Fortunately, I had managed to avoid being seen in that mortifying state—punching a tree in the middle of nowhere while muttering things like "There is no God" and "Everyone has to be happy." Currently, I was being led back to the campsite by Master, who refused to let go of my hand.
How did it come to this?
"Master… you don’t have to grip so hard."
"It is not allowed! See here, the roots are all tangled and dangerous, are they not? Hold on tight."
"She’s right. It would be a disaster if you tripped. Slow and steady is perfectly fine."
"…Want to hold my hand, too?"
Is it just me, or is everyone way too close?
Master led the way a step ahead, her grip on my right hand like a vice. Yulitia walked pressed right up against my side. Atri had her fingers entwined around my left wrist as I leaned on my cane. All three of them were in my personal space… It wasn't even this crowded during my first day of prosthetic rehab!
Only Anze followed at a respectable distance, but in exchange, I felt her heavy, lingering gaze on me the entire time. Anze, have you looked at anything other than my back for the last ten minutes? I don't think you have. Terrified, I glanced back once, only to be met with her usual soft, saintly smile.
Essentially, my front, back, and both sides were completely suppressed. On the surface, everyone looked normal, but even I could tell what was going on when it was this blatant. I didn't need words to feel it. Their overwhelming kindness was paradoxical proof of one thing.
A silent, boiling rage that said: If you make us worry any more than this, there will be consequences.
I had already done something reckless and gotten hurt in the ruins, and then, while everyone was busy, I had wandered off without a word. To them, my selfish behavior must have pushed their patience to the breaking point.
A smile, I realized, was merely a refined expression of intimidation.
Internally, I was breaking out in a cold sweat. There are few things more terrifying than the feeling of being someone's target when they're clearly furious but refusing to yell. I wanted to curse Rosche for not sticking to the script, but I couldn't blame him. I was the one who knew they would worry and still chose to leave because I couldn't keep my emotions in check.
My feelings and my actions were spinning their wheels in opposite directions. I knew I shouldn't worry them, yet I was constantly dragged along by my impulses, causing nothing but trouble in the end. What right did I have to talk about aiming for a Happy End?
I let out a heavy sigh. Master’s shoulders gave a sharp jolt.
"Wolka? W-What is it? Are you all right…?"
"No…"
I started to say it was nothing, but then I stopped. Perhaps this was the best time to apologize. We were still far enough from the campfire's light that I wouldn't have to worry about Ruerie or the others overhearing. If I didn't do it now, I felt like I'd miss my chance entirely before we reached the Holy City.
"…Everyone, can I have a minute?"
"?"
I came to a halt.
"I have something I want to say while we're alone."
"…What is it? Did something happen?"
Sensing a change in the atmosphere, Yulitia and Atri took a step back, looking curious. Master still didn't let go of my hand, but I felt her fingertips stiffen with sudden tension.
I took a few seconds to gather my thoughts.
"…I want to apologize for worrying you all back at the ruins."
The sudden apology caught them off guard. I kept going anyway, looking at Master and Anze.
"Both of you were trying to help me. Telling you to 'stay out of it' was wrong. I’m sorry."
Until Rosche pointed it out, I thought they were mad because I’d taken a knife to the arm. I’d honestly felt it was a bit unfair, since I didn't see any other way to handle the situation.
I was appalled at my own misunderstanding. To have someone you care about right there within reach, and then to be shoved away with a "stay out of it"—if I were in their shoes, I’d be livid. I’d be demanding to know why they insisted on being so reckless alone.
I had really messed up. I cast my eyes downward.
"In that moment, I felt like I had to say something… and my body just moved before I could think. I couldn't stand seeing it."
I knew anything I said would sound like an excuse, but I wanted to be honest.
"I know I shouldn't worry you. But if I saw something like that again… I don't think I could just stand by and watch."
I’ll worry my friends, so I’ll just look the other way. I'll let them die. I knew I couldn't make that kind of detached choice.
Because I remembered. I had seen exactly what happened to the lives that weren't saved in the Original Work. I knew the burden carried by the Protagonist, who had to struggle alone in this godforsaken world.
If it was within my reach, I didn't want this reality to end up like that story.
"…I'm sorry. I'm a selfish guy."
But that was just my personal baggage. From their perspective, it must be exhausting. Essentially, I was foolishly declaring that I knew I was worrying them, but I was going to keep being reckless anyway.
