"Where are they?!" Astra nervously paced around the inn. "They should be back by now!"
"Calm down, Astra. They'll be back soon. Getting all worked up isn't going to make it any better..." Eron offered Astra a bowl. "...Come eat with us. It'll make you feel better."
"I guess you guys are right. This stew does smell amazing," Astra replied, taking the dish.
The girls knew food was the one thing that could calm her down.
Sarah burst through the doorway.
"Astra! Eron! Come quick! Master Lia is really hurt!"
The bowl fell from Astra's hands as she sprinted outside.
"Master Lia...?"
Astra rushed forward as Fio and Koga lifted Kalia from the back of the cart on a stretcher.
The moment she saw her master wrapped in blood-soaked bandages, motionless and unconscious, tears spilled freely down her cheeks.
"She's alive, Astra, but she hasn't woken up since we left the tunnels. We need to get her inside. Quickly."
"Eron! Hurry!"
Astra sobbed, collapsing beside the bed.
"I'm here, Astra..."
Eron's voice caught the moment she saw Kalia.
"Heal her! Please!" Astra begged desperately.
"Tenma ot Herra!"
Eron raised the Gleam over Kalia's body.
A warm white light washed over her, closing every gash and fading every bruise until not a single wound remained.
Eron lowered the staff, her shoulders sagging.
"...That's all I can do."
"Why isn't she waking up? Wake up, Master Lia!"
Astra wailed, clutching Kalia's hand.
"Astra," Fio said gently, kneeling beside her. "She used almost all of her strength defeating Graland. It's a miracle she's alive at all. We just have to give her time to recover, okay?"
Astra lowered her head, her grip on Kalia's hand tightening.
"...I'm not going anywhere until she wakes up."
Fio smiled softly.
"All right. If you need anything, we'll be in the other room. Come on, girls. Let's let Master Lia rest."
She motioned for Sarah and Eron to follow her before quietly closing the door behind them.
"Master Lia...?" Astra whispered, gently brushing a hand across Kalia's forehead.
"Don't leave me..." she murmured. "You can't... You promised... because I need you..."
"Mmm..."
Kalia let out a sleepy sigh and rolled onto her side.
S-she didn't hear any of that... did she?!
Heat rushed to Astra's cheeks, turning her face a brilliant shade of red.
"A-Astra?" Kalia mumbled, opening her eyes slightly.
"Lia!"
Astra cried, leaping from her chair.
"You're awake!"
She threw herself onto the bed, wrapping Kalia in a crushing embrace.
"Easy, Astra..." Kalia laughed weakly. "Or are you trying to finish the job?"
"I'm not letting go again!"
Astra squeezed even tighter as she buried her face against Kalia's chest.
"Never!"
"I'm okay."
Kalia gently stroked Astra's hair.
"Just tired. See?"
She lifted an arm, then a leg, showing that every wound had already healed without a trace.
"I was so scared, Master Lia..." Astra's voice trembled. "I-I thought you were gone..."
"I'm sorry I scared you, Astra."
She rested a hand on Astra's head.
"I promise I'm not going anywhere that easily. It'll take a lot more than this to get rid of me."
"Hmph."
Astra sniffled, trying to sound angry.
"You say that now, but you should've seen yourself! You were covered in blood! There was so much..."
She clenched Kalia's blanket in her fists.
"We really thought we'd lost you."
"Okay, okay. I get it, Astra... I'll be more careful from now on..."
"You better... I don't know what I... what we'd do without you."
"I'm sorry... I didn't think..."
Kalia didn't have to finish her thought.
She had been too short-sighted, so focused on taking care of the enemy that she'd forgotten there were people who depended on her now.
"What about those slavers? We still have a job to finish!"
Kalia shot upright in bed, suddenly remembering they were still in the middle of a mission.
"We need to get back there before they get away!"
She swung her legs over the side of the bed and tried to stand.
"You..."
Astra growled, cutting the coldest glare Kalia had ever seen at her.
"...aren't going anywhere..."
"But..." Kalia protested, struggling to pry herself free of Astra's grip.
When it came to raw strength, she wasn't even close to matching Astra.
Astra simply narrowed her eyes.
"You will stay here and get some rest. I'll finish the mission."
