Chapter 130: Stubborn

***Arc 6 One Who Pierced Through, Chapter 130 Stubborn***

Mirna prepared the foods, and the children were clinging to Kalua.

After saying 'I'm home', Mia took off her coat and put her sword without saying a word.

Mia's lip pouted when Kalua asked how the confession went.

"... how do you know it's a confession?"

"...Haa, normally you would notice it at a glance alright. Mia is super insensitive, so she may not have noticed, but 'I likes Mia' is clearly written on his face"

Mia glared at Kahlua, and Mirna laughed in a good mood saying it's a celebration tonight

"You don't have to. Because I will turn him down."

"Haa? What are you talking about?"

Mirna frowned and looked at Mia.

"Is Bazel really not to your liking? Well, I guess he doesn't look handsome, but he's a nice guy right. I've been watching him since I was little, and I'm quite pleased with him."

"That's right... but that's not it. I already said I'm the adjutant of my unit right, I can't quit so easily because I have a responsibility, and... I like it there."

"Haa... don't be silly"

Mirna put her hand on her forehead, exasperated.

"For the sake of your duty, you would even waste this precious opportunity. What are you going to do from now on?"

"I'll think about it again in the future."

"You... are you saying that you're going to give up all your happiness as a woman and devote your life to the military without getting married or starting a family?"

"Even if that's so, what are you going to do about it?"

The two of them glared at each other for a while, and the children, seeing the tense atmosphere, returned to their rooms.

However, they were curious about the content, so they secretly opened the door and eavesdropped――though it was completely obvious.

"...I respect Okaa-san. Okaa-san is good at weaving, has a family, and raised us... the same with my sisters. I think they're really very admirable, and that more than anything else, might be what makes me the happiest as a woman but..."

Mia said with a serious face, keeping her eyes straight.

"But I don't think that's the only happy future for me.. At least, I think I'm very happy right now, and I'm satisfied with my life in spite of all the things I'm going through.

"Huh...really. Then, what, you went to the battlefield for your country, and even if you were killed or face something horrifying, can you still say that you had a satisfying life?"

"I think Okaa-san is fundamentally misunderstanding the military."

Mia shook her head.

"I will fight as a soldier so that I don't get killed, so that Kalua and others don't get killed. ......I can't be satisfied with being killed, and if you ask me if I'm really prepared to die, to be honest......I don't really understand."

She remembered well when she was actually nearly killed.

She was hopelessly scared and would have died if Krische hadn't come.

But even after all that, Mia still wanted to work in that unit.

Because she felt that it was worth it.

"But there's a meaning to me fighting like that, and I feel like I can find something that only I can do. ...Of course, I might change my mind in five or ten years, but at least that's what I think right now."

Mirna looks into Mia's eyes and sighed.

She rubbed her eyes and lean back against the wall.

"... I understand what you're saying. It's my loss. It seems you have your own resolve."

"Okaa-san..."

"But, even then I'm still worried about you, you know."

Mirna stroked her own belly.

Nostalgically, lovingly.

"You were in my womb for almost a year, it's big, it's heavy, and I have to be careful, and it hurts when I give birth. It's not something you can get used to it even if you had given birth to two baby before, at that time I screamed 'come out quickly, you idiot.'"

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

"...But once you were born, you were so cute. The first time I you them crying, I was so happy. I've been watching you get bigger and bigger little by little since then. Of course, compared to the older two, you were a lot slower and took a lot of work, but you were still cute my child."

Mirna looked up at her.

She just stared at Mia with the face of a mother.

"It's an honor to serve the country as a soldier. But rather than risking your life to work in a dangerous place and gaining such honor...it doesn't matter if it's not honorable, I want you to make a family with a man who likes you and be happy."

Mia averted her eyes from her gaze.

She couldn't say she understood her mother's feelings, but she could believe that what her mother said was the truth.

Despite her nagging and yelling, it was her mother who had cared for her.

Her mother's earnest words had a certain weight to them.

But.

"... I'm sorry. But I——"

"Mia"

The one who called her name was Kalua, who had remained silent.

"Honestly, I wasn't sure if I should intervene, but... I think you should think over about it once."

"...Why is Kalua saying that?"

"Because I think it's that kind of opportunity."

Kalua pointed to the sword leaning against the corner of the room.

There were two swords, Mia's and Kalua's.

