Side Story Episode 12

Pallides, who had been able to transform into a human, could still transform into a human even after opening her eyes again.

This time, truly, just a human.

Confirming her own head, properly attached, Pallides first sought to grasp the situation. She searched for eyewitness accounts of having seen the Resurrected One, but unfortunately, there were none.

Next, Pallides intended to go to Veladia Castle. In truth, the path to that place had not been publicly disclosed, and to begin with, even the method of entering the mountain range seemed distant, but she was determined to wander aimlessly around the vicinity at least.

That is, if she hadn't heard a story about a noble one-armed paladin while picking up rumors.

"That righteous one is truly a paladin who serves the goddess!"

Upon learning that the paladin's name was Samuel, Pallides changed her destination.

In this land where no news of her Captain had been heard, a traitor was alive and roaming. Pallides wished to finally bring the fight with the traitor to an end this time.

Finding him was not difficult. Unexpectedly, he had left traces of himself here and there.

"Sir Pallides."

Samuel, met again, had a more relaxed face than expected. That fueled Pallides's anger.

"How dare you walk around holding your head high!"

"Seeing that you have awakened, that person must have opened their eyes as well."

When talk of Anelli came from Samuel's mouth, she couldn't help but hesitate. However, Pallides soon steeled her heart.

If Anelli had opened her eyes, all the more reason this traitor should not be allowed to live upon this land.

Samuel did not avoid the fight Pallides brought. But neither did he meekly offer his neck to her sword.

What was frustrating was the fact that, even though Samuel had lost an arm, she could not easily defeat him. No matter how much of a Dullahan she was, in her transformed human state, it was not easy to draw out the Monster's power.

Moreover, the characteristic that Dullahans were particularly weak against opponents using divine power also made the fight difficult.

After a protracted struggle, Pallides conceded. That there would be no victory for her at the end of this.

……And also, that Samuel facing her felt less like confronting an enemy and more like instruction.

"Damn it!"

Samuel merely gazed intently at Pallides, who was angry and sorrowful. Then, he suddenly asked.

"Aren't you going to meet that person?"

"What?"

"A new Emperor's coronation ceremony is scheduled soon. I hear the Resurrected One will attend."

His words were enough to shake Pallides's heart in an instant. My Captain.

"How do you know that?"

"Well, because the Temple is also planning to attend the coronation."

It seemed Samuel still held a not-low position within the Temple. Watching Pallides, who glared at him in silence, Samuel opened his mouth again.

"I will help you attend."

"Why?"

"Because I need a pretext as well."

Samuel let out a sigh right after uttering the words. He, who had shown almost no emotional fluctuation, only then barely revealed a speck of emotion. It was reluctance.

"A pretext to lay eyes upon that person."

* * *

I immediately took Pallides and slipped out of the coronation venue. Only upon returning to the palace assigned to me did I finally feel at ease.

Since I had to wait for Zigore, Minte, and Tristan, who had left their seats saying they would look for news of Pallides anyway, I had plenty of time to talk with Pallides alone.

"Since you've regained your head, it's no wonder no news came up despite inquiries."

Though I laughed hollowly, I couldn't hide my gladness.

The lingering worry that perhaps she hadn't been resurrected finally settled. It felt like retrieving the last lost piece of a puzzle.

"But how did you attend the coronation?"

"Ah, that……."

Pallides, who had hesitated with a somewhat awkward face, reluctantly parted her lips. The words that flowed from her mouth were most unexpected.

"I came with the traitor."

"Samuel?"

But I didn't see Samuel at the coronation…….

Thinking that far, I recalled the numerous crowds and then shook my head. Even if he had been there, it seemed entirely possible if he had deliberately hidden himself.

"It's unexpected that you traveled with him."

"Of course, it wasn't a smooth journey, and I haven't forgiven that wretch either!"

But for all that, Pallides's emotions had clearly settled more calmly than before.

When I didn't answer and just gazed intently at her, Pallides subtly averted her eyes.

"Actually, I tried to execute the traitor, but my strength was insufficient, so I didn't succeed."

"……If that was for my sake, you needn't have. But if it was your personal anger, I don't wish to dissuade you from that either."

At my answer, Pallides chewed her lip. Then, she cautiously gauged my expression.

"Captain, is it alright like this?"

"What is?"

"Everything……."

She looked a little confused. For a moment, I thought it might be understandable if the first person she met upon opening her eyes was Samuel.

I don't know with what intention he brought Pallides here, but as Pallides said, their journey together probably wasn't smooth.

If she had met the other comrades first, wouldn't she have been able to reunite with me more stably?

Pushing aside the fleeting thought, I spoke calmly.