This wasn't a negotiation.
"Yes... ma'am..." Kalia mumbled, feeling like a child being scolded by her mother.
"Good!"
Astra beamed, her usual cheerful demeanor returning as quickly as it had vanished.
Kalia couldn't help but smile.
"Astra... be careful."
Astra paused at the doorway and looked back with a confident grin.
"Don't worry about me. This won't take more than a few minutes!"
Astra cracked a menacing smile.
"If you find that Harl bastard..." Kalia's expression darkened. "If I hadn't let him go that night..."
"I understand."
"Thanks."
"I'll be back before you know it, Master Lia!"
Astra waved before slipping out the door.
The room fell silent.
"...Master Lia?"
"You can come in, Fio."
The door creaked open.
"Thank goodness you're awake, Master Lia. We were so worried."
Fio hurried to Kalia's bedside and wrapped her in a gentle hug.
"I know... Astra already made that painfully clear."
She let out a weary laugh.
"I got carried away... and paid for it."
"I... I can't lose you too..."
Fio sobbed, hugging Kalia even tighter.
Kalia gently stroked her hair.
"I promise, Fio. I won't let it happen again."
"You better not!"
Fio huffed, hastily wiping the tears from her cheeks before stepping back.
"Now get some rest."
"I will..."
Kalia smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry, Fio."
Fio folded her arms.
"You should be, Master Lia."
She gave Kalia a pointed look.
"After all, weren't you the one who lectured me about throwing my life away?"
"...You really didn't have to remind me."
Kalia lowered her head in defeat.
"I was right there."
Fio's tone softened.
"All you had to do was ask for help."
She placed a hand over Kalia's.
"Master Lia... you need to learn to rely on us as much as we rely on you."
She smiled warmly.
"We're a team."
"I know..." Kalia murmured, completely caught off guard by Fio's uncharacteristic scolding.
Fio let out a small sigh before her usual gentle smile returned.
"Good."
She gave Kalia's shoulder a light pat.
"I'm heading back downstairs to help the others. If you need anything, just call for us, okay?"
"All right... thanks, Fio."
Kalia lay in silence for several minutes before finally climbing out of bed.
She wasn't ready to sleep again.
After Astra and Fio's lectures, she doubted she'd be able to anyway.
I really put them through hell...
Being scolded by the two of them had stung far worse than any wound Graland had inflicted.
"I'll make it up to them," she promised herself.
She wandered to the window and smiled.
Below, the streets bustled with activity.
Fio was organizing food for the rescued villagers while Eron moved from person to person, tending to the injured.
Even Sarah had found her own way to help, singing songs, dancing, and telling silly jokes that coaxed weary smiles from crying children.
They're amazing...
Kalia rested against the windowsill, quietly watching the little family she'd somehow found.
A brilliant flash bloomed on the horizon.
The light grew brighter until the night vanished altogether, replaced by a blinding white that turned midnight into day.
"...Astra."
Kalia's eyes widened.
"No way..."
"Everyone! Get down! Cover your ears!"
Kalia shouted through the open window.
The people below froze, staring toward the impossible light.
"Now!"
Her voice finally snapped them from their trance.
They dove for cover just as an earth-shaking pressure wave thundered across the village.
Windows exploded.
Roof tiles rattled loose.
Dust billowed through the streets as the shockwave rolled overhead.
"I'm going to kill her..."
Kalia grumbled, rubbing her still-ringing ears.
The bedroom door burst open.
"Master Lia! What in the world was that? Another enemy?" Fio gasped.
Kalia let out a long sigh.
"No..."
She pinched the bridge of her nose.
"That was Astra."
Fio blinked.
"...Astra?"
"Looks like she finished the mission."
"...Oh."
"Yeah..."
"I'm back, Master Lia!"
Astra skipped into the inn wearing the biggest smile Kalia had ever seen.
Kalia crooked a finger.
"Astra."
"Yes?"
"...Come here for a second."
"Okie!"
Astra happily trotted over.
"So..."
Kalia smiled pleasantly.
"I see you finished the mission."
"Mm-hm!"
Astra nodded enthusiastically.
"I defeated the slavers, destroyed their hideout, and I even got to try another spell I'd been reading about!"
