61 – Concern
By taking in the bright sunlight, White silently moved on.
There was no specific destination.
Just walking around the island as if taking a walk.
“… ….”
A little distraught began to appear on his expression.
-I’ll help you, White.
-Even though I can’t move as the great mage of the imperial family, as an individual, it means that I will help your will.
What came to mind were the words spoken by Friedrich, who had been standing in a confrontation just a moment ago.
‘…… What should I do?’
White closed her eyes and began to think about her.
The presence of helpers.
In the first place, he hadn’t even considered such an existence.
Why is that?
“… ….”
White, who seemed lost in thought for a moment, was able to come to a conclusion before it was too late.
‘There was no particular reason,’ he said.
A little embarrassment appeared on White’s expression before long.
‘…… Why?’
Why didn’t I think of that?
Why didn’t the presence of helpers be arranged in advance?
Why didn’t he question such things and didn’t even realize that there was no good reason in the end?
…… Yeah, why was it?
From the beginning, I made up my mind to move alone.
The annihilation of the 12 demon kings, in other words, revenge.
On that arduous road of vengeance, she herself did not want to give anyone else room to intervene.
‘Why?’
The thoughts that came to my mind immediately were questions about myself who had made that decision.
Why did you make that choice?
What is the reason you wanted to deal with the demon kings alone, without anyone’s help?
“… ….”
…… Of course, it will be the result of several factors.
Aside from the most basic way of thinking that being alone is comfortable, the existence of companions was unnecessary in the battle with the demon lord.
In the first place, in order to deal with the 12 demon lords, you had to be a wizard who had reached the level of at least a great wizard.
He was able to kill two demon kings with his 7th circle because he was not just an ordinary 7th circle wizard.
That was all.
Actually, before the return, he was in the 7th circle, and if he had battled with the gold demon king at that point, he would surely have been defeated.
…… But, that’s it.
“Why?”
White’s expression gradually changed to a disturbed one.
She gritted her teeth, bit her lip shallowly, and her expression was distorted.
With a look of considerable distress, White trudged along with her steps.
“… ….”
If you think about it a little calmly, Friedrich’s proposal wasn’t so bad for White.
No, I just wanted it to be helpful, and I could say that it was absolutely not a harmful kind of suggestion.
But.
-I think it will take a little bit of time.
“… ….”
…… Why didn’t he himself accept the offer right away?
Even if you can’t help from the front, a minimum of support from behind will be enough help.
Aren’t they like that?
Only two grand mage-level wizards, including his own father Teikan Clifford and Marquis Lyikanter.
If they supported themselves, it would be an obvious fact that assassinating the 12 Demon Kings would be much easier.
…… The Empire side cannot move.
In order to keep the 12 Demon Kings in check, on the contrary, the Empire needed to stay still.
If you move recklessly, it will only give them an excuse.
But.
Nevertheless, if those individuals would support themselves.
As for assassinating the 12 demon lords, if they support their will and help.
‘…… As for the goal I hope for, how can it not be helpful?’
At one point, White let out a blank laugh with a look of absurdity.
A slightly bitter smile began to appear on his face.
How can you be so stupid and stupid?
After all, nothing has changed.
The past self who did not notice that all the people around him were knocked down while running towards his own goal.
‘No, no.’
It would be fair to say that it has regressed further.
At least at that time, myself at that time.
Because there was a clear goal.
In order to save her teacher, Ashera, she turned a blind eye to the continent heading toward destruction.
…… Even if one Grand Mage class was added anyway, the battle situation would not change, and the most important thing to me at that time was only Ashera.
Whether the world perishes or not, he was immersed in the study of magic.
‘At that time, I had a minimal purpose. And for that purpose, I couldn’t afford to look around.’
But, what about now?
Is the world headed for an end?
A country collapses in real time, and a part of the continent falls apart after a day.
Is it a situation in which countless strong people, including the great mage-level wizard, are powerlessly dying to cope with the rampage of the 12 demon kings and Ashera?
…… No, it wasn’t.
At this point, there was minimal leeway.
You can ask for help, and I’m doing my best to stay by her side to prevent Ashera from running amok.
In addition to that, I have already killed two of the 12 demon lords.
Then, what reason would there be for hesitation?
…… No reason to ask for more time or put the proposal on hold.
I wouldn’t have been anywhere.
“…… It’s pitiful.”
Opening my eyes slowly, taking in the bright sunlight.
Muttered White.
“Who is pathetic?”
“…… !”
The very next moment, a clear voice came from behind.
White jerked her body and turned her head hastily back.
Of course, the owner of the voice was someone that White was extremely familiar with.
“Su, Master…… ?”
From noble mtl dot com
“Yes, this is Ashera, your disciple’s teacher~”
Ashera let out her mischievous voice and smiled broadly at White.
“…… No, since when have you been behind?”
“Mmm. Since when, Ra.”
White asked with a look of bewilderment, and Ashera stroked her chin as if thinking about it.
And she must have remembered something of hers before it was too late, when she opened her mouth with a mischievous laugh.
“Since the disciple closed his eyes and gave off a gloomy atmosphere as if he was lost in thought, could it be?”