"I can't throw away my sword because I have to repay my debt to Usa-chan. But that's not the case with Mia. Even if you don't do anything dangerous, you can still choose to live a peaceful life in this village. ......I think that is a happy thing after all, so I think that if you have the choice, you should choose it rather than a battlefield where you can die at any time."

Kalua looked at her own hands.

with a slightly distant eye.

"I've done a lot of dirty things, and I've killed quite a few people outside of the battlefield. I can't go back to the village anymore, and I ended up with Usa-chan. I'm satisfied with that. But there are many paths for Mia, and I think it's fine not to force yourself to find a place in such dangerous place."

"...Are you saying that I should quit?"

Kalua hesitated a little, then lowered her eyes and nodded.

"Well, I guess this time I'm on Mirna's side....because I think Mia has a proper place here."

"Hg..."

Mia banged the desk and stood up,

"Kalua, you idiot!!"

With her cloak and sword in one hand, she ran out of the house.

Kalua sighed quietly and scratched his head.

"...I'm sorry."

"No. ...I was thinking the same thing as Mirna-san."

She picked up her sword, which was leaned against the wall, and wrapped it around her waist with a belt.

She laughed as she saw Mia walking out with a sword, thinking that the habits of the battlefield were alreadyingrained in her.

"I'm going out for a while too."

"Ah, can I ask you? Kalua-san would be better off than me. ...she resembled me in a strange way, and became stubborn. Even though it's okay if we're not similar at that kind of part."

"Fufu, well...her stubbornness is cute so I like it."

She smiled happily.

Then, suddenly, she makes a lonely face.

"...she's a good girl after all. It's rare to be like that... but that's precisely why I want Mia to be happy. This is really a good village."

"...I'm sorry, pushing the hard role on you."

"No, I came here with the intention of doing so if there was an oppurtinity."

Mirna gets up and bowed her head, and Kalua nodded.

Then she put on her cloak and went outside.

The sky was a madder red at dusk.

The thick clouds had mysteriously disappeared and the sky looked crystal clear.

The snow tinged with sunset was endlessly beautiful, but there was also something lonely about it.

Kalua followed Mia's footsteps.

The widely spaced footprints, characteristic of people with magical powers, led straight into the forest.

There, she probably jumped on a branch and the footprints disappeared, but there were traces of fallen snow on the branches and leaves.

Is she trace it, she'll probably be where she was on the first day.

She deduced that and headed in that direction,

"——Mia"

She found her sitting on a rock.

Mia ignores her voice and turned away, Kalua smiled wryly as she come closer, picking up the snow and harden it with her hands.

She then walks up to her side and put it on Mia's head.

Mia glared at Kahlua for a moment as if to say something, but quickly looked away as if determined to ignore her.

Kalua puts another snowball on her head, drew a face on it with a fallen branch, and sticks it on the left and right sides of the torso.

"... Um, I'm angry, you know."

Mia, who couldn't stand it anymore, opened her mouth.

"Fufu, I know."

Glaring at Kalua, she lowered the snowman on top of her head and looked at it.

Mia put it on her side while wondering whether to throw it away, it was bad and extremely ugly.

"Originally, Mia was never one to wield a sword on the battlefield. You're a good girl after all."

"If you say that, so does Kalua. You're a beauty, a young lady, giving up everything for her little sister——what's the difference between Kalua and me?"

"Elegance and a bigger chest?"

"... Kahlua, are you seriously listening?"

'I know', Kalua said again.

Kalua laughed troubledly, smiled kindly and patted her head.

'As I thought Kalua is beautiful when she's like that.'

Even though she was a manly woman, the way she smiles was elegant.

Each gesture was strangely beautiful and mesmerizing.

Her shiny black hair shone in the setting sun, and her cat-like eyes, wrapped in eyelashes, were mischievous, yet kind.

"Even if you don't make a place for her on the battlefield, Mia has a place to return to. This is a nice village, Mia's family is good people and good children, and if Bazel-kun is like that, I'm sure he'll make Mia happy. ...I think that's more happiness than Mia thinks."

"So you want me to stay here?"

"Yes. ...do you hate this village?"

Mia shook her head.

Kalua continued.

"I also talked to the commander. He said that if it's Mia's happiness, then that's fine. Usa-chan is a good girl, and I'm sure she'll understand. I'm sure the people in the squad are the same."

"What does Kalua think?"

"I told you earlier, didn't I?"

"No. ...I want to know Kalua's own feelings."

Again, as if troubled.

Kalua played with her hair, which hung down like a horse's tail, and pondered for a moment,

"... I want Mia to be happy in this peaceful village, I think?"