If they just yelled at me, it would be fine. But at worst… they might give up on me.
Still, I couldn't lie about this. Even if they decided they'd had enough and walked away, they wouldn't be wrong. In fact, it might be better for them to cut ties with me and find a more stable path—
"…Wolka."
Master called my name, her voice steady and clear.
She was smiling.
But it was a different smile this time.
"…In truth, we do not wish for you to be reckless anymore. It is frightening. We fear that the next time you push yourself, you might truly die…"
"……"
"But you are scared too, aren't you? You do not want to see anyone else die before your eyes…"
That was the heart of it. Even if we had avoided the Bad End from the Original Work, there was no guarantee of eternal peace in this world. Tragedy could strike anyone at any time. I couldn't deny the possibility that Master and the others might meet a cruel end in some other form.
On Earth, the same could have been said. But here, I knew it was the world of a story, and I couldn't just dismiss tragedy as "the way things are." I couldn't shake the chilling sensation that some unseen force was orchestrating it all.
A plot seemingly designed only to make characters suffer was now a reality unfolding before me. In a sense, it had already begun. Even if we’d saved lives this time, thinking of Cain and Lloyd, who died in despair, and Ruerie and Shiarie, who would carry these scars forever… I was at a loss for words.
Yes—I was absolutely terrified.
It might be presumptuous of me to think I understood, but for the first time, I felt like I grasped a fraction of the emotion that drove the Original Work's protagonist.
I wondered how much Master and the others could see through me.
"So, promise me this."
Master let go of my hand, only to grab the front of my shirt so hard the fabric bunched. Her next words weren't from a teacher to a student; they were the desperate plea of a girl named Lieselalte.
"Never say 'stay out of it' again. Not ever."
"……"
"If you do something dangerous, I will worry. If you treat your life like it is cheap, I will be angry. And if you refuse to let me help you… I will never forgive you. That is only natural!"
Yulitia and Atri stepped forward as well.
"We don't want you to be reckless, but if it's to protect someone… we can understand that. But doing it because you think you're a burden to us, or because you think you can handle it alone? That is absolutely forbidden."
"Wolka is bad because he tries to do everything by himself."
Their words stung. I’d wanted to avoid being a burden, but I suppose that old man's training played a part in it, too. "Take care of your own business" was his entire philosophy. Was that even an education?
Regardless, I got the message. It's a cliché, but I really had been blessed with the best companions I could ask for.
My answer was already decided.
"Yeah. I'm sorry. I won't ever say it again."
"Is that a promise?"
Looking at Master, who tilted her head with a smile as lovely as the moonlight, I offered a silent prayer of thanks to Rosche.
No matter how close you are, sometimes you just have to say the words out loud. Without him, I wouldn't have apologized, and I would have spent the rest of the trip fundamentally misunderstanding why they were mad. For a social failure like me, having a friend who understands the subtleties of the heart is a godsend.
"Because if you break that promise, I honestly don't know what I'll do to you."
…Wait. Master, the nuance of that sentence was a little—
"He's right. If you still don't get it after this, I'd be quite troubled about how to handle you."
"Mhm. Very troubled."
"……"
Er, right. Their concern was legitimate, and I knew a second offense would lead to more than a scolding. I really had to be careful not to exhaust their affection.
That was the right way to take it… surely. And yet, I felt a strange, inexplicable anxiety, like I was peering into the depths of a dark abyss. They were speaking like they were discussing the weather, but the underlying tone was so ominous it made my skin crawl.
…They're definitely still pissed, aren't they?
"A-Anyway, Anze, I'm sorry for leaving you out while we talked…"
Sensing the conversation was heading into dangerous territory, I tried to steer us back. There was no way I was going to ask what they meant by "handling me." I turned to Anze, who had been standing quietly in the back.
"…I’m so envious…"
Her quiet whisper caught our attention. It seemed she hadn't meant to say it out loud; when she noticed us looking, she jumped.
"Ah—no! That was…!"
She looked flustered, her eyes darting around. Atri, as usual, was the quickest to pounce.
"Envious? …Do you want to join our party too, Anze?"
"Wh-What!?"
Master nearly leaped out of her skin and grabbed Atri’s hem.
"What are you saying, Atri!?"
"She said she was envious of us…"
"S-Surely that isn't what she meant…!"
Master looked at Anze with wide, disbelieving eyes. Anze looked away awkwardly.