"Your time and mine are now finite. So, wouldn't it be better to fill it with more joyful things?"

"Joyful things?"

"Yes. For example…… something like a boat ride."

A faint blush rose on Pallides's face, which had been staring at me blankly. Her flushed face soon colored with anticipation.

"It would be really fun!"

"Mhm. To celebrate the new Emperor's coronation, the entire Empire will hold a festival for a whole month. You'll probably be able to enjoy boat rides all over the Empire."

"A nationwide boat ride tour! Wearing festival attire too! This time, I will definitely pick clothes that suit you well, Captain!"

Pallides, thoroughly excited, began earnestly discussing boat ride plans. Seeing them spill out one after another as if she'd been waiting, it seemed she had been thinking about it quite a bit inside.

Anyway, it was a relief that Pallides seemed to have shaken off unnecessary gloom.

'Speaking of Samuel…….'

Recalling the last sight of Samuel I had before losing consciousness, I glanced out the window. Not now, but someday.

After a little more time passes, might I not suddenly encounter him one day?

Thinking such vague thoughts.

* * *

"Aren't you going to say goodbye before leaving?"

At that question, the silently walking footsteps abruptly halted. The man, standing dumbfounded, slowly turned his head.

"……I didn't think you'd recognize me."

"Wouldn't it be stranger not to recognize that build?"

Xenon muttered in a gruff voice, roughly sweeping back his bangs. Samuel, who had been quietly leaving the imperial palace, looked at Xenon, who had unnecessarily pretended to know him, with a somewhat surprised expression.

It wasn't that Xenon couldn't understand Samuel's expression. Frankly, Xenon had always regarded Samuel unfavorably.

But even so, strictly speaking, he was also someone Xenon held no particular grudge against. Unlike Anelli or the other Dullahans, Xenon had no shared history with Samuel.

Frankly, there was also a certain degree of camaraderie.

So, to the extent of chasing after him like this and pretending to know him?

"I thought you might at least accept a farewell."

"Having seen your face is enough."

Xenon, having confirmed the conspicuously flapping one shoulder, naturally shifted his gaze.

"That persistently clinging personality is all dead, huh."

"It's not completely dead."

Xenon's face, which had almost softened, crumpled sharply. Be that as it may, Samuel continued indifferently in a flat voice.

"That's why I specifically sought out this place."

Xenon, who had for a moment felt pity for Samuel, realized how rashly he had shown mercy and reflected. Had he forgotten that temperament after not seeing him for so long?

No matter that he was now Anelli's lover, he must always remain vigilant and wary of his surroundings.

"Right, go quickly. Goodbye. Safe travels."

Xenon, having instantly changed his stance, waved his hand cleanly. Anyway, he had pretended to know him, so he had kept up old sentiments. This was enough.

But this time, Samuel stood still and asked a question.

"Magician, are you guarding that person's side?"

"Yes. Guarding very well. Sticking right by, inseparable. We get along very well. Planning to be together for life."

"If I wish to see that person later, I suppose I can check where the Tower Master's disciple is."

"……You're not going?"

At Xenon's awkward question, Samuel tried to turn away again as if it were nothing. Then, his empty sleeve flapped greatly.

Seeing that, Xenon couldn't bring himself to be completely heartless either, so he let out a deep sigh and called Samuel back again.

"Hey, paladin."

Samuel, glancing back at Xenon indifferently, reflexively caught the small object flying towards him in a parabolic arc.

Only after holding it in his hand did he confirm it was a small communication magical artifact, and he looked at Xenon with puzzled eyes.

"It's not connected to Lady Anelli, so don't get the wrong idea. If it looks like you'll die a lonely death somewhere, I'll save you once. I'm a magician full of compassion."

"Is it pity?"

"Thanks to you, Lady Anelli was able to return to my side. I'm settling this in advance so you don't later use that as a pretext to demand something."

At Xenon's words, Samuel made a subtle expression. Fiddling with the magical artifact in his hand, lost in thought, Samuel flatly parted his lips.

"Cover your tracks well as you go about. So that person's honor isn't tarnished."

Xenon reflexively covered his own nape with his hand. But he soon recalled his own clean nape, confirmed in the mirror this morning, and sharply scowled.

"You, a paladin, telling such a low-quality lie to an upstanding magician……!"

But Samuel, having said his piece, lightly ignored whatever Xenon said and this time truly showed his back.

Xenon, looking at Samuel's retreating figure with absurd eyes, let out a hollow sigh and shook his head.

Still, seeing that he didn't discard the magical artifact, perhaps contact would come someday.

Thinking that, Xenon turned his steps towards the palace where Anelli was waiting.

The coronation was over, so it was time to return to their comfortable nest.