...... I'm sorry to have surprised you so abruptly. I'm really sorry.

After Aamir left and a little while later, Zeke-san said so to me and Narsena in apology.
However, even as he apologized, I could see the unconcealed confusion on his face, and I could tell that even Zeke was surprised by Aamir's behavior.

'Aamir still hasn't recovered from his shock.

...... but after the apology, Zeke-san's expression was filled with deep concern as he stared in the direction of Aamir's running away and muttered that.
I understand that Zeke-san is seriously worried about Aamir by that expression.
Aamir's condition was painful even to me, who is currently an outsider.
I can't imagine how Zeke, who is currently partying with Aamir, feels about it.
You can find a number of different types of products and services in the marketplace.

''May I ask you to do me a favor?

And so Zeke opened his mouth to us.

'I know about your feud with the Sword of Lightning. But I need you to lend a hand for Aamir.

Huh!

Narcena reacts to Zeke's words.
I'm not going to accept such a request with an attitude.

"Thank you, Narsena, but I'll be fine. But I'll be fine.

But before I could take any action, I threw a word of restraint at Narsena.

I'm not sure I don't feel uncomfortable with Zeke's words about wanting a hand for Aamir's sake.
I'm not sure why I would want to do that for Armia.

It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

I'm not going to be the only one who's been in the same boat for a while.

You're going to be able to find out more about it at ....... I'm sure you're right.

I can't help but smile at Narsena, who closes her mouth in a reluctant manner at my words.

Narsena is revealing her anger for my sake.
The resentful Narsena doesn't know how much happiness and gratitude I feel for that alone, but she doesn't know how much happiness and gratitude I feel for her.

That fact makes me feel even more love for Narsena.
And the next thing you know, I found myself reaching for Narsena's head.

''Huh?''

At my sudden act, Narsena's face turns vermillion and she screams in unusual surprise.
Although I remembered the frustration of having done that to Narsena, I still opened my mouth to take this opportunity to express my gratitude.

''Really, thank you. Narsena.

'What? No, no! Wow, we're party members!

In response to my words, Narsena looked flustered and answered that.
But Narsena didn't show any signs of dislike for my hand.
I'm going to be able to see that Narsena's condition makes me feel love and happiness flood into my chest and I can't help but relax my face.

''I don't know if I can help you, but would you be willing to talk to me first?''

With that expression on my face, I spoke that to Zeke.

'Thank you,'

Up until now, Zeke had looked a little awkward, but my words brought a look of relief to his face and he uttered that.

'It's a bit of a long story: ......

After that preamble, Zeke's story began.



◇◆◇



...... Oh no, that's not possible.

A few minutes later, when Zeke told me how Aamir got to his current state, I could only answer that.
...... When it comes to Narsena, I'm at the end of my rope.
The one thing that Zeke told me about Aamir and the lightning sword, it was such a shocking thing.

Aamir regretted what he had just done and wanted to start over.
...... but Aamir's resolve was betrayed by the Margurus and others who tried so hard to support him.

It would feel like a mere comedy, not a tragedy if the people of this labyrinth city heard it.
This labyrinth city is a place overflowing with people like Margurus and others.
In such a situation, Aamir's inability to see the true nature of people, and being tricked into being amusing, would be felt as nothing but comedy.

However, knowing Aamir's innocence, I couldn't dismiss it that way.
As I said before, I never had good feelings for Aamir.
It's because I couldn't accept her blind faith in Margurus and the others because of her innocence.

That's why I couldn't hide my surprise when I heard that Aamir was trying to remind herself and start over.
I had never thought of Aamir as someone who could reflect on himself in that way.
So I was both surprised and impressed by Aamir.

Aamir had admiration and gratitude for Margurus and the others who had helped him rise from a mere orphan to a first-rate adventurer.
However, the decision to cut off her blind feelings and support Margulus and the others must have been made by Aamir after worrying about it.
I've been a party member for a certain amount of time, so I can understand that it's something that she agonized over, regretted, and then came up with.

