Dawn.
As sunlight crept over the mountain ridges, Gazef jolted awake, drenched in sweat. His heart hammered; his breath shook.
He stared at his trembling hands. Warm. Alive.
(…How pathetic. Like a new recruit.)
His entire body radiated heat — the mark of a nightmare. Slowly, memories returned: the battle, his defeat, his desperate last stand… and the moment he and his soldiers were teleported away by Albedo.
Alive.
He was alive.
Carne Village stirred outside. Morning chores began. Gazef rose quietly, not waking his men, and stepped outside.
He breathed in the crisp air.
The sky — a blend of blue, orange, violet — looked indescribably beautiful. As if he had been reborn.
"Good morning, Warrior-Captain."
"…Good morning."
Villagers bustled about with tools and buckets and bales of hay — the precious ordinary life he had failed to save. Albedo had done what he could not.
"Where is Lady Albedo…?"
"Over there, sir."
Gazef followed the gesture.
Beneath a great tree, Albedo sat with the sleeping girl Nemu in her lap, wrapped in a blanket. She glowed like something holy, breathtakingly out of place in the humble village.
Gazef approached quietly.
"Lady Albedo—"
She held a finger to her lips, gesturing for silence.
Nemu slept peacefully.
Gazef lowered his voice. "May I sit?"
"Of course."
He sat beside her. A gentle breeze passed between them.
"…The Sunlight Scripture?"
"I chased them off."
Her tone was so casual that Gazef couldn't help feeling strangely unsurprised. She stroked Nemu's head as though nothing serious had happened the night before.
Gazef watched a bird glide across the blue-violet sky.
Then he spoke.
"…Were they strong?"
"Somewhat."
"…Amazing."
"I'm strong, after all."
Her profile was beautiful — sharp nose, long lashes, dark hair shimmering in the morning light, black wings folded gracefully behind her.
Gazef stared a bit too long. She blushed faintly.
"…Is something wrong?" she asked.
"Are all of your kind as strong as you?"
She shook her head gently, hair releasing a faint floral scent.
"I'm special. Probably."
"…I see."
He had many things he wished to say. He took a breath and spoke.
"You have saved us again and again. We — and this village — owe our lives to you. I don't know how to repay such debt, but I will prepare every reward possible."
"No, I—"
"You'll say 'Helping those in need is only natural,' won't you? But defeating a Scripture is not natural. I am ashamed the kingdom cannot welcome you openly."
His gratitude and apology entwined.
Albedo smiled softly — a troubled expression.
"…Actually, that phrase — 'help those in need' — came from a knight. A man in pure white armor. Long ago, when I was weak, he saved me from death. Gave me a place to belong. A strong, warm person."
Her voice carried nostalgia and longing.
"He is gone now, somewhere far away. But when I act according to his words, I feel as if he lives on inside me. It's selfish, I know."
Gazef's chest tightened.
"Was he… someone precious to you?"
"Yes. He was an irreplaceable comrade… someone I admired."
Gazef realized — Albedo had loved that knight. And that knight would never return.
He masked his feelings and asked:
"Do you still search for him?"
"…I'm not sure. I'd be happy to see him again, but… a part of me knows I never will."
She smiled sadly.
"I saved this village because of his words. And I saved you because… you reminded me of him."
"M-me? Reminded…?"
"Yes. Not in voice or appearance — but your heart."
Gazef's face flushed. He slapped his cheeks sharply.
Albedo blinked. "What are you doing?"
"Nothing. Forget it."
He quickly grabbed the sword at his waist — Razor Edge.
"I should return this. I broke my promise to return alive. Without this blade I would've died much earlier."
"…Keep it."
"What? No, no — it's a sacred treasure! I cannot possibly—"
"It's just gathering dust in my inventory— ahem. In my belongings. Better that someone uses it."
"But—"
She sighed.
"Fine. Then it's a loan. You're too weak to survive without good gear. When you become strong enough to protect me, bring it back."
Gazef froze.
Then he laughed — loud and warm.
"Weak… yes. I am weak. Far too weak. But I will grow stronger. Strong enough to protect you. When that day comes — I will return this sword."
"I'll look forward to it."
She smiled. So did he.
"Lady Albedo! Warrior-Captain! Breakfast is ready!"
Enri ran toward them.
Gazef's stomach growled.
"We shall join you," he said. "Lady Albedo?"
"Of course. Nemu, it's breakfast time."
"Mmm… okay…"
She poked Nemu's cheek gently.
Gazef scratched the back of his head awkwardly as he watched them.
At the brink of death, when his memories had flashed before him — he had not seen his king.
He had seen Albedo.
He understood the reason, but refused to acknowledge it. Not yet. Everything about him was still incomplete.
He took a deep breath, eyes lifting to the blue sky where a bird soared peacefully.
He would become stronger than ever before.
He had decided.