Chapter 67

On that day, I came to help Lucash with his packing as he was returning to Eme's village from the capital. After returning from Flaria, he stayed in the capital for a few days—of course, the arrangements for his lodging were on my side—and he was scheduled to return to Eme's village by the carriage leaving the capital afterward.

"Lucash, did you forget anything?"

In response to my question, Lucash nodded with a somewhat uncertain, vague smile.

"Yeah, probably. I have a lot more luggage than when I came..."

I returned a wry smile to my childhood friend's words. The clothes and other items we had prepared for him to assist with the training were all given to Lucash, which is why his luggage was noticeably heavier than when he arrived. Besides, there were souvenirs for the people of Eme's village and the sword he received from Mr. Olivier—so much so that he had to buy a large bag in the capital to pack everything.

"If you forgot anything, I'll bring it back when I visit next time."

"Thanks, sorry."

With a smile that drooped at the corners, my childhood friend nodded firmly, and we left the room of the inn. On our way to the reception to check out, Lucash spoke up in the corridor.

"Are you going to be busy for a while?"

"Yeah, probably. I guess so."

For a while, I'll be busy with the preparation of the spirits' drinking water. The report on this training hasn't even been written yet. Moreover, my master is coming here soon, and events will keep piling up one after another.

"Don't overwork yourself."

"That goes for you too. You must be tired from all the new things. Take it easy."

Because we had been together for about a month, the parting felt even more melancholic than usual. We walked down the inn's corridor at a leisurely pace. After checking out and leaving the inn, as we opened the door, a familiar but unexpected figure stood there.

His black hair fluttered in the wind, and his black eyes caught sight of us. The moment I recognized his presence, I froze in surprise. He slowly approached me. Yes, it was him.

"Mr. Arnolt..."

I could feel Lucash, standing next to me, stiffen as if on guard. Why was he here? Was it an emergency? Having seen my childhood friend and my senior at work clash a few times in the past, my tension naturally rose. Lucash, who didn't seem to want to speak to Arnolt, remained silent, so I decided to ask, "What's the matter?" Only then did he speak.

"I heard from my superior that Mr. Lucash Kamill is staying at this inn."

His words revealed his purpose. So, he might be here for Lucash—

Arnolt approached Lucash with a sharp, almost glaring gaze and then bowed deeply.

"I am grateful for your cooperation. Thanks to you, Mr. Lucash, we discovered the 'spirits' drinking water.'"

His words were as expected. Lucash's efforts this time might have brought salvation to Arnolt's sister, Elvira. Considering this, it was natural for Arnolt to be grateful to Lucash. However, from Lucash's perspective, it was as if he was being thanked out of the blue by someone he had no connection with. Moreover, that person was his childhood friend's senior at work, with whom he had never gotten along well.

After being treated with a high-handed attitude for so long, suddenly being addressed as "Mr." and bowed to, Lucash was clearly confused. On the other hand, Arnolt didn't seem to want to lift his head, apparently waiting for a response from Lucash. Sensing this, Lucash let out a small sigh—more like a deep breath to calm himself—and spoke.

"I just did what my childhood friend asked. I didn't do anything that deserves your gratitude."

His voice was firm—out of caution—and had a slightly dismissive tone compared to his usual manner. Arnolt lifted his head. Standing side by side, Arnolt was clearly taller and more built, but this was probably due to the age difference. Considering their age, their builds might be similar.

Lucash and Arnolt stared at each other for a few seconds, and the tension between them was palpable. Just as I started to feel a bit suffocated standing between them,

"It's good to know that I was of some help."

Lucash's demeanor relaxed slightly, and the corners of his mouth even lifted a little. —Lucash is a smart kid. He seemed to sense something from Arnolt's words and actions. While Arnolt's attitude had changed significantly, there was no need to press for the reason. His new attitude must have been a relief to Arnolt.

"...Thank you. I'm sorry for interrupting you on your way out."

Arnolt bowed his head once more and turned to leave. His back quickly disappeared into the crowd. Even after he was out of sight, Lucash gazed into the distance as if searching for him and muttered,

"He's not a bad person, I guess..."

