Chapter 85: Dawn

As I looked at Presha-san’s memories, I understood something –her heart had already been healed to some extent before she met me. But why was she still tormented by those nightmares?

There’s one reason for it.

Even after she met Raquel-san, who was like a sister to her, and Her Highness who shared her aspirations, she couldn’t erase the guilt she felt inside.

(If only I hadn’t left the village that day… If only I had been able to protect her mother―)　

I don’t know if there is a way in this world to bring back the life that was lost. I’ve also never heard of a spirit that can do that. And if that is really the case, what can I do? Even after I entered someone’s dream, I’m just sitting on the sidelines and I haven’t been able to do anything as a doctor yet.

“…Summoner-sama, Presha-oneesan is repeating the same dream all the time. I’m sure that’s because if she recalls the painful memories, she’ll also remembers the happy ones. She does so or else her heart will break nanodesu.”

Laune, who connects my consciousness to Presha-san’s dream, speaks to me.

If it’s what as Laune had said, how miserable would that be? I still don’t know what is the answer for that.

What can I do to free her heart that is trapped in the past?

Presha-san’s memories continued. Joining Astina-denka’s squadron, they entered Aldrone Valley ―Her Highness stopped her subordinates who tried to accompany her, saying they will die in vain. Thus, only the three of them take the lead and attempt to pass through.

The road on the valley is covered with anti-cavalry palisade to prevent a cavalry from going through. For the Grunica City Alliance, this place was supposed to be an impregnable point. ―Well, that’s only if it was against a “normal cavalry”.

“―Haaaap!”

Raquel-san wields her lance while riding on the horse and she mowed down the anti-cavalry palisades ―the sight was as if a tornado had passed by. Then the sound of the gong echoes on the battlefield ―Raquel-san’s horse neighed loudly and raised half of its body seeing the falling arrows.

“What are they doing…!? The support archers…Uh!”

“―Raquel, please change your lance! The enemy can quickly notice it… this… uh!”

Astina-denka uses her slender sword to intercept the falling arrows ―they were supposed to break through with just three horses but they had to stop the horse when the enemy realized the situation.

“Why…? Why is it that the enemy archers are lying down even inside the border?… Uh!, Presha!”

“―Haaaaa!”

With a flash of her spear, Presha-san knocks down an arrow flying from behind. That’s right, from behind.―The enemy archers fired from the cliffs across the valley that they just passed by.

Even I, was stunned by the sight I saw when I looked back. There was no sign of the unit that were supposed to follow them and cover them from the rear ―the three cavalry were supposed to be followed by a long-bow unit with the archer unit right after them to keep the enemy archers in check but instead of entering the valley, they were stationed in a position that even blocks their retreat.

―Dadram’s uncle is the one leading the rear support units. Dadram, who’s waiting beside him, also refused to do his part. Her Highness’ direct unit was the only ones who moved forward.

“Despicable!… Even at a time like this, you guys are so stupid!…”

“Raquel, Presha, be the focus of the enemy attacks… Uh! The other cavalry can’t stop those arrows! But if it’s us…”

If it is known that they left Her Highness to die, Dadram and the others will be guilty for such crime. ―And yet, the fact that they went on with this kind of idiocy is probably the result of protecting their own precious lives. Or, was Queen Cassandra already interfering?

In any case, Astina-denka, who had been isolated in the enemy territory, appeared to be having difficulty in leaving the valley and survive.

―But,

“―Presha!”

Presha-san, who continued to intercept the falling arrows, galloped with her horse ―Neither Astina-denka nor Raquel-san were in a position to follow her.

The anti-cavalry palisade destroyed by Raquel-san no longer acts as a deterrent to a cavalry. Still, the cavalry unit who came out of the enemy’s fort thought that no one could tread on the road. ―Well, up until Presha-san ran through the falling arrows.

“W-Why can’t the arrows hit… She’s not dying…!”

“―Yaaaaaa!”

Wind mixed with blood blew by. Her long spear was unleashed like it’s about to tear the sky, then one by one, she defeated the enemy cavalry that can’t even respond to her attacks.

“―Presha, go back! Don’t move on your own, you’re too close to the enemy’s fortress…!”

