Chapter 32

---

The next morning. When I woke up, Arnold was already out of the mansion.

I hurriedly got ready, thinking he might have gone to work early, but at the dining table, Emilianna and one other person—Aleks, or rather, one of the Platonvena branch's alchemists, Vilma—greeted me.

She smiled and explained, "Arnold left early with Aleks."

Left with Aleks. From those words, I could guess...

"Monster hunting, perhaps?"

"No, patrol."

I hadn't heard anything about this. Arnold, of course, and Aleks had made no such remarks during last night's dinner or any other time.

Perhaps it was sudden. Maybe a group of monsters appeared near the town last night or early this morning, and they went out on patrol.

Feeling confused, I turned my gaze to Emilianna. She looked pale and smiled apologetically. Seeing her expression, I realized she must be worried about Aleks.

I couldn't say, "It's okay." So, I just smiled and nodded.

Monsters often appear around this town, Platonvena. Even on patrol, there's a high chance of encountering them. To put it in a meta way, Platonvena is a region visited in the late stages of the game. Naturally, the monsters here are strong. If encountered, there's a good chance of getting injured, or in the worst case—

Suddenly, Wake's face flashed in my mind.

He lost his right eye. If I had handled things better, that future might have been changed. That regret grows every time I think about it.

I haven't met Wake yet. I plan to visit him when I return from this business trip. No, I must.

"---What's your relationship with Arnold?"

Caught off guard by the sudden question, I blinked several times.

Vilma, seeing my frozen state, deepened her smile and spoke again.

"Well, it just seems like Arnold thinks very highly of you."

Vilma's eyes were narrowed in amusement.

I recognized that curious gaze. The image of my boss with his messy hair came to mind.

Swallowing the sigh that almost escaped, I took a sip of soup and slowly opened my mouth.

"What do you mean by 'relationship'... He's my senior. I've met him a few times before becoming a royal alchemist... but that's all."

I wondered why Casper and Vilma were asking such questions.

While we did share a common goal regarding Elvira, I didn't think that made us close. We were always just senior and junior, and there was always a distance between us.

From the outside, we didn't seem particularly close. We had minimal conversation and only acted together when necessary. The more I thought about it, the more it seemed like a mystery.

"Have you known Arnold for a long time, Vilma?"

Trying to change the subject, I asked Vilma. When I first visited Platonvena, she and Arnold seemed to be old acquaintances.

Vilma nodded in response to my question.

"I was Arnold and Lina's instructor."

Surprised by the unexpected answer, I put down the bread I was holding and leaned forward, waiting for her next words.

"They were quite stubborn kids. They wouldn't listen to their seniors' advice, not even crack a smile! ...Though, that might still be true."

Vilma's lips curved into a smile. I couldn't help but laugh.

I knew a little about Arnold's apprentice days—when he was 14—since I accompanied him for the royal alchemist exam.

Even then, he had lost much of his cuteness, and apparently, it was the same in front of his seniors. In a way, he was a man who didn't disappoint.

I recalled Arnold's sullen, slightly younger face.

"But he worked incredibly hard. Everyone called Arnold a genius, and I think that's true, but he put in a lot of effort. I'm sure he still does."

Her voice was very gentle. Though different in tone, it reminded me of Mercedes' caring voice.

Vilma looked at me with her straightforward eyes, which made me feel uncomfortable, and I averted my gaze.

"...Why are you telling me this?"

"Maybe there are things only a genius boy and a genius girl can understand."

"Genius boy" and "genius girl."

The words Vilma used made me think of someone.

"...Did Casper say something to you?"

"You got it."

Nodding without hesitation, Vilma made me slump my shoulders. I didn't know what connection Vilma had with Casper, but it seemed he had put some ideas in her head.

"Well, let's go."

Smiling apologetically at my exhausted expression, Vilma stood up. I followed, and Emilianna immediately stood up as well, saying, "I'll see you to the door."

We walked down the wide corridor, past the large entrance, and stopped at the gate, where Emilianna waved goodbye. As we walked, chatting about trivial things, the impressive branch office came into view. Just then—

A woman's scream pierced my eardrums.

"Scream...!?"

I turned toward the source of the voice, probably near the town's entrance.

My mind raced to find the reason for the sudden scream. No, there was almost only one possible answer.

—Monster attack.

Vilma grabbed my arm. I was rooted to the spot in fear, and she pulled me back with a strong grip.

"Monsters!"

A man's voice nearby confirmed it.

—Monsters.

The word made my head spin. I needed to ensure my safety, so I looked around.

The soldiers who were so noticeable yesterday were strangely sparse. One soldier ran in a certain direction, likely where the monsters were. That direction was exactly where we were heading, toward the branch office.

If so, we should run in the opposite direction.

As I hesitated, the screams grew closer. Not only that, but the roars of the monsters were also getting closer.

I grabbed Vilma's arm and tried to run, but she planted her feet firmly and shook off my hand.

I turned back in a panic. Vilma had a determined, resolute expression.

"There must be injured people; I need to deliver healing potions!"

That judgment was proud and appropriate for a royal alchemist, but it was far too dangerous for a woman. There were probably monsters where she was heading.

I foolishly ran after her retreating back, driven by the urge to bring her to safety. My rational judgment was clouded by the feeling that I had to do something. I thought I could catch up and bring her back quickly, as if it was necessary.

—More than anything, I had a bad feeling. Her back reminded me of Wake, whom I hadn't seen that day.

What a foolish thing to do. The best course of action was to return to the mansion together. I should have grabbed her hand again.

—But I realized my mistake, foolishly, only when I heard the roar of a beast from behind.

I didn't know when it had circled around. A medium-sized, sharp-toothed beast-type monster was glaring at me.

"Run!"

Two soldiers appeared from nowhere and charged at the monster. They were easily swatted away. Seeing them curl up in pain, I was relieved they weren't dead.

But then, the beast's eyes locked onto me as prey. My spine froze, and I couldn't move my feet, even though I knew I had to run.

—Oh, I'm going to die.

My brain, in a strange way, recalled six years ago. The day Lukas awakened as a hero, and I, as "me."

Yes, I was only 8 then. It's been six years already. Since then, I've aimed to become a royal alchemist—so I wouldn't be a losing heroine, so I could leave the village.

The smiles of my parents, Lukas, my master, and the people of Eme village flashed in my mind. The days I spent were vividly remembered, and I thought, "So this is what they call a life flashing before your eyes."

Was this the fate of Laura Ampere in this world, to be killed by a monster without a fight? Was the hero's childhood friend, who didn't fall for the hero, unnecessary in this world—"Last Brave"?

At the very least, I wanted to resolve the Elvira issue. No, more selfishly, I wanted to see Lukas save this world.

A dry smile appeared on my lips.

The monster approached in slow motion, and that moment felt eternal.

Lukas' scream from that day echoed in my ears. I would surely make him sad. Please, may the death of a childhood friend not leave a scar on the gentle hero's heart—

I bowed my head, imagining the monster's fangs piercing my body, and curled up tightly.

"Ampere—!"

A voice that split my eardrums.

I felt a sudden, intense heat at my nose, as if something had burned right in front of me. It was so hot that my face might have been burned.

A thud sounded as something fell to the ground. Puzzled by the lack of pain, I opened my eyes to see the monster that had bared its fangs at me now charred black in front of me.

—Why?

Confusion came before joy.

As I stared dumbfounded at the charred meat, I sensed someone's presence. Lifting my head weakly, I saw—

"...Are you alright?"

Arnold, shielding his right arm, was panting and looking at me.