“…… !”
Surely, White’s expression was stained with shame in an instant.
…… Doesn’t that mean she’s been watching from the beginning?
White’s eyes began to glow with resentment.
“…… If you’ve been following me, why don’t you give me some advice? What, it’s not even voyeurism—”
Quang!
“Yes, shut your mouth.”
“… ….”
However, what came back was Ashera’s roundabout kick that seemed like she was hitting it with a hammer.
She accidentally puts on a guard, but it can’t be helped that her arm throbs as if it’s broken.
“Haa… ….”
So, she caressed her own arm, her white hair trying to grumble.
“…… Disciple.”
In the very next moment, Ashera opened her mouth with a faint expression.
“Yes?”
White raised her head, frowning subtly.
What else do you mean by lowering your voice and calling?
With that intention, White tried to blind her.
“… ….”
Right after that, she came into sight and saw the bitter expression of her teacher.
White naturally had no choice but to keep his mouth shut.
“What are you so worried about, disciple?”
“…… What are you talking about?”
“Don’t pretend, everything is visible.”
With her wry smile on her lips, Ashera began to speak in her calm voice.
“What are you thinking about? What do you think, are you distorting your expression like that?”
“… ….”
“I don’t want to see my disciple suffer like that.”
“…… Master.”
White called out to her in her trembling voice, but she did not answer him as Ashera began to stroke White’s cheek with her gentle hands.
Naturally, White flinched her body once, but Ashera grabbed White’s hand as if she wouldn’t let her back down.
“…… I don’t know what the disciple is thinking about.”
Slowly, Ashera leaned her body toward White.
Ashera buried her head in her white chest, as if she were going to fall into his arms.
“Just, do what you want to do?”
With a bit of a silly laugh, she went on with her words in a soft voice.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a disciple who was so deeply troubled that I forgot my existence.
“… ….”
As if Ashera’s bitter words had troubled her heart, White flinched at her once.
“…… That.”
And I opened my mouth to spit out an excuse.
“Ahahahaha, you don’t have to worry too much about it. I’m just a little worried about my disciple.”
“… ….”
As if she wouldn’t listen to such excuses, Ashera opened her mouth again in a relaxed but firm voice.
“…… I always respect your decision.”
Slowly, her golden eyes began to shine in a hazy but distinct form.
“Whether you accept Friedrich’s proposal or try to annihilate the 12 demon lords, I will always be on your side. That is all you need to know, disciple.”
“… ….”
“Don’t worry, don’t hesitate. No matter what choice the disciple makes, I will support and help that will.”
“…… Master.”
At Ashera, who continued to speak, White let out a trembling voice.
Placing his index finger on White’s lips, Ashera drew her graceful eye smile.
And to Ashera’s actions.
In her smile, in the words she uttered.
As for White, she had to feel a very poignant sensation.
Sorrow, or guilt.
How should she express her feelings?
I couldn’t know exactly, but with a strangely faint feeling.
White could feel that her mind, which had been troubled for some reason, was becoming more stable.
“… ….”
It seemed that all the troubles I had so far were blown away in an instant.
‘What is this feeling?’
I felt a bit despondent, but for some reason, it felt like a very warm sunlight was shining on me.
It was indeed a fresh sensation, but at the same time it was a strange feeling.
…… For some reason, it doesn’t seem like such a bad feeling.
Those thoughts began to circulate in White’s head once.
“… ….”
And, in the end, what did White do without saying anything?
Aww!
“…… !”
She just gave her gentle smile and hugged Ashera, who held her own hand.
“…… My, disciple?”
Where did that confident momentum from a moment ago go?
Ashera instantly flushed her face and shook her pupils.
“Why, why? Why are you hugging me so tightly all of a sudden?!”
“…… Well.”
White hugged her even tighter, just calmly responding to her ashera’s embarrassed voice.
Like she literally never lets go, like she says she wants to hold on forever.
And right after that.
“I like it, Master.”
“…… !”
White spat out such a word in a very light tone.
“…… Uh, uh?”
Ashera blinked her eyes and jerked her body.
Ashera began to lick her lips lightly, dyeing the tip of her neck red.
…… And, before she even uttered a word.
“Thank you again. Because you said so.”
With all her heart, White let those words slip out of her mouth.
“…… It’s okay.”
And what about Ashera’s expression after hearing such embarrassing words twice in a row?
Perhaps for granted, as if he was absolutely ashamed.
“hahahaha… ….”
Because it had a light that seemed like it would die from shame.
“Oh, really. Disciple, why are you able to say such a thing casually…? ….”
“Thank you.”
“…… It’s not a compliment, stupid disciple.”
Perfect!
Her hand slapped White on the back of the head once, but White didn’t seem to mind at all.
“… ….”
However, she erased her troubled expression from a while ago in an instant.
With rare sincerity, White smiled brightly.
“…… When are you going to let go, really.”
And at that point, did Ashera give up?
She let out a shallow sigh and pulled White into a hug.
“I’m only allowing it this time. Next time you show up like this, there won’t be a second time.”
…… As if very excited, her expression dyed red.