Chapter 58
*
Alright, all you popular guys out there.
Tell me right now what you do when a woman is angry and you don't know why.
Please! I really need to know right now!
"Are you okay?"
Having been told to "wait right there," I was waiting as instructed when Erika knelt beside me and asked that question.
Erika's face, looking down at me, seemed genuinely worried and gentle, but I'm not sure if that's the "right" answer.
It's almost unbelievably gentle for someone who just kicked Oganight to the ground moments ago.
Popular guys! Popular guys! Help me out! I need advice right now!
Not having the option to stay silent when Erika asks me something, I try to squeeze out an answer, but my throat refuses to make a sound.
So when I respond with just a nod, Erika's right hand gently touches my throat, and with a gentle yet undeniable flow, she pushes my half-raised upper body back to the ground.
"Your throat still isn't feeling well, is it?"
Saying that, Erika activates her healing magic.
The magical energy flowing from her warm palm was indeed gentle.
She's not angry? Erika, are you not angry?
I thought that for just a moment before intense wrinkles formed between Erika's eyebrows.
Damn it, she's definitely angry.
Erika places her left hand on her forehead as if to hide the wrinkles between her eyebrows.
"Just how reckless were you...?"
"Well, even if you say that..."
I'm slightly surprised that a proper voice comes out of my throat.
"If I hadn't been reckless, I would've died facing that opponent."
"There's such a thing as moderation. There are hardly any uninjured parts on you. Honestly, it's a miracle you're still alive."
"I'm a bit better at healing magic than most people."
Well, it's limited to myself, though.
"Even so..."
Erika's face—could it be anxiety? Wrinkles form at the base of her eyebrows for a reason other than anger.
Ah, I see, no, that's not it, Erika. That's not the case.
"Above all, why didn't you run away?"
In a fleeting moment of hesitation that's hard to notice, Erika asks me that.
For some reason, I could clearly understand Erika's anxiety, even though I couldn't tell if she was angry or not.
I was absolutely certain of that.
"We are adventurers; we are adventurers now. It's only natural to run from an opponent you can't defeat."
This time, I clearly hesitate to speak.
"If the reason you didn't run away was because of me..."
"No, Erika."
I close my eyes and relax to truly feel the gentle, comforting magical energy.
I hide a wry smile behind the natural grin that spills out from the comfort.
"You might not believe me, but I'm serious about being the husband in this farce."
Since you're so smart, you've probably already jumped ahead and come up with an answer, right? You think I pushed myself to meet your expectations, don't you? You're regretting it again, as usual, aren't you?
On the other hand, dumb old me doesn't rush to conclusions.
"If I'm going to stand by your side, if I'm going to keep standing there, I can't run away from something like that."
Slowly, I start putting into words the reason I didn't run away, even now.
I shape my answer, the fact that I didn't even consider running away despite knowing I couldn't win.
"We haven't exchanged vows, but we're a married couple, aren't we? If so, I have to keep the vows of a married couple."
I open my eyes slightly to look at Erika's face.
Perhaps my words were unexpected, as her eyes are wide open with a surprised expression.
As if confirming something, Erika mutters to herself, a bit loudly.
"To give each other joy..."
"To share hardships..."
I pick up Erika's muttering and continue the words.
The marriage vows even a child would know.
"The hardships I share by your side seem pretty tough, so I can't run away from something like that, right?"
Erika gives a wry smile at my joking tone.
Inwardly, I shout at myself to step up here, unable to say it seriously at this moment.
"So in the end, isn't it still my 'fault'?"
"No, it isn't."
I gently peel Erika's hand off my throat and sit up.
My heart races belatedly at the lingering warmth of her hand on my throat.
"I didn't run away because I wanted to, for Erika's 'sake.' It's not Erika's 'fault.'"
"That's..."
As if not wanting to let something slip away, Erika wraps her right hand, which I peeled away, with her left hand, holding it to her chest like a gesture of prayer.
"Isn't that just an excuse?"
Erika laughs as if she's given up.
*
Thanks to Erika's healing magic, my body was in perfect condition.
I had consumed quite a bit of magical energy, but since I can only properly use physical enhancement and healing magic, which are efficient, it shouldn't be a problem.
Standing up, I mentally thank my sword as I return it to its sheath.
Erika, standing up as well, speaks.
"Although I said we'd share hardships, this time I made you bear the burden alone."
Suddenly, I wonder if the reason Erika was angry was because I fought a rare monster like Oganight all by myself.
In other words, isn't it unfair to fight a rare monster all alone?
Indeed, combat experience with a rare monster is nothing short of a golden opportunity for an adventurer.
No, don't overthink it, me. Let's just let this slide for now; there are things I need to say.
"I'll be more careful next time. Let's share things properly."
At my words, Erika raises one eyebrow suspiciously.
"Well, if we have time, I could explain just how seriously I'm trying to uphold the vows of a married couple."
I look straight into Erika's face.
Erika looks at my face with a serious expression.
"We don't have time."
Will she believe my words?
"Sister Shara is probably the enemy."