Chapter 65

The day before returning to the capital, we decided to visit and say goodbye to the people who had taken care of us in Flaria. First, we went to see the parents of Emilianna, who had provided us with everything we needed—Louisa and Ubaldo.

In the sunny room where we first met them, we said our goodbyes.

"Thank you so much for taking care of us, even though it was for a short time."

"Thank you. I'm sorry we couldn't do more for you."

"No, not at all! Thank you very much."

Louisa smiled gently. She was the one who had kindly and subtly advised me when I was overworking myself. I couldn't thank her enough. Beside her, Ubaldo crossed his arms, looking somewhat displeased. He had been busy with work and we had only shared a few meals together, so this was the first time we were properly face-to-face. I was taken aback by the stern atmosphere he exuded, but then—

"Look, you too. He's pouting because he was too busy to have a proper conversation with Laura and the others."

Louisa laughed and poked Ubaldo's shoulder. Seeing their interaction, Ubaldo, who had seemed intimidating a moment ago, suddenly looked cute. Ubaldo, who had been described as pouting like a child, looked awkward and lowered his gaze slightly before speaking.

"Feel free to visit again. Next time, let's have a meal together. I'd like to hear your stories."

"Yes, definitely. And next time, Emilianna should come with us."

The image of my friend came to mind. I really wanted to have a proper conversation with her next time.

At the mention of their daughter's name, the two in front of me suddenly looked like parents. Their expressions were gentle and full of love. It was clear just by looking at them how much Emilianna had been cherished and loved. Louisa, with the same expression she would use for her daughter, spoke to me.

"Working hard is admirable, but please take care of your health above all."

"...Yes."

Her words hit a sore spot, and I was momentarily speechless. But when I nodded, Louisa nodded deeply, as if to say, "That's good."

She was right. If I wasn't in good condition, I couldn't perform at my best, and mistakes would happen. Overworking wasn't a good thing.

As I was reaffirming this in my mind,

"Lucas, you too. Don't both of you overwork yourselves!"

The same words were directed at Lucas, who hadn't overworked himself this time. I couldn't help but look at my childhood friend, and he looked equally surprised.

—Perhaps we were seen as similar.

We looked at each other and couldn't help but chuckle. Then we both loudly replied, "Yes."

***

Next, we visited the Flaria branch. Honestly, I wasn't looking forward to it, but it would be wrong to neglect saying goodbye. They had lent us an entire laboratory for a considerable period during a busy time. We had been well taken care of.

I visited the branch manager's office alone as the leader and said my goodbyes.

"Thank you for your long-term support."

"Oh, no. I'm sorry we couldn't do more for you."

The branch manager smiled and spoke casually. I was curious about what lay behind that smile, but there was nothing I could do about it. It was best to maintain a friendly relationship on the surface.

"I will submit a report on this training soon. I found some interesting materials for synthesis."

"That's great. It was worth pushing for, Mr. Genius."

"Mr. Genius." That word was undoubtedly filled with boiling malice.

This time, I had caused a lot of trouble with my whims. I hadn't been reprimanded because the people around me were kind, but the branch manager and the synthesizers of the Flaria branch had reacted normally.

I pulled my chin in and then smiled.

Without the support of the Flaria branch, we might not have obtained the spirit's drinking water. When we fell off the cliff, the recovery potion synthesized here had allowed us to provide first aid.

"Yes, thanks to you all. Thank you for everything."

I turned and bowed to the synthesizers of the Flaria branch, who were standing near the entrance. They didn't respond. They all looked down, avoiding eye contact.

I bowed to the branch manager again and left. I thought to myself, as I watched the closing door, that I would have liked to deepen my connections with the synthesizers in the city if I had more time.

***

Next, Lucas and I visited the Flaria garrison of the Schvaria Knights. To my surprise, Oliver, the captain of this garrison, greeted us at the door.

"Hello, Oliver."

"Ah, Laura and Lucas. Hello."

"I'm here too!"

Charles poked his head out from behind Oliver. I had been well taken care of by him as well. I bowed slightly, and Charles smiled broadly.

It was probably lunchtime or training time. We shouldn't stay long, so I opened my mouth to say goodbye at the entrance.

"We're returning to the capital tomorrow. Thank you so much for your hospitality. I'll come back to thank you properly when I have the chance."

I bowed deeply, and I felt Oliver chuckle. When I looked up, Lucas was still bowing, and Oliver was looking at him kindly, like an older brother looking at his younger brother.

