Running into Akira here was a completely unforeseen development. Allen had thought they might cross paths someday, but meeting her here of all places was a shock. And on top of that...
“Um...do you two know each other?”
Tilting his head, Allen glanced back and forth between Noel and Akira. From their words, that seemed to be the case...but it was definitely surprising. If it had been the other Noel, he could understand. But this one was the ruler of the Elven Forest, which meant she would hardly ever leave, while Akira, from what Allen had heard, wandered from place to place. Where in the world could the two of them have met? Maybe Akira had gone to the Elven Forest for some reason...
As Allen mulled this over, he suddenly felt someone’s gaze. Turning, he found Anriette staring at him in surprise. Not understanding why she would look at him like that, he tilted his head again.
“Um, what’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong? Are you seriously asking if those two know each other?”
“It’s common knowledge that the Elven Queen and the Saint support and aid the Champion. Of course they know each other. More than know each other,” said Mylène softly.
“It feels a little odd to call myself famous, but...yeah, it’s something most people know. Actually, I’ve been thinking it for a while, but you really don’t know a lot of things most people take for granted, do you?” said Noel skeptically.
“Ah, well...my background’s a little unusual.”
“Not prying or anything, but...did you grow up in a cave?” Anriette said teasingly.
“Something like that, yeah.” Allen gave a vague reply, accepting that this was simply how things were in this world. At the same time, one word stuck in his mind.
Saint.
In his own world, that had referred to Riese. Could it be the same here? If so, he might be able to learn something about her whereabouts. But how could he even ask without giving himself away? While he pondered, he again felt a strong gaze on him. This time it wasn’t Anriette, but Akira, staring at him sharply.
“Uh...is something wrong?”
“Did you make her mad when you said you didn’t know?” Mylène postured.
“Is the Champion really that petty?” asked Anriette.
“Of course not. I’m just being cautious. A Champion makes a lot of allies but just as many enemies.”
“Even after I said I didn’t know?”
“Feigning ignorance to lower another’s guard is a pretty standard trick. Makes sense to be wary. And a guy traveling with three girls? Looks suspicious enough to me.”
“Being doubted for that is a little unfair, don’t you think?”
It was probably Anriette’s way of joking, but Akira kept staring at Allen nonetheless. This might be genuine suspicion. Allen thought about how to dispel it, only for Akira to sigh first. When she looked back again, the wariness in her eyes was gone.
“Sorry. My guard just goes up when I see someone I don’t know.”
“No, it’s fine. It’s not like you harmed me or anything. Honestly, it’s natural.”
“Being a Champion’s rough, you know?”
“Well, of course. Some people see you as an enemy; others place expectations on you.”
“Both sound exhausting.”
“Yeah, it really is. It’s not like I’ve done anything in particular.” Akira shrugged, sounding genuinely tired.
But even Allen, who had only just spoken to her, doubted that was the whole truth.
Noel, who had seen Akira up close, gazed at her with clear exasperation. “‘Not like you’ve done anything? You can’t be serious.”
“Let’s see... The demons’ plots in Adastera’s capital, the assassination of the emperor, even thwarting the Hierophant’s schemes. Just the things I know of are huge incidents the Champion’s resolved. Saying you’ve done nothing isn’t humility, it’s insulting.”
“Even with help from the Saint and Noel, to say ‘nothing’ is going way too far.”
The three girls quickly shot down Akira’s claim, but she still shook her head stubbornly.
“It’s just the truth. If I went bragging about it, I’d be nothing but a fool. Don’t you agree?”
Allen didn’t know enough about this Akira to take sides. He only had scraps of rumor to go on. “Well...I guess it depends on how you look at it?”
He shrugged evasively. Both Akira and the others gave him dissatisfied looks, but there was no helping it. Better to stay vague than speak irresponsibly about what he didn’t know.
“Fine. That’s just like you, I suppose. More importantly, why are you here?”
“Yeah. If you’re the Champion, how’d you even get into the empire? They’re the reason everyone else hates foreigners. You shouldn’t even be able to.”
“Good point. Did you sneak in?”
“No way...” Allen thought that was impossible, but then Akira herself spoke up.
“Hm? No, Mylène’s right. The checkpoints aren’t perfect. I just slipped through.”
“Slipped through? What the hell?”
“Was that really necessary?”
“Which means...there’s something here worth risking that much for...?”
“I don’t sense anything right now, though...”
If Akira had gone so far as to sneak into the empire, maybe she knew something they didn’t. Or so Allen thought.
“You’re overthinking it. I came here for...personal reasons, that’s all.” Akira replied.
“Personal reasons? A place like this?” Noel’s skeptical look was unsurprising. Even Allen would have believed she was here on a top secret mission more readily.
“Sorry to disappoint, but it’s true. I came here to remember where I started,” Akira answered.
“To remember...? You’ve been here before?”
“This was the first place I ever came as a Champion. Not that I can say I fulfilled my role all that well.”
“I see...”
“So that’s what you meant by ‘remembering.’ And to think you came here too... Guess the world really is small.”
“Then maybe we interrupted you?”
“If anything, I interrupted you. Besides, my business here is done.”
“Huh?”
Before Allen could ask, Akira turned her back, as though ready to leave.
“You’re leaving already?”
“Yeah. I’ve finished what I came for. No reason to stay. Oh, right.”
She stopped mid-step, turned just her head, and looked at Noel.
“By the way, be careful. The demons seem to be scheming something.”
“The demons...?”
“Maybe too late?”
“Yes. They’ve already attacked once.”
“Well, demons see the Champion as their mortal enemy. And if you’re helping her, you’re targets too.”
“I see. Still, don’t think that’ll be the last of it. Be careful.”
“Of course. But thank you for the warning. It helps.”
“No need to thank me.”
With that, Akira finally left. She didn’t stop or look back, just kept walking until she vanished from sight.
“Seriously, what did she even come here for?” said Anriette.
“Does it matter? She said her part’s done,” said Noel.
“That’s true. And we’ve got our own mission to focus on,” Allen agreed.
“We should keep moving,” said Mylène.
“Right,” Noel nodded.
Though Allen was curious about Akira, they had work of their own. Turning their attention back to their purpose there, they set off once more.