Episode 21 The Bloodstained Princess ⑩ – And So, Their Tragic Love Scattered in the Woods

　I seemed to lose consciousness again, still crying, and when I woke up again, another few days had passed.
　Thanks to a good night's sleep, I recovered some of my strength and was able to get up, but then Falty came to visit me.

"Are you feeling better now? "

"Yeah, I'm sorry for worrying you."

　I flexed my bicep to reassure Falty, who was looking at me anxiously, although to be honest, it was a pretty idiotic thing for me to do.

"What's that? ……Hehe. Well, I hope you're feeling better though. Once again, long time no see, Raoul."

"Indeed."

　After we chuckled at each other like that, I got off my bed, stood up, and bowed to Falty. First and foremost, because I think I should be condemned by Falty.

"……Sorry Falty. I couldn't protect Al."

"It's not something you should apologize for. If there is any cause for Al's death, it is the Kingdom's fault for cornering him, isn't it? "

　In response to Falty's words, I told her what Falty and Luqur had never known: that I had been instructed by the king to assassinate Al, that I had proposed the rebellion to Al, that we had exchanged last words before Al's death, and that I had abandoned the kingdom to "see it through".

"――――This is what happened with Al's death and what has happened since. Sorry…… really sorry."

　With that, I kneeled down and dropped my head.

"……I see, so that happened."

　Falty's voice sounded like she was mulling over my words. I thought that if Falty was going to strike me down for letting Al die, that would be okay.

"……I'm sorry you had to go through that, Raoul."

　After saying this, Falty dropped to her knees in front of me and slowly rubbed my back as she hugged me.

"You have nothing to apologize for. ……There's no need for you to blame yourself for Al's death. I'm in the same boat as you in that I couldn't do anything to help Al when he was going through a tough time. But more importantly, thank you for helping everyone in this country."

　Falty's words almost brought tears to my eyes, but after those words, Falty's hold on me became a little stronger.

"……Besides, if anyone should be apologizing, it's me. I could not protect my sister. ……My sister apologized for not being able to keep her promise to you right before she died."

　……Luqur. Once again, I am made to realize that I have lost Luqur. A woman who was always kind and warm. For Falty, she lost her own flesh and blood, and the pain must be even heavier and deeper than for me. Hence, I too held Falty's back and slowly tapped her as if I was appeasing a baby.

"……In my dream, she spoke to me. She thanked me for saving her sister and her country. She did not begrudge anyone, saying that her death was also fate. Really, it's very Luqur-like, right up to the very end."

　I cried quietly, too, as I patted Falty on the back, who slowly began to sob after shaking her body in response to my words.
　Neither Falty nor I could protect Luqur and Al ――― the people we loved. No matter what anyone says, it will surely remain a thorn in our hearts that we cannot forgive ourselves for. ……Still, now I feel like it's okay to cry like this.

"Have you finished your conversation? Fufufu, you should be grateful to me and pass on the story of the powerful evil sword Alberic that I created―――― but alas, this world will be destroyed so there will be no need to pass it on, I guess."

　As our tears settled, the devil interrupted us from the side. Although she was completely out of sight, come to think of it, she was sitting in a chair in the corner of the room. I don't think she's a person who doesn't read the air, or rather, she doesn't even s how the slightest intention of trying to read it…… I guess.

　Falty moved away from me, embarrassed by the devil's words. In this way, she looked like a younger girl about the same age as Al, but she had a very subtle expression on her face at the devil's words.

"The evil sword Alberic……? "

　That's what I thought too. Since I woke up, I had been allowed to use the magic sword as things stood, but I couldn't help but think that the name could have been a little more…… well, considerate.

"Of all the divine weapons, it was set to have the same performance as the Holy Sword. I did quite a good job if I say so myself! ……But unlike the Holy Sword of the Goddess, it appears to swing with a different power…… fufufu, I wonder why? "

　There was no response to the Devil's words. When I think that he wielded such a thing, I am reminded of the magnitude of the existence of Alberic, the hero.

"I would also like to ask you to please refrain from hugging the Celestial Knight in the future, Lady Divine Bow, as it would make me jealous and unhappy. Today, I will turn a blind eye in honor of your sister."

"……Your emotional ups and downs are so confusing."

　Falty looked puzzled as the devil said as if she had just remembered. Trying to take this devil seriously will only tire you, I thought.
　I shifted my eyes from them to outside the window and started thinking again.
　After fighting Hroboros, I realized once again that this world has no future. The state of the world today, the calamities that are awakening around the world. And the things that will awaken in the future. A world where those who were originally supposed to be defeated by the Hero are left untouched.

――――The destruction of this world is inevitable.

　The only other difference is how each individual ends up dying. It is the world beyond the bad ending in the story, and the pages between the end of the book and the now are missing.
　Nevertheless, there is the question of the Church's suspicious activities that Irene mentioned, and above all, there is the matter of the Empire and Roger. There is still much more to witness……

"That's right. This is from my sister to you."

　I was lost in thought as I looked out the window, when Falty's voice brought me back to reality.
　With these words, Falty handed me a bracelet with a beautiful pattern woven into it. From the bracelet she gave me, I could feel a strong, gentle, and above all, warm magic power.
　When I gently stroked it, I could certainly feel Luqur's feelings there, and I held back as my teary eyes were about to lose their grip again.

"……Right, where is Luqur's grave? "　

　Falty told me to stay put because I was sick, but I asked her to take me to Luqur's tomb, saying that I could at least walk around.
　Along the way, we passed some familiar faces from the Elven Kingdom and some friends from the Kingdom, so we exchanged greetings and words. I was saddened again to hear that the old man at the bakery who took care of me in that situation was also gone. ……I owe a lot to that man, but I could not repay him. Luqur's grave was under a large tree that I visited while picking flowers to offer at the graveside along the way.

"……Then we'll be at the entrance to the cemetery.”

"Ehh??! Why are you dragging me along, Lady Divine Bow?! "

　With that, Falty left, pulling the devil with her. I guess they left us alone…… Sorry for making you feel guilty.

　I put the bracelet I was given around my left arm. I had heard that elves give bracelets to their loved ones, so I figured that doing this was my answer. I wondered if I should actually wrap it around my right arm, which is my dominant arm, but I thought it would be more beautiful on my left arm, which holds the shield…… And I didn't want to tarnish this.

　"Thank you for thinking of me. Although the time I spent with you was short, I have received so much from you. I will never forget your smile, which was always warm and kind. It may be too late to say this, but I…… loved you. I cherished the thought. I loved you, Luqur."

　Remembering Luqur's smile of a bygone era, I wiped away the tears that spilled over again with the back of my hand.
　After offering flowers, I put my hands together and the wind blew, prompting me to look up at the sky and see a white bird flying across the blue sky.

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