Dear and I talk about the next steps of our training while heading back to the farm. I share my thoughts: “Hm... my magic was able to hurt some of them, but you're right: It may not be enough.”

“Why did you swap to [Wizard] anyway?”

“Hm...” He's right, he asked me to not use it, as I'm still not used to it. “Instinct?”

“Phew... well, can't argue with the results. As long as it doesn't bite us. Or rather you.” Ah Dear, you looking out for me warms my heart. “Hey, why-”

“Tehehe.” I just linked arms with him and now snuggle with my head against the side of his head. “I just can't hold it in, Dear.”

“I'm seriously not in the mood, so back off.”

“...yes.” I guess I was too forward for him, and Dear is always in a brooding mood after combat. I just hope it's only that. I let go of him, and he takes another step away from me, this hurts a little.

I just let him think for a while, so maybe I can catch up with Ara, as currently we don't do anything but training together. She may be looking into nothingness right now, but she's more keen than any of us, after all.

That's why I approach her: “How did it go with the barbarians?” ...ah, now we talk about fighting again!

“I met my limits. I do have offensive spells, but unlike yours they lack raw power. This is something I should look more into, same as how to learn [Earthshield], as the spell will be useful to hide Momo.” She’s already analyzed the last battle. “What I'm surprised about is how you used [Heatwave] to disperse the shockwave attacks.”

“Tehehe, I just acted without thinking. I don't even know why it worked, I just knew it would.”

“The barbarians and you share so-called battle instincts. Your decision making during combat and your awareness of danger are probably the result of experience, but this makes it difficult to find the right approach.”

“That's why you want more power?”

“It's not a matter of wanting it or not, it's a matter of necessity. While being able to outsmart the opponent is fun, facing several strong enemies makes the lack of a simple—yet effective—measure more apparent.”

“Yeah, I met someone who blocked my attacks, and I need to figure out how to deal with that. I think [Dismember] would have hurt, maybe even killed, but it seemed to be a bad decision at the moment. I need something else.”

“What about your spells?”

I cock my head while trying to imagine using my spells to harm Tjim: “It could work, but wouldn't it be better to have something when not being a [Wizard] as well?”

“Congratulations, Katarine-san. You’ve obtained a bit of wisdom.”

I don't know what she means exactly, but I guess being a [Wizard] sometimes makes me smarter after all, even if I don't really notice it myself. So I just smile: “Thanks!”

“I would recommend learning how to use [Korona] willingly though.”

“Sorry, I don't have a clue how.”

“As it's probably linked to the Flames of Freedom, it stands to reason that the desire of liberation fuels them, which would also most likely be what you need to start them up.”

“I have no idea what you were saying just now.”

Her ears are leaning backwards, just at the height of her cheeks: “Just think that you want to be free.”

“I am free. Thanks to all of you.”

“You are very unproductive, Katarine-san.”

What is that supposed to mean? I cock my head in wonder: “Sorry?”

“You better be, as I'm always wondering whether this contributes to my research or not. It's not even mentioned in your status-screen and therefore most likely not related to the hero-system at all, yet it's exactly what your ancestor—who was probably one of the strongest heroes in history—passed down to you and apparently other members of your family.” While her face remains the same, her voice carries her irritation.

I like how honest Ara is.

“It will be fine. While I can't control them, the flames are still inside me.” I can't tell exactly where, maybe they're part of my spirituality, the part of me that connects myself to the divine, as the Flames were a gift of the Four of Feuerberg. Or maybe they hide deep inside my soul, which holds together all parts of me.

“I'd prefer if they would be outside of you for study.”

“But they were rather annoying, I couldn't even touch any of you.”

“You could, it just would have ended in tragedy.”

“You know what I mean!” She's teasing me again!

“If [Korona] is not an option, it comes down to whether you want to find your own solutions or copy Gottfried-kun.”

My current relationship with Instructor is very... strained. Before, he was my ideal: Strong, dependable, direct, and determined. I’ve seen the downsides of those traits though. Or maybe what downsides they may bring, if left unchecked.

That's why I'm still hesitant, maybe that's why my personal training hasn't yielded results yet. However, Instructor did teach me well, and he surely decided that following his example would suit me best.

“I will follow his path, but I won't end up like him. But how do I start?”

