Character Story 12: The Power Obtained from a Racing Heart
Yuuki and Hiyori were suddenly called to the Royal Palace.
Hiyori
We've made it all the way here... B-B-But, what do we do, Kishi-kun!? This is the first time I've been called to the Royal Palace...
Hiyori
Maybe we did something!? I don't remember having done anything... but if we did, let's apologize together!
Royal Knight's Commander
I've kept you waiting. Apologies for having come all this way.
Hiyori
Y-Yes! I haven't done anything wrong!
Royal Knight's Commander
Hahaha, you don't have to be so uptight. We've called you two out here today because we wish to make a request.
Hiyori
...Eh? A request...?
Royal Knight's Commander
Yes. Do you remember the forest where you two captured the criminals?
Hiyori
The two recently? I remember!
Royal Knight's Commander
It's been decided that they will be exiled to an island, somewhat far from this continent.
Royal Knight's Commander
To carry out the punishment, an escort is necessary, and they requested that you two join us for the escort.
Hiyori
They requested us?
Royal Knight's Commander
It seems that they're deeply reflecting on their actions, and will seriously accept the punishment. They said that in their last moments, they wish to meet you two, the ones who got them to think this way in the first place.
Hiyori
I see... I understand! We'll accept that request!
Hiyori
There's no way we could refuse people who are seriously thinking about rehabilitation!
Royal Knight's Commander
So that's your response. They should be happy to hear it. We depart tomorrow. Make sure you prepare for it.
Hiyori
Wooow... There's so many knights. It's gotten me a bit nervous...
Villian 1
You guys made it. Thanks for accepting to escort us.
Hiyori
Oh no, we're just trying to do what we can. Right, Kishi-kun?
Villian 2
It's thanks to you that we've been able to reflect back this much. We honestly can't express how thankful we are.
Hiyori
Ehehe... You guys are embarrassing me...
Hiyori
But, but, that wasn't all thanks to just me, make sure you thank Kishi-kun too.
Villian 1
Mister, thank you. It's thanks to both of you that we've decided to make up for our crimes, and live an honest life.
Villian 2
Yeah, he's right. We're truly in your debt.
Yuuki
1. That's...
Hiyori
Hmm? Are you embarrassed, Kishi-kun? Just kidding. But, I was embarrassed too, so I know how you feel.
Royal Knight's Commander
Sorry to interrupt your talk. It's time to depart. You two get in this carriage. And you two will come with us. The journey will be a bit long, but bear with me.
Royal Knight's Commander
It's a canyon! We've recently received several reports of monsters in the area. Don't let your guard down!
Royal Knight 1
Sir!
Royal Knight 2
Understood!
Hiyori
I wonder how far we are from the Royal Palace? We're probably more likely to run into monsters out here...
Villian 1
Yeah, if a monster attacked us here, we'd be trapped...
Hiyori
Don't worry! We'll protect you guys no matter what!
Villian 2
Miss... You've gotta be some kind of reincarnated goddess...
Monsters
Grooowl!
Hiyori
Those are cries of monsters! Over there!
Royal Knight's Commander
All soldiers, draw your swords!
Royal Knights
Sir!
Hiyori
Kishi-kun, let's fight too!
Yuuki
1. We have to protect these two!
2. We have to help the knights!
Option 1.
Hiyori
Right! They're trying to make up for their crimes, we can't let them die like this!
Option 2.
Hiyori
Yeah! We'll help out the knights, and we'll all make it out of this alive!
Monsters
Grooowl!
Royal Knight 1
Commander, other monsters are coming from the opposite direction!
Royal Knight's Commander
What!? Circle formation! Hurry!
Monsters
Grooowl!
Hiyori
Look, they're coming from that direction too! I can't believe there were this many monsters hidden around here...!
Villian 2
They've got us good... They're only after large groups, not the smaller ones...
Hiyori
How do you know...
Villian 1
Look at how big the pack is. They're trying to take down their prey in one fell swoop. They're probably acting this way instinctively...