She hugged the Spire against her chest.
"Your staff is amazing!"
"...Astra."
"Yes, Lia?"
"...Did that spell happen to create the second sunrise?"
Astra tilted her head.
"...Maybe?"
"Good job, Astra."
Kalia placed her hand on Astra's head.
"Just a tiny note for you, though..."
Kalia finished her sentence with a flick to Astra's forehead.
"Oww! What was that for, Master Lia...?"
"Look outside, Astra! You broke every window in town!"
"Huh?"
Astra peered out the window.
"Oh... sorry, Master Lia..."
"You must be more careful, Astra. What if that blast had caused real damage? People could've been hurt!"
"I didn't think it would reach this far, honest."
"Since no one was hurt, I'll let it slide this time. But you have to promise me you'll use better judgment before casting such dangerous magic again."
Kalia's voice softened.
She couldn't be too upset with Astra. Her heart had been in the right place; she simply struggled to understand the extent of her own power and how easily it could affect those around her.
"I promise..." Astra answered in a whisper.
"Thank you, Astra. I take it there's no chance you left their boss or Harl alive for questioning?"
"No... I blew up the entire base... I don't think anyone could've survived that."
"You're probably right."
Kalia sighed.
"The mission's finished. That's what matters."
...Why do I get the feeling I'll be seeing those two again?
She pushed the thought aside.
"Come on. Let's at least see how everyone else is doing."
"Okies!" Astra chirped.
"Master Lia! What are you doing out of bed?"
Fio huffed the moment she saw Kalia.
"You need to be resting."
"There must be something I can do to help."
"Absolutely not."
Fio folded her arms.
"We've got everything under control."
Kalia sighed in defeat.
"All right... then how's everyone else doing?"
"About as well as we could hope."
She nodded.
"Lucy was hurt pretty badly, but Eron managed to heal all of her injuries. She's resting upstairs."
"Eron's been treating the people we rescued and helping everyone get settled into the inn."
"Sarah's in the kitchen helping prepare meals. Apparently, she's been keeping everyone's spirits up with songs and terrible jokes."
"What about Milena?"
Kalia asked, glancing around the room.
Fio's smile faded.
"I'm... not sure."
She shook her head.
"She's been distant ever since we got back. She hasn't said a word."
Astra's cheerful expression disappeared.
"I think I know what's wrong, Master Lia."
Kalia turned toward her.
"She went through a lot tonight."
Astra lowered her eyes.
"Lucy was almost killed... she watched Tiar die..."
She paused.
"...and she killed Hrogar."
"Mmm... I think we should go talk to her, Astra."
"Sure!"
"I don't think so."
Fio sighed, grabbing Astra by the back of her shirt before she could take two steps.
"...You're not going anywhere."
Astra blinked.
"Eh?"
"Or have you already forgotten about the little disaster you caused outside?"
Fio pointed toward the shattered windows lining the street.
"Those aren't going to replace themselves."
Astra's shoulders slumped.
"...Eh-hehe..."
Kalia couldn't help but chuckle.
"Good luck, Astra."
Astra pouted.
"Master Lia...save me..."
"Milena?"
Kalia knocked gently on the door.
"Can I come in?"
"...Sure."
The reply was barely above a whisper.
Kalia stepped inside.
"You okay?"
Milena stared down at her hands.
"...I don't know."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
After a long silence, Milena finally spoke.
"I don't get it..." she whispered. "Shouldn't I feel happy that we stopped them?"
"You don't?"
Milena slowly shook her head.
"Why?"
Kalia sat beside her on the bed.
"They were the same people who caused you so much pain."
Milena's fingers tightened around the blanket.
"...I killed someone."
Kalia's expression softened.
"...Ah."
She nodded slowly.
"I understand."
"You shouldn't feel happy about taking a life."
Kalia's voice was quiet.
"No matter who they are, it isn't something most people can simply shrug off."
Milena looked up, tears welling in her eyes.
"But... he was going to kill me!"
Milena clenched her fists.
"Master Lia, why do I feel bad about doing it...?"
"Because you have a good heart, Milena."
Kalia rested a hand on her shoulder.
