Chapter 85 - Emmy: Today it Begins Part 2

I- I don't care how much I get hurt… But… Still… The memory where Russell's finger got cut by a knife is still making my legs tremble… Despite all of this, here I am now, in front of a Demon King. W-will I… not be able to protect him… again..? *Badump* –I — somewhere inside me– can feel the darkness that once consumed me burn again. …Is something actually wicked lies inside me? Or something different entirely…? Oh… Right, I remember now. It is the despair that was born inside me when I was travelling back from Hammond to Adoria village. Now that I recall it, my breathing finally calms down. …There's something about it, I think. I feel there's a really important piece that I've forgotten. Oh, yeah… the thing me and Jannet talked about regarding Russell as well. Like, how I, a girl, was fighting more bravely in the frontlines than the boy I like. A princess-like girl who is gallant enough to face any monster they fight. And so I, more than just a girl who dreams of being a princess, is looked at by Russell as the Holy Knight that will protect him even from a scratch. But there's something really important about it that I forgot. The girl who wants to fight bravely. The girl who wants to protect Russell proactively. At the end, any one of those things are just brought upon by that girl's selfish whims. Just… Why didn't I notice? Russell as a boy wanted to fight heroically too. Isn't that the reason why he put his hands on dark magic? …But look at him now. He should have hated me for taking his chances away when we're still both in the hero's party, even now that I want to be in front and let him stay back, but instead, he is even using his powers to save me. …Aren't I, like always, at the receiving end of his understanding and kindness? And here I thought I could stand beside Russell and Sybilla-san in equal standing, how funny was that. Why did I even obsess myself in not letting even a scratch scraping his skin? I'm not even his mother for goodness' sake. I — after all, just really don't believe in Russell's own abilities, aren't I? And so, right now, deep inside my heart, I can feel the darkness inside my chest gushing out. The calmness that it gives tells me that releasing it will give us relief in this situation against the demon king. If it's that person, the darkness inside me will serve as the hope that will save us from destruction. [Sybilla-san.] I keep my eyes on the Demon King as I slowly move besides Sybilla-san. [W-what the, give me a break! What's the matter, Emmy-chan!?] I — the darkness inside my heart — let Sybilla-san hear what it desires. [Please listen… Putting the [Dark Magi] aside, is there a class appropriate with mine?] Hearing the words that came out from my mouth, Sybilla's breathing stopped. [Why would you…] [Oh, so there is, isn't it?] Sybilla-san still looks overwhelmed but I got the confirmation I needed to hear. Thank goodness… Now, let's tell Sybilla-san what I want as clearly as I need to. [That class should allow us to overturn this situation.] Sybilla-san's reaction immediately turned from surprise into a calm one after hearing my words — and somehow — I can feel that the darkness inside me is telling the same words to her and she's able to hear it. While all of this is happening, I can hear Russell's groan and scream. But, this time, I will not waver. He will be fine. I BELIEVE IN HIM. [I think the way Emmy-chan uses the 's special skill is not as strong as I expected. Considering how much you like Russell, I think it should be enough not just to blow a floor boss, but to give a really great deal of damage. However, when Russell resurrected you, your heart that was shredded to pieces in despair can't remain pure and darkness has grown inside of it.] …I see, well, that's true. It is this darkness that calmed me down earlier when I was about to succumb into my depression. I – I really was docile about a lot of things. All because I want to protect Russell, I became the Holy Knight… Or rather, the Goddess 'made' me the Holy Knight. That's why I got the power to protect him. I wanted to protect Russell so I thought I wanted to have more power. That's why Russell "gave" me his magic to cut through the steel worn by the armored gigantos. Just so I could protect him. But, in the end, I didn't really have anything going for me using my own decision and hands. [I – I don't want to be passive and always be on the receiving end of things anymore. I can't allow myself to stay like this forever.] (Emmy) […I see. I