Chapter 128: Passing Each Other

***Arc 6 One Who Pierced Through, Chapter 128 Passing Each Other***

In the village square, people were gathering waiting for Krische's depart.

There were children and women, and even though there were few men there, they parted Krische reluctantly.

"Pell, Krische told you not to look at Bery."

"I-I didn't! Krische-nee-chan is so persistent, saying it every time we meet."

"Because Bery is like poison to Pell's eyes."

Bery was embarrassed, while the others were just happily teasing Pell.

Pell, whose face turned bright red, clicked his tongue and turned to face Kilik and the others.

"Thank you for the training! When I turn fifteen, I will definitely join the army and aim for the Black Century!"

"Haha, you sure are lively. But your muscles are quite good. Regardless of whether or not you join the army, you will become quite goodif you train. Do your best."

"Yes!"

Pell gives a mimicry salute, and Kilik responds with a laugh.

But Krische groaned.

"...Pell can't enter Blacky (Kurofuyo), and Krische think it would be better if Pell didn't go out on the battlefield and just work for the village. If he goes out on the battlefield, he'll die right away."

"Krische nee-chan! Don't say things like, just when I become really motivated!"

Pell cannot use magic. No matter how good he is, he can't enter the Black Flag Special Force.

She only stated the fact, but Pell, who was suddenly frustrated with his start, stared at Krische.

"Good grief, Krische nee-chan really doesn't change huh, still can't read that kind of atmosphere since a long time ago."

"Kuku, don't get so angry Pel. Krische-sama is also worried. ...Besides, it is important to work as a soldier, but it is also important to work as a village vigilante to keep the village peaceful. All the more so if you know the tragedy of lacking strength."

"... Well, that's true but."

"And it's not just Krische-sama who's worried."

Kilik turned his gaze elsewhere.

A girl who was Pell's childhood friend was staring at him.

Pell looked at her, blushed, and turned away. She was a pretty girl who always followed Pell, and Pell was often teased about her.

"Not honest are you, reall."

Kilik chuckled, and Pell couldn't say anything and kept his mouth shut.

Then, the one who stepped forward was a well-built woman――Krische was a little confused as to what kind of face she should make, but she put a slightly awkward smile on her face, and Gala smiled gently.

She then handed her a wrapped pie that she had baked in the morning, and patted her on the head as she bended down and looked at her.

"I'm sure Krische-chan is busy, and I don't know if I'll be able to see Krische-chan anymore if Krische-chan live in the royal capital, but... Krische-chan is welcome to come back anytime when it has calmed down."

"......yes"

"Auntie, along with Grace and Gorka, will always be watching over Krische-chan from afar so that she can live happily ever after."

Gala said so, hugged her little body for just a moment before she turned her gaze to Bery.

"I leave Krische-chan to you. If there's someone like Bery-sana, I'll be able to see off Krische-chan with peace of mind."

"Yes."

After bowing deeply to each other, Gala stroked Krische again.

"Well then, Cliche-chan. Be careful when traveling... after the civil war, it seems that public order isn't good."

"... Yes, Oba-san too, please take care of your body."

"Oh, of course. After seeing Krische-chan, all the ailments were blown away, so I'm sure I'll be fine for the next few decades."

Gala showed off her bicep and laughed, and her eyes welling up.

She wiped her eyes, took a breath, and smiled.

Krische looked at her and leans in.

"Um...Krische, love Oba-san so much."

Gala nodded at that and replied, 'So does Oba-san.'

"Just like Krische-chan, Oba-san thinks so too."

"......yes"

Krische nodded happily and moved away.

"Well then, see you later, Krische-chan."

"Yes, Krische will come back when Krische have time."

"Oh, I'm looking forward to it."

Krische bowed her head and went to the carriage where Bery was.

She wrapped her arms around her, leaned in and smiled.

She bowed to them again as she get in, and then she and Bery walk into the box carriage.

Unlike before, the people who saw them off did not break down in tears.

They watched the carriage disappear into the distance with smiles on their faces.

――A few days ago.

Kilnan, a neighboring village of Kalka, was not a very large village, but it was a peaceful village where handicrafts such as weaving thrived, and it was not particularly poor, with a close relationship with the town.

It traded with a village a little to the south, turning wool into cloth and clothing for sale to the city, the men hunted and worked in the fields, and the women mostly devoted themselves to weaving,

"Uu, Kaa-san, you don't have to hit me..."

"Do you have any idea how worried I was? Be glad, it's over with just that."

Mia grew up in a large family in such a village.

