A handful of birds gathered in the middle of the road. Some skipped along with their tiny legs around the passing townsfolk, while others flew away, up on the tiled roofs, where more of their kin lined up on the wooden frames.
Sylphia watched them idly as she sat on the thick outer rim of a stone planter. She swung her legs back and forth, fluttering her skirt along.
It sure is taking long...
Two hours had passed since she and Alphonso left Nora's shop and waited for their carriage.
The shop's bell chime rang, followed by the soft creak of its door. Nora peeked out and said, "Alphonso, Miss Sylphia, is your carriage not here yet? It's getting late."
"Ehe... yeah..."
"Won't you two come in and eat first? You haven't had lunch yet, right?"
"Ah," Alphonso turned around and lowered his head to her, "we would not wish to trouble you further, Madame Nora. The carriage is simply running a bit late. It should not be too long now."
"Is that so?" She placed her palm on her cheek. "Don't catch a cold now, Sylphia, dear. Especially, with those thin clothes." She said, closing it off with a light giggle.
"A-ahaha..." She scratched her head. "Thank you, but please don't worry about me." Turning to her mentor, she said, "Hey, if the carriage isn't coming, can't we just go to it instead?"
"Hmmmm..." He stroked his beard. "We risk the chance of missing it should it eventually arrive."
"Hmm..." The young girl crossed her arms as she paced back and forth. "That's a good point. Well, what if just one of us goes?" She then glanced at him out the corner of her eyes.
Suddenly, her vision flickered.
Everything darkened, as if a black cloth were thrown over her face. Then, in hardly a second, the darkness faded away. What's going on? Am I blacking out!? She quickly grasped her forehead. Oh, right... we haven't had lunch yet, and it's already past noon... I guess that's why.
"Hm?" Alphonso raised his eyebrow. "An interesting suggestion, Miss Sylphia. In that case, allow me to leave your side for but a moment."
Sylphia's eyes popped wide open.
"I shall go fetch the carriage. In the case of it returning in my absence, please instruct the driver to take the main road back to the stables. Since I am taking that route, you can pick me up on the way."
"Really? Sure!" She smiled gleefully. No way, he'll actually do it? Man, he really is a nice guy after all! I'm sorry for being rude to you, Alphie! I can call you Alphie, right? In my head. Of course I can.
He bid them goodbye, but not before leaving his student a reminder, "Please do not cause Madame Nora any trouble, Miss Sylphia."
"Geez," She pouted, "I won't, okay!?" She then muttered beneath her breath, "Tsk, what do you think I am, a chil- oh..." Her eyes glazed over.
The road ahead curved into a line of houses. Once Alphonso passed the fishmongers, marking the end of the market street, he soon disappeared from view.
Sylphia busied herself with browsing the rest of the books in Nora's collection while she waited for her teacher's return.
These are a lot of books... it's pretty impressive, considering the printing press hasn't been invented yet. She took a book upon her hand and turned to an arbitrary page. As she had come to realize, all of the books were hand written. It was such that even copies of the same book had a rather unique feel to it.
"Um... Nora," she asked, "who writes all of these books?"
"Hmm? Most of them are written by scribes, dear." Nora said, while enjoying a cup of tea over the counter. "I usually ask the Scrivener's guild to make copies, but sometimes I get some original books, written by mages themselves."
"Oooh, so mages write books too?"
"Some of them." Nora rested her head on her palm. "Usually ones acquainted with an Academy."
"Does Alphonso- er, Sir Alphonso have a book here?"
"Ah, hahaha," she chuckled, "dear no. That person just doesn't like to write. He's rather more fond of reading."
"Hm... I've been wondering for a while now, and pardon me for prying, but, you two seem to know each other quite well."
Again, she chuckled. "Yes, my dear, indeed we do." She then narrowed her gaze upon Sylphia. "Are you curious about something?"
"A-ah, no." She shook her head. "It's just that... I just thought you were really close. Sir Alphonso struck me as a bit of a shut-in, so I didn't expect that..."
A soft snicker escaped Nora's lips. "He does, doesn't he?" Her smile grew wider as she spoke, "He'll always deny it, though - always using his job as an excuse. But you know, dear, there was a time when he was a lot more cheerful."
"Really?" At that moment, an image of Alphonso, happily skipping along a field of sunflowers with a wide grin on his face, surfaced in Sylphia's mind. Uwah... She cringed so hard, her skin crawled. that really doesn't fit his image. She then cleared her throat and asked, "So, um... what happened?"
