Although the twins were repelled, the pursuers were already approaching.
Multiple hands grabbed at my body, hands filled with hatred and killing intent. Pain shot through where they gripped me. Suddenly, I thought I saw a silver sword at the edge of my vision, and it returned stained red with blood. Philiana had shielded me.
“A-Thank you, Philiana, w-what? Huh?”
I was suddenly pushed away by her. Why, what was going on? My legs were injured, so she shouldn’t be able to walk without support.
“Please take Piyo-chan and Pauline-chan with you.”
“But…”
I had no words to reply. She intended to stay here and hold back the enemy. Running away was impossible; dying was just a matter of time. “Hurry!” her voice was drowned out by the clamor. Piyo and Pauline were looking at me with concern.
Not wanting to see Philiana’s end, I turned my back and ran. I held the two girls by my sides and glanced sideways. Sharin, without even nodding, ran forward.
She met the enemies approaching from the front. She charged even at opponents larger than herself. I knew it wasn’t her usual fighting style. She quickly slashed with her dagger and repelled them, but since they weren’t fatal blows, they got up again immediately.
“Hah, haa, Arisugawa, I’m sorry, I’m staying here. Please, take those two and run. Just those two… ugh…!”
“Hahahaha, we caught you, you beastman! You really did it this time!”
One of the enemies grabbed Sharin and kneed her. He then kicked her as she lay defenseless on the ground.
“Sharin, get up! Hurry!”
Even though I knew it was futile, I couldn’t help but shout. I didn’t want to be separated here; I couldn’t believe this. I thought it would be good to part with smiles, to shake hands and say what a wonderful journey this had been…
“Guaa, it hurts! You savage!”
Sharin, who had been down, thrust her sword into the enemy’s leg.
“A-Arisugawa, run, I’ll be fine. Don’t you trust me?”
I closed my mouth and shook my head. I couldn’t speak; if I did, I felt like I would break down.
“I’ll chase after you later. Nina and Philiana too. Haa, Cecilia too…”
Before she could finish, she rolled on the ground again. She was quickly surrounded by enemies and disappeared from sight. I couldn’t stop here. I forced my stiff legs to move and faced forward. I tightened my grip on the two I was holding. Then I ran, I ran with all my might. Later, someone grabbed my cloak. It was a cloak I received in Philiana’s hometown, the place where I met her. I met Nina on the road as well. When I first put it on, I felt somehow stronger and was happy. Equipment filled with memories of my companions…
“Pauline, untie my cloak.”
Pauline did as she was told and removed the cloth from my shoulder. The hands that were grabbing it let go. I ran and ran, but the lights of the town never appeared. Ahead of me, there was only darkness. It felt like I was surrounded by despair, as if no one would be allowed to escape. Suddenly, with an impact from the side, I was pushed to the ground. But I wasn’t surprised; I knew I would eventually be caught. I instinctively threw the two I was holding forward.
