Fortunately, among the misfortunes, it wasn’t exactly a fortunate situation. I tried to come up with excuses amidst my rambling, but no matter how I looked at it, there was no excuse to be found.
“…Phew, why do you look so down? Relax. How could I possibly hate you who’ve protected me until now? And even if it’s just talking to yourself, admitting you’re a coward takes courage. So, don’t put yourself down too much as a coward.”
Altera said with her usual carefree laugh that everything was fine. If anything, it made my heart ache more. She thinks I’m a coward too, doesn’t she?
There’s no way I can be fine. Not only did I fail to confess smoothly to the girl I like, but here I am confessing to being both pathetic and a coward.
Overwhelmed by a different kind of self-loathing, I hugged my head and slumped into my seat. Still, knowing she was in good enough condition to tease me kept me from feeling entirely terrible.
“…I’m glad you’re safe. Really… really. I was worried you’d stay bedridden forever…”
The first elf we met might have wondered why someone would bring a corpse. Despite undergoing surgery, Altera had shown an incredible recovery rate, healing all her wounds within three days, though her consciousness hadn’t returned.
That scared me. What if Altera ended up in a vegetative state? Thankfully, it turned out to be just a fear, but I already worried that if she continued seeking revenge, it might truly happen.
“Come on, it’s me. That won’t happen. Though I did struggle a bit, look, I bounced back quickly. If I were human, I’d still be lying down.”
That’s true. Altera recovered quickly because she is Altera. Still, I couldn’t help but worry. According to Akashi…
“…And, sorry. I can’t give up on revenge. Besides, it’s not like there’s no chance, right? Even though I came back to life, I did kill her once. Any other dragon hit directly by my Breath wouldn’t fare any differently. Not even Father.”
“That’s what I wanted to talk about, Altera. According to Akashi, that Ereshkigal Dragon… is actually a scholar or researcher.”
“Huh? What does that mean…? Scholar or researcher? Isn’t a dragon just a dragon?”
Altera asked innocently, clearly confused. Hoping this fact might make her reconsider her vendetta, I shared what Akashi had told me.
“…That dragon used abilities during your fight but didn’t use magic, right? Apparently, it wasn’t that she chose not to use magic—it’s that she couldn’t. She doesn’t know offensive magic. Akashi mentioned that Ereshkigal has probably never fought in her entire life.”
Hearing this, Altera’s expression stiffened.
While I thought it was wrong to dash her dreams, part of me hoped she’d reconsider and give up her revenge. Feeling ashamed for even having that hope, I realized how petty I was.
“I can’t give up. Sorry. Even if someone is skilled in combat, Breath attacks hurt just the same, right? It will be harder…but not impossible.”
It seemed Altera had no intention of giving up. Instead, she was fueled with renewed determination, claiming that Breath attacks are fair regardless of whether one knows how to fight.
“…Thanks for worrying. But this is all I have left.”
Apparently, she has no plans to stop. In the end, I’ll have to watch her get hurt and break again from afar.
I don’t want that. But I don’t know how to help her. A staff? Against the Great Worm’s size, it would just snap upon contact.
“Hmm… Anyway, after calming down the rampage, I’ll decide what to do next. When I was in Ereshkigal’s nest, despite my joints twisting unnaturally, I remained lucid. Why was that…?”
There might be some insight into that, but I hesitated whether telling her would be appropriate.
“Perhaps it has something to do with your necklace. The light from that necklace dimmed since entering the Underworld. Unless you did something special before descending, the only thing that changed when you were on the surface was that necklace. So…”
“Are you saying the necklace Mother gave me is causing my rampages?”
Altera erased the wry smile from her lips and glared at me. That’s why I didn’t want to say anything. My mouth always gets me into trouble.
“…This is just speculation. I’m not an expert like Akashi, just an amateur. Don’t take it too seriously.”
Apparently, I had touched a nerve. With narrowed eyes, Altera stared at me. I didn’t know about physical sensitivities, but now I understand the mental ones.
“Excuse me. It seems your conversation has concluded, so I shall enter. How are you feeling, Altera? Can you understand me?”
Just as things were getting awkward, an elf arrived at perfect timing. Carrying what looked like black gruel in a wooden bowl, the elf asked Altera how she was doing.
“I’m fine. Thank you.”
Altera replied awkwardly. Before losing the chance to join the conversation, I handed her something I’d set aside earlier.
“This… I thought it was ruined.”
“Akashi put some effort into it. You weren’t planning to walk around like that, were you?”
Though I forced him to do it. Somehow, he managed to create it within a day despite initially refusing. I don’t understand why.
“…Thank you.”
Altera took the clothes, staring blankly at them before muttering a quiet “thank you.”
“Myung-ho. I formally request that you leave the room. We need to inspect her physical functions. Don’t worry. As I’ve repeatedly emphasized, there will be no feeding of saplings unless she requests it.”
