardrums.
"A scream...!?"
I turned towards the direction of the voice, probably near the entrance to the town.
My mind raced to find the reason for the sudden scream. But there was almost only one answer.
――A monster attack.
Vilma-san grabbed my arm, pulling me back with a strength that seemed to anchor my feet to the ground due to fear.
"Monsters!"
A man's voice sounded very close by.
――It's a monster.
That word stirs up my mind. I should prioritize my safety, so I looked around.
Yesterday, there were many soldiers around, but now they are scarce. Suddenly, one soldier ran off in a certain direction. There's probably a monster in that direction. It's the same direction Vilma-san and I heading towards, where the branch is located.
Should we run in the opposite direction anyway?
While I was contemplating, screams were getting closer and closer. Not only that, the roar of the monster was also approaching.
I grabbed Vilma-san's arm this time. I tried to run, but Vilma-san firmly planted her feet and shook off my hand.
I turned around in a panic. Vilma-san had a determined, resolute expression driven by a sense of duty.
"There must be injured people, I have to deliver the healing potion!"
I see, that decision was made with pride as a Royal Alchemist, and it could be said to be the most suitable choice at this moment. However, as a woman, it's just too dangerous. The place she's heading towards now probably has monsters.
Trying to chase after her as she walked away, I recklessly started running. Did my desire to lead Vilma-san to a safe place take away my rational judgment? Seeing her not-so-small back, I felt like I could easily bring her back if I chased her, and my feet moved as if it was a natural instinct, almost like I had to do it.
Above all, I had a bad feeling. Somehow, the shadow of Vake, which I shouldn't have seen that day, overlapped with her back.
What a foolish thing I did. It would have been best for both of us to return to the mansion together. I should have grabbed Vilma-san's hand back then.
――And I realized, in another foolish move, when I heard the roar of a beast from behind.
Before I knew it, a beast-like monster with sharp fangs had sneaked up behind me, glaring at me.
"――Run away!"
Out of nowhere, two soldiers appeared and charged at the monster. However, they were easily knocked down. Seeing them curl up as if protecting their wounds, I felt relieved that they were not dead.
But that relief was short-lived as the monster's eyes locked onto me as its prey. My spine shivered with fear, realizing I had to escape, yet my legs felt frozen and I couldn't move.
――Ah, I'm going to die.
In that moment, my brain leisurely recalled an event from six years ago. The day when Lukas awakened as a Hero and at the same time, "I" awakened.
Yes, that was when I was still eight years old. Has it really been six years since then? Since I decided to leave the village to become a Royal Alchemist and not end up as a losing heroine, I had been desperate.
The smiles of my parents, Lukas, my mentor, and the people of Emme Village come to mind. The days spent there vividly resurface in my mind. Ah, so this is what they call a flashback, I thought foolishly.
Is Laura Ampère in this world fated to be killed by monsters without any fanfare? Could it be that Hero-sama's childhood friend who doesn't fall for Hero-sama is deemed unnecessary in this world, in the "Last Brave"?
At least, before resolving Elvira's matter, or rather, if I may be more selfish, I wanted to see Lukas save this world.
Haha, a dry smile appeared on my lips.
The monster in front of me was approaching in slow movement, an instant that felt like eternity.
Lukas's scream from that day echoes in my ears. It will surely sadden him. Oh, please, may the event of my childhood friend's death not leave a scar on the gentle heart of Hero-sama.
I looked down, imagining the fangs of a monster piercing through my body, and shrank tightly in fear.
"Ampère――!"
A piercing sound that split my eardrums.
It felt like something was burning right in front of my nose, a terrible heat. It was so hot that it seemed like my face would get burned.
With a thud, a lump fell to the ground. Puzzled by the sound and the absence of pain that should have followed, I opened my eyes to find the monster that had bared its fangs at me now burnt to a crisp in front of me.
――Why.
Rather than joy, doubt arose first.
As I stared down at the burnt lump of flesh in astonishment, I suddenly felt a human presence. Weakly lifting my head,
"...Are you okay?"
I saw Arnold looking at me, out of breath and shielding his right arm.
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