Chapter 40

When Fiart La Borgograd woke up, no one was there.

Lying on the familiar bed, Fiart’s eyelids blinked several times. The scene was as usual. No one was in the room, only scattered experimental equipment and piles of books. Her mind was hazy, and she felt a bit unsteady.

Perhaps, it was just a dream. This thought arose in Fiart’s heart without any context, as the scene before her black eyes was too familiar. A universal scene, an unchanged morning. Yes, that’s right. There should be no one. No one would risk their life for me. What a ridiculous dream. I must be strong, I must be strong.

It must have been a mistake to go to the guild for a request. I must have deluded myself, thinking that it would open up a new world.

Fiart lowered her black eyes and let out a sigh to calm her thoughts. It was hasty. She had gone out into the outside world through the guild, and in that moment, she had let her emotions get the better of her, leading to a foolish and rash decision.

As someone not born in a city-state, she could not use the official mage guild. The mage guild was meant to nurture the mages of Galuamaria and benefit the state. Someone like Fiart was not their target.

So, it was as usual. Today, as usual, her daily routine would begin. She would meet with Hert Stanley, attend the magic lecture, and work on her research. That’s all. That’s all, yet why. Why is my heart so empty? Despite everything being the same as usual. Why is my heart trembling with pain?

Her feet wouldn’t move towards the academy, nor to the meeting place with Hert. For the first time, Fiart skipped the magic lecture. No one noticed. No one cared about such a trivial matter.

“What am I doing...”

Bowing her head, words slipped from Fiart’s lips. She curled her toes and aimlessly wandered around the city. There was nothing. There could be nothing. But something in her heart was crying out for something missing.

I don’t want to go back, I don’t want to return to that daily life. My heart is tearing, wanting to break free and go outside. I am belittled, looked down upon, and my opinions are never respected. I don’t want to return to such a daily life.

But I have nothing. It was all a dream, just a dream, Fiart whispered to herself. I’ve done Hert wrong. He was there until I woke up. I need to apologize and ask him to help with the research again.

Because, Hert Stanley is the only one who does something for me.

Shaking her black hair and letting out a deep sigh, her feet naturally headed towards the large gate leading outside. Like being led by a daydream, Fiart leaned against the stone gate and looked out.

This is the place. In the dream, this is where I met that man. And then, and then.

Fiart’s large, black eyes widened even more. A figure dressed in new green clothes, a large barrel swaying, heading towards the slums.

The continuation of the dream was there.

*

“Just as you say, a meeting of villains, this is—how to embrace my beloved Galuamaria in my arms.”

Fiart’s mind, which had been clouded, cleared as she remembered the man.

He who saved me. He who risked his life for his pride, Louis. Yes, it wasn’t a dream. It wasn’t a delusion created by my mind for daily comfort.

He truly exists, and he is speaking to me. And, yes, he is spinning words that seem like an unbelievable nightmare.

Her black eyes looked at the people in the room, and her lips opened to gather her thoughts.

“...Those aren’t the words of a sane person. Could you be a spy from some country?”

In response to Fiart’s pale question, Louis exaggeratedly shrugged his shoulders.

“The saint I met today is obsessed with Maria. In exchange for saving my life, I had to support her.”

“So, you’re working with the Emblem Church. That’s even more insane. No one in the past could achieve it. No, that’s not it. Even if you managed to do it,”

It would make you the enemy of the world. The sound that escaped Fiart’s lips was saying as much.

It’s terrifying to even think about. Most of the surrounding countries are under the rule of the Grand Church. The degree of persecution and suppression of the Emblem Church varies, but if Galuamaria falls to their hands, it’s a different story.

The Grand Cathedral would have a good opportunity to issue an official decree to exterminate the Emblem Church, and every king would not let the rights of the city-state Galuamaria slip away if there was a just cause.

It’s certain. Whether the attack on Galuamaria fails or succeeds, the followers of the Emblem Church will become the enemies of the world. Fiart’s legs trembled as if grabbed by something, and her whole body stiffened. She could feel her blood flow accelerating as if it had gone mad.

