Chapter 45: The Fallen Sun (1)

"——Nn"

And so.

Grace Wayne awoke.

While twisting her face at the sensation of pale golden hair sticking to her skin, she leaked a faint voice.

"...Ah, I..."

The dream of that day.

The day when the things she believed in, the ones she wanted to protect, slipped from the palm of her hand. The past where despite that she could do nothing, nothing, nothing.

It was still only one year ago; there is no way she could forget.

While awake there is no time to be trapped by the past, and she has pushed it into the depths of her memory — but every time she sleeps, it floats up like bubbles.

Tears and nausea will not stop.

Ah, no matter how hard I try, no matter how hard, how hard, how hard — the dream torments her that that level is not enough.

(——But there is no time to stop at this level)

She strongly clenched her fist and took a deep breath.

If she regulates her breathing and heart, she can become her usual self.

Confirming that the beating of her heart has calmed, Grace quietly muttered "Sacred Change."

Her room-wear was decomposed by magical power as if burning, and transformed into a deep crimson corset dress.

Over that she clad herself in silver-white armor. Decorating the silver-white armor are deep crimson ornaments like scorching flames.

"Please take care of me today as well, Galatina."

She quietly stretched out her right hand.

The flame flickered in the air as if hesitating for an instant, yet as if resigning itself it gathered into her right hand.

The one that burned with a roar transformed into a greatsword with a red blade.

And her pale golden hair.

As if resonating with the redly burning flame, it dyed deep crimson. After touching her own hair that had become vertical rolls like surging flames as if confirming it, she headed to the full-length mirror.

——What was there was the form of Sacred Knight.

The form of the beautiful yet dignified knight who unites the Sacred.

At that form, Grace nodded "Yosh."

Her magical power has recovered with sleep, and her body’s condition is not bad. Today as well she can work hard in this form.

She put on a nikori smile — and saw the spirit that is lending her strength flicker as if worried.

"...It’s all right. Do you think I will fall from something of this level?"

She showed a confident smile, but it seems the flame by her side’s worry cannot be resolved.

Ah, this is no good.

I have to become a more, more confident and reliable Sacred like long ago.

Perhaps that feeling was transmitted; the spirit quietly vanished its form. Yes, I will work hard so as not to cause worry, so please watch over me like that.

She opened the door of her room and walked with her chest out.

Along the way, the figure of a maid who seemed to be in the middle of work was visible. The maid also seemed to notice this side and bowed with a pekori.

"Good morning, Lady Grace."

"Yes, good morning! How is Gahel?"

"Young Master Gahel is already waiting in the dining hall."

Oh my, that is serious.

Surely he is hungry, yet he is waiting for me again. Even though I tell him it is fine to eat first, he never reforms no matter how much time passes.

Contrary to the dissatisfied words floating in her head, Grace’s expression naturally softened.

Without running, yet at a somewhat quick walk she advanced down the mansion’s corridor and vigorously opened the dining hall door. While resonating a confident high laugh like one year ago.

"O-hohohohoh! Gahel! The weather is fine today as well!"

"Ah, Onee-sama — good morning."

The one who responded to Grace’s words was a small boy.

He had pale golden hair the same as Grace’s pre-transformation hair color grown to his shoulders, and wore a loose white robe.

From his round eyes and fleeting expression he could also look like a girl; his name is Gahel, Gahel Wayne.

Grace’s younger brother — and her only family.

"Yes, good morning! Sorry for making you wait."

While smiling she sat at the table.

The place is next to Gahel, the usual place.

It is a table too large for the two of them. At the very least, she wants to be close like this.

(——It has truly become large)

Her parents had died of illness long ago, but until just one year ago her older brother was across from her.

The older brother who gently watched over Grace and Gahel getting along — he is already no longer there.

There are also memories of inviting Leas on days off and having tea. Though she was more interested in the sweets served together than the tea — she has not met that her either for a long time.

While pretending not to notice the chest that aches dully, she began eating the meal the maid had lined up.

"By the way Gahel, did you know? Recently at the castle—"

While smiling at Gahel who quietly ate, Grace brought up a topic.

Since that incident the wind toward men had grown strong — yet somehow lower-ranking knights marrying each other appeared, how auspicious.

It seems Sacred Arrow had Sacred Saber buy her a smartphone and as a result has begun posting videos to Yourtube. I do not know what Yourtube is, but since she seems to be properly doing training I am tacitly allowing it.

Princess Altina seems very interested in the sweets sent from the new Sacred called Sacred Knuckle, and lately age-appropriate smiles are often seen, which is a relief.

Excluding all dark topics, she continued speaking bright topics. With a smiling face, and in a high voice.

As if telling herself that there is nothing to worry about.

"Onee-sama—"

And yet, floating on her younger brother’s expression is anxiety and dissatisfaction.

"I also think staying inside the mansion all the time is not good, so if there is something I can help Onee-sama with—"

"Gahel"

She quietly called his name — and tightly embraced him.

It’s all right, it’s all right, you don’t need to worry about anything.

Therefore, it is fine to stay here forever.

"It’s all right, it’s all right — you’re a kind child, Gahel. But it’s all right, rest easy. I will protect you."

——Yes, I will.

——I must protect.

I am a Sacred. One of the few existences who host sacred power and can slaughter evil.

Therefore, even though I am the younger sister of Aarg Wayne who abducted the princess, there is no one who openly condemns me.

But — my younger brother?

The still-young, powerless, weak younger brother, what will become of him?

The male knights somehow look as if they feel out of place, and the female knights are also uncertain about measuring distance with the men.

In the middle of that, if the small and weak Gahel mixes in, what on earth will happen?

Am I overthinking? No, is the result of insufficient thinking not the conclusion of one year ago?

"Everything, everything, leave it to Onee-sama. It’s all right, it’s all right..."

This time I will protect. Absolutely, absolutely.

I will not do as with my older brother, nor as with the princess. I will protect from any malice.

Only those I permit can enter the mansion grounds, and the maids are all those who have served the Wayne family from long ago.

——Ah, if he stays here, there is no worry of letting anyone slip through.

Being mocked by unknown people as the traitor’s younger brother.

Transforming into a monster like a Monster Villain as my older brother did.

As long as he is here it is all right.

"Therefore, please — stay here, Gahel."

"...Yeah, I understand, Onee-sama."

The eyes that looked back while saying that were somehow sorrowful.

Ah — have I made a mistake again?

If the inside of the mansion is boring, I will buy more books. Asking Leas to send games from Earth might also be good.

Therefore, therefore, please do not make such a sorrowful face.

(Not only Gahel, but Princess Altina and Leas as well — everyone, everyone, I want them to be smiling)