Chapter 18

Even if I won, I still had a tough time fighting against my opponents. They were greatly underleveled when compared to me, yes, but they were trained mercenaries. I tried to learn as much as possible in return.

After finishing the sparring session, I went and clean myself, then headed to Emori's room to check on her.

I checked her wrist and her forehead, before sitting down left of her bed.

“Emori…” I mumbled, hoping she would open her eyes and turn to me, but nothing happened.

“You're actually alright… right?”

“Don't worry, she's going to be fine.”

I heard a familiar voice. I turned back, finding Nayala standing on the door. She stepped in and sat down in front of me.

“This… is the cost of her ability, isn't it?”

“Maybe?”

A single White Void strike took a lot of mana. Considering she was already using others spells against Akaraseki, and the pain she endured, it was no wonder that she collapsed after using White Void.

“She fought valiantly.” Nayala murmured, holding Emori's hand. “Both of them have something they're fighting for. I guess Emori ended up coming on top.”

“Not to be ride, but couldn't he speak with the imperial family about the demon king?”

“He tried, but the my father had his own concerns. Considering the Empire's past, the Empire's militarization may put pressure on nations to the East.”

That was true. After this incident, the Empire could blame the weapons purchase as something done by a rogue general. He put himself as the scapegoat for his people.

“Taking four White Voids…” Nayala chuckled. “That must feel like hell. I wonder what would happen had they didn't fight in a Duel Shield? Maybe a beam of light would just appear in front of me out of nowhere.”

“I think the entire building will be gone. Akareseki himself will simply cease to exist, not a single atom left behind.”

“That's scary.” Nayala smiled wryly.

“That's the power gifted to Emori. Imagine her strength if she's at level 100.”

“We wouldn't be worried with fighting the demon king, now would we?”

“Haha, right. I wasn't expecting her to use that spell in the first place, though.”

“Yeah. It has been a while since she talked to me about abdicating the throne.”

“Now that the news has spread, would that mean she'll take the throne?”

“I think we need to ask that to the girl herself.”

She nudged me to look to my right. Emori’s head had begun moving. We stood up and approached the bedside.

“Emori?”

Emori's eyes flutter open and close. She turned her head toward me. “Fortis?”

“Thank goodness.” I got close and hugged her.

“For- Fortis? What's going on?”

“You were knocked unconscious after you used White Void.” I then explained everything that happened after the duel.

“I see…” Emori’s eyes moved to Nayala who stood next to me. She let out a bright smile. “Miss Nayala, you're alright.” She let out a breath of relief.

“All thanks to you.”

“How about you? Anything hurt?”

Emori moved her limbs, checking her body. She patted herself.

“Nothing.”

Even the clothes she wore weren't damaged.

“Good to know…”

She was about to get off the bed but I stopped her.

“Fortis?”

“You should stay here, rest for a bit longer.”

“But…”

“It's alright, don't worry about it. Nayala is fine.”

“What Fortisbel said. I'm already working on the next step.”

“... Okay.” Emori nodded, lying back on the bed.

“Wait a minute, I'll call Maya and Solidea-” I was about to turn around when Emori reached out and held my hand.

“Can you… stay for a bit?”

“Stay here, you mean?”

“Yeah.”

I returned to the bedside, standing beside.

“Oh, I have something I have to do. I'll come back soon, Emori.” Nayala waved and quickly left. We both watched her as she went out and closed the door. Emori reached out and held my hand.

“Emori?”

“... It was so scary.”

“Yeah…”

“There were times when I thought I'm going to die, that it was the end.” She trembled as she spoke. I could only grip her hand harder.

I lived in this world before. I understood the rules of a duel. No matter how powerful, there were never any actual harm done to the character in the game. Knowing that game was a replica of this world, even to its smallest detail, I trusted the Duel Shield, understanding that no matter what happened, she would be alright.

Emori would be alright. Yet…

“I'm… sorry.”