“Try to attain one of his skills, you should know one or two that would be able to get through the defenses of a barbarian easily.”

“Maybe. But how do I learn a skill?”

“That's a good question, but you have to come to the answer yourself, as I lack empiric data in this regard. Especially considering that I have to doubt every written document my fellow alfr heroes made for me.” This is odd? Why does she sound bitter and amused at the same time? Ah, right. Alfar do have a particular way to show affection, which involves playing pranks on each other. “Nonetheless,” Ara continues before I could say something: “You could start by adopting his fighting style better, as you vehemently insisted on keeping the [Shield]-ability.”

“But I don't have one.” I was already lamenting this before.

“In hindsight, buying one in Goldbrunn would have been helpful.” Yes, but back then I just wanted the helmet, as I didn't feel ready for using a shield yet. Back then, I was walking the tracks Instructor laid for me, and he didn't teach me how to use a shield, so I ended up never considering using it without his instructions.

Now I'm a different person. Not only because I'm a hero, but because I was gifted so much by Dear, Kyou, and Ara. “I doubt someone on the farm could make a shield.”

“For [Skill]-purposes, even an improvised weapon will work, as long as it shares some commonalities.”

“Yeah, but having something proper... wait a minute, weren't we talking about offense? Why are we talking about shields, then?”

After a short flick on her ears, Ara explains her reasoning. “Can't you use one to inflict blunt trauma to your opponents?”

She's right, if a blade falters, maybe using a shield like a hammer will succeed. “Maybe someone on the farm can make me one then. Maybe they know how to harden wood enough, they probably need that for their farmwork. Or rather one out of metal, after all? They do have a smithy Obert is helping with, after all...”

Speaking of it, I see Obert, who is waiting for us at the border of the farmstead. He was very concerned, after Dear rushed into the smithy to get his knife back. He runs to Dear, he's so adorable. Well, both of them are, though Dear in his unique way. “Red Ranger, did you win?”

“Turd, if we would have lost, then nobody here would be alive anymore.” Dear is right, but he's also scaring the child.

I get closer to Dear and take his hand, hoping to sooth his inner turmoil at least a bit. “Hi Obert, we won. They may come back again though, so we need to prepare even more. Your sharpening of the knife was very helpful, right Dear?”

“...right.”

Obert's face begins to gleam. “I did my best!” He's so cute.

Dear scratches his head, before looking back at the rest of us: “Guess we need to talk to boss-woman about that.” He pauses for a moment, before turning to Obert one more time: “Take care, turd.”

“Yes!” Ow, that's so sweet.

We head to Kenza, and by now there are already four leaders of different farmsteads sitting with us, as well as Benjam and Jahn. Dear sums up the most important things in a single sentence: “There were two dozen. We could drive them off, but most suffered just minor wounds.” Then he adds his own estimation: “Next time, they will probably use most—if not all—of their forces to crush us. You think you want to handle it?”

Stolen story; please report.

“You think they will return instead of being satisfied with the farmsteads we left?” One of the other leaders asks in wonder, hurt pride, and fear.

Dear passes this question to someone who will know better: “Jii-san?”

“It's the Northwind Clan, which is good news for you, as they think they're so smart. They will not challenge their luck too much, but at least one attempt to avenge their kin will be made.”

“We need to fortify more, and don't forget that many of us are used to fighting monsters! We-”

“Fillopp, please,” Benjam interrupts him: “I know how you feel. Barbarians always take what they want, and this time we finally have a chance to resist. I approve of your will to fight, but don't think for a moment we have the upper hand. So don't get carried away.”

“You're right. I'm sorry.”

Dear takes over the conversation again: “Last chance to retreat. If not, we'll look at what we can do, and you do whatever you deem necessary.”

“If we stay here, your plan is to repel them once more?” Kenza asks.

“I hope they're willing to talk before that, as otherwise this will become a headache.”

“Don't worry, lad,” Grekk says jollily: “I still have both of my legs.” Ah, then everything will work out, after all.

The meeting is dismissed, and Kyou leaves with Grekk to begin his treatment. “Excuse me,” I say to the people still here: “Do you know where I can get a shield?”

Most of them look confused, yet Benjam says: “I have one. You can have it. Come with me.” He leads me into his room and takes out a trunk from under his bed. There lies armor, a sword, a mace, and a small shield. “Here you go.”