"Anyone can learn to kill. The hard part is not letting your heart grow numb afterward. The fact that you can still grieve, even for someone who wanted you dead, tells me you're still the wonderful girl I've come to know."
"It..."
Milena buried her head against Kalia's chest and wept uncontrollably.
"...was horrible. H-he just..."
Her words caught in her throat.
"It's okay to cry."
Kalia held the girl close.
"You don't have to explain anything. Just let it all out."
Kalia held her in silence as she wept until no tears remained.
After a while, Kalia gently loosened her embrace.
"Feeling any better, Milena?"
"N-not really..."
Milena wiped her cheeks with her sleeve.
"...But I think I will be."
"I'm always here if you ever need a shoulder to cry on or someone to listen."
"Thank you, Master Lia."
"Do you want me to stay with you a little longer?"
Milena shook her head.
"No... I'll be downstairs in a little while. You go ahead."
"All right. I'll be waiting."
As she reached the door, Kalia paused and glanced back over her shoulder.
"Remember what I said."
"If it ever gets too heavy... you don't have to carry it alone."
"...I know."
Milena gave a small nod.
"Thank you, Master Lia."
"Anytime, Milena."
"How's she doing?" Fio asked quietly as she rounded the corner.
"She took it pretty hard..." Kalia admitted. "But I think she'll be all right. She's stronger than she gives herself credit for."
Fio smiled with visible relief.
"...That's good to hear."
"Everyone finally getting settled?"
"Yeah."
Fio nodded.
"We got all of the freed slaves settled into rooms and made sure everyone had something to eat."
She smiled, glancing toward the common room.
"Lora's going around now, explaining everything to them and answering their questions. They're still frightened, but... I think they're finally starting to realize they're safe."
"Good... that's one less thing to worry about."
Kalia let out a relieved sigh.
"There is... one more tiny problem."
Kalia narrowed her eyes.
"...Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to like this?"
Fio smiled awkwardly.
"Umm... Astra brought Eliane back with her."
Kalia blinked.
"...I'm sorry, what?"
"The healer from Graland's party."
"...I heard you."
She pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I'm asking why."
Fio glanced toward Astra.
"Apparently, Astra felt bad after... everything that happened with Tiar."
Astra shrank a little.
"Eliane said she wanted to atone for everything she'd done."
Kalia slowly turned toward Astra.
"...And this..."
She asked with an exhausted smile.
"...is somehow my problem?"
Astra nodded innocently.
"I told her you'd help her figure out what to do!"
"Of course you did..."
Kalia let out a defeated sigh.
"...Fine. Where is she?"
"She's locked up in the back of the carriage."
"All right. I'll go talk to her."
I wonder what this Master Lia person is like...
Eliane's thoughts were interrupted by the soft click of the lock.
"Eliane?"
A gentle voice called from outside the carriage.
"I'm Kalia Waywrenn. I'm coming in."
"H-hello..."
Eliane whispered, curling into the far corner of the wagon.
"I'm Eliane Winthrop."
Kalia climbed inside and sat opposite her, leaving plenty of space between them.
"It's nice to meet you, Eliane."
A long silence followed.
"Astra told me you wanted to make amends."
Eliane nodded.
"I-I do..."
"Then tell me why."
"I..."
Eliane lowered her eyes.
"I want to be a good person..."
"After everything your group has done..." Kalia asked calmly. "...what made you decide that now?"
Eliane's shoulders trembled.
"I-I never wanted to do any of those horrible things..." she murmured. "...They made me."
"What do you mean, made you?"
Eliane lowered her head.
"Tiar was my older sister. She raised me after our parents died. She found us food... clothes... a place to live... and eventually a job with Graland."
"Okay... and?"
"After we joined him... she changed."
Eliane's hands trembled in her lap.
"She started threatening me. Graland did too."
"I never wanted to hurt anyone... but if I refused..."
Her voice shrank to a whisper.
"...they would hurt me instead."
"Why didn't you run away?"
"I tried once..."
Eliane whispered, instinctively rubbing her wrist.
"...they caught me right outside the town gates... I didn't try again..."
"Hmm, I see."
Kalia paused for a minute to think.
"So, how do I know you're telling me the truth?"
Eliane didn't answer.
Instead, she slowly stood.
