The next morning.
As soon as I opened my eyes, I stared blankly at the ceiling for a moment.
…Ugh, I feel refreshed for the first time in a while.
My legs were a little sore, but there was no serious pain.
After a fight like yesterday’s, coming out without a single wound was something to be grateful for.
For a moment, I thought about testing the magic I’d received as a special reward yesterday.
‘If I use this in my room, it’ll be a disaster, won’t it?’
Since it was magic that created fog, I decided to wait for another opportunity.
When I sat up and looked around the room, I noticed a tiny creature scuttling around on the desk.
Click-clack.
It was Gerang.
The little guy had shown off a performance of his own yesterday with that tiny body.
I held back a laugh for a moment and spoke to him.
“Gerang, what was that ability you showed yesterday?”
As if he’d heard my voice, Gerang turned his small body and stared at me intently.
…Then, click-clack.
He lifted his pincers with a shrug and dropped them.
Does that mean he doesn’t know?
Well, he’d done that before too. Maybe it was a power that manifested instinctively.
The blue barrier Gerang had spread yesterday had definitely felt similar to my [Waterflow Barrier].
It was probably an ability related to my magic.
Since he used it only once yesterday, maybe once a day is his limit?
Since we couldn’t communicate, all I could do was make guesses.
“Anyway, thanks for yesterday.”
Perhaps pleased by my praise, Gerang swayed his body from side to side and danced excitedly.
The sight was strangely cute, and a smile slipped out of me.
Slide.
I tucked a piece of hardtack into Gerang’s pincer.
Gerang tapped the hardtack with his pincer, then, as if satisfied, resumed his dance.
‘It’s about time to leave this village.’
Barrett’s words from last night’s gathering crossed my mind.
They said that since this request was over, they would be returning to the city.
There was nothing left for them to do in this village…
I probably didn’t need to cling to this village for much longer either.
Of course, the training I’d been receiving from old man Brigan did bother me a little.
I’d thought it would be nice if I could train not only my magic but my body to some extent too, but after actually training for a few days, reality was harsh.
This body’s basic stats were so low that if I wanted to use my body, I would have to pour every level-up perk from now on into physical enhancement—in other words, putting the cart before the horse.
…Do I really need to go that far?
To begin with, I could use magic.
There was no reason to strengthen my body while deliberately taking on the danger of close combat.
In the end, the path I had to choose became a little clearer.
‘Yeah. Let’s go to the city.’
I let out a small breath and got up.
When old man Brigan came back, I would say my final goodbyes and leave.
Seeing me stand, Gerang gave a slight wave of his pincer and got up as well.
He stared for a long while at the hardtack stuck in his pincer, then finally pinched it lightly and popped it into his mouth.
All of a sudden, a corner of my heart felt a little heavy.
The short everyday life I’d had in this village was over now, and new things would be waiting on the bigger stage called the city.
If this were a game, it felt like I’d finished a side quest and was heading off to do the main quest.
Of course, it was a trash game where I’d nearly lost my life during the side quest.
Placing Gerang on the small pouch hanging at my waist, I slowly looked around the room.
‘I really did stay here a while.’
The old bed, the crumpled blanket by the bedside, the chair by the window.
It had only been a little over a month, but quite a few traces of me remained in this room now.
I looked out the window for a moment.
The morning sunlight had settled softly over the village road.
‘…It’s time to leave.’
For no reason, I sank into a dawn sentimentality and let out a sigh.
My stomach growled.
Only then did I feel hungry, and I smiled faintly as I opened the door.
The stairs creaked underfoot as I went down to the dining hall.
Perhaps because it was still early, the dining hall was quiet.
But Barrett and a few mercenaries were already having breakfast.
The dining hall was filled with the savory smell of stew.
As the warm broth slid down my throat, some of the tension eased.
Barrett carefully opened his mouth.
“Sir Liv, are you planning to go to the city with us now?”
I set down my spoon and nodded slightly.
“Yes. I think I’m done with everything I had to do in this village.”
At that moment, the dining hall door opened with a clatter.
Old man Brigan entered, bringing an unfamiliar woman with him.
Brown hair that fell to her shoulders, a build one head shorter than mine.
For an instant, the woman’s eyes met mine, clear and cold.
