Will it be okay? Will they be all right?
That’s all that’s on my mind.
I can only pray for the ones that left. But I’m the miko, so my prayers tend to reach god.
With that in mind, I pray as much as I can so they can reach.
But the miko isn’t all powerful. No matter how much I want everyone to be okay, it’s natural for them to face danger. That’s why I kept telling them to not get careless.
There’s not much I can do while I wait. Being king means I have to think about my position. It’s a little annoying, but I was the one who decided I’d be in this position, with Gaius.
At times like these I wish there was another me… But if there was, she wouldn’t really be me, she’d be another girl.
But having only one body limits what we can do.
◇ ◇ ◇
Thinking about the people that left leaves me restless.
I leave the room because I can’t sleep, and see the beautiful shining stars through the window. This night is silent.
I hear the sounds of monsters here and there.
There are monsters that are active at night. Their field of vision expands in the dark, so they’re pretty dangerous.
But those monsters don’t approach us, because the miko is here.
…Miss Lan says that as long as I care about this country, it will probably be like this even after I pass away.
But we shouldn’t assume it will be like that. That’s why we have people keeping watch. We assume monsters won’t come, and people who wish us harm won’t get close so easily either, but… We need to be vigilant.
Apparently they train when nothing’s attacking. They think the power of the miko is great. But it’s not absolute.
Will it really be okay… It’s all I can think about. We’ve built a country and gotten involved with a lot of people. I’m both looking forward to and anxious about meeting lots more people.
◇ ◇ ◇
“Gurugurururu? (Are you still awake?)”
Reima asks as I look out the window. Apparently it’s strange for me to be awake at this hour. But I’m surprised to see Reimar awake too. Gryphons are not nocturnal.
Maybe she’s also worried, because gryphons went with the others.
“I couldn’t really fall asleep. I keep wondering if they’re okay. What if… They don’t come back like Mister Athos?”
Gaius and I made a vow when Mister Athos passed away.
…We haven’t lost many people since then, but I can’t imagine it will be like that forever. We need to stay cautious and not let our guard down.
“Gurugurururu. Ruruu. (They should be all right if they’re careful. Trust your friends.)”
“You’re right. It’s not like I don’t believe in them, I’m just worried.
I’m just scared. What if someone does get hurt? I can use my power to heal, but… Not when someone loses their life…
“Reimar, I care about everyone here, and Gaius and I became king together, so… We need to respond if someone gets hurt, right? Will I do the right thing if that happens?”
I will have to make a choice someday. I’m sure there will be a time when I hesitate.
If that happens… What should I do?
Even if it doesn’t happen, it will if I continue to be king.
There will be a time when I have to treat people as enemies by my hand and will. What can I do when that time comes?
“Guruguru. Rururu. (Think about it when the time comes. If you have a good reason, it can’t be helped.)”
“You’re right. If I have to take a life to protect someone, that will make people sad… Yes, when that happens, I can’t just think I’m not bad, I just have to accept it and do it.”
If they treat us like enemies, we need to face them as such.
—Girl and a big conflict – Part six
(The miko has a late night talk with a gryphon.)
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