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Chapter 71 Part 2

Emmy: Today Marked My New Beginning — Part 2

 

………

 

I am… why am I so powerless…?

Sure, I’m now technically protecting Russell from the Demon Lord.

But that’s it.

Russell is fighting so desperately, and he’s getting injured a lot. Even in a situation where he’s at a disadvantage, he’s fighting using his head and abilities to the fullest.

 

I don’t care how many injuries I got… but just imagining the tip of the knife that hurt Russell’s fingers, enough to make my legs tremble in fear…

I can’t stand it, yet I’m powerless before this disgusting Demon Lord.

 

Am I once again… unable to protect anything…?

 

——I sensed a familiar feeling inside me, a feeling of 『something dark』.

 

Is this feeling… something bad?

Or is there something more to it…

 

That’s right. I remember now.

This was the feeling I had back then, when I was drowned in despair and returned alone from the Hammond to the Adria village.

After remembering this, suddenly, my mind became very calm.

 

I was… what was it…?

I feel like I’m forgetting something very important.

 

That’s right… It was my conversation with Jannet, and what Russell did for me, right after I had that conversation.

 

It was the story of 『a girl who wanted to play an active role』 more than the boy.

A story about a girl who can be a princess and still have strong self-esteem, while playing an active role in the party.

And Russell, with all the kindness in his heart, recognized me as a Holy Knight, something that’s a class above just a Princess.

 

I had forgotten the most fundamental part.

 

A story about a girl who wants to play an active role.

A story about being accepted by Russell.

In the end, aren’t both of them stories about myself?

 

Yeah… why didn’t I notice this?

 

Even Lacelle should’ve wished 『to be the one who plays the most active role』.

That’s how he got his Dark Magic.

……But what’s the result?

He used that very power to save me, the person whom he should have every right to resent.

 

……All this time, I’ve always been on the receiving end. Yet I’m still thinking I can stand alongside Russell and Sybilla-san? How laughable.

I always say protect this, protect that, what am I, trying to be their mother or something?

Could it be that I still don’t completely trust Russell?

 

Now, this 『something』 has reappeared in my mind and speaks to me in words that are difficult to express.

This 『something』 within me can resolve this situation.

And I believe that person can release this 『something』 that dwells within me.

 

「Sybilla-san.」

 

While still facing the Demon Lord, I slowly walked back toward Sybilla-san.

 

「Wha, hey, we can’t exactly afford to look away here! What is it, Emmy-chan!?」

 

I then asked Sybilla-san about this 『something』 that dwells within me.

 

「I would like to ask… is there any other Twilight Jobs other than 【Twilight Sorcerer】.」

 

Sybilla-san held her breath when she heard my question.

 

「How do you…?」

 

「So it does exist.」

 

I interrupted her after she basically confirmed it.

Thank goodness. I then briefly told Sybilla-san my intention.

 

「With that Job, we should be able to break out of this situation!」

 

Sybilla-san quickly recovered from the surprise and told me about this 『something』 inside me.

I can hear Russell fighting. But now, I can confidently say that I trust him.

 

「I admit that I do think Emmy-chan’s 【Holy Knight】 skill seemed to lack more firepower than expected. With your devotion toward Russell and your high level, I think it can be strong enough to do a lot of damage even against a floor boss. However, when we revived you back then, Emmy-chan, your pure heart was torn to shreds by guilt and despair, and the power of darkness began to manifest in you.」

 

…… Well, as I thought, I was right.

At that time, I felt something inside me suddenly settle down, and that something turned out to be this dark power.

 

I was too passive about a lot of things.

I didn’t become a Holy Knight because I wanted to protect Russell… but because The Goddess 『made』 me one.

That’s why I was able to protect Russell.

 

I wanted the power to protect Russell.

That’s why Russell had 『granted』 my sword a part of his dark magic so I was able to cut the Gigante’s armor.

That’s why I was able to protect Russell.

 

None of these 『power』 has come out from myself… it was all granted to me.

 

「I don’t want to just wait anymore. I can’t keep being like this forever.」

 

「Is that so… I get it.」

 

Sybilla-san must’ve also understood that we didn’t have much time right now.