Her chestnut hair was tied back, and her features could be described as beautiful.

Mia pouted her lips as she held her head that was hit by, her mother, Mirna who had a string-willed face.

Kalua smiled at them as she followed them through the snowy village.

The two of them were wearing black cloaks with crescent moon skulls embroidered on their chests, though they were not wearing swords or armor.

Their hands were reinforced leather gauntlets, and their boots are rugged and sturdy.

You could tell at a glance that they were a soldier, and were quite conspicuous, but there weren't many people outside because of the snow.

Only the faint sound of weaving looms could be heard from the huts here and there.

The village must have a well-equipped loom, which as rare for a country village.

Kahlua looked at the village with admiration.

"Kalua-san, was it?, did Mia cause you trouble?"

"No, on the contrary, she always help me a lot and we get along well."

Kalua sent a meaningful, teasing gaze to Mia.

Mia stared at Kalua in annoyance but she only growled and didn't say anything.

It seems that she was quite weak to her mother.

"You can be honest, okay. She's clumsy and scatterbrained, and she can't even weave a plain cloth properly."

"Fufu, I heard that in exchange, Mia-san was a hard worker in the village.

"Carrying luggage, right. ...At that time I wondered how it would be."

A graceful lady——It was Kalua who was wearing a mask.

Mia was irritated by the artificially polite demeanor, but she didn't want to provoke her mother's wrath by yelling at her.

So the three of them headed for a house that was a little bigger than the others in the village.

Mia's house looked relatively well-off in the village, and Kalua tilted her head.

It did not look like the kind of house where Mia would have to go out to work. It seems her mother was a skilled weaver and her father was a good hunter.

She was served a cup of tea as she was a guest, and as she looked around the room, she could guess what was going on.

"Haa... I was completely surprised. Just when she suddenly leave with a military carriage, a short time later, she sent us a large sum of money. What are you thinking?"

"B-because Okaa-san, said finances were really tight..."

"I just told you that father was injured and it's going to be hard for a while. we have some savings. Seriously...why are you in the army..."

"Oh, it's Nee-chan!"

"Really, she's back!?"

The two boys, maybe ten years old, emerge from the room.

Mirna sighed and told them both.

"We have a guest, so play outside for now."

"Eeeh?"

"Not eeeh. Now, go go!"

As she drives away her children with her hands, she cut the fruit in front of Kalua, while saying, 'sorry about it'.

Kalua lowered her head and stared at Mia.

"Wha...what?"

"No, I just think it's exactly as I imagined."

"...that tone makes me annoyed."

"Mia"

Mirna called her name, exasperated, and Mia was startled and straightened her posture.

Kalua quietly held back her laughter.

"Anyway, finally you come home. For a clumsy soldier like you, no matter how many lives you have, it won't be enough. There's no need to be migrant workers."

"I-it's not like I come bac... you know, Okaa-san, even like this, I'm the adjutant of a great unit under the direct control of Krische."

"So what? I know that soldiers are great people who risk their lives to work for the country. But someone like you is ill suited for it."

Mirna sighed again, crossed her hands and said to Mia.

"It's good that you happened to be safe, but how about you think from my position. Please don't make me worry any more than this. What should I do if something happens on the battlefield and you ended up in a terrible situation? And, do you have the resolve to do so? "

"Yes, I have it now! Besides, I'm not an idiot either, so I've thought about various things and now I'm working in the military. I also have a responsibility, so I can't easily――"

"Mia, listen!"

Mirna raised her voice and Mia glared at her.

"Even though I took the trouble to give birth to you so cutely, really this child."

"What's going on now! You're always yelling at me about how clumsy, stupid and dumb I am! I can't even weave a weave properly, you always told me that's why no one would take me right!

"So, what does that have to do with staying in the army!"

"So I decided to do my bit for the family because you made it sound like I was useless. That's why I left home! Don't say things like that!"

They entered the house and settled down, and then suddenly, out of the blue, a huge argument broke out.

Kalua scratched her cheek, troubled.

Mia was leaning forward on her desk, her face bright red and angry.

"Okaa-sama is always like that! Because you're criticizing everything I do! It's a loss for me to come back!"

"Wait Mia!"

Mia stood up and hooked the sword on her waist to the door.

She slammed the door and leaves, and Mirna sat down in her chair.

She then bowed her head embarrassingly to Kahlua.

"I'm sorry, she've always been that kind of girl."

"Ah, ahaha... well, they do say they get along so well that they can fight."

"It's fine, you don't have to be considerate"

Mirna smiled wryly, and sipped her tea.

