The Beast and the Sword Book 2: The Changes

Page 44 Epilogue: The Neglected

(Fourth Opening Theme: That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime OP2-Meguru Mono Performed by Takuma Terashima)

-Twelve Hours Left-

The group knew for sure the sun had been due to rise or was sure to have risen by now though neither of them couldn't get the sleep they needed as they needed to be on their toes. They had been staying in the jar the whole time trying to figure out what to do, or not even knowing if the possum on the outside left. The jar had been big enough for them to walk around as they were trying to figure out where they should go from there.

Yuno and Feodora sat by one another as they were doing their best to keep Sachiko calm as she couldn't help but worry about her older brother. Pluck had been pacing trying to think of a strategy along with Noelle while Robin and Carver had been going over the map.

Asta however, stayed at Prism's side as her breathing had become labored, her skin had looked pale as the black veins along her body had almost taken over her. She hadn't opened her eyes since they had gotten in the building. He could feel her forehead as it had seemed to have gotten warmer for where they had stayed.

"It's gotten worse. And her body's been getting colder by the second..." He thought as his body shook, "It's like I'm back in the dungeon again and the invasion. I--I feel so useless right now!" He couldn't help but bite his bottom lip, "I... I hate myself... In the end--I couldn't---"

"Hey there--"

Asta flinched slightly when he noticed that Molly had approached his side. She handed him a set of covers, "Here--" She said, "--It was sewn with spider's silk. It'll help keep her warm."

"Oh--Thanks." Asta said before he wrapped the blanket around her making sure it had been comfortable for her as she subconsciously put herself closer to him. Molly soon sat by his side as she made herself comfortable.

"It's--Asta right?" Molly soon asked as all Asta could do was nod, "You're--Really worried about Prism huh?"

"... How could I not be?" Asta said, "She's... Really important to me, ever since we first found her in Hage. And--I've let her down twice."

"... Twice?" Molly said, confused.

Asta flinched before he set Prism over his lap as he could feel her shiver in his arms as she let out a pained whimper when he moved her body slightly. "Did something happen? You know--Before you shrunk?" Molly said.

Asta sighed, "I don't know if you've heard the commotion from up there, but--There was an invasion recently. I wasn't where I was supposed to be for Prism. And even when I was--" His hand shook at the thought, "--I--Couldn't do anything for her..."

"... And the first time?" Molly asked.

"The first time we were in a dungeon..." Asta replied, "... She snuck in on a mission, even though she had gotten a fever. Everyone was really worried but--She wanted to see her family after being apart from them for so long. But a lot of things happened, and--She almost died trying to save me." Molly noticed how he had been trying his best to keep himself from falling apart, "But--I was the one that said--I would protect her--That we would protect her but in the end--I was too weak to even do that! What kind of a Wizard King am I supposed to be if I can't even protect someone close to me?"

Molly's look softened as she couldn't help but ponder. "I can't say I know what a Wizard King is supposed to do or what exactly happened--" Molly said before she patted his shoulder, "--But--If she was so mad about those times, she wouldn't have put her trust in you in the first place."