She untied her hair.

Her long hair swayed in the wind, glistening and scattering.

"It's a little lonely, but I think it's good."

She pulled Mia's hair back and carefully tied it into a knot.

Kalua chuckled and patted her head.

Mia cast her eyes down.

"Adol and Kels were unnecessarily motivated saying things like 'leave this place to us and go ahead'. There was also Bagu that seem to not die easily even if you kill him, so easily. I was made aware again that the battlefield that kind of place. I am not very strong, I have no power. ...I can't say with confidence that I will protect Mia. That's why——yeah, I think, I'm scared."

Kalua said, breathing quietly.

"That atmosphere is unique. You could throw away things you would normally cherish without any hesitation."

For friends, for honor, for stubbornness.

The battlefield was full of various reasons for throwing away one's life.

The temptation of madness——everyone offered their lives in that way.

In a crazy world, you have to be crazy to survive.

"That's why, I don't want Mia to be there."

She didn't hink she should be in such a world.

Her life, which was cherished by so many people, should not be treated that way.

"... so you want me to be happy, huh?"

Mia took a deep breath and stands up.

Then, slowly, she pulled out her sword and pointed it at Kahlua.

"Let's fight, Kalua"

"... Mia?"

Mia lowered her sword and slowly walked away, smiling.

"Until I win. If I give up standing, Kalua wins, and I'm going to stay here, just as Kalua says. Simple, isn't it?"

Kalua stared at Mia, then sighed.

She pulled the sword from her waist, slung it over her shoulder, and opened her mouth.

"Okay, I'll go along with you until you're satisfied...if Mia is satisfied with that."

"I'm satisfied, I'm definitely going to win after all."

"..You sure said it, I won't go easy on you like usual."

"I'm saying even then I'll win."

Mia smiled at her confidently.

She held up her sword and charged.

A simple wooden structure with mud walls——more like a hut than a house.

But the furniture in it makes it look more like a house, and inside were two young men and a woman.

"Well, whatever it is, you're doing well. Be confident."

"Thank you very much, it's thanks to Tex-san for supporting me. I don't know if I'll get a good answer yet, though."

This was the home of the eldest daughter, Mies and Tex.

'Haa', Bazel sighed, and Tex tapped him on the shoulder while laughing.

"It's up to Mia-chan, but I think you'll be fine.."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah... you're not a bad guy. I've been watching you for a long time, so at least I think so, and you know it's Mia-chan."

"......thank you"

Tex laughed, saying, 'no need for thanks' to Bazel, who bowed his head.

Mies, who was watching the two of them, tilted her head and groaned.

"Both of you are mean. If you had told me sooner that you liked Mia, I would have cooperated properly......"

"It looks like it's going to be complicated if you ger involved so..."

Tex sighed.

They were indeed silent about it, but Tex had been consulting with Bazel for nearly two years.

From Mies' point of view, it was only natural that she should have guessed and noticed, but just like he guessed——

'Huh? Bazel-kun confessed to Mia? Uh, eh...? Did you like Mia?'

It seems she didn't even notice a silver of it. What a terrifyingly denseness.

Tex spent ten years trying to get her to marry him.

This was the reason why Bazel approached Tex for advice, and they have been friends since Bazel asked for advice from the predecessors (Tex) in order to seduce Mia, who was also extremely dense.

Until then, he was a young man with whom he had no connection, but now he loved him like a younger brother.

"Well, above all, I'm glad you were able to tell her. A burden has been lifted from my shoulders."

"Yes, thank you very much. Well then."

"Ah. I'm waiting for good news."

"yes"

Bazel bowed deeply and left their house.

After dinner, the sun had completely set.

The crescent moon was floating in the clear sky, as if to bless him on his day.

Bazel headed for Mia's house, thinking it was about time.

"Ah, Onii-chan!"

"Oh, Milia. What's wrong, standing outside like this. Did Mirna scold you?"

"No, geez... I won't do anything to get scolded for."

Standing in front of the house was Mia's younger sister Milia.

She looked around as she hugged Bazel.

"Mia-oneechan and Kahlua-san didn't come back even after we finished eating, so I was looking outside for a while."

"Mia is?"

"Yeah... Onii-chan, did you confess to Mia-oneechan?"

"Hmm? Ah... by any chance, did something happen?"

Milia nodded and told him the talk between Mia and Mirna.

Bazel frowned and sighed.