"Black Century is a name that can be heard even in this countryside. I thought my heart would jump out of my chest when I saw the money in Mia's name coming from such a place."

"Certainly, you will be surprised."

"I heard, isn't it a dangerous unit that fights on the front line? Is that kid really acting as the adjutant?"

"Uu, yes. In fact, she's working very hard as n adjutant, and I don't think there's a problem with saying that...Mia-san is an excellent commander. Of course, I understand Okaa-sama's (referring to Mia's mother) feelings."

Mirna shook her head tiredly as she rub her eyes.

"You relationship with Mia is?"

"We've known each other since the time Black Century is formed, right around the time we were recruited. We were close in age, so that's why we have a connection...for the record, we rented the same house in the royal capital for the time being."

"I see, I'm grateful. Or should I say, she's a strong-minded girl, but also a timid person, but also strangely stubborn in the strangest place. ...If someone like Kalua-san is by her side, I can feel a little more at ease."

She looked tired――in fact, she would be tired.

Her daughter who suddenly jumped out was a soldier, and was fighting on the front lines.

Kalua felt a little sorry for her.

"It might be a little rude to say this to Kalua, who is also a soldier and is a woman, but...as her mother I'm worried about her. More so since she's a difficult child."

"Ahaha... I feel it."

"Can I ask how it was over there?"

"Yes, of course."

Kalua nodded and sipped her tea while looking at the door Mia had left.

Showing her anger, Mia walks through the village with a grumpy face as she steps through the snow.

A thin young man called out to her.

"What, it's Bazel"

"Oi, what was with that what, I was worried you know, you suddenly left."

"It has nothing to do with Bazel."

"... Ah, did you have a fight with Mirna-san? Well, I guess that's only natural..."

"What the hell with that? I want to be alone though"

The young man - Bazel, a childhood friend - was stunned by the fact that his first reunion in a long time seemed to be passed off that randomly, but it was always the case.

He was used to this kind of treatment.

"Why are you following me? What about field work?"

"There's no way I can do it with this much snow. The usual place?"

"... Didn't you understand that I said I wanted to be alone?"

"What a bad temper... well, that's how it always was huh."

Mia walks off in anger and leaves the village.

On the side of the river a little further into the forest――the rock there was Mia's fixed position.

After brushing off the snow and sitting down, Mia finally asked with a sullen face.

"Oba-san healthy?"

"Ah, she's fine. I'm being yelled at to find a partner quickly."

"That so, I'm glad to hear she's okay."

He was completely ignored, but this did not break Bazel's heart.

Bazel had learned patience.

"Is it true about the Black Century?"

"It's true. I guess they are reorganizing now. I'm the adjutant, so I have some work to do, but Krische-sama is going back to her hometown, so I was allowed to accompany her and come back."

"Krische-sama...you mean Christand?"

"Yes. Ah..."

"what is it?"

When Bazel tilted his neck, Mia said 'I remembered'.

"Come to think of it, you said that there was once a beautiful girl in Kalka's carriage, right?"

"Hmm, aah..."

Bazel nodded while recalling it.

"It seems that that pretty girl was Krische-sama. She's from Kalka."

"...seriously?"

"I was surprised when I heard that she's from Kalka, but guess that's how a coincidence is. Well, she sure is a very beautiful person. It's a little...no, she's really strange."

Mia chuckled happily, and Bazel admires the smile of his childhood friend, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.

Short chestnut hair that didn't reach the shoulders was silky, and her slightly childish smile was adorable.

It was hard to believe that he had been in the battlefield as a soldier.

And even more so when it was the Black Century, a unit under the direct control of Krische Christand.

A young monster that led a civil war that was on the back foot to victory.

Almost all of the major generals on Gildanstein's side were either captured or killed by her.

It is said that the number of generals and soldier she had killed with her sword exceeds 1,000 in total, and although there were some who claim that the results are exaggerated, many soldiers who had actually seen her killings said that it was the truth.

And she commanded a special elite unit called the Black Century.

"...Mia too, uhh, in the twin mountain?"

"Twin Mountains... Ah, you mean Bernaich?"

The Dragon's Maw――Mirskronia and Bernaich were commonly referred to by as the twin mountain.

In the military, it was common to call it the Dragon's Maw, so the unfamiliar sound was a little bewildering.

"Yeah, it was tough...we were camped out in enemy territory for a whole week. Everyone was injured, some people died...and even Krische-sama was running a fever, but she still wouldn't listen, saying just a bit more, just a bit more..."

She sighed when she remembered it, exasperated.

Bazel was surprised and asked.

