Chapter 9

I made an effort to recount the events as briefly as possible, without letting my emotions show.

"Well, well... I had heard the story of the Holy Knight and the Holy Maiden from the merchants who come and go... but I never imagined there were such hidden circumstances. What a farce, to call it the blessing of a goddess. It's a story that leaves one speechless."

Barbara frowned and sighed.

Dorf had a troubled look on his face, gazing into the distance as if deep in thought.

On the other hand, Gilbert suddenly looked dejected.

"I'm sorry, Flora, my question was too hasty."

"No, it's not something that can be hidden forever. ...Besides, it's only natural to be drawn to the Holy Maiden who supported you from the side rather than a wife who prays in a safe place and is of no use."

Saying this myself is bitter and self-deprecating, but it is the truth. If it were to be spoken as a rumor by someone unknown, I might as well speak of it first. Perhaps I am being too pessimistic.

"Long expeditions can make even the most honorable men stray. It's a shameful thing, but it does happen. However, no matter how great the achievements, it's not something that can be excused."

After saying this in a calm voice, Gilbert looked straight into my eyes and continued.

"Besides, you want the people you care about to be in a safe place. Many knights carry swords to protect. Moreover, to have someone always praying for your safety is a knight's greatest reward. There is no flaw in you."

His words, spoken so firmly, made my eyes well up with tears.

Then Gilbert looked up at the ceiling and sighed as if regretting something.

"If I were still active, I would have given them a stern warning before it came to this..."

– Not an active knight?

I was surprised, but Gilbert smiled wryly.

"About two years ago, I got my dominant arm injured on the battlefield. The treatment was delayed, and I couldn't hold a sword anymore, so I retired."

Despite his young age and still well-built physique, he didn't look like someone who had retired. I could imagine that losing the ability to wield a sword as a knight must have been a painful past.

However, Gilbert continued his story as if it were nothing.

"Even if I can't use sword skills as a knight, I can still fight to some extent. I was pretending to be a mercenary, but recently, a former superior, who was like a mentor to me, got involved in a very reckless battle. I wanted to go and help, so I came here to seek out old Dorf."

Dorf, who had been silent all along, moved his eyebrows and sighed, looking troubled.

"Hey, Gilbert, even if you can't use a sword, using an axe is a simple matter, you know."

Gilbert laughed in a playful manner to avoid the topic, then turned serious and looked at me again.

"I heard the story of the Holy Knight's wife from him. ...He said that, prioritizing the battle situation, he turned a blind eye, and as a result, an innocent woman was made unhappy. Given his position, he can't easily go and apologize... No, I might be causing you trouble by saying this from my mouth..."

I shook my head.

Thinking of the battlefield where one faces terrifying undead beasts, I can understand that it's not a situation where idealistic words can solve everything. Perhaps I had already come to terms with it during my time in the capital.

"I no longer have any feelings of resentment towards anyone."

That's all I said.

Now, rather –

When Gilbert said that there was no flaw in me, it felt as if the heaviest and most painful chain inside me had been broken.

Barbara came over and hugged me, stroking my head.

"So, you came here to say goodbye because you're leaving the capital, Flora?"

After a moment, Dorf asked in a gentle voice.

"...Yes. We have been divorced, but I can't erase the precious memories of the past."

In those distant days, the sword that Dorf made for me was always there. Dorf smiled warmly, understanding my gratitude, and nodded.

"By the way, Flora, if you're not in a hurry to leave, would you make duck soup for dinner like old times?"

"That's a great idea!"

Barbara and Dorf looked at me with hopeful eyes. I was a bit surprised but nodded without hesitation.

Perhaps because I had been bound by the words that I could only pray and had been tormented by my own powerlessness, it felt very uplifting to be needed by others. It was a feeling I hadn't experienced in a long time.

"Ah, to get a taste of that duck soup!"

Even Gilbert, standing behind, had a gleam in his eyes.

However, Dorf's expression suddenly turned serious as he turned to Gilbert.

"By the way, Gilbert, you said something that can't be ignored just now?"

Gilbert, who was called out, looked uncomfortable and his eyes darted around.

"I let it slide in front of Flora earlier... You said you were going to start working as a lumberjack alongside being a mercenary, right? ...So, you were planning to go to the battlefield with that body of yours?"

After fumbling with his words, Gilbert shrank back like a scolded child.