He stroked Milia's head.

"Is that so...that guy won't listen once she decide on something.

"Onii-chan, should I comfort you?"

"Don 't talk nonsense, I can't give up so easily. I've been trying for years now...I'll go and tell her one more time and make sure she gets it right."

Miria stared up at Bazel, and Bazel tilted his head.

She who was about as tall as Bazel's chest, nodded and smiled.

"Then, if Mia-oneechan dumps me, I'll be your bride."

"Haha...don't say such an unlucky thing. Well, thank you."

"...even though I'm serious."

He stroked Miria's head as she puffed out her cheeks, smiled wryly, and went straight to the forest.

Mia was probably over there.

He jogged a bit, trying not to get his feet caught in the snow.

――And then, what resounded was the sound of swords.

Two women were holding swords.

The beautiful woman with long black hair was swinging a large curved sword, which she was freely maneuvering to catch the blade.

In contrast, the chestnut-haired woman, with a straight sword in her hand, ran around the area and swung her sword through the air, blowing snow away.

There was no sky or earth with trees as a foothold.

The leap was so high that it was incomprehensible.

She kicked a branch and plunges head first into the snow.

The black cloak she wore――the crescent skull engraved on her chest was a reference to the famed Black Century.

It was a completely different dimension from the battles he was in vigilante training.

He was sure she was Mia, but for a moment he didn't even know who she was.

Kalua, the beautiful black-haired woman, lightly catches Mia's sword and threw her off her feet.

"... This is the fifty-fourth time. Do you still want to do it?"

But Mia stood up, her whole body covered in snow, her breathing ragged.

Her sweat was like steam.

The clinging snow quickly melted and wets her body.

In contrast, her best friend is not even out of breath.

The great curved sword she carries on her shoulder.

The standing figure seems full of gaps, but there was a strange sense of intimidation.

"cough...I'm still not done."

"You can't win even if you continue like this a 1000 times."

"You never know the 1001 time."

"...really stubborn"

"!?"

Kalua charged.

A gigantic beast-like sprint that nlew away all the snow under her feet.

Without minding the snow.

In the fog of snow like mist, the sword that twisted made a roaring sound.

Behind Mia, who was barely able to avoid it――snapping a tree there, Kalua twisted her body and delivered a kick.

Without any hesitation or reverse.

Mia barely caught it with the belly of the sword and was blown away, rolling again.

"This is fifty-five times. Next time is fifty-six times. ...You won't stand up?"

Kahlua said uninterestedly and approached Mia, who was unable to get up from the shock.

At that point, Bazel's stiffness was broken, and he immediately jumped out onto the spot.

"W-wait! I don't know what's going on but calm down a bit."

"I'm calm, at least I am."

'Haah', Kalua sighed and slung her sword over her shoulder again.

Coughing, Mia stands up behind Bazel.

"Bazel, move."

"You think I will. What are you thinking, doing this... anyway, stop it. What will you do if you get hurt?"

"It's important to me"

Exasperated, Kalua jumped to Mia.

She pushed her down and thrust her sword into her neck.

"Fifty-sixth time. Do you think you can really win if you continue like this? The difference in experiences between Mia and me. You know that there is a difference that can't be make up with effort."

"I don't know. All I know is that Kahlua will go along with me."

"Opps"

Mia tried to throw snow at her, and Kalua jumped to dodge it.

Mia exhales her breath roughly as she rises, brushing the snow off her body and readying her sword.

"If you let me faint or do anything and seriously try to win, Kalua can always beat me anytime. That Kalua doesn't do that, mean I'm already winning."

"You know, that statement is cowardly..."

"Because I won't give up until I can't no longer move."

Kalua let out a deep sigh and nodded in agreement.

"Then I'll do as you say. It's the end that's fine?"

"You're not going to use force to end it?"

"... If you say you won't give up if I don't that, then I will."

Bazel again stepped between them and raised his voice.

"Wait! Calm down for now... Kalua-san, what do you mean?"

"Haa... If I win, Mia will stay in the village. It's that kind of match. As you know, this girl is stubborn."

"ah......"

Bazel held his head with an indescribable face.

Then he looked at Mia.

"Mia, do you hate me that much?"

"... it's not. That's not it."

"Then, what's no good. ...I'll definitely make you happy, just like I said. I'm not lying, I really believe that from the bottom of my heart. I――"

"That."

Mia clutched her sword and looked at Kalua and Bazel.

