To Ruerie, Silvery Grey were her undeniable saviors, yet her feelings for them were far more complex than simple gratitude could ever express.
If she had to put a name to those emotions, she would have to choose words like guilt or a lingering sense of shame. It didn't matter that her sister and companions had been held hostage. It didn't matter that she had been locked in a dark room and subjected to violence, or that her mental state had been far from stable at the time. None of that changed the fact that she had committed a crime, and she didn't believe it should ever be erased or ignored.
Ruerie knew she had been lucky. She had been saved only because Wolka and his party happened to be exceptionally strong adventurers. If those ruffians had targeted anyone else, Ruerie might still be trapped in that dark room, enduring a living nightmare. She might still be acting as bait, luring innocent people to their dooms one after another.
She truly believed she had done something unforgivable.
Yet, the members of Silvery Grey never once blamed her. Instead, when she had been ready to surrender to despair, one man had looked her in the eye and scolded her, dragging her back from the abyss with sheer force of will.
That man was Wolka, a young adventurer who had lost an eye and a leg.
She had heard that he was also the one who saved her older sister at the very last second, even as she lost her mind in a violent frenzy. Despite being an injured man himself, he had fought desperately for Ruerie and her sister—practically strangers—to the point of completely disregarding his own safety.
She had finally learned the reason why on the night of their first camp during the journey to the Holy City.
"Master... I think he hates this world."
"—Eh?"
Ruerie felt as if her heart had been struck by the answer Yulitia squeezed out.
Inside the tent, illuminated by the pale glow of a magic stone lamp, Yulitia looked as if her heart were breaking under the weight of an uncontrollable ache.
"I think he’s seen many people like you, Ruerie, since long before I knew him. And... I think there were many he couldn't save."
"That’s..."
Ruerie instinctively wanted to deny it, yet Yulitia’s words rang with an undeniable truth.
She remembered the way Wolka had rebuked her, telling her not to pretend to be a villain and reminding her that she was just an ordinary girl. His eyes had burned with intense emotion, and he had spoken with a fervor that contradicted his usual silent nature. Anyone could see he had been angry.
But was that anger really directed at her?
She wasn't sure if it was right to use a word as grand as "the world," but if he was resentful toward something much larger and more distant than herself... she felt that might be the case.
"There are so many things in this world that don't go right. It's full of nothing but unfairness. And Master absolutely hates that."
It was exactly as Yulitia said. Cain and Lloyd had been murdered. Her sister had suffered a wound in her heart that might never heal. Ruerie knew all of this was the result of their own failings—falling so easily into the ruffians' trap. One could argue it was their own fault for not having the basic preparedness required of an adventurer.
And yet, it felt so profoundly unfair. Why them? Ruerie and her friends hadn't done anything to deserve such retribution. They had just been living their lives as ordinary adventurers. That was all. There was a part of her that wanted to scream at the concept of "fate" itself.
If Ruerie felt that much frustration, then what about Wolka?
He had seen far more injustice than she could imagine. He had likely lost more than she could ever compare. He was a man who had been forced to shoulder the ultimate unfairness—the loss of his own eye and leg.
With what kind of heart had he been scolding her back then?
Initially, she had been terrified of him. While not exactly a villainous-looking man, his sharp gaze and stoic demeanor made him appear unapproachable, a feeling amplified by his rugged eyepatch. Even though he had saved her life, Ruerie still hadn't managed to have a proper conversation with him.
But the words and emotions he had hurled at her were burned into her memory like a brand.
Regardless of the circumstances, Ruerie had obeyed those evil men. Even if no one had ultimately been hurt, she had attempted to lead innocent people into a trap. She had done something unforgivable.
And yet, for someone like her, he had fought harder than anyone.
"—Hic... ugh... uuuu...!"
A flood of emotion she couldn't name surged within her, bringing tears to her eyes.
Her chest felt tight with a mixture of pain, sadness, and self-loathing. She was filled with regret and apologies—but beneath it all, there was a strange, mysterious warmth.
