Chapter 71

★★★ Lark ★★★

When the leader and the other person were startled and turned around, they saw Lark, the "young lady," half-emerging from the room. She had taken off her combat gear and was now wearing a shirt and pants made of natural linen, which made her look rather shabby, and Lark herself looked quite haggard.

"Young Lady! Why are you up? You should be sleeping!"

"Shut up. I'm still fine."

As Lark walked over, leaning against the wall, sweat was pouring down her forehead.

"…Where are you fine? We’re so worried, our hearts are about to explode. Please, just rest."

"Don’t be ridiculous. It’s because you guys are useless that I had to come out in the end."

"Such a big monster, we should have ignored it. The one who said ‘crush it’ was you, wasn’t it? We shouldn’t have turned back with the ‘Moonlit Beauty’ just for that."

"You can’t ignore it… If I have the power to defeat it and just let it escape… I can’t do that—"

She mumbled, "I can’t show that to my little brother," but neither the leader nor the other person heard it.

"Young Lady?"

"…It’s nothing. So, you guys are planning to escape from here, right?"

"Of course. Now is the chance. If we gather the remaining catalysts in the city and use them as fuel, we can cross the sea and meet the wise man in the west. The only one who can cure any disease is the only one left who can save you."

"…"

"The one who pulled us out of the depths and into the light was you. To save you, the one who gave us hope, we wouldn’t care if this country were to fall apart."

"I see. You’re doing this for me, huh?"

"Yeah."

The leader and the other person nodded firmly.

"I’m glad to hear that. I understand your feelings."

"Young Lady…"

It was a moment of relief for the leader.

"Then, I’m getting off this ship."

"Huh? What are you saying?"

"If there’s a life I can save right in front of me, I want to use this power for that."

A black shadow appeared on her body and was absorbed into her skin. Lark’s skin was pale, almost sickly.

"Great power comes with a price. I might not last long. But if that’s the case, I want to use this power for someone— I’ve decided that."

"Young Lady! Why are you so stubborn?! You can wish for your own happiness!"

"I’ve been happy enough."

"You don’t look happy at all! You’re always sacrificing yourself!"

"No, I’ve been happy… because I have an irreplaceable little brother."

"Little brother?"

It was the first time they had heard this.

"Because of him, I can be myself. Even though we had nothing, he always tried to walk the right path. I just watched from the side— and in the end, I ended up with this cursed power and using it recklessly."

"Don’t call it a cursed power… We were saved by it."

"…Yeah. But, I’m just imitating my little brother. What he would do, what he wouldn’t do. So—"

A black shadow appeared in Lark’s hand, and she gripped it.

"My little brother, my pride, wouldn’t abandon this country. I’ve decided that I won’t live a meaningless life that I can’t face him with, even on my last day."

Four years ago, on that day— the moment she was freed from the contract magic in the “Six Heavens Mine,” Lark almost let the black emotions that welled up inside her take over her heart. But what kept her anchored was the presence of her little brother right behind her.

— I have to protect him. I have to protect him!

The power she obtained with that single-minded determination: the Six-Star Gift [Shadow King Magic Sword Technique].

But Lark soon failed— the omnipotence she felt from the overwhelming power led her to kill too many people. This made her little brother fear her, disappoint her. The fact that she had done this was more shocking to Lark than any physical punishment or blame. She left his presence as if running away— but still cared for him, and when the city was attacked by a dragon, she saved him. But at that time, he had friends around him, reliable friends. She thought she was no longer needed.

— Then, at the very least, I’ll live a life I won’t be ashamed to show my little brother. Just as I’m proud of him as my little brother, I want him to be proud of me as his big sister. And someday, somewhere—

The message she left where she killed the dragon. She didn’t think he would see it, but she wanted to leave it behind. With that message, she could hold her head high. She wanted to be a proud big sister when she met him again someday.

(When that day comes, he’ll surely have grown up too.)

Just imagining the day they would meet again made a small light shine in her heart, warming it.

"What are you going to do? You can still run away."

"…There’s no way we can do that. We’re in this together with you."

"I thought you’d say that."

Lark said.

"I’m returning the ‘Moonlit Beauty’ to Lev. Then I’ll go to the front lines."

"Young Lady!?"

"Don’t worry, I’ll handle it so you don’t get blamed. Once they know my abilities, they won’t be able to say anything. Just act like you’re on a big ship."

"Are you serious…? You’re going back to fight?"

"Dead serious. Besides, for us, who are called ‘pirates,’ to participate in a battle to protect the country— isn’t that cool?"

Lark grinned, and the leader looked up to the sky, putting his hand on his forehead, while the other subordinate just turned pale and fidgeted.

The next day— the beautiful, streamlined silver airship “Moonlit Beauty” passed over the Lev Magic Empire, reflecting the sunlight, and appeared near the checkpoint. The state-of-the-art airship, which was supposed to have been stolen, returned to the country in a way no one expected.

Chapter 3 ends here, and Chapter 4 “Boundary Alliance” begins in the next episode.

Stay tuned!

(I will take a few days off to prepare for the new chapter.)

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See you in the next chapter.