Chapter 47: Charlotte and the Aftermath

There isn’t much I can really say.

After admitting defeat, Rosalind was escorted away by the federation staff who came onto the stage a little while after the fight was over.

But just before that, she cast another absurdly powerful spell...

"Oh, I almost forgot. 'Replay Reroll.'"

As she murmured those words, the utterly destroyed venue began restoring itself to normal.

No way... Was she really sustaining a spell of this magnitude the entire time we were fighting?

Confronted with power on a completely different level, all I could do was stare blankly as her back disappeared while being led away. And just before vanishing beyond the doorway, she even had the composure to smile and wave at me.

The others? I didn’t have the luxury to even check their condition.

"Wow, it worked out great, Charlotte-chan!"

"Huh? Ah, well... somehow it did. I’m glad."

A casual arm around my shoulder snapped me back to reality.

Who? Ah, Trishel. She’s the touchy type... well, fine. She seems to have worked hard, so I’ll let it slide.

But yeah... “I’m glad,” huh. No, really. It’s good that it all turned out this way.

I’d been running around under the stage, passing messages and strategies to Trishel. In the end, she must have noticed me, but since she ignored me, that actually saved my life. If she’d been cautious enough not to overlook even an insect, she might have killed me outright. She must’ve decided I wasn’t worth the effort.

"...Wait, Reynard! I thought it was strange you were lying down—there’s a hole in your stomach!"

"Hey, Charlotte. Oww... not my coolest look, huh?"

"Don’t move! Patients need rest! I’ll heal you right now!"

I shoved off the clinging Trishel and rushed over to Reynard.

Looking back, I guess it really was the right call to come here. Reynard had a literal hole through his stomach, Trishel had multiple broken bones, and we’d even managed to create an opening against that monster of a sister.

I hadn’t healed Trishel yet, but she seemed energetic enough, so she could wait! Reynard came first.

What the hell... I thought it was just a clean hole, but his insides were shredded! No wonder he couldn’t even stand!

I hurriedly cast healing magic, piecing him back together. Seriously, what happened to him? Every time I healed a part, I discovered more gruesome details. It was like a bomb had gone off inside him.

Thank goodness at least my healing magic is reliable. Even that stupid condition about physical contact didn’t bother me right now. With this much, I should be able to fix him completely.

I let out a breath of relief—only for a shadow to fall over me.

When I looked up, Riven was standing there.

"...Something wrong?"

"………No."

"No?"

He looked like he was struggling to say something, so I asked first. But “no”? What kind of answer is that?

And he kept staring at me. What? What is it?

"...What is it?"

"……… You really can use healing magic, huh."

"Excuse me?"

Is that what you’re saying right now?!

Sure, maybe this is the first time I’ve actually shown it, but still! This is not the time to bring it up! Come on!

"I told you I could use it. Or did you really think I was just dead weight?"

"………"

"That’s where you say something! Silence is the worst possible option!"

What is with this guy?!

If you’re not going to do anything, don’t distract me now! Healing takes a lot of focus, so stop breaking my concentration!

Maybe he picked up on my irritation, because Riven shut his mouth and stayed quiet until Reynard managed to sit up.

"Yeah, I think I can move now. Thanks, Charlotte."

"Sheesh. You always push yourself too far. Weren’t you supposed to be fighting just a whip user?"

"Hahaha, it surprised me too."

To call that kind of wound “surprising”... that’s an adventurer for you. He’s suffered worse injuries fighting monsters, after all. That brings back memories. I really thought we’d all die that time.

"Excuse me, may I have a word?"

A federation staff member. Guess the on-site inspection is over?

That means next is questioning.

I turned around to answer, but froze.

The question wasn’t directed at me—it was addressed to Riven.

"...What is it?"

"That sword... could you return Kakuzuchi to us?"

"Ah."

Oh, right. Trishel broke the showcase so I could grab it, but this might be bad.

We did end up winning it at the auction, but there was never any official handover. More importantly, we haven’t even paid yet. The sword is still technically federation property.

Actually, I’m not even sure that really counted as a proper auction, considering how it was interrupted halfway through.

I had no idea how we were supposed to settle this. Honestly, if they complained about all sorts of things, we’d have no defense.

More than that... what was Riven thinking? To have to give up a memento from his friend, after finally holding it in his hands.

"...Understood. I’ll return it."

"Much appreciated."

So he’s giving it back, just like that.

He gently slid the blade back into its sheath and extended it... but just as the staff member reached for it, Riven froze.

"But first, I want to ask—what about the auction? She won it with four hundred and fifty gold coins. How will that result be handled?"

"I’m only a staff member, so I can’t say anything definite... But in cases where unexpected incidents occurred midway, I’ve never heard of a redo being granted."

