Chapter 44

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Thud! The arrow embedded itself into the tree with a loud sound.

"Wow…"

I gazed at the arrow stuck in the tree, my eyes shining.

"Your skills are getting better day by day."

"Hehe. Really?"

"Of course. You're doing very well."

Lady Amanta smiled gently.

'Of course, I'm not yet at the level where I deserve praise, but hitting the target is still something.'

The reason I could use the bow so well, despite my inexperience, was largely due to Lord Amanta's help.

Lord Amanta had made a bow that was perfect for me, even as a child.

'If he can make a bow this good on his own, how well would he make a sword with Wiborg?'

I wish he could make a sword as soon as possible. If that happens, Damian could learn swordsmanship faster.

"I didn't expect you to give me such a gift, my lord."

"Oh, you'll soon be part of the family, won't you? Such a gift is only natural."

"Family…"

Hearing that, my cheeks felt itchy.

Contrary to my expectations, Lord Amanta had told me that he intended to adopt me.

It seemed that helping Wiborg and giving hints about the monsters had had a positive effect.

The Amanta family would undoubtedly be a great help to my future.

However, hearing the word "family" made me feel strange.

Would I be abandoned again?

Would I be cast out as an unnecessary child?

Such thoughts kept coming to mind, a sign that I was becoming weak-hearted.

I shook my head vigorously.

After all, it's not like I'm really becoming part of the family. I'm just following Duke Schuetz's orders.

'He must have judged that I am a useful child.'

Thinking that, my heart felt lighter.

"I'll work hard from now on."

I clenched my fist and said to Lady Amanta.

"Work hard, Miss Eli?"

"Right, so that I don't become a burden to Lord Amanta, Lady Amanta, and Lord Jerit…"

"Miss Eli."

Lady Amanta's warm hand rested on mine.

"Family is not a relationship based on need."

"Is that so?"

In response to my question, Lady Amanta smiled gently, her eyes crinkling.

"The most important thing is the love and care we have for each other."

Love and care.

Speechless, I blinked, and Lady Amanta smiled softly.

"Someone once told me that just being born into this world is enough to be excellent."

"…"

"That means you, Miss Eli, are already excellent."

"…"

"Of course, I'm still inexperienced in saying such things. No, probably everyone is."

Lady Amanta said this while adjusting my scarf.

Suddenly, I saw snowflakes falling between us.

Slowly, like sunlight, the snowflakes descended.

My breath swirled in the cold air, and I lifted my gaze without realizing it.

'Huh?'

Suddenly, I saw a figure approaching us from a distance.

It was Lady Amanta's son, Jerit.

He seemed to have come out for practice like me, holding a bow in his hand.

'But… why does he keep glancing over here?'

As I tilted my head, Jerit's eyes met mine.

Startled like he had been struck by lightning, Jerit approached.

"Miss Eli. Ah, you're here. Were you practicing archery?"

"Hello, Lord Jerit."

"I was just practicing too. This, this is quite a coincidence."

"That's right."

I smiled lightly in response.

I thought he would greet me lightly and then go to Lady Amanta as usual.

But Jerit kept hovering around me.

His obvious glances were uncomfortable. He kept looking at me, even clearing his throat.

'Does he want something?'

Feeling uneasy, I spoke first.

"Ah, thank you for the bow. It's the first time I've received such a gift, and I'm very happy."

"Really?"

Jerit's face brightened noticeably at my words.

"I'm glad you like it. I, I thought of it as a gift for a younger sister… and worked hard on it."

Jerit stumbled over his words, which was uncharacteristic of him.

"If you don't mind, would you like me to teach you a few things about the bow?"

"Um… I'm grateful, but aren't you busy?"

"Not at all, I'm not busy."

His eyes were so intense.

'Since he's offering to teach me, there's no need to refuse.'

I nodded, and Jerit smiled brightly.

"I'll teach you step by step. First, hold the arrow like this…"

Jerit explained clearly, making it easy for me to understand.

