At this distance, it wouldn't look like we were having a conversation. The wolf stared at me intently and growled softly.
[This weak male is a member of my pack. The leader must protect the pack.]
"Wait, Miss! Getting that close is dangerous!"
The man, alarmed by my action of bringing my face right up to the wolf's head, pulled me away.
However, I couldn't take my eyes off the wolf. Seeing its unwavering eyes and hearing that firm answer made me want it even more. I was confident I could raise it well.
"This wolf is not suitable to be raised as a pet for a noble lady."
Grating words reached my ears while I was distracted by the wolf. Frowning, I turned my gaze to find the man looking at me with a stiff expression.
"It is also insufficient for a Resurrected one of noble birth to take along."
Oh my. It seems it wasn't just a harmless stray cat after all.
"You seem to have some misunderstanding."
"Judging by your attitude, it doesn't seem like you were kidnapped. I'll pretend we never met here, so let's each go our separate ways."
Only then did I, instead of answering, look over the man's attire again. At first glance, it appeared ordinary.
Having likely spent a considerable time on the road, his clothes were worn and covered in dust. The emblem embroidered at the edge of his cloak was faded, as if it might disappear at any moment.
But from that trace alone, I could identify him. He was someone who had no choice but to recognize me.
"You're from the Magic Tower."
If that were the case, wanted posters and image crystals would have circulated long ago. However, the Magic Tower was on bad terms with the Temple and had little interest in political power struggles.
So I could understand his attitude of trying to remain indifferent to me. Above all, this man would want even less to do with me. Judging by his appearance, he was definitely...
"You're in the middle of your trial journey."
I had heard that the trial journey was a process where mages sealed their magical power and wandered the world with only their bodies, training to strengthen their physical form.
It was a training regimen established by the Magic Tower to compensate for the weakness of mages, who were heavily dependent on magical power. This was my first time meeting a mage undergoing it, though.
A mage with sealed magical power was no different from an ordinary person. For anyone with a grudge against him or some ulterior motive, this would be an unmissable golden opportunity.
Considering the value a mage possessed as an individual, this man too would likely try to avoid drawing attention as much as possible during his journey.
At my words, the man ruffled his hair as if he had a headache.
"There's no point in us both denying it, so let's reach an agreement quickly. Neither of us benefits from causing a commotion. Let's just pretend we don't know each other."
"You're right about wanting to avoid a commotion, but our circumstances aren't the same."
"What?"
"Those looking for me are people who would treat me with great care, but that wouldn't be the case for you, would it?"
The man seemed to falter at my words, at a loss for what to say. However, even as he furrowed his brow, he ultimately shook his head.
"...Even if you say that, I cannot give you this wolf."
"I've changed my mind."
The man looked at me with suspicious eyes. Watching him, I felt the hunger I had momentarily forgotten creeping back.
If he said he couldn't abandon a member of his pack, then I just needed to keep that pack member by my side.
Besides, I was very hungry right now, and I needed someone to prepare food for me immediately.
Someone who would have become accustomed to odd jobs while living as a wanderer.
"I want to buy you."
"...Me?"
"Yes."
I nodded with a bright smile.
"As you mentioned, I'm currently on my trial journey. I cannot fulfill the role of a mage for you."
"What I want from you isn't that. Judging by appearances, your trial has been going on for a while, so you must be used to life as a wanderer. But you've probably used up most of your travel funds."
Even if traveling together for long would be difficult, he would be useful for handling the current situation until I found a way forward.
"And as it happens, what I need right now is someone like you."
Someone who, while not wanting to get involved with me, would keep his head down and avoid drawing attention.
"Taking care of the wolf's food as well will be quite a burden, so earn some money by my side."
The man was silent, but his golden eyes were wavering. Seeing that, I became certain once again.
That he was more suitable than anyone else.
* * *
Once I found a place to settle, there was something I needed to do first.
That was to take in a reliable helper.
How wonderful it is to have someone by my side who can do things I cannot. Especially in such harsh conditions.
The man accepted my short-term employment offer, and I paid him an advance. When I promised to give him twice the advance when the job was done, he couldn't object anymore either.
The righteous wolf was quite satisfied that the man had decided to help me, even if it was because of the deal.
I resolved to do my best to lure that wolf away until our journey together ended, for no matter how many times I saw it, it was hard to give up.
