Haru. It was the time it took for me to recover. Thanks to the armor that shielded my body, the critical parts like my internal organs and bones were intact. My eardrums were slightly damaged but otherwise fine.
The real injuries were just flesh wounds from shrapnel tearing through my skin and muscles, along with some muscle strains from the impact. Even those healed quickly thanks to the priest who tended to me.
I focused my own mana on the injured areas, fully dedicating myself to recovery, and soon I was back to normal. The armor, however, was shattered beyond repair and would need to be completely remade. Still, compared to losing my life, it was a cheap price to pay.
“…Alterra. Don’t you have something to say to me and Myungho? No matter how confident you are, sticking your head into a wolf’s open mouth is reckless! If it weren’t for you, Akashi would’ve been fine!”
Yuna scolded me as soon as I was able to move out of bed and into the hallway.
“…Sorry. I got too overconfident. I should’ve been more careful.”
“I see that you know! Then why do you still act like that?! Ugh… You idiot… Why did you do that…”
Yuna started to say something, then muttered in a language I couldn’t understand. It made sense for her to be angry at me. Looking back objectively at what I did, it was basically me getting carried away and causing trouble on my own.
But there was one thing I didn’t understand. Why bring up Akashi? I thought Yuna wouldn’t care much even if he got hurt.
“Yuna. Why are you worried about Akashi?”
It was a genuine question. Based on his past actions, I thought Yuna would mock Akashi’s situation rather than worry. Reflecting on it, he never said anything nice to her. If anything, his supposedly kind words always turned out to be mockery.
“What? W-well, he’s our comrade! And he’s the only one who can cast magic on the frontlines, and also… uhm… he’s the party’s only magician…”
“But we have other magicians. There’s me and Myungho.”
“Akashi is not like you two! And Alterra! Aren’t you worried at all?! A comrade got hurt…”
While I may not be a proper magician, I can perform magic-like abilities. Myungho might be a bit slow, but he’s still a magician.
What puzzled me more was why Yuna was reacting so strongly. Or maybe people in this world value comradeship more than I thought.
It was almost like she cared about him as a lover…
“Yuna. Maybe… nevermind. You’re just comrades. Though honestly, Akashi himself doesn’t seem to care much about living or dying. Besides, his current form is probably worth less than a pinky finger to him.”
The fundamental reason is “he’s annoying,” but every time he starts to show any hint of likability, something about his words or actions ruins it completely.
“You… You mean as long as Myungho is fine, everything else is okay…”
“Not really. I’d be sad if you got hurt. You’re an irreplaceable… friend.”
Honestly, besides you, I don’t really have anyone else I can call a friend. My relationship with Myungho goes deeper than friendship, and Akashi is like a competent coworker I avoid because he’s unpleasant.
Yuna is the only person I can openly talk to right now. Maybe things will change if Myungho and I settle down somewhere together in the future, but not at this moment.
“…Anyway, please don’t do that again. I don’t want you, Akashi, or Myungho to get hurt. Akashi… That idiot, he just needed to put up a barrier…”
She seems to care about him, whether or not she loves him. Since she’s not interested in Myungho, it’s none of my business, but frankly, I don’t think Akashi would make a good husband.
One day he’ll probably get drunk and complain about how boring this place is before running off…
“I won’t do it again. I was reckless. Maybe I trusted the armor too much.”
I really didn’t expect a laser cannon – though I decided not to make that excuse since they actually had one. Yuna seemed to have nothing more to say, telling me to hurry up and leave now that I was recovered.
The armor wasn’t a big concern. Given metal and time, I can craft new armor anytime. The real issue was Akashi.
Without him, I don’t think we can break through where those demons are guarding. While there are other fronts we could attack, they wouldn’t let us go through unopposed.
They’d definitely cling to us like demons and use every bizarre method to stop us, beyond just trenches and brute force.
As much as it frustrates me, we can’t break through without that wizard in his current state. Now what should we do?
When I asked a passerby where Myungho was, they pointed me in a direction and I thanked them.
“No, we should be thanking you. Thanks to the Holy Swordsman, not only did we repel those evil ones, but we were also able to detect their despicable tricks. Without your intervention…”
Even though the soldiers would’ve charged in regardless, the word “Holy Swordsman” kept catching my ear.
Holy Swordsman. So that old man spread the rumor after all. Just hearing it makes me tired already. Gathering my spirits, I puffed myself up a bit to play along before continuing on and spotting Myungho.
He was pacing nervously in circles in front of a door, looking pitiful like a lost puppy. You too?
“Alterra. You’re finally recovered. I’m glad. If you were in danger too…”
This guy usually whines a lot, so I wasn’t surprised, but I didn’t expect him to be worried about Akashi too.
“Are you worried about Akashi too?”
“…If I wasn’t worried, that would be a lie. Yeah, I am. Despite his problems, he’s a comrade. He has helped me often, and he was my first companion… Maybe I’ve developed an affectionate dislike for him.”
Affectionate dislike. Spending enough time with someone can create that bond. Myungho and Yuna have been traveling together for quite a while, but Akashi has been with them longer… They must have shared experiences I don’t know about.
I wasn’t feeling jealous. Myungho is mine already. But I was curious what memories made him develop such feelings toward that irritating guy.
“Is that so? Since it’s my fault he got hurt… Hmm. Should I let him drink some of my blood?”
An elixir, right? Whatever it’s called, it’s supposed to have similar effects to the extraordinary named medicine. I was willing to give him enough to recover.
“It probably won’t help, but if you offer it, I think he might appreciate it… Maybe.”
Even Myungho, who’s known him for a long time, isn’t sure he’d say thank you, which makes me think all people named Akashi are likely difficult characters.
That small Akashi probably has a diluted essence of Akashi-ness, yet he’s already in this state. Once he gains more power, he’ll surely lose his humanity completely.
Since I had nothing better to do, I decided to ask Myungho about Akashi’s condition.
According to Myungho, while the senior priests ensured his survival, there might be mental issues. His brain suffered overload and the extent of the damage isn’t clear even to the treating priests currently.
“Because of me…”
Myungho didn’t need to answer. Now I understood why Yuna was so upset. If Myungho were hurt because of Yuna…
…What would I do? Indeed, what would I do?
Just as I was thinking about that, a woman with white hair approached us, staring straight at us.
A priest? Her clothing isn’t the standard white robe worn by priests. Actually, her attire resembles a mage’s more.
Could Myungho know her? When I looked at him, he was just as confused, staring blankly at the woman.
Even with my ability to perceive true forms, I saw nothing special, so I gave up trying to learn anything from Myungho and turned back to the woman.
She looked familiar yet strange. Her regal bearing contrasted with her haughty gaze that seemed to look down on everything, strangely reminiscent of…
Yes. Akashi.
“…I never expected to have to ask my other self for help. Nice to meet you. You must be Hero Myungho, and you… forgive me. Half-Dragon Alterra, correct? Is that right?”
“…Who are you?”
The unfamiliar yet familiar woman stood before us, muttering something, then suddenly greeted us by name.
Caution came before politeness. Who is this? Why has she come to us? What’s her purpose in approaching Myungho and me?
When she tried to greet Myungho, I stepped in front of him, openly showing my discomfort.
Who are you?
“Ah, my apologies for not introducing myself earlier. I am Acacia. Do you recognize me? I imagine you would. I’ve come here at the request of myself currently being treated in that room. While I’m incapacitated… I will serve as your brains. Please take care of me.”
…So you’re Akashi?
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