Soon after, old man Brigan spotted me and strode over.
“Hey, Liv. So you were here.”
I smiled awkwardly.
“When did you get back…?”
“Arrived before daybreak yesterday. Heard you had some trouble, huh? I bet the training paid off.”
“…”
How should I put this?
Honestly, the close-combat techniques had been almost useless, but the increased stamina had helped.
Maybe my expression was sour, because the old man burst into hearty laughter.
“What’s with that face? Anyway, you got anything to do right now?”
“Pardon? Um, actually, I was about to leave for the city—”
“What? Haha! Well, isn’t that a coincidence! I had something I wanted to entrust to you.”
Entrust? What exactly?
The old man scratched his chin and lightly tapped the woman beside him.
“This here is Aileen. She’s a girl I got from someone I know, and I happened to need someone to send her to the city.”
Before I even had time to react, Aileen gave a slight bow.
“…I’m Aileen. I look forward to your help.”
I hurriedly straightened my posture.
“Huh? To me?”
Old man Brigan looked down at me with his arms crossed, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
“Yeah, you. There’s no one else I can make do it.”
I let out a hollow laugh and grumbled.
“You should’ve taken her there while you were out.”
At that, the old man flicked my forehead lightly with his finger.
“Hey, you brat. How old do you think I am? How am I supposed to walk all the way there?”
I pouted and thought to myself.
Not only do I not know how old you are, but where in the world did you go to come back saying that…?
Before I knew it, old man Brigan had sat down beside me, calmly picked up a spoon, and said,
“And it’ll be better for you than going alone, won’t it? Take her with you. She’s not dangerous, so don’t worry.”
I hesitated and muttered,
“…I’m not going alone, though. I’m going with Mr. Barrett…”
Hearing that, Barrett laughed heartily from the side.
“Sir Liv, we don’t mind. One more companion won’t be a problem.”
I let out a long sigh inwardly.
Somehow, this was an atmosphere where I couldn’t refuse.
“…All right. I just need to take her as far as Mondark, right?”
Old man Brigan patted his stomach as if full and said,
“Yeah. What, should I give you some payment?”
I smiled faintly and waved my hand.
Considering how much I’d learned from that man, this much wouldn’t even count as tuition.
After hesitating a little, I extended my hand to Aileen.
“I’m Liv. I look forward to traveling with you, Miss Aileen.”
Aileen stared at my hand for a moment, then carefully took it.
“…I look forward to it as well.”
Unlike her cold, firm-looking expression, her hand was warm and soft.
And so, we decided to depart the next day and went our separate ways.
***
The next day. At last, the day to leave for the city dawned.
We woke up early and finished our preparations to depart.
There wasn’t much luggage. I barely had anything that could be called luggage to begin with, and Aileen had only one small backpack.
“…Are you ready, Sir Liv?”
Barrett spoke to me.
I nodded.
“Yes. Miss Aileen, you’re ready, right?”
“Yes.”
Aileen answered briefly.
Her gaze was still cold, but it didn’t feel like she was rude.
It was probably just because things were awkward between us.
We headed for the village entrance.
Old man Brigan had come out to see us off at the front of the village.
The village chief and Millen were standing beside him as well.
“Right, take care. When you arrive in Mondark, send me a letter, you brat.”
“All right, old man.”
To be honest, I didn’t even know how to send a letter, but since the old man said it like that, I nodded vaguely.
He really is an affectionate person, unexpectedly.
The village chief also stepped forward to say goodbye.
“Thank you for helping our village.”
He even bowed deeply at the end of his words.
Feeling embarrassed, I bent slightly at the waist in return.
And so, we left Delhar Village behind and headed toward the city.
Trying to overcome the awkwardness, I spoke first.
Aileen looked at me for a moment, then nodded.
“Yes. It’s my first time.”
A short, stiff answer.
The conversation… died again. I forced a smile and scratched my head.
‘…Ah, what am I supposed to say?’
A voice from behind saved me.
“Sir Liv, don’t be so nervous.”
It was Barrett. His silver mercenary badge flashed at his collar.
I turned my head with a smile.
“Is it that obvious I’m nervous?”
Barrett laughed and said,
“Yes, very.”
From the side, another mercenary snickered and threw out a joke.
