TAMWSFB 44

Chapter 44 

 Pray

Bright red flames scorch me.

“Revenge burns all”—whoever said that had it right.
This fire won’t just consume my enemies. It will swallow allies, the nation, even the world.

I know my magic is on the verge of running wild, but I can’t stop it.
I don’t want to stop it.

Because what value does a world without my brother have…?

“Leticia, no. Don’t. He’s still alive.”

In my arms, Moko—engulfed in flames—looked straight into my eyes and pleaded.

“Impossible… There was so much blood…”

And there’s no one here who can heal those kinds of wounds.
Not even a priest could treat such deep injuries.

“Pray.”

“For what…?”

“Pray for healing.”

Moko’s black eyes reflect my despair-twisted face.

If praying alone could save my brother, I’d pray as much as it takes.
So please—save him!

“All right.”

The small creature in my arms begins trembling violently.

I can feel the raging magic swirling inside me draining away, pulled out from where Moko touches me.
The runaway power calms… little by little.

In exchange, the weight in my arms grows heavier.

And then—

With a flash of blinding light, the ball of fluff bursts out of my embrace.

When Moko reaches my brother, it no longer looks like a mere furball. With legs now extended, it resembles a large dog.

It shines—its entire body releasing a dazzling glow.

And then…

“Onii-sama!”

I leap from Ran’s arms before I can stop myself, running to my brother’s side.

I grab his outstretched hand and check his pulse.

A faint, rhythmic throb touches my fingertips.

“…He’s alive…”

As if responding to my whisper, my brother’s eyelids flutter open.

“Leti…”

“Onii-sama!!”

I throw my arms around him—and he immediately grabs me and rolls us to the side.

The spot we were just lying on is blasted open, the ground gouged out.
Right—there were still enemy mages!

“Ran! Eliminate the mages!”

I give the command instantly.

“At your command, my lady.”

Ran’s butler coat flutters behind him as he sprints toward the mages.

One mage points his staff at him and fires lightning. It strikes—but Ran keeps running unfazed.

As expected of a holy sword. Even magic attacks mean nothing to him.

The three mages who attacked my brother earlier begin chanting again, but Ran is faster.

He swings his arm—and just like that, as if cut by an invisible blade, their heads and torsos separate.

I quickly avert my gaze and focus on my brother’s wounds instead.

His clothes are sliced open across the chest…
But the skin beneath is smooth, unbroken.

Moko healed everything.

“Thank you, Moko.”

“…Moko?”

My brother looks at him in confusion.

Now about the size of a medium dog, Moko is still fluffy and pure white, but now has ears and limbs like an actual animal.

I’d been so relieved my brother survived that I forgot—we were still in the middle of battle.

Over my brother’s shoulder, I spot a man in black raising his sword to strike.

“You stubborn dead man!”

“Freeze.”

My brother doesn’t panic.
He casts magic instantly.

The man freezes solid in an instant.

Still holding me, my brother rises and moves to rejoin Elvin and the guards.

“Serios! Are you okay!?”

Elvin looks pale with worry—and probably ashamed he could do nothing but be protected.

“Moko saved me.”

Elvin looks down at the creature by my feet.

“This is… Moko…?” he mutters, disbelief all over his face.

Then suddenly he clutches his hair.

“Argh, damn it—too much happened at once, I can’t keep up! You’re explaining everything later!”

“After we finish wiping out the enemy.”

My brother steps forward and fires offensive magic between the ranks of knights.

Cold blades of ice, far sharper and more powerful than before, tear through the foes.

With his support, the struggling guards quickly regain control of the battle.

Ran, having already defeated the mages, joins them—and the fight ends almost immediately.

Except for a few left alive for interrogation, all the enemies are already dead.

Relief washes over me.

My tension snaps—

—and I faint on the spot.