As I waited while keeping the Demon Lord in my sights, a black feather appeared out of the corner of my eye.

Sybilla-san had transformed into her Goddess form.

 

We’ve been running around all day, and before I knew it, the sun had already set.

The red shade of the sandy beach had turned into a beautiful blue.

 

Ahh, Jannet.

So this is the time of twilight you speak of.

 

「The 『Twilight Goddess』 Sybilla. Maintaining the 【Holy Knight】Job… result; mostly impossible… acknowledge. 《Job Change Refusal》……magic power; consuming, consuming, consuming……. 《Magic Power Change》……《Granting Celestial Job: 【Twilight Knight】》!」

 

My vision suddenly opened up.

As I listened to the voice of the Goddess ringing in my head, I realized.

 

——Ahh, I understand it now.

Not just to protect him, I wanted to be someone who could properly stand proudly and confidently alongside him.

Next to the person I chose as my prince, Russell.

 

With this, surely…!

 

「Oh right, Sybilla-san.」

 

I hold up my shield and put my face close to the Goddess’ ear.

 

「Be honest, is half of the reason you often mess with Russell because you like him so much that you are too embarrassed to admit it?」

 

Sybilla-san’s eyes opened wide in surprise at my question.

Oh, for the first time, I felt like I had caught Sybilla-san off guard.

I see, I’m starting to understand why Russell is treating Sybilla-san the way he did.

She looks even cuter than usual when she’s flustered like this.

 

Aa~ah.

Even though I was so determined to become number one for Russell, and had gained enough confidence to stand next to him.

……I think I ended up falling in love with Sybilla-san first before Russell did.

 

But I’ve received a lot of things for her up until now.

I want Sybilla-san to know more of the good things about Russell.

And I want her to think he’s a wonderful person to be around.

Right now, I can confidently say that’s my honest feeling.

 

「Yo-You… Don’t tell me…! You filthy Twilight Goddess! Unforgivable, unforgivable, UNFORGIVABLE!」

 

The Demon Lord cried out in a trembling voice while pointing at us.

His brow gradually creased, and he shouted as he unleashed his magic.

 

「《Stone Wall》! It’s a girl’s big decision! Don’t interrupt us, you despicable being!」

 

Then, not only did  Sybill-san block it, but she also refuted him in my place.

As I thought, Sybilla-san is so cool and dependable.

Seriously, as a girl myself, I really admire her.

 

「Russell.」

 

「…Emmy!」

 

I then told Russell my request.

 

「I know it will be tough for you, but… can I leave the Demon Lord to you for a moment?」

 

There’s a possibility Russell won’t come out of this unscathed.

This choice scares me more than anything else.

 

But it should be Russell who defeats that despicable Demon Lord.

In order to overcome the crisis, I myself must recognize and believe in him, the sorcerer who once defeated a Demon Lord, the 【Black Kite Saint】 Russell.

It’s okay. Russell is always cool after all, and I’m sure this time too, he will once again show me his cool side.

 

Racel was surprised, but quickly nodded and headed toward the Demon Lord with Sybilla-san.

 

I glare at the floor bosses who’ve been flailing around in the sky with a loud buzz since a while ago.

These creatures have put Russell in so much danger. I will never forgive them.

 

I hold my shield up and the moment the bosses rush at me… I will activate my skill!

 

My shield, which used to glow with bright white light, is now glowing black with dark light.

Its ability is the exact opposite of the shield of light.

 

The floor bosses, who must’ve wanted to escape from me, were sucked in by the dark shield.

Unable to resist its power, the dragonfly boss switched its strategy and attacked me with its tail claws in agony, but… I didn’t even try to dodge. It scratched my skin just like it did to Russell.

I engrave the same pain that Russell endured in my mind, and I swing the sword I hold in my right hand in return.

 

This troublesome boss, who had been counting on its evasive abilities, couldn’t do anything before Russell’s dark sword and my dark shield, and was cut in half in a single blow.

 

「——That’s one down.」

 

Now then, let’s get my new beginning started.