第１９６掘：伝説は始まらずに終わる (Part2)
"……Ah, I see. But even if you can read minds, why is what I'm thinking about just a flashback of everything that happened until now?"
"I suppose it’s looping. You know, like a panoramic view of one's life? That thing where you see everything you've done the moment you're about to die."
"Ah, so that’s it."
"You were practically at death's door, after all. It was pretty gruesome, wasn't it? When I found you."
"Yeah, no kidding. It was a miracle. You were cut in half, but the debris from the collapse actually acted as a tourniquet."
He’s being modest, as usual. Even though he casually reattached that severed upper and lower body, along with the torn-off arms and legs, using recovery magic.
"Still, it’s a happy miscalculation that Labyris could read her mind. It seems this Holy Sword, regardless of its authenticity, is recognized as something distinct from a Demon Sword."
Yuki said this while using his belt to gingerly lift the Holy Sword, still inside its scabbard. Since the truth about its magical properties remains unclear, people like us—who possess high levels and vast amounts of magical power—are forbidden from wielding Demon Swords or Holy Swords. Naturally, that goes double for Yuki, who has the highest magical capacity in Weed.
" " "OOOHHH!!!" " "
As we were talking, cheers erupted from within the fortress.
"Looks like the suppression of the fortress was a success."
"It seems so. However, thanks to Labyris, we know the enemy reinforcements will arrive in three days to lay siege. What will you do about that?"
"Come to think of it, Jessica is right. What are we going to do from here?"
As Jessica pointed out, the enemy will arrive in three days and realize the fortress has fallen.
"Hmm, that depends on the policy of the Princess and the others, but if the fortress has fallen, I expect they’ll turn back immediately. They don't have the strength to assault a fortress, and the fact that their Holy Sword wielder was defeated is a major blow. If they’re capable of rational judgment, I don't think they’d launch an offensive against an opponent who could defeat a Holy Sword wielder without a proper plan."
"Indeed..."
Jessica nodded in agreement. Based on what I read from Light’s mind, she was the pillar of this battle, so I suspect the enemy will retreat without attacking.
For now, I climbed up Yuki’s body and returned to my perch on his shoulders.
"……Labyris. This is a battlefield, you know."
"It’s fine. If you’re going to say that, you should tell the two hanging off your arms, too."
At that, Aslin and Firia, who were dangling from his arms, teared up.
"I-if I'm in the way, Brother..."
"If you want me to get down, Brother..."
The two of them hung their heads, their voices dejected.
"I didn't say you were in the way, but make sure you let go if things get dangerous, alright?"
" "Okay!" "
Yup. As expected of those two.
"Haa, but this feels kind of awkward, doesn't it?"
"What do you mean? The operation was a grand success. We captured the Holy Sword wielder and seized the Holy Sword. You could say it couldn't have gone better, couldn't you?"
Jessica replied to Yuki’s mutterings. But that wasn't what Yuki meant by "awkward."
"That’s not it, Jessica. Yuki is talking about the Holy Sword wielder’s memories."
"The ones from earlier? This Holy Sword wielder thought things through carefully, not just relying on her own power but understanding the situation well and utilizing those around her. I wouldn't call it awkward; as someone who leads soldiers, I can only praise her. I’d say she was just unlucky with her opponent."
Jessica really is a bit thick-headed. I chuckled and decided to explain the part Yuki found awkward.
"That’s not what he finds awkward. It’s the talk of the 'legend' being recreated or returning, which she and the King of Enaria were going on about."
"Eh?"
"It’s awkward, isn't it? After all that grand buildup, the result is a defeat right at the start. It doesn't exactly look like one of those stories where the hero loses, runs away, and comes back stronger, does it?"
"……The story effectively ended at the very beginning, then."
"Right? Awkward, isn't it?"
"……It is awkward. Though, it would be troublesome if she actually beat us, and there was no logical way she could have won anyway. It’s not so much awkward as it is becoming pitiful."
"Hey, don't say that. That’s why I’m just calling it awkward."
"But she’s been freed from her duties as a Holy Sword wielder, so isn't it up to her now?"
"I hope so. But this type of person views their mission as their destiny, so I hope it doesn't turn into something troublesome."
"That’s why I said it’s awkward. It’s like turning the protagonist of a story into a random passerby A."
"Are you saying that if we hadn't been here, she surely would have been the protagonist?"
And so, we cast awkward glances at the Holy Sword wielder who was supposed to be the protagonist.
Yes, awkward.
We couldn't afford to lose, and it’s not like she lacked talent—she squeezed out every ounce of power and wisdom she had. It’s just that we were far beyond her, and she wasn't the one meant to weave this story.
" " "Somehow, I'm sorry." " "
That was all we could say.
Can you understand this feeling?
If Yuki and the others hadn't been here, she surely would have been the protagonist of the story!!
With her as the heroine, traveling with a protagonist from another world, collecting Holy Swords, overcoming countless hardships...
The protagonist might have been forced to choose between returning to their original world or staying in the second half... things like that might have happened!!
But the legend ends without ever beginning!!