"Mmmm...." Nora's face turned gloomy. "I'm sorry, dear, but that is something you'll have to ask him yourself."
"A-ah," She shook her head again. "That's right, it must be rather personal, isn't it? I'm sorry."
Nora chuckled. "It's okay, my dear."
When the two broke off their conversation, Sylphia again returned to browsing the books. She spent a while just reading through any random book she could find, to pass the time. Then, in the middle of her reading a book about cooking using magic, her stomach grumbled - loudly.
"Hngh!" The famished little girl clutched her belly. Her face flushed red, she slowly turned her head towards Nora, to see if she noticed.
Nora smiled at her.
"Nghuh-!" With a whimper, Sylphia turned away and pretended it wasn't her. But with just the two of them in the room, that proved impossible.
"Sylphia, dear, would you like to join me for dinner?"
Flustered, she tried to refuse, but could not get any coherent sentence off her tongue.
Nora chuckled. "Don't hold back, dear, I would love to have someone to join me for dinner. It's rare for anyone to stop by for anything other than to pick up a book and then leave..." Her eyes took on a distant gaze as she let out a shallow breath.
"N-Nora..." A tiny well of pity formed in Sylphia's chest. Feeling that it would be rude to continue refusing, she finally let go of her inhibition. "R-really?" She then radiated a bright smile, "In that case, I would be delighted to join you!"
"Wonderful!" Nora replied with a smile of her own. "Ah, would you be a dear and flip the sign on the door for me? I'll get the stew cooking now."
Thus, Sylphia skipped over to the door and flipped the sign, from 'Open' to 'Closed'.
After a while, Nora brought a small pot to the dinner table. As soon as she opened the lid, a lightly sour, zesty aroma diffused in the room. It entered Sylphia's nostrils, accompanied by warm steam. As the warmth lightly caressed her skin, the fragrant smell teased her saliva out, moistening the inside of her mouth.
The two shared a light conversation over the meal. Sylphia felt light, as if the tension that had collected on her shoulders melted away from Nora's warmth. Ahh, this is really relaxing... it reminds me of grandma's cooking. She did not even realize it, but she had completely let go all of her inhibition, and was freely chatting away with the old lady; laughing, smiling, and everything in between. It did not even bother her that the the food did not quite suit her taste - due to it not having any trace of meat at all. She enjoyed it all the same.
After a short while, the store's bell chime rang out.
"Oh dear." Nora put down her spoon. "Did you flip the sign my dear?"
"Eh?" Sylphia wiped her mouth with a piece of cloth. "I'm sure I did."
"Oh my."
In that moment, a voice called out from the shop. "Good afternoon!" a female voice said, "Granny, are you here? Your door wasn't locked."
"Oh, it's just Evri." Nora stood up. "Excuse me for a moment, dear."
Evri? Curious, Sylphia followed behind her.
Together, they took a look into the shop.
Inside, a young woman with hair of stark crimson crept around. She swivelled her head around, as if on alert against would-be attackers. She quickly noticed the two. "Ah! You're here!" She waved at Nora. "Good afternoon, Granny!"
Nora stepped into the shop floor, leaving her little guest behind the door. "Good afternoon, Evri!" she said, "Did you need something today?"
"Ah, no, sorry!" the young woman said. "It's just that the sign said the shop was closed, so I thought you were gone, but then the door wasn't locked!" She sighed, locking her arms on her waist. "I thought you were burgled or something!"
"Oh my." She chuckled. "Sorry for worrying you, dear. I just had a visitor today."
"Ooh?" She perked up. "Is it your Granddaughter?"
"Oh, I'm afraid not, dear."
"Ahh, really?" She scratched her head. "I just can't seem to catch her when she visits..."
"Don't worry, you'll run into her eventually."
"Ehehe, I guess so!" She beamed a wide grin. "So, who's visiting?"
Nora then then turned to Sylphia and beckoned for her to come.
"Ah," Sylphia finally stepped out from behind the door. "Good afternoon." She nodded to the woman and then walked beside Nora, where she properly introduced herself. "My name is Sylphia. Nice to meet you..." She said, giving a curtsy.
Nora then added, "She's the student of a friend. They came to buy books earlier, but their carriage just hasn't arrived yet..." She placed her hand on her cheek, giving off a worried expression.
