*Thump.*
The secret art, released with a light sound, was slowly absorbed by Ernesta, protected by a vortex of wind. Neither the gale nor the barrier of wind, nor Ernesta’s own body, could obstruct the arrow. The Demonic Arrow pierced cleanly through the center of her chest, emerging from her back. Sticking to the arrowhead was a mass of black mist that hadn’t been there when it was fired.
Pfeil, who had narrowed his eyes to follow the arrow’s trajectory, was certain that the black mist was a curse technique. The Demonic Arrow, as its name suggests, has the effect of dispelling curses. It is the most difficult secret art wielded by eastern shrine maidens, one that purifies only the demonic without inflicting any harm on the physical body.
What had been controlling Ernesta was a curse technique, something that belonged to the realm of demons. Pfeil had prepared for this the moment he learned that there was a jutsushi among their enemies. He had tried to master a secret art he couldn’t obtain before, though imperfectly, within the limited time he had. During the training he imposed on himself, Ernesta’s face would come to mind. Then, he found he could grasp the secret art he had never been able to use before.
The arrow he released here was a gamble, but he believed in it. He believed he could save Ernesta Kaif. It was a conviction bordering on a wish, uncharacteristic of an assassin. Yet, he followed that intuition. It was the only way to save her. For her sake, he would have captured the jutsushi and subjected them to unimaginable torture to make them dispel the curse. But time was of the essence. He wanted to save Ernesta before she was destroyed by the curse.
And he succeeded. The arrow, having shot through the curse technique, exited Ernesta’s body and struck a large tree standing behind her. Instantly, a flash of magic power erupted in a ring centered on the tree. Sensing that the blinding light and overpowering magic power were fearful, Pfeil, without panicking at this unexpected turn of events, kicked off the ground. He scooped up the stunned, bewildered Ernesta and deployed multiple barriers.
The next moment, a piercing band of light swept through the surroundings. It indiscriminately cleared away the earth, trees, the remains of buildings, fallen humans, and the lingering gale and remnants of magic power with brute force. It shattered several barriers, which Pfeil had erected with the expectation of depleting all his magic power. In the end, only the last barrier remained, protecting Pfeil and Ernesta in his arms, while the entire surrounding area was reduced to a wasteland.
“…I need to improve this.”
Pfeil, having exhausted all his magic power, gasped for breath, astonished by the sheer recklessness of the secret art he had unleashed.
“Ugh… Pfa-ile…”
“How are you feeling?”
Ernesta, who had temporarily lost consciousness, opened her eyes. He breathed a sigh of relief and spoke to her, and tears welled up in her eyes.
“I… I didn’t want to do that. It wasn’t how I truly felt.”
“I know.”
“Even regarding my older brother, I resented him sometimes, but I never wished for his death!”
“It’s okay. I understand. Ernesta wouldn’t think such things. Your painful memories and emotions were merely amplified in a negative direction by the curse technique.”
“Because of me… everyone was inconvenienced. I can’t believe Olivier got taken hostage by the rebels.”
Judging by her state, she remembered everything. Ernesta, sobbing and ashamed of her actions, no longer showed any signs of the curse technique’s influence.
“No one will blame you. It’s all the fault of the one who cast the curse. For now, please just worry about yourself. You must have used an unreasonable amount of magic power. Even if it doesn’t show now, it will have some effect somewhere eventually.”
“But… how can I make amends?”
“There’s no need to make amends. Everyone in that mansion is waiting for Ernesta’s safe return. All you have to do is show them that you are safe and well.”
Tears streaming down her face, Ernesta nodded. She likely wasn’t entirely convinced. Even if she was controlled, it was natural to feel guilt if she remembered her actions. This could only be remedied by time and by seeing for herself that Jared and Olivier were safe.
“It’s alright now. Let’s go home, Ernesta.”
He gently embraced her trembling body. He held her with deliberate care, as if handling something fragile. Her sobs intensified, turning into wails.
“Cry now. Let your tears wash everything away.”
If it would stop Ernesta’s tears, he would hold her like this forever. Pfeil held her tighter, as if to protect the woman he had just saved.
***
“It’s okay now. Thank you, Pfeil.”
“It’s nothing.”
Ernesta’s eyes were red and swollen from crying so much. Able to hold her no longer, though with reluctance, Pfeil gently released his arms.
“I could hear your voice the whole time. You were hurt so badly for me. I’m sorry.”
“I just wanted to save you. There’s no other reason. You don’t need to apologize. I am supremely satisfied with this outcome.”
“Um, well, you see, I heard everything. That you… that you love me. …Is it true?”
Ernesta felt a faint blush creep up her cheeks. Relieved that she was no longer in danger, he continued.
“My feelings are as you heard them. I have always felt comfortable being with you. I desperately wanted to save you when you were being controlled. If I were to put a name to that strong feeling, it would be love.”
Ernesta, whose face had become flushed, now felt her neck growing hot at Pfeil’s earnest confession, delivered with a straight face and without an ounce of shame. The straightforwardness of his feelings, almost to the point of foolishness, began to warm her chest, which had been heavy with sorrow and pain.
“I have only stated my feelings. I do not ask anything of you. I am happy as long as Ernesta Kaif is smiling.”
Those words were a killing blow. Emotions that she couldn’t put into words surged through Ernesta’s heart like a tsunami. She had experienced so much pain, sorrow, and regret. She had felt so pathetic, on the verge of tears multiple times while being controlled. At one point, she had even wished for death. She felt so utterly helpless that she hesitated to even ask for help.
But now, she felt an unparalleled happiness. There was a boy who loved her with unwavering devotion. That alone was enough to heal her wounded heart.
“Thank you, Pfeil. I love you too.”
Ernesta, filled with gratitude, and harboring the same sense of security and comfort with him, along with unspoken emotions, was finally able to name those feelings for the first time today.
