Christina rushes to her Lord
"Master... are you really going to take Hilda with you?"
"Yes, she herself wishes to do so."
"But... the demon dragon... it resembles the one who killed Hilda's mother..."
"Yes, but she would have had to face this fact sooner or later. So, it might be better that she encounters it while I can support her. Besides, I want to respect her wishes. I don't want to take away her will to confront it."
"Master…”
We joined up with the knights of Lady Razelia’s personal guard and the knights we had taken from Granif Fortress at the makeshift base.
We hurried with them toward the forward Granif Fortress, where our master and others had already gone.
The road from the makeshift base to the fortress was not well maintained.
The carriage jolted violently, but it wasn’t moving as fast as we wanted.
It was frustrating.
Faster, faster.
"Master..."
"Chris, you should sit down..."
"Just as Lapana says. It won't help to fret here. The carriage is moving at its maximum speed. I understand you're worried about the three who went ahead to Granif Fortress, but Christina, now is the time to endure."
Seeing my restlessness despite the fortress still being out of sight, Lapana and Mayurelica were concerned for me.
Huff... As they said, I need to calm down more.
But... thinking about our master, Lady Razelia, and especially the strangely behaving Hilda, I couldn’t help but be anxious.
To force myself to calm down, I gently took a seat on the bench in the carriage's cargo area.
"Thank you, Lapana and Mayurelica. I was... a bit too anxious. By the way, Lapana is one thing, but Mayurelica, were you okay with coming? Master and Lady Razelia said it wasn’t necessary for you to come to Granif Fortress..."
"Well... I've been fighting alongside everyone up to today. It would be too impersonal to leave me behind. Even if I can't be of help in the fight against the demon dragon, I’m sure I can be of assistance to the fortress’s knights. More importantly! It’s my duty to protect Lapana! If Lapana is going into danger, I have to go as well!"
"U... Yes, thank you."
"Lapana! You’re being too formal!"
"Oh, thank you, Mayurelica."
"Yes! That’s the spirit! We are comrades in arms, after all!"
Hehe, Lapana and Mayurelica get along well.
Their interactions are often quite heartwarming.
While Lapana might seem to avoid Mayurelica, calling her ‘...a bit too much’ and steering clear of her, it’s clear she doesn’t dislike her that much.
If she truly disliked it, she would have come to me or Hilda for advice, but she hasn’t once.
Of course, I’ve subtly asked Lapana about her relationship with Mayurelica, and while she’s embarrassed, her response isn’t negative.
Though their relationship started with misunderstandings, it’s clear they are now connecting well.
...Our master seems not too eager to clear up Mayurelica’s misunderstanding, but I guess he is waiting for Lapana to confess that the figure she saw was actually Ashburn-sensei in disguise.
Master is waiting for the timid Lapana to muster up the courage.
He must believe that she needs that one step to move forward.
Now, leaving the matter of the two of them to time and keeping an eye on it, the issue is――――.
"By the way, Havel... you look quite pale. Are you alright?"
I spoke to Havel, who was hunched over in the corner of the carriage, looking green. Until just a moment ago, he had been complaining about being left behind because the carriage was moving too slowly, but now he was strangely quiet.
"Ugh... I feel nauseous."
"Could it be that you’re motion sick?"
"I... I feel like I’m going to throw up..."
"...The shaking is probably causing it... It can’t be helped."
"Really! Is that so? I’m sorry, Havel, but I don’t have any anti-nausea medication with me right now. I believe Lyrica would have some, but she is stationed at the makeshift base..."
Mayurelica gently rubbed Havel's back. However, it seemed like that might make things worse.
As expected, Havel struggled to suppress the rising nausea, holding his mouth tightly.
"I can’t... I’m going to throw up..."
"I-I’m sorry!"
"I, too, unfortunately don’t have any medicine at the moment. ...And Lapana doesn’t have any either. But, Havel, I’m sorry, but we can’t slow down the carriage..."
"Yeah... it’s fine not to slow down. I... I feel terrible and might throw up any moment, but... we need to hurry to Vanitas and the others as soon as possible."
"Havel..."
Havel, forcing a weak smile, showed concern for the master even more than for himself. This was a far cry from the person I first met.
...Havel, too, may have changed somewhat through this training journey.
It’s quite moving.
"Changing the subject... Normally, you call Vanitas ‘master,’ but today is different."
"Huh!? No way... I never said that! Mayurelica, you must be mistaken!"
"No, Havel, you always refer to our master as ‘master.’"
"Really! Christina, too! That’s not true! I would never— I would never refer to Vanitas as... a partner! Right, Lapana, you’ll say I didn’t say that. Right?"
"Havel, don’t scare Lapana. She’s frightened by your outburst."
"Ugh..."
"Havel, you always call our master ‘master,’ but... don’t you realize?"
"No way..."
Havel’s sudden burst of energy was a stark contrast to the earlier signs of illness.
Ah... Well, this relaxed demeanor is typical of Havel, but it’s somewhat disconcerting.
As I marveled at Havel’s quick recovery, a thunderous roar echoed throughout the area.
Then came the jolt that rocked the carriage.
The sudden shaking of the ground startled the horses, making them whinny in alarm.
"W-What was that?!"
"?!"
It was an enormous roar and vibration.
That was...
"It came from the direction of Granif Fortress. Could it be the demon dragon’s doing?"
"It sounded and shook as if something was slammed into the ground. Is it the demon dragon... or Vanitas?"
"Either way, it seems we need to reach Granif Fortress as soon as possible."
I prayed for the safety of our master, Lady Razelia, and... Hildgard while we rushed in the carriage.
Hilde, though older than me, feels like a sister.
Her bright and cheerful demeanor has always been a source of comfort for me.
So, despite knowing her resolve to fight, I can’t help but wish she stays unharmed.
It’s only natural to worry more when I can’t be there myself.
Faster, faster.
Master, Lady Razelia, and Hildgard... Christina is on her way.
Please, stay safe.