It felt uneasy to leave her with the elves, even for a short while. However, the examination was necessary, so I agreed to meet her afterward and exited the room.
I aimlessly wandered through the dark, gloomy streets. Initially, I avoided this place, finding it dismal with no sunlight, but now it feels fitting for me.
…If only I had strength.
If only I had the power to help her, I wouldn’t pressure her to give up her quest.
I wouldn’t run away like a coward, nor act pitiful. I wouldn’t feel inferior compared to my comrades.
I deeply resented not having any talent. I did try to become stronger. During my stay in Koluscia, I practiced swordsmanship and attempted magic.
However, every teacher told me I simply wasn’t suited for this path. They said the basic talents given to me as a Hero were as far as I could go.
“…Bright paths don’t suit me, huh.”
…I’ve never tried the dark paths yet.
All my attempts were toward the light—paths universally acknowledged and respected. Paths like black magic that invite disdain were untried.
Ordinarily, I wouldn’t consider such paths. They’re dangerous and poorly regarded.
But is this really the time for me to be picky?
I need power immediately. There’s no leisure time to build muscle through exercise or calmly practice swordplay.
To help Altera, I need something I can learn quickly. Conveniently, there’s someone nearby who knows the dark arts and follows my commands without question.
“…Excuse me, may I ask for directions? Do you know where Akashi is?”
The elf, who had been swaying, suddenly stood straight upon hearing my question and informed me precisely where Akashi was.
“Could you guide me? I’m unfamiliar with the way.”
The elf wove roots scattered on the ground into a path in an instant. Explaining that they were busy to accompany me, the elf assured me that following the path would lead to Akashi and then resumed their swaying state.
Is this really the right choice? Is it worth it? After a brief moment of contemplation, recalling Altera’s arm twisted in an unnatural direction, I decided it was unnecessary to hesitate.
Regardless of what Altera thinks of me, I like her. Therefore, I want to protect her.
At the end of the path opened by the elf, Akashi was indeed there. He appeared to be examining the environment, pulling up roots from the ground and tapping them with his fingers.
“What is it? Aren’t you supposed to stay by your girlfriend? Why are you out here?”
Recognizing me instantly, he teased and showed signs of irritation, but I ignored it.
“Akashi, teach me black magic.”
“…What? Did you eat rat droppings or something? Are you serious about learning black magic? Hah, did you think I’d offer to teach you?”
“This isn’t a suggestion or a request. Akashi. Teach me black magic. This is an order.”
Upon speaking into his mark, Akashi looked at me with a seriousness unlike before.
“…Congratulations. You’ve already passed the first stage.”
—
The elves connected the branches growing from their bodies to the wooden stakes embedded in mine, closing their eyes and concentrating deeply without uttering a word.
Occasionally, the stakes in my body moved around inside, but strangely, it didn’t hurt. It just felt like something was moving inside me.
It was slightly ticklish. While marveling at the strange sensation, I recalled what Myung-ho had said earlier.
That he liked me. That he didn’t want me to get hurt. Those two sentences kept replaying in my mind, despite forgetting the rest.
…In the past, I would have rejected any advances outright. But since it was Myung-ho, it felt inappropriate to dismiss him harshly.
Besides, I didn’t dislike it either. Although I treated him harshly earlier due to some unpleasant words, his reasoning was reasonable.
I should apologize for that later. Myung-ho genuinely wants to help me. I overreacted, leaving me uneasy.
So, how should I respond to his confession?
“…We’re done. All bodily functions are normal. Bone density is decreased, but otherwise, your recovery is astonishing.”
While pondering, the elves declared the examination complete with a smile. Since the important terms were incomprehensible, I asked for simpler explanations.
“Your bones are weakened. Other than that, you’re healthy.”
They removed the wooden stakes skillfully embedded in my body.
How am I not in pain with these things stuck in me? Moreover, there’s no trace of where they were lodged, which is slightly unsettling. Testing my body, an elf handed me a wooden bowl.
Inside was a viscous black liquid, resembling ink or medicinal syrup.
“What is this?”
“It’s food mixed with iron. Eat it. It’s good for your bones.”
After explaining, the elves left together.
…Is this soup? Tentatively touching it with my tongue, it tasted surprisingly familiar, like the iron I craved so much lately.
After hastily finishing the bowl, I undressed. My body bore no scars, making the fierce battle feel like it never happened.
Carefully folding the clothes I had been wearing and placing them near my feet, I put on the outfit Myung-ho gave me. Surely, they were torn beyond repair.
For a moment, I wondered, but as per the instructions from the young Akashi, I encountered something peculiar.
A leotard… Wasn’t it? Wearing panties over this would be more comfortable, I thought.
Isn’t it strange to wear outerwear inside underwear?
Still, since it felt more comfortable this way, I decided to proceed accordingly.
