Gandia.
It's a small country.
In the southern part of the Wagrain continent, floating on the Sea of Illus Valle, there are a group of small nations that exist in a dense cluster, and one of them is said to be this kingdom called Gandia.
In the small territory centered on the royal capital of Gandion, there is the city of Mardar and the small towns of Calan, Merel, and Crevelle, in addition to the royal capital. The total population is said to be no more than 200,000.
It is truly a small country, and from the time it was founded until today, it has been occupied with defending its territory. It was a dream to expand its territory, and with the death of the great king, the dream had become nothing more than a fantasy.
After being told such a story, Setsuna was finally released and gazed blankly at the white ceiling of the tent. The conversation with Faria, which was more like an interview than a conversation, had left Setsuna mentally exhausted. She didn't even have the energy to move.
But for Setsuna, who was suffering from unimaginable muscle pain, moving even her pinky finger was painful in itself. I don't even want to move.
(Thank you ...?)
The words that Setsuna ruminated over in his chest were the words spun from Faria's mouth, and the tantalizing sound of them continued to tickle his earlobes even after she left.
Thank you.
"Huh?
Faria's words of gratitude, which could only be described as sudden, caused Setsuna to have a strange expression on her face. Of course. I've never done anything for her. There was no reason for her to be grateful.
It was only after Faria stopped asking Setsuna a storm of questions, which could be called an interview or an interrogation.
Setsuna was in a state of exhaustion, as if her mind and body had been torn to pieces by the tremendous storm of questions and inquiries.
In such a situation, even if she was suddenly thanked, she could only give a raw reply.
I was told by Isarina, Elina's mother, that thanks to you, Elina has regained her smile.
Faria had a smile on her face as she continued. It was a smile that didn't seem to be the same person as the one who had caused the terrible storm of questions.
Shaking off the urge to gawk for a moment, Setsuna asked the question.
"Thanks to me?
'That's what Elina says.
Farina turned her kind gaze to the girl sitting on the edge of the bed.
─ Yes! I owe it to you, big brother!
Elina's carefree smile was too bright for Setsuna. Her smile was too bright for Setsuna to see, and although it wasn't as intense as the midsummer sun, it still emitted a glow similar to sunlight. It was impossible to stare at her.
I can't ... do anything.
Setsuna turned away from Elina's smile and let her gaze drift over to the bed. There was not a single stain on the pure white sheets. The inside of the tent was, as Faria had said, a hospital room itself.
No!
Startled by the powerful sound of her voice, Setsuna couldn't help but turn her attention to Faria. The smile had disappeared from her face, and a sincere gaze was fixed on Setsuna.
Her breathtakingly serious expression made Setsuna forget her pain for a moment.
'Setsuna, you've done a terrible thing, remember? You have done a terrible thing, Setsuna. I couldn't get there in time, and I couldn't count on the guards. It would have been impossible for me to wait for the Knights to mobilize.
Faria said as if she was mocking herself. The passion in her voice could have been her lament.
You did it all by yourself. You burned yourself, you almost lost your life, and yet you defeated Lance-Villain. This is something to be admired. If you hadn't defeated him, Mardar, Crevelle, or even the royal city of Gandion would have become the second largest city in the world by now. That's for sure.
Indeed, maybe she was right. If Setsuna hadn't knocked that man, Lance Vilain, into a coma at that moment, he would have disappeared before Callan was reduced to ashes. It is not hard to imagine that Lance-Villain, who had managed to escape, would set another city on fire.
Whether he was a madman or not, he would do so.
One small city would not be enough to burn to the ends of the world. But for Lance Verein, a small city that should not have been enough was consumed by his fires and burnt to ashes.
... burned to the ground, though, didn't it? Everything.
I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's worth it. I'm not sure what to do. I'm not sure what to make of it. Everything was burned up, and many things were lost.
There was no way to get back.
Of course, it's not Setsuna's fault. I know that. However, it is human nature to wonder if there was anything that could have been done. If only we had acted sooner and faster, or if only Azumaria had summoned us sooner.
"Yes. Karan was burned to the ground, and the death toll is said to be over five hundred.
(See? I couldn't do a thing about it. ...
Setsuna looked at the ceiling in shock. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it'll be fine. Of course, Setsuna had nothing to do with this. None of this was Setsuna's fault.
In my head, I understand.
By the time Setsuna arrived, the Callan was in flames to the point that there was nothing she could do about it. No matter what she did, it would not have been enough to stop the fire.
She knew that, too.
Setsuna bit her lip. The taste of blood filled her mouth.
But Setsuna has brought back a smile to a girl's face.
Don't give me any comfort.
Setsuna said, keeping her eyes on the ceiling. Although the tent was firmly fixed, it could not help but sway from time to time in the strong wind. The way the white cloth ceiling rippled in the wind seemed to reflect Setsuna's emotional state.
Anger, sadness, grief - so many emotions were swirling around and disturbing Setsuna's mind. Her eyes grew stern.
"So, let me ask you, why did you jump into the Callan?
It's ....
When he asked, Setsuna remembered that moment. It was right after they left the forest. Perhaps the encounter on the road would be something she would never forget.
I couldn't allow it. I couldn't allow her to cry.
So it was the girl's tears that drove Setsuna. There was no need for any other reason. You can add as many reasons as you want, but you don't need them. The girl he had met on the street had been crying.
That was all the reason I needed to risk my life.
Then I realized something.
"Could it be that Elina is the one from that time?
Setsuna was half stunned as she looked at the girl. The girl's eyes, which were a clear blue, were stained with astonishment.
"What? Big brother, you didn't even notice!
"No, really, I'm sorry.
This is exactly what I meant when I said I was sorry, but since I could not move my body freely, I could only apologize with words. She just apologized with all her might.
Elina's eyes and face were familiar to her. But for some reason, she couldn't connect the girl who had been crying in her mother's arms with the girl who was now lying stiff and surprised on the bed. It wasn't that her face had changed. Of course, the clothes she was wearing had been changed, and she was well groomed. But that wasn't the only reason.
(Is there something wrong with the wiring in my brain? Me ...)
As Setsuna stared into the still frozen eyes of the girl, she could only think about her own memory. It's not that bad. I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not. However, that confidence, which she had no evidence for and did not know where it came from, was rapidly disappearing.
Suddenly, Setsuna noticed Faria's gaze.
I'll say it again. I'll say it again.
She was smiling serenely.
Thank you so much for saving Elina.