The One Who Walks Beside Me
The Journey was drawing to a close.
It struck me again just how quickly time had passed.
It felt like just yesterday that I'd been shocked by the smell of alcohol at the training grounds.
...Of course, Amora hadn't changed much.
Now then, what shall we do next?
You can push me a little harder today, you know.
She handled every training exercise perfectly, all while never letting go of her flask.
Seriously, how much does that flask even hold?
Ahaha, is that how you're protesting now?
Honestly, Captain. You can be surprisingly sly sometimes.
Don't worry. You know this much isn't enough to make me lose my composure.
See? Not even the slightest wobble.
...I'll give you that.
Fufu. Of course. I am your Journey member, after all.
I should at least be capable of this much.
Amora and I cleaned up the training grounds together.
...What are you going to do once the Journey is over, Amora?
...Once the Journey is over?
Hmm... I wonder. I don't think much will change.
...First, I'll have to return to the County of Stranis.
I'll deal with all the paperwork that's piled up as head of the family...
Take up my weapon whenever Lady Alicia calls for me...
And keep an eye on my daughter in case she starts planning another escape.
...Fufu. Just like before.
Amora's voice was perfectly calm as she spoke.
Hmm?
Why are you making that face?
I said things would be the same. I never said they'd be meaningless.
...Because now I know where I want to walk toward.
...And where is that?
Mm... How should I put this?
...Yes. Until now, I'd only ever focused on the ground beneath my feet.
Protecting my family as its head, carrying out my orders as an executor...
When you're focused only on protecting what's beneath your feet, you naturally end up looking down.
And so I lived my life looking only at where I stood.
...But.
You kept making me walk, Captain.
You pushed me on a swing, shared drinks with me...
And then, of all things, you even took me somewhere I wasn't allowed to drink.
I really had no idea about their rules back then...!
Fufu, I know.
And so...
Very slowly, little by little...
I was able to lift my head again for the first time in ages.
And when I did, I could see the road ahead.
It's all right. I'll help you find your way back.
I know this place pretty well, you know...!
...Come to think of it, it was the same back then.
He didn't carry me home, nor did he cry for me.
He simply took my hand and walked beside me.
It took me until this age to understand.
So that's what it means to show someone the way...
...
...Captain. Do you remember the day I first joined the Journey?
Yeah. You said you were taking your daughter's place.
Fufu, so you do remember.
That's right. I came in my daughter's place. Though I suppose I was partly acting on impulse.
...I was afraid.
Even though I'd once dreamed of going on the Journey myself...
When my own daughter said she wanted to walk that path, I became frightened.
After becoming an executor, I've seen up close just how dangerous the Journey can be.
But now...
I've begun to think that perhaps I shouldn't be so opposed to it.
You're not scared anymore?
Fufu... Of course I am. I'm still terrified.
...But I think I'm a little less afraid than I was before.
No matter how difficult the road, having someone to walk it with you makes all the difference, doesn't it?
Just as there was for me.
If you're okay with it, Amora...
I'd like to keep walking beside you.
...
...Captain.
Do you... realize what you're saying right now?
Wait, did I say something wrong again?
*...Sigh* Captain, honestly...
You really should be more careful saying things like that.
Huh? Why?
Because I've changed my mind.
About what...?!
Well, if someone like you is the Journey Captain...
Young girls are bound to fall head over heels for you.
Amora smiled as she spoke, looking far more at ease than she had a year ago.