"In other words, if we pay later, it will be properly handed over?"

"In past cases... yes. That’s all I’m allowed to say."

"Understood. Thank you."

Riven relaxed his grip, and the sword finally passed into the staffer’s hands.

Good. So it’ll still make its way back to Riven.

I nodded repeatedly, finally calming down a little.

Come to think of it, I spent all the money I’d been saving to buy citizenship on this, didn’t I?

Ugh, guh... No, I won’t regret it. I won’t! With Riven around, earning it back will be easy!

Oh, wait... Riven also lost most of his money, didn’t he? Then we can’t keep up the old deal where I got the bigger cut, can we...

………

No! Forget it! Some things are worth more than money!

I’ll just work harder to make up for it! That’s all! Case closed! Okay!

Forcing myself to accept it, I cut off my thoughts before they could wander somewhere darker.

I let out a breath and looked around.

The venue looked as if nothing had happened—but it was empty, with only a handful of people scattered near the stage.

We really did fight... and win, didn’t we?

It didn’t feel real. There was no sense of solid accomplishment.

"...Riven."

"What is it?"

"We... really did win, right?"

"...Yeah."

That’s right. We did everything we set out to do.

We’d get the sword. We’d beaten the monster sister. So why was there still this cloud hanging over me?

Why couldn’t I just feel clear about it...?

"Ahhhhhh!"

I suddenly shouted without thinking. Every eye in the room turned toward me.

"Huh? What’s up, Charlotte-chan?"

"That bastard! He just casually ran off, didn’t he?!"

"Ah... yeah, he did."

Back then, I’d shouted on impulse, but leaving it unresolved felt awful.

I should’ve punched him! You have to shut down the other side’s rebuttal, or it doesn’t count!

Just thinking about it again pissed me off. Having the fight interrupted by the monster sister’s entrance really soured everything.

"I thought it was a great comeback, honestly. But Charlotte—"

"Yes?"

"Yelling during an auction is bad manners. Try to keep that in mind next time."

"...Yes."

Reynard’s gentle scolding cooled me down instantly.

Light laughter rippled through the crowd. Even the federation staff chuckled.

Wait—they heard that? Or maybe it was just the image of a big brother scolding his little sister that they found funny.

Don’t laugh! I wanted to say that, but I was way too embarrassed.

My face burned. Thinking back, I’d even let my speech slip.

Ugh, everyone heard that. So humiliating. I thought my face might literally catch fire.

I couldn’t keep it in and fanned myself with my hands.

Even Trishel laughed at me. Fine, go ahead, laugh as much as you want. Honestly, it made things feel lighter.

"...I..."

"Yes?"

"I was happy."

Amid the laughter around us, Riven spoke to me in a serious tone.

What’s with him, suddenly so solemn?

"Thank you."

"W-wait! Riven!?"

Then he bowed his head.

I was so surprised I jumped back a little. What—what’s with him all of a sudden?

"This time, if not for your help, we wouldn’t have gotten Kakuzuchi."

"That is—"

"Turning the outcome of the fight with Rosalind at the end was your doing. …I am indebted to you."

There was no room to laugh this off — his tone was utterly serious.

…So that’s what he was hesitating about earlier, huh.

Well? At first he basically tried to push me away, didn’t he? I was the only one who clung on and insisted on helping, after all.

Thinking about it makes me a little irritated. I was really lonely back then, you know.

More importantly, what should I say in response?

"Don’t worry about it"? No — that would be cold. After all the trouble I went through and how sincerely he feels indebted, I can’t say forget it.

But I don’t want him to treat it like some debt I expect repayment for. I don’t want that kind of relationship. I want to keep things as they were: close enough to be honest, but not tied down.

While I kept silent, unsure, Riven remained bowed and motionless. Was he waiting for my response?

"Contract."

He broke the silence as if whispering. He slowly lifted his head.

"Let’s make a contract."

"…We already have a contract."

"A different contract. A new one."

It was the only thing I could think of that wouldn’t ignore his gratitude while still keeping our usual relationship intact.

"If you consider what happened a favor—then just once, whatever happens, be on my side."

"Is that all?"

"Yes. But it’s a tough request, you know? Even if I were to commit a crime, even if I were to kill someone, just once, don’t say anything—stand with me. …Even when Alice scolds me, alright?"

She said it with a playful wink.

Oh. His eyes went wide. A moment later he laughed, half in disbelief.

"Alright, I understand. I swear it."

Riven dropped to one knee right there and gently took my right hand. Then he pressed his forehead to the back of my hand.

"I swear that once, no matter what you do, even if you turn heaven into your enemy, I will stand by your side."

"…That’s a promise, okay!"
"Yeah."

My embarrassed, thrown-away words were swallowed by his smile.