Hiyori
Oh no... We've got to start taking them down, even if it's just one! Here goes! Seiya!
Monsters
Grooowl!
Hiyori
There's one down!
Monsters
Grooowl!
Royal Knight's Commander
Kuh! A single blow was that heavy...!? Uwooh!
Monsters
Grooowl!
Royal Knight's Commander
The ones that came after were even stronger...! At this rate...!
Villian 1
Hey, you guys alright!?
Royal Knight 1
Commander! We won't be able to hold out much longer at this rate! Over 30% of our team has been injured! We're at our limit!
Royal Knight's Commander
...I see. Prisoners. I have something to tell you.
Villian 2
...We already know what you're ggonna say.
Hiyori
Heavy breathing. E-Everyone, are you doing okay!?
Royal Knight's Commander
...You two. You've done well. Unfortunately, for us to survive, we have no choice but to leave the prisoners behind and retreat.
Hiyori
Eh...? What do you mean?
Royal Knight 1
We've finished preparations to retreat!
Hiyori
You're going to leave these people behind!? You can't do that! That's not something I can do! Everyone, everyone...!
Royal Knight's Commander
I very much understand how you two feel! As a knight brought up by the Captain, I wish to carry out my duties, but at the same time, I cannot allow the team entrusted to me by the Captain to die either!
Hiyori
But...!
Royal Knight's Commander
And, should an event like his occur, they had already agreed to do so before we left Landsol.
Villian 2
It's fine, Miss. We've already resolved ourselves for this.
Villian 1
If it'll the save the lives of you two, then it's a cheap price to pay with ours.
Royal Knight's Commander
You two... I'm sorry.
Hiyori
No... I can't run! Everyone here's in trouble!
Royal Knight's Commander
Sorry, but this isn't the situation to be saying stuff like that. All troops! Retreat at once!
Hiyori
No... This can't...
Flashback.
Escorter 1
People as soft as you are definitely gonna end up gettin' real hurt one day!
End flashback.
Hiyori
...Is this what he meant by, "really hurt"...? Maybe I really am too soft...
Hiyori
...No. It's fine if I'm soft! If everyone's going to get hurt, then I'll just shoulder the pain instead!
Hiyori
...Please, Kishi-kun. Lend me your power!
Hiyori
...Truth is, I want you to run away too. But I don't think I can save everyone by myself.
Hiyori
I know I'm asking for a lot... But please! I want to help everyone, help me do that!
Yuuki
1. Let's defeat the monsters together!
2. We should help each other when we run into trouble!
Option 1.
Hiyori
Kishi-kun...! Yeah! Together, it'll turn out alright!
Option 2.
Hiyori
Ehehe... I'm the one saying that all the time, but you've been constantly telling that recently, huh?
End of Branches.
Hiyori
...Thanks, Kishi-kun. Thanks so much for being in right front of me, Kishi-kun.
Hiyori
Deep down in my chest, I can feel my heart really racing... Is this nervousness? ...Or is it because you're with me?
Hiyori
Aaalright! My energy and courage is all charged!
Hiyori
Okay, here I go! Kishi-kun, thanks for lending me your strength!
Hiyori
...My whole body's brimming with power! Take, all of my, full power, at full throttle!! Daaah!
Monsters
Grooowl!
Hiyori
Deryaaah!!
Monsters
Grooowl!
Hiyori
Uaaah!!
Monsters
Grooowl!
Hiyori
I'll protect everyone, no matter what!!
Villian 1
Those two...!
Villian 2
Dammit...! Why, why do we...!?
Royal Knight 1
That's...! Commander, look!
Royal Knight's Commander
Those two...!! They're planning on fighting that many monsters on their own!?
Royal Knight
...Commander, we'll fight as well!
Royal Knight's Commander
Don't be stupid! If I lose you all, I won't be able to the Captain!
