Proofreader: DreaMing

“Come on, it was a joke. Do not be pissed.”

“I am not.”

If you weren’t pissed, you’ll absolutely not carry an expression like that in your face.

Simply as I used to be considering learn how to soothe Frillite’s temper. She took in a deep breath.

“By the way in which, what do you propose to do with these two?”

“These two…I assume, you’re speaking about Neria and Ophelia?”

“Yup. Now that Gis has misplaced a lot, it is going to be unattainable for the 2 of them to return to their authentic place. In the event that they return, there’s nothing however hell ready for them. The perfect answer can be to place them in a secure place the place Gis would not be capable to contact them…”

Frillite was severely fascinated with the upcoming state of affairs for Neria and Ophelia.

However, I had my ideas.

“Can’t I take them to accompany me? What’s the issue with that?”

“After all… um…? Wait, are you…?”

Maybe she guessed what I meant by my expression, Frillite narrowed her eyes. After I stated nothing, she shook her head with a severe expression.

“That is not doable. I do know you miss the previous, Cloud. However the previous is simply the previous. It’s about actuality with a cool head.”

“What are you so anxious about?”

“Hear. Though they won’t be capable to return to Gis in any case this. As a result of I am apprehensive of his retaliation towards them. Nonetheless, in the event that they grow to be your companions, the story adjustments. Gis will use them to make extra issues for you. I do know why you select to forgive them, however… they’ve already betrayed you as soon as. So is there any assure that they will not betray you twice?”

“Oh, was that what you had been anxious about? Are you afraid that I will likely be betrayed as soon as once more, and falter? If that’s the case, you don’t have to fret.”

As I spoke out my thoughts, Frillite’s complexion hardened much more.

“Cloud, I do know. Every little thing’s tough the primary time.”

“No, that is not what I imply. Even when they betray me once more, it will not pose any impediment or difficulties for me. Did not I let you know earlier than?”

I flicked my finger and tapped on Frillite’s brow.

“Everybody is identical apart from you. The one one I consider in right here is you, Frillite.”

She widened her eyes and checked out me blankly. Then, together with her head, she swung her physique towards the doorway of the inn.

“All proper! Then be happy, and also you do you…”

“Wait a second.”

I grasped Frillite’s wrist as she was about to depart.

“W, What!”

“If I am not mistaken… I am positive your face simply reddened a little bit?”

“You’re flawed!”

“Actually?”

“Yeah, in fact! If there’s nothing else, I will be going. Bye.”

“No, truly, I’ve one thing to let you know.”

I do not know if it is due to the temper, however Frillite’s wrist that I used to be holding on to trembled.

“Are you able to assist me to guard Neria and Ophelia for some time? I’ve to exit for some time, however I do not know what sort of methods Gis will play whereas I am exterior.”

“Ah… that is true. I get it. Don’t be concerned, I will not let that occur.”

Frillitte turned her face once more and nodded her head together with her standard expression.

“Oh, and I’m simply asking as a result of I’m curious, what are you going to do after this imperial banquet is over?”

“After the imperial banquet is over? I will in all probability go to the japanese a part of the Empire. A report got here in that an Apostle of the Evil God was sighted. I will most definitely should remove him.”

“Evil God? Apostle?”

Dafuq, what’s that?

Why have not I heard of it within the recreation?

“Nicely? Oh, you in all probability do not know. The Evil God Lebeus and his worshipers are one of many secrets and techniques hidden by the Empire. Do not take into consideration them an excessive amount of. They’re simply a kind of parasites that corrode the Empire. There isn’t any want to fret, because the Platinum Knights and I are taking good care of vermins like them.”

Aha.

I puzzled why she did not seem typically within the recreation, however now my question has been answered.

Whereas the opposite Heroes had been bullsh*ting, Frillite was working onerous to maintain the peace of the continent!

“…are you permitted to inform me that?”

It must be confidential.

Frillite smiled.

“Didn’t you inform me earlier? You consider in me. And I consider in you too.”

Holy cow, Frillite, you…!

“Uh? Haha. Your face seems to be a little bit purple too, does not it?”

Frillite stated with a playful expression on her face.

There was no want to cover, so I nodded truthfully.

“I simply have a powerful affinity for you.”

“?!”

Did not she know?

“Then I’ll go away the 2 to you.”

“Are you going to choose up the wizard? Go along with warning. Oh, I need to ask you one factor earlier than you go.”

Frillite, who was about to go up the steps, turned her head barely and requested.

“That… about Gis’ mom. Did you simply make it up for provocation?”

“No, why would I? It is true.”

If I used to be simply spewing bullsh!t, why would he be mad?

His mother is a professional.

