--- Alpha ---
The situation is a real mess right now.
Despite the chaos, though, it's turning out better than my initial expectations.
The crucial thing is that I've managed to confirm his intentions, and that's what truly matters.
Lost in thought about the recent events, I guided him until we reached what seemed to be... another hospital?
["I have someone to meet before heading back"]
I had a hunch about who he might be talking about.
["Do you mind if I tag along?"]
He simply nodded, implying it wasn't a big deal.
We navigated our way through the hospital, avoiding interactions with the staff as he led the way. We moved quietly, making our approach to a specific room.
As the door creaked open, I saw exactly what I expected: Princess Alexia Midgar.
My eyes flicked to the ring on his finger, emitting a faint aura of Magical Power. It seemed this was how he managed to locate her so effortlessly.
'Fascinating. Is that an artifact?' I mused silently to myself, refraining from voicing the question aloud.
During our small journey to get here, I finally seized the opportunity to inquire about how he managed to be in two places simultaneously, given that I assumed he had defeated Zenon Griffey.
My suspicions, it turned out, were indeed correct.
The two had swapped identities, allowing Fray Von Garoff to be captured in exchange for the princess's safety and to confront Fenrir directly.
It dawned on me that it was likely the princess who had defeated Zenon Griffey--
My contemplation was interrupted by the urgent voice of the princess,
"What happened to you!?" she exclaimed.
She seemed to have noticed his discomfort with just a quick glance.
Impressive.
Since any visible injuries had already healed, unless he explicitly mentioned it, nobody would know he had lost his hearing.
But it appears she has keener senses than I had anticipated.
Well, it's a bit awkward to explain, considering it's my fault...
["First, good to see you, Alexia. Second, I just got injured. I need to learn Healing Magic to fix myself; it's not as serious as it looks. Anyway, I see you've got some injuries yourself."]
Will Healing Magic actually be effective if he uses it on himself?
I had my doubts, but it doesn't seem like the right time to voice them.
As words suddenly materialized in the air, Alexia's eyes widened. But her surprise was quickly overshadowed by a wave of concern as she took in the sight of the injured man before her.
Despite her own injuries, she tried to push herself up from the hospital bed, wincing at the pain that shot through her body.
But he was quicker.
In the blink of an eye, he had crossed the room and was standing beside her, his hands gently but firmly pressing down on her shoulders.
["What did I just say? No need to be that worried, Dumbass. If you're injured, lie down and stay put, or your wound will open up again,"] he scolded, his gaze fixed on her arm as he spoke.
I was taken aback.
Normally, losing one's hearing would induce several problems.
The individual should be experiencing a profound sense of imbalance throughout their body, as humans rely on all their senses to coordinate movement.
And yet, he still managed to move this quickly.
No, it's more like he wasn't affected at all.
'Come to think of it, he managed to keep walking for quite a distance before collapsing. Even when he was bleeding heavily, he never seemed to be in danger of dying. It's like his body was somehow preventing it.'
Could he have some kind of special body or something?
That question will have to remain unanswered for now. I can't bring myself to ask how he survived; I'm not that shameless.
"It's just a small cut," she mumbled, her cheeks flushing a deep red as he reached out to pat her head.
["You did well. Good job."]
He ruffled her hair while chuckling as she tried to stop him.
'...Am I invisible or something?'
I had to rub my eyes, as there seemed to be a bubble enclosing them, and I was clearly outside of it.
She didn't even question who I was, which made it awkward for me to say anything.
As the two interacted with each other, there was one detail I couldn't help but notice.
The moment his eyes met hers, they sparkled with an unmistakable warmth, as if they were drawn to her like a moth to a flame. It was a sight that seemed almost out of a picture book.
In stark contrast, when he faced me or Delta, his expression was as cold and unyielding as a frozen lake.
There was no trace of discernible emotion in his eyes. It was as if he had erected an impenetrable wall around himself, shutting out the world and everyone in it.
We were using each other since we share a common goal and our master is in an alliance with him, that's all.
But after just a brief encounters with her, his icy facade began to crack, revealing glimpses of a softer side.
His eyes flickered with faint worry, a subtle crease forming between his brows as he peeled an apple for her. And then, as he held a slice to her lips with a teasing smile, his expression softened into something resembling happiness.
"S-Stop doing that. It's embarrassing"
She still ate the slice, though.
How shameless...
As I watched, I found myself struggling to reconcile the cold, emotionless man I had known with the warm, caring person he seemed to be with her.
The point is, he reminded me of myself.
We're a bit alike, in a way. Even without realizing it, we tend to open up more to those we care about.
For me, it's the Six other Shadows, which I can't help but view as little sisters, and... Shadow-sama himself.
For him, it must be her.
Though he may continue to use her in the future, there's still something genuine there.
Amusingly enough.
Feeling like a third wheel, I decided to wait outside the room.
---
Author's Note:
Head pats are the best.
100k words, achievement completed.
Alpha truly had to catch a hint and just go away, I swear.