Bang!
An explosive crack rang out, and a white figure went flying backward.
Only a girl with a scarlet face remained where they had stood.
"Ah... that hurts."
"Sovell!"
Only when Artoria heard his groan did she realize what she had just done. She cried out and hurried over to support Sovell, who was bent double in pain.
But once Artoria had him in her arms, a closer look revealed that all the signs of the White Dragon had faded from his body.
Taking advantage of her distraction, Sovell sneaked another peck on her cheek.
The blush that had only just faded climbed back onto Artoria's lovely face. But a certain urge to make up for her earlier rough treatment of the "injured man" made her clutch his clothes all the tighter.
Just as Sovell was feeling pleased with himself, the searing pain of the flesh at his waist being twisted a hundred and eighty degrees reminded him of the girl's mortification.
At dusk, a grand celebration was held in Benwick City.
Matters such as awarding honors and compensating the families of fallen soldiers were scheduled for the following day's court session.
Whether they were honoring those who had departed this world or celebrating their own survival in the war, everyone had a reason to gather.
All in all, smiles outweighed sorrow on their faces.
And so, after considerable deliberation, Artoria finally lifted Kay's drinking ban.
Of course, only for that night.
Watching Kay compete with King Ban and King Bors to see who could drink the most, Artoria chose to take Sovell away from the three men. Over by the children, she poured two glasses of fruit juice, and they stayed there to drink them.
The afternoon's events had left the atmosphere between them rather awkward. In the