Finn felt her eyebrows rise, and the figure of Altina with a serious expression overlapped with Laxis. Pen Fun Pavilion www.biquge.info Laxis has always been so heroic and won't back down.

"Okay. … But that's something for people that Princess Altina doesn't know.

The next day, the three of them arrived at the entrance of the temple, which had been buried mostly in the sand.

“…… Be able to feel ...... Ropto's volatility ......"

Finn nodded to Sarah, who closed her eyes and stared. Sarah chanted the incantation, and fire lit up her wand. Finn asks Altina to wait outside, but she refuses.

According to Finn, this temple has been petrified by a spell. It took Finn a long time to find this place, but when he got to a place full of petrified critters, he felt sluggish and hurriedly retreated. Although the light of the pine light was dim, I could still see a stone figure inside. …… It was like a ...... of the holy warriors of the past, who had been petrified. It is said that the statue also carries a sword. Among the people who inherited the bloodline of the holy warriors that Finn knew, there were few swordsmen other than those who were sure to be dead.

Isaac's princess Ella. There is also the Isaac-born sword fighter Huo Lin, who laughs at himself as "my blood is far away". …… Probably one of the two people who encouraged Finn when he was a novice was turned to stone and fell asleep here. …… Finn wants to rescue him. That's what Sarah was brought in. …… Sarah is the only human who can use the "Staff of Kia", which has the power to remove the petrification curse. The power that comes with inheriting the bloodline of the Dark Lopto...... Now Sarah was clutching the valuable staff.

Insects that turned to stone were everywhere.

"I've been here for a long time......

Finn said incredulously, and Sarah nodded.

"The power of the spells around this staff will wane. ”

In the depths, as Finn said, there were human-shaped stones erected there. The three of them went in that direction. …… As you get closer, you can gradually see the face of the stone statue. Carrying a sword at his waist. Hair............ Ella? No............

"Mistress Lagerice!!"

The Lancer shouted.

Sarah stops Finn as she tries to run.

“………… If you get closer, you'll turn to stone. ”

Altina looked at the stone statue.

(It's beautiful.) ）

Lagersis's portrait is more like a work of art than a petrified person. Finn is already in disarray. Lagersis on her own. ………… Although she is a woman, she fights with herself and successfully protects Nanna and Lief. ………… Crushes.

"Miss Sarah, please hurry up............ Restore Mistress Lagersis to her original ............!"

Ah, that's a wish fulfillment. ………… It can reunite her with her children. ………… Lives in Dilmdo, Nanna, Nodeo............ And Lif, who sees Lagersis as his mother, will also be happy. ………… What will she say to herself when she is depetrified, and will she smile at me when she sees this peaceful world?

However, Sarah's eyes were drawn to something more inside the Lagersis stone statue.

“………………！”

There is a stone statue of a man. Gritting his teeth, holding a broadsword, and twisted by his petrified body, the mercenary Baiovov who still struggled to advance......

“…… Fern. The Staff of Kea has limited magical power. Can now only lift the petrification curse for one person. …… Who will use them two?"

Fin's mind went blank. …… In his heart, he wanted to restore Lagersis to the way she was. …… But...... Baiovov...... Didn't he teach himself how to survive on the battlefield? And by example, tell yourself that sometimes you have to survive not as a knight, but as an individual. …… And...... In front of the gods, it is impossible to compare which of the two lives is more important.

At this point, Finn looked at Lagersis' expression.

Lagersis turned to stone as she stretched out her hands to meet Baiovov, and even with the pain of petrification, there was no distorted expression on her face. …… Moreover, that expression was not the heroic and resolute look that Finn was familiar with. …… It's a girlish and gentle smile. The expression of happiness that is reunited with the man I love deeply.

“…… Miss Sarah. Can't you lift the curse on both of them at the same time?"

“…… You can remove the petrified 'field' attached to the entire temple. …… But this is an extremely slow process...... Years, no, maybe decades. However, after the spell is resolved, the petrified person will return to his original body and live for the same time. ”

Finn looked at the two stone statues in front of him. …… The mood extended to the stone statues, which might have been deeper than Baiovov's position.

"If you don't choose...... As the last princess of Ropto, I will choose to remove this 'petrification field'. I firmly believe that this is my obligation. ”

After a long time, Finn finally spoke quietly but firmly.

"Understood. Miss Sarah. Please remove this 'field'. ”

Altina will never forget Fin's expression at that time. I never thought he would look so helpless...... His face was filled with sadness and bitterness.

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

When the spell was over and I returned to the entrance of the temple, the stars in the sky were already twinkling.

"Yikes!"

Altina swung the spear wrapped around Nova Light, and the entrance to the temple crumbled and was buried in the sand.

“…… Don't do it to anyone else here...... I think it's better not to tell him or her, even Mistress Celis. …… Just tell Mr. Kopru in Ida City. …… The one who has the power to hear the voice of the god Blaki can do what is necessary for us at the necessary time......"

After whispering, Sarah looked up at Finn with a calm expression.

"So, you don't have to torture yourself anymore. …… I'm going to set out for Ida City. …… Bon voyage. ”

Sarah lifted her staff and vanished. …… It is a transfer technique that can only be used by Dark cultists. After Sarah leaves, Finn and Altina look at the glow of the remaining magic,...... But Altina felt Finn's pain. He bit his lip, but the sadness that he wanted to suppress in his throat came through.

"Finn...... It's okay to cry out......"

From the gunknight's eyes, tears fell in a straight line.

“…… It's just me here...... I'll forget what happened here. So...... It's okay to cry out. ”

Altina hugged the head of Fein, who was on his knees sobbing, and combed his blue hair.

Altina returned to Lanstad City for some time, and Finn returned. The city was boiling. Even if he resigned from his position, his presence has a huge impact today. When the courtesy welcome was over, leaving only some close friends, Lief and Nanna hugged the Lancer, and Altina smiled behind them.

"Welcome back. It's nice to be okay. ”

"Welcome back, Father-in-law. ”

“…… Mistress Leaf, I thought you grew up after I left...... Do you want to be coquettish to me?"

The young king returned the favor.

"What are you talking about? What can he do if he doesn't hug the person who has been away for 3 years and comes back. …… Whether I grow up or not, you should first look at my grades before making an evaluation. ”

Nanna just hugged her head and smiled.

"Father-in-law, Leaf said so, but when you weren't there, he said in frustration dozens of times, 'If only Finn were here.' ”

Finn smiled as he watched Leaf hold Nanna's mouth in a panic.

“…… Did you find what you were looking for during your travels?"

Facing Leaf, who asked in a strange tone, Finn nodded with a smile on his face with a little sadness.