◇◆◇
The flames quietly died away.
Through the scorched stench and the collapsing colossus, Yuka and Elysia stood watching.
They were wide-eyed with surprise, colored by a faint trace of wariness. Then, finally, relief.
"Hey, sorry. I was taking a nap."
I gave them a light wave.
"I’m just glad you’re both safe."
"..."
Neither of them answered. Well, that was to be expected.
"...Lord Luka, why are you..."
Yuka was the first to find her voice.
"Why are you here? And that just now... what was that?"
She looked at me with an unwavering gaze. It wouldn't be right to dodge the question entirely.
"Why, you ask..."
I made a show of thinking for a second. But there wasn't really time for a long explanation.
"A lot happened. Anyway, I came to help."
"..."
She looked bewildered. Understandable.
"I’ll explain the details later," I said with a shrug. "For now, let's focus on the situation at hand."
I scanned the area. It seemed the chaos was far from over.
"Yes. More than anything, I am relieved to see you well, Lord Luka."
Yuka managed a smile despite her confusion. Elysia, on the other hand, had been silent from the start. I suppose it was quite a shock—seeing the guy who could previously only manage a smokescreen do something like that.
I felt a sudden shiver.
"...?"
The air changed.
"This magical power..."
It was a voice I’d heard before. I turned around.
"...You."
We weren't exactly friends, but I remembered her well. It was the girl who called herself Sera.
"That was quite a flashy display, Luka."
Her eyes were fixed on me.
"..."
A heavy silence followed. I could see Yuka and Elysia's gazes wavering between us.
"...An acquaintance of yours?" Elysia whispered.
"Yeah, something like that."
Sera didn't look away. "He treated me to a meal."
I chuckled slightly at her choice of words. "That's right. Did you forget your wallet again?"
"...Quiet. More importantly..."
The air grew sharp and tense. Did that joke actually hit a nerve?
"That magic."
Sera’s gaze drifted toward the remaining embers of the fire.
"What about it?"
She suddenly stepped closer, closing the distance.
"...Honestly, I don't really know either."
I wasn't feigning ignorance. I genuinely didn't understand the mechanics myself.
"...Liar."
She called my bluff instantly. But it really wasn't a lie!
"With that kind of output, there’s no way a human could produce it through self-study."
Is that so? My original output was so pathetic that I had no frame of reference for what was normal.
"And besides—"
She took another step forward.
"That flow of magical power."
Her eyes narrowed to slits.
"It’s similar to ours..."
She looked as though she had grasped a piece of a larger puzzle.
"Luka, just who are you?"
I let out a small sigh.
"Now isn't the time for an interrogation."
I looked away from her.
"I'll explain properly later. We have things to do first, don't we?"
My words cut through the heavy atmosphere.
"..."
Sera said nothing more, but she didn't look away either.
"By the way, where did Lene go?" I asked, moving on to the next priority.
"...Eh?" Yuka blinked, startled.
"Where is she? Wasn't she with you?"
My voice came out a bit stronger than I intended.
"...She went to reinforce the area near the Outer Wall."
"I see."
I gave a curt nod.
"Then I’m heading there."
"Lord Luka, by yourself—"
"It’s fine."
I cut her off firmly. Right now, I was in Star Status.
In the next instant—I vanished.
"...!?"
I left without a single footstep. I didn't even leave a trace of my presence behind.
"Just now..." Elysia was lost for words.
"...So fast," Sera murmured lowly.
"..."
They were left in stunned silence. From the boy they had believed to be powerless, they had just felt something overwhelming.
◇◆◇
"...Ugh, not yet...!"
I swung my sword, barely parrying the fangs of a magical beast.
But my body felt heavy and slow.
"Haa... haa..."
My breathing was ragged. There were just too many of them.
"...I hate this."
I let out a weak laugh.
"To die in a place like this."
It was terrifying. I didn't have my usual combat instincts. Normally, I would never struggle against small fries like these.
"...I want to see him."
The words slipped out of my mouth.
"Lord Luka."
But there was no way he would come. Because... even though that person is strong, he is also very, very weak. That’s why I have to be the one to protect him...
"...But,"
My vision blurred.
"If he did come, I’d be so happy."
...No, I can't die yet. I haven't done enough.
I readjusted my grip on my sword. The magical beast in front of me lunged.
In that moment—
Thud.
"...Eh?"
The beast collapsed right in front of me.
"Why...?"
My mind couldn't keep up. It had to be a lie. I must be having a convenient dream at the end.
...And yet, there he was.
Beyond the smoke.
"Hmph. I used a strike with the back of the blade, so rest easy."
He was standing there.
"Are you okay, Lene?"
"...!"
I couldn't speak. I could only stare.
"Lord Luka...!"
My voice trembled. He gave me a slow, gentle smile.
"I knew it. You really did come for me."
Relief flooded through me. My entire chest felt full.
"...Lord Luka, how?"
I took a step toward him.
"A lot happened and I got stronger. So I came to save you, Lene."
"W-What kind of explanation is that!?"
It didn't explain anything at all, but it was so very much like him.
"It wouldn't look good for me to be sleeping while everyone else was working so hard, right?"
"...Ugh,"
Even though I knew I was safe now, the tears wouldn't stop...
"...Thank you, Lene."
"...I... for your sake... I worked so hard..."
I knew I shouldn't show such a pathetic side. I had to hurry up and become a "knight" worthy of protecting him...
Lord Luka smiled brightly at me.
"Yeah. Thank you, really."
He slowly pulled my wailing self into an embrace and stroked my head.
...I was so happy.
Lord Luka’s soft kindness was melting me completely. I was glad I worked hard. I was glad I put my life on the line.
If it were possible, I wanted to be wrapped in this warmth forever.
...Would that be such a bad thing?