When he arrived at the noble’s estate and neared the front door, two gatekeepers brandished their spears at him. The black flame burned in his chest hotter than it ever had before. But this time the heat was not unpleasant. Howling like a beast, Goldof attacked the gatekeepers.
He didn’t remember very well what happened after that. Weapon in hand, he struck down everything within reach. When the hammer broke, he stole a spear from a soldier and swung it around recklessly. But as strong as Goldof was, he was still barely ten years old, and this was also the first time in his life he’d ever used a weapon like this. There was no way he could match armed and formally trained soldiers. They stabbed him in the side, hit his head with a spear shaft, and pierced his foot with an arrow. But still Goldof’s knees would not lower to the ground.
His consciousness dim, his vision hazy, Goldof noticed that there were others fighting with him. Ten knights had broken into the estate and were fighting the soldiers.
“The princess is safe!” someone yelled, and the moment Goldof heard that, he passed out.
When Goldof opened his eyes, he found himself swathed in bandages and lying on a soft, unfamiliar bed. He asked the young knight by his bedside where he was. The man replied that it was one of the Black Horns knights’ barracks. He also explained that this was a special sickroom for nobles only, but Goldof was getting special treatment.
Goldof’s next question was, “Is that girl safe?”
The knight laughed and replied, “Yes, Princess Nashetania is safe.”
That was when Goldof first learned the girl’s name. The knight was surprised to learn he hadn’t known who Nashetania was. “You’re saying you fought that hard for a girl whose name you didn’t even know?”
Goldof nodded, and the knight shook his head as if to say, I can’t believe it. But Goldof let that drop. What he really wanted to know about was Nashetania.
According to the young man, the Black Horns knights, one of the twelve knight orders of the Kingdom of Piena, had rescued Nashetania. By the time Goldof met Nashetania, the captain of the knights, Gazama, had already known that she was in danger. Gazama had spearheaded an attack on Barbitt’s estate to rescue her. That had been merely half an hour after Goldof barged his way into the estate. The Black Horns knights had killed Barbitt, and Nashetania was now under their protection. Three knight orders had declared they would stay by Nashetania’s side, so there was no longer any danger to her life. What’s more, Barbitt’s plan had apparently been to take the princess to the capital and kill her there. At the time Goldof attacked the estate, her life had not yet been in danger.
In other words, even if Goldof hadn’t come to fight for her, the Black Horns knights would have saved Nashetania anyway. Basically, his fierce struggle had been entirely pointless. But the young knight said, “Your courage in facing the enemy all alone to save the princess was greater than that of any. Every knight should learn from your example.” That confused Goldof—this was the first time in his life anyone had ever praised him for anything.
A knock sounded on the sickroom door. The knight snapped to attention and ushered in the guest. Wearing a simple white dress, Nashetania approached his bedside with graceful steps. Goldof felt hot, and his heart pounded so hard that blood oozed out from his unhealed wounds.
“So you’re all right. First, let me ask your name.” Nashetania spoke gracefully. She seemed completely different from when they had first spoken.
Blushing, he introduced himself.
“Goldof…That’s a nice name.”
He couldn’t even hear what she was saying. He was so entranced, he couldn’t think.
“Sir, a thanks is in order…” the knight beside them said.
But Nashetania indicated with a gesture that it was unnecessary. “Sir Bov, please step outside. I wish to speak with him privately.”
“Very well, Your Highness.”
As the knight left the sickroom, Goldof remained fixated on Nashetania. Once they were alone, her poise evaporated, and she gave him a carefree grin. “So your name is Goldof, mister? The truth is, I’m actually Nashetania. Tee-hee, does that surprise you?”
Goldof nodded. Nashetania reached out to him. He hesitated, but then accepted her handshake. It was the first time he’d ever touched a girl without violence.
“You don’t talk much, do you?” she said. “I got that impression, when we first met.”
“…Yeah.”
“How old are you? Where did you learn to use a spear?”
“That was…my first time. I’m…ten.”
“Really, te— Wait, you’re younger than me?!” Nashetania’s eyes widened in shock and she looked Goldof up and down. “Huh? What?! You don’t look…Oh, well, I guess you’ve kinda got a baby face…” Embarrassed by her ogling, Goldof turned away. Nashetania’s head tilted back and forth in bewilderment, but she seemed to be convinced, nevertheless.
After that, she asked about his wounds, touching him to make sure he was recouperating. His wounds were serious, but knowing they would all heal with time made her smile contentedly.
Talking with Nashetania evoked strange feelings from inside him. It made his heart turn clear, warm, and serene. Later, Goldof would come to understand that this feeling was called “peace.”
“Well, mister—I mean, Goldof. I forgot to ask you something important. Why did you come to save me?”
Goldof hadn’t even known what he was doing when he came after her. Unable to explain his reasons, he reflected. As he did, for some reason, he began crying. Goldof kept wiping the tears away, but they wouldn’t stop.
“What’s wrong?” she asked. “Are you hurt?” Goldof tried to say something, but it just wouldn’t come into words.
Nashetania smiled and said, “You don’t have to force yourself to talk. I’ll wait until you’re done.”
Goldof continued sobbing for a long time after that. He’d first woken in the afternoon, but even after the sun set, the tears wouldn’t stop coming. Nashetania waited patiently, never showing slightest sign of annoyance.
Goldof had always
