Was he still worried that I was throwing myself into the jaws of death with no regard for my own safety?
I bowed my head apologetically. “I’m sorry for how unbelievably selfish I’m being.”
I’d lost count of how many times I’d apologized. I doubted any number of bows would ever make up for what I was doing, but I just couldn’t help myself.
“Come on, Philia,” said Sir Osvalt, sounding panicked by the sight of me bowing. “Look up. I’m not against your decision anymore. If I was, I wouldn’t have gone through the trouble of persuading my brother.”
“Sir Osvalt?” I lifted my head to find him gazing at me with distress.
“Even so, I can’t tell you how frustrated I feel. The woman I love is about to put her life on the line, and all I can do is pray,” Sir Osvalt said, telling me how he felt.
I couldn’t comprehend his feelings. He’d accepted my egoistic, self-centered behavior, and even helped get Prince Reichardt on my side. Why, after everything he’d done, did he still feel useless?
“Listen to me, Sir Osvalt. To tell you the truth, it made me happy that you were so desperate to stop me. At that moment, I could feel your love.”
“Philia?”
“It made me happy when you said you’d help persuade Prince Reichardt to give me permission, too. I could tell how much you cared. Now I’m sure I can’t live without you.”
These self-centered remarks might upset him, but I was desperate to get them off my chest. I wanted him to know how much I needed him.
“Sir Osvalt,” I continued, pouring every ounce of gratitude I could muster into my words, “meeting you has been the greatest blessing of my life, and being loved by you is the most astonishing miracle. I’m so grateful. In this moment, I’m truly happy.”
Sir Osvalt froze, his eyes widening. His face gradually turned as red as a tomato, and it wasn’t long before his ears were bright red as well.
Wh-what was the matter?
“You can be so direct sometimes. It’s adorable.”
“Wh-what do you mean?”
“What is there to explain?”
“But I don’t understand…”
I’d always been told that I lacked charm, but every now and then Sir Osvalt would come out with a remark that threw me for a loop. I couldn’t put my finger on why, but these comments sent a rush of heat coursing through my entire body.
He pulled me into a tight, reassuring embrace. It felt like he’d never let me go. “I’m thankful for the miracle that lets me hold you like this, Philia.”
“Oh, Sir Osvalt…”
“Please don’t die,” Sir Osvalt whispered, sounding heartbroken. “I don’t think I could cope with a world where I wasn’t able to touch you.”
I felt the same way. If it weren’t for his warmth, I would have given up long ago.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make it back alive with the Moontear Flower in hand. I’d hate to die before I could marry you, Sir Osvalt.”
“That reminds me. I’m really looking forward to seeing you in your wedding dress, Philia.”
“Oh, Sir Osvalt…” I laughed.
We gazed into one another’s eyes and smiled. Then we settled down with a pot of black tea and waited for Mia to rise.
“Good morning, Philia. Good morning, Prince Osvalt.”
As soon as Mia woke up, we prepared for departure. There wasn’t much to pack, so it didn’t take long.
“There’s a good chance that you’ll come back empty-handed, but you two are my best pupils. You must come back alive. If you find yourselves in any danger, turn back. I’ll be waiting for you.”
These were Mother’s parting words.
Her dewy eyes were filled with a tenderness I’d never seen before. She must have been holding back tears.
“You’re not crying, are you, Mother?”
“Mia!”
Stunned by her bluntness, I glanced at Mia. Despite the tense circumstances, she was wearing her usual mischievous smile.
“I am, Mia. The thought of you coming back and not being able to resume your proper training almost brought me to tears.”
For a second, Mother shot us a cold glare. There was nothing that scared me more than the intimidating air she gave off.
“Ugh. I was just trying to lighten the mood, but now I’m not even sure if I’ll survive what awaits me when I make it back alive…”
“Be careful who you joke with.”
“Hehe, you’re right. In that case, I guess I’ll have to come back alive so I can learn from my mistake,” Mia said in a carefree tone, flashing a smile. It was reassuring to see her acting like her usual self.
“Well, well,” said Erza as she and Mammon walked up. “The archsaint and her sister are about to risk their lives, and yet they’re both remarkably calm. Perhaps you two would be more suited to being exorcists than saints.”
“Cool Philia and charming Mia. They’re both treasures. On that note, are you ready for me to open this portal?”
After Erza complimented us on our composure, Mammon concentrated the magic power inside his body and posed the all-important question.
It was finally time to head to the Volcanic Miasma Zone and collect the Moontear Flower.
“Yes. I’m ready when you are.”
“Like Philia, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”
We both nodded and looked at Mammon.
On our cue, Mammon sent out his magic, causing a large door adorned with sinister-looking embellishments to appear in front of us.
“Philia! Keep faith. I’ll be waiting for you! And Lady Mia, take care of Philia for me!”
Sir Osvalt’s reassuring cry filled me with energy. We responded with words of reassurance.
“Thank you so much, Sir Osvalt. I promise I’ll make it back alive!”
“Don’t worry, Prince Osvalt. I’d never let Philia die!”
I wasn’t scared of anything anymore. I could confidently state that I was primed for our expedition, both mentally and physically.
“Now that you’ve said goodbye to your hubby,” said Mammon, “I’ve linked the door to your desired location.”
Mammon opened the gate and ushered us inside.
“Ready?”
“Yup. We’ve got this, Philia.”
Mia and I exchanged glances, nodded at one another, and stepped through the gate.
For a brief moment, everything went dark—but just as quickly, we found ourselves staring at a bleak, barren wasteland.