Yulitia gently placed her hand over Ruerie’s clenched fist.
"Master is just that kind of person," she said with a small, troubled smile.
In that moment, Ruerie realized the truth about him. It didn't matter if his gaze was sharp or if he was a man of few words. It didn't matter if his eyepatch made him look intimidating.
She wasn't afraid of him anymore.
For the rest of the carriage ride, Ruerie tried her best to talk to him. She felt she had to, at the very least, bridge the gap between herself and the benefactor who had sacrificed so much for her sake.
However, Ruerie had no idea how to talk to a man she wasn't close to, and Wolka was equally terrible at making small talk. At first, their interactions were just a series of brief exchanges followed by heavy silences.
One time:
"Wo-Wolka-san...!"
"Hm?"
"Um... well... the weather is lovely today, isn't it!?"
"...? Yeah, I suppose so."
"..."
"..."
"...Auh."
Another time:
"C-carriage travel is surprisingly tiring, isn't it? Even though we’re just sitting, everything starts to ache."
"That’s true. Let me know whenever you need a break."
"Y-yes!"
"..."
"...Um."
"?"
"............U-uuu."
It went like that over and over again.
In any other situation, Ruerie could have managed a decent conversation, but with Wolka, her entire body turned to stone. Every time they stopped for a break, she would end up hiding behind the carriage, frantically cooling her flushed face and wondering why she was such a disaster.
The first real breakthrough came on the night of the second day. While everyone else was busy setting up camp, Ruerie assisted Wolka in gathering stones for the campfire.
"Wolka-san... why did you save me?"
Yulitia had already told her the reason, but she wanted to hear it from him.
Wolka assembled the stones into a perfect base with practiced ease. "...I guess I just didn't like it."
"What... didn't you like?"
"The... well, the entire situation, I suppose." He spoke as if stating a simple fact of life. "You wouldn't want bad things to happen around you, right?"
That was a perfectly common, ordinary sentiment. No sane person wishes for misery to occur in their presence.
But...
"Just for that... you worked so hard...?"
Did that justify walking straight into a trap? Did it justify forgiving someone whose sister had nearly killed him? Could anyone really risk their life like that for a stranger?
"It wasn't 'just' for that. It’s important to me." Wolka used magic to ignite the logs he’d piled up. "I just... really don't want to see things like that anymore."
(—Ah.)
Ruerie saw his left eye reflecting the flickering red flames, but she realized he was looking at something far away. He wasn't seeing the woods around them; he was looking at a memory he couldn't forget.
I think he’s seen many people like you, Ruerie, since long before I knew him. And... I think there were many he couldn't save.
Yulitia’s words echoed in her mind.
"...I wonder why people like that exist," he muttered.
"Wolka-san..."
He was such a clumsy, precarious man. He could have just ignored a stranger's problems, but he was incapable of living such a calculated life. He had lost too much to ever look away again.
The final blow to her heart had been his words at the Cathedral:
Once your sister wakes up, show me both your healthy faces together. I'll be waiting.
He truly was a troublesome person.
Because he hated the world, because he couldn't stomach the unfairness of reality, and because he didn't want to lose anything else—he would throw his life away for others. He didn't care if he was the one who got hurt, and so he shouldered everything alone.
If he were left to his own devices, he seemed like the type who would eventually collapse in some ditch, covered in scars.
Yet, he hadn't chosen to become this way.
That was why Ruerie decided she would be exactly who he wanted her to be. If it could lighten his burden even a fraction, she would show him her healthiest, happiest self as often as possible. She would stop saying "I'm sorry" and start saying "Thank you." Every single day, for as long as she could.
For the sake of her clumsy, wonderful savior.
I heard that Ruerie’s sister, Shiarie, had finally regained consciousness.
It was the news I’d been waiting for more than anything. Since her condition was stable enough for visitors, we decided to head over to the medical ward. Anze had other business to attend to, so she just gave us the directions before heading off.
