“Rumble…”
Diere, still not fully awake, felt like she had felt some shaking from somewhere.
It was like an earthquake had occurred somewhere far away and some of the effect had managed to spread all the way to where she is.
Diere was awakened by this faint vibration and thus opened her eyes.
“You’re awake?”
The moment she opened her eyes, Diere heard a familiar, gentle voice.
Thus, Diere turned her head to look to the side.
There, Vivian was looking at her with a smile while propping up her shield by the canyon wall.
At a more careful look, Vivian had traces of blood and dust on her in a lot of places. She doesn’t seem to be injured, but she did seem quite exhausted and disheveled.
Over to the side, Lumia and Melika were leaning against each other. Much like Vivian, they were covered in specks of blood and dust, like they were completely exhausted after a lot of fighting.
And of course, Diere was the same.
In that moment, Diere was just like Vivian, leaning by the canyon wall while covered in the most blood and dust out of them all. She seemed like the most exhausted and disheveled of them all.
This scene immediately made Diere remember everything that had happened.
Yes.
They fell into a trap.
They fell into the trap of those nobles after her life. That’s why she’s in the depths of the Ataru Canyon with everyone of Vivian’s Party and ended up like this.
Diere faintly remembers those nobles, filled with hate, ordering the guards and knights with them to attack her party. Their group fought back with all their might and basically fought a running battle for three whole days. Only then did they finally manage to break contact, find this relatively well hidden cave, and then passed out in exhaustion.
When she remembered all this, Diere ended up going silent for a while.
“It’s my fault you’re all in this mess with me.”
After some time, Diere finally said those words.
“Don’t say such things.” Vivian was still as kindly as ever as she spoke, “We’re comrades here.”
Vivian obviously didn’t want Diere to place all the responsibility onto herself.
However, Diere didn’t accept that.
“I’m saying that I’m the one who ended up involving you, as my comrades.” Diere looked up at the ceiling of the cave as she muttered.
“Of course that’s not how it is.” Vivian was also very stubborn in her views though, “Since we’re comrades, there’s no logic behind involving or not. If you insist, Lumia and Melika will be sad you know.”
Diere could understand what Vivian was getting at.
It’s because, in the past, Diere was the strongest member of their party, but she also look care of Lumia and Melika a lot.
Lumia and Melika felt ashamed for that more than once. In the end though, they only finally accepted Diere’s aide due to the adventurer logic of “comrades should help each other”.
If in this situation, Diere still insisted in saying that she’s the one who pulled her comrades into harm, then perhaps Lumia and Melika really will end up quite depressed.
“… I’ll say it in a different way then.” Diere was silent for a brief moment before sighing, “Thanks, Vivian.”
That word of thanks is something that Diere had to say.
After all, the fact that everyone was able to hold on for three full days here in this canyon is all thanks to Vivian’s protection.
It’s because Vivian stood in front of Diere and the others the whole time, drew all the attacks, and withstood all the damage that Diere and the others were able to hold on until now without harm.
Although, holding on until now is already their limit.
At the very least, Diere had already noticed that Vivian’s magic power has basically run dry.
If her magic power is exhausted, then not even Vivian will be able to continue displaying her amazing defensive power and cover her teammates against everything that comes their way.
Of course, Vivian simply continued to smile as if she didn’t notice that at all.
“No need.” Vivian spoke like she was comforting Diere, “Don’t worry, we’ll escape in the end.”
This gentle and kind party leader simply continued to comfort Diere’s fragile heart.
Vivian must now as well, right?
She knew of the trembling in Diere’s heart.
Truth be told, Diere wasn’t afraid of death.
Rather, Diere had mentally prepared herself for death the entire time.
It’s because she knew very well the problems that’s she’s facing. She’s even more clear just how strong that person that she had wanted to challenge her entire life is.
Faced with such difficulties, with such a powerful foe, Diere really wouldn’t be surprised at dying at any moment.
Thus, Diere had prepared herself a long time ago.
However, if the people around her ended up also dragged in and then died as a consequence of her, then Diere would have a hard time bearing with the guilt.
That’s why Diere was so uneasy.
What if they end up attacked again?
What if someone in her party ended up killed due to their connection with her next?