>>6176716>“Adeline. I want to visit that oasis over there in the distance. Would you mind coming along? In the event that there’s trouble, I’d like to rely on you as my usual human shield.” You knew enough about Adeline to play her properly. If you’d asked her if she simply wished to rest beneath the shade, she’d have flat out denied you. But in making it seem as though you required her aid, there would be no way she could refuse. Brushing beads of sweat off her brow, Adeline vigorously nods. “Of course, Lord Tristain. Allow me to grab my spear and shield and we can-”
>“That won’t be necessary. Just come along.” You say, turning your back towards Adeline and making way for the oasis. Even in the unlikely event that you did encounter trouble, you had your axe, armor, and a helping of magic that you were eager to cast. You would be able to handle yourself just fine.“You’re going to that oasis?” Elric calls out from behind. “C-can I come too?”
>“No!” You yell, not even bothering to turn around. “Stay there and keep practicing with your sword!”Adeline clumsily tries to catch up with you. Being an armor knight in the desert certainly had its disadvantages. Still, when you saw the woman without her armor like this, you couldn’t believe she’d willingly choose to cover herself up. There was no denying that she was an attractive woman. Even with the disgrace of House Rowe, she was still of noble birth. Surely there’d be some lordling willing to marry her and scoop her away from her troubled life. That seemed a much better alternative than what she was choosing to do now anyway.
>“You should take it easier.” You suggest to Adeline now that you were out of earshot of the others. “You’re obviously in extreme discomfort. There’s nothing wrong with taking a rest every now and again.”“I-I’m fine…honest.” Adeline says breathlessly. “These are merely trials put before me by the Goddess. How can I expect to win the competition if I’m undone by a little bit of sun?”
>“You shouldn’t expect to win the competition because I’m in it. Or has the sun scorched that out of your memory?”“I just need to grow stronger than you.” Adeline says. “That’s all.”
>You laugh uproariously. “You say that like it’s such an easy thing!”Adeline shrugs. “I don’t have much of a choice. If I wish to restore honor to my family name, I’ll have to grow stronger. Even if it means defeating you, Lord Tristain.”
>“The heat really is getting to your brain. Did you forget I can cast magic?” You ask her, tapping your head. “One spell and I’d have you roasted in that armor of yours.”Adeline smiles. A rare gesture from her that you’ve barely seen on this journey. “I do not believe you would resort to using magic.”
>“Oh? And why not?” 