“Are you joking? You’re just being used, Louis. Do you think the saint or these people care about you at all!?”

Fiart could see the men and the girl in the room stiffen slightly, their eyes becoming more intense, as if warning her and trying to hold her back. But she didn’t care. The scene from the underground temple flashed in her mind. Louis, who lit his body on fire to save her and then died. No, I don’t want to see that again. I don’t want to lose him. I can’t let him die for the mad fantasy of reclaiming Galuamaria.

The gaze Fiart returned was one that could freeze everything. Her black eyes shone with a will that repelled everything. A strong, resolute light that refused to be invaded by anyone.

“Besides, you’re an adventurer. If you cause trouble, your status will definitely be revoked. You won’t be able to walk in the daylight again if you get involved in this.”

That’s right, adventurers are in a precarious position. If it becomes known that you sided with the Emblem Church and participated in an attack on Galuamaria, you won’t be able to live a normal life. Even if you were a noble or upper class, you might have a chance to redeem your honor, but for a lowly commoner, there would be no such opportunity.

Louis’s cheek twitched. Did he hear her? Fiart’s eyes were now filled with large tears. No, I don’t want to. I don’t want to lose you. I don’t want someone who risked their life to save me to die. The pretense is meaningless. I don’t care anymore.

—How can I accept the death of someone who risked their life to save me?

Her slender shoulders were covered with black hair. Her breathing was heavy, and her emotions were shaking her entire body. Heat filled her body, and her blood felt as if it contained poison.

Fiart’s breathing steadied, and Louis slowly put away his chewing tobacco, as if searching for words.

“I wasn’t born with fortune, talent, or divine favor.”

The words he dropped in the room made the other three slightly widen their eyes. They weren’t a response to Fiart’s passion, nor were they words to soothe her. They were more like a monologue.

“I have tasted bitter suffering many times. I have been belittled and despised by everyone. Yes, it’s inevitable. It’s inevitable because I am a have-not.”

Fiart couldn’t respond to those words. She knew the humiliation of being belittled and despised better than anyone. But she didn’t have the means to accept it, as he did, as a have-not.

“The have-nots must walk a path strewn with thorns, washing their hands and feet with their own blood. I’m tired of walking the well-trodden path, living a life of resignation and inertia.”

It was a deeply realistic statement, as if he had already experienced it. And it seemed he was deeply afraid of such a life.

“So, I decided. My heart made the decision. If the saint wants to use me, that’s fine. I’ll use them too. Fiart, what about you?”

What about you, he asked, and Fiart’s mind was thrown into confusion. What, what do you want me to decide? I can’t. I can’t do that. Hert has been protecting me. Even if I strayed, Hert would guide me. But he’s not here now.

In front of her is Louis. Not just you.

“I assume you don’t have a religious aversion since you were searching for the relics of the Emblem Church. You seemed quite depressed in the underground temple. You must have memories of being belittled, of being despised and humiliated... Of course, if you refuse, that’s fine too. You can run out of here and go to the Galuamaria guard station.”

I won’t stop you, Louis said in a tone different from his usual light-heartedness.

Ah, that’s it. He wants me to make a decision, no matter what. He respects my will, Louis does. Fiart’s black eyes wavered, her throat was dry from tension, and her shoulders moved up and down.

“—But, I wish you would take my hand.”

And he extended his rough hand, a testament to a life worn down both mentally and physically.

It’s fine. I don’t care. Even if it means becoming the enemy of the world, even if I am despised by everyone, it’s fine. Just one thing. Just one wish.

After a moment, Fiart’s delicate hand gripped the rough hand. The hazy fog in her mind cleared, and her thoughts became clear. Ah, what a refreshing feeling.

“It’s an honor, my employer—no, that’s not right. Welcome, my accomplice, Fiart.”

—Yes, it’s fine. If you will always be my ally, Louis.