“Thank you. Were you a soldier before, Benjam?”

“Indeed.”

I have an idea upcoming: “Are you the only one here?”

“No, at least five of the workers are also former soldiers. We're currently training the rest.”

“Could there be more of you from the other farmsteads?”

“I think so. Ah!” He comes to the same conclusion as I. “We could make at least one squad of actually trained soldiers to spearhead the attack, if needed.” Yes, like Grekk said: One soldier is no match for one barbarian, but ten soldiers will beat ten barbarians. “They will probably have a way to handle it, though.”

“That's where we come in!” I lift the shield Benjam gifted me, it's made out of wood, yet its outside is fortified with metal, pieces of different materials working together. Just like this farmstead. “I need to go train!” I run out of the room and building, full of confidence.

With a new shield and my magic, I have a lot of tools at my disposal. Now I only need to learn to use them right.

―○●○―

Mirianne looks at Red from afar, even though she's supposed to take care of the chickens next. She watches, as he swings his spear around, cursing, then swings it again. She has no idea what exactly he's doing at this point, but it seems important. Important enough for her to look after him.

Yes, back then, it was just a bad day. It's like Grekk-jii said, it's something between him and her. She could bring him water, strike a conversation naturally.

…

She better move on to the chickens. I'm such a coward. This is her whole life. Always wanting but never acting out of her comfort zone.

No, this time she will... wait, he's busy after all, also seems very frustrated by whatever he's doing. If she wants to make up with him, she should wait for later, when he's in a better mood.

Beaten by her defeatist mindset, she glances a last look at Red, but he's not alone anymore. He's with Kyou-chan, another of his companions. While Mirianne has made up her mind about the princess and the elf, she's not sure how to categorize this one. She seems nice enough, though she's also the one who takes care of Red's health.

They really look similar. The skin color, the hair, the eyes: They have to be from the same world. Yes, that's it! Why didn't she think of it earlier? She needs to find out more about Red, and who would be better to ask than the girl that looks like him!

What are they talking about? It doesn't take long, as Kyou-chan turns around and leaves Red's side. What a relief.

Mirianne plucks up a bit of courage and approaches the black-haired girl: “Hello Kyou-chan.”

“Ah, Miria-nee!” Her smile calms down the turmoil in Mirianne's heart. She's really a nice girl. “Do you have any wishes for dinner? I'm collecting some ideas.”

Ah, that's what she was talking with Red about? “Do you cook?”

“Yes, I need that. I wasn't that useful today.”

“So you always cook for your party?”

“Can't leave it to any of them, after all.”

“But you're also a priest? And a healer?” The girl is younger than her, and she already succeeds in so many tasks!?

“How about we sit down first? Or do you have a task to do?”

“Well...” Mirianne can't think of an excuse, so she says truthfully: “I should take care of the chickens...”

“Then let's head there. We can talk while moving our hands, after all.” She's also more mature.

Mirianne feels so useless right now. “Follow me...”

She leads the girl to the hen house, opening the gate that's just secured by a wooden bolt, so it doesn't swing open. The smell of poultry is always strong here, and she can see with a glance that she needs to refill the troughs of water and food.

That means a trip to the well, and another one to the shed. Kyou-chan helps her carry the buckets, which earns her a thankful glance from Mirianne. As the chickens gather for their food, Mirianne starts checking them for any signs of molt and wounds.

Now is a good time to ask questions, but Mirianne doesn't know what to ask specifically. “What do you think of Red?” That was the first thing on her mind. “I mean, Kenta-san...”

Kyou-chan's smile seems to be a bit forced: “We have a complicated relationship.”

“Why?”

She takes her time to think about it. “It's hard to sum up, especially for someone who doesn't know what my world is like. Let's say that he started off as an insufferable moron who went out of his way to piss off everyone that approached him. Someone who didn't appreciate any kind of connection to other people, who wanted to be left alone, and while there have been improvements, that's still the kind of guy he is.”

You're wrong! That's what Mirianne wants to say. Red is noble, he thinks of others, he saves people, he fights until his body is broken. Yet a small part of Mirianne already knows that these are just part of a story she made up about him, a story that would lead her away from this farmstead, while Kyou-chan's words oozes the truth of someone who has known Red far longer than her, and Mirianne can't help but to believe them.

