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　We remodeled the cave as a temporary shelter, but there was still a limit to what we could do with just the two of us.
　It was barely enough to make a doorway that would allow the wind to get out of it, combining the wood we had gathered. That's why it had become quite dirty even during the nobleman's ruling (temblum) - although it could be said that there was no time to spare.

　Most of the necessities, including a few days' worth of changes of clothes, are in the trunk at least. When the sun went down, Loki spoke out tightly as soon as he returned to the kariya.
　The cave isn't very deep, but instead it's spacious enough. Loki was the first to open his bag and take out a first-aid kit from inside.
　It's not as big a load as Ars, so that alone should limit the amount of storage space available, but Loki was prepared for any eventuality, and Ars is not impressed.

　The interior of the cave is illuminated as the prepared firewood is magically lit. Two small rocks were placed in the center of the cave as chairs, and Loki pointed to them.

'Please take off your jacket. I'll just need to stop the bleeding.
Oh, thank you.

　He responds in a pressurized manner and strips down to his upper body. Meanwhile, I try to be as unaware as possible of the gaze that was glued to me, but right after I sat on the rock.

''You're constantly getting fresh wounds...''
'Oh...'

　I was filled with a sense of helplessness, and a small hand touched my back.
　The sound of rustling leaves in the treetops could be heard with the cold air, probably because the simple structure blocked the entrance.


　Loki accepted the reality with a sense of gloom. In the meantime, it was time to get back to work, and I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.
　He had a new scar on top of it.

　The wounds on his forehead and cheeks from the fight with Noir had already stopped bleeding.

'You even brought those things with you, or rather, you had them?
'Yes, I prepared it in advance, and I'm glad it helped. I can't even get proper treatment in a place like this.

　The First Aid Kid contains scalpels and stitching thread. In the outside world, healing mages carry the minimum amount of medical equipment with them in case they are hit.
　However, it's still difficult to know enough to do it yourself.

　What Loki took out was not a tool to sew directly. That was really just a case of emergency. This time there are no wounds deep enough to stitch.
　Above all, what Ars even said such a thing was a piece of paper rolled up like a scroll that Loki took in his hand.

　A piece of paper the size of the palm of his hand. Both sides of it had geometric magical formulas drawn on them.
　This is the simple healing magic that Ars used after surgery by Nexolis, the healing magician who was touted as a saint during the battle in Barmes.
　It would be difficult to even obtain one that large. To begin with, only a healing magician can use it. It requires delicate skills, but a simplified piece of paper can be used by Loki.

　You can press a piece of paper against the affected area and put your hand along the top. I'm not going to be able to get it right.

　Next, one part of my back would become warm.
　The simpler and cheaper it is to handle, the less effective it is. Even so, it's useful because it doesn't involve a lot of work and pain to sew it up yourself, but it also has the disadvantage of being a one-time disposable item and the magic formula is easily damaged. And although it has been simplified, few people can still use it.
　I'm not sure how many of these are available, but I'm not sure how many are available. The main route is to purchase them in the military, but it is cheaper to take a healing mage with you as a result.

　The magic formula uses a special ink, which is absorbed by the piece of paper after it is used. The blackened pieces of paper were used to add to the bonfire.

　Loki silently lifts up Ars's left arm. There, the wound that Ars had carelessly inflicted earlier was still bringing up blood. It wasn't deep, but it was painful to say it was shallow.

　When Loki saw the affected area, he casually asked. However, his face was filled with concern, and he seemed to be looking into the distance.

'Al........what's wrong with you, it's not like you're making these wounds. Wasn't it about them?

　To Loki, who had observed Ars's complexion meticulously until today, Ars's reply seemed far from being a real affliction. I'm sure it's more of an indirect factor.

　It must be him. His expectations of the two of them were probably rising. This time, it could be said that Tesfia had been knocked down to the edge of fear.

　With Ars at his side, Loki focused on healing.

　Ars closed his eyes as if to feel, and his heartbeat was trying to speak calmly.
　It was reluctant and inevitable. The girls should have only needed to see the mage aspect of it. A sight that was essentially unnecessary.
　Necessary evil is, after all, only the convenience of the people involved. You can't ask others to understand that.