The Cathedral Medical Ward was located on the far side of the grounds, past the gardens behind the main chapel. While it wasn't as grand as the Cathedral itself, it was still an impressive structure befitting the heart of the Holy City’s medical care. A stranger might easily mistake it for the Cathedral if they saw it first.
"Ah, Ruerie!"
Yulitia was the first to spot her. Ruerie was busy sweeping near the entrance.
She had traded her adventurer’s robe for a blouse and skirt, holding a broom instead of her staff. She looked like any other ordinary girl, which was probably why I hadn't recognized her at first. She was likely in the middle of the social service Rosche had mentioned. Standing nearby was an Old Sister, presumably her supervisor.
"Hello? ...Ah, everyone!"
Noticing us, Ruerie practically tossed her broom aside and ran over with a bright, innocent smile. The Old Sister looked ready to scold her but hesitated, eventually just sighing and letting it go. I felt a bit bad for interrupting her work.
"Good morning, everyone! Did you come to see us?"
"We did. I heard your sister is awake," Master replied.
Ruerie’s smile widened until it looked like it might burst. "Yes! She woke up last night and she’s already doing great!"
She looked so genuinely happy that I found myself smiling along with her. I was glad to see her doing well. In her current state, she could probably rival Anze in terms of pure, radiant energy.
It was clear how much she loved her sister. As I was enjoying the heartwarming moment, Ruerie made an unexpected offer.
"If you have a moment, would you like to meet her? Actually, Big Sister said she really wanted to meet Wolka-san!"
Wait, me?
I was caught off guard. Not the whole party... but me specifically? Why? I couldn't think of any reason she’d want to see me—
Actually, wait. Maybe she remembered "that time." The moment she had swung her blade at me with every ounce of her strength. She had only been conscious for a minute or so back then, but it must have been a vivid memory.
Regardless, I wanted to see her too. "We were all worried about her."
"Great! Please wait here, I'll—" Ruerie stopped and looked back at the Old Sister with a nervous, hesitant expression. "...W-would it be alright? Just for a few minutes?"
"..."
Ruerie looked like a scolded puppy. The Old Sister reminded me of the one who had cared for me in Luther—a seasoned veteran who clearly didn't tolerate any nonsense. I didn't know the specifics of the rehabilitation program, but it looked like she was being quite firm with Ruerie.
The sister exhaled sharply. "I should say no, as you are in the middle of your duties... however," she adjusted her sharp glasses, "I suppose I can look the other way just this once. Only this once, mind you. You must resume your work the moment the clock strikes noon."
"Th-thank you so much!"
It seemed she wasn't a total tyrant; she’d given her blessing surprisingly easily.
"Sorry for dropping by unannounced," Master said.
"It is quite alright. I have heard the gist of the situation." The sister spoke to Master without any condescension, but then her expression turned serious. "However... please do your best not to mention the events of 'that time.' It is for her well-being."
"...Right. We understand."
Even if she was stable, it had only been a day since she woke up. We needed to be careful not to trigger any traumatic memories. We didn't need a repeat of the awkwardness between Master and Shannon.
"This way!"
Ruerie led us into the ward. Shiarie’s room was on the fourth floor, facing north, with a beautiful view of the harbor and the sea in the distance. Ruerie knocked on the door.
"Big Sister, you have guests!"
“Fugu? Ugu... Fuwaaaa, come in?”
A voice came from inside—one that sounded a lot sloppier than I had expected. I felt a sudden pang of apprehension, but Ruerie, eager to introduce us, threw the door open without a second thought.
"Look, Big Sister! Wolka-san and the others are—"
"...Mugu?"
Total silence.
In these situations, the trope is usually that the person is in the middle of changing clothes, but that wasn't it. In fact, that might have been less embarrassing for her.
Shiarie was eating. A lot.
She was sitting on her bed with a table in front of her piled high with food. Her cheeks were puffed out like a squirrel's, and she was in the middle of shoving a piece of bread into her mouth. It was a display of gluttony so fierce and unrefined that it defied all expectations.
"..."
"..."
Shiarie froze, the bread still halfway in her mouth, like a statue carved in a moment of pure shame.