Speaking of which, where's Alphonso? He's still not back.
For a moment, the young woman stood there, dumbstruck.
"Hm? Evri, dear?" Worried, Nora called out to her.
After a few more moments, her lips moved. "How... cute..."
"Eh?" Sylphia took a step back.
Then, without hesitation, the woman pounced on Sylphia, wrapping her arms around her. "How cuuuuuuute!" she squealed.
"Eeeeeh!?" Sylphia screamed.
"Oh dear." Nora giggled.
Wait, wait, wait! What's happening!?
The girl then captured her in a bear hug, squeezing her tightly around her chest. Then, she lifted Sylphia off the ground and twirled her around.
"Waaaaaaahhaaaaa!?" The terrified little girl screamed.
Finally, she put Sylphia down and said, "Who is this cute girl!?" She stroked Sylphia's long, pearlish pink hear. "A scribe in training?"
"Evri, Evri!" Nora tried to calm her down.
Then, as if she was struck by thunder, the woman pulled back. "Ah!" she gasped, "I'm sorry, that was rude of me!" Shaking her head, she then stood straight and thumped her closed fist onto her chest plate. "Allow me to introduce myself! My name is Evrika Carlisle! Squad Captain of the Ealdton Town Guard, 3rd Platoon!"
"T-town guard...?" Sylphia mumbled as she regained her bearings. Why does a town guard go around harassing little girls? Isn't that illegal!?
"Mm!" Evrika smiled at her. "I'm on patrol right now-" She suddenly flinched, her face contorting in despair. "Ah! Aaaah! I'm on patrol right now! If I don't report within the hour, I'll be in trouble!" She clutched her head in an exaggerated fashion.
Nora chuckled.
"Aaah!" She ran towards the door. "I'll see you next time, Granny!" Then, just as she was about to open the door, she looked back to Sylphia. "Oh, and I'm sorry for earlier, Miss Sylphia!" She rubbed the back of her neck. "I couldn't help myself, ehehe..."
Sylphia sighed. Well, who could blame you? Sylphia is, after all, extremely cute. Indeed, isn't that reaction the correct one, in this instance? Hm. Hm. You weren't at fault. It's just that Sylphia is simply too cute. Criminally cute! A level of cuteness that tempts those around her to evil! "Hm. Hm." She then nodded, as if reaching a profound and satisfying conclusion. Finally, looking at Evrika, she said, with a smile, "It's okay, Miss Evrika. I am pleased to meet you."
With those words, Evrika's mouth opened with a grin. Without saying another word, she then left the shop with spring to her step.
Sylphia sighed. What a cheerful girl. She then looked back to the girl's face when she dove in face-to-face with Sylphia earlier. When her crimson red hair touched her face, it gave off a hint of citrus that she could not quite pin down. Apart from that, her skin felt soft and smooth, her hands and cheeks both. Finally, her bright, jewel-green eyes sparkled brightly whenever she gave off a wide grin. Actually, she's pretty cute herself... But is someone like that really a guard? I couldn't really believe it if she didn't say so herself.
"Evrika, huh..." Sylphia closed her eyes and lost of herself in thought.
A loud crash.
Light tremors ran along the shop's wooden floorboards, startling both Sylphia and Nora.
"Oh my..." Nora walked over to the door to check, with Sylphia following right behind her. The two of them then peeked out of the door and looked around to see that people were fleeing from something up the road, and the shops on the other side of the market street were closing up.
"What the..." Sylphia muttered.
"Oh, dear!" Nora shrieked all of sudden as she stared at something up the road.
"What is it!?" Following her gaze, Sylphia then saw the girl earlier, Evrika, staring down a group of three bulky men, each of the latter, in varying degrees of undress. "Oh my God!" she shrieked. What is she doing!?
Even from the distance, Evrika's voice came through loud and clear. "What the hell are you idiots doing, rampaging in the streets like you own the place!? You even broke Old Hanson's front window! And you, Bascal, you piece of shit!" She pointed her finger at the thug at the very front. "You've got some guts to show your face around here again! You and your motley crew of idiots better get out of her or I'll..." From her tone of voice alone, it was clear that she was angry.
Bascial, the man in front Evrika, screamed back at her. "Huh!? Oh yeah!? What are you gonna do about it, huh!?" The sleeves on his shirt were torn off, revealing the musculature around his upper arms.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
"What I'm gonna do about it!?" The hot-blooded guard stamped on the ground, yelling, "I'm going to drag your sorry ass back to your mom's and tell her everything you've done!"
