It caused Delania to explode with the magic power Piyo had left behind.
I chased after Auroa, leaving the maddened Delania behind. Elana, having exhausted her power, slumped down, unable to stand and walk on her own. So, I had to carry her on my back.
“Pauline, are you there?”
“…Yes.”
Pauline was still tightly clutching the sword Philiana had left behind. Finally, even Piyo was gone. Ah, now that I think about it, she had said she wanted to study after this journey was over. That, too, would no longer come true.
…Is she really gone? I can’t quite grasp it. It’s as if she’ll appear just behind me if I look back right now. I can almost hear Philiana and Nina talking. Why must girls with their whole lives ahead of them die for the sake of a single man like me?
The more I think about it, the more anger and regret well up inside me like magma. It’s directed at Auroa, and also at myself. I might be more useful than when I first came to this world, but in the end, it’s not me who’s disappearing like this.
I’m always just standing still, waiting behind everyone else. No, don’t get weak. If I’m timid like this again, Cecilia will be disappointed. If I’ve resolved to fight, I must see it through to the end.
I readjusted my grip on Elana, whom I was carrying on my back. She might be light compared to us, but she still has considerable weight. I can’t support her with my cold, numb arm.
“Hey, Elana. Can you hold on a little yourself?”
Her foreleg dangled loosely on my shoulder. Her palms were reddened and oozing blood, and several of her fingernails had been torn off. Her body was battered from repeated, intense battles. Her beautiful wings had also been burned away.
“Hellooo, you’re heavy~”
I shook her gently. I wish she wouldn’t fall asleep on someone’s back. I’m already struggling quite a bit.
“Elana, are you listening? If you don’t hold on, I’ll drop you.”
“…”
“My hands are at their limit. My fingertips are so cold I can’t grip anything.”
“…”
“I’m really going to drop you, you know.”
“…”
Has she fallen asleep for real? This is troublesome. Since I want her to fight for me later, perhaps I should let her rest a little here. I probably won’t even be able to touch Auroa myself. For now, only Veronica, Sharin, and Elana are capable of fighting properly.
“I have no choice. Just for a little while. Pauline, I’m sorry, but could you support me from behind?”
“Give me your weapon.”
Elana’s voice, barely audible near my ear. It was so quiet, I almost mistook it for the sound of the wind.
“Huh? What? My weapon? What about it?”
Then Elana unhooked herself from my back on her own. And she lay down on the cold ground with a thud.
“What are you doing? It’s fine if you sleep on my back.”
“Lend me your sword.”
What about my dagger? For the time being, I did as she said and drew my sword.
“What about this?”
“Near, hold it sideways.”
Again, I brought the dagger closer to Elana as she’d instructed. Then she took a deep breath and blew. The dully gleaming iron blade glowed red as if heated. I could even feel the warmth transmitting to my hand as she held it.
Elana’s long breath eventually dyed the tip of the blade red.
“Wow, this is, could it be?”
“Yes. Win. Hero, Arisugawa Hiroaki.”
And with those words, Elana closed her eyes and laid her head down.
“Elana? Hey! Snap out of it, wait, what is this, this is insane! Are you telling me to fight?!”
I roughly shook her limp body. Her body was already cold. As if she had just breathed her last moments ago.
“This is insane… Why, why me? If I had slept a little longer, I would have recovered. I…”
‘Why? Because you’re the weakest. You wouldn’t be able to fight otherwise.’
I could almost hear a sarcastic answer returning. It might have been her very last breath. She probably knew her life was ending now.
The dagger remaining in my palm glowed a faint red, as if Elana’s life resided within it. It looked like a small sun in this extremely cold world.
I sheathed it and stood up. And began to walk. The ceaseless snow was erasing my footprints. But it’s not a problem; that man will surely be ahead.
And he’s alone now. Since he’s lost his last subordinate. Just thinking that made my feet move forward naturally.
