Danmachi: A Mage's Journey

Chapter 278: Alise's Godly Instincts

Day 4.

In a battered campsite on the city's northeast side, the Astraea Familia huddled together. Supplies had run dry, and what little they gathered was pitiful.

"This is all?" Neze's voice cracked.

"Yes." The weary supplier admitted, shame in his eyes. "The blacksmiths can still tend your weapons, but for potions, you'll need patience."

"Patience?" Neze snapped. "We can't endure battle after battle like this."

The small bundle contained only six potions. Three magic potions. Barely enough for a squad of two, let alone a familia of twelve.

"It's too cruel..." someone muttered. "They want us to fight on the frontlines with this?"

"We're not disposable slaves." Another said.

The air grew heavy. Even the strongest among them, Alise, Lyra, and Iska, who had once charged headlong without fear, now felt their exhaustion gnawing at them. Armor could be mended. Steel reforged. But their bodies, their minds, those were fraying.

Even if they keep relying on their fighting spirit, there is a limit. They were well aware of the shortage of supplies and had anticipated this long ago. Despite this, the girls couldn't help but complain, how could they make such an unreasonable request?

Akira alone stayed silent. He did not need potions.

"Don't worry." He finally said. "I'll protect you. I won't let anyone fall."

But Ryana only pinched his cheek with a wry smile. "That's not the point, Akira. Protection doesn't refill empty bottles."

Astraea nodded in agreement, her gentle eyes firm. "She's right. Adventurers can endure, but even they can't fight on nothing."

Akira sighed, hands to his face, ready to argue and then Alise burst into the camp, voice booming, shattering the fragile atmosphere, "Everyone! Don't be so greedy!"

A chorus of groans followed.

"Wahhh!"

The girls were startled.

Lyra said, "Wow, the passionate captain has appeared. I guess Alise is about to say something profound again."

Kaguya sighed, "Lyra, this isn't some deep truth. This is our justice."

Lyra grinned mischievously, while Ryuu remained as serious as ever, just as expected.

"The heart of poverty is the foundation of justice." Alise declared, planting her fists at her waist with theatrical pride. "We must recall the secret of saving we used when the Familia was still weak."

Her long, fiery-red hair caught the light as she puffed out her modest chest, armored and gleaming, her expression smug beyond reason.

"The previous dungeon raid brought us so many losses that Astraea-sama herself could only smile and tell us, 'It's fine'. And so, for seven whole days, we ate nothing but wild grass soup with salt."

"Hey! Shut up!?"

"Don't dig up our dark history right now!"

A fatal blow!

The sudden, merciless reminder made the girls clutch their faces in agony, as if pierced by spears of shame.

Akira, who had only joined a few months ago, stood frozen. He could only glance back and forth in confusion.

As the chorus of groaning and wailing carried on, laughter suddenly broke out.

"Hahaha! That's right. Compared to those days, this is nothing. If it comes to it, we can just chew on weeds again." Maryuu and Celty both spoke with dignified conviction.

Akira tilted his head curiously and asked, "Wait. Can someone actually tell me what happened back then? I'm really interested."

But the question went ignored. The gloom that had filled the camp moments before vanished like mist in sunlight, and smiles bloomed across the girls' faces once more.

Neze finally raised her head, roughly ruffling her hair, before letting out a light laugh. "Well then... if that's the case, let's entrust it all to the captain. We'll manage somehow."

"That's right. A full 100 points! Let's hold out with our spirit and wisdom!" Alise beamed, her bright smile fanning the flames of morale throughout the Familia.

The tall adventurer who had watched everything unfold seemed visibly moved. "Truly... thank you. We'll support you with everything we can."

Alise said, clapping her hands together, "Then, finish your preparations and gather back here."

The girls immediately dispersed at her command, some to retrieve equipment, some to steal a short rest, others heading out on errands.

When the last of them had disappeared, Alise's radiant smile slowly faded. She reached out, tugging Akira aside, and together they slipped into an empty alleyway.

Leaning against the wall, hidden in shadow, Alise's face revealed none of the cheer she had shown her Familia. The mask dropped, and the weight of her role pressed down upon her. She looked up at the overcast sky, sorrow brimming in her eyes.

"According to the Guild's reports, Akira... the current number of casualties is close to ten thousand."

"...I see." Akira's voice was low, heavy.

"We've already done everything we can." He stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Alise trembled. She leaned forward and sank into his chest, wrapping her arms around his neck, her entire body pressing against his as if to draw strength from his warmth.

"I heard some healers have collapsed from sheer exhaustion. They worked without rest. Their bodies simply couldn't endure any longer."

"Admirable." Akira whispered, stroking her crimson hair.

At Finn's orders, the outer city defenses had been abandoned. All forces and refugees were now concentrated at the center. And yet, there were still camps beyond, isolated and uncooperative.

Alise clenched her teeth, eyes closing tight.

'This won't do... We must show them hope. We must sweep away despair.'

Her fist tightened at her side. 'But... not everyone can stand before others and speak. Not even I, with this loud mouth of mine. Sometimes I feel powerless and weak.'

Her voice trembled. "Akira, I—"

Just as her words began to falter, light footsteps echoed at the entrance of the alley.

"Hmm? How are you two doing?"

A small pair of boots stepped into view. Alise's head jerked up in surprise. Akira, though facing away, instantly recognized the speaker.

"Would you like some hot soup? You look very tired."

Standing there, clutching a steaming cup with both hands, was Syr. She tilted her head shyly, her eyes watching them with concern.

Alise stiffened in shock. How had she come so close without them noticing? How had they let their guard down so completely?

"Ah... Y-Yes. We'll take one... or two." Alise stammered, forcing a smile and quickly stepping away from Akira's embrace but her laughter cut off halfway.

Her gaze locked onto Syr's face. And for a moment, her hand twitched violently, as though struck by lightning. Instinctively, she seized the corner of Akira's cloak.

"Is something wrong?" Syr asked softly, confused by the reaction.

Alise didn't answer. She couldn't. She only stared into those eyes, eyes the same shade as her own crimson hair, eyes so impossibly captivating that her breath caught in her throat.

"Are you... truly human?"

The words tumbled out unbidden. She hadn't even thought them through. They had simply burst forth from her heart.

Syr froze. Her lips parted slightly, her eyes widening. Even Akira, who had just turned to ask about the soup, blinked in astonishment.

'Wait... stupid captain ... Did you just see through her identity?!'

Once again, he couldn't help but admire the uncanny instincts of his eccentric captain.

The two girls locked eyes, silent as mirrors. One reflecting the other.

You look at me.

I look at you.