With shaking hands, she loosened the ties of her tunic and let it slip from her shoulders.
Kalia's eyes widened.
Oh my God... Those monsters...
Thin white scars crisscrossed Eliane's back and shoulders.
Others were darker and newer, some still tinged purple where they'd only recently begun to heal.
"They... did all of this...?"
"Mm-hm..."
Eliane quietly slipped her tunic back on.
"...they said it was because I was useless..."
Kalia clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.
"...I'm sorry."
Kalia moved to sit next to the trembling girl.
"You aren't useless, Eliane."
"But I am..." Eliane whispered. "...I can't fight. I always make mistakes. I'm not good at anything."
"Astra told me about your anti-magic barrier. You were able to nullify her spells."
"So...?"
Kalia stared at her.
"So?!"
She gestured emphatically.
"You managed to stop Astra—the Researcher of Lost Magics! She had to resort to ancient magic just to break through your barrier!"
"Wait...?"
Eliane's eyes widened.
"...you mean that mage girl is..."
Kalia nodded.
"Yes."
Kalia smiled.
"You were able to go toe-to-toe with arguably the greatest mage alive! Do you really think someone useless could do that?"
Eliane dug the toe of her boot into the floor.
"I guess not..."
"Exactly."
"No matter what Graland or Tiar told you... you aren't useless."
"If you say so..."
"You don't have to believe me yet."
Kalia gently rested a hand on her shoulder.
"But one day, I hope you'll be able to believe in yourself."
"But..."
Eliane lowered her head again.
"...How does any of this make up for all the terrible things I've done?"
"It doesn't," Kalia replied bluntly.
Eliane flinched.
"What happened to you explains why you made those choices, but it doesn't erase what happened because of them."
Kalia's expression softened.
"What it does tell me is that you aren't some heartless monster. You regret what you've done, and you want to change. That matters."
Eliane stared at her hands.
"So... what should I do?"
"That isn't something I can decide for you. It's up to you to decide what kind of person you want to be. Part of taking back your power is making decisions for yourself."
"Maybe I should just turn myself in to the guards. Let them do what they want with me."
"Is that what you want?"
Eliane was silent for a moment.
"I-I don't know."
"If you turn yourself over to the guards, they'll execute you. You won't get another chance after that."
Eliane swallowed.
"Do you believe that's what you deserve?"
"N-no..."
Her answer came hesitantly, as though she wasn't sure she was allowed to say it.
She clenched her hands in her lap.
"I... I want to be good."
Her voice grew a little steadier.
"I want to help people."
"Then you have your answer."
Kalia gently rested a hand on the girl's shoulder.
"But... where do I even start?"
"Now that is something I can help you with."
Kalia glanced toward the inn.
"I heard you can use healing magic, right?"
"Mm-hm..."
"Well, there's an inn full of people who could use your help. And I'm sure Eron could use a break."
"...You'd really trust me to do that?"
Kalia nodded without hesitation.
"Everyone deserves the chance to choose who they become."
"This is yours."
Eliane swallowed hard before slowly rising to her feet.
"O-okay..."
She managed a small, genuine smile.
"I'll... I'll do my best."
"Did you get things figured out with Eliane?" Fio asked as Kalia led Eliane into the inn.
"Yeah, more or less. Could you get Eron for me?"
"Sure thing, Master Lia."
"What's she doing here?"
Eron hissed the moment she spotted Eliane.
"Shouldn't she be locked in the carriage?"
Eliane flinched as she ducked behind Kalia.
"Eron."
"She helped Graland!"
"Eron!"
Kalia's voice cut through the room.
The image of Eliane's scar-covered back flashed through Kalia's mind.
"I know you're angry."
She took a slow breath.
"You have every right to be."
"But Eliane asked for my help. She knows she's done terrible things, and she wants to atone for them."
"But why you? Why us? Just drop her at the guard station and be done with it! They'll sort her out!"
"No," Kalia answered firmly. "I've heard her story, and I decided to help her. End of discussion."
"But how can we trust her?"
"We can't."
Kalia glanced back at Eliane with a smile.
"Not yet, at least."
"She promised to prove herself to me, and I'm going to give her the chance to do exactly that."
"Well, I don't like it!" Eron snorted.