“Do you like him?” Kyou-chan asks while tilting her head, showing the full amount of her curiosity.

Mirianne starts to think. She certainly has feelings for Red, but does she like him? She doesn't know, she wants him to look at her, appreciate her, value her. Is that her being in love? Or something else? She envies the princess, she envies the elf, that's true.

With a finger on her lips, Kyou-chan makes something between a question and a suggestion: “Maybe you feel something else.”

This... it sounds kinda right. Not exactly, more like a first step in the right direction. Mirianne never felt any attraction to men, though she likes the thought of being in love. Is Red different?

“Could it be admiration?”

…

Yes, that's right. She admires Red. That's it. This rings so true on several levels. He's younger than her, yet he lives an adventurous life. He's making his own decisions. He's something outside this farmstead. Still, he fights to protect it.

Yet there is something holding her back from fully embracing the idea, even though she wants to jump at it, be relieved from these complicated emotions.

“Hm...” Kyou-chan looks at one of the hens: “This one has a wound under the wing which is on the brink of infestation.” She tries to approach the hen, yet it trots away, staying out of reach of the chasing hero. “Please help, Miria-nee!”

“Ah, yes.” Mirianne takes a bit of seed and holds it in her hand, then she quickly grabs the approaching hen.

Kyou-chan takes out a small pot and takes some balm out of it, treating the hen with care. “It's not much, but should help a bit at least. Thank you, Miria-nee. You're really good with animals.”

“That's not special.” Mirianne's voice cracks a bit, as she gets far too few compliments.

“It is. Trust me. You're outright talented.”

For the first time since forever Mirianne forms a small smile.

―○●○―

Why is my body this way!? I just wanted to give Dear a small kiss, instead I gave a shoulder-throw! Then he left me to my training, which is absolutely because he's hurt. Literally!

“OK, why are you down?” Kyou approaches me, and she looks devastated. I guess she's been through some tough times.

“I hurt Dear again. You?”

Kyou breathes in sharply, then she says: “I did the necessary.”

“What exactly?”

“I don't want to talk about it.”

“Alright.” Kyou will have her reasons, and while she's sometimes harsh, she's also a very caring person. “Do you need me for something?” There has to be a reason why she's here. It's too early for dinner, and we're done with our fighting lesson for today.

Kyou looks at me as if I asked her to climb a mountain without any equipment while in a handstand. She then starts to play with the ring on her finger: “How are things going with Ken?”

“Without counting the occasional injuries-”

She interrupts me mid-sentence: “Multiple times per day isn't occasional.”

“...sorry, you're right.” This makes it so much worse! “What should I do?”

“How about not jumping at him at every opportunity?”

“But we're in love.” As much in love as Dear can be, as long as there is doubt whether his feelings are for real or not, at least.

“*Sigh* Listen, Rine-chan. Japanese aren't that open with their affection. Also, Ken is a boy, you're a very pretty girl. If you stick close to him, he will-----be excited, which in return will make your body hurt him.”

“We talked about it, taking it one step at a time. So we both can get used to it.”

“Have you really followed that through?”

…

… … …

“I don't think so! I'm so sorry Dear!” I hide my face in my hands, as I confess my weakness.

“Figures.”

I grab the arms of my friend, as I plead: “You got to help me!”

“Help you with what?”

“To be intimate with Dear!”

Kyou looks at me as if I’ve proposed to sacrifice her pet to an evil deity. “What do you think I should do? Why should I do it!?”

“We're friends, right?”

“And there are certain lines that friends shouldn't cross!”

“I have nobody else!”

“You're playing dirty!”

“I'm not! I'm honest!”

“And unreasonable!”

“Is there anything I can do to make you consider it?”

“Rine-chan, I can't help you, it's impossible!”

“I need you! I can't do it on my own!” She already told me that I'm unreasonable, but I don't want to give up the special moment Dear and I will share. I'm willing to wait for it, but it's so hard!

“Calm down. Please.” She pleads, as I notice myself that I'm rather rough with her. I let go of Kyou, and she rubs the spots I was grabbing for a few seconds before she inhales and exhales very deep breaths. Then her eyes harden, as if she has collected her resolve: “Let's look for Arako. I need to talk to the two of you.” She's almost in tears, though.