Aftermath of the Battle

The golem had finally fallen.

Liz’s spell was so powerful that not only was the mana crystal destroyed, but it also pierced straight through the monster’s body, which was now collapsing from the loss of its core. I thought that would be the end of it, but then Liz also dropped to her knees.

“Liz!” I shouted in worry, though I was in pain myself.

I couldn’t stand up. My body couldn’t take it anymore after all the damage I had received from the golem, but I had to go to her, so I dragged myself as best I could, with what little strength I had left.

After I called out to her, she turned to look at me. Her face was pale and she looked on the verge of passing out. What had happened?

Then, while crawling toward her, I noticed something. The bag of mana crystals Liz had been carrying was lying on the ground, completely empty. That’s when I finally understood. That last attack hadn’t used the crystals—it had used her own mana. And judging by its sheer magnitude, she must have spent a great portion of it to finish the golem.

I had to hurry!

Despite the pain caused by every movement, I finally managed to reach her. Not only did she look pale, but her body also felt colder with each passing moment.

I took her into my arms as best I could.

“You used your mana, didn’t you?” I questioned. “Why? You knew very well how dangerous that—”

I wanted to go on scolding her, but she interrupted me.

“I didn’t want… to lose anyone else…” she murmured. “I’m fine… if I go having helped…”

“What the hell are you talking about!?” I shouted. “What will happen to Lui if you die!? Are you seriously going to leave her alone!?”

Despite my scolding, she didn’t seem to pay much attention to me. It was as if her consciousness was slowly drifting away—or so I thought—until, all of a sudden, she lifted herself slightly and leaned against my chest.

“So… warm…” she whispered.

Seeing her in that state reminded me of Lui when she did the same thing the other day. Just the thought that she could be left alone made my chest ache.

What am I supposed to tell her?

My mind wouldn’t stop imagining the worst possible scenarios, but then a sudden pain brought me back to reality. Liz had hugged me tighter, hurting my already wounded body.

“Wait! Wait! That hurts!” I exclaimed.

Liz squeezed me for a few more seconds before finally letting go. She looked up at me, and I noticed that her skin and face looked better. She still looked exhausted, but at least she didn’t seem to be in a dangerous condition anymore.

“I feel… better,” she said, clearly puzzled.

Maybe it was because she hadn’t spent all of her mana as I thought? Some kind of miracle? I had no idea, but the mere fact that she was fine made me hug her, ignoring the pain I felt.

“Don’t scare me like that again… alright?” I whispered.

“A thank you would be nice too, you know?” Liz replied with a playful smile, as if what she had just done hadn’t put her at death’s door.

“… Thanks.”

We remained in each other’s arms for a few minutes until the knights returned, confirming the area was secure.

It was all over. The operation was a success.

***

Once the area was secured, the knights set up a camp outside the cave to tend to the wounded, verify casualties, and report everything that had happened.

There were injured among the group that had fought the bandits, and some of those who tried to attack the golem ended up dead; there were at least nine casualties among adventurers and knights, including Clay.

Lui was being examined in one of the tents, and Liz was with her. She had woken up not long ago, and it seemed there had been no damage beyond the rough handling when she was taken. I also heard that she scolded Liz for using her mana and nearly dying because of it. The good side of it all was that both of them were fine and happy to be together again. I was glad for them, but I couldn’t bring myself to feel happy about the outcome of the operation.

I was sitting in a somewhat secluded part of the camp, processing everything that had happened. Everything felt so unreal, but the pain still lingering throughout my body reminded me that all of this was reality.

Once again, I confirmed what I had concluded days ago. This world will show no mercy to me, nor to anyone else. Not only because of the monsters, but even because of people.

Tap

Tap

Tap

As I was lost in thought, the sound of footsteps startled me. But it wasn’t just that—it was accompanied by the clinking of armor. It was Captain Edran, who stopped beside me where I was sitting.

“So this is where you were,” he said. “Once again, I thank you in the name of the cavalry. If it hadn’t been for you, the golem surely would have claimed more lives than it did in the end.”

“…”

Though I was grateful for his words, I said nothing. I didn’t feel worthy of them. Had I been more careful, Clay likely wouldn’t have ended up dead.

Realizing the weight of what still troubled me, the captain spoke again. He dropped the compassionate tone from before and now spoke firmly, determined, dignified—worthy of a knight.

“Clay died in the line of duty,” he declared. “He did what every respectable knight should do, and for that he will be remembered as a great example of what the cavalry should aspire to… I knew him well. I know that leaving this world while doing everything possible to protect his people is what he would have wanted.”

When the captain finished his speech, I finally lifted my gaze. He was right. I may not have known Clay for long, but he was certainly a young man committed to the cause, and without a doubt, he would have declared that dying in duty was an honor.

That idiot…

“Yes… you’re right,” I replied. “Thank you, Captain,” I added. Captain Edran simply nodded at me with a smile.

“You can also keep the gauntlets if you want. We don’t use them anyway, so make good use of them.”

I thanked him for the gift and said my goodbyes, as the captain still had matters to handle after the operation.

He was busy, and yet he still took the time to come and see how I was doing. It was clear why all the knights under his command respected him. It wasn’t just his rank—it was also his leadership and his concern for others.

He was right. Despite how things ended, Clay and the rest had simply done what they had to do for the sake of their people. Even so, I couldn’t stop worrying.

This world has already shown me on several occasions how dangerous it can be, and that’s why letting Liz come with me scares me so much now.

I don’t want anything to happen to her, but traveling alone isn’t an option either. I have no experience or knowledge of this world; I’m almost completely in the dark. Liz is undoubtedly important if I want to reach the capital.

In the end, the best thing I can do for her is protect her. No matter what fights arise, no matter what monster or bandit I face, I will take a step forward. She won’t have to fight—I’ll bear it all.

I will protect her at all costs!