GalaxyTL
It’s pitch black. But it’s warm. I know this warmth. This isn’t darkness. This is a shadow.
“Gil-san…”
As I called out his name, the shadows gradually cleared. Before me stood the one I’d longed to see, his back turned to us. Licht and Ronny were seated on the ground, looking dazed.
Gil-san. It’s Gil-san.
You really came. I blinked back tears, stopping myself from crying. The reunion can wait!
I quickly observed the situation. First of all… um… Gordon’s… pale in front of Gil-san.
Eh, is that even Gordon?
No, seriously, he’s pale. Gordon’s in his mid-forties, but his hair was a nice dark brown, and he had a nice beard of the same color. It was shaggy, though.
But the Gordon here and now has white hair and a white beard, he’s trembling so pathetically it makes me want to feel sorry for him. He even looks thinner.
After thinking for a bit, I realized. It’s because he’s being assaulted by Gil-san’s killing intent. Gil-san hasn’t even done anything, and Gordon’s already accepted death.
That’s how terrifying he is. That’s how different their power is.
Looking around, I noticed a few of his many companions had also gone white, and more than half were either passed out, or foaming at the mouth.
My guardians really are in a league of their own. I’ve never felt it so strongly, after all that we’ve been through.
“Who did this… to Meg…!?”
Huh!? It’s me he’s angry about! I looked down at myself.
My cheek’s swollen from being hit, my hands and feet are covered with burns, the bleeding won’t stop, and my hands and clothes are covered in Licht’s blood. …Wow, splatter!
Ah, maybe I’m pretty seriously injured…? My adrenaline must have been pumping, because it didn’t feel that bad before. But now my leg’s starting to really hurt, and I feel awful!
What will happen when my guardians, who fuss over even a scraped knee, see me like this…!?
Yeah, it’ll be a disaster, won’t it? …No, no, I can’t avoid reality! H-How should I fix this!? This is my toughest challenge yet!
“Um, um… are you… an acquaintance of Meg’s?”
It was Licht who somehow broke through this chaotic atmosphere. It can’t be helped that he’s suddenly being polite, even though he’s not used to it. Or rather, I want to applaud him for even being able to talk to Gil-san right now! And even though he’s so injured that he can barely speak!
“You came… to help her… right…? Then, please, could you… treat Meg first…?”
Gil-san finally turned around at Licht’s labored words. His eyes, those piercing eyes, the same as when he’s in his beast form. Licht and Ronny both gasped.
Gil-san closed his eyes for a moment, and then slowly opened them. They gradually returned to their normal, gentle eyes. Phew, I’m glad. But more importantly!
“Licht’s seriously injured! Please, Gil-san!”
“No, I’m fine, Meg needs…”
That’s not what I meant! Licht, quiet! I gestured to Licht to stop talking and then pleaded with Gil-san.
“Magic power, pwease!!”
Gil-san, who still had a troubled expression, froze for a few seconds, as if startled by my words. It can’t be helped! Once I recover my magic power, I can give it to Shizuku-chan and have her make some medicine! It’s definitely not enough with just what we have. I’m not going to hold back. I finally understood how Shou-chan feels, about ruthlessly draining magic power to achieve its goal.
“…I understand. Let’s have everyone recover first. I’m not good with healing magic. It’s frustrating, but I have no choice but to rely on you, Meg. But before that.”
Gil-san stopped for a moment and then reached out to me hesitantly.
“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…！ I couldn’t… protect you…!”
He embraced me strongly, but with a gentleness so as not to aggravate my injuries. Ah, I’ve missed this warmth. I thought about how worried he must have been. And then, realizing that I’d scared him again, my heart tightened.
Because, Gil-san’s… trembling.
I gently reached out to pat his back.
“But you came to help me. You made it in time, Gil-san.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, and Gil-san tightened his embrace slightly.
Gil-san then efficiently started to treat us. While supplying me with magic power, he treated Licht. The bleeding had already stopped thanks to the medicine I’d gotten from Shizuku-chan earlier. I’m much more comfortable now. Mainly mentally.
Now we just need a little more medicine to make it into a pain reliever. Once we apply first aid with the bandages we have, that should take care of it for now.
“Sorry, Ronny. You’re last.”
“I’m… okay.”
Even though he said that, Ronny was the one who had the least amount of magic power, and like mine, his arms and legs were severely burned. When Gil-san was about to start treating Ronny… he stopped him.
“Um… could you… help her first, please?”
He was pointing at Ravi-san, collapsed on the ground, covered in blood. When did she get here!? Eh, she came up the stairs with those wounds? She’s still alive… right!?
“Gil-san, please…!”
I hurriedly pleaded, but Gil-san frowned. W-What?
“…Isn’t that woman the adventurer, Ravi? The one who kidnapped you guys.”
Gil-san said this in a low voice, as if suppressing his anger.
“Did you know? But that’s not true… ah, well, it’s not like it wasn’t true, but… Huh? Wait, that’s not it!”
Gil-san, seeing me panicking, let out a sigh. He gently placed his hand on my head, stood up wordlessly, and headed over to Ravi-san.
“We’ll have to hear her side of the story later.”
“Gil-san… Thank you!”
Gil-san, who understands without me saying anything, is such a capable man! Handsome guys really are different. I followed Gil-san with my eyes. Then I heard another voice I’d been waiting for.
『Master! I’m back!』
“Shou-chan!”
『The Shadow Eagle, he’s like a movement cheat!』
Shou-chan, who sounded a bit tired, gave its report, using the words I’d taught before. Ah, well, Gil-san can travel through shadows. A movement cheat, indeed.
“Shou-chan, thank you so much. You saved us! I love you!”
『Ehehe, Shou-chan loves you too, Master!』
Ah! Shou-chan said, “Shou-chan,” instead of “me”! That means they’re tired and want to be spoiled—
『Gimme a little magic power!』
“You have no mercy, even though I just recovered!?”
But Shou-chan really did its best this time. My lifesaver! I have no choice, I’ll put off making medicine with Shizuku-chan for a little bit. Sorry, Licht. I’ll endure it too.
Alright, Shou-chan! Here’s my magic power, you can have it a—argh!!