Celliera's Fears

Raid Event: Loyalty's Requiem

Episode 4

Celliera's Fears

Previous Quest

Phraeganoth Clash/Beginner

Next Quest

The Oppressive Flame

Summary

The prince looks for a way to stop Phraeganoth, but a cave-in leaves him and Celliera trapped. In the darkness, Celliera confides hers fears to the prince, who responds with heartfelt words of encouragement.

Dialogue

...The heck? We were in the space between worlds a second ago. Perhaps there is a limit to the fragment's power.

We couldn't remain there long, and the fragment was consumed in the process.

Okay, but that's not a problem, right? We may have fought him back,

but he remains there still. Phraeganoth will heal, and when he does, he will seek a way to leave his prison.

What, so now we gotta go back in there?! Even if we wanted to, we have no otherworld fragment to take us. Cleo said they come from powerful fiends,

so we'll just have t—

Oh come on! Not again! It's a cave-in! LOOK OUT! Are you all right, Celliera? Yes, I'm fine. But what about the others? I think it's just the two of us on this side.

The falling rocks blocked us in.

So that means we're...buried alive?

...NO! We have to dig our way out! We have to dig out RIGHT NOW!

Er, maybe we should calm down and— CALM DOWN?! Once the air in here runs out, the two of us are DEAD! All the more reason to keep still.

We'll use it up faster if we panic.

I won't just sit here and wait to die! My friends are working to save us. Are you SURE?! What if they left us?!

What if they got scared and ran?! The idea they took off to save themselves hasn't ONCE crossed your mind?!

No. I trust them. But...

...I'm sorry. I lost control for a moment.

Oh, believe me, it's understandable.

But for now, I think it's best to stay calm and wait for help to arrive.

R-right. Of course. ...... ......

I envy you, you know?

Hmm? Or, I suppose, I envy the bond you share with your friends. I'm sure it's much the same with you and your students, Celliera. My students? No. They despise me. Why do you say that? I know my teaching methods are extreme.

It's not my intention to bully people, but I also can't wait to help them reach their full potential. To their credit, not one of them ever complained. Which likely led me to delude myself into thinking I had their trust.

Maybe it's not a delusion. Oh, they made it quite apparent what they actually think of me.

When the image of that fiend appeared, they turned and ran. They abandoned me. I reached out to stop them and they slapped my hand away. I called out, and not one of them listened.

...... It wasn't Phraeganoth they were running from. ...It was me.

And I was so afraid of that fact, I couldn't follow them down the mountain. I joined you as an excuse to delay the truth, if only for a little while longer. Heh heh... Aaaah ha ha ha ha ha! Oh, it's so funny I could cry...

I don't think they hate you, Celliera. Oh? Oh, don't get me wrong—your training is insane. But I also feel your love and dedication in every painful rep.

It's obvious you want to make me as strong as I can possibly be.

...... You urged us through it, and praised us when we were done.

I can't speak for your other students, but I respect the care you've shown me.

*sniff* So no, I don't believe you scare them as much as you think you do. You really mean that? I do. Look, they were in a blind panic when they ran, right?

So put your trust in them—and in the love you've poured into them.

...Thank you, Euden.

When this fight is over, I'll go face them.

Hey, we got a hole open here! Are the two of them all right?! Yes, we're fine! They appear unharmed. Thank goodness. We're saved. Thank you all. For having gone through such an ordeal,

you seem strangely at peace, Celliera.

Perhaps my companion helped me lay a few things to rest. Is that so, Euden? Nothing to worry about now. Let's turn our attention back to Phraeganoth.

We'll need more otherworld fragments, so keep watch for any powerful fiends.

Sure thing!