Chapter 27: The Reason for Battle
“Eh? Did I just say something wrong? The reason I fight is definitely for this, you know.”
Yake wore a suspicious expression. His reason for fighting was indeed to protect Aierjisi, so why was this sword scolding him?
“Well, it’s probably because that reason for battle is just forced, isn’t it? A forced reason for fighting cannot be acknowledged,”
Aierjisi pondered for a moment before answering.
Yake’s journey to fight against the Adrian People alongside her began because they shared their lives. If he did nothing and she were defeated, he too would die. Because of this reason, Yake had no choice but to leave home with her.
If he hadn’t met her, Yake would most likely still be in that small town, continuing his life as an adventurer.
“Exactly! You, if you can’t even figure out your own reason for fighting, then this lord won’t recognize you as my wielder.”
The sword agreed with Aierjisi’s words. If Yake didn’t even know his true reason for battle, how could he possibly wield it properly?
“But I really can’t think of anything else! A reason to fight.”
Yake looked quite troubled. He really had no other reason to fight.
“There’s no need to rush. This sort of thing can’t be found in a day or two. One day, you’ll find it—not for others, but for your own reason to fight. Until that day comes, you won’t be able to use this weapon, so let me keep it safe.”
Aierjisi grabbed the sword’s hilt with her Light Whip and held it tightly.
“Hey, you! Are you planning to seal me away again? This lord won’t just let you do as you please!”
The sword unleashed black lightning to attack Aierjisi, trying to break free from her seal.
“Stop messing around! Without a master, you aren’t even my opponent. Behave, and just go to sleep.”
As Aierjisi opened her Magic Shield to intercept the lightning attack, she used her other hand to draw the seal formations, once again sealing the sword’s consciousness.
“Damn you!”
With one last roar of anger, the sword had no choice but to succumb to slumber under the effect of the seal.
“So I told you, right now you can’t handle it. This weapon is still better off with me taking care of it.”
Aierjisi sealed the sword once more within her body.
“It seems so. Right now, I really can’t become a wielder recognized by it.”
Yake could only nod in acknowledgment; he still had many shortcomings. All he could do was grow and improve bit by bit in future battles.
“What’s with that face? Looking all gloomy isn’t like you. Smile a little! Simelulu, Simelulu!”
Seeing Yake like this, Aierjisi couldn’t stand it anymore. She tiptoed and poked the corners of his mouth with her fingers, trying to get him to show a smile.
“That’s more like it! Smile more! Didn’t Reina tell you that boys who smile tend to get along better with women? You always look like someone owes you money and hasn’t paid up. So from now on, just smile more when nothing’s going on.”
“Is that so? My mom never told me that.”
After listening to Aierjisi, Yake used his fingers to push the corners of his mouth up, forcing a smile.
“If she never told you before, I’m telling you now! So remember, smile more often, it’ll help you and your life a lot. Got it?”
“Uh-huh. Got it! I’ll remember.”
Yake nodded, committing the little princess’s words to memory.
“Alright then. Now, give me a smile so I can see it.”
“Huh? Now?”
“Of course! Hurry up, I want to see you smile, a genuine smile.”
“Okay…I’ll give it a try. It might look a bit creepy since I haven’t smiled much before.”
This time, without using his fingers, Yake strained to control his facial muscles to put on a smile.
“Mm…yeah, it indeed looks a bit creepy. Let’s just wait for another chance to see your genuine smile.”
Seeing Yake’s awkward smile, Aierjisi felt a chill run down her spine. This wasn’t a horror novel!
“Maybe I’m just not meant to smile.”
Yake recalled that in this world, there were indeed those whose facial muscles were not suited for smiling. Maybe he was one of them.
“That’s not true! Although your smile does look a bit creepy, smiling is a right everyone can enjoy equally. There’s no such thing as someone inherently unable to smile.”
Aierjisi immediately countered him. There’s no such thing as people who just can’t smile!
“Is that so?”
“Exactly! No matter what others say about how ugly your smile is, you must always face life with a smile, alright?”
“Uh-huh… okay, I understand.”
Although he wasn’t sure if he could genuinely smile at life… well, he’d just have to try.
“Aierjisi, Yake! You two are back! I was just thinking that if you didn’t return soon, I’d send someone out to look for you.”
At that moment, Gaia conveniently entered the room, looking to share some things with them now that they had returned.
“Oh! Lord Gaia, I’m so sorry! We intended to come find you when we returned, but the guard said you were busy, so we didn’t go.”
Aierjisi quickly greeted Gaia.
“It’s alright, it’s alright! My work is indeed busy. Especially after Ailin went missing, the city has been thrown into chaos. I’ve had to work doubly hard to handle it.”
“You have it tough. Speaking of which, Lord Gaia, is there something you wanted to discuss with us?”
“Well, it’s not anything too urgent. Just wanted to go over the battle plan with you.”
“Huh? Battle plan? Have you already prepared it so quickly?”
“Not yet. I’ve only drafted a rough battle plan. Whether we use it or not depends on you, Aierjisi. Because in this battle plan, you are an indispensable part.”
“Indispensable part? Me?”
Hearing that Gaia’s plan included her, and that she seemed to have quite a significant role, Aierjisi felt a mix of surprise and joy.
After all, they still needed her as the main character! She wondered what this so-called battle plan was like.