understand.] (Sybilla) Sybilla-san should be aware that we don't have much leeway at the moment. I keep my eyes on the demon king as I wait for her to respond but then, I get a glimpse of glossy black feathers appear on my side. She finally reveals her true appearance. The Goddess, Sybilla-san. We've been running around all day and before I notice, the sun had already fallen. The orange sands bathed by the sun earlier now has changed to dark blue in shade. Hey, Jannet. This – it's what people call dusk, isn't it?. [ – Sybilla. Let remain… Probability almost nil… Still, letting the conversion proceed. , denied… Let mana be consumed… Mana… Let mana… Conversion through mana was accepted… The Provisional Job – granted!.>* My awareness suddenly expands for every word uttered by Sybilla-san. Her voice resounds inside my head and even I can understand what it means. -Yeah, this is it. The power that will give me confidence to stand beside him. To fight bravely right beside Russell. With this — for sure…! [Oh right, Sybilla-san.] I brace the shield in front of me and whisper right next to the Goddess' ears. [Let's be honest here, okay? Teasing Russell about you liking him, aside from enjoying him getting embarrassed, is actually half meant, right?] Oh, Sybilla-san's eyes shake all of a sudden! This feels like the first time I caught Sybilla-san by surprise. I see. It feels like I can now somehow understand Russell why he responds and treats Sybilla-san like that. She's just way too cute. Oh gosh. Why is this happening, just when I finally had the courage to aim to be Russell's number one. …More than Russell, I love Sybilla-san too, and the fact that we have to compete for him just makes things harder. But, I've already gotten this far. It would be nice if Sybilla-san would learn more of Russell's good sides. And together, we'll talk about the things we like about him. Since we're talking in honesty here, that's what I really like to happen. [Y-you…! D-don't tell me…! How dare you, you despicable dusk woman! You actually laid your filthy hands in that class..! Unforgivable…!!!!] The demon king explodes in anger as he points his trembling hands in our direction. His empty white eyes and inhumane face warps in anger as he unleashes his magic. [! It's a woman's choice! A big one too! That's not any of your business, and not your actually dirty hands should even think to touch!] Sybilla-san responds to the Demon King's accusation while using to mitigate the Demon King's attack. Ooooh, Sybilla-san, how reliable. You're too cool! Really, she's what every girl like me would want to be. [Russell.] […Emmy?] Let's give Russell a brief summary of what I want to do. [It'll be hard, but… I'll leave the Demon King to you.] There's probably a high chance for Russell to get injured. And despite that, actually making this choice had been really difficult. But — Russell is the only one who can defeat a monster like that. To overcome this crisis, I must believe, to the Saint of Black Kite who's capable of using both the Saint and Dark Magi's magic that has already once defeated a demon king. It will be fine. Russell, afterall, has always, and will always be cool and heroic. Russell, after hearing what I said, looks a bit surprised before giving me a nod and heads beside Sybilla-san to face the demon king. Now then, these floor bosses have been flying around for a while now and I can't help but glare at them. These bugs actually injured Russell. I'll never ever ever forgive them. One of the floor bosses rush at me — and the moment it get close to me, I let my skill activate! My shield which had been shining in white light is now emitting a dark brilliance. Its ability – is actually the white light's opposite. The floor boss, upon seeing the light my shield releases, started to run. But it cannot. It look like it's getting sucked by the dark shield in my hand. Unable to escape from its power, the dragonfly struggles and approaches me bearing its claw like tail down on me but… I dare not to avoid it. Like Russell, I received its attacks and got wounded. I embrace the pain brought upon by the wounds thinking what Russell must have felt and with that thought, I wield the sword on my right hand to return the pain to these monsters by multiple times. One of the despicable floor bosses, which had been so evasive and untouched ever since the battle began, using my shield's skill, and the sword the Russell enhanced, is now in half cleanly cut from the top. [–That's one.] Now then, let's get your punishments begin.