Chapter 25

Chapter 5 Total War 1 “Should you really be here, Alma?” Alma stopped cutting the apple in her hand at that question and glanced over at Natalie, who was sitting beside her. They were currently in Natalie’s room on the base. Alma had come to check on her as she lay in bed. Natalie’s condition wouldn’t improve even if she stayed in the infirmary, so she mostly chose to rest in her room to avoid troubling the people around her more than strictly necessary. And because Alma was almost always with her, the amount of time she spent there had grown significantly, too. “Everyone else has gone to the hangar. You should be going soon, too.” “…Mmm…” Natalie winced slightly at that half-hearted response. Alma had stayed by her side almost constantly after finding out about her condition. Honestly, that had been the biggest surprise. And a blessing that she could not begin to express. Shannon and Lisbeth had both been there as well until just a little while earlier. While waiting at the ready for the decisive battle to begin, they had sworn to do everything in their power, and Natalie had shared her own words of encouragement. For an outsider, it might have been a bit of an odd sight, since they would all be risking their lives in a deadly sky just for a chance to save Natalie. “It’s all mixed up…,” Natalie murmured quietly. She was, of course, grateful that they cared so much about her. However, she had secretly resolved herself to her fate back when the sapling first appeared in her chest, and the idea that she might possibly be saved by defeating Mistletoe was a hope that had appeared out of nowhere. “This battle is to blaze a new path for humanity…to ensure Gjallarhorn is completed. You should not—” “No.” “Still adamant, I see.” Alma shook her head, refusing to acknowledge Natalie’s position. They had had the same exchange several times during the past five days. In the end, Alma’s stubbornness did not subside on the day of the battle. Even with the fight mere minutes away, that didn’t change. “This is where I can focus best.” “” “I’m going to fight… I won’t make the wrong choice this time.” Everyone had their own way of maintaining peak condition, so Natalie didn’t think Alma was lying. The small Valkyrie before her flew by storing up the rage inside her heart. Natalie understood that, and so she did not try to quell that anger. But at least— “Then at least promise me this, Alma. If you get a chance to defeat Mistletoe, don’t let it slip away.” “Of course.” Natalie held out her pinkie. Alma did not hesitate, nodding as she intertwined her own with Natalie’s. The next moment after they exchanged their promise, the siren began ringing. The sound signaled the appearance of Mistletoe and the beginning of an unavoidable battle. “Eat your apple and wait for me.” “Yes, I understand… Best of luck to you, Alma.” “You too, Natalie.” Picking up one of the apple slices, Alma put it into her mouth. Biting into the bittersweet fruit, she started running. Just this once, she would take flight not out of wrath but to save someone.