After walking a few steps, Qualia stumbled.
Spirito noticed it, and went around him to offer him her shoulder.
“Error. Detecting powerful gravitational field restricting movement of hardware.”
“…That’s just a roundabout way of saying you didn’t consider how fatigued you are.”
“Acknowledged. This is ‘fatigue’. Executing emergency maintenance with 5D printer… Error. Removal of ‘fatigue’ not possible.”
“I guess your healing magic doesn’t work on fatigue…”
It seemed human fatigue and metal fatigue were completely different. Qualia learned he could not use the 5D printer to fix it the same way he healed wounds.
As he learned this, he looked for the right words to say to Spirito. Words that expressed gratitude.
“Thank, you.”
Lobelia could guess how the mock fight went just by looking at them, and it was clear in the dimples of her smile how relieved she was.
“I guess Qualia won.”
“…”
Spirito looked away like she would rather be anywhere but there, and it was Qualia who answered.
“Explaining situation. As of this moment, Spirito is yet to say ‘I give up’.”
“You don’t need to worry about that anymore. Right, Spirito?”
Spirito turned her face even further away, and changed the subject.
“…How did you get Duke Kernel’s favor? He’s a just man in a way, but he’s pretty dangerous, at least from my point of view. He doesn’t look like the kind of person that would just take your side.”
“Of course, there were many twists and turns, and many tears shed by everyone involved. I still have a pile of annoying tasks waiting for me.
Duke Kernel of the Wirgin faction is the same, but the Root faction is also full of ruffians raring to go and do what they want.”
“…So you’re in league with Root too.”
“…If my power as a princess isn’t enough, all I can do is play both sides. That’s how I fight.”
Lobelia’s smile showed no concern.
Spirito had to look down, as if dazzled by its innocence.
“I’m worried… And scared. I’m worried one day you won’t be around anymore.”
Spirito said as they walked home.
“Why do you want to change the country? Why are you trying to be some great ally of justice?”
“Probably for the same reason as you.”
“The same reason as me?”
“Right now, the Kingdom of Acacia… No, the world, is terrible.”
Lobelia looked at the sky, which was turning red.
At the same time, they arrived at Lobelia’s mansion, but instead of walking in right away, they headed to the back garden.
“I mean… She was killed just walking around on the street.”
“Acknowledged. Lobelia’s family.”
“Love. That’s her name.”
Qualia looked at the letters ‘R.I.P. Love’ carved onto the cross.
It was a name that he associated with the concept of ‘heart’.
“She was a maid here, but she thought about this world way more than a princess in name only like me. Even though she wasn’t human or a beast person.”
Before Qualia could really think about that last part, Lobelia continued.
“She used to say it would be great if one day this world became a place where humans, beast people, and people like her could all smile together. And if the world was like that, I wouldn’t just be a pawn for diplomacy. Haha.”
It was a wish that could be laughed off as idealism, and Lobelia let out a dry laugh as she spoke about it.
“…If the world really was like that, Love would still be alive.”
“…”
“…Spirito might get hit with a stray bullet and die one day too. Even if you’re Holy Sword, and even if you can overpower whatever you’re facing, there’s no shortage of people that can outfox you or simply have way more resources. Should I… Just leave that world alone?”
“…”
“You’re all I have left, and I can’t ignore a world that will kill you.”
Lobelia let out an uneasy smile with the setting sun behind her.
“But I’m not going to die. I’ll return to you with a smile on my face, and slowly make the dream Love wasn’t able to experience into reality.”
It felt as though Lobelia’s smile would always be there. In good weather, in the rain, in the morning, day, or night.
She fought with the fear of losing someone, and more resolve than Spirito.
“Isn’t losing family awful?”
Lobelia said, before heading to the mansion with her head held high, and enthusiastically saying it was time for dinner.
Spirito watched her leave, and took a deep breath, seemingly out of resignation.
“Qualia, come to the bathing area later. We need to talk.”
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