I tell them to come back tomorrow, and that I’ll convince Reina, and they leave.
That night, I tell Reina what Edinburgh told me, and…
“I understand.”
She says plainly.
“You seem calm.”
“I talked about a lot of things with Merlin. Well, and it took time to sort out how I feel.”
Reina and Merlin were definitely not friends before they came to this island. In fact, they were closer to being enemies, but now they’re friendly enough to seek advice from the other.
I guess people’s positions change with the environment around them.
In any case, I’m glad Reina is feeling more positive about Edinburgh getting her memories back.
“I see. Then…”
“I’m going to train extra hard and challenge her to a duel.”
“Eh?”
I just heard a word that’s unsettling me.
“I’m going to fight her when she gets her memories back, and win. That will end it all.”
“Hum…”
“Don’t try to stop me. My past hasn’t disappeared just because she’s kind now. But I do feel like she cares a lot about Snow, and thinks well of me too, so…”
She wants a duel to clear everything up. I see a burning resolution in her eyes.
“Reina’s fired up.”
Says Tiltue, with an impressed tone, but I’m a little worried.
Edinburgh was called the greatest mage on the continent. And from what I heard, she didn’t seem to be the type to go easy on her enemies either.
If it’s after she gets back her memories, I don’t think Reina…
“Don’t worry, Arata. I haven’t just been taking it easy since I got to this island.”
At this point, she can take out monsters in the forest on her own.
As she says that to me, her face is brimming with confidence, and is somewhat amused too.
“I’ll definitely give my master a beating.”
That jokey way of speaking is just her being considerate.
“Haha, okay. Let’s talk about that too.”
“Yes! A-and I’m going away for a bit tomorrow to train, so don’t be worried.”
You’re going that far!? That question crosses my mind, but…
“Don’t worry about us, go for it.”
Honestly, even as I say that with a smile, I’m very worried. But I know how strong Reina is, and if this is what she wants, I’ll do what I can to help.
And Reina has been with me all this time, seeing what I’ve done. If she wants to do something knowing it’s dangerous, it’s my turn to watch over her.
But just because I accept it, it doesn’t mean Snow will…
“Mommy.”
Snow sounds worried, and she grabs Reina’s clothes.
“Are you gonna fight Edi?”
“Ah…”
I look at Snow, and realize I’m only thinking of myself.
Of course, she just heard the big sister that’s always playing with her and the mother she loves are going to fight.
I get what Reina wants to do, and I’m sure Edinburgh will accept it, but I think it’s a stretch to say this girl will understand it.
What should we say… I rack my brain thinking about it, and Reina puts Snow on her lap.
“We are going to fight, but it doesn’t mean we hate each other.”
“…Really?”
“My master told Arata she wants to send me off in her own way. So, if I beat the strongest mage…”
Reina stops, and thinks about her words. No, it’s more like she realized something, and smiles awkwardly.
“Yes, that’s it… I guess you don’t look at yourself as much as you think you do.”
“Mommy?”
Reina gently pats Snow’s head, and continues.
“I want to show off how far the mage she raised has come.”
She didn’t realize that herself. It’s not all bad. She wants to show what she’s like now to the person who’s been watching her since she was little.
And it means she also wants her to see her off.
“…Are you gonna make up after?”
“Yes, I promise.”
Snow looks at Reina’s unburdened face, and I guess figures this fight isn’t bad, because she smiles.
“Gyafun.”
She hops from her lap, and hugs Tiltue, copying what Reina said.
“No Snow. You can’t copy that.”
Reina stands next to me while watching them hold each other.
“But it’s like that, so…”
Reina is feeling a little embarrassed, probably because she said things she didn’t realize she felt.
“Don’t worry, and watch over me.”
“Of course.”
I was worried when Edinburgh said she wanted her memories back, but…
I’m sure it will lead to something good.
And with that thought in mind, the four of us go to sleep.
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