Page 179

(Barella / Aurevia)

In high altitudes, the air is frigid, and the powerful wind cuts through like a blade. Clouds and mist dart in and out of my peripheral vision. Whether it's the breathtaking scenery or the breakneck speed, flying at these heights provides a life experience like no other.

My heart swells with enchantment as the [Wing of The Wasp] propels me even faster. A brilliant white light flashes, and a sandstorm whirls up in the nearby sandy terrain.

"Off course," I mumble to myself while airborne, tucking [Apollo] into my [Pouch]. I use the wind-based magic coursing through my hands to adjust my flight path. The twin bee wings act as windbreakers, but even so, I have to sprint quite a distance upon landing before coming to a halt.

Though the sensation of soaring through the skies is exhilarating, it's evident that there's ample room for improvement with this equipment.

Over the past three days, I've been honing my skills with the [Wing of The Wasp]. In the beginning, I struggled to even get off the ground, but today, I can just about manage its operation. However, it remains challenging to employ it effectively in combat.

It appears that Walson is developing something groundbreaking in the realm of human flight. The gear I'm wearing now can be considered, at best, a prototype. While it offers remarkable speed and burst power, it suffers from several operational issues.

The primary problem lies in its directional control, which relies on wind-based magic, specifically the [Gentle Breeze] spell. Using the speed I've just experienced, I can barely steer it, but in reality, I've only tapped into about one-third of its maximum speed potential. Any faster, and [Gentle Breeze] would be inadequate to make the necessary adjustments, potentially leading to either a vertical ascent or a disastrous crash.

I now understand why Walson had me don lightweight armor before attempting to fly.

The next problem arises when flying at high speeds; the wind rushes into my eyes, impairing my vision. If I mention this to Walson, he may be able to devise a solution.

The final concern is a personal one. Without intending to boast, back in Braatio, I possessed remarkable talent as a [Magi-Archer], even if not the absolute best. I took pride in my skills, especially in shooting competitions within a 250-meter range, where I consistently hit the target.

However, since meeting Walson in the royal capital and acquiring [Apollo], my maximum shooting range has expanded to around 400 meters, conservatively estimated. The strength of [Apollo] lies in its exceptional power, enabling nearly wind-independent shooting.

This has left me at a crossroads for a while. Should I continue refining my shooting accuracy or prioritize magic training? While I've explored various attributes, I've only reached an intermediate level in Light and Wind, with most others remaining at a basic level. The Dark attribute, in particular, remains a mystery to me.

Still, I find myself in a state of confusion.

Speaking of which, when I visited him three days ago in the morning, he seemed much improved, didn't he? I entrusted Derisha with his care and took some time to rest. But how did his condition deteriorated again the following day?

Tsk, could it be they are actually doing 'that'? It shouldn't be, right? He's still recovering from a cold; these two couldn't be that careless, could they?

Well, I must admit, seeing Derisha happily emerge from Walson's resting room wearing an engraved bracelet on her wrist did stir a bit of jealousy in me. But, I had considered this beforehand, and it was just a matter of time. I even played a small role in nudging things along.

How long must I carry the label of 'friend'? It's a feeling of helplessness when I think about it. When I began to develop feelings for Walson, he hadn't even met Derisha yet. I kept promising myself I'd make an effort, but in reality, I'm rather timid, and my progress has been slow.

Yet, regardless of how things stand for me, it's Walson's situation that concerns me the most. If he had simply married a woman, it would be one thing, but Derisha is a princess! Things could become immensely complicated. Socially, Walson is a commoner with no noble title... Do I need to prepare to play the role of the "Princess's Comforter" in such a scenario?

Oh, the path back to nobility isn't straightforward. Walson's current situation is akin to eloping with a princess. Even when the king was ready to grant us titles for saving the capital, Walson couldn't attend out of fear of causing trouble. Now, no one even knows he exists, temporarily blocking that path.

Is he genuinely fine with all these complications? Will I be of any assistance when the time comes?

I might have changed considerably to have these thoughts. In the past, I wouldn't have been able to tolerate another woman by his side, wouldn't have thought so much about others, and certainly wouldn't have felt this persistent, heartache-like emotion lately.

He had already displayed signs of a cold after his battle with the Bone Dragon Aberration, and he fought against formidable foes with a weakened body, ultimately building a flourishing village on his own. It would be odd not to expect him to get sick...

While there's a hint of blame in my mind, there's more worry and sadness. Melon always talks about protecting her master, and Grace has mentioned more than once that she wishes to stand by his side – isn't this why? To cherish this stubborn fool.

In the beginning, a significant part of my feelings for Walson was admiration and idolization, but as I've come to realize that it's love, I see that I've been left far behind by the others.

"Walson, oh Walson, you truly are a scoundrel who should be locked up," I couldn't help but laugh.

"Huh? Why are you scolding me?" A bewildered voice came from behind me, and I turned my head.

His clothes were rumpled, he was shorter than me, his youthful face, and his casually tousled brown hair... The moment I saw him, all the gloom in my heart vanished instantly.

"Ah! You're awake! Are you feeling better? Do you still have a fever? Is there anywhere that hurts?" I rushed over almost uncontrollably, and without any reservation, I began patting and prodding Walson's face.

Thank goodness, everything seems fine. It looks like there's no issue with Derisha either.

"Thanks to you, I'm feeling much better now," Walson said, wearing a somewhat helpless expression. That's when I realized my actions might be a bit embarrassing.

"Hmph, good to know. I haven't had a good night's sleep in days because of you. So, how do you wish to compensate a noble lady like me?" I quickly put on my favorite persona, raised my head in a haughty manner, and tossed my golden curls.

"Thank you," Walson said.

"..." Wait, Walson just said... Thank you to me?

"Thank you. You are my best friend."

"..." Crack. It's like something inside me called the "line of reason" just snapped.

"Oh, by the way, the soup you made is really delicious! I think... hey hey hey, why are you pointing your weapon at me?!?!?!"