The group decided to head to their next destination, Zetsuky, with the cooperation of the Elf tribe.
I called out to Pauline, who was sitting a little distance away.
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
“Ah, Hiroaki. It’s… nothing.”
But she didn’t look like it was nothing at all.
“Is something bothering you? I’ll listen if you want.”
I crouched down beside Pauline.
“Um, I know this sounds strange, but… I stabbed someone during the battle.”
I wondered if she meant the fight with the Dark Elves.
“Someone? Pauline, did you fight with someone?”
“No, I didn’t fight them, but Hiroaki was being attacked, and I just… I thrust my weapon at him without thinking. I know I had to do it, but I can’t forget the sensation of piercing him.”
Could it be that Pauline was the one who saved us that time?
“I… I came on this journey wanting to be brave like everyone else, but I always seem to cause trouble… I’ll always be a coward like this.”
Just as I was about to tell her that wasn’t true, Nina cut in.
“Are you planning to keep coming with us like this? If you can’t handle it, you should just go home.”
“Hey, Nina, why do you always talk like that? Everyone feels things differently.”
Nina crossed her arms and glared at Pauline.
“Look, I’m saying that if things get tougher ahead, this attitude will be a problem. Don’t cry over every little thing like stabbing someone! So? What do you want to do?”
Pauline’s eyes welled up with tears as she looked at Nina with a troubled expression. It was true, if she only complained, she might not be able to continue.
She glanced at Piyo beside her. However, Piyo remained silent, saying nothing.
“I… I still want to travel with everyone! I’m always a burden, but I’ve never had this much fun in my life. It’s the first time I’ve wanted to do something for someone else…!”
“Then you should just do that.”
Nina casually said, turning her upper body back.
“Huh? But… I can’t fight like everyone else, and, well, I always get in the way. If I hadn’t been there that time, Hiroaki wouldn’t have gotten injured in the shoulder.”
“Not everyone needs to be able to fight, you know. In fact, this guy here has had his life saved by you twice.”
Saying that, Nina pointed at me. I wanted to say something, but it was the truth, so I couldn’t argue back, despite feeling embarrassed.
“Twice? Is that right?”
“The first time you were almost burned to a crisp by a dog, and the second time was when that guy you mentioned attacked you. I didn’t see it, but I assume it was something like that, right?”
Though I didn’t say it out loud, if Pauline hadn’t come then, I would have been split in half from the center, not just injured in the shoulder.
Piyo, who had been listening beside us, spoke up.
“Besides, recklessness and bravery are different. When Piyo first started, I rushed in without thinking and caused a lot of trouble for Hiro. So, I think it’s okay to do your best with what you can do.”
Pauline smiled at Piyo’s words. I was relieved to see she had completely regained her spirits.
