It was morning and was the day I would depart on a journey to give out the letters. Before heading to the meeting place, I went to the fruit store where Amako lived.
āIāll get used to it eventuallyā¦ So Iāll endure it for now.ā
I really stood out with my pure white Rescue Squad uniform along with my large rucksack that was packed with all the necessities. However, the groaning Bluerin on my back probably stood out the most. I had fastened on a belt with Bluerin on my back while he carried the luggage. I was doing my best to carry all this but it still felt very strange as I probably still wasnāt used to it. I could only smile bitterly as I stroked Bluerinās nose and headed to the fruit store in front of me.
Amako and Salra-san came out from inside the store. I couldnāt hear what they were talking about but after Salra-san said something to Amako, she gave her a big hug. Amako opened her eyes in surprise but showed a sad expression as she realized something.
āāāā
Iām sure it was hard for Amako as she considered Salraās feelings.
Seeing the emotional parting, I did my best to not get in the way as I watched over them. After they had separated, Salra-san looked towards me and gave me a profound bow.
āPlease take care of this child.ā
I could somewhat understand thatās what she was saying to me. I couldnāt clearly respond as I wasnāt that certain about myself but I know for sure that I had to protect Amako no matter what. Salra-san had been protecting Amako all this time. Now she was leaving that responsibility onto me and it was an important duty with a lot of weight. Sending the letters, the journey itself, curing Amakoās mom, and protecting Amako.
āā¦Itās heavy.ā\nI said so in a quiet voice as to remind myself of what lies ahead. Salra-san took Amako by the hand and walked towards me. I didnāt know what to say in this situation as I looked at Amako whose eyes already seemed moist. As I was desperately thinking of what to say, Amako lightly tugged on my uniform.
āNn?ā
āYou donāt have to say it butā¦ Thank you.ā
It seemed she looked ahead a bit in the future and knew what I would say next. It was very slight smile but I still noticed it as she looked at me.
After realizing I was being teased, I gave a sigh of relief and started walking.
āUsato.ā
āWhat is it this time?ā
I slowed down my pace to match Amakoās as we headed for the gates. As we were walking, Amako suddenly called out to me.
āIā¦ Do you think it would be alright for me to come back here?ā
What kind of meaning did she have behind those words?\nDid she not intend to come back here anymore?
Or perhaps she couldnāt come back anymore even if she wanted to.
I couldnāt help but tilt my head to the side in wonder. Amako looked down on the ground and started to mutter her next words.
āYou can.. return.. here at any time. Afterall, this.. is already your home.ā
āSalra-san said that to you?ā
āā¦Yeah, but I donāt know if I can come back. It might be possible Iāll never be able to return.ā
Rose did refer to Amako as the [Princess of Prophecies] at one point. Perhaps Amakoās position in her country was a lot more important than I had initially thought. Understanding that, I had lost my next words to say to the downcast Amako. Ā I didnāt fully comprehend her situation and how large the scale of this problem was so I couldnāt provide any words of comfort.
āItās really pathetic.ā
As I mocked myself, my steps became a little faster as I could see the gate in front of me.
Ā
Ā \n\nAs she touched the window with her hand, she smiled. In truth, Usato had exceeded her expectations. It wouldnāt be an exaggeration to say that Roseās training was pushing the very limits of what a human could endure. But Usato had faced that head on with courage and did it without slacking off.
Roseās first impression of him was a kid with a pitiable expression. Compared to the two heroes, he had nothing that would draw people towards him. In fact, he was only at Uluruās level when he first started training.
However, Usato had magnificently adapted.
The key was after his fight with that good-for-nothing snake. It was a threat that Usato had encountered while he had been living in a severe environment. Even though it would normally be a good decision to fight there, anyone else seeing Usato trying to fight the snake would probably think he was a big idiot. To begin with, it was already wrong for a healer to think about fighting.
āBut thatās good.ā
In the middle of Usatoās fight with the snake, Rose had said those words as she looked at his appearance. It wasnāt that it was wrong for a healer to not think of fighting.. it was wrong for people to think of not fighting at all.
āA warrior who could still fight after using up their magic power until itās exhausted.
Rose was aiming for the very apex of healing magic.
Her goal of āsubordinates who wouldnāt dieāā¦ Even if they were pounded, cut, pierced, smashed, or broken in twoā¦ It would be like a hero who could stand up no matter what the situation was.