“Is this your first time traveling with a woman, Sir Liv?”
I gave a hollow laugh and shrugged.
“…How did you know?”
Laughter spread around us, but Aileen continued walking silently with an expressionless face.
She seemed completely unconcerned with the joking.
As we walked along the road, the smell of grass grew stronger, and the wind blowing from the riverside brushed coolly across my face.
I looked at the scenery for a moment, then glanced at Aileen walking quietly beside me.
“Are you having a hard time?”
“…I’m fine.”
A short, firm answer.
I wondered if I’d asked for no reason and held back a laugh inwardly.
Just then, Gailson strode over and looked between the two of us.
“Good grief, you two are frustrating. Sir Liv, when talking to a lady, you should be a bit gentler.”
Feeling wronged, I hurriedly waved my hands.
“What did I do…”
At that moment, Aileen, beside me, lifted the corner of her mouth ever so slightly and said,
“I’m fine.”
Nick, who had been walking some distance away, heard that, snickered, and cut in loudly.
“Gailson, you’re hopeless with women too. Last time, when you tried to confess to that village girl—”
Gailson’s face flushed bright red as he rushed at Nick in a fluster.
“Y-you bastard, shut up!”
Nick burst into laughter and nimbly dodged, and the other mercenaries nearby snickered as well.
Watching them, I smiled faintly.
A little later, Barrett spoke to me again.
“So, Sir Liv, what are you planning to do once you get to Mondark?”
I thought for a moment before answering.
“For now, I’m going to look for work. I don’t have any plans to settle down anywhere yet.”
Barrett nodded.
“That’s a good idea. I hear there’s a lot of work around Mondark these days.”
I glanced toward Aileen.
She was still looking straight ahead without a change in expression.
“Miss Aileen…”
I trailed off, then eventually asked,
“May I ask why you’re going to the city?”
Aileen thought for a moment, then nodded.
“Mm, there is someone I must meet in the city.”
“Someone you must meet…?”
“…”
Her reaction seemed to say she couldn’t answer any more, and I couldn’t find anything else to add.
Just then, Barrett quietly approached.
I glanced at Aileen, but she said nothing.
I let out a small sigh.
The sun was gradually sinking. Barrett suggested we rest for a while by the riverside.
The mercenaries set down their packs and each drank water or sat down in the grass.
I sat by the river and kicked the water with the tips of my feet.
Aileen stood alone for a moment, then eventually came to sit quietly beside me.
“…This is my first time. Taking such a long journey.”
I looked at her in surprise.
It was the first time she had spoken to me first.
“Really?”
“Yes. I was always inside the castle.”
“…Were you a noble?”
Aileen looked at me as if slightly surprised, then soon gave a small smile.
“No. But my family was connected to the castle.”
At that, I didn’t ask any further. She didn’t continue speaking either.
For a while, only the sound of the wind lingered between us.
“What was life in the castle like?”
I asked carefully.
“…Every day, you repeat the same things. Like a waterwheel.”
From her brief answer and expression, I could tell they weren’t particularly good memories.
“Still, the time I spent learning swordsmanship was enjoyable.”
My eyes went to the short two-handed sword at her waist.
I’d thought it was just for self-defense, but apparently not.
“You learned swordsmanship?”
“A little. There was a knight at the castle.”
Could that knight be an acquaintance of old man Brigan?
That thought slipped into my mind.
But it was awkward to dig any deeper into the subject.
So this time, I continued speaking.
The story of how I’d escaped the dungeon, the story of being chased by goblins, the story of defeating the demon.
I began opening up the bundle of stories about what I’d experienced before.
Of course, I left out the fact that I’d been a prisoner.
Aileen listened quietly for a long while, then finally asked in a small voice,
“…Sir Liv, when did you start using magic?”
“…Me? Um… fairly recently.”
“You must have talent.”
“Haha… No. Rather than that, I was lucky.”
At those words, Aileen nodded slightly.
Seeing that, I felt a little relieved.
At least we could hold a conversation.
Barrett sprang to his feet and said,
“All right, let’s start moving again! We need to go as far as we can before sunset!”
The mercenaries rose one by one.
I shook the water from my toes and stood up.
And so, we set out on the road once more.