“Huh? Fortis? Your hands are shaking.”

“I'm really sorry. I'm sorry.”

“Fortis…”

Being the level 100, and the one chosen to lead this party, it was my responsibility to fight. I should have been the one that fought Akareseki. I let Emori fought an unbalanced opponent and suffered because of it.

“No, it's alright. I should be the one apologizing.” Emori carresed my cheek. “I… I need to act on my title for once.” She let out a faint chuckle.

“But-”

“I made a promise with Miss Nayala when we were little. I'm simply fulfilling my promise.”

“Promise…?”

“Yeah.” Emori chuckled. “Little children stuff, like how you promise you will always protect each other, those kind of stuff. Well, she did save me in the past, so I'm just paying back.”

“I see…”

Deep inside, I have to wonder if I would be able to defeat him. Seeing Akaraseki move, it became obvious that he was on a different level in terms of fighting. I couldn't say with certainty that I would lose, but I couldn't say I would win either. Especially not in such close quarters.

One thing for certain. There was no way I could have taken that many hits.

“Why didn't you give up?” I asked. “I mean, doesn't it hurt?”

“I never felt such pain in all my life, both this one and the one on Earth.” She smiled wryly. “And I do not want to experience that again. But…” She looked away. “I'll do it if my loved ones are in danger.”

“I'll make sure it won't come to that.”

“Fortis?”

I wouldn't be able to last as long had I been fighting for Nayala. But, if it was for Emori…

Then maybe I would have the strength to last.

“You don't have to go that far. Next time I'll help.”

“... It's a duel. You think we can win a two-on-two?”

“If we're talking about your strength, then it will be a walk in the park.”

All I need to do was buy time for Emori to deploy her spell.

“By the way… are you planning on using White Void?”

“... So you noticed?”

“Not only me.”

White Spring was powerful, don't get me wrong, but it was in no way comparable to White Void. Even visually, that pure white beam was an entirely different one compared to its downgrade. Plus, sacred spells in general were well-respected by mages. Most mages study them, or at least, know a thing or two about them.

It's like knowing a famous developer, even if you didn't play any of their games.

“Who else?”

“The mages that were with us was talking about it.”

I doubt that information hasn't spread, especially since even an average mage could use Connect.

“Oh… What do you think, Fortis?”

“Me?”

“... Should I reclaim the throne? My family, even Brother, insisted that I annul my abdication. I… don't think it's right. I mean, Brother worked hard after I left. I couldn't just reclaim it like that.”

“How about I ask him for you? Maybe he'll be honest with me. But what about yourself?”

“Me… I've been thinking about what Akareseki was saying.” She gazed at the window, at the clear skies beyond.

“He's right… Despite us knowing about the demon king, outside the five of us, no one else is preparing.”

“So you're trying to get control over the army?”

“Maybe they'll listen to me more if I'm the crown princess.”

“I'm pretty sure they'll fulfill all your requests if you're the one that asked for it.”

“You think so?”

“Yeah. Besides, one of the requirements for White Void is a pure heart, right? I'm sure your heart is as pure as it could be. There's no reason to not trust you.”

Emori blushed. “Tha- Thank you.”

I took Emori's other hand and gripped it tight. “Emori. Whatever you do, I'll support you. You don't have to carry your burdens alone.”

“Fortis… You sound like you're proposing.”

I laughed. “Maybe I am.”

I was proposing to help Emori, but based on her bashful look, she seemed to take it some other way.

She… she's pretty.

What's this feeling in my heart? It couldn't be it, could it?

A knock came from the door, stopping my thoughts before it could run wild. I let Emori's hand go. “Come in.”

“Emori…” It was Solicea and Maya.

“Emori, you're alright.”

“I am, thank you.”

The two rushed to Emori’s bed.

“Emori! Are you hurt? Anything you want?”

“Calm down, I'm fine.”

I decided to let the girls get some alone time. I smiled and left the room.