Because of ........., Aamir is unable to recover from the betrayal of his feelings.

......... terrible.

Pouting, Narsena lets those words slip out.
What comes to his eyes is a sense of disgust for Margurus and the others who are no longer in this place.
That feeling was the same for me.

''There's something I need to ask you about Aamir.

The expression on our faces was cloudy, and Mr. Zeke opened his mouth.

I know it's wrong to ask you guys to do this. I know it's not right to ask you to do this, but I can't leave Aamir alone like this. So I'm asking you. Will you talk it over with Aamir?

When he told her that, Zeke-san's face was filled with an anguish that he couldn't hide.
The expression on his face showed how troubled Zeke-san was to tell me those words.
Despite being a third party and not knowing much about the situation, Zeke-san wanted to avoid stepping into the relationship between me and Aamir as much as possible.

'I'm not going to ask you to forgive Aamir, unconditionally. But still, I want you to talk to Aamir once. Aamir is quite preoccupied about his relationship with you.

But still, Mr. Zeke dared to violate that taboo.
This shows how much Zeke-san is worried about Aamir.

'I'm ...... sorry. I can't answer that request for me.

........., but I couldn't shake my head when I understood that.

'Huh!'

In response to my response, frustration momentarily appears on Zeke's face.

''I'm sorry. I forgot to tell you about the important reward.

But soon Mr. Zeke regained his composure and continued to speak.

''As for the rewards, I would like to give you all the rewards for defeating the Phoenix. Of course, this is something we've discussed with the party.

......... Huh?

...... lies.

I couldn't hide my turmoil at Zeke's words, either.
He would give us the entire reward for defeating Phoenix, which was an unbeatable reward.
Besides, if we did that, Zeke and his party would obviously be in the red.

''So, please!''

But even so, Zeke didn't show any signs of hesitation.
The sight of Zeke's concern for his companions struck a chord with me.

''I'm ......... sorry. It's not a matter of reward, and my forgiveness of Aamir means nothing.

What?

......, but I couldn't accept that request from Zeke.

'Wait!' In his current state, he couldn't let Armia participate in the defeat of the Phoenix. But as long as Aamir returns to his normal condition, defeating the Phoenix will certainly be easier!

In response to my words, Mr. Zeke piles on the words as if he is impatient.
I'm not going to be able to get my hands on it.

...... But the reason I didn't accept Sieg-san's request was never because I couldn't forgive Aamir.

I'm not going to be able to get rid of it, but I'm not going to be able to save Aamir no matter what I do.

Even if I forgive him, I don't think Aamir will ever return to normal.

What about ............?

At my words, Zeke seems to be speechless, as if to say that he doesn't understand what was said.

'Perhaps Aamir is just trying to wipe away the emptiness of being betrayed by the sword of lightning by obsessing about making amends to me. Whether I forgive him or not, Aamir will never forget the emptiness. ...... No, forgiveness may have a greater impact on Aamir than forgiveness.

But the moment he heard my words, which I continued ignoring his reaction, Zeke's face was upset, and then he blurted out a few words.

...... So that's what it means.

Zeke's words were filled with deep conviction.
I realized that Zeke finally realized that there was nothing I could do about it.

The reason for Aamir's state of mind is not because of the guilt he feels towards me.
What still occupies Aamir's heart now is the Margurus and the others, and trying to make amends to me is just an attempt to cover it up.

So no matter what I try to do, I can't cheer Aamir up.

...... When Sieg-san understood that, he couldn't hide his depression and left the coffee shop, telling only that the party members would discuss the defeat of the Phoenix tomorrow with each other.

''I hope ...... is okay.''

I could only mutter this as I watched Zeke's back as his shoulders slumped away.
But I let out a sigh, realizing that I can't get involved in this case myself.
I just get up to leave the coffee shop, praying that somehow Aamir will get back on his feet as soon as possible.


...... "...... Oh, um, brother,

Yeah, what's going on?

It was then that Narsena approached me with a look of fear.