Chapter 54: Recall

Bedi...

Princess... Morgana...!

...

I thought so much about what I should say when I finally saw you again.

How I should face you...

What words I could use to beg your forgiveness... I worried about it endlessly...

But maybe... none of that was ever needed.

Bedi... just being able to see you again like this...

... I'm so happy...! I can't hold back my tears...

......

Welcome back, Bedi.

Thank you... for surviving... and for coming back to us...!

Sob..! Princess!!! Morgana!!!

Ugh?!

I missed you both so, so much...!!

Every minute, every second, I wanted to see you again.

So... hhkk..! I'm the one who's truly grateful...!

C-Can't breathe...!

Please, let go of me...!

Thank you... for coming to find me... really..! Waaaah~!!!

Thank you so much!!!

......

Hmph, I suppose I've got no choice...

Just for today... I'll forgive you.

Bedivere... you've really gotten strong.

Hehe. Of course! I'm not the same as I used to be.

I can take down orcs and trolls with ease now!

...You've learned to fully wield the power of the World Tree.

Still nowhere near the Fairy Queen, of course...

But I suppose you're useful enough now.

Heheh~ And it's not just monsters.

The Imperial Army... the Tiamat Cultists...! I'll take care of them all!

You can all count on me!

Hey... if you run that fast, it's dan...

Ouch!

Hhh... I didn't think there'd be a rock there...

Knew it...

Merlin!

Bedivere..!

You're safe...! Thank goodness...

Heheh. Thank you... I'm just so happy I can rejoin the Allied Army!

Merlin, thank you for taking command while we were away.

No need to be so formal. I hardly did anything.

A timely reinforcements arrived, after all.

Reinforcements?

A red-haired knight...

She introduced herself as Elizabeth's knight, and came to the abbey.

If I recall correctly... her name was Kay?

...! Kay has returned?!

I'd heard she'd been missing for ten years... She made it back safely!

That's wonderful news, Princess!

Actually... I've already received her help once before.

I never even repaid her for that time, and now she's helped me again.

This time, I'll make sure to thank her properly.

I owe her as well.

If not for that knight, I wouldn't have been able to reach Elizabeth in time.

Then let's all go see Lady Kay together!

Hehe. No need to.

She's preparing a small banquet for you.

A banquet...?

The hero who saved the Swordbringer has returned alive.

If there's ever a time to use the word "miracle," it's now.

And such a miracle... will give great strength to soldiers weary from war.

Normally, it would be fitting to hold a grand banquet along with a send-off ceremony...

But the situation doesn't allow such luxury.

M-Me... a hero...?

That's embarrassing...

Fufu. No need to be embarrassed.

You're the star of the day.

Come, let's hurry back. Everyone is wait...

M-Merlin!!! Urgent news!!!

The Imperial Army... they've gathered near the abbey!