Chapter 65

But what can I do? If I run now, I’d be basically leaving her to die. That would be embarrassing… His vision blurred, and nausea was slowly rising from his stomach. Ahh, I wish I’d talked more with Shiren today… I won’t be able to come home n— —Don’t die. A voice echoed in his head. What’s this? God? —I’m telling you. Don’t die. Okay, but this really isn’t up to me… —This is a command to you, minion. Don’t die! Obey your master’s orders! My master? Wait, this isn’t Shiren, is it…? —Unfortunately, it seems like Shiren hasn’t made you her minion. So is this Alfoncina, then? The only other Sacred Blooded that had bitten Ryouta besides Shiren were Alfoncina and Tamaki. The relationship between master and minion wasn’t just a social thing. The two could engage in a type of telepathy. —You can’t die just yet, Ryouta. It’s not too late to have more fun with me, don’t you think? But I don’t really have much blood left… —Oh, now don’t get the wrong idea. This is an order. An order from master to minion. Don’t die, don’t die, don’t die, don’t die, don’t die. Live, live, live, live, live, live, live, live. You will live, Ryouta Fuyukura! Those orders are kind of harsh… —Do not do to others what you do not wish for yourself, Confucius once said. It essentially means what you think it means. Conversely, do to others what you would have them do to you. That is how I live my life. You want someone to tell you to live, right, Ryouta? You don’t want someone to tell you to give up. Wow. Well, you are the author of YouRou IKou… You’re right, though… I want to live. —On your feet, then. Stand up. This wouldn’t have happened if you’d given up on Sasara, though. Or if you declared that you would make her happy by marrying her. But I rather foresaw that you wouldn’t have done that. But I can’t say for certain if I don’t know. Why do I have to give an answer right away? No one has the right to order me or Sasara to do that. —I’d expect nothing less of you, Ryouta. You’ve deliberately chosen the thorny path. But I suppose that’s just part of your grandfather’s curse~. Wait, was giving orders to a minion supposed to come with a thorough conversation like this…? I thought you could only do simple requests… —Don’t underestimate the archbishop~. And it means that I am serious about this. Carry out the orders. Do your duty. The message from Alfoncina cut off. He had no choice but to do it. Ryouta planted his foot firmly on the ground one more time. Slowly, he stood atop the rocks, and he was surprised at how easy it was. His head was spinning, but he managed it. He couldn’t exactly disobey his orders anyway. Toraha could hardly believe what he was seeing. “You didn’t think I’d stand, did you…? Sorry, but I’m a sore loser…” “This can be your win…,” Toraha muttered, apparently ready to bolt at any second. “You’re right. My sincerity has nothing to do with Lady Sasara’s feelings. I have no right to control her.” Even though he was on the brink of death, Ryouta had emerged victorious. But whether he would be able to stay alive was a different question entirely. Toraha could tell that Ryouta had nothing left. “You have incredible willpower. But you cannot do any more. Without further ado—” Toraha brought his sword down on Ryouta. But another blade stopped it. “I do not think this is over.” Sasara had stepped in to help, and not a moment too soon. “We are not doctors. We should leave him in the hands of professionals now. And…” Her eyes were burning with the will to save Ryouta. “Masatsuna, can you risk your life to keep me from helping him?” “Oh, ah—” “Answer me!” “I—I’m sorry! I overstepped my boundaries!” Toraha folded. “You may not be aware of this, but this boy is more resilient than anyone I’ve ever known. I am certain he will be all right. I will save him. Can you grab my shoulder?” Sasara slowly knelt before Ryouta. “Y-yeah… I think…” He thought he felt pain shoot through him when Sasara took him up on her back, but he was too numb to be sure. All he could feel was her body heat. “Ah, it’s so warm…” “I am not wearing armor today.” “I’m getting blood on your clothes… Sorry…” “It does not matter, so long as we can get you back alive.” Would he be able to survive that? He figured his chances were about fifty-fifty—much better than they had been before, at any rate. When he first collapsed, he’d assumed it was all over. “Ryouta Fuyukura, you are a true samurai. I guarantee it,” Toraha admitted. “Oh, thanks…,” Ryouta replied. “If you can live through this, then I will treat you to an assortment of tops and milk caps.” “Oh, no thanks… Well, maybe I should take it…” Ryouta Fuyukura didn’t have any money anyway, so maybe that was the perfect gift. “Lady Sasara, I…I’m terribly sorry for causing you trouble…” “If you have time to be apologizing to me,” Sasara interjected, smiling with great maturity, “then you should be praying for his safety.” “A-all right!” “Let us hurry!” Sasara dashed away. “I will run all the way to the cable car station, all right?!” It felt like her ankles were going to give out. She hadn’t expected to come up the mountain in the first place, so she hadn’t prepared for such a long run. She couldn’t imagine worse conditions. But she had to do this. She was going to save Ryouta. That was all she could do. Her back was hot; she could feel the heat and blood from his body. “Sorry, Sasara…” “Ah, you can still talk. Then you should be all right.” “I hope so…” “I am afraid you must survive this. You told me you would talk with me if I had any concerns. I would very much not like not to lose you.” “Yeah, you’re right… I did say that…” “And you may be the one to become my husband.” “Huh…? Oh, yeah…” Ryouta couldn’t see her face, but she was sure he was blushing. “Do you think I was joking or sincere?” “Huh?” “It is a secret.” Hee-hee-hee. There was an affectionate smile in her voice.