"I was surprised that Bazel said that, but of course I'm happy. But it's different."

Then she shook her head and smiled.

"'Become happy, I want to make you happy', Okaa-san, Bazel, and Kalua all say things like that,...but I'm more than happy enough now."

"... Mia"

"It just so happened that I became a soldier, and it was really hard at first, but I worked hard there, and was recognized and entrusted with many things... I was very happy. For the first time the clumsy, awkward, stupid me, I felt like I was able to obtain something like that with my own hands."

Mia looked straight at Kalua.

"Krische-sama, commander, everyone... Kahlua, I'm really happy to have met everyone. It's just a chance encounter, but it's very important. That's why I want to continue working in that place with everyone...that's why I'm being so stubborn."

Then she stepped forward and approaches Kahlua.

"I told you once right, I wield my sword for Krische-sama and Kalua. I don't know what Kalua thought about it, but I'm serious about it. I really wanted to be that kind of person I seriously think so."

Kahlua also looked back into Mia's eyes and then looked away.

Mia moved further forward.

To Kalua's side.

"Kalua, If you think that's annoying, you can do whatever you want....I'll give up if I lose this time."

Mia said that.

The woman in front of Kahlua was open and unresisting――winning is easy, easier than taking a candy from a baby.

But more difficult than anything.

"... after all, it's kind of cowardly."

Kalua didn't answer and dropped her shoulders.

"I know that Kahlua is kinder than anyone else... I was told that the basics of tactics are to understand your opponent and target their weaknesses."

Mia said and thrust her straight sword into Kalua's center of her chest――her heart.

Then, like a child, she smiled broadly.

"Now I've won. See, I was right, wasn't I?"

"... yes yes, Mia-sama's win."

As she gave up, Kahlua wiped her curved sword with her cloak and put it in the scabbard.

Mia hugged Kalua happily and laughed while looking tired.

"I'm sorry. ...I love that part of Kalua."

"How should I say it, geez."

Kalua sighed exasperated and pulled Mia's cheek.

Still, Mia smiles happily, and then she turned to Bazel.

"... I don't hate Bazel. It's true that I was happy... But I have something I want to do now. So――"

"Don't apologize, it will make me miserable"

Bazel falls on his buttocks as it is and, like Kalua, sighed with his shoulders slumped.

"Would I have had a chance before you left the village?"

"...Might be"

"...I see. That's all I need to hear."

Saying that, he closed his eyes and stood up.

He laughed and said 'to not to leave any regrets behind'.

"I'll take that as a lesson. Next time, I'll start from the beginning and go straight from the front."

"Hmm... No, I was really surprised because it was too sudden, and I think it's usually better to take a small step first..."

"... you"

Exasperated, Bazel scratched his head and looked at Kalua.

"...I'm leaving Mia to you. Even if I fight, I wouldn't even reach Mia's feet, so it's stupid to worry about Mia like this... but I want to say it."

"O.K. I understand. ...Fufu, Bazel-kun sure is a good man."

She chuckled and hit Mia on the head.

"If it's Bazel-kun, even if it's not Mia, I'm sure you'll find a good girl."

"Haha...there are hardly any people of the same age left in the village."

"Ah... that's a pity."

"Haah, should I just mix in with the carriage escort and go to the city.'

Kalua smiled wryly, and Bazel also smiled.

Then Bazel looks up at the sky and nodded once.

"Well then, see you later. You're leaving the morning of day after tomorrow, right?"

"yes"

"I'm going to see you off"

Saying so, Bazel turned his back and walked away.

Kalua looked at Mia exasperated.

"...it's a waste. Even though he's a good guy. Even though you might never get another chance."

"Shut up... even though Kalua will miss me when I'm gone."

"Hmm... that's right. Well, I won't deny it. I'm lonely."

"Y-yeah..."

"...why are you embarrassed when you said it yourself?"

"S-shut up"

Lightly tapping Mia's head whose face reddened, Kalua held out her hand.

"Let's go home"

"......yes"

Taking her hand, Mia smiled.

Kalua sighed several times today.

"Mia should explain it to Mirna-san. I'll pass."

"Why!? Let's persuade Okaa-san together."

"It's okay if it's the Mia just now, you;ll be fine....I'm tired anyway, also I'm an outsider."

"It's cunning to suddenly become an outsider like that!"

"Who is the cunning one here..."

And so the two of them walked on.

The night road shining in the crescent moon.

In the gray forest, only the beyong seemed to shine.