She can be the highest of the business.

* * *

Quickly after coming back from the imperial banquet, Eri locked herself in her room.

The picture of Cloud she had seen on the imperial banquet by no means left her thoughts.

The way in which he smashed Gis towards the desk with a chilly expression that she had by no means seen earlier than.

“Cloud…”

Cloud wasn’t nothing like that.

He was a person who by no means ridiculed or harmed others. Even when the particular person subsequent to him had harmed him earlier than, he would nonetheless present kindness.

As a result of he did not know learn how to harm others.

And, at the moment, not lengthy after Gis began making enjoyable of him, he banged Gis’ head on the desk. As if it wasn’t sufficient, he threw Gis on the bottom and beat him wildly.

He was thorough, as if he had met his archenemy.

He did not cease even when Neria, who was his finest buddy, tried to make him cease.

– However, Eri. Why did not you consider me?

Instantly, Eri’s thoughts replayed what Cloud had stated that day.

His voice, his expression, his eyes, his every thing.

All of it, she recalled it vividly.

It was as if he was speaking to her immediately, proper now.

However… it is all due to you that I modified like this.

“No..! I… I attempted. I attempted. But it surely’s you who did not change… When you’ve got atleast proven me a little bit little bit of potential… I… I…!”

Her voice, which leaked with out her personal rational ideas, regularly misplaced power and have become muffled. Eri closed her mouth shut and lowered her head helplessly.

Solely a self-depreciating smirk escaped from her barely opened lips.

“What am I even saying…actually…”

What?

If he had proven the potential, you would not have left?

Heh, you silly b!tch.

In the event you say issues like that, what makes you totally different from these beasts in human pores and skin?

How are you totally different from these individuals who despise you for being of low blood and ignore your potential?

No.

You’re the worst.

Cloud trusted you.

Acknowledged and revered you.

However you?

You deserted him as a result of there was no doable future with him?

With out even pondering of how will Cloud really feel about this nice betrayal.

As a substitute, you pushed it to the again of your thoughts with a rattling excuse—’It doesn’t matter what, he is a Hero in any case, he’ll at all times eat and dwell higher than peculiar individuals’, proper?

“Hick… I am actually sick of myself…”

The extra Eri thought of her actions, the extra she realized that she was a cosmopolitan and insatiable girl.

At first, she needed anybody to acknowledge her.

She met Cloud, and he acknowledged her.

However, as quickly as she acquired the approval of 1 particular person, her greed inflated.

‘I even began to want that the whole world would acknowledge me…”

‘Yeah… Possibly it is as a result of we have been collectively like this for years, that is why Cloud did not get the prospect to indicate his potential.’

Eri has met all 4 Heroes.

And if she got to decide on the one who suits the picture of a Hero probably the most, amongst them, she would positively select Cloud.

He’s variety, affectionate, and values life. Though he was as soon as weak, even then, he was a courageous man, greater than anybody else.

After she parted methods with him, he grew to become stronger. Being a grasping girl, she was solely a burden that hindered the expansion of an important and noble Hero.

‘…the one factor I can do is help Cloud from behind.’

She had already picked a distinct path from him.

It was additionally a one-way path distant from him.

There isn’t any going again.

She… she simply needed to help him.

However… she was worldly and grasping, so now she had no different path apart from lacking the previous.

She as soon as once more felt that she needed to proceed the journey with him.

The thought, or need to really feel his unconditional affection roamed her thoughts.

One thing like that… it’s unattainable…

– Knock, knock.

“Eri, include me…”

“Go away. I do not really feel like speaking to you proper now.”

“Okay… then, bye…”

The hoarse voice pale away.

Rattling Lorraine.

Absolutely, her older brother will likely be there to consolation her every time she did not really feel good, why did she have to bother her. It is not like she was dwelling a cheerful life both, that Lorraine needed to discolor it extra…

‘Huh..?’

W, Look forward to a second!

It wasn’t Lorraine’s voice. It wasn’t a girl’s voice within the first place. A male’s voice. A well-recognized voice, it was…

“Hey, wait!”

Eri jumped out of the mattress and ran in direction of the door. Within the course of, she bumped her little toe towards the desk and fell, smashing her face on the ground, making her nostril bleed… however she nonetheless moved with arms forwards and backwards as if she did not have any spare time to really feel the ache, and desperately opened the door.

Jerking her head outwards, she noticed the again of a person strolling down the hallway.

Purple hair…

That look, so acquainted.

She swallowed her saliva and opened her mouth.

“Cloud..?”

Cloud rotated at Eri’s voice.

He unfold his arms out extensive and requested in an excited tone.

“Eri! Do you need to go to a dungeon with me~?”

..?