Chapter 48

It seems that the chocolate that wouldn't melt earlier was a nostalgic treat for Lieselotte.

Apparently, it was something she received whenever something happened.

"When I was little, I remember saying how delicious this chocolate was, and whenever I was feeling down or depressed, she would buy it for me."

The person was very awkward and would silently place the chocolate she bought on the table. Lieselotte said she only recently realized that this was their way of offering encouragement.

"Seems like you had a difficult person nearby, didn't you?"

"Yes."

Feelings don't easily get across unless they are expressed in words. I think this is true even among family, close friends, or lovers.

"Well, that person was in a pitiful situation—"

Apparently, Lieselotte's chocolate person was the best healer in the capital. They joined the knights at fourteen and transferred to the king's guard at sixteen. They had a brilliant career and a good family background, so they rose through the ranks quickly.

"They were famous as a genius mage, but for the person, it was painful..."

Without friends to share their pain, they were used conveniently because they were a mage, working almost without rest, both physically and mentally exhausted.

"Well, just because you have magic doesn't mean you're happy."

"I don't know how to put it, but..."

Now, she even thinks it was better not to have magic. If she had stayed in the village, she would have lived her whole life without realizing the wonderful life in the capital.

She wouldn't have met the second squad or Amelia.

"What happened to that person afterward?"

"They quit the knights."

"Of course."

After that, they were apparently reclusive for about five years due to mental illness. Since they had been working since they were fourteen, they had saved a lot of money, and their family was wealthy, so there were no problems.

"The turning point was meeting a certain woman."

Her parents, who couldn't bear to see her reclusive, forced her into an arranged marriage.

"The one who came was a young woman with a mountain cat—well, after various events, she managed to marry that woman."

At this point, I realize. Lieselotte's chocolate person—

"Could it be the Marquis?"

Lieselotte nods awkwardly. Apparently, she didn't clearly mention it because I had said I didn't get along with the Marquis.

"The best healer in the capital... the one who healed Amelia's injury was—"

"Father."

"Of course, it was."

During tough times, the幻兽 and his wife were there to heal him.

The origin of the Marquis's deep love for幻兽s was there, and I understood that he must be a devoted husband as well.

"I'm sorry for telling you such a story."

"No, it's fine. Besides, if it weren't for the best healer in the capital, Amelia's wings wouldn't have been healed."

I had heard that a bird with a broken wing can never fly again.

When I saw the injured part, I thought this child would never fly again. It was such a severe injury.

The fact that it healed and can move is a miracle.

"Next time, I should go thank him with Amelia."

"You don't have to push yourself."

"No, I will. It might be difficult to do it immediately, but—"

In time, I'll be able to sort out my feelings. When that happens, I want to properly thank him.

I hope the Marquis will be a bit more approachable by then, but that's unlikely. People don't change easily.

"Thank you, Lieselotte, for staying with me until this late hour."

"No, thank you."

When I asked what for, Lieselotte turned away, blushing.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, it's just... well, this is the first time I've talked about myself and my family, and I'm happy you listened."

"I see."

"It feels strange... but I want to talk more."

"Anytime, if you want to talk to me."

Then, she grabbed my hands tightly and thanked me again.

"Can I call you Mel?"

"Sure."

"Thank you. You can call me Lieselotte too."

"Got it."

She immediately asked me to call her by her first name.

"It feels a bit embarrassing."

"Just do it."

"......Lieselotte."

"Hehe."

Calling her by her first name was embarrassing, and I blushed. She said I'd get used to it with practice.

"I never thought I'd make a friend."

"A friend?"

"Oh, did you not like it?"

"No, I'm happy."

"That's a vague answer."

"Um, I'm happy."

Lieselotte nodded in satisfaction.

Despite everything that happened, making my first friend in the capital is a good thing. I hope we can get along well, putting the Marquis aside for now.

The next day, we returned to the capital.

The journey back took a day and a half by carriage, and the mood was heavy.

First, the captain took the reins of the carriage, and the atmosphere inside was friendly.

We got excited over drawing the Death card, listened to Urgas's tales of the captain's bandit exploits, and discussed ideas for Amelia's cloak with Zara and Lieselotte.

We stopped for lunch halfway.

The carriage door creaked open, and the captain's stern face appeared. The look on his face was so terrifying that I almost screamed.

"You guys are having fun just because the mission is over!"

The captain was raging, and Urgas and I screamed.

A new bandit legend was about to begin.

◇◇◇

After all that, we finally returned to the capital.

This was another tough expedition. I want to get back to the dorm and sleep.

The captain and Vice-Captain Berrie have to return to the knight headquarters to submit reports. Being a superior is tough.

The rest of the squad members dispersed here.

"Let's go out for a nice meal on the way back."

"Sounds good."

Zara's suggestion.

The dorm cafeteria would be crowded at this time, so I wanted to eat out.

"Will Amelia be okay?"

"If it's our usual place, she should be fine."

"Then let's go there."

I invited the others. Urgas and Gar said they would come.

"What about Lieselotte?"

"If Mel goes, I will."

"It's settled, then."

It's a popular restaurant, but very delicious, so I hope she likes it.

We moved to the restaurant.

It was evening, and the crowd was getting bigger. We needed to get there before it filled up.

When I turned to Zara, she was looking at my back, and our eyes met.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, I just thought you and that young lady became close in a short time."

"Well, we talked a lot. I have a question about that."

"Is it related to a幻兽?"

"Yes."

Since tomorrow is a day off, we decided to meet at Zara's house. I can apparently bring Amelia. We'll see how it goes with the mountain cat.

"If it doesn't work out, we can talk at a café or somewhere else. There must be other places that allow幻兽s."

"True. The capital is the headquarters of the幻兽 Protection Bureau."

I thought I would ask Lieselotte about a café that allows幻兽s.