CH 138

[Apology]

“I can just depend on Finn— so I selfishly decided and kept on relying on you until the day you broke up our relationship. I had been misunderstanding things, thinking that since Finn and I have special relationship, everything is going to be fine, no matter what happens. But I was completely wrong. I didn’t realize that I was no longer a kid— I couldn’t keep getting spoiled, yet I did just that. So it couldn’t be helped that you grew tired of me. It shocked even me at just how stupid I was.” (Al)

“No… Protecting you was something I had to do, Alfine… That was what I promised…” (Frick)

The false image of the egoist and selfish Sword Saint Alfine that I created disappears; in front of me is just a frail girl who is afraid of loneliness.

“Finn, you are wrong there. Just as I abandoned the name Alfine, you also have decided to live as Frick, haven’t you?” (Al)

“Y-yeah. That’s true, but… In that case, Alfine will…” (Frick)

End up being all alone…

Since we had been living together like a family since we were born, I know for a fact that she’s bad at socializing.

Even since I met Noelia at Youg Hannotes, to where I ran away, I’ve been wondering what my feelings for Alfine were.

We had lived together as childhood friends, as partners, as lovers, but the answer that I came to was that she was my family.

To me, she was like a younger sister or an older sister.

A person of opposite sex that’s the closest to me— that’s what Alfine was inside my heart.

Alfine, wiping her cheeks that has been soaked with tears, changes her expression to one that’s overflowing with confidence.

“No need to worry. Finn, you’ve done enough. During this journey, I came to realize that there are people other than you who are worried about me; there’s even a reliable little girl among them. I’m no longer lonely, you know. So, rest your mind and follow the path of your choice.” (Al)

“Alfine…” (Frick)

Alfine, who nods as though saying ‘don’t worry’, rises up from the sofa and sits on her knees on the floor.

“Also, this is something I have to do to live as Al, so please don’t stop me.” (Al)

Saying that, Alfine pushes her head against the floor.

“I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for the countless harsh remarks, selfishness, and absurd demands that I posed on you, Finn— my childhood friend and my most reliable partner. I don’t think the deep wounds that I’ve left on you can be forgiven, so I swear I won’t appear in front of you ever again. I deeply apologize.” (Al)

“What are you doing! Alfine! You don’t need to apologize! I was the one in the wrong! It’s because I was weak!” (Frick)

“I’m sorry, Finn. This is my last and most selfish act as Alfine. But since this is the last, I hope you can let it slide, I’m sorry.” (Al)

“I said, you don’t need to!” (Frick)

After pushing her head against the floor silently for a while, Alfine raises her face.

On it is the look of neither the girl who is afraid of loneliness, nor the selfish childhood friend, nor the egocentric Sword Master, but Al who has resolved herself to live as an adventurer.

“Al-sama, I am sorry. I am sorry. If it wasn’t for me…” (Noelia)

“I told you, it’s okay. Take care of Frick-san for me, alright? There are many other things that I have yet to teach you, Noelia, but, you’ve got down all the basics. He’s a very kind person, so I believe the more famous he is, the more people that will come to like him. That goes for both men and women. So, you absolutely must never let your guard down. It’s only because it’s you that I can set my mind at ease entrusting him to someone else, Noelia.” (Al)

“Al-sama… I am truly sorry…” (Noelia)

“The frontier count’s daughter who will stand next to Frick-san can’t make that kind of anxious face.” (Al)

Alfine points at the tip of the nose of Noelia, who has tears in the corner of her eyes.

I did hear that the two have gotten along well, but looking at them now, they seem more like a pair of besties.

“I got it. I will do my best so as not to embarrass Frick-sama when I stand next to him.” (Noelia)

“I’m sure Frick-san loves you as you are, though. Just be confident and don’t overstretch yourself. The natural Noelia is the best.” (Al)

“Y-yes.” (Noelia)

Alfine, having encouraged the teary-eyed Noelia, turns to me and bows her head deeply again.

“Frick-san, I wish you and Noelia happiness. I will push on the path I’ve chosen as the adventurer Al.” (Al)

I was familiar with that face. It was the face Alfine made when she was doing her best putting up a brave front.

Just how long does she think we had been together for her to try fooling me.

As I see Alfine turns her back on me, trying to leave the room, and about to stop her, the outside of the mansion suddenly becomes noisy.

When I open the window and look out, I see a knight riding a wyvern trying to land on the courtyard.

Given his light clothing, is he a messenger?

He seems to be in a great rush, though; I wonder what happened.

When the knight, having landed, sees Lloyd, he hands him the letter he is carrying very carefully while conveying the contents of the message in a loud voice.

“Lloyd-sama! From Meiss-sama at Youg Hannotes! We have lost contact with the adventurers who were entrusted with keeping a lookout at the Abyss Hole! There are many reports of sightings of Abyss Walkers in the vicinity of Youg Hannotes! Meiss-sama has decided to house the villagers of the surrounding villages, and close the gates of Youg Hannotes. For more information, please refer to this letter! Please send reinforcements as soon as possible!”

I hear the voice of the messenger knight through the opened window.

It’s Vigo! I’m sure Vigo has made his move!

There is no definite information, but I’m sure that by gaining total control of Abyss Hole, he plans to open the door in that humongous hole and cause the second Great Invasion.

I have no doubt that he has Abyss Walkers to keep check on Youg Hannotes so that he doesn’t get disturbed.

“Frick-sama.” (Noelia)

“Frick-san.” (Al)

“Looks like we have an emergency.” (Frick)

We immediately go to the courtyard where Lloyd is.