Raquel-san is shouting on top of her voice ―Presha-san heard that voice but,

(I am… already…)

Bathed in the blood of several cavalrymen, she receives an unavoidable arrow on her shoulder, but still, she tries to move forward.

(…with this…. It’s over…”)

“―Uwaaaaaaaaa!”

The knight, who was furious when he saw the death of his companion, lost his self and rushed forward furiously ―Presha-san’s movements was slower as she received the arrow and she barely handled it, but her grip weakens for a moment and her long spear was thrown out of her hand.

Then the enemy cavalry let out a war cry. But at that moment, Presha-san was not scared. ―It was as if she’s emptying her mind and readied herself to accept all the pain.

“―Pull yourself together, Presha!”

It was a voice that wasn’t supposed to be heard there. And Presha-san’s body reacts to it. The moment she avoided the enemy soldier’s spear, an arrow sticks out from the shoulder of the enemy soldier.

“Guuaaa…!”

Presha-san quickly steals the spear from the enemy cavalry and shoves him off the horse with it―she did it all with her left hand, not with her right hand as it’s still weak to do it.

The supporting arrow attacks weren’t the only ones that Dite-san has fired ―In the southern side of the valley, Dite-san’s unit were lined up on the cliff and they cast arrows at the enemy’s army continuously.

“Captain Astina, Raquel-dono! Regular Knight, Dite and the fifty people under me, came to assist you belatedly! We are under your command from here on!”

Dite-san had annihilated or perhaps ambushed the enemy’s archers lying on the cliff in the southern side. Then the archers on the northern side slowed down on their attacks as they were restrained by the longbows shooting up arrows from the other side of the valley.

It’s not only Presha-san and Raquel-san, as an archer, Dite-san is also an “unparalleled commander”.

Astina-denka, who received the support, orders the 100 plus cavalry unit to break through. Dadram and the others who still did not take action seemed to be baffled by the fate of their destruction as they tried to protect their selves.

If Her Royal Highness’ survives here, their betrayal will be revealed. There should be a thousand soldiers in total, but there are only less than two hundred people who are following Her Highness’ command. ―The enemy’s unit that relied on the terrain should not have been that large though.

“Presha, hold on! We’ll treat the wounds right away… a little more…  just endure for a little more..!”

Raquel-san passes by after catching up with her. Presha-san then follows next to her as she pulls the reins of the horse with one hand. Astina-denka and other cavalry also catch up and safely pass through the valley.

―And then,

Raquel-san’s lance smashes even the stone walls of the fortress of the enemy kingdom, which was said to be keeping an eye on the valley and was holding the border’s key point.  Raquel-san broke through and allowed Lezenia’s army to invade.

The fortress, which was said to be impregnable, quickly collapsed shortly after they break through the valley and the flag of the Kingdom of Lezenia rose on top of the fortress.

―Astina-denka’s and the three knights’ first battle ended in victory.

◆ ◇ ◆

The Grunica City Alliance was dealt with a heavy blow when Lezenia occupied their fortress in the Aldrone Valley. The City Alliance, which had been exhausted from their repeated attempts to recapture the fort, could no longer suppress the dissatisfaction of its citizens so they offered a ceasefire. In the end, they accepted the truce that’s favorable to Lezenia.

By having the City Alliance reduce its military as the condition for the ceasefire, the Eastern Army was also reduced, and although it was renamed as the “Eastern Front”, the knights either returned to the Capital or went to other battlefields.

―Because of that, this led to a surprise attack from the City Alliance’s hard-liners. But at that time, Astina-denka was already been transferred to the Western Front and was appointed as the guardian of the Isle Rose Fortress because of the merits she had earned on the Eastern Front.

The Isle Rose Knights was then set for women-only. That means that all the knights and soldiers who aspired to be Astina-denka’s subordinates can only be women. Well, the male knights could not accept a “female general” either. However, Astina-denka’s appearance fighting with a sword on the front line despite being a princess was earnestly supported by female knights and soldiers.

Presha-san, who became a regular knight, was appointed as an Attack Captain, and continued to play an active role in the battles to control the territory and battles against the invasion of Zirconia Empire.

Her respect for Astina-denka, her admiration for Raquel-san, her friendship with Dite-san and her interactions with the soldiers in the fortress who admired Presha-san’s strength all contributed to Presha-san’s success.