The words directed at Arnolt were the same as the feelings I had once harbored. I covered my mouth and laughed to myself.

—After that, Lucash returned to Eme's village by carriage. When I promised to visit, he smiled happily. While I hoped to fulfill that promise soon, one face came to mind. It was my master, Berta, who looked sad and pained, looking down.

***

Just as Lucash was returning to Eme's village, my master arrived in the capital. Arnolt and I welcomed her at the entrance to the capital. The moment I caught sight of her familiar robe, I swallowed hard with tension but tried to greet her with a smile.

"Master, thank you for coming! If you had told me, I could have come back—"

"No, it's fine. I just wanted a change of pace."

While my master's words were as usual, she didn't seem quite herself. The fatigue on her face could be from the long carriage ride or the mental strain of what she had to discuss.

"Please take it easy today."

As I offered to take her luggage, a hand that wasn't mine snatched it away. Of course, it was Arnolt's.

My master and Arnolt exchanged a glance, and Arnolt gave a slight bow. "It's been a while, Berta."

Silence fell between them, and I quickly interjected.

"Actually, there's someone I want you to meet. I'm sure you already know—"

"Arnolt, you must be having a tough time."

My master nodded as if understanding everything. The words "you must be having a tough time," accompanied by a deep sigh, seemed to carry a sense of sympathy.

Arnolt didn't react much to my master's words and spoke matter-of-factly.

"I've prepared a guest room at the castle. You can stay there during your stay—"

"No, no, I'll stay at an inn."

Arnolt and I exchanged glances in surprise. My master, a former royal alchemist, was familiar with the castle, and there were likely old acquaintances among the current royal alchemists. Even if that weren't the case, it was only natural to offer her a good room since she had come all this way.

So, it was unexpected when she said she would stay at an inn. I was about to protest, but she added,

"I've already booked a room. I'm sorry, but can you come to the inn tomorrow?"

Unable to interject, I could only nod.

"Of course. Is there anything you need me to prepare?"

"…Just bring that journal, and that will be enough."

The previously somewhat relaxed atmosphere froze instantly. The mention of "that journal" brought back the painful content for both Arnolt and me.

Trying not to make my master feel uncomfortable, I managed a thin smile and nodded. After seeing her to the inn, I walked back to the castle with Arnolt. The air between us was heavy. I was certainly thinking about the painful journal, and so was he.

Suddenly, I remembered that I had left the journal with Arnolt. I thought he had probably finished reading it by now, but I asked to confirm.

"Have you read that journal?"

He glanced at me and nodded slowly, with deeper wrinkles on his forehead than usual.

"I almost stopped reading it several times."

He paused, searching for words, and after a few seconds of silence, he said,

"It was too painful."

The words were simple, but they hit me hard. Arnolt's profile was stern, his lips pale, and he looked mentally exhausted.

The journal, written from a grandmother's perspective, described the painful process of her beloved grandson's illness. For Arnolt, whose dear sister was suffering from the same disease, it must have been excruciating to read, seeing himself in the grandmother and his sister in the grandson.

My master's story was supposed to help save Elvira, but could Arnolt remain calm while reading about the loss of a loved one to the same disease? Despite his usual calm and reliability, Arnolt was still a young man, barely an adult, who had forced himself to grow up through sheer talent and effort.

I hoped my concerns were unfounded, but I couldn't help worrying about Arnolt's mental state.

(…Maybe I shouldn't be worrying about others.)

I might lose confidence and be overwhelmed by the hopelessness of the disease. My concern for Arnolt might only last until today. The thought made my spine chill.

What would I be doing this time tomorrow? Repeatedly mixing potions in a desperate attempt to find a cure for the disease, or crushed by despair, unable to do anything, or—

I was just afraid of what tomorrow would bring.

【Book Information】

The following information about the book adaptation of my work "The Hero's Childhood Friend" has been released!

"The Hero's Childhood Friend, a Losing Heroine in the Profession of a Childhood Friend, Decides to Change Jobs to an Alchemist."

Author: Hifumi

Illustrator: Hanakanzashi

Publisher: Kadokawa BOOKS

Release Date: August 9, 2019

For more details, please see the activity report.