Chapter 9

The town's population is less than a thousand. It's a bit better than a village in terms of size.

Suddenly, knights riding dragons appeared nearby, and the town was in an uproar.

Dragons and flying lizards were usually sent flying to avoid mischief, but the mere presence of the knights was a big event for the townspeople.

Moreover, I, who had gone missing, was with them.

It's no wonder the mayor came to see what had happened.

"This girl was apparently kidnapped. We rescued her, but since we need her cooperation for the investigation, we have to keep her at our knight's domain for a while. We brought her here to get her belongings and to ask someone to take care of her house, as she will be away for a long time."

The one who responded to the white-bearded mayor was one of the knights.

Of course, the captain wouldn't explain things so politely himself.

Frey, with his golden hair, was also there, but he left the explanation to his subordinate and urged the captain and me to move on.

"Let's go home, Captain."

I nodded and hurried to my house, making my way through the crowd.

After all, the captain and the others weren't planning to stay here. If I dawdled, I would be a burden to them.

My house is on the eastern side of town. But since it's a small town, we arrived quickly.

It's a two-story house, with a small goods shop on the first floor, but it had been closed since that day.

Then I realized there was no key. Of course, I had been kidnapped.

I searched for a spare key and lifted one of the flower pots near the entrance. Luckily, it was still there.

Using the key, I went inside and had the captain and Frey sit in the living room while I packed my belongings.

I had never been on a trip before, so I didn't have a suitable bag. I used a large bag that I had kept from when I had received goods, and packed clothes and essentials into it.

Considering I would be staying for a few months, I needed to bring a decent amount. It would be better to pack as if I were moving.

I decided to buy what I needed near the knight's castle and gathered the money I had at home.

Finally, I put perishables in a separate bag and took them outside to dispose of them. Since I was alone and had been summoned just when I needed to restock, I only had a small amount.

The last thing I struggled with was the tea.

It wouldn't go bad quickly, but I didn't know how long I would be staying with the knights. So I decided to bring it.

I also packed the tea that was for sale. It was light, so it wouldn't be a burden.

I stored the tea in a can and, thinking it would be good to have at least one, wrapped a cup in cloth and put it in the bag.

Seeing only the cup my grandmother used left in the cupboard, my chest tightened.

I suddenly remembered the time before her funeral.

When my grandmother was still alive, and we drank tea together.

...But now, my grandmother is gone, and I have to leave my house.

Not only that, I might be subjected to some strange experiments or even killed...

Thinking about my past life, my head was in a mess, but I was indeed living a simple and plain life here.

Realizing how far I had strayed from that peaceful daily life, I felt lonely. The absence of my grandmother made me even more sad and painful.

I ended up crying.

Hugging the tea can, I was confused by the tears that wouldn't stop.

I didn't cry even when I was almost killed. I didn't want to cry like this after being saved, but why now?

Anyway, I had to stop crying quickly. The captain and the others were waiting, and I couldn't be a burden to them.

I tried to wipe my eyes and stop, but I couldn't control my sobbing.

Just as I was about to wash my face with cold water, something gently touched my head.

"I'll wait until you're done crying. You don't have to force yourself."

It was the captain's voice. When did he come downstairs?

But this means the captain patted my head, right?

Feeling his sympathy, I calmed down a bit. If he had rushed me, I might have tried to hold back my pain and cried even more.

Anyway, I had to respond.

"Th-thank you... I'm f-fine..."

My voice was terrible from crying... But please forgive me. It was my first big cry in a long time.

"I'll wait. You need to ask your neighbors to take care of your house."

"Y-yes..."

Damn, all my words are slurred. I look so uncool.

But it's because I was crying. I probably look terrible, so it's pointless to worry.

Thanks to the captain leaving quickly, it was easier to stop crying. If he had continued to comfort me, I might have felt like leaning on him and cried even more.

I washed my face at the well outside and went to talk to the neighbor's aunt.

She was a kind person who had been concerned about my grandmother and one of the few people I could talk to normally.

I asked her to let me know if she saw anything like a broken window.

As a thank you for the trouble, I gave her a bag of flour that was left in the store.

"I know it's a bother, but please take care of it."

With my normal pronunciation back, I explained the situation and bowed.

"I was worried when you suddenly disappeared, but it's good to know you're being protected."

The aunt patted my shoulder.

"Just take a look and send a letter if you can."

I thanked her again and left the town.

On the way back, I rode the captain's dragon again.

Apparently, dragons are better suited for carrying people than flying lizards.

"Those things can cause physical strain and pressure during sudden ascents and descents."

Flying lizards apparently can't control gravity.

"Really, I don't know whether to be grateful or not..."

I inadvertently bowed, and the captain chuckled.

"Is that a habit of yours?"

"It seems to be a habit I picked up from my grandmother. I bow when I feel grateful... I didn't think it was strange when she was around, but I'll try to stop."

Frey, who had apparently heard our conversation, laughed loudly.

"If it's a habit from your grandmother, it can't be helped."

The captain showed understanding. He's a good person...