"Well… you see…"
"…Am I right?"
"Wh-wh-wh-wha!?"
Master looked like she’d been struck by a bolt of lightning. I was pretty shocked myself. Was Anze actually interested in being an adventurer? Or was it just our dynamic that she admired? As an elite Sister of the Cathedral, it wouldn't be surprising if she didn't have many close friends.
"I am so sorry. It is a selfish, presumptuous wish."
I didn't think it was presumptuous at all, but she clearly felt it was a forbidden desire. She gave up on the excuses and lowered her gaze sadly.
"I found myself wishing I could do more… It is frustrating, simply watching from behind as an observer."
She gripped the fabric of her habit with both hands.
"I felt so useless, like there was no place for me. I am not an adventurer; I am just an outsider…"
She shook her head.
"Forgive me. I must seem like a very burdensome woman."
Wow, she’s actually pretty gloomy. That self-deprecating streak at the end sounded very real.
Ever since she’d come to our aid from the Holy City, I knew she’d been doing everything in her power to help. Looking back at today alone, she’d been our pillar of support. Without her, we’d be physically and mentally broken, and we wouldn't have the luxury of standing here talking like this.
But Anze seemed completely oblivious to her own value.
"I thought… if I were a member of Silvery Grey, perhaps I wouldn't feel so alone…"
Ah, I see.
Anze actually has incredibly low self-esteem, doesn't she?
As a Sister, she might be taught to view herself as a humble servant, but I’d always seen her as this pure, perfect being who looked like she was constantly bathed in divine light. Seeing her struggle with such human insecurities was unexpected.
But it also made her feel more approachable. Because when you boiled it down, her problem was simple—she didn't have the courage to step into our circle, so she was hesitating on the edge.
As a fellow communication failure with zero confidence, I felt that deep in my soul. Joining an established group is terrifying. That nagging feeling that you're an intruder and nobody actually wants you there… I knew that feeling all too well.
I considered the idea of her joining the party.
From a tactical standpoint, there was no reason to say no. As a Sister skilled in Holy Magic, she could do things none of us could. Her contributions today proved she was irreplaceable.
However, she wasn't an adventurer; she was a Sister of the Church. It wasn't realistic for her to hold both positions, and she seemed more interested in the bond of a "party" than the actual act of adventuring anyway. You don't necessarily have to be a member to be part of the circle.
I turned to the leader to see what she thought.
"I think it's a good idea. Anze is a good person."
"Guh… I know that, but…!"
"She healed Wolka's arm."
"Guh-mu-mu-mu-mu…!"
Atri was all for it, but Master was being as stubborn as expected. Master isn't the type to actively expand her social circle; she's happy as long as she has her core group. I'm the same way, so I understood her hesitation.
Master began stomping her feet in frustration.
"B-But she… her chest is too big!"
"…Does that actually matter?"
"It matters a great deal!"
Master, please don't say those things out loud while I'm standing right here. It’s hard enough for me to keep a straight face as it is.
Atri ignored her and turned to Yulitia.
"But if we're talking about that, then Yuri—"
"Waaaa! Waa-waa-waa!"
Yulitia suddenly let out a deafening shout. I nearly jumped out of my skin. What was that for? It was a desperate, frantic scream, nothing like her usual composed self.
"What’s wrong?"
"N-Nothing! Nothing at all! We're talking about Anze right now, aren't we!?"
I have no idea what Atri was about to say, but even in the pale moonlight, Yulitia’s face looked bright red. She started talking a mile a minute, clearly looking for an out.
"S-So, Anze, do you actually want to join our party or not!?"
"That is…"
Anze bit her lip.
"No… I cannot abandon my duties at the Cathedral. That is why I said it was a presumptuous wish—"
"B-But you don't have to be an adventurer to be part of the party! There’s another way! Look…"
Wait. You have to register with the Guild to be in a party—oh, hold on.
"Are you talking about a Patron?"
"Yes! Exactly that!"
"A… Patron?"
"Yes. Someone who supports the party from the sidelines…"
Now that she’d successfully changed the subject, Yulitia’s tone calmed down. She let out a breath of relief.
"In high-rank parties with lots of members, things like buying supplies and managing money get really complicated. Most adventurers just want to focus on adventuring, so they sign contracts with merchants or experts to handle the paperwork. That’s the Patron system. According to the rules, the Patron is considered a member of the party."