Oliver patted Lucas on the shoulder. Then, to my childhood friend, who finally raised his head, Oliver said in a calm but firm voice,

"Lucas. You have strength. What supports it is your pure desire to protect the people you care about. Never forget that heart of yours."

"...Yes!"

Lucas nodded vigorously. His expression was very happy, and his eyes spoke of his deep respect for Oliver. Although it was a short time, they had clearly deepened their bond through training.

I watched them with a smile, but then Oliver's expression darkened. I wondered what was wrong, and he seemed to sense my gaze. His red eyes met mine, and the shadow on his face quickly turned into a calm smile. He then turned to Charles.

"Charles, the gift for Lucas..."

"Yes! Lucas, come this way! We have a gift for you!"

Charles led Lucas into the garrison. I hesitated about whether to follow, but then Oliver spoke to me.

"Take care of Elvira."

Elvira. My heart skipped a beat at the name.

I looked at Oliver, and he had a serious expression. His red eyes pierced through me, and I instinctively straightened my back.

"I've known her since she was a child. I know her pain and the pain of her brother, Arnold. Unfortunately, I couldn't save them. But perhaps you can..."

Although he was looking at me, Oliver's eyes seemed to be looking far away. It was an expression I had never seen before.

"If there's anything I can do to help you, please let me know. I will do my best."

"Thank you. ...I'll do my best."

It was a strained response.

I wasn't sure if the spirit's drinking water would help. If it turned out that even the spirit's drinking water couldn't produce the special medicine, we would have to start from scratch again—

No matter the outcome, I would do my best.

I looked at Oliver with determination and clenched my fist. At that moment, Lucas came out of the garrison, holding a sword in a fine scabbard.

"Look, Laura! Charles gave me a sword!"

"Actually, it's from Captain Oliver!"

Lucas showed me the sword, and Charles, standing beside him, puffed out his chest proudly.

Oliver approached us and gently touched the scabbard of the sword Lucas was holding.

"It's something I used before. It might be a bit heavy for you now, but I'm sure you can handle it."

Lucas's smile faded, and he looked serious. He gazed at the sword in his hand and spoke.

"Thank you, Oliver."

Looking at the quiet determination in Lucas's eyes, I thought that Oliver might have been the one who understood and supported his desire to protect the people he cared about more than anyone else. I tended to see Lucas as a younger sister and worried about him overworking himself, but Oliver understood and respected his "pride as a man." That's why Lucas had opened up so much in a short time and looked at Oliver with respect—

For whatever reason, a bond that couldn't be replaced had formed between Lucas and Oliver. Although I had been selfish and caused them trouble, I thought that meeting Oliver would be a great asset to Lucas in the future.

***

That night, as we were preparing to return to the capital, Lucas suddenly spoke.

"Many people have supported us, Laura and me."

"...Yeah, that's true."

Many faces came to mind. This expedition training would have been impossible without the help of others.

"We have to work hard to repay their support."

"Don't overwork yourself."

I said it in a joking tone, but I didn't mean it as a joke. Lucas laughed, which was rare.

Seeing his smile, I thought again how glad I was that he had come with me. Unconsciously, I had been supported and saved by him.

"Thank you for coming with me, Lucas."

I turned to face him and said it again. He gently took my hands in his. The warmth was familiar, but tonight it felt like it was seeping into my entire body.

I looked at Lucas again. He was smiling happily.

"Thank you for relying on me, Laura. It was tough, but I learned a lot. It felt like the world had expanded."

The world had expanded. Those words made "Laura's" heart beat strongly.

Those words were probably what "Last Brave" Laura Ampeyr had feared the most. But—

"Eme's village is small, isn't it?"

"But it's an important hometown, right?"

"Yeah, it's our place to return to. So let's go back, together."

The image of Laura Ampeyr waiting for her childhood friend in a small village came to mind. What would she think if she heard Lucas's words now? She had waited for her childhood friend, who gradually stopped coming back, but—

I am not "Last Brave" Laura Ampeyr, so I don't know the answer. But I was just happy that Lucas had called Eme's village a "place to return to."

"...Yeah, let's go back. Together."

Lucas's smile deepened.

A comfortable silence fell. I noticed that he had finished his preparations.

It was early the next day. If he was ready, it was better to go to sleep early. I suggested, "Let's go to bed," and Lucas nodded.

We let go of each other's hands and climbed into our separate beds. Then,

"Good night, Laura."

"Good night, Lucas."

—And thus, our first expedition training ended successfully.