“Shut up and walk. This is uncomfortable,” Fremy spat, averting her gaze.
Meanwhile, Nashetania was battling fiends in the village where Adlet had met Fremy.
“…Hungry…want…meat…drink…blood!”
Her opponent was what looked like a gigantic wolf. The fact that it could speak human language, however imperfectly, was proof that it was particularly powerful. A small trickle of blood oozed from Nashetania’s cheek. The fiend lifted its front leg, attempting to crush her. A blade shot up from the ground, intercepting its body. “Hungry…hungry!” Though impaled, the fiend still writhed.
Nashetania swiped away the blood on her cheek using her slim sword. She then lengthened the blade, thrusting its tip into the fiend’s mouth.
The demon squirmed in agony, vomiting. “Can’t…eat Saint’s blood… Can’t have Saint’s blood!” Fiends ate people, but the bodies of Saints like Nashetania were deadly poison to them.
“This was frightening at first,” Nashetania muttered, summoning blades from thin air to chop up the beast. “But I’ve gotten quite used to fighting fiends now.” She divided her victim into three, four parts, and then finally, it stopped moving.
Once the fight was over, Nashetania surveyed the area. It was deathly still—she saw no fiends and no Adlet. Disappointed, Nashetania picked up a saddle that had fallen on the ground and read the words carved into it.
Nashetania. Met another Brave. I’m following her. Don’t worry about me and head for our goal.
“What’s going on?” Nashetania cocked her head. “If he’s following her, does that mean that she’s running away from him? Why would she run away? Just who is this other Brave?” She murmured to herself as she scanned the village once more to see if Adlet had left anything else behind.
That was when a black horse galloped into the village bearing a man of large build clad in black armor.
When she saw him, Nashetania cried out, “Goldof!”
The man—Goldof—dismounted at Nashetania’s side and put one knee to the ground before removing his helmet and bowing his head. “Your Highness. I apologize for my belatedness. I have hastened to your side.”
Goldof Auora. He was said to be the strongest of the knights of Piena. His face was permanently severe, and most would never guess he was younger than Nashetania. His black armor was heavy and durable, and his helmet was designed to resemble the curled horns of a goat. He carried a large iron spear in his right hand, connected to his wrist by a sturdy chain. His imposing appearance suggested he was a veteran of many battles, but something in his expression bespoke a lingering immaturity.
“So you did come after all. I knew you’d be chosen.” Nashetania greeted him kindly.
“It is an honor.”
“I’m grateful the Spirit of Fate chose you. I have nothing to be afraid of with you by my side.” Nashetania spoke with dignity, but there was something awkward about her tone. It lacked the casual ease with which she’d chatted with Adlet.
“I will protect you with my life, Your Highness,” pledged Goldof. “It is my intention to slay the Evil God and escort you safely back to the king.”
That statement elicited a bit of a frown. “Goldof.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“From now on, we are equals. Comrades-in-arms. You won’t simply be protecting me; we will protect each other.”
“But Your Highness…,” he protested. “You are a distinguished individual. I cannot allow the worst to happen to you.”
“…I see. I understand. Fine.” Nashetania gave him a small nod. “In any case, we have a problem. A fellow Brave who was with me until just a while ago disappeared somewhere.” Nashetania showed him the saddle.
Goldof read the text and tilted his head. “I don’t understand.”
“Neither do I.”
“Who was this companion of yours who wrote it?” he asked.
“Adlet Mayer. You know him, don’t you?”
When Goldof heard that name, his expression changed. He must also have heard what had happened during the holy tournament.
“Don’t give me that look,” said Nashetania. “He’s a reliable man.”
“Even though he abandoned you to go who knows where?” Goldof’s eyes were sharp, as if he was wary of the absent Adlet.
“That’s why we’re going to look for him now. I wonder which way he went,” she mulled.
Goldof reexamined the writing on the saddle. His expression said he was not only thinking about where Adlet had gone but considering the matter further. “He must have started toward the Howling Vilelands already. If we continue on, I believe we will encounter him.”
“Perhaps that’s our only option, but I am worried. I hope he’s all right,” said Nashetania. Goldof did not reply, simply offering up the horse upon which he had arrived. Nashetania refused, saddling and mounting the horse Adlet had been riding. As they galloped down the road out of town, she said, “Goldof. Adlet is a good person. He’s quite odd, and I’m sure you’ll find him confusing at first, but I think once you talk together a bit, you can be friends.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“It’s a big world out here. I think it’s a good thing I came out on this journey. I never would have met as curious a person as Adlet if I had stayed at the palace.”
“Is that so?”
“And also…he’s so much fun to tease,” added Nashetania, sticking out her tongue with a grin.
But Goldof seemed to have mixed feelings. He angled his face downward so as to hide his expression. “Pardon me, Princess, but…”
“What is it?”
“About this Adlet, do you, um…” He started saying something, then faltered. Still looking down, he fell into a long silence.
“What’s wrong? I don’t really know what you’re implying. Perhaps you have changed, too, during the time we’ve been apart.”
“Perhaps that is so. I apologize. Please forget about it,” he said.
Nashetania cocked her head, then clapped her hands together and cried, “Oh yes. What about that killer who’s been going after Braves? Have you found any leads?”
Goldof shook his head as he rode. “I am ashamed to say that, as of yet, I have failed to dispose of the killer. But I do know her name, appearance, and abilities.”
“So you
