Chapter 65

Translator: Kell | Editor: Weasalopes

Her Savior

Our mansion was the world to me . A little too big for people to live in, it was still too small to spend one’s lifetime in . I think that’s why I loved books . I could go anywhere when reading . Of course, even if I could read, there were places I couldn’t imagine . What’s an ocean? What’s a mountain? Lake? River?

Once they found out about my gift for exceptional magic, I could no longer go outside . A maid who felt sorry for me taught me a lot of things; how to read, places she hadn’t seen, and what it means to love someone .

Not long after, she was fired for teaching me unnecessary knowledge . I couldn’t even say goodbye . One day she was just gone, and when I asked about her, they gave me a blunt answer: “She will never see you again . ”

I spent my days reading books . In fact, I learned the words “alleviate boredom” from reading . Every day I felt my heart wearing thin . Before long, they’ll use me as a weapon . A dark future was waiting for me .

One rainy night .

A young boy, not much older than me, snuck into our home and killed my father . Strangely enough, I wasn’t scared of him . After that, he saved me while I was being transported to the capital .

He was like a hero I read about in novels . Although I said I was a heavy burden, he saved me easily . He even cleared a dungeon .

My life, once only black and white, was rapidly becoming colorful . A forest spread far and wide outside of town . Caravans were coming and going on the road . A small bridge spanned across the river . The hotdogs were incredibly delicious; though Hikaru thought it was too spicy .

I knew Hikaru was hiding something important . But I didn’t doubt him, nor did I stop having faith in him . He was my savior, my hero who gave me freedom, and probably the first person I ever loved .

I found out he had a unique ability called the Soul Board . He gave me the Stealth skill so I had no choice but to believe it was true . I don’t know if he realizes it, but his ability is extraordinary . If he felt like it, he could mass produce an army of sword masters . He’d be a god . I understood why he was desperate to hide it .

When he told me about it, I was so happy that he trusted me, I almost cried . Which is why I want to be of use to Hikaru . He doesn’t have to ask me what I want . If Skill points limited how much he could improve his abilities, then I’ll simply compensate for what he lacks .

After all, he already gave me too much .

The next day . After some preparations, they made their way out of town . Grasslands spread out before them on a gentle slope, and beyond that were woodlands . Lush mountains loomed in the north . They hailed a stagecoach and set out towards that direction .

Hikaru felt like a weight was taken off his shoulders after telling Lavia everything . It seemed like she changed too, as she nestled close more often . They held hands almost all the time .

After spending most of the day on the road, they arrived at a small town on the foot of a mountain . Having secured a room at an inn, they headed out for dinner . The town was basking in the orange glow of sunset .

「That’s a really big sun . 」Lavia muttered as she watched the sun set over the woodlands in the west .

Sounds of children playing came from somewhere . The aroma of roasted meat drifting in the air filled Hikaru with hunger, and they entered a tavern . There wasn’t any other place to eat .

「Oh my! Hello, little customers . Travelling?」A stout proprietress came to take their order .

「Something like that . Anything you’d recommend? We’ll just have that . 」

「You got it . 」

The place was about half-filled . A red-haired woman carrying a lute – either a troubadour, or a travelling musician – appeared in a corner of the tavern . She sat down on a stool, plucked her instrument’s strings for fine tuning, then started singing .

——A long time ago, there was a man who was descended from a phoenix .

He longed for freedom and left his strict home——

It was an epic with a man as the main character . The story contained words related to the Rumanian clans like Yellow Tiger and Red Dragon .

The proprietress brought them sausages, ham, and some vegetables, and they ate while listening to the song . The man who yearned for freedom was eventually called to fight for his motherland and lost his beloved brother in the war .

Listening instead of reading is not so bad, Hikaru thought .

「Another song about Rumania…」

「I’d love to hear a decent song instead . 」

The words came from a different table . This town was a part of Ludancia . The people probably didn’t like hearing songs about Rumania .

It’s like there isn’t even an alliance between the nations . They still think they’re independent .

The image of a green-haired man popped up in Hikaru’s mind – a man who was worried about Forestia’s future .

——At a complete loss on what to do, the man talked with a Green Ogre .

The creature received the phoenix’s blood and set off to stop the war——

Green Ogre… I think that’s the name of League’s clan .

His eyes met with Lavia’s who was staring at him . Her hands had stopped, eyes fixed on Hikaru .

「What’s the matter, Milady?」

「I was just wondering what’s on your mind . 」

「It’s nothing important, really . 」

「Were you contemplating on whether to help this country? In that case, it really is nothing important . 」

「Why would I be thinking that?」

「Despite saying it’s none of your concern, you’re actually kind to those who work hard . 」

「People usually say I’m arrogant . This is the first time someone said I was kind . 」

「Really? They just don’t know how to judge people . 」she said, full of confidencem, and flashing a gentle smile .

「Lavia…」

「What is it?」

「Thanks for listening to me . 」

「I should thank you for telling me . I was really happy you did . 」

Hearing those words, feeling her emotions, once again made him glad he told her everything .

「The song’s over . 」Lavia said .

「You’re right . 」

There was no applause . Setting her lute against the wall, the woman headed to the counter and ordered tea .

「I’ll go talk to her . I might give a helping hand depending on the info I get . 」

Hikaru made his way to the bard .

「Excuse me, Miss . Can I talk to you for a bit?」

「…And who are you?」

「Are you from Rumania? I want to know something about these clans . 」