Though both were girls of extraordinary beauty, an unmistakable chasm separated them.
At the end of the day, Anna was merely a civilian. In contrast, Ais Wallenstein was a veteran who had been tempering herself in the depths of the Dungeon since the age of seven. Her standing as a Level 6 adventurer wasn't just a title; it was the accumulation of a thousand life-and-death battles.
Under the piercing gaze of those golden eyes, Anna felt the oxygen in the room thin out. Her body trembled—a primal, instinctive reaction, much like a prey animal realizing a peak predator has locked its sights onto it.
"Ais. Calm down. You're scaring Anna." Aishia finally intervened, her voice clear and firm. "I know you're deeply worried about Charlie, but that's no excuse to intimidate her."
"Charlie once said, 'A brave man grows angry and draws his sword against the strong; a coward grows angry and draws his sword against the weak.' Which type are you?"
The rebuke struck Ais like a douse of cold water. She flinched, realizing her aura had slipped out of control. Slowly, the suffocating pressure faded. Ais lowered her head slightly, a shadow of regret crossing her face.
"I'm sorry. I lost control."
"I-It's okay..." Anna patted her chest repeatedly, struggling to catch the breath that had been caught in her throat as she let out a sigh of relief.
"Anna, tell us everything you know." Aishia said. "That night, Charlie came home in terrible condition and collapsed the moment he stepped through the door. I've tried everything—healing magic, potions, even an Elixir—but nothing has had any effect on him."
Among all those who knew Charlie, there was no doubt that Aishia cared most for his well-being. She had been by his side since shortly after he had reincarnated into this world.
How could she not be worried? But she knew that worry changed nothing. Her focus remained entirely on finding a solution.
"Just as I thought... Charlie-san must have been hurt that night, but he hid it so well so I wouldn't panic." Anna suppressed a sob and began to recount the sequence of events she had witnessed.
Before long, both Aishia and Ais learned that Charlie had been involved in the destruction of the El Dorado Resort—a bloody tragedy that had claimed many important figures and five gods simultaneously.
Aishia didn't seem surprised. Her speculations were confirmed. The timing of the incident and Charlie's wounded state were far too synchronized to be a mere coincidence.
Ais, however, watched Anna with a gaze that had turned somewhat sour. An uncomfortable feeling crept into her heart. Her lover had been gravely injured saving another woman—as a woman herself, it was impossible to remain entirely indifferent.
(What exactly is the relationship between Charlie and this girl? Could it be...)
The thought flashed through her mind. Imagining the possibility that the florist beside her was a mistress or a "third party." Ais unilaterally labeled Anna a vixen in her heart. Yet, she suppressed the feeling deep down; waking Charlie was far more urgent than confronting Anna now.
"I see... Based on your explanation, it's highly likely Charlie suffered a backlash while using Hundred Gauntlets to track the mastermind behind the conspiracy."
With the information from Anna, Aishia finally managed to piece together the puzzle of why Charlie had ended up in such a pitiable state. If she were the second person to understand Charlie best, no one would dare claim the first. Aishia understood him better than he understood himself.
Thus, she accurately diagnosed the reason behind Charlie's dire situation.
"I want to see him." Ais said suddenly. Her voice was flat, but the tone left no room for negotiation.
"I-I do too... please let me see Charlie-san." Anna added softly, her eyes still puffy even though she had wiped away her tears.
Aishia looked from one to the other, then nodded.
"Follow me."
She walked toward the corridor to the left of the living room, passing several doors before finally stopping at a room at the end of the hall. Aishia opened the door slowly.
The air inside was cool and slightly damp, like the air after a fresh rain. Sunlight streamed through a half-open window, bathing the room in warmth.
And there, on a medium-sized bed, lay a white-haired man with his eyes closed.
Sitting at the edge of the bed, a silver-haired loli held the man's hand tightly with both of her tiny hands. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her violet eyes stared at Aishia and the two visitors with a cold, unwelcoming expression.
This was Charlie's other contracted spirit, Terminus Est.
Est knew Anna because she often accompanied Charlie to buy flowers. But as for Ais, she only knew her as an acquaintance of her master whom she occasionally saw in passing.
"Aishia. Why did you bring them here? Onii-chan needs quiet."
She didn't let go of Charlie's hand. Her small fingers seemed incredibly protective, as if she feared her master would vanish if she released her grip.
Aishia approached and knelt beside Est to match the little girl's eye level.
"They came because they're worried, Est. Just like you."
Ais and Anna moved toward the side of the bed.
Anna's steps felt heavy, her legs as if they were made of lead. When she finally stood beside the bed and saw Charlie's face up close—a face that was usually kind with a faint smile—it looked so pale and fragile.
Her legs gave out.
Anna fell to her knees on the wooden floor, her hands covering her mouth to stifle the sobs threatening to burst from her chest. But the tears fell first, soaking her cheeks and dripping onto the floor.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, Charlie-san..." Her voice was broken, barely audible. "This is all... it's all because of me. If you hadn't saved me... you wouldn't be suffering like this. It's all my fault!"
"..."
Meanwhile, Ais stood perfectly still, stiff as a statue. Yet, behind her flat expression, a fire of hatred began to ignite in her eyes.
She didn't blame Anna directly; her rage was focused on the mastermind behind all this. She vowed that whoever the bastard was that tried to kill the man she loved, they would pay a staggering price.
"Anna."
Seeing Anna's breakdown, Aishia stepped forward. She helped the florist stand up, holding her shoulders gently but firmly.
"Stop blaming yourself, Anna. Crying until your eyes go dry won't wake Charlie up." Aishia said calmly. "Charlie is the type of person who can't stand idly by in the face of injustice. He chose to save you because those are his principles. If he knew you were grieving like this, he would feel like he failed as your savior."
Ais turned her head slightly, listening to Aishia's words. She knew it was true. That was the Charlie she knew—a man far too kind for his own good. Yet, that didn't lessen the tightness currently filling her chest.
"What can we do to wake him up?"
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