"W-wha-" The man stepped back. "Hey! Don't you bring my mom in this!"
"And why not!?" She shoved her finger into his face. "So she can find another bounty on your head the next time she visits the market!? Aren't you ashamed!? Your making your mother cry, you know!?"
Uwah... that girl can really run her mouth, but is she going to be okay? Just at a quick glance, one can tell the stark difference between the two sides. Not even taking the disparity in numbers into account, each man looked to be at least twice as large as her. Furthermore, despite the armor she wore, she was still unarmed. And yet, despite all that, like an angry honey badger, the lady guard showed no fear whatsoever. Ugh, I have a bad feeling about this...
In the meantime, the argument between the thugs and the guard reached its peak.
The thug cracked his knuckles. "Alright, that's it. I'll tell you what I'm gonna do." He then shoved his hand in front of her face, fanning out his fingers. "I'll count to five. You get out of my face before then, and I'll forget this ever happened because I like your attitude, Evri."
"Go to hell," she answered promptly, "I bet you can't even count to five."
His face contorted, a vein popping visibly on his forehead.
Shit! Are you an idiot!? You're going to get beaten into a pulp! Unconsciously, Sylphia's hand reached for her waist, placing itself over the pommel of the short sword sheathed on her belt.
"Sylphia...?" Nora squeezed her arm.
Sylphia then turned to her, and with a sullen face, said, "Nora, please stay here."
However, her grip only tightened. "Wait, Sylphia, dear! Where are you thinking? You can't go against those dangerous looking men!"
"I know..." Sylphia grit her teeth. "I know, but..." With eyes ablaze, she said, "I can't leave her alone! I can't stand idly by while a cute girl in front of me is in danger! After all..." She pointed her thumb at herself. "After all, I'm a Hero!"
In an instant, Nora's grip wavered. "My dear..."
In that instant, Sylphia froze up. W-wait a second! I-I wasn't supposed to say that! Then, with a crooked smile written across her face, she said, anxiously, "I-I'm sorry, but... um... can you... please keep that a secret...?"
Nora sighed as her worried expression cleared up, leaving a faint smile on her lips. "I felt there was something odd about you from the beginning... The fact that you looked so young, and yet were able to read, and the fact that, that person, who hated being around children, would not only have you around, but also take you in as his student..." She then caressed Sylphia's cheek, with her rough, withered hands. "But to think you would be the Legendary Hero..."
The heroine placed her hand over Nora's. Wrinkled as though they may be, those hands gave off a motherly warmth nonetheless.
"Please, Miss Heroine..." Nora then bowed her head. "help Evrika. She is such a sweet child."
Sylphia nodded. "Leave it to me!"
A sizeable crowd gathered in the market street. Behind closed doors, the townsfolk looked on as the young town guard faced, alone, the three muscular men.
After being subjected to Evrika's sharp, personal insults, the thug finally blew his top. "Grrrr," he growled at her, "you're asking for it now!"
He raised his fist.
Damn! I'm not gonna make it in time! Sylphia ran out the shop at top speed, which, for an average human, meant the speed of a light jog.
However, as he was about to swing his fist, Evrika lunged forward, crossing her forearm against his elbow, locking his swing. Then, she kicked off the ground, throwing a shower of dust in her wake. With all the force in her legs, she drove her armored kneecap into Bascal's stomach. "Bghaa-" He hunged over. Unidentified liquids spilled out of his mouth and nose. Whether they were spit or snot or sick hardly mattered, as the moment the young woman landed back on her feet, she gave him a backhand, turning his face, and the resultant projectiles, sideways. Finally, she swung a wide kick to his flank, throwing him flat on the pavement.
Sylhpia's jaw dropped.
One of the other thugs rushed to his aid and yelled, "H-hey, big boss! Are you alright!?"
Bascal glared at Evrika as he climbed back onto his feet. "You... bit-!" He had not even finished cussing when he coughed out a stream of bile out of his mouth.
"What's wrong, Bascal?" She said, as she put her hands up in a boxing guard. "The beer finally caught up with you?"
His voice broke as he he screamed at the top of his lungs, "I'll fucking kill you!"
Evrika flinched.