Because of the wolf, we couldn't stay at an inn in the village and ended up camping on the first day we met. But that was fine.
He seemed skilled at camping, and I had purchased plenty of camping equipment that money could buy. Including ingredients, that is.
All the luggage was loaded onto a pack animal that the man led around. I wished I could have bought a horse too, but that was impossible in a rural village.
Though even if I had bought a horse, I doubted it would have been properly controlled given the wolf accompanying us.
"To think that the Resurrected one who threw herself at monsters to save citizens was this kind of person..."
"How could a mere human fathom the will of the gods? Instead of dwelling on useless things, think more productively."
I replied without even looking at him, examining the map as if to memorize it. I especially memorized in detail the terrain of the forest we were planning to enter.
The man, checking where I was looking, spoke in a sigh-laced voice.
"Do we really have to take that path? Wild animals frequently appear there. If we're unlucky, monsters might show up too."
"I need a path with few people. I told you I'd pay extra for danger allowance."
"If not for that danger allowance, I wouldn't even be cooking here right now."
The meal was already finished. The simple stew he had made as a demonstration was truly excellent, and I was giving lavish praise to my judgment in hiring him.
"Yes, I'm glad your cooking skills are quite good. But what should I call you?"
"You ask rather early."
At his somewhat sulky muttering, I glanced up to find him looking at me with a dissatisfied expression. In his eyes, I could glimpse a hint of resentment toward me.
Wait, why?
"Since you won't even tell me your real name anyway, is there any reason to exchange names out of politeness?"
"Why do you think I wouldn't reveal my real name?"
I paused at the man's question. It was strange to ask something so obvious. I folded the map and answered firmly.
"Because you wouldn't want to get involved with me."
Probably the correct answer. Even I knew that I existed in the middle of a vortex of chaos, the culprit of all conflicts and incidents. Or a being destined to become one.
Even if we acted friendly, all I would gain would be a ticking time bomb that could go off at any moment. Even I wouldn't want to exchange names with a troublemaker like myself.
"You really make me out to be a heartless person."
"Not particularly. I just thought about it rationally."
It's not something to think hard about either.
At my reply, the man clicked his tongue as if somewhat fed up.
"I never thought I'd learn of Roam's reputation like this."
Roam. Yes, Roam taught these things. Quick and swift judgment. Suppression of emotions. Weighing gains and losses. This and that. I don't deny that my origins created my current way of thinking. However.
"...I'm no longer a child of Roam."
They abandoned me, and I no longer look to Roam either. At my answer, the man raised an eyebrow and said.
"Haven't you heard the news? The Duke of Roam declared that 'the missing one is a precious daughter of Roam's blood before she is a Resurrected one' and announced he would send search parties throughout the territory."
"Ha, precious daughter."
Since when did these words become so repulsive?
I twisted my lips and turned my gaze. After my bedridden mother, now my father declared he would search for me?
I could guess too clearly what words were exchanged in my father's office, with what expression and what thoughts.
Mother would have been troubled, sister would have been annoyed. Father would have been dissatisfied, younger sibling would have just watched or might not have even been there. And Lia, who newly became that house's daughter...
Ah, I shouldn't think about it.
"How long after I was kidnapped did he say he organized search parties?"
When I muttered gruffly, the man clicked his tongue and chimed in.
"Everyone's just making their position clear, you and them alike."
It was content I had fully expected, but hearing it was still amusing. Do they think I would cooperate obediently if they found me? Do they all think I'm accepting this resurrection devoutly and joyfully?
No, in the first place, they probably aren't even considering my sentiments. Because they're that kind of people.
"For someone on a wandering trial, you're well-informed."
"We're not thrown out completely empty-handed. At the very least, we take one communication device."
Apparently my gaze had sharpened unconsciously. The man flinched and quickly avoided my eyes.
"You don't need to look at me like that. I just spoke lightly, and I don't want to get unlucky and get mixed up in politics."
He repeatedly emphasized that he really had no intention of revealing my whereabouts. Yet my expression didn't easily soften, so he started complaining to the wolf that was lying leisurely by the campfire.
He probably wasn't expecting agreement from the wolf. He just needed a place to pour out his grievances.
However, the wolf implicitly took his side for the man who couldn't even understand his words.
[This male is weak and can't tell lies. Surprisingly, he's a male you can trust to have your back.]