Chapter 169: Rest and the Last Banquet
[space_man][space_man]The bonfire illuminated the grassland, which had grown dark as the sun set. Marie stirred a large pot, sighing as she worried about Eld, who still hadn’t returned.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”That’s unusual. Are you that worried?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Al called out to her. Al, who had woken up before sunset, had been surprised by Healing, who happened to be peeking in, and nearly fell out of the carriage before Layla saved him. However, what wasn’t saved were his clothes, which were covered in blood. As a result, after his treatment was finished, Moira and Healing undressed him and put him to bed. Because of this, he ended up showing Layla his naked body, and his dignity was not protected.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”It suits you quite well. You always wear a proper military uniform, so it’s probably the first time I’ve seen you in such casual clothes.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]What Al was currently wearing was something Moira had made while he was sleeping.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Come to think of it, that’s true. I wore a uniform during my academy days too.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”That’s enough. Al, could you bring everyone’s plates? It would be helpful if you could serve the food as I dish it out.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I’m still recovering, you know.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Despite saying that, Al carried the dried plates.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”If it were Eld, he would do it without complaining.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Don’t compare him to that guy.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie served the stew onto the plates, and Al distributed them. When she tried to hand Layla a plate, Layla blushed and nearly dropped it.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]They ate their meal in silence. Then, Tempera returned, carrying Eld on his back. He lowered Eld onto an empty spot. When Marie approached, she saw that Eld was fast asleep.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”He’s in a forced sleep due to magic depletion. He won’t wake up until morning.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Tempera said, sitting down next to Meteor.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Didn’t he overdo it? I’m surprised that human’s magic power held out.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I restored it several times along the way. With that much, he can manage even someone like Create.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Tempera looked at Eld. Moira had brought a cloth and covered Eld with it. Marie held his head while Moira placed a cushion under it.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I guess this is good for now. Should I cast a recovery spell just in case?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I didn’t see any noticeable wounds when I looked earlier, but please do it anyway.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]At Marie’s request, Moira enveloped Eld in a healing barrier. Then, she took out another cloth and spread it on either side of Eld.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Which side do you prefer today, right or left?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Then left.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Moira took out different colored cushions and placed them on each cloth.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Preparations are complete. Now all that’s left is……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Moira’s gaze turned to Layla.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Layla-san, if you’d like, please use this as a pillow.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Moira said, offering her a cushion.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Ah, thank you. Do you have any extra cloth?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]When Layla asked if there was any cloth for bedding, Moira pointed to the carriage with a beaming smile.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Layla-san, you’ll be in the carriage with Prince Alderic.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Eh!!? No, that’s……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Layla’s face flushed red, and she panicked.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”You’ve already seen His Highness naked, so it should be fine to sleep together. Besides, His Highness is probably exhausted and half asleep already.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]When she looked at Al, he was asleep in a sitting position, his head about to hit the ground.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Al, if you’re going to sleep, you need to sleep properly……He’s completely out.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie shook Al, but he didn’t wake up.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Layla, please carry Al to the carriage. And then you should go to sleep too. I’ll take care of cleaning up.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Marie-Senpai!!? But I…… I can’t possibly……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Layla said, bowing her head. She thought she heard Marie and Moira clicking their tongues.
[space_man]
[space_man]
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Late at night, the five humans were fast asleep, but the three magic swords were awake, drinking sake and enjoying the snacks Marie had made.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Haa…… This is the last time we’ll be drinking like this……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Meteor said wistfully.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”It can’t be helped. Let’s savor this last banquet.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Ahahaha. It’s a bit quiet for a banquet, though.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Meteor laughed in response to Healing’s words. His laughter was different from the daytime, quiet and tinged with sadness.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Can those humans fight on equal terms with the Demon Tribe?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”On equal terms…… might be a bit of a stretch. But I’ve taught them how to fight. They won’t die.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Haan. Both you and that Goddess are quite fond of them. Isn’t it thanks to you that Create’s sword broke?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”If it was my, the magic sword’s power, it should have broken when you were slammed into it.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Oh yeah, that’s right. The recoil was reflected, wasn’t it?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Meteor recalled the battle with Create that Marie had told him about.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”What makes that guy different from the others is that he has the Goddess’s protection. That’s why he has the ability to cut Demon Tribe members.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”The Goddess’s protection, that’s the thing where you make a contract with a Goddess and they grant a benefit to the person you wish for, right? During the war, there were tons of Goddesses who would grant each other protection and challenge us.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”That’s right. Someone in his family probably made a contract with a Goddess. I don’t think anyone but a Goddess would know more than that.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Tempera gulped down his sake and touched his neck.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Tempera, are you not going to erase that wound on your neck?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Healing asked Tempera, who had been drinking quietly by himself. Healing had been concerned about the wound since Tempera returned carrying Eld.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Oh, now that you mention it, there is a wound. Normally, I would heal it like kneading clay. But I think you can’t undo it after some time has passed, right?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Meteor said, looking at Tempera’s neck.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Yeah, I won’t erase this wound. It’s a wound of possibility that my partner showed me.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Tempera said, looking at Eld, who was sandwiched between Marie and Moira and seemed to be having a little trouble sleeping.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Oh, what do you mean by partner? Have you been swayed by a human?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Well…… maybe…… I do think this is nice. If his magic is incomplete and I can’t return to being a magic sword, I could be with them…… Well, it’s just a pipe dream……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Tempera gulped down his sake. Healing sighed at his words.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Haa…… It certainly would be a dream if that happened. But I’m against it……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Why? I think it would be interesting.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”It’s not just limited to humans, but living beings hate foreign objects. We, magic swords, are unknown foreign objects to humans. They would try to eliminate us completely. It’s the same for those kids. Exile would be the best-case scenario. In the worst case, they would be executed for colluding with the Demon Tribe.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Healing’s eyes shone sadly from behind her mask.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”So if that happens…… I’ll stay here, and I won’t let you go anywhere either…… It would be sad to leave Moira, but…… I don’t want to cause her any more trouble……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Don’t cry, Healing. It’s just a hypothetical.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Healing shifted her mask and wiped her eyes.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Yes, you’re right. It’s just a hypothetical. We’ll return to being magic swords and be together again.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Ahh, I guess we need to think of some parting words for tomorrow. I’m not good at this kind of thing.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Perhaps to change the mood, Meteor said brightly. His words made the other two smile. And so the night deepened.