All of that was comforting for Presha-san.

But at night, she sleeps with the doll her mother made in her arms, has nightmares, and cannot help but reject those who approach her. In the bottom of darkness, in a place like this, Presha-san has always been tormented by her guilt.

―Just like how I can see her mother in front of me, she was able to see her mother like this.

『What’s the matter? This child is mine. It’s only natural for me to take good care of my daughter. 』

It’s the spirit that dwells in her subconsciousness named guilt and erodes Presha-san’s heart. –It is no longer the same as a spirit. The reason I didn’t even notice it when I saw the dark spirit in Noin before was because Presha-san was trying to accept everything. She couldn’t deny it as it appears in her mother’s form.

From the bottom of my heart, I admire Presha-san’s mentality –I want to save her from everything that takes advantage of her suffering.

『Then, will you return it? The time I was supposed to be with my daughter. 』

“……That, I cannot do that.”

The spirit in the appearance of Presha-san’s mother laughs. Like she’s mocking my helplessness.

『I will not give up this child. My precious Presha… she’ll remain young forever and go to the same place as me. 』

 “Summoner-sama… uh, the one that shows the nightmare to Presha-san is showing itself…!”

“Uh….!”

The dark spirit changes its form ―its human likeness is changing as I look at it. A black snake. It is not like the time when a snake was consuming Noin, it was entangling Presha-san who was still in her young self ―it entwined in her spirit itself and is biting on her neck.

(Kuu… Uuu… Mother… I’m sorry… I couldn’t save you…)

“…This is how… lurking into people’s hearts and suffering… for years…!”

There’s no reason for her to suffer this much. She has fought as a knight and has continued to defend this kingdom –she struggled so hard to gain such power to fight.

『You too, with this child… sleep here… forever. 』

“――Summoner-sama, run away..!”

The black snake that is entwined on Presha-san bared its fangs toward me.

I knew I would worry Laune, but I dared to receive it with my arm. Inside this dream, the pain of being bit by its fangs did not come, but in reality, the pain is so severe.

“Guuaaa… Haa… Haa…”

『…Stupid child. If you abandoned this human and ran away, you wouldn’t have to suffer. Why do humans always do things for nothing? 』

The voice of the dark spirit who stopped imitating Presha’s mother was terribly grating ―it can be heard multiple times and it didn’t sound like it was coming from a person’s throat.

“Uh, Summoner-sama… If you bully Summoner-sama, I’ll fight you instead…”

“I’m fine… this kind of pain is nothing. It’s not a big deal…”

Even though it’s a nightmare, the blood I shed is directly linked to my death. Shedding blood in my mind is equivalent to losing my magical power.

“Even with this, there’s no such thing as I understand her pain now…… this is just a part of it. I did not really go through even the single piece of pain that Presha-san has experienced…”

If you draw a “success” spirit, you’ll immediately become a combat magician. I’ve always taken things for granted ―and I was even once disappointed that it didn’t happen to me.

Even the moment when I was unhappy that I drew the “flop” spirit, is now just a past that I felt ashamed of. Without having any fear on war, I was able to study in the protection of the Academy. Presha-san on the other hand was not even given what I took for granted.

“I’m an idiot…. a big idiot. Even when Presha-san called me “Sensei”, I accepted it like it was only natural. I’m…. I didn’t deserve it for her to call me “sensei”….. Uh, just because I can use magic to achieve some results…… I thought that just from that, I’d become great!….Uh…”

I was supposed to be fighting like her. Even if I can’t use a sword or a spear, I’m useful when it comes to magic. I was happy that she acknowledged me. But I did not check if she feels uncomfortable. In the end, she was suffering like this.

(… Mo…ther… Don’t… I, just… that person…)

Her voice sounds choppy. But even if it’s too painful, she did not ask for help.

Rather than the pain and suffering, she should have enjoyed something. For that reason, I have to detoxify the poison from the fangs of that dark spirit.

『…What are you trying to do? If you are trying to pull me off this child, that won’t happen. That’s because my fangs are deeply stuck in her. Eventually, this child will die just like this… So stop getting in the way! 』

A poison that gnaws on people’s heart. There is no such thing as a specific remedy for it under normal medical practice. It is said that the only way for it is to continue healing over a long period of time. But it’s a different story if it is brought by a type of spirit. I’m a “spirit doctor” after all. ―If it’s a pathology brought by a spirit, I should be able to heal it.