Following his instructions, I relaxed my fingertips slightly and drew the bowstring.

Thud!

The arrow embedded itself into the tree with a loud, clear sound.

"Wow!"

I couldn't help but exclaim.

"Amazing, Miss Eli! You did so well with just a simple explanation!"

"Thanks to Lord Jerit!"

"No, no! It's because Miss Eli is so talented!"

Jerit and I jumped around excitedly.

When I came to my senses, Lady Amanta was chuckling. Jerit's face turned red.

"Mother."

"It's been a while since I've seen you this happy."

Lady Amanta's smile was not just pleased, but delighted.

"If I had known this, I would have made a younger sister for you, Jerit. You seem to enjoy tinkering more than making tin dolls."

"Mother…!"

Jerit's face turned even redder, but Lady Amanta's laughter didn't stop.

Only then did I realize.

Jerit had been playing with me so enthusiastically.

'I was so excited and didn't even notice.'

I felt like a child and was embarrassed.

'But I should thank him.'

"Thank you for playing with me."

"…! No, Miss Eli. I, I should be the one…"

Jerit hesitated before speaking.

"Thanks to Miss Eli, I've gained so much. So, I'm the one who should be grateful."

From his words, it seemed that the mine development was going smoothly.

"Hehe. That's great."

I smiled brightly.

"By the way, I heard that Uncle Wiborg is making a sword. It's supposed to be much stronger than a bow."

"Ah, he is making it, but…"

Jerit seemed uncomfortable and trailed off.

"Has Uncle Wiborg been drinking again?"

Alcoholism is a serious problem.

As I raised my eyebrows, Jerit shook his head vigorously.

"No, Wiborg is working hard. He's an excellent blacksmith. However…"

Jerit sighed.

"…he's too good, and that's the problem."

His voice had a hint of self-deprecation.

"There are hundreds, even thousands of swords for the knights of the duchy and for the market. But the only person making them is Wiborg…"

In other words, the supply couldn't keep up with the overwhelming demand.

Wiborg was making all the swords alone without any assistants.

Only Wiborg could make swords from the special and difficult-to-handle materials of the monsters.

But even the most skilled blacksmith has his limits.

'If this continues, Wiborg will be too exhausted…'

My face darkened, and Jerit, realizing this, forced a smile.

"Don't worry. Shall we try again?"

At Jerit's words, I nodded and adjusted my stance as he had taught me.

I slowly drew the bowstring.

I needed to pull it to the right point, but my mind was too preoccupied to feel the sensation.

"Ah…"

The arrow flew off with a twang, far away.

"Ah, I'll go get it right away!"

Embarrassed by my lapse, I ran to where the arrow had flown.

Fortunately, the arrow hadn't gone far.

After passing a few snow-covered trees, I saw the arrow lying there.

"Sigh."

I sighed and bent down.

'One problem solved, another arises.'

As I stood up, my vision suddenly darkened.

'What is it? Is it going to rain?'

But it was still snowing.

I looked up at the sky.

"…!"

At that moment, a massive flock of crows entered my field of vision.

The crows were circling around me, clearly targeting me.

'Were they sent by someone?'

I gripped the arrow tightly and slowly backed away.

If they attacked, I was ready to impale them.

Then,

Caw!

The largest crow landed on the ground with a loud noise.

"What, what is it?"

"Do you have something to say to me? Huh?"

But the crow just stared at me silently.

"Why aren't you cawing…"

At this point, it seemed like the crow understood me. I started to feel scared and gripped the arrow more firmly.

Then,

The crow spread its wings wide and hid its head inside.

At that moment,

A grown man with copper-colored skin and slanted eyes appeared.

"…!"

The crow had transformed into a human.

Startled, I could only gape, and the man, who had transformed in an instant, spoke to me.

[I came to ask for a favor, little human.]

"Y-You, a crow turned into a human…"

[Are you close to the hammer?]

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, I stopped in my tracks.

Hammer?