"You don't have to, but it's going to happen regardless."
Eliane wrung the hem of her tunic.
S-she stood up for me...
"Fine... but if she even thinks about doing anything..."
"Then she'll answer to me," Kalia assured the girl.
"Now, with that settled, I've already given Eliane her first task. She's going to accompany you while you heal the injured survivors."
"Me?"
Eron recoiled at the thought.
"I can do it myself!"
"Out of the question."
Kalia noticed Eron sway slightly on her feet.
"I can tell you're exhausted. You're barely able to stand right now."
"Eliane also knows healing magic, and this will be a good opportunity for her to show me that she wants to change."
"But..."
Eron started to argue.
"...you're right. I could use a break."
"Eliane, why don't you come around and introduce yourself?"
Kalia placed a reassuring hand on the girl's back.
"H-hello..."
The girl hesitated.
"I-I'm Eliane."
She held out a trembling hand.
"I'm Eron."
Eron reluctantly took the outstretched hand.
"Come on, then. If you're going to help, I'll show you where everyone is."
"I-I'll do my best..."
Eliane followed after Eron, casting one final glance back at Kalia.
"Go on," Kalia whispered with a reassuring nod.
Eliane took a deep breath and hurried after Eron into the back room.
Fio rounded the corner to stand with Kalia.
"Was it really such a good idea to send her with Eron, Master Lia?"
"Yep. This is an opportunity for Eron just as much as it is for Eliane."
"How so?"
"Eron doesn't have to forgive Eliane. However, she does need to learn to give someone the opportunity to prove they've changed."
"You always know just what to do, Master Lia."
"Hardly. I'm just trying to do what seems right."
Kalia glanced toward the back room.
"Let's see how they're doing."
She and Fio stepped into the back room to find Eron and Eliane moving between rows of injured survivors.
Eliane was kneeling beside a bedroll, her hands hovering just above an injured woman.
"Tenma ot Herra!"
Healing light washed across the woman's body, closing her wounds within seconds.
"At least you have some skill."
Eron snorted, clearly trying to hide that she was impressed.
"I know lots of healing spells..." Eliane replied timidly. "It's all I'm good at."
"Hmph. Well, c'mon. We still have a few more people to go."
"O-okay..."
Eliane whispered, following behind her.
Eliane stopped at each bedroll Eron pointed to and healed the person lying there.
Kalia leaned toward Fio and whispered.
"See that? Eron is giving her the difficult ones. She's testing her."
She's good... Surely this next one will stump her.
Eron stopped at the next bedroll and lifted the blanket.
"..."
Eliane's eyes widened.
Before her was a small child covered in severe burns and lacerations.
The damage in some areas was so bad that the child was missing large portions of skin and flesh.
"See what those people did."
Eron pointed toward the child.
"This is who you were working for."
"I-I..."
Eliane spoke barely above a whisper.
"...didn't know... I-I'm sorry..."
"Can you heal him?"
"I-I can try..."
Eliane held out her hands, her brow furrowing as she focused her mana into the spell.
"Erat Yonu!"
Erat Yonu... I haven't heard of that one...
A blinding light spread across the boy.
The burns faded beneath its glow, angry red tissue slowly returning to its natural color.
Eron's eyes widened.
She's actually doing it...
But the spell didn't stop there.
She wasn't just healing an injury.
She was regrowing flesh and skin.
You can do that...?
Eron held her hand over her mouth.
Eliane began to sweat as she focused more and more of her mana into the spell.
Finally, Eliane's arms dropped to her sides as she slumped forward, nearly losing consciousness.
"T-that's all I can do..."
Eliane murmured, wiping the sweat from her face.
All you can do...?
Eron carefully examined the boy.
There wasn't even a trace of the injuries left.
She completely restored him...
"I'll admit, you're quite skilled..."
She glanced back at Eliane, who could barely keep herself upright.
"...but there are still more people to tend to."
"I-I can still..."
Eliane faltered, catching herself on the edge of a chair.
"...keep going."
"I don't think so..."
Eron caught Eliane by the arm and guided her into the chair.
"B-but there are still people who need healing..."
"And you won't be helping anyone if you collapse."
"I have to... I am still useful..."
"No one said you aren't."
