Keep Patrols Regular
*Huff...* *Huff...!*
Final lap! You're almost done!
*Huff...* *Huff...!*
Aaand... Touchdown!
*Thud*
After crossing the finish line, Tyria gasped for breath and collapsed forward.
As promised, she refrained from using harsh language, didn't complain, and kept up with all her training...
That's your best time yet!
She even achieved strong results in her vitality training that she struggled with before.
*Huff...* *Huff...* Keep... your... promise...
Even after that, she kept gasping for a while before finally steadying herself on her trembling legs.
And before long, the day we had promised to visit Monastir finally arrived.
It feels like there are more people at the station than usual today.
Ah, come to think of it... today's the day of NOA's New Year's festival.
It's a big festival in a major city. People must've come from other regions to see it.
Unfortunately for you, you're stuck with me heading to Monastir instead of seeing the festival. What a shame. Hehe.
Tyria spoke teasingly, but there was a hint of excitement in her expression.
Looks like we'll be departing soon.
Sitting beside me, Tyria murmured as she looked out the window.
Hmm. I let me think...
Maybe I've gotten too used to the pressure of the Divine Barrier.
...
...Maybe that's why... when I'm here... I sometimes feel like I'm not myself.
...What do you mean?
She turned her gaze back toward the window and spoke quietly.
...I mean... sometimes it feels like something's wrong with my head.
No, I suppose it's been strange from the beginning. A Voidborn joining the Journey.
She let out a faint scoff at herself before continuing.
Honestly... I don't even know anymore about my duty as an Executor or anything like that.
Even so, the fact that I'm an Executor hasn't changed.
Just like the wings I have to keep hidden when I'm outside.
...
...In a situation like this, what would you do if you were—
We regret to inform our passengers that all trains bound for Monastir departing from NOA have been canceled.
Passengers are asked to stand and disembark from the train. Once again, we regret to...
In the end, I couldn't hear the rest of what Tyria was about to say, and we had to get off the train following the crew's instructions.
...
I expected Tyria to start a tantrum, but for some reason she remained quiet.
*Sigh...* Nothing ever goes right.
Ignore me. I was just rambling because I was so worked up from finally being able to leave.
...Sometimes even I get unsettled like that. Just forget about it.
But...
More importantly, why is the train canceled?
Just go! Please!
I'm afraid that won't be possible. There's been a warning that the monster population has suddenly increased near the border.
Until the nearby Savior Party or the Monastir Knights resolve the situation...
There's no telling when that'll be!
I know it's dangerous. I know it's selfish! But...
But my family is in Monastir! Please, at least take us as close to the border as possible!
From there, I'll manage the rest myself!
Sir, I am truly sorry... There is nothing we can do.
Please... Please just start the engine. I'm begging you...!
Is this all because of monsters?
Damn those monsters... Damn them all! They've really pushed their luck!
Tyria!
I grabbed Tyria as she tried to rush forward without thinking.
I understood how anxious she felt, but reaching the rugged border of Monastir without the train would have been nearly impossible.
Then what am I supposed to do?
Just trust the local Knights to handle everything, and since things turned out like this, stay here and calmly enjoy the fireworks instead?
That's not what I meant...
Damn it. Even before we came here, it already felt strange how the number of monsters near the border had suddenly grown...
Come to think of it, the day I first met Tyria...
She was alone in that forest where the remains of monsters lay scattered.
Even though I was the one who had ridden out on a bike hog looking for the new Journey member and ended up getting attacked by monsters...
...Hmm? Wait a second...
If we ride a bike hog...
But I heard rumors there are wild bike hogs running around in the open field just past Candle Square.
Maybe not all the way to the center of the Duchy of Monastir, but getting to the border and back should be easy enough on a bike hog.
...Back then too, I rode a bike hog to the Monastir border following Lisa's advice.
There's a way.
*Rumble*
We rode a bike hog with black bristles and brown spots charging at full speed...
G-gah... How much farther until we're out of NOA?
I think—I-I'm gonna be sick...
Just hold on a little longer!
NOA was already growing distant behind us as we rode.
By the time both of us were starting to lose our bearings from the rough terrain that stretched on and on...
Kraaawr!
From far away, I began to faintly hear the roaring of monsters.
At the outskirts of Monastir, along the border where it met the mountain range, countless monsters revealed themselves.
The massive monsters were moving somewhere in orderly formation.
...They're heading toward where people live.
Tyria, are you ready?
Those sons of ■■■■■es...
You slimy ■■■■s! Who the ■■■■ do you think you are, ■■■■■■■ each other off in MY territory!
I'LL ■■■■■■■ KILL YOU!
Consumed by fury, Tyria spread her black wings and charged forward.
Kraaa...!
Before long, monsters began falling one after another.
Tyria plunged straight into the center of the horde and swung her greatsword, mowing down the frontline in one fell swoop.
Now that she was outside NOA and no longer affected by the Divine Barrier, Tyria's power was now a force to be reckoned with.
Tyria!
I followed after her, drawing my weapon as well.
What are you doing? Stay back and watch the bike hog!
I came to watch your back.
We're on this Journey together, aren't we?
...Still as meddlesome as ever.
Tyria grumbled playfully, then smiled as she entrusted her back to me.
All right. Then I'll trust you with my back this time.
If I get hurt, it's on you. And I won't forgive you this time.
The roar of the monsters surrounding us kept growing louder.
*Sigh...* It's been a while since I used this much strength. I'm tired.
Oink...
We were heading back toward NOA on the bike hog we rode out on.
The border alone was teeming with monsters.
We slew only the monsters we could see to buy time for the Knights to arrive. Even so, the sun was already beginning to set.
Well, looks like we've handled the immediate problem.
Hehe... Life is a whimsical mistress. Fighting back-to-back with you like this.
I could feel Tyria leaning against my back and chuckling.
My original plan was to show you around my favorite street in Monastir.
I'm sure you would've liked it too. There's a very skilled cafe owner there who brings in new blends all the time.
Her voice, chattering softly while leaning against me, echoed gently through my back.
Just moments earlier she had looked like a powerful Executor while fighting the monsters.
But somehow, right now, she was...
Pfft.
Hm? What's so funny?
You don't seem much like an Executor right now.
...
Is that so? Huh.
Looking at her like this, words like Executor or Voidborn felt less fitting. She was just a girl who loved Monastir and...
You're a precious Journey member...
Who's on the Journey with me.
...
You say embarrassing things like it's nothing.
Tyria turned her head away without finishing her sentence.
I wasn't sure how long we kept riding like that.
Just as I thought I could see the NOA city ahead...
The dark sky suddenly lit up.
Ah. Fireworks from the New Year's festival. Looks like we're not too late after all.
...Hehe. Funny how things turned out to be.
Just a moment ago, I thought we wouldn't get to visit Monastir or see NOA's New Year's festival.
Still, somehow... we managed to see at least one of them. I suppose that's enough.
...
Yeah. This'll do.
The sound of fireworks made it hard to be certain, but I thought I heard her quietly murmur beside me, "Thanks, Captain."