2. For Her Sake
At the end of the day, it was Lexia’s routine to keep a diary. However, this diary was rarely filled with cheerful topics.
――Today was sunny. However, we made very little progress. It’s my fault.
――It’s raining today. I was physically ill and I couldn’t move on. It’s my fault.
(I know it’s my fault.)
…… by blaming herself, in some respect she believes she wants to get some forgiveness, but Lexia can’t forgive herself.
Even if she wanted to be strong and stay strong, Lexia had no power.
It is said that the more one uses their skills, the more powerful they become.
However, in this party, Lexia’s skill is rarely ever needed to begin with.
As they are all so capable, Lexia’s 《Recovery》 is not often necessary.
Eddie and Meik, who work on the frontlines, sometimes rely on it, but they are still powerful.
They are able to defeat enemies faster than they can be injured……. the more she thinks about it, the more she starts to believe that she is unnecessary.
“No, this is not good enough, I should be more――”
“Lexia, are you awake?”
“Ah, Mr. Act…? What’s wrong?”
It was Act who suddenly called out. He rarely spoke to her.
“I wonder if you could come with me for a bit. I’m going to do some scouting.”
“Eh, ah, okay…!”
She hadn’t expected to be invited by Act, but she thought she was needed, so she quickly got ready.
With the other three scouting in different directions, Lexia and Act headed towards the hill a short distance from the tent……. the hill is only a rise, but the foothold is quite poor.
If you lose your footing, you will fall headlong into the abyss from which the chilling voices emanate. ――Just imagining it brings chills.
As Act walks in front of Lexia, he suddenly opens his mouth.
“Lexia, what do you think of the current situation?”
“What do you mean…?”
“The current state of this party. How do you intend to help this party in the future?”
“Oh!”
The point that Act was trying to make was immediately understood by Lexia. For some time, Act had been poking at Lexia in some way. In contrast to Meik, he probably thinks that Lexia is unnecessary for this party.
“I think if you get hurt, I have a role to play.”
“Yes, that’s true. But that’s passive talk. Frankly, there are few people in our party who will get hurt enough to need you. If we did come across such enemies, you’d only be a liability. Don’t you agree?”
Lexia chokes up at Act’s words.
There’s nothing wrong with what Act says – Lexia is here at the indulgence of Meik’s words. That’s the reason she can stay here.
“No one else will say it outright, so let me be the only one to say it. You are not needed in this party. 《Recovery》 is certainly rare, but it would be better to have someone who can contribute more to combat. In fact, in our party, it should not be too difficult to have someone who can heal and fight. But as long as you’re here, Meik won’t consider adding a new member into the party.”
“Are you saying you want me to convince Meik?”
Somehow, she understood what Act was trying to say.
If they talked about it, Meik might agree and allow Lexia to leave the party.
That way, a new member can fill the 《Recovery》 role for the party.
That would be a more efficient way to conquer the unexplored land.
“I…”
Honestly, she was at a loss– to give an answer.
If she was thinking about Meik, it would be better if Lexia left.
But Lexia wants to be helpful to Meik… Surely, the day will come when she will be useful.
“I—”
“Oh, I don’t want to hear your answer.”
“Huh?”
Feeling a strong wind on her body, Lexia loses her balance.
Immediately behind her is an opening in the ground, into the dark, bottomless abyss.
Lexia falls straight into the hole – barely holding on as she clings to the ground.
Then, Act mercilessly stomps on Lexia’s hand.
“Ah, wh-what ar…”
“I’m the kind of person who says things out loud, and the kind of person who gets things done. You’re not going to leave this party by any means, are you? I know that… so I have decided to have you die.”
“W, why…!”
“I just told you. You’re too slow to understand. As long as you’re alive, Meik will try to keep you in this party. But Meik herself really doesn’t want you in the party.”
“W, what do—”
What Act took out was a crystal.
The images recorded in it, and the figure of the girl reflected. – Meik and Act.
[Do you really think she should be in this party?]
[…… no I don’t.]
“Huh?”
Hearing those words, Lexia screams.
Lexia has always been at this party because Meik wanted her there.
She had been spoiled by his kindness―― but it was different.
[I don’t need her.]
A few words to follow. Meik made it clear that she didn’t need Lexia.
She doesn’t want to believe it – she doesn’t want to believe it, but the voice was definitely Meik’s. Act throws the crystal into the abyss.
“Do you understand? You are unnecessary.”
“I, I ……Ah.”
Act tries to kick Lexia off with all the strength in his leg.
She desperately tries to catch him, but her already weak body can’t muster the strength.
To Lexia, who is about to fall, Act smiles and says.
“You’re not needed, but you’re going to drag her down to live?”
“――”
That one statement broke Lexia’s heart.
She believed that the day would come when she could be of help because she’s needed.
However, what they needed is not “someday” but “now”.
Lexia, who had only seen such an impossible future, was not needed by Meik from the beginning……. this fact fills Lexia’s heart.
“At least die so that you can be the reason for her to fight.”
“Ah—”
With those words, Act knocked Lexia down to the bottom of the abyss.
She disappeared into the darkness with the despair that ruled her heart.
Sads Translates 