"It's hot...!! 』

"Reina-chan?! 』

To bring me back to reality from my dream-like mood, this is just the right amount of heat. Pen @ fun @ pavilion wWw. ｂｉｑUｇE。 ｉｎｆｏ

The mug held in the hand naturally tilts downward,

When I noticed it, my hands were already burned.

Fortunately, he was not injured,

Just startled and fell to the floor.

At the same time, Zhu Lina's face had changed dramatically.

He bent over and hugged my shoulders with the same height of his gaze as me.

"Burned?! You okay?! 』

"、I... It's okay.

Very long wrist ...... It's only a little bit taller than me, but it's very reliable.

Keep looking at the 、... That must-see expression is right in front of you.

… This time, we can't make mistakes in a daze.

With this in mind, I slowly pushed away the hands that were holding my shoulders.

But his hands trembled ridiculously.

Am I so nervous?

It's so unproductive, I can't help but laugh at myself... Before that, Zhu Rena held my hand tightly.

"Na... Reina-chan'

『…、』

The voice is a little lower than usual, and it sounds very comfortable.

That's all there is to it, and my heart can't help but skip a beat.

I want to let go of the hand that is being held tightly but can't shake it off smoothly,

Then at least you can look away.

Do you want to express to me, "I won't let you escape!", Zhu Rena said in disbelief.

"-Just now... Look at me.

The heart was beating violently again.

In other words, I knew I was peeking and pretended not to notice anything?

The body temperature rose instantly, and the retorted words blurted out.

『…!! I didn't see anything, I didn't see anything..."

『… I know. Compared to what Reina-chan imagined, I know everything."

"You're in... What do you say?

——— mind, the warning sounded again.

More intensely than ever.

It was so intense that it hurt like it was going to crack.

Even if you want to escape, your body can't.

Because those sharp eyes that seemed to see through my whole person were always staring at me...

"Reina-chan"

『……』

A deep voice rang in my ears.

Don't look up.

As long as you raise your head, everything will be irreparable.

Obviously, there were repeated warnings in my mind...... But I couldn't stop it, and I looked up as if I was being led.

——— in front of my eyes, the sharp sight that should have scared me so much was shining with a warm light.

"Be honest."

After hearing this, a soft and numb sensation rushed from between his lips to his whole body.

No warnings can be heard anymore.

All you can hear is the beating of the hour hand.

It's like telling me that this is not a dream, but a voice of reality———。

"You said you were going to... Take a vacation?"

3 months after the end of the war known as "jihad". Between the thrones of Lanstad City, the blue-haired spear knight nodded deeply at the question of the young king who had just ascended the throne.

"Yes. ”

Leaf looked at the retainers who had guarded him and assisted him for many years.

“… I see. … However, I command you in the name of the king. No matter how much time has passed, no matter how many years have passed, you have to come back. All right. Fern. I'll wait for you. ”

Leaf never asked anything else. Including where to go and why.

The lancer had always been with him, sacrificing himself to help him with all his might. From what he said, it can be said that this is the first time. In Leaf's heart, he still hopes that he will continue to assist his immature self. But even if I hope so, the era of good children is long over. Leaf glanced quietly at his sister, who was standing behind him. Altina was smiling at him.

"Finn, as you wish. I will also wait for your return. … Please take care. ”

The Lancer bowed deeply.

***************************

The desert is still the same as it was then, with the scorching wind blowing up the dust.

Finn read the parchment on which the soldier's report was recorded again, then looked up at the situation around him.

In the distance, due north, the highest peak of the Syllegia Mountains can be seen, and to the west you can see the flanks of the city of Flickie...... That's right, this is his lord and his concubine...... No, in my heart it was already the place where Prince Joan of Lanstad, who was admired as a brother and sister-in-law, and his wife Aislin, died in battle. …… Sending troops for the sake of her friend, Prince Singal of Siarufi, Joan originally planned to cross the desert, but was attacked by the forces of the Dorakia Dragon Knights. Entangled in sand and dust, the mount is unable to move flexibly. Even the holy warrior Guy Polgu, who wields the ground spear known as one of the blades of the gods, and the holy warrior who inherits the bloodline of the gods, has no choice but to become a live target for the dragon knight, and Aislin, who is beside him, also dies.

At that time, I was not able to live and die with them.

Although it is Joan's squire. Although he once swore to live and die with Joan at any time.

Failed to protect ...... Didn't even resist.

It's been almost 20 years......

The gunman took a branch from the saddle's bag.

It is an embossed flower of an apple blossom...... It was brought from the orchard of Lanstad City. Aisling was very fond of this flower.

Finn knelt down and dug through the sand with both hands, carefully burying the flowers. …… The wind blows up the dust, and the flower should be back on the ground in the near future. At that time, the petals will dry up and become fragments, as small as sand, and dance with the wind.

“…… Okay, let's go. ”

Beckoning the horse to step up, the spear rider slowly marched towards the village of Oyasis. In order to fulfill another wish...... Even if you can't change it, do your best to change him.

Oyasis' lodgings are bustling. It was almost always a merchant with camels, and Finn was among them, and although his sand-colored cloak showed only his eyes, he knew from his gestures that he was a soldier, so the people here were not close to him.

Before seeing all with his own eyes, the Lancer, who had refused to drink alcohol and drank water instead, left Lanstad and rushed towards his son's Itzhak on a single horse. At that time, he said that "it is too dangerous to go alone, at least let me protect you", which was reprimanded by Laxis.

("Finn.") Aren't you the knight of Lanstad? Then you are obliged to stay here and guard the castle and the heirs of the lord. No, you can't come along. If you insist on coming with me, I will order you to stay as the first princess of Nodio. ”）

Leaving firm words and entrusting her young child, Nanna, to Fin, she embarks on a journey.

…… If it's safe to reach the desert, you should stop in this village. A woman travels alone, and a beautiful woman. If you've stayed here, you'll remember it.

"Shopkeeper ......"

The Lancer wanted to greet the shopkeeper, but was stunned when he saw something on the counter. It's an old cupboard behind the owner. It can be fake, and the stone carving of a mouse with every hair carved into it is placed there.