Chapter 52

"…I must have surprised you with this sudden request. I truly apologize."

A short while after Ahmia left, Sieg spoke to me and Narsena, offering his apology.

However, even as he apologized, his face betrayed a confusion he could not hide, and it was clear that Sieg was also taken aback by Ahmia's actions.

"Ahmia hasn't recovered from the shock."

...But after apologizing, Sieg looked in the direction Ahmia had run off to and murmured these words, his expression filled with deep concern.

From his expression, I understood that Sieg was genuinely worried about Ahmia.

Ahmia's state was so pitiful that even I, who am now an outsider, could feel it.

I couldn't even imagine how Sieg, who is currently in a party with Ahmia, must be feeling.

Glancing at Narsena beside me, I noticed that even she, who likely harbors the most resentment towards Ahmia, had a somewhat troubled look on her face.

"Would it be alright if I asked you for a favor?"

Then, Sieg spoke to us.

"I know about the conflict with the Lightning Sword. But I ask for your help for Ahmia's sake."

"!"

Narsena reacted to Sieg's words, clearly showing that she had no intention of accepting such a request.

"Narsena, thank you. But I'm fine."

However, before I could take any action, I spoke to Narsena, trying to stop her.

I couldn't deny feeling uncomfortable with Sieg's request to help Ahmia.

I harbored the thought, "Why should I help Ahmia?"

But even so, after seeing Ahmia's pitiful state and considering that Sieg had just helped me, I couldn't bring myself to be so heartless as to outright refuse.

--- Besides, I was feeling so happy at that moment that I thought I could share a little of it with others.

"...Alright. If you say so, brother."

Seeing Narsena reluctantly agree, I couldn't help but smile.

Narsena was showing her anger on my behalf.

She probably didn't realize how much I felt grateful and happy because of her.

This made me feel even more affectionate towards Narsena.

Before I knew it, I had reached out to touch Narsena's head.

"Fe!?"

Narsena's face turned red, and she let out a surprised exclamation at my sudden action.

Despite feeling a bit anxious about what I had done, I still wanted to express my gratitude.

"Thank you, Narsena."

"Wh-what? N-no! We are party members!"

Narsena, taken aback by my words, quickly responded.

However, she didn't show any signs of disliking my touch.

Seeing her like this, my heart overflowed with affection and happiness, and I couldn't help but relax.

"I don't know if I can help, but could you tell me more about the situation?"

With that, I turned to Sieg and spoke.

"Thank you."

Sieg, who had looked a bit uncomfortable until then, now showed a look of relief and gratitude.

"It's a long story, but..."

And with that, Sieg began his tale.

◇◆◇

"...That's... that's what happened."

A few minutes later, after hearing from Sieg about how Ahmia had come to her current state, I could only respond with those words.

...Narsena, on the other hand, was speechless.

The story of Ahmia and the Lightning Sword, as told by Sieg, was truly shocking.

Ahmia had regretted her past and wanted to start over.

...But her resolve was betrayed by the very people she had tried to support, the Margulus.

To the people of this labyrinth city, this would not be a tragedy but a comedy.

This labyrinth city is a place filled with people like the Margulus.

In such an environment, Ahmia, who couldn't see through people's true nature and was easily deceived, would only seem ridiculous.

However, knowing Ahmia's purity, I couldn't simply dismiss it.

As I've said before, I don't have positive feelings towards Ahmia.

I couldn't accept her blind faith in the Margulus.

That's why I was surprised when I heard that Ahmia had reflected on herself and wanted to start over.

I didn't think Ahmia was capable of such self-reflection.

This made me both surprised and impressed.

Ahmia had admired and been grateful to the Margulus, who had helped her rise from an orphan to a top adventurer.

But her decision to support them, after cutting off her blind feelings, must have been the result of much deliberation and regret.

As someone who had been a party member with her for a while, I could understand this.

...That's why Ahmia, whose resolve was betrayed, couldn't recover.

"...That's terrible."

Narsena muttered these words, her eyes filled with disdain for the Margulus.

I felt the same way.

"I have a request regarding Ahmia."

Sieg spoke, his expression clouded.

"I know it's inappropriate to ask you this, but I can't leave Ahmia like this. So, I ask you, can you talk to Ahmia?"

Sieg's face showed the struggle he had gone through to make this request.

His expression revealed how much he had agonized over these words.

He had tried to avoid involving us, who were outsiders and didn't know the full story, in the relationship between me and Ahmia.

"I don't intend to ask you to unconditionally forgive Ahmia. But I do ask that you talk to her. Ahmia is very troubled by her relationship with you."

Despite this, Sieg had dared to cross this taboo.

This showed how much he cared about Ahmia.

"...I'm sorry, but I can't accept that request."

...But even understanding this, I couldn't nod in agreement.

"!"

For a moment, Sieg's face showed his distress at my response.

"I'm sorry. I forgot to mention the reward."

But Sieg quickly regained his composure and continued.

"I'm willing to give you all the reward for the Phoenix's defeat. Of course, this is the result of a discussion within the party."

"...What?"

"...Are you kidding?"

I couldn't hide my shock at Sieg's words.

Offering us all the reward for the Phoenix's defeat was an extraordinary offer.

Moreover, doing so would clearly put Sieg's party in the red.

"Please, I beg you!"

But even so, Sieg showed no signs of hesitation.

His concern for his companion moved me.

"...I'm sorry, but it's not about the reward. Even if I forgive Ahmia, it won't change anything."

"Wh-what!?"

...But I couldn't accept Sieg's request.

"Wait! We can't include Ahmia in the Phoenix's defeat in her current state. But if she can return to her normal self, it will definitely make the Phoenix's defeat easier!"

Sieg spoke urgently, trying to persuade me.

...But the reason I couldn't accept Sieg's request wasn't because I couldn't forgive Ahmia.

It's just that no matter what I do, I can't help Ahmia.

"Even if I forgive her, I don't think Ahmia will return to her normal self."

"...What?"

Sieg, hearing my words, looked as if he didn't understand what I was saying and was at a loss for words.

"I think Ahmia is trying to atone to me to erase the emptiness she feels from being betrayed by the Lightning Sword. Whether I forgive her or not, she won't forget that emptiness. ...No, forgiving her might even be a greater shock to her."

But as I continued, ignoring his reaction, Sieg's face showed his distress, and he muttered:

"...Is that it?"

Sieg's words were filled with deep understanding.

From his expression, I realized that he had finally understood that this situation was beyond resolution.

The reason for Ahmia's state is not her guilt towards me.

What still occupies her heart is the betrayal by the Margulus, and her attempt to atone to me is just a way to cover it up.

Therefore, no matter what I do, I can't help Ahmia.

...Understanding this, Sieg, looking dejected, only said that he would discuss the Phoenix's defeat with the party members tomorrow and then left the café.

"...I hope he's okay."

I watched Sieg's slumped back as he left, and I could only murmur these words.

But I sighed, understanding that I couldn't get involved in this matter.

I could only hope that Ahmia would recover soon as I stood up to leave the café.

"...A-ah, brother."

"What is it?"

At that moment, Narsena, looking hesitant, spoke to me.