　That's why Ars didn't want to show it. If you are in the military, this kind of thing is not something that anyone would blame you for. But the academy was too much of a different world. It was too unrelated.
　There was no place for him in that place from the beginning.

　The serene life that you bathe in makes you aware that your heart is cold. I knew that, but I felt a sense of regret, and I was reminded that my heart was incompatible with mine.
　The reason why Ars, who has always prioritized instantaneous thoughts, has feelings of regret and resignation like this is because he saw the frightened face of Tesfia.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of it.

'Fia and Alice will be fine. Those idiots are oh so apparently sensitive, but I'm sure they'll forget about it after a night's sleep.
If you say that, you'll get another little argument.
That's all I want. I'm going to get my ass kicked. But I'm not sure I'm going to get over it fast enough, or be able to accept it, you know?
Of course it was, but it was quite a shocker.
...Huh, right?
'But I think I can handle the two of you. I'm a surprisingly cash-oriented person in some ways.

　Ars knows what Loki is talking about. That's why he was at a loss for words. The message I asked for was originally communicated to Loki in advance. And, of course, about its contents.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a good deal more to say about it.
　But Loki must have noticed. The fact that Ars himself hasn't told him anything about the problems he has - in the end, he's just postponing and distancing himself from the problem.

　I guess he's waiting for a responsibility, a responsibility that requires him to get it together and expose his heart somewhere. Ars felt the need to respond to that concern.

'I'm sorry,'
No.

　I apologize for honestly distracting him from his true nature.
　The countless wounds were half healed. To be exact, the wounds were not completely closed by stopping the bleeding. He would need to wash the fine wounds after this to the extent of disinfection.

　After the treatment of his back to his arm was finished, Loki moved to his knees as he moved directly in front of him.
　The awkwardness, or perhaps it was more embarrassment to vomit in his face, made Ars meditate.

''I was reminded of who I am...''
....
'I don't know if you guys have influenced me to think this way. I've learned that there's nowhere else I can be. I knew it all along...
..........
'If you get involved, you're going to get involved, and there's no point in showing you a world you don't know in plain sight... it was rather fun.

　Loki could not look directly at Ars, who was meditating.
　Alth, who was already speaking words of resignation, could feel the regret. It was the first time he had ever seen Ars so weak.

　But I never wanted that to be the only thing I wanted him to say. He could regret that it was unavoidable, but he couldn't avoid it.
　Because that's just the way the state of the world makes it.

　Ars himself is aware of this. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what to expect when you're in a position to make a good impression.
　It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to get a good deal more than just a few minutes of your time.

'That was boring. I'm fine now, thank you.'

　The hand placed on Loki's head with a clunk feels different and less powerful than usual.

''Ah........''

　He tries to formulate the words, but they don't come out in his voice, and he can't choose them. What should I say, I need to say something, but I can't find the words to dispel the loneliness that settles so heavily in Ars's chest.

'I worked up a sweat today, there was a creek, maybe I should go and make a bath.'

　What an unnatural thing to say. I couldn't keep Ars from smiling an empty smile.

　Since the early winter in the outside world is cold, bathing in the stream would not be a quicksilver option.
　First of all, there was usually no room for a bath in the outside world. Still, Loki took the meaning of Ars making it as an excuse to be alone.
　He wanted time to settle down, even if it was actually possible.

　With his back to himself, Ars walked out with a towel and a change of clothes.

(Again I'm....)

　It was Loki who felt pathetic. If he was left alone here, nothing would be the same as before. What he declared in front of the Tesfia would be a lie.

　The fact that Ars had opened his heart to Loki was a big step forward. But it doesn't solve the problems he had.
　Maybe there's no need to solve it. Maybe Ars will find the answers himself. Still, Loki sought the meaning of his presence.
　He would not think that just being by his side was good enough. I'm not confident that I can prepare an answer that will convince Ars.

　Still, I want you to hear a word in the words that Loki led himself.
　He stands up to inspire you to not let him be alone.
　It may be of no use to you, but that's okay. Something might change with the exchange of words.
　It's time for Loki to take that first step.

(I hate that I can't do anything else.)

　She chews and takes in Ars's words firmly. And then what she thinks about it.
　Selfish or whatever. A thought that she wants to tell with her true heart.

　Loki huffed out a big breath and vigorously clasped his cheek with both hands. A crackling sound reverberated in the room and tore the silence apart.