The Riefenstahls’ argument was rapidly intensifying. Poor Fiene, who had been left behind, looked like she was about to cry as their voices and glares became harsher and harsher.
Personally, I also thought the problem would be resolved if Baldur went with Fiene. Why was Lieselotte making such a fuss about it?
“Liese, what’s gotten into you?” Baldur asked, exasperated. “You’ve been awfully snappy about this, and you’re even making accusations. Are you jealous of Miss Fiene, who Prince Siegwald recognizes as a friend?”
His words made Lieselotte’s anger go up a notch. At least, it felt that way as she looked up at Baldur, fury in her eyes. However, she then did an about-face, speaking quietly and indifferently. “You seem determined to make it sound like I’m bullying Miss Fiene, when I’m simply concerned about your lack of ability and self-conceit. Oh, I have an idea. Shall we compete to see who can defeat more monsters in the cleanup? Me versus the two of you. I’ll prove how inferior you are.”
All right, no. Even Lieselotte would be at a disadvantage in a two-on-one competition. Also, she can’t be thinking rationally if she’s considering venturing into the mountains alone when a grizzly bear appeared just the other day. I thought the problem would be solved if Baldur accompanied Fiene, but it’s become such a mess that I can no longer stand back and watch. Baldur and Lieselotte are normally as close as siblings. Why is this happening?
I made up my mind to intervene, but just as I stepped forward, the Voices of the Gods rang out from the heavens.
“Sieg, stop them right now,” Lady Kobayashee said. “If they go into the mountains and run into the boss monster, Bal and Fiene might get KO’d, and then it’s game over. It’s dangerous for Liese-tan too. You should group up with as many people as you can.”
What?! The color drained from my face. I didn’t understand some of those words, but did she say there’s a monster that can defeat Bal and Fiene?!
“Everyone, wait!” I shouted on reflex.
“P-Prince Siegwald...” Lieselotte lowered her head, her face pale for some reason.
Baldur gave a silent bow.
“Huh? Ah, Your Highness?!” Fiene said, reacting a bit later than the other two.
“I’m sorry for interrupting you,” I said. “Raise your heads. I received a divine prophecy just now. There is an extremely powerful monster in these mountains, and we should group up with as many people as possible.” In my haste, I only relayed the essential points.
“What?!” the three shouted.
Fiene was clearly flustered. Behind her, Lieselotte and Baldur made eye contact, nodded to each other, and looked at me with tense expressions. Their communication was so smooth; it was as if their quarrel had never happened. It made me feel rather conflicted.
“When you go to the mountains, a basilisk is going to appear,” Lady Kobayashee said. “I’ll tell you the location later just in case, but even if you don’t go there, it’ll probably come after Fiene anyway. The basilisk can inflict paralysis and petrification, which will prevent you from moving, so it’ll be safer if you have multiple people who can use healing magic. It’d be best if you could all go together and bring Art with you.”
“Bal specializes in close-range attacks, so if he and Fiene go on their own, it’ll be over the moment Fiene gets stuck,” Lord Endoh added.
I see. Baldur and Fiene would indeed struggle against a basilisk. It’ll be better if Lieselotte and I go with them, since we’re all-rounders who can use healing magic. It’ll be even more reassuring if Art’s with us.
I acknowledged Lord Endoh and Lady Kobayashee with a subtle nod and declared, “The gods have foretold that Miss Fiene will encounter a basilisk today! Everyone here, along with the priest Artur Richter, are to combat it together.”
“What? A basilisk?!” Baldur’s face turned pale.
“To think such a fearsome monster would appear in these mountains...” Lieselotte murmured.
The remaining person—that is, Fiene—seemed lost. “Basilisks are...those snakes that don’t have any edible parts despite being so huge, right?” She tilted her head.
Her complete lack of urgency threw me off guard. How do I explain this...?
“I-It’s not a matter of edible or inedible!” Lieselotte shouted. “A basilisk’s body contains many types of poison, you know? It’s also said that it can petrify people with its gaze. If you don’t have anyone to heal you when it paralyzes or petrifies you, you’ll be the one swallowed whole!”
“Eek! Oh, so the poison is why it’s inedible—and dangerous!” Fiene shuddered, finally grasping the gravity of the situation.
Lieselotte huffed. “Yes. You and Bal are not going to be able to handle it alone. It’d be fine if you stayed back and focused on healing, but if you went in front and got paralyzed, Bal wouldn’t be able to heal you.”
“Yeah... I don’t think I’d be able to stay put in the back,” Fiene said.
“I don’t recall you being good with a wand in the first place, despite being a healer.”
“I’ve been practicing, but when I’m more than a meter away, I get restless...”
“How absurd.” Lieselotte shook her head. “You ought to either take lessons from someone skilled with the wand or closely observe such a person and mimic them.”
“I understand...”
“Bal is useless on that front as well, because the Riefenstahl sword has unique properties. Besides, even without knowing about the basilisk, you should’ve been wary of the mountains since a grizzly bear appeared just the other day!”
“Yes...”
As Lieselotte’s criticism grew more and more heated, Fiene’s head lowered further and further in dejection.
Baldur cut in, a stern expression on his face. “Hey, Liese, that’s enough. You’re not wrong, but why do you have to be so hard on Miss Fiene?”
“I’m merely saying what needs to be said,” Lieselotte said. “I don’t think I’d be doing Miss Fiene any favors if I spoiled her irresponsibly like you do.”
Sparks flew as their eyes met.