"Then...killing too."

"... Well, it's a battlefield. But don't ask about it too much. I don't want to be a heroic story."

"Ah, ah... I'm sorry."

She's a hard worker, but was a little out of it, and was an airhead.

He had known Mia since she was little――but she seemed like a different person.

She was not the kind of person who can kill people.

If anything, she was a timid, fearful person.

They say that the battlefield changes people, but perhaps it can also changes people like Mia.

Bazel thought about it and patted her shoulder.

"...That was tough, you know."

"I didn't think it would turn out like this...but, well, for whatever reason, I'm not uncomfortable with it, so it's okay. They're all nice people, do their best."

'I made a best friend', she said, her lips pouting a little shyly, and she shuffles her feet and kicks up the snow.

It was clearly a military society that did not seem to suit her.

Bazel felt a sense of danger when she said that she wasn't uncomfortable.

"D-did you, have anyone you're interested in...uhh"

"Interested in...?"

"... I mean, as a man, something like that."

"Hmm... I've never seen it like that before. Everyone is always teasing me and making fun of me, geez."

Bazel let out a sigh of relief.

He even wondered if the time this woman will ever look at a man like that ever came.

Mia and her older sister were probably the only ones who were this dense.

He had nothing but regrets about Mia who left the village abruptly.

After all, no matter what was said, she was still cute and hardworking.

He thought he had done everything he could to win her over who was really popular, but he was still naive.

This was how she looked at him after a reunion after a long time――No matter how you look at it, Bazel's treatment was just a childhood friend.

She probably didn't even have a silver of awareness that Bazel was trying to approach her.

Against Mia has no choice but to deliver a straight ball.

He was determined that if he ever had the chance again, he would definitely do it.

"You know, Mia――"

But the moment he spoke, she abruptly drew her sword from her scabbard.

*shinn* sound resounded, and what appeared was a long sword with many traces of small nicks on the blade.

"Haa, what should I do?"

"A-about what?"

"No, I'm thinking of buying a new sword. This one is issued by the military, but I was able to buy and use any weapon I like."

She looked at the sword while swinging it left and right and groaned.

"I'm not very good with swords, but I still have a lot of opportunities to use them, so I'm wondering what to do. I think it would be nice to have a light one, but I often receive opponent's swords with my sword, so I don't think it's bad to have a solid and sturdy one too."

Looking at the sharpening marks on the blade, he could tell that it must have been used in actual combat.

He was puzzled by her talking about her new sword in her tone of 'What should we have for dinner tonight?'

"...Isn't it fine if you don't buy it?"

"why?"

"No, that...Mia doesn't have to swing a sword."

"...?"

Furrowing her brow, Mia tilted her head, wondering what he was trying to say.

He was too roundabout. She couldn't read his intention at all.

Bazel shook his head and tried to open his mouth――but Mia clapped her hands a second faster.

"So that's what it means. Bazel is trying to says the same thing as commander?"

"C-commander......commander, say same thing as me?"

"Yeah...I don't have to swing a sword she said"

――Does that mean that he will protect you?

No way, a propose.

Bazel's heart was shocked. He had just asked if there was any man she was interested in.

"...Commander, said swinging my sword is a last resort. I've been told so much that I've got calluses in my ears. That's what you mean, right?"

――That's not it.

Bazel shook his head and sighed.

"No, that's not it."

"Yeah, this isn't that kind of problem, it's about what kind of sword I should wield as a last resort. I understand what you're saying, but that's not what I'm talking about right now."

――She didn't get it at all

Basel was puzzled by the talk, which was clearly going in the wrong direction.

Mia was leading the conversation in such a strange direction that he wondered if she was doing it on purpose.

It was the usual occurrence.

Mia explained the importance of swords on the battlefield, and talks about what kind of swords should be used, the problem that currently dominates Mia's head.

A story of a dimension that Bazel, who usually lives by plowing the fields, couldn't understand.

He wanted to interject, but he was unable to find the right moment to do so.

"That's why it's better for me if it's lighter――"

"Wait a minute, don't say anything for a while and just listen.."

"...what is it?"

It was usual Mia. But Bazel was different.

This time, he had made up his mind.

He wanted to tell her clearly without going roundabout.

"I've wanted to say something to you for a long time. ...No, I've been saying this vaguely since longg ago, but it's an important story."

"...What is more important than the sword that protects my life?"

"Um... I'm begging you to shut up, just for a minute is fine so."

*Muu*, dissatisfied Mia folded her arms and looked at Bazel.

