kscans

Chapter 113 - Entrusting a Prayer, Ringing the Bell for Battle

We had to hurry. With that judgment, I explained the situation to Kyle and Aria that very day, and Mireille and I went to deliver the panacea.

The two were surprised by our late-night visit, but the moment Kyle saw the golden pill, he wept with joy, as if he understood something. Spurred on by his reaction, Aria asked for the panacea without hesitation. Supported by Kyle, she put it in her mouth and quietly fell asleep.

We didn't know when the effects would appear. It could be tomorrow. It could be when we returned.

"…If Aria-san is better when everyone gets back, I’ll boast to my master that I made a panacea." Mireille smiled as she said this, praying for the safety of both Aria and Ariel.

There was nothing more we could do about anything.

A sense of powerlessness threatened to crush my chest.

By the time we returned to the tower, the fact that there was truly nothing left to do became painful. My shoulders tensed, and my breathing grew difficult.

Leonhard wrapped his arms around me from behind. The moment I closed the tower door, he held me tightly.

"…You’ve worked hard. Thank you for everything up to this point. I will absolutely come back safely."

At his whisper, Mireille nodded, tears streaming down her face. Their lips touched, met, and confirmed their connection deeply, over and over. His warm lips trailed from her cheek to her temple, down her neck, and his sweet breath melted into her.

"…We should… get some sleep…"

Even as she said that and lay down, their lips met again, unwilling to let go of each other’s warmth. Fingertips combed through hair, caressed cheeks, and searched for each other’s backs. Even the body heat felt through their clothes was hot, and the closer they got, the further reason slipped away.

Long after night fell, the two continued to reaffirm each other’s existence.


"I’m off." He gave her one last kiss on the lips and left through the entrance. The next time he returned with Aria, they would no longer be able to touch like this.

When he got back to the base, Aria was there, her complexion clearly improved. The All-Purpose Bandage was stained with the impurities it had drawn from her skin condition. Mireille would continue the treatment once they reached the tower, he was told.

However, because she had been on the verge of death, even after taking the panacea, her condition only improved to the point of a better complexion. She wouldn't recover immediately.

As I lifted her into my arms to carry her to the tower, Kyle glared at me.

"It can’t be helped. There’s no other way."

I said it quickly, but I could feel his killing intent. I understood it was hard for him to part with her.

"Kyle, I promise I’ll get better," Aria said with a weak smile. Tears welled in Kyle’s eyes as he squeezed her hand.

"Okay, I’m taking her now." I put on the ring. Kyle’s hand let go, and just like that, she was at the tower.

In the end, I never found out if the two of them had confessed their love to each other last night.

"Aria-san, we will definitely come back, so please get well for Kyle’s sake." She was to continue her treatment on the second floor, it seemed. Aria smiled.

"Please, take care of Kyle."

"I will."

I returned to the tower as well.

We immediately began our preparations, and night deepened. We put on our Night Vision Lenses and rang a single Monster-Repelling Bell.

Karan

That sound was our signal to march. For the next day, no monsters would approach. Our Moonshadow Wolf armor glinted faintly in the moonlight as we left the base behind.