He was about to charge at her when Sylphia dashed in between them. Her sandals crackled against the concrete as she ground to a halt. "Hold it right there, ugly!" She raised her sword, pointing it straight at the muscle-bound man standing before her.
The man's face contorted with a combination of fury and bewilderment. "Huh!? Who the fuck are you!?"
She took a deep breath. "Let's leave it right there, mister." She then adjusted her sword such that it pointed straight into the man's eye. "There's no need to get more violent than this."
As she said this, her vision slowly darkened, as if a thick smoke appeared all of a sudden. Shit, don't tell me I'm gonna pass out now! I already ate, didn't I!? She tried to regulate her breathing, however, at that point, she did not feel particularly stressed out. Her breathing was light, and her heart did not beat much faster than expected, considering the situation she put herself in..
"M-Miss Sylphia!? What are you doing!?" Evrika said in distress.
"Shh, stay behind me." Sylphia whispered to her.
The thugs inched backwards.
"Urgh," one of the thugs in the back said, "hey, that girl's carrying a sword!?"
"H-hah!" yelled Bascal, "who do you think you're playing at!?" he drew a nervous smirk on his lips, "Only knights and nobles are allowed to carry weapons in this town - not even guards carry anything on patrol! I know that's just a toy sword, you twerp!" He confidently stepped forward.
Evrika tugged at Sylphia's shoulder, "Sylphia, I'm serious! Get out of here, these guys are dangerous!"
"And what are you going to do, Miss Evrika?" Sylphia said, "brawl with them?"
She flinched. "Th-this is my job!"
"Oho? Your job is to get beat up by lowlives like these?" Sylhpia smirked. "You must be paid handsomely."
Evrika's face twitched. "Y-you're really cheeky, for a little girl...!"
She chuckled. "I'm just kidding." She then turned back to the thugs and raised her voice, "I'm no mere little girl!" She swung her sword down to her side and placed her other arm on her chest. "I am the Legendary Hero, Sylphia! Why wouldn't I be allowed to carry weapons wherever I want!?"
Again, her vision flickered.
All at once, the thugs' faces knotted in disbelief.
"Huh!?" Evrika's mouth fell agape.
Slowly, murmurs started spreading among the people looking on, and a crowd started gathering around them.
Shit. Sylphia swallowed her breath. I'm probably gonna get an earful for this... Alphonso even went so far as to hide that fact from Nora, but now... She shook her head. No! I can't think about that right now. All that matters is they leave us alone! If what it takes is to scare them off with my weapon and my title, then so be it!
"What, Hero!? That can't be!" Bascal swept his arm in front of him. "How could the hero be here!?"
"Wait!" the thug on the back pulled on his shirt, "Haven't you heard? The heroes are getting summoned all over the world, man!"
Sylphia's shoulders jolted upwards. Wait, what did he say!?
"W-what!? It... it's true!?" Bascal's face contorted in terror. Wiping the sweat off his brow, he wheezed, "That can't be...!"
Eeeh!? Sylphia winced. I did plan on intimidating him with my sword, since he looked unarmed, but isn't his reaction a bit too much...? He looks like his heart is about to implode!
The marks and piercings that dotted his face squeezed together like a scrunched up pincushion. Finally, he screamed, "I'll get you for thiiiiis!" His voice cracked as as he tucked tail and ran.
His lackeys followed right behind him, screaming, "Hey, wait! Wait for us!"
In a few moments, the thugs disappeared up the road, their voices fading into the distance.
Sylphia took a deep breath, placing her hand on her chest. Thank God, it worked. If he didn't fall for my bluff, he could probably have wrested my sword off these noodly hands of mine.
Sheathing her weapon, she turned to Evrika behind her. She looked up to her face and smiled. "Are you okay?"
However, the only reply she got was her frozen expression, as the guardswoman stared into her eyes.
"U-um," Sylphia cocked her head to the side. "Were you hurt?"
"He... ro...?" she muttered.
"Huh?"
Shaking her head, Evrika suddenly grabbed Sylphia's hands, clasping her own around them. "Y-you're the Legendary Hero!?" she yelled.
"Eh!?" Sylphia flinced. Wait, shit! Don't spread it around! Looking around her, the townsfolk were already exchanging words about her being the hero. Oh god... it's too late. Finally, she gave up. "A-ahh... yeah. Mm." she nooded.
"Kyaaahahahahaaaa!" The red-headed woman hopped in place out of sheer excitement. "This is amazing!" She then pushed her face in front of Sylphia's, such that their noses were mere inches apart. Her eyes glittered vividly as she said. "M-miss Heroine, please, Please! Take me with you!"
