Chapter 49: I Want to Talk
After that, I tried to have discussions with Victor multiple times, but he always managed to escape. He wouldn’t speak to me, maintaining a stern expression.
We spent a week with only minimal necessary conversations. The clouds were steadily moving north towards Heartfield. And Pauline had a new vision.
“In three days, magic power will fall here.”
Pauline pointed at the map. It was right in the heart of Heartfield’s old downtown. A place with winding narrow streets, like capillaries, and densely packed buildings.
“Of all places. . .”
The prince and the vice commander were speechless, staring at Pauline-san’s finger. Eldred-sama, who had regained his composure, gave instructions to his subordinates.
“Impose an evacuation order on the residents of this district immediately. Prohibit them from taking their belongings. They should evacuate with only one piece of luggage.”
“Yes, sir.”
Amidst the heavy atmosphere dominating the camp, I dragged Victor out.
“What is it?”
“I want to talk.”
“I have nothing to talk about.”
“I do!”
I grabbed onto Victor’s sleeve, looking displeased. Despite his anger, Victor reluctantly followed me.
The camp would probably be relocated to Heartfield. Both inside and outside the camp, many soldiers were bustling about.
“Victor, I’m sorry.”
“What for?”
“For not consulting with you.”
“It’s none of my concern, right?”
I hugged Victor head-on.
“What the. . .”
“If we don’t talk about it now, I’ll regret it forever. I want you to let me explain properly. Please.”
Then, Victor pulled me aside, grabbed both of my arms, and stared directly into my face.
“Haru, do you think it’s [okay to die]?”
“Huh?”
“Look into your own heart. Do you think Haru is thinking [it’s okay to die, there’s no other choice]?”
“I’m not sure. I don’t think I’m thinking that.”
“You are. And you’re even prepared to die under the magic circle I created. Have you even considered me, even a tiny bit? Are you deciding and preparing to die all by yourself? Am I someone who can’t even be consulted when you make such a determination?”
Victor’s usually cool eyes were filled with tears, and a drop fell from the corner of his left eye.
“I’m sorry. You see, I was raised by foster parents in a facility, but when I was five, I overheard the neighbors gossiping and found out that I wasn’t their real child.”
“Yeah.”
“I have two younger brothers, and I realized at the age of five that I was the only one from a different family. Since then, I’ve been living, trying not to cause any trouble.”
“Yeah.”
“To avoid being disliked, to avoid being abandoned again, I had to be strong. That’s why I’m not used to relying on others. I wasn’t a real family member. . .”
“I’m sorry.”
“Huh?”
“I’m sorry I dragged you suddenly from the world where you were working so hard to live in, and left you completely alone this time. No matter how much I apologize, I can’t apologize enough, Haru, I’m truly sorry… And yet, you’re willing to risk your life for us. I’m sorry.”
Victor, who had been holding onto my arms, wrapped his arms around my body and cried.
“No, I haven’t decided to die. I might be with Victor forever. So please don’t cry so much. Hey, I’ve been scared and couldn’t ask you until now, but should we ask Pauline-san? How I’m doing one year from now.”
Victor didn’t respond while still holding me.
“If I’m doing well one year from now, Victor can feel relieved, right?”
“I don’t want to know.”
“Pauline-san said you’re a genius. So I’m sure I’m not mistaken. I was chosen because I’m needed. It took a long time, but I finally accepted that. That’s why, Victor, I don’t want to fight while we’re still mad at each other. We have to make up. We have to reconcile and I have to fulfill my responsibilities. Okay?”
“You were so against it. You said you weren’t a saint.”
“That’s right. You insisted that I was a saint.”
“Why have our arguments switched places?”
“Yeah, that’s true. Now, Victor, cheer up. Do you remember the magic circle? Can you create it?”
“. . .Yeah. I’m an amazing summoner, after all. A magic circle that drops magic power where we aim for is a piece of cake.”
Victor laughed with tears still in his eyes.
“Victor.”
“What?”
“When I finish what I need to do properly, let’s go somewhere and live together.”
“Yeah. That sounds good. Let’s live together. And make me a part of Haru’s family.”
“Yeah. Yeah. Let’s become a family.”
From that night on, Victor immersed himself in devising a ritual to create a massive magic circle. Both Victor and I (perhaps. . .) decided to overlook the fear and focus only on what lies ahead.
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