Reborn as the Hero’s Daughter! Time to Become the Hero Once More!

The White God rode Fafnir and flew away. Remaining at the scene were only me and the fainted Mikey.

Well, Cortina should show up any time now.

With the Carbuncle gone, I had nothing to amuse myself with, so I squatted down next to Mikey with that mutter. I ran away while carrying a child, then rushed back and defeated the three of them. After which, I had to rush back here again, and all that took quite a burden on me.

Because of that, my legs were trembling a little even now. The enemy had already been dealt with, so there was no harm if I took a short rest here.

However, no matter how long I waited, Cortina didnt appear. While it was true that she didnt know where I was, it was still too slow. My fatigue had already recovered and my body started to chill. Mikey didnt show any signs of waking up, so I wanted to show him to a doctor as fast as possible.

If there was still danger left, that Goddess wouldve told me I suppose Ill go check the situation.

When I left that place, Cortinas clothes were disordered but she had no apparent injuries. When I considered the possibility of the injury somewhere I failed to notice It made me awfully restless.

Perhaps it was too late to realize it now, but since she was so late I had to go and see whats going on. That said, the Carbuncle was gone now, so I couldnt exactly leave Mikey here and go.

Its a pain, but I suppose I have to carry him, huh?

I dont think there were any monsters around, but there were still animals that could be considered harmful. Mikey had no way to drive them away, even if it was just a stray dog. I had to keep him in check.

Thus, I once again shouldered him and followed back the road I came from.

I arrived at the cave, but I didnt stumble on Cortina anywhere. I inspected the entrance, but only found mine and the Adventurers footprints. In other words, there were no signs of her leaving the cave.

Dont tell me she fainted inside

If, for some reason, her magic item for purifying had come off, that possibility couldnt be ruled out. However, if you asked me whether a skilled Adventurer like Cortina would make such a mistake, my answer would be a firm no.

That would simply be a stupid question to even ask. Not to mention, those Adventurers had already been driven away, so there was no longer any threat left. But the fact that she still didnt come out could only mean

Did something happen inside?

I wrapped my purifying muffler around Mikeys face as well and headed inside. I had a small build, so my scarf was more than enough for both of us.

Since Cortina wasnt present, there was no light magic to assist me. Even if my eyes could see at night, it was still hard to see inside the cave. I headed deeper inside while carefully probing the ground with each step.

When I arrived at the place where I parted from Cortina, I heard the sobs of a girl.

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Reid, whyhicuu

It was a frail voice I never imagined would come from her who was so stout-hearted all the time. She wept in a voice full of pain. Hearing her cries, I finally realized the blunder I had made.

If I suddenly showed up before her, of course it would gouge out her old wounds. Still, if she managed to talk to me, perhaps she couldve found her salvation. I, however, didnt do even that and disappeared right before her eyes.

I couldnt blame her if she took my actions as me rejecting her.

Cortina?

I called out to her in a small voice, trying not to alert her as best as I could. I was clearly at fault here. But letting her cry here any more than this would be dangerous. Even if I tried to comfort her, that would only be possible if I took her out of here.

!? N-Nicole?

Hearing my voice, she forcibly suppressed her weeps and responded to me. I also noticed how she quickly wiped her tears away.

Afterward, she used light magic and illuminated the surroundings again. With that, I could finally see her collapsed figure.

Thats no good. Why did you come back here.

She got up while fixing her clothes. Her actions didnt look awkward in any way. It didnt seem like she was subjected to any unwanted advances, or injured anywhere, so I was relieved. In other words, the only injury she had now was the one I opened up.

Cortina, I, um, sorry.

Huh? Why, are you apologizing?

Mmmm Well, just because.

She asked once more, but I couldnt answer her. If I did, it would lead to exposing my true identity. She stared confusedly at my hesitant face for a while, then gave me a single pat on the head and forced herself to smile.

Oh well. Lets just get out of here already. Its quite poisonous here.

Yeah, one could even faint.

Right, lets head out then.

She responded with a sweet, yet painful smile. Seeing that smile, I made up my mind to never,ever, use Reids illusion again.