A Flame That Burns the World
I had just gotten up at my quarters and was getting ready to head out, when...
H-huh?
When I looked out the window, I saw smoke rising from all over the streets.
Those monsters you call Voidborns...
They'll appear again soon.
...No way!
By the time I rushed outside, it had already begun.
Collapsed houses. People burned and fallen in the streets. And...
*Sob...* *Sniffle...*
M-mommy! Where are you, Mommy...?!
Ah... ahh...
Get back!
I rushed in and blocked the Voidborn's attack, but my sword hand went numb.
This strength... This isn't an ordinary Voidborn...!
Did it call for backup...?!
There were still injured people all around.
At the very least, we had to hold out until support arrived.
The moment that thought crossed my mind, a white arc flew in from the edge of my vision and sent the creature flying.
Hilde!
What are you dawdling around for in a place like this?
You weren't sleeping in this late in the middle of the day, were you?
...We took out what looked like their leader, but they don't seem eager to retreat.
This is getting a bit troublesome. Care to help?
...So you're saying the two of you cleared this entire area on your own.
It's true, scary lady! The two of them really took care of the monsters!
Scary...?
Fufu. That much was well within expectations.
After all, these two are heading toward the end of the [Journey].
Wow...! Those two are amazing...!
Hmm. Come to think of it, something similar happened when you first started the [Journey], Captain.
Considering what you've been through, it's only natural to be unsettled.
The scale was smaller than last time, but...
There were far more dangerous Voidborns this time.
If you two hadn't responded when you did, the damage could've been much worse.
So for now, stay focused on completing the [Journey].
We'll handle finding this child's mother.
Ah...! Wait...!
...Are you talking to me?
This is my favorite hairpin...
I'll give it to you. Because you also like pretty hairpins.
No, this isn't a hairpin. It's a communi—
You should take it.
...Very well. Thank you.
You're welcome...!
...The monsters that appeared this time were probably just the vanguard.
The vanguard?
The less intelligent creatures are, the more sensitive they tend to be to an opponent's strength.
Even after their leader was defeated, they didn't retreat.
They should've fled immediately and waited for another opportunity.
Exactly. Which means they were fleeing from something else.
If we leave it alone, next time, even more Voidborns will pour out through that breach.
...
There is a way.
But... If the one driving the Voidborns away really is her...
...It won't be easy.
Hilde's gaze never left the hairpin she held in her hand.
The air was thick with the smell of ash and fire.