As for the rest of us, we were all struck by a profound sense of "how on earth are we supposed to react to this?" Well, everyone except Atri, who was rubbing her stomach and whispering, "That looks good..."
Even with Atri’s appetite, she didn't eat with that much raw intensity. This was, without a doubt, the most voracious display of eating I had ever seen from a girl.
"............"
The bread fell from Shiarie’s mouth and landed on her lap with a soft thud.
Ruerie turned to face us. She was wearing a smile that looked like a ticking time bomb.
"I am so sorry. Please wait outside for just one moment."
"A-ah... sure."
She practically pushed us out and slammed the door shut. A moment later, we heard a muffled sound from inside.
Thwack!
"Bwah!? Gofu, ugu—"
It sounded exactly like a paper fan striking someone’s head with full force. Then the shouting began.
“Geho! What was that for, Ruerie!? Violence is never the answer!”
“This is no time for that! You ruined it! You ruined everything! Why are you eating again? It's not even lunch yet!”
“B-but breakfast wasn't enough! Your big sister has a medical condition, okay? Energy deficiency! I have to keep my levels up!”
“Wolka-san saw you! He saw everything!”
“Aaaaaah, you're right! Wait, wait, why is he even here? Why did you bring him now!?”
“I told you! I told you to stay sharp because they might visit! I even knocked before coming in!”
“I didn't think they'd be here so fast! I thought it was the sisters bringing me seconds!”
“There’s no way—you’re telling me you ate all that and already ordered more!?”
The room erupted into more thumping and crashing sounds.
“Just get ready! If we act fast... maybe... maybe we can miraculously pretend that never happened!”
“Right! Got it! Hold on, let me finish this bite first—”
“You and your stomach! This is not the time! Hey, stop that! Moooooooom!”
"""..."""
The four of us stood in the hallway, enveloped in a profoundly awkward atmosphere.
Yulitia fidgeted, her eyes darting around as she tried to find the right words. "Um... do you think we should just... pretend we didn't see that?"
"...Is that even possible?" Atri asked.
"No, that ship has sailed," Master muttered.
I agreed. But hey, at least she was clearly feeling better. Having that much of an appetite a day after waking up was a good sign. We just had to be broad-minded and accept it. We had to try very hard not to think, So this is what Ruerie’s sister is really like...
We waited until the commotion died down. Eventually, the door creaked open about a third of the way, and Ruerie peeked out, looking utterly mortified.
"S-sorry to keep you waiting. Aha... ahahaha..." Her smile was twitching. I could practically hear her internal screaming: Kill me now, she’s ruining my life, why am I related to her, I’m so embarrassed.
"B-Big Sister? Are you ready?"
"Yes."
The voice that answered was calm and elegant—completely different from the one we’d heard a minute ago. I wanted to tell her it was far too late for that.
Urged by a very stiff Ruerie, we entered the room.
The room was now perfectly tidy. A seemingly delicate, fleeting young girl sat on the bed, gazing wistfully at the scenery outside. A gentle breeze blew through the half-open window, softly rustling her violet-colored hair.
"Ah—"
The girl turned toward us with a serene, graceful movement. She lightly touched her hair to keep it from blowing in her face and wore a soft, lovely expression that would have been a masterclass in beauty if we hadn't seen the "squirrel" version five minutes ago.
"You must be... Wolka-san?"
"It’s too late, you know."
"Waaaaah! I knew it! It’s over!"
She collapsed onto the bed, wailing and shaking. The "emotional boy-meets-girl" atmosphere she had tried to manufacture shattered instantly.
And so, here we were.
The girl currently sobbing into her pillow was Shiarie, Ruerie’s older sister. This was the person who, albeit under a misunderstanding, had once tried to kill me with a hellish bloodlust.
"My first impression is ruined... it's over... he knows I eat lunch before lunch even starts... he’s going to think I’m a woman who eats six meals a day... No, I don't eat six! I'm keeping it to five for now! Uwaaaaa!"
Please, just let me think this one thing.
So this is what Ruerie’s sister is really like...