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“I am terribly sorry. She seems a little upset.” Seletina smiled awkwardly, bowing her head.

“Is she alright?”
“Yes. She’ll be fine after cooling herself down. I apologize for bothering you with this.” Seletina apologized.

Imitia and Tieck shared some secrets. It was a secret that even in this life-and-death situation, they wanted to keep hidden.

General Aubance stroked his beard leisurely and looked at Seletina.

(Their lie doesn’t seem to have ill will in it… This girl is pure to the core, way too pure at that… Then just why?) General Aubance couldn’t reach a conclusion.

However, he knew that he shouldn’t push things if he wanted to keep his relationship with the girl before him… So he made up his mind, and decided to simply smile.

He smiled like a good-natured old man.

◇◇◇

They eventually wrapped up the talks about the crusade. It was decided that Seletina wouldn’t have any special rights, and that she would simply be one of the soldiers. That she would turn into a symbol for them.

After that, the way people were moved and managed was for the adults with real authority to take care of. That single room would soon be filled with a lot of nobility and the military. When that happened, there would be nothing more for Seletina to do.

All she could do was sharpen her fangs and save strength for the upcoming crusade. That was all.

“Phew…” Seletina exhaled, dropping her shoulders. The rigid exchange was undeniably fatiguing to her body.

(I should go to the balcony… Come to think of it, I also need to find Imitia.)

Seletina thought, wanting to get a change of pace and a bit of fresh air. She proceeded through a beautiful corridor before reaching the door to the balcony.

As she opened the door she saw a female already standing there.

“Imitia!” Seletina found Imitia on the balcony, gazing out dejectedly.

When Seletina called out to her, Imitia turned around slowly, appearing lost in thought. She was apparently reflecting on her actions just now. Imitia toddled over to Seletina and mumbled an apology, hanging her head in shame.

“I’m sorry.” she muttered, resembling a scolded child. With her floppy ears and tail, she looked like a scolded puppy.

Seletina smiled softly and patted Imitia on the shoulder.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m fine.”
“But still…” Imitia muttered.

She knew that if she’d done one more wrong move she could’ve revealed Seletina’s true identity. It was only natural she felt guilty. Though she wasn’t sure how much impact the name Orthus would have in that discussion, she still worried about it.

Seletina exhaled and smiled. Her smile appeared somewhat worried. Her smile, beautiful yet reminiscent of the Orthus of old, left Imitia lost in admiration.

“You’ve always been bad at lying, Imitia.”
“Sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize. I like you the way you are.”
“L-Like?! … I-It’s nothing…”

Like.

Imitia knew that it was only as a friend. Just looking at Seletina’s cool face as she said that confirmed it. Imitia felt the urge to kick her in the shins as hard as she could but refrained from doing so.

“You are a merchant, but you have always been inclined to act on emotion and duty rather than calculation.”
“Really? I’ve been told by people around here that I’m pretty coldhearted.”
“Has that ever been said by the members of the caravan?”
“……”
“You are too sweet and kind to your people.”
“Really?”
“Really.”

Imitia let out a big sigh.

“Say, are you really not getting on the ship?”
“I’m not.”
“Are you planning to die?”

To Imitia’s question, Seletina shook her head in denial.

“I don’t.”
“Really?” Imitia wondered.

Seletina, in turn, raised her shoulders.

“Who knows, I might end up dead.”
“I knew…”
“Just listen. Imitia, I am not Orthus anymore. I am Seletina.”
“What do you mean?”
“I have a place to go back to. That’s what I mean.”

Seletina’s narrowed eyes contemplated a distant, irreplaceable presence. Her family. It was an irreplaceable presence that never existed in her previous life. A passionate father. A strict and kind mother. An aloof brother.

Orthus had lived as a knight, and had died as a knight. He’d welcomed the most proud death for a knight. He’d paid the highest price. For the sake of his kingdom, and for the sake of his king.

However, now it was different. Seletina had a family. She’d been born into a family. She’d grown attached to life, and wanted to live. That is why Seletina couldn’t say she was going to risk it all.

She had no regrets even if she were to die along the way, but she couldn’t give up on life with her family waiting for her.

“Will you still be able to say that when you see the soldiers on the battlefield? Can Orthus really leave the battlefield with the soldiers still fighting? This fight has already been lost. There’s only defeat there, no victory.”
“I’ll fight to the end. I’ll fight until I’m the only one left. And when I’m the only one left then I’ll escape.” Seletina responded firmly.
“Do you really think you can get away with being so naive!”
“Getting away with things is what a hero does.” Seletina said, her deep blue eyes gleaming.

Seletina’s deep gaze, which pierced straight into Imitia’s heart, was so intense that Imitia couldn’t help but believe that Seletina was telling the truth.

A hero. The soul bearing that title had not faded away despite being locked inside the body of a young girl.

Imitia sniffed with a half-amused, half-convinced look on her face, eventually looking up as if she had made up her mind.

“Fine. I see your point.”
“Imitia.”
“But I’m coming with you.” Imitia said in a firm manner.

That phrase alone was enough to shake Seletina.

“No. Don’t you have the caravan? What are they going to do with you gone?”
“They’ll be able to escape even if I’m not there. They’re not there just for show.”
“That’s not what I mean. What’ll they do if you end up dying? This is no playground…”

Seletina suddenly trailed off, keeping her mouth shut.

Imitia’s gaze, expression, and demeanor all made Seletina’s skin tingle, indicating that she was serious. Imitia was dead serious. She wasn’t the kind of woman who would let her beloved, the hero who brought her to the path of light, slip through her hands again.

Imitia smiled as Seletina cut off her words. It was a provoking smile, somewhat typical of her.

“What good is a hero if he can’t even protect one hopeless girl, isn’t that right? So protect me, okay?” Imitia said provokingly.

She fully trusted that she’d be able to protect Seletina’s back. Imitia had no intention of dying. The two of them were going to escape this city together.

The heartbreaking thought was kept further beneath her challenging smile, hidden at the bottom of the deep sea, as she tapped Seletina’s shoulder.

Seletina smiled as if in contemplation.
“You’re way past the age for a girl.”

Imitia couldn’t hold back and kicked Seletina in the shin as hard as she could.