The startled little heroine stepped back. "E-eeeeehh!?" As if she were not disoriented enough, soon, townspeople started gathering around, showering her with praises for driving the thugs away. "Wait, ah, eeeeh...!?" Sylphia's eyes spun.
"Sylphia, dear!" Out of the myriad voices of the crowd around them, the distressed voice of Nora distinguished itself in Sylphia's ear.
The little girl turned to face where the voice was coming from, but she hardly had the time to see what was in front of her when she was suddenly squeezed between someone's arms and lifted off her feet.
"My dear, are you alright!?" The old woman said as she held Sylphia tightly in her arms. "I was so worried!"
"Mmefff!" Her voice was muffled by Nora's dress.
Soon, she was put back down. With her chest finally clear, she gasped desperately for air. She then fell into a fit of coughing.
A few moments later, some distinct voices started making their way past the crowd.
"Make way! Make way!" The voice of a man rose above the crowd. "Town Guard! Make way!"
Oh, great. Now you arrive!? It would have been great if you were here a few minutes ago!
In a few moments, a group of five men, garbed in metal chest plates, gauntlets and greaves, cut through the crowd and gathered around Sylphia and Evrika.
"Squad Captain!" The man in front gave a salute.
"Aberdeen!" Evrika said, "What took you guys so long!?"
"Cap, this is bad...!"
"W-what...?" Her shoulders fell. "Tell me everything."
He whispered into her ear.
"Wha- there's no way-"
"It's true, Cap. Trust me... I've... seen it." He clenched his fist. "Anyways, we have your gear. Let's go!"
Taking the spear in hand, she nodded. "Alright!"
In the following moments, the other men gathered the people around the market district. They entered houses, helping people out one by one and leading them down the road with great haste.
Wait, what's happening?
"Oh dear..." Nora's fingers squeezed Sylphia's hands.
Soon, one of the men turned to them and said, "Ladies, please follow them! You need to evacuate, now!"
"E-evacuate? Why? What's happening?" Nora asked.
"There's no time!" The man placed his hand on Nora's shoulder and prodded her along. "You need to go!"
"But my shop!" she pleaded with him, "The books!"
"What's more important is your safety!"
"Wait!" Sylphia yelled. "Just what is happening!?"
The man's brows furled. "Little girl, just do what your elders tell you!"
Goddamnit!
Suddenly, Evrika tugged at the man's shoulder. "Wait!"
"Captain, what is it?"
"That girl is coming with us."
"Huh!?" His jaw dropped. "Captain, what are you talking about!?"
"What am I talking about?" She planted her hands on her waist. "Why, that girl is no other than the Heroine, Miss Sylphia! If we have her on our side, a gang of bandits will be a piece of cake!"
Bandits!? Sylphia confronted Evrika. "Wait, did you say bandits!? What's going on!?"
Evrika's face turned dark. "A horde of bandits broke through the northeastern gate."
"Oh my goodness!" Nora gasped, covering her mouth with both hands.
"Are you serious!?" Sylphia grimaced. "With walls as tall as these!? Nothing less than an army can possibly manage that, much less any gang of bandits!"
"I'm sorry," Evrika lowered her head. "I really don't know what to say - just that..." She looked earnestly into Sylphia's eyes, "I need your help, Miss Heroine!"
Sylphia swallowed her breath. This is bad. Really bad. Really fucking ultra-terribad. I showed off a little to much earlier and she probably thinks I can actually deliver on my threats...!
"Please!" Evrika's voice cracked.
She clenched her fists. But even if I don't help, I'm sure Evrika will go out there no matter what. She ground her teeth against one another. I went through all that trouble to save this girl, and all of my efforts are already going to go to waste!?
No.
Even if I evacuate with Nora, if the town is taken anyway, then we'll likely just get hunted down on the road... It's going to be a massacre! There isn't any other option. This needs to be plugged right here in town! She nodded. I don't know what I can do to help, but whatever it is, I need to do it!
Am I really fit to be called a 'Hero'?
If so, then I'll prove it here!
Affirming her resolve, Sylphia lifted her head and looked Evrika in the eye. "Let's save the day."
The young woman gasped. Her lips opened up with a large smile as she said, with tears in her eyes, "Thank you, Miss Heroine!"