……
“Is… is that so? I understand.” Hearing the news from the front lines, Roland felt a sudden heaviness in his heart, and after a long while, he replied in a low voice, “How is your injury now?”
Another silent pause followed.
When he spoke again, it was several minutes later, “No, it's not your fault, and there shouldn't be any 'what ifs' at this time. Now that the threat on the front lines has been eliminated, come back for a long vacation and get some rest.”
After hanging up the phone, Roland leaned back in his chair and sighed deeply.
Nightingale seemed to have anticipated something, and instead of flashing to the table as usual, she walked to his side step by step, “Was that Leaf on the phone?”
“Yes.” Roland closed his eyes and said, “The war is over. The First Army captured Taqila at a minimal cost and discovered the half-built foundation in the God's Stone Mine. Although the ambush plan failed, the Demon Huntress was confirmed to be killed, and the curse no longer exists, which can be said to be a fortunate outcome amidst misfortune, but…” he paused, “Ashes and Elena didn't make it.”
“That… idiot?” Nightingale couldn't help but be stunned, then turned her head away.
“Lightning said that Ashes became a Transcendent at the end and perished with the devil. All that was left at the scene was a small piece of a melted sword hilt.” Roland said slowly.
Earlier, when he saw through the Illusion Instrument that the ambush site was being besieged by the enemy, he knew that there was a deviation in the plan. And from the devil's arrangement, it seemed as if they were specifically waiting for the witches to take action. Unfortunately, the light curtain could only see a corner of the battlefield, and after the Special Operations Group decided to withdraw to the west, they quickly disappeared from sight, leaving him anxious for the next day and a half.
At that moment, Roland had already made the worst plan in his heart.
The final result could be said to be much better than he had expected.
But even so, when he truly learned that there were casualties, he found that he couldn't relax at all.
After all, he had approved that ambush plan.
“Although that Ashes was arrogant and conceited, at least she was serious about every choice she made…” Nightingale placed her hand on the back of his hand, “And Elena even more so. I believe they were prepared for this. You don't have to put this responsibility on yourself—what you said to Leaf applies to you as well.”
Roland nodded. He still didn't understand why the devils could see through the entire operation in advance and even consider eliminating the witches more important than Taqila Holy City, but the fact could not be changed—as the leader of Graycastle and the United Front, he must not show any signs of dejection in front of everyone, no matter what difficulties and setbacks he encountered.
If even he fell into a slump, how could he support those who were even more heartbroken?
Like Tilly.
This was also the problem that Roland currently found most difficult to face.
From what Leaf relayed from Lightning's words, the relationship between the two was probably much closer than he had originally thought. Although Tilly did not appear to be grief-stricken at the time and still put transporting the injured first, the absentmindedness in her eyes could not be concealed—in Lightning's words, it was as if they had suddenly lost their luster. As for why the little girl wanted to secretly convey that last message to him, it was probably in the hope that he could properly comfort Tilly.
And this was precisely what Roland was least good at.
He could only take it one step at a time, he thought.
That afternoon, the Seagull returned to Neverwinter City.
The first batch of returning personnel were all witches who were not injured or whose minor injuries had healed. Those with more serious injuries still needed to recuperate in the front-line camp for a period of time to wait for NanaWawa to completely heal their wounds.
Roland personally led the remaining members of the alliance to the airport to welcome them back.
Anna, Agatha, Molly, Phyllis… everyone walked down the gangway one by one and hugged Scroll, Nightingale, Sharon, and others in turn. Ordinary clerks in the alliance, such as Ring, Grey Rabbit, and Pearl, were also among them—whether they were combat witches or non-combat witches, whether they were the new generation or survivors from the Association era, whether they were Awakened ones or ordinary people, at this moment, they had no difference.
The last one to come down was Tilly.
Roland walked up to her, “That…”
“Can I talk to you alone, brother?” Tilly raised her head and said.
……
Back in the castle office, Roland explained a few words to Nightingale and then closed the door himself.
“Alright, what do you want to say…” He had just turned around when he felt a sudden tightness in his chest and a figure leaned over.
“Don't move, please,” Tilly hugged him, her voice trembling slightly, “Let me lean like this for a while, it'll be better in a while…”
As she spoke, her voice already had a sob in it, and the fingers gripping his back became even more forceful, almost as if they were about to embed themselves in his flesh.
So that was it.
She was the same as him—as the guide for the Sleeping Spell, she must not show excessive sadness in front of everyone, and the deeper the emotions, the more painful it was to restrain them. It was already not easy to have persevered until now.
Roland gently patted her back and said, “There's no need to hold back anymore, cry it out, no one can hear you here…”
“Waa… Waa…”
Tilly first let out a burst of extremely suppressed sobs, then they became louder and louder, and finally she let out a wail that he had never heard before—not even when she was maliciously bullied by the Fourth Prince as a child had she been so sad. As if she had lost a treasure, her cries were filled with sorrow.
Verbal comfort was no longer important.
All he could do was accompany her to vent until the end.
……
At the same time, at the front-line camp.
The tent was lifted open, and Savvy walked in carrying a bowl of decocted medicine.
“Do I have to drink this stuff again?” Andrea said unclearly. Her legs were wrapped tightly in gauze, and her cheeks were covered with plasters—although they didn't have much therapeutic effect, the cold touch could at least offset some of her pain. “I can't drink it without sugar.”
“Then… should I ask the medical team for some?” Savvy hesitated.
“The medical team won't have any sugar. It's not like we're in Neverwinter City. Forget it, forget it, help me up.”
After Andrea sat up, she took the bowl and drank the bitter and pungent painkiller in one gulp.
“Cough, cough, is NanaWawa still busy? How long will I have to wait to be treated by her?”
“I asked. It'll take about three or four more days. She said that the injuries those God's Punishment Witches suffered were much more serious than yours, and she also said…”
“Said what?”
Savvy muttered in a low voice, “She also said that your leg injuries just look scary, but they're not fatal. Just obediently drink your medicine and get better.”
Andrea rolled her eyes. “I'm not that muscle monster. How could this level of injury heal naturally?”
The latter's eyes couldn't help but turn red.
“Okay,” Andrea coughed twice, “I didn't say anything.”
“No…” Savvy shook her head, “I just felt that the expression on your face just now was a bit like Ashes, so I couldn't help but…”
“I'm like her? What are you tal—" She frowned, and then forcefully suppressed it. It sounds a bit vulgar to say it like that, um... noble demeanor, noble demeanor. “That… I'm just a little tired. You should go back and rest too. Remember to tell Lightning or Macy in advance next time and ask them to bring back some honey when they're patrolling. At least it'll make drinking medicine easier for me.”
“Um, I understand.”
“Thanks.”
After Savvy left, Andrea found that she couldn't calm down.
Knowing that someone is trying to be brave and will eventually become a Transcendent, do you think you're the Queen of the Fallen Star?
It's all good now, you killed the Demon Lord and became a hero who saved everyone. If it was just that, it would be fine—
She lay down again and covered her face with her hand.
…Damn it, didn't you ever consider…
Turning into
How you are now, how can I ever surpass you again?