Volume 6 Chapter 49 Waking Dreams And The Attack Of The Wisteria Army
I opened my eyes with a snap, and Nel-Nel was gone.
The feelings of resignation, longing, and sadness that Nel-Nel carried──Sylphina's painful memories──stuck in my mind like the remnants of a long nightmare.
If it were just a dream, I would forget it quickly, but Sylphina's memories and Nel-Nel's memories didn't fade away or disappear.
"Pumpkin..."
"Tarte Tatin..."
Eir-Eir and Ms. Famine whispered softly, probably calling for Nel-Nel.
I don't know how much memory they have left, but it seems they still think of Nel-Nel as their little sister.
They pushed into my chest, and both of them slipped away.
It was really, really sad. Had Nel-Nel vanished?
Since they gave me memories like Nel-Nel did──would she come back?
That's when it happened.
Boom! A heavy, low sound shook the ground beneath me.
I almost lost my balance and fell, but Sir Ciel caught me.
"Sir Ciel... um, that..."
"Are you okay? ...What's that sound?"
"My clothes..."
Sir Ciel's upper clothes were torn. Seeing Sir Ciel with his bare upper body made me feel embarrassed, like I was looking at something I shouldn't.
"Lydia. Should I take mine off too?"
"Why is Mr. Lucian taking his off as well...?"
"You get used to seeing men's bare chests when you're in the knight's order, whether you like it or not."
"Is it really necessary to get used to it...?"
With a serious expression, Mr. Lucian said something I didn't quite understand.
I picked up my dad, who was sitting at Mr. Lucian's feet.
Once again, loud booms echoed, and the ground shook. Sand particles fell from the ceiling.
This town was carved out of a mountain, and the buildings were probably mostly made of stone.
It looked sturdy, yet it shook this much──.
"Lydia! Ciel, Lucian, are you okay!"
The door opened, and Sir Stefan peeked in.
Seeing Sir Stefan calling our names with a serious look, I knew something bad was happening.
"Your Majesty... not 'Your Highness.' The discussion with Lord Filouz is..."
"Your Majesty Stefan... I'm sorry for the trouble."
Mr. Lucian asked, and Sir Ciel bowed deeply.
Sir Stefan shook his head and opened his mouth.
"Ciel, I don't think it's a bother. I was just talking with Lord Filouz. I apologized for everything that happened until now. And then, for reconciliation. The invasion of Wisteria is not the will of the nation. I told them we will protect Edelstein."
"Did Filouz listen?"
"Yeah. He seemed stubborn and closed off, but he did listen. Ciel isn't asking for a fight. Look at how much you've protected the country as part of Saintwise. It connects to protecting Gem's People, and they worked without selfishness... I believe the day will come when we can join hands."
"Your Majesty. Thank you... but I'm."
"Regardless of how Ciel feels, my father thought that way. Before my heart was taken over, I respected you, Ciel. Managing the barrier stones in various places, hunting monsters, research, supporting the healing centers, and studying medicine. Since Ciel took command, Saintwise has changed. Seeing Ciel take the lead, I think the attitudes of the difficult mages have changed too."
"...That's an overestimation."
"Regardless of how you feel, the way you live moves someone's heart."
"Sir Ciel... Sir Ciel once told me, when I was feeling anxious. That helping others... it's something to be proud of. I don't know much about Sir Ciel's past, but... Sir Ciel has always held my hand when I was worried."
If Sir Ciel is anxious.
If it's painful. If it's tough.
Now it's my turn to hold that hand.
I took Sir Ciel's big hand and looked up at the tall Sir Ciel, smiling.
"So, Sir Ciel... please be proud too. You saved me. You brought me out from Lobelia, where I was always crying, and showed me that I could be of help to someone..."
"...Thank you, Ms. Lydia. Your voice always saves me."
With a prayer-like tone, Sir Ciel said.
Then, with serious eyes, he looked at Sir Stefan.
"Your Majesty's words must have moved Filouz's heart. Filouz has the power to see through lies. Your Majesty's words are sincere and earnest. But if that's the case, then this sound is..."
"Probably the Wisteria Magic Stone cannon. Chrisrain, Roxas, and Rail are holding back some of the troops, but they can't stop all the bombings from the sky. Buildings might collapse. Anyway, let's get outside!"
At Sir Stefan's command, we rushed out of the room.
It was like a temple. I remembered escaping during the attack at the Great Temple with Sir Roxas, Sir Stefan, and FraFra.
Back then, it was Ms. Famine we were up against.
But this time──
"Big sister..."
As we stepped outside the temple, many people from Gem's People had gathered in the square in front of the temple to take refuge.
In the sky, there was an airship shaped differently from the Girard family's. Long ladders dangled from the airship towards the town. Using the ladders, what seemed to be soldiers from Wisteria were descending into the square.
One of them was carrying a girl from Gem's People──Rosamia.
"Mother... Drop's big sister, help me..."
In the soldier's arms, Rosamia shrank back, trembling in fear.
"Kill them. I don't care if you kill all of Gem's People!"
From above the airship, the voice of Sir Galeon echoed.
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