Eron glanced down at the boy sleeping peacefully.
"You regrew his flesh. I didn't even know healing magic could do that."
"...You can't?"
"I've never even heard of that spell... and I learned from Astra."
Eliane blinked.
"Really...?"
"Really. Who did you learn it from?"
"It was in a book Tiar gave me when I started learning magic."
Eliane's words caught in her throat.
"...She said if I couldn't learn everything in it, I would be a burden to everyone else."
A burden...? How...?
Eliane started to stand.
"I can keep going."
"Oh no, you're not..."
Eron placed a firm hand on the girl's shoulder.
"...you need to recover your mana."
"B-but..."
"We've taken care of the most urgent cases. I'll handle the remaining few while you rest."
Tears began to form in the corners of Eliane's eyes.
"I'll do better... I swear..."
"You've done great, though. Resting doesn't mean you failed."
"You're not angry...?"
"Why would I be? You worked really hard, and now you need to rest. That's normal."
"But... Tiar always got angry when I asked for a break..."
"Well, that's dumb. How can anyone do their best if they're always pushing themselves past their limit?"
"If I were stronger, I wouldn't need breaks, though..."
Of course that brain-dead assassin would say something like that...
"That may be true for fighting, but we both know that isn't how it works for mages. Mana doesn't just recover because we want it to."
"She usually just made me keep going until I passed out."
"That is completely unacceptable. You could really hurt yourself doing that," Eron replied firmly. "If we're going to work together, you need to be rested and ready."
Eliane glanced up at Eron.
"...Working together?"
"Master Lia said you're going to help me, and that means you need to be in good shape to do that."
"Now, just sit there while I finish up. I'll come get you in a bit."
"O-okay..."
Eliane stared at the girl making her rounds.
...Maybe Astra was right... Maybe Eron doesn't hate me...
Kalia quietly watched the girls' exchange from the corner of the room with a smile.
See, Eron? Sometimes people just need a chance...
After Eron finished healing the last person, she motioned for Eliane to join her and approached Kalia.
"All done, Master Lia. I'm beat..."
"Good work, Eron. You too, Eliane."
Kalia smiled at the girls.
"So, how'd she do?"
Eron glanced toward Eliane.
Eliane immediately lowered her head, fingers tightening around the hem of her tunic.
"She did really well."
Eliane blinked.
"I-I did?"
"Of course. Or did you already forget about healing that boy?"
Eron turned back to Kalia.
"I watched her regrow flesh and skin. Even Astra didn't teach me that."
"Hmm, now that is interesting."
Kalia glanced at Eliane.
"Astra is going to love hearing about that!"
"It's nothing special..."
"We'll save that for another day. Why don't you girls head upstairs and get cleaned up?"
"C'mon, Eliane. You heard her."
Eron motioned for the girl to follow her.
"I'll take you to your room."
"O-okay."
"Seems like Eron is already softening up."
"It's a start, at least."
Eron stopped at a door at the top of the stairs.
"This is your room."
She pointed toward another door at the end of the hall.
"Once you get settled, you can take a bath there."
"No guards?"
Eron raised an eyebrow.
"Why would you need guards?"
"B-because... you know."
"Master Lia said you aren't a prisoner, so you won't be treated like one."
"Aren't you worried I may try to run?"
Eron shrugged.
"Were you planning to?"
"No..."
"Then I don't see a problem."
Eron turned to leave.
"Now hurry up. This bath isn't as big as the one at home. I wanna get this muck off me, and we're going to have to share."
"Share...?"
"Unless you want to take a cold bath, we're sharing."
Eliane watched Eron disappear down the hall.
This girl wanted me turned over to the guards... and now I have a room of my own, and she wants to share a bath with me.
I don't understand these people...
"Ugh... Finally!"
Eron opened the door to the bath.
"I'm burning those clothes when we get home. That smell is never going to come out."
"Eek!"
Eliane jumped at the sudden sound behind her.
"Oh, sorry, Eliane. I should've..."
Eron inhaled sharply upon seeing Eliane's scars.
"...knocked."
Eliane rushed to wrap herself in a towel.
"O-oh, no. It's okay..."
"Eliane..."
Eron quickly turned around to face the wall.
"...those scars."