She's only thirteen, but she explained that so well… If it were me, I would have said "uh" about ten times.
Anyway, a Patron. Like Yulitia said, it was a "leave it to the experts" system. By partnering with someone who knew the ropes, adventurers didn't have to worry about things they didn't understand. A merchant Patron, for example, would handle the logistics in exchange for specific monster parts or items the party found. It was a win-win.
Of course, the only people who really used the system for business were elite, high-rank parties with dozens of members. Merchants don't line up to support small, unproven parties, and most adventurers are too suspicious of merchants to trust them with their finances anyway. Plus, Patrons are entitled to a share of the loot, and many adventurers would rather do the work themselves than take a pay cut.
In practice, the system was usually used for friends, family, or retired veterans who wanted to help out without any business strings attached.
Anze blinked.
"…I could be a Patron?"
"Well, our party is small, so we don't really have any paperwork for you to do."
"E-Even so… would that truly make me part of your party?"
"By the Guild's rules, yes."
"…!"
Anze’s eyes lit up. She looked like a child who had just been told they were getting exactly what they wanted for Christmas. I could almost swear I saw a tail wagging furiously behind her.
I was starting to lose my original impression of her as a distant religious figure. She was looking more like a normal girl every second.
"Liesel. If you say no now, she's going to cry."
"…Uuu! Uuu!"
Cornered, Master began regressing into a toddler and looking to me for help. But I honestly didn't have a reason to say no.
Specifically, I wanted to ask Anze to help me get a high-grade prosthetic. For that, we needed a connection to the Chryscles Holy Church, the best medical facility in the country. Having her as our official Patron would make it much easier for me to ask for her help without feeling like I was imposing.
She wanted to help, and I had something I needed help with. The Patron contract was the perfect solution.
"I think it’s great. Having Anze as a Patron would be a huge relief, and honestly, I already feel like she's one of us."
I agreed with Yulitia. She’d helped us countless times, stayed with us ever since we met in the city, and we’d just survived the Windmill incident together. Master was grumbling, but deep down, I knew she’d accepted Anze long ago.
After ten seconds of being stared down by everyone, Master finally broke. She let out a frustrated growl and stepped between me and Anze.
"Fine! Fine! But listen here, I am not giving Wolka to you! Do not get any ideas!"
"I-I would never dream of it…!"
Is she still worried about me being scouted by the Knights? I really have no interest in that life.
Regardless, now that the decision was made, I could finally speak up.
"…This actually works out well. I have a favor to ask of you. Will you hear it as our new companion?"
"Ah—yes! Of course! Anything!"
"When we get back to the city, I want you to help me find a better prosthetic leg. We don't have the kind of connections needed for something high-end."
Anze’s reaction was like a burst of pure sunlight. She gave us a hundred-point smile.
"Yes! Please, leave everything to me! I will provide you with the finest prosthetic this world has to offer!"
Talk about overwhelming goodwill… She didn't just say "in the city," she said "in this world." Is that okay? Is she going to come back with a leg that costs more than my entire life is worth?
…Well, whatever. I’ll let her handle it.
"Yay! Anze is our friend now."
"We're counting on you, Anze."
"Yes! Thank you all so much!"
"Hmph, I suppose it cannot be helped… But if you try to steal Wolka away in the confusion, I will not be merciful! I am the leader, remember that!"
Watching the four of them chatter and fuss around each other, a warmth spread through my chest. I decided to stop worrying about the little things.
From now on, I hoped Master and the others would make many more connections like this—connections that never existed in the Original Work.
There was no guarantee of safety in this world.
But meeting people, forging bonds, laughing, fighting—they deserved the right to live a normal life like that.
Later that night, after returning to camp:
"…Ah, I see. So that's why Yulitia was shouting so loudly earlier…"
"It's unfair… so unfair… I'm a year older, and yet…"
"U-Uu… it's weird for someone my age to be this big, right? Right now I can hide it with the binding, but…"
"Liesel, your lip is bleeding. You're biting it too hard."
"Gggghhhh."
"Oh, I don't think it's weird at all. I was around that size when I was Yulitia's age, too…"
"Kaha."
"Ah, Liesel’s dead."
"Stationary disparity! It’s a gross inequality of stations! God is dead!"
"P-Please don't shout! I'm even hiding this from my senior because it's embarrassing…!"
While such a conversation apparently took place among the women as they washed away the day's grime, Wolka, of course, remained blissfully unaware.