Royal Knight 2
But! If we leave those two behind, then we absolutely won't be able to face the Captain!
Royal Knight 1
Commander! I request to fight as well! Protecting each and everyone of the citizens is our duty as Royal Knights! Is it not!?
Royal Knight 2
Commander!
Royal Knights
Commander!
Royal Knight's Commander
...Captain, please forgive me. Everyone, it seems you've all made your decisions! From this moment forth, we will demonstrate the strength of the royal knights! All troops, chaaarge!
Royal Knights
Uooooh!!
Hiyori
It's the royal knights! They came back! Ehehe, that's reassuring!
Hiyori
I can feel the power from you much stronger than ever before! This can work! Take this! Uunyanyanyanyanyaa!
Monsters
Grooowl!
Villian 1
You all! You didn't abandon the Miss!
Royal Knight's Commander
Yes, that's right! While criminals are a different story, there was no way we could abandon those kids! You two stand back--
Villian 2
Please! Let us fight too!
Royal Knight's Commander
What are you saying!? I cannot permit that!
Villian 1
I'll pick up the slack of the others who are injured! Come on, please... Let me help those kids...!
Royal Knight's Commander
...Whoops, it seems the handcuffs have broken. It seems there is nothing I can do if the criminals decided to rush out from the carriage! ...Come back once the fight's over.
Villian 1
Hehe... Looks like the steadfast knight's bad at lying! Thanks! I'll borrow a weapon from an injured person! Hey, let's go!
Villian 2
Don't gotta tell me twice! Heeey! You two! We're gonna fight too!
Hiyori
You two are!? Why!?
Royal Knight's Captain
They requested that they be allowed to help you two! After detemining that our current strength is lacking, I had them help out!
Villian 1
I thought that if I let you two die, I'd regreat it my entire life!
Villian 2
So that we can start live an honest life, we wanted to help you two out!
Hiyori
Sniff. ...Thank you so much! Kishi-kun! Let's fight with everyone until the end!
Monster
Grooowl!
Hiyori
Heavy breathing.
Royal Knight's Commander
The one you just took down was the last one! You two are amazing! Everyone, great work! We emerge victorious!
Hiyori
Really...? We did it, Kishi-kun! We defeated all the monsters!
Hiyori
It was thanks to you being with me again! Huuug! One more, huuug!
Royal Knight's Commander
...Aaah, cough. It's fine to be sharing that excitement, but please keep it under control.
Hiyori
Huh!? S-Sorry... I was so happy, I just...
Royal Knight's Commander
Well, that's besides the point. I wish to give you both my apology, and my thanks. I'm truly sorry. And, thank you for saving everyone.
Villian 1
This makes it the second time you've saved us, you have nothing but my thanks.
Villian 2
Yeah, same goes for me. We've started to think we want to live lives similar to the way you do...
Hiyori
No, no! We were able to win thanks to everyone's help! It's like I always say, we should help each other when we run into trouble!
Royal Knight's Commander
Yes, it's as you say. Now then, let us depart! There's still a ways to go before we reach the harbor! Come, let's return to the carriage!
Villians
Gooot it!
Hiyori
...There goes the boat. I hope their sentence ends and they can come back soon.
Hiyori
It's thanks to you that we were able to safely see them off! I bet that together, we'll be able to help out anyone!
Hiyori
...Kishi-kun, thanks for helping me out earlier. Next time, I'll be the one to help you out!
Hiyori
Hey, hey, Kishi-kun. There anything you need help with? I can help out with a job, or even with something you don't know about? Hey, hey!
Hiyori
Oh, I guess asking you this much would cause you trouble instead, huh? Ehehe... Okay, When you need help, come to me right away then! It's a promise!
Hiyori
From now onward, I hope the both of us to need help from each other, and help the people we find in trouble...
Hiyori
I hope I'll be able to feel that squeezing feeling from deep in my heart even more and more.
That is what Hiyori quietly mutters to herself, as she watches Yuuki's troubled smile.