"I-it's nothing. Don't worry about it. I'm f-fine."
What the hell...
"Did they..."
Eron paused.
She wasn't sure she should be asking about them.
"I had to keep going..."
Eliane lowered her gaze.
"...or else."
"You don't have to talk about it."
Eron clenched her fists.
Her eyes flared with anger.
"I'm sorry for asking..."
"Sorry... I-I didn't mean to upset you."
"I'm not angry at you..."
Eron turned to face the girl.
"This... this is..."
She trailed off, struggling to find the right words.
"They had no right."
Eron's eyes traced over the countless marks across the girl's back.
"I was always messing up..."
"So?"
"Making a mistake doesn't mean they're allowed to hurt you."
Tears welled in Eliane's eyes.
"I-I didn't mean to mess up so much. I tried really hard..."
"Eliane, that's not the point."
Eliane flinched.
Eron immediately softened her voice.
"You could've messed up every single day, and it still wouldn't make this okay."
"I... don't understand."
"You will."
Eron motioned for Eliane to come closer.
"Let's just put that behind you for today. Come here. I'll help you wash your hair."
"M-my hair?"
"Yeah. Unless you want to spend all night fighting with it yourself."
Eliane hesitated before sitting in front of her.
"O-okay..."
Eron ran her fingers through the girl's tangled hair.
"Am I hurting you?"
"N-no..."
"Then why are you so tense?"
"I'm... not used to this."
"Just relax a bit. You're safe here."
"..."
Eliane lowered her shoulders, her head slumping forward a little.
This time, tears formed for a very different reason.
"Thank you, Eron."
Eron paused, her fingers still tangled in Eliane's hair.
"Hey, you know it's hard to do this if you keep moving your head around."
"S-sorry..."
"And stop apologizing for everything."
"Sorry..."
"Eliane..."
Eliane blinked before realizing what she'd just said.
"Oh..."
Eron couldn't help but smile.
"There you go."
"Eron?"
"Hmm?"
"Why does everyone call her Master Lia?"
"I guess it's only fair that I tell you our story."
Eron dumped a bucket of warm water over Eliane's head before recounting the events that had led her and all the girls into Kalia and Astra's care.
By the time Eron had finished, the bathwater had already started to cool.
"So... Kalia saved all of you too?"
"Yup. I don't think we'd be alive right now if it wasn't for her."
"Also..."
Eron paused.
"...I'm sorry I was so harsh with you, Eliane."
Eron grabbed a couple of towels.
"C'mon. If we stay in here any longer, we might catch a cold."
"Why are you apologizing? You had every right to be angry with me..."
"Still, it wasn't right to treat you like that."
Eron tossed Eliane a towel and hurried out of the room.
"L-let's get off to bed. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."
"A-all right, then..."
Eliane stared at the towel in her hands and whispered to herself.
"Thank you."
As Eliane pulled the door to her room closed, she stopped to look around.
The room was clean, new clothes were neatly laid out, and there was even a tray with some bread and fruit on the table.
All this for someone like me...
She turned around to peek down the hallway one more time.
No guards...
She jiggled the door handle.
No extra locks...
I just don't get it...
She slipped into bed, and for the first time in years, Eliane slept through an entire night.
"Master Lia? Are you still up?"
Eron knocked gently on Kalia's door.
"Yeah. You need something, Eron?"
Kalia ushered the girl inside.
"No, it's just... Eliane... her back..."
"The scars?"
"You knew?"
"Yeah. She showed them to me in the carriage."
Eron went quiet, fidgeting with the hem of her sleeves.
"So that's why you snapped at me..."
"You were angry. I get it. I know you want to protect the other girls, but sometimes things aren't always black and white."
"I was horrible to her..."
Eron sniffed, fighting back tears.
"...I-I didn't know..."
"But now you do. She's a victim too."
Kalia patted the girl on the head.
"Do you understand why I partnered her with you now?"
"Yeah..."
Eron wiped her cheek.
"I should've given her a chance..."
"Exactly."
Kalia wrapped her arms around the girl.
"You did just that. That's what matters."
"Now off to bed."
"Goodnight, Master Lia."
"Night, Eron."
Kalia closed the door behind her and slipped into bed.