Depression

When Issei regained consciousness, he found himself in a familiar room; he was in the old woman's hut.

<Welcome, Issei.>

The coachman greeted the awakened knight.

<Where is the snake?!>

<We couldn't defeat it. It ran away. But be happy, the village has forgiven us! Now, just rest.>

<What?! Really?! How did this happen?!>

<Elves aren't very smart. After chasing the snake away, Josuke and I tried to explain the situation, though with little success. We have Sylphiette to thank; it's thanks to her that we were forgiven.>

Issei spent the day being treated by the old village sorceress. Shirou eliminated every remaining goblin with Sylphiette's help. Little Josuke, however, continued training to become stronger. The fight he had witnessed had given him a huge boost.

The sun set, and tiny stars began to appear in the sky. A light wind cooled the warm southeast air.

Asia didn't leave her room that day. She knew about the situation, but she didn't do anything; not because she was selfish, but because she knew it would only get in the way.

Issei admired the moon, standing on a bench near his house.

<What are you doing all alone? You look a little sad.>

Sylphiette was passing by. The moon was shining on her. On that occasion, the girl wasn't wearing any underwear, just her white, semi-sheer robe.

<Sylphiette! You're all visible, cover up!>

Issei, embarrassed, covered his face. The elf blushed and covered her body with one hand.

<I heard about your wife... I was wondering if you missed her... Being loved, I mean.>

Issei looked around as if searching for an answer. A tear rolled down his face. Then another. The knight wept.

The elf approached and caressed his back to console him.

<Would you like to do that or...>

Issei stopped her.

<But would that be fair?! I loved her, I can't cheat on her. I couldn't even do it with her.>

Sylphiette, who wanted to reward the knight, abandoned her initial idea. She sat down next to Issei and remained silent for a while.

<What was your wife like?>

Issei sighed. His lips trembled.

<She wasn't good at cooking. But she did her best. I ate what she cooked and lied about the taste.>

The elf laughed lightly. It really was a funny relationship.

<She was so kind, at first I almost felt guilty. I thought she only got together with me because I was scary. Then I realized that wasn't the case.>

Sylphiette remained silent, listening to the knight.

<But it's my fault, he's gone now...>

Sylphiette had already learned of this fact from the knight's adventure companions. Hearing Issei say it, however, sent a shiver down her spine.

The elf realized that what she was doing was wrong, even if she had good intentions. She covered her private parts and stood up.

<Maybe I should get dressed.>

<Yes, it would be better.>

Sylphiette walked away, checking her shoulders every now and then to catch Issei's eye.

The knight returned to the inn, where Shirou was sitting at the bar.

<Hey there. How are you doing?>

The coachman was strangely smiling. That look made Issei smile.

<Why are you in such a good mood?>

<It must be the alcohol.>
<Tell me, have you decided what to do? Will you find a new girlfriend, or do you want to be alone for the rest of your life?>

The coachman brought up the conversation Issei had earlier with the elf.

<I don't know.>

Shirou slammed his mug on the counter.

<Then you're such an idiot!>

Issei looked at him in surprise.

<You almost died today! That thing poisoned you, we bent over backwards to save you, and you're still making that face!>

The coachman pointed to the knight's chest.

<Do you really think your wife would be happy seeing you like this? Always crying over her? Always looking back?>

Issei lowered his gaze.

<I'm not forgetting her...>

<Who told you to forget her?!>

Shirou snapped.

<Remembering her doesn't mean you stop living! A person who loves you wants to see you move forward, not rot every day thinking about her.>

The coachman took a long sip.

<You still have two legs, two arms, and a beating heart. You have a child who admires you, friends who risk their lives for you, and a girl who looks at you like you're a hero. And you want to throw all that away?>

Shirou sighed and finally lowered his tone.

<Live, Issei. Live for her too. Because you still can.>

Issei paused to think. Shirou's words echoed in his head.

As crude as he is, Shirou has a functioning mind. Better than mine.

Issei ran out, the elf had already left. The knight returned to the inn. He looked at Shirou and laughed. Then he joined him and they shared a few drinks.

<But why are you always so strict? So cold and distant with everyone.>

The coachman didn't know how to respond; it was simply his normal way of behaving.

<I'm me, I act like this because it's my personality. Why do you always want to help everyone?>

Issei found himself in the same situation as Shirou. He wasn't sure why he was acting like this either. For him, helping people in need was normal.

<Wouldn't you help someone in need, knowing you could help them and it wouldn't cost you anything?>

<I mean, you almost died, so it cost you something.>

Issei snorted. The coachman's words annoyed him.

<Do as you please. But I'd like to defeat that snake someday, if I ever meet him again.>

Hearing those words, the coachman remembered what the monster had said.

<Oh yeah, he said he didn't actually need immortality for himself, but for someone else.>

<Someone else? Who?>

<I don't know, he was talking about a magician. Oh yeah, now I remember: Zouken.>

Issei choked on his drink.

Cough! Cough!

<Z-Z-Zouken?!>

<Yes, why? Do you know him?>

Issei paled. That name. The one who took everything from Issei. That person was in league with other monsters.

<This isn't good. But don't worry, this time I won't lose anyone I care about!>

<Are you saying he's the one who killed your wife?! Didn't she die in forced labor?!>

Issei sighed. The coachman stammered.

<S-s-sorry, I didn't mean to!>

<No problem. But he didn't kill her directly. He lied to the king! And with a well-crafted plan, he deceived everyone. Don't worry, I'll take care of him!>

The coachman remained with a raised eyebrow. He had no idea what had happened between the two, but he had sensed that Issei was innocent in the matter.

<I didn't understand much, but I'm on your side.>

With a pat on the shoulder, Shirou reassured Issei. Then the man fell into the knight's arms; he had fallen asleep from too much alcohol.

Issei picked him up and carried him to his room. It wasn't easy; he had also been drinking, and at a certain point they fell asleep on the stairs.

From her room, Asia heard two increasingly slurred voices. Soon she couldn't hear anything. Curious, she slowly opened the door.

Issei and Shirou had collapsed on the stairs. Shirou was using Issei's chest as a pillow, while Issei continued to hold him as if he were still carrying him. Their legs were dangling; one wrong move and they would have gone flying down the stairs.

She woke them with difficulty and led them to her room.

<At least you won't block the other elves' way.>

The two nodded, half asleep. As soon as they entered the room, they dropped to the floor at the exact same moment.

Thump!

Asia watched them for a few seconds with a smile.

<Good night.>