She had a lot of (self) assumptions, was clumsy and scatterbrained, and couldn't see her surroundings when she concentrated.

Mia was full of flaw.

But she was bright, energetic, a hard worker, and a person who could do her best for someone else.

A kind childhood friend who thinks of others before herself――He had always loved her.

He wondered why I had been going at it in a roundabout way.

Was it because he couldn't accept his own love for her honestly, or was it because he teased her as a child and was beaten to a pulp?

Was it because his rivals for Mia increased as she grew bigger and more beautiful?

Maybe it was because theey have known each other since they were small, where discretion was non-existent from the start.

But he was done with those excuses.

Ever since she suddenly disappeared, he had regretted it.

He won't regret anything anymore.

"Mia, I——"

"Oh, there you are...?"

But at that moment, a beautiful black-haired woman jumped down from the tree.

Her long hair was pulled back and shiny, and she had a somewhat sexy beauty.

She was a little tall for a woman, her body was wrapped in her cloak, but was feminine.

"... Kalua, you make snow fall."

"Ahaha, don't mind, don't mind.... A, did I disturb you two?"

Kahlua looks at Bazel as if she justnoticed.

When those catlike eyes of hers, she turned toward him, and Bazel's heart fluttered.

The appearance of a beautiful woman that Bazel saw for the first time――

"Hmm... you like Kahlua? Bazel, your cheek is red."

"I-I'm not"

"Don't be mad and deny it. Well, Kalua is beautiful, and I think it can't be helped."

Mia looks at Bazel with disdain and said that.

Kalua scratched her cheek, troubled, as she alternately looked at Mia and Bazel.

"Umm, the childhood friend Mia mentioned?"

"Yes, his name is Bazel. ...Ah, so what's the important talk is?"

――The atmosphere was clearly broken.

No matter how he looked at it, it's not in a state where he could confess.

It was the worst when he fell in love with Kalua for a second.

"... No, today is fine. You will be here tomorrow and the day after tomorrow right?"

"That's my plan for now."

"Then I'll talk to you again later."

Bazel turned his back and left, swallowing his frustration.

Kalua looked at his melancholy back and she let out a dry laugh

"Man...I went and did it..."

"...? I don't think you should worry about it too much."

"No, I think Mia should be a little more concerned though."

Mia glared at Kahlua, who looked exasperated.

"what?"

"... various things. Mirna-san said be back by dinner."

"Haa, geez. Mother is always like that."

Kalua smiles wryly at Mia who was angry.

"She's worried about Mia. I think she's a good mother."

"I know that, but you can't say that. I thought about it and left for the house after all."

"...Seems you won't be in a good mood for a while."

"...there you go treating me like a child"

"In reality, the way you get angry is just like a child."

Kalua laughed and patted her head while Mia looks displeased.

"...all the women in the village are weavers. Among them, Okaa-sama is very good at weaving, and my older sisters are also very good at it....I'm the only one at home who is not good at it."

"You're clumsy after all?"

"Shut up. Are you making fun of me or comforting me?"

"Ah, comforting you?"

"............"

"Don't stare, don't stare"

Kalua patted her head and gently hugged her.

Mia let out her anger with her sigh, she continued.

"She thought she should work on something else, but in the end, women in the village can make cloths and become independent. When I saw the children younger than me become proficient at weaving, I felt like I didn't belong her."

"Yeah"

"I've always wanted to leave the village, but I can't go to the city alone. Just then, a recruiting carriage arrived...well, I never intended to become a soldier though."

Mia said, but with some amusement.

"The battlefield is scary, the responsibility is heavy, and even though I still don't believe I'm experienced enough to be able to do it properly...Krische-sama and the captains said a lot of unreasonable things, and I was left in charge. Lately, I've been thinking that it's kind of nice."

It wasn't like that in the village, she continued.

Dropping her eyes, she clenched her fists.

"I know what Okaa-sana would say. But... it might be a waste of time, but I'm doing my best, so if she talk to me like that, I get really angry..."

"... Look, don't make that kind of face. Isn't your cute face ruined?"

She took off her gauntlet and wiped her tears, Mia glared at her again.

"... There you go making a fool of me right away."

"Even though I'm trying to be honest, geez. Come on, don't cry. I'll hold you tight until you stop crying."

"That's how you're making a fool of me."

Even as she cried, she pressed her face against Kalua's chest.

Kalua smiled wryly and stroked her head.

"It seems that it's just right for me to make fun of Mia, so the adjutant-sama says."

"...I didn't say that."

"You really said it though."

Kalua, amusedly.

A little sadly said that.