Chapter 79: Sigrid Doesn’t Want To Leave Brunhild!
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After hearing Brunhild’s heartfelt words of praise for her crucial help in the battle, Sigrid felt a warm wave of happiness bloom inside her chest. She was finally able to stand beside her friend and contribute meaningfully against such a formidable foe.
“Well, I’m relieved,” Sigrid said with a soft nod. She rested her head gently on Brunhild’s broad shoulder. “But I’m really glad you were there for me. You saved my life, you know that? And it was so cool… Well, you’ve always been cool, Brun.” She giggled softly and hugged Brunhild’s large arm, holding it close.
Brunhild smiled with genuine pride, looking at Sigrid like a protective big sister. “You were cool too, Sigrid. Thanks for being there to support me. Without your help, I don’t think we could have stopped that monster.”
Sigrid shrugged modestly. “Ah, it’s nothing. I just did what I could. That thing was a real monster though, wasn’t it? A Vampire… I wonder if the dungeon is safe now.”
Brunhild let out a long sigh. “Likely not. I believe their master is still downstairs, along with their remaining allies.”
“What?” Sigrid gasped. Her eyes widened with shock. “We have to run away, right?”
Brunhild shook her head slowly. “If we run, they will chase after us. Eventually, they will track us down and find the village anyway. I want to deal with them now and stop them before they take over the dungeon. That seems to be their main purpose for being here.”
“They can do that?” Sigrid asked in disbelief. “T-Take over a dungeon? That’s actually possible?!”
“It is,” Brunhild replied. “It requires an enormous amount of magic and power, and even locating a dungeon core is extremely difficult. However, if the one behind this is a powerful Lich Sorcerer like I suspect, it shouldn’t be too hard for them. And if they succeed in taking over the dungeon, this entire territory will become theirs. They will control the monster factory and send hordes against us. It would be the worst possible outcome. There would be almost no way to win.”
Sigrid gasped sharply and covered her mouth with both hands. Her eyes filled with nervousness. “W-What do we do? We fight then? Can we even win?”
Brunhild paused for a moment. “We have to.” She looked at Sigrid, who was clearly terrified. Alistair had already been traumatizing enough. Another monster even stronger than him might break them completely. “But you don’t need to come. It would be safer if you took Kara and Ulf with Huginn and returned home. I don’t want you to risk your life, bestie.” She reached out and held Sigrid’s cold hands, gently sharing her warmth. “So you have to live, okay? And if the worst happens… if we don’t make it back… run. I’ll give you Huginn. Fly away and take as many people as you can. Don’t look back.”
Brunhild stared deeply into her eyes, her expression completely serious and sincere. Sigrid stood there silently, head lowered in thought. She wanted to speak, but the overwhelming fear kept the words trapped in her throat. Brunhild sighed and stood up, walking toward the door. “Well, you should rest for now. We can prepare everything in a few hours. Don’t worry abou—”
“No!”
Sigrid suddenly sprang to her feet and rushed toward Brunhild, grabbing her arm to stop her from leaving the room.
“Sigrid? What’s wrong?”
“I am NOT going to run away! NEVER!”
“But…!”
“I don’t care if it’s dangerous. I think I fear losing you way more than death itself!”
Brunhild tried to respond. “But Sigrid, you’re young. You should—”
“You’re also young!” Sigrid interrupted. “I’m still older than you! You only look big because of your divine physique, but you’re just like me, like Ulf and Kara! Stop it… stop it!”
“Eh?”
“Stop putting on a brave face all the time! I know you’re afraid. Act like your age for once! You don’t have to act like an adult… At least with me, be yourself. At least with me!!!”
Brunhild fell completely silent. Her eyes widened as her heart began beating faster and faster. Her face flushed red, and tears welled up before spilling down her cheeks. When she realized she was crying, she panicked and quickly wiped the tears away, shaking her head.
“I-I can’t… I…! I am not—”
“It’s fine…!”
Sigrid stepped forward and hugged her tightly. She gently wiped away Brunhild’s tears and looked up at her with a warm, reassuring smile that showed her bright white teeth.
“It’s fine to cry and feel sad and afraid,” she whispered softly. “Don’t act like you don’t feel these things, because you do.”
“I’m sorry…” Brunhild sobbed quietly. “I shouldn’t cry. I’m the future chief, I—”
“But you’re my friend first,” Sigrid said firmly, a touch of anger in her voice. “And you should stop keeping everything bottled up inside! I’m not running anywhere. I’m staying. Kara and Ulf aren’t running either. They’re going to stay with you, no matter what you say!”
Brunhild let out a soft sigh, a small smile finally breaking through. “I-I guess I can’t stop you, huh?”
“No, you can’t~!” Sigrid replied with a bright smile. “I’ll stay with you and we’ll fight together like before. Only then did I feel like you could release all your power. I’ll be your support. Our powers complement each other perfectly. I felt it!”
“There was some kind of resonance, yeah…” Brunhild nodded slowly. “But even then, I—”
“No excuses!” Sigrid said playfully, pressing her index finger gently against Brunhild’s lips and winking. “I’m staying with my beloved bestie!”
Brunhild’s heart skipped a beat. She nodded silently and wrapped her powerful arms around Sigrid in a warm embrace. “Sigrid… thank you for being my friend…!”
“Ah!” Sigrid’s eyes widened in surprise. Brunhild had never shown this side of herself before. “Brun… heheh! No problem!” A deep sense of happiness filled her. She was growing stronger, becoming more important in these battles, and it felt wonderful to finally be relied on. “Sooo, what now?”
Brunhild blinked as she remembered their current situation. “Right. We’re inside my new spirit.”
“New spirit?” Sigrid tilted her head curiously.
“Aren’t you tired? Do you think it’s okay to wake up now?” Brunhild asked with concern, worried her friend was being too reckless. “Why don’t you rest? Want a foot massage? Anything at all?”
“Heheh, are you treating me extra nicely now?” Sigrid wondered, her cheeks turning pink. “Well! I could get used to this~ A nice foot massage wouldn’t be bad. Maybe some food and… um, a bath! A warm bath!”
“Yes, of course. Anything for you,” Brunhild replied obediently. She quickly prepared cooked food, drew a warm bath, and gave Sigrid a relaxing foot massage using a special cream she had developed some time ago. Sigrid was shocked by how attentive and spoiling Brunhild could be. She soon started to feel guilty for receiving so much care.
“Was it nice?” Brunhild asked gently.
“Yeah, thank you,” Sigrid replied with a smile, though her expression showed a hint of guilt. “You’re too nice, and now you’re making me feel bad…”
“It’s fine,” Brunhild reassured her. “Take it as your reward for helping so much.”
“Aww! You’re such a sweet girl!” Sigrid cried happily and hugged her again. “I think I feel better now though. Let’s go outside. Let me help you!”
“Ah, okay,” Brunhild nodded with a warm smile.
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