“You might have thought that you could just stuck your fangs into me and that would be the end of it. It wouldn’t makes sense for a doctor to let a snake bite him you know? ……Laune! Extract the antibodies for poison that have formed inside me!”

“Uh… Antibody… Master’s power to fight poison… Rei would like to come too nanodesu, the two of us will help Master!”

“I’ve been waiting. I thought there was something I could do too.”

Drawn inside the dream by Arlaune, Rei appears ―the “Spirit Mandrake”, swallows all the miasma and uses them as her own power. With that power, it was possible to produce antibodies and suck out the poison that remained in me.

“…It would be dangerous if the poison had spread before we’re able to make the antibody. Summoner-sama is too reckless.”

Rei, who looks like a little girl, gives me a quick glare. But I’ll apologize for worrying them only after I finished everything here.

『Antibody for poison… You can’t erase me from the heart of this child by creating such a thing. I’ll be with her forever… I have to keep an eye on her until Presha destroys everything. 』

Will it continue to play until the end? –Or, is this Presha-san’s wish? Is her desire for her mother to live in any way gave birth to this disease?

I admire Presha-san’s compassion. But I have to end this ―even if it is said that this is an ideal and just judgment, I don’t think Presha-san’s mother would try to make her daughter suffer.

“Stop insulting those who are gone. Presha-san’s mother would never say that…!”

(… It’s useless… Mother died… I’m already …)

『―It’s not useless! It’s never too late for anything! 』

With the power of Rei, the poison that binds my movement disappears. The next moment, my arm shines ―The sacred tree, who was connected through Her Royal Highness, the “shrine maiden”, responded to my call.

―Mistilteinn that is living in my branches, dwell on the right hand of the man who formed a contract with me and clean up all the impurities that you can see.―

The symbol of my contract with the sacred tree appears on my arm. The black serpent that had bound Presha-san, attacked me like a storm ―but I have nothing to fear. Then I thrust out my right hand. ―The vines of the mistletoe that rise from my entire arm, hindered the black snake’s movement, entangled it and it sucks up its power, withering it away.

『―Aaaaah … Aaah… disappear…… Noooo, I’ll disappear… 』

(No… uh, don’t disappear… from me….. Mother…)

“―Look forward, Presha Hortensia! What you achieved with your own hands is worthless unless you recognize them yourself!”

Did my words go through or was it the power of Mistilteinn?

Presha-san’s young spirit was freed from the imprisonment of the dark spirit. However, the dark spirit that was separated from her still hovers around her to take Presha in its possession again.

“Summoner-sama… You see, it is Presha-san herself who keeps that enemy here. Presha-san has to fight this by herself …!”

Laune made a flower, another part of her, sprout from the ground and tries to protect Presha-san ―But, as Laune had said, rather than weakening, the dark spirit regains its strength. It seemed that it’s impossible to beat Presha-san in her childhood.

“But… I’ll help you. It’s also my job to help my patient heal… Mistilteinn!”

It was my last gamble. Before Presha-san was possessed once again, she herself had to defeat the dark spirit ―and to do so, I lend her Mistilteinn’s power.

『―Aaaaah』　

The vines of the mistletoe that give off a faint glow are entwined around Presha-san’s arms. Mistilteinn follows Presha’s heart. ―To her emotion that says, “I want to live”.

The black snake bared its fangs and attacks Presha-san. At that point, she opened her hands and received it herself.

“Presha-san…!”

“…It’s okay Summoner-sama. …Presha-oneesan…”

Arlaune had a better understanding of what had happened. Embracing the dark spirit that had its poisonous fangs in her heart, Presha-san then whispers to Mistilteinn on her right arm.

(…I’m sorry mother. I……)

Then Mistilteinn shines brighter. The tremendous purification power of the sacred tree’s familiar poured into the disappearing spirit.

『―Aaaaah……….Aaaaaahh…….!』

In the middle of its scream, it changed into the sound of something that’s not human and then it disappeared. The plant created by Arlaune catches Presha-san’s body as she collapses from exhaustion. I ran up to her and saw the scars left in Presha-san’s heart for the first time.

