Erick's POV:
It's been a few days since ### woke up.
After talking it over with her, we decided to rest until my joints and ####'s burns healed enough to head for a nearby town. Although we thought everything would be peaceful until we began our journey, an unexpected element knocked on our door.
*I hope you're not talking about me, young hero*
- WHOA!
I impulsively jump to the side at the sudden voice in my head. There, in front of me, is a red light that might seem completely familiar if not for its obvious lack of tact.
*I don't quite understand what you mean by tact, young hero.*
I can only sigh at the spirit in front of me. I lose myself in my thoughts as I lean on the crimson one-handed axe I have with me.
...............…..
- H-here you go…
- Thank you…
#### passes me a piece of bark that has been polished somehow. Inside is what was once a rabbit, with some wild potatoes and a few herbs floating freely in the makeshift bowl. Without another word, she takes another bark and places some more food on it. We both lean against the tree as we slowly sip our food.
- …. Nice weather, isn't it?
- Y-yes, it's excellent weather to be outside…
Conversation dies again as we both focus on continuing to sip our food. The atmosphere is so heavy that no one says anything as we silently eat our food. The events of yesterday during the meal make it impossible for me to look at her without being embarrassed. When I asked her afterward if she'd noticed anything, she just gave me a motherly look while telling me she didn't know what I was talking about. That small consideration from #### was enough to send all my composure plummeting.
- I've never cried in front of someone like that before...
I bury my face in my hands as she occasionally glances at me. It's in moments like this that I'm grateful her hearing isn't that great. I shake my head slightly in an attempt to clear my mind as I think about the events that led us to this moment.
"Really... Vulk's absence is too heavy."
I look at my recovering hand with some frustration. I still can't hear her or call out to her. I also can't draw out the sacred weapon bestowed upon me through Vulk. After that day, Vulk had suddenly disappeared. No matter how hard I tried to find her presence or searched the surrounding area, I was unable to find her. The fact that #### hasn't asked about Vulk until now leads me to believe she has some idea about his disappearance. Even though I yearn for an answer, I don't want to force her to talk.
- I wish I could know what happened to her...
*That can be fixed.*
- Vulk??
I jump up, throwing my food to the floor as I hear a voice echo in my head. #### is startled by my sudden movements as she looks at me in surprise. Ignoring her puzzled look, I search around for any trace of a crimson sphere. I finally find a red sphere with orange hues. I rush toward it without thinking.
- Vulk, you have no idea how much I missed you.
*…. Forgive me, young hero, but you're mistaking me for another spirit.*
Hearing that response in an artificial tone, I immediately freeze as I stare in disbelief at the ball of light in front of me.
- … You're not Vulk?
*I'm afraid that's correct, my lord.*
- …. If you're not Vulk, who are you?
*Allow me to introduce myself, young one. I am currently one of the spirits under the control of the angel Camael, Ifrit, a mid-ranking spirit. I have been sent here to relieve the superior spirit Vulk of her duties and to guide the hero along the right path.*
I stare in astonishment at the spirit Ifrit as it hovers completely still in one place.
- Could you tell me what happened to Vulk?
*About that...
- Wait!"
Before Ifrit could answer my question, #### steps between me and Ifrit. For some reason, she seems desperate.
- ###? Is something wrong?
She looks down at the ground for a few moments while seemingly searching for the right words. Finally, after a while, she timidly raises her head and looks at me.
- Could you not ask about that right now?
- ...Could you tell me why?
She stares at me for a few moments. I can only smile and slowly stroke her head.
- Okay. If you want, I'll wait.
*Are you sure?*
- …Yes, I'm sure.
A look of relief fills his face upon hearing my decision.
............
*Young hero, I would appreciate it if you wouldn't ignore me so blatantly.*
A sudden voice brings me back to the real world. Since that day, Ifrit has accompanied us, just as Vulk did. I gaze fondly at the crimson-orange ball in front of me.
- Don't worry about it, it's nothing important. More importantly, were you able to determine if any kind of enemy is approaching?
*…. I've detected signs of approximately 50 people approaching from various directions.*
- I see.
I can't help but sigh at the news.
- If they had delayed for another day or two, we could have escaped properly, but it seems this is no longer an option. I can't have a hectic trip with #### in that state, can I?
The axe in my hand heats up as I head off to greet our guests.
- Ifrit, I need you to do me a favor.
*Anything you need*
- …Take care of little ####.
*… I understand. I'll focus on eliminating the enemies in the rear so I can go support you later*
- Uh? No, I don't want you to do that. I just want you to build a wall around her to protect her from attacks. Don't worry about the attackers, I'll take care of them.
With axe in hand, I look at the forest in front of me, picturing our guests in my mind.
- I couldn't call myself a hero if I had to rely on my guardian spirit all the time.
*...Understood, sir. I wish you luck in your fight.*
Without waiting for further words, I head straight into the undergrowth.