Nora had always been a very intense person. Her emotions exploded easily.
When something angered her, she showed it. When something seemed great to her, she admired it.
That's why she wanted to be a hero.
Because heroes are cool.
Very cool.
She had always been very confident her dream would come true as soon as she awakened her Devastra.
However, her hero career started in the worst possible way.
She not only hit an innocent person. She hit someone who was only trying to do good, like her.
At first she didn't notice it, but upon observing Alioth, it was more evident.
She was too impulsive.
Alioth acted calm, was polite, and less annoying than her.
She realized it when she saw how he treated Caligo. He had treated her with gentleness and kindness, earning her trust.
Nora couldn't deny it. When she saw Alioth interact with Caligo, she felt some jealousy. She wanted to be the one who made the demon feel comfortable.
That's what heroes did.
However, because of that she ended up rushing and ended up scaring her.
That's when she realized her behavior was annoying to others.
That made her start to feel envy of Alioth, though she also admired him.
However, heroes don't feel jealous, and they also don't admire other people. They are the ones who are admired.
Nora was starting to feel frustrated, and that's when an opportunity was born.
When she saw Regulus, that child who had always been like a little brother to her, she felt angry.
Who had hurt him? Who would be so cruel?
She felt she wanted revenge.
But heroes don't take revenge. They save people and bring justice.
That's why she decided to follow the rules. She obediently waited for her mother to go to the temple and for the templars to take care of rescuing her sister.
But they didn't.
That's how society was. Unfair and cruel.
But she wasn't going to stand by with folded arms.
She would be a heroine.
She would be the savior.
"They won't help us," Nora finally said. Her emerald eyes shone with intensity and determination. "So we'll have to do it ourselves."
This was her opportunity to prove to everyone she was a heroine. She had to show her worth.
However, her words weren't received as she believed.
"Nora," Lisbeth said calmly. "I understand you're worried about Ruth, but it's very dangerous."
She extended her arm and rested it on Nora's shoulder to calm her.
"Tata and Betty warned us to stay here while they solved it themselves. We must trust their word."
Alioth's eyes went wide at the girl's words.
He was already aware, but Lisbeth seemed very mature for her age. At least in appearance, she couldn't be much older than him.
Besides, in view of how Betty received her, she wasn't an adult yet.
It was fascinating to see how she acted so calm and thoughtful. Though surely inside she was very worried about Ruth, she decided to swallow that frustration and calm her younger siblings.
Alioth still remembered when he was her age, in the other world.
He was the complete opposite of Lisbeth. Impulsive and cheeky. The only thing that mattered to him was baseball.
He wanted to win every game, be recognized, and become a famous player.
He never worried about others at that age. He only worried about himself.
'Right... it turns out I wasn't better than Nora. How nostalgic.'
"What are you saying!" Nora then exclaimed, while moving away from Lisbeth's touch. "How can you say that knowing the temple won't do anything? Don't you see she's in danger?"
Nora couldn't believe it. She thought that as soon as she said to help her sister, everyone would join her and admire her bravery.
Why was she lecturing her?
Nora turned toward Alioth. His expression couldn't be read, so it wasn't clear if he agreed or not.
But he had to agree with her. It was logical. He was a hero too.
"You think the same, right, Alioth?" the girl said with hope in her eyes. "We have to rescue Ruth, don't we?"
Alioth looked away, somewhat uncomfortable. He didn't want to get involved. That matter didn't concern him after all.
But he had to maintain the facade. He couldn't reject it just like that. It was better to agree with Lisbeth.
"I think we should obey the adults," he responded calmly.
Though that left Nora bewildered.
Why didn't he want to go?
Hadn't he saved Caligo? Why was it different now?
"Cowards... You're cowards," Nora finally said, with so much repressed anger that her voice trembled.
It was the conclusion she had reached.
If they didn't want to rescue Ruth, it could only be out of fear.
"No," Lisbeth then said, with a voice so cold and stern it didn't seem like hers. "I'm not a coward. You're the one being reckless. How are you supposed to find Ruth in the first place? Do you have a clue? Do you know where to look?"
Nora looked at Lisbeth with surprise. It wasn't like her to speak like that.
"B-but I can—"
"No, you can't. You wouldn't know what to do or where to look. Besides, if we disappear too, we'll only make mom have to worry about more things. You'd just be getting in the way."
Nora could feel Lisbeth's gaze pierce through her, passing through the bandages covering her eyes and arriving directly to her chest.
She felt her guts churn, while wondering if she had messed up again.
"B-but I..." the golden-haired girl tried to argue, but the black-haired one didn't let her continue.
"No, you wouldn't just put yourself in danger, but you'd put Alioth in danger, who has nothing to do with this," the demon continued, giving Nora no respite.
The blonde bit her lip. Her eyes trembled with frustration. Her fists closed so tightly her knuckles turned white.
She felt she wanted to do the right thing, that it was her duty to rescue Ruth.
But Lisbeth was too convincing.
"Alright," the girl finally said, letting out a big sigh. "You're right. I let myself be carried away by my emotions and didn't act correctly," she affirmed, with a much calmer attitude. "I'm sorry I treated you like that."
Upon hearing those words, Lisbeth's features softened, as did her voice.
"Don't worry, Nora. We understand."
Nora smiled at those words, giving Lisbeth a big smile.
"I'm glad you understand, but if you'll excuse me, I need some time alone," she said, while leaving through the door.
Lisbeth just nodded gently, wondering internally if she hadn't been too harsh.
However, there was something the demon didn't know.
Something she couldn't predict.
Those words had really been feigned.
Nora had no intention of abandoning Ruth.
She would rescue her, even if it was without help.