(…I didn’t want to show it to Sensei… the ugliest part of me…)

I don’t think it’s ugly. However, those words did not come out immediately. Now I can only fulfill my duties as a doctor. The appearance of Presha-san’s heart, which was worn to tatters and the large fang mark left on her neck, looked too ephemeral.

“…This serum eliminates the poison. Presha-san… please take it.”

Presha-san nods to me. Then Laune sprouts flowers from the plant that hugs her body –then I carried the the dews formed on the petals to Presha-san’s mouth. It is so transparent that it’s hard to believe that it was created from poison. The antibody erased the poison that was affecting Presha-san’s heart.

“……Thanks Sensei…”

Then I heard some voices. However, my consciousness rapidly separates from Presha-san’s dream. The last voice I heard was my own, the one I said some time ago.

“―Presha-san is not a monster.”

I don’t know what she thought of those words. But right now, I just wished that I could tell her that there was no lie in what I had said.

◆ ◇ ◆

The moonlight shines through. The window in the desolate room should have been closed, but now they have been opened by someone else.

―It was Leslie. She was wearing a hood and dressed as a man, but she still entered the room.

“…Rei says she’s worried about Grass-nii. When I brought her here, she quiet down a little… but when we came in…”

Leslie had a difficulty continuing what she’s trying to say. If she’s worried, I don’t think she’ll be blamed for entering the room though.

“…zzz…”

…Uh!!

I can hear the sound of someone sleeping nearby –When I realized it, I was sitting in the bed while Presha-san nestled closely on my lap.

“W-What is this… That, I, I’m so absorbed on the treatment, u-uhm, you may say this is a subconscious behavior…”

“I understand that… Raquel-san and Dite-san said that when Presha-san was having a nightmare, she shouldn’t be approached, but it looks okay now.”

Leslie smiles and walks over to us. She picks up the doll that has fallen on the floor and she gently pats it to dust it off.

“Those precious things… we have to tidy them up properly. I can’t do it without permission though.”

“That’s right. If Presha-san permits it, I’d like you to fix it.”

Well, I can’t even touch Presha-san on my lap.

Laune looks at me happily while Rei looks a little jealous –like she wants to do the same too.

“I know Presha-san needed medical treatment from Grass-nii today. She always seem to be in a hurry to… I was worried when I saw her like that. I know she is a strong person, so it may be strange for me to worry about her like this.”

“No, that’s not the case. You are close in age and I hope that you can talk more with her from now on.”

“…Yeah. I would like to talk if Presha-san if that’s okay with her. Un, after the matters on Zirconia has settled down.”

Perhaps because we started a conversation, someone knocked on the door and it opened slowly. Perhaps they were worried, Raquel-san and Dite-san came into the room and they sighed in relief when they saw Presha-san sleeping.

“…I’ve known her for a long time but I’ve never seen Presha be this close to someone. Grass, what on earth did you… No, there’s no need to ask for that.”

“I’m a little jealous… N-No. I think it’s a pretty good way to solve insomnia. Looking at Presha, with such happy look in her sleep…”

“…Summoner-sama, when you return to your room, u-uhm, uhm…”

“N-No… we are spirits, so let’s not be selfish…”

There is no such thing as everything is wrong. As I exclaimed inside the dream, it’s current meaning is for us to be this peaceful. For both Laune and Rei. And everyone in the Knights Order –so that they can live a peaceful life away from the days of battle, I will continue to do as much as I can.

“Both of you worked hard, so don’t hesitate. It’s also normal for an elemental to listen to the spirit’s request you see.”

“Whoa…”

“…really… even if I’m dangerous…”

Does Rei care about being a dangerous plant? Well that’s depending on how they are handled. As for me, who has been helped many times, I don’t really need to worry about that.

“……Sensei……”

The first immediate problem is when Presha-san wakes up –we may have to wait until dawn. At that time, it can’t be just the two of us alone, so I’ll have to ask Laune and Rei to watch her too.

Tomorrow’s war council will determine the future course of our action. Raquel-san and Dite-san must be well rested –Leslie and Noin too.

And there is one more thing I want to make sure of. The sensation I had when I lent Mistilteinn to Presha-san. –That seemed to suggest a new possibility of using my magic.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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