Chapter 36

EP.36 On the Train - 1

He had a strange dream.

A dream about his mother coming back, a dream that he hadn't had since he regressed, a dream that was both heartwarming and painful.

His mother, who had returned home, hugged him warmly.

He was incredibly happy, and for some reason, tears welled up in his eyes.

...But his mother's body felt strangely cold.

And for some reason, it was very hard, and it smelled like a wooden floor...

“...Ugh...”

Suffering from a dream that he couldn't tell if it was a good or bad one, Leo naturally opened his eyes.

The place where he woke up was next to a cold bed on a wooden floor; it seemed he had fallen asleep while taking care of someone.

“...I've become quite soft, haven't I?”

[Probably because you were rubbing that soft body.]

He heard the sage's refreshing scolding as a substitute for his morning alarm. Normally, he would have been annoyed, but today, for some reason, he wasn't angry.

It must be because he had a good sleep and his fatigue was gone.

<...Did you see my dream?>

[Whatever dream you had, it must have been a good one. To have such a luxury and still have a bad dream, you'd be...]

The conversation didn't quite align, but the meaning was roughly correct, so Leo nodded.

<In the dream, I saw my mother. I guess it's because I haven't slept at home for a long time.>

[...Sigh... Yeah, it must have been a good dream.]

With a sigh of frustration, his voice now seemed resigned, as if he had given up. Leo was so used to this behavior that he didn't question or argue.

“Aria...”

Ariasphil had twisted the bedsheet and blanket completely, sleeping freely like a country girl.

If he had gotten caught up in her sleep-talking, Leo would have probably rolled off somewhere.

“...You must have been very tired.”

Her clothes around her stomach and chest were also slightly disheveled. It would have been difficult for her to end up like this unless she had slept very restlessly.

“You'll catch a cold if you sleep like that.”

Leo averted his gaze and properly covered her with the blanket.

[You look like a newlywed husband.]

<That's not what I meant.>

[...Just don't answer. I'm getting irritated just looking at you.]

That guy was in a bad mood from the morning. More than that, he wondered why everyone's thoughts always went in that direction.

“...We still have some time.”

Looking at the clock, he saw that they had a few hours to spare. After having breakfast and saying goodbye to the villagers, they could board the train comfortably.

“Then...”

Leo walked to the kitchen and put on an apron.

The apron clearly showed his determination to cook.

***

Aria's eyelids fluttered. With a mix of sounds, she couldn't help but wake up.

The sound of the lights turning on, the sizzle of oil, the sound of eggs cooking, the sound of boiling water.

In addition, a soft hum was weaving these sounds into a harmony.

“...Leo...ardo...?”

Even with her sleepy voice, her loyal knight quickly responded.

“Are you awake, Miss?”

In front of her was love.

The source of pure affection smiled at her.

A loving man who smelled of a fragrant breakfast.

“...Eh... Is it okay that I'm drooling...?”

She must be hungry. It's definitely not because of the sight of 'Leo in an apron.'

But 'Leo in an apron' was cute, affectionate, and lovable. Denying that was an impossible truth.

“You must be very hungry. Have something to eat first.”

Relieved by Leo's insensitivity, Aria subtly wiped away the drool of desire.

“Try it. It's simple, but it's good for nutrition.”

Aria's eyes sparkled. The food on the table looked like it was made just for her.

“...Did... Did you make all of this yourself?”

“Yes, it's morning, so it's hard to get help.”

Aria had tasted all kinds of delicacies before, thanks to the wealth and status of the Reinhardt family, which could call chefs from all over the world.

But now she realized.

That was the shallow thinking of a frog in a well.

“...Do you not want to eat? It will get cold.”

No chef could match the sincerity in that lovely being's heart.

“...I'll eat well...!”

Aria thought as she put the food in her mouth. This wasn't just food; it was love.

‘...And this is a little...’

Being woken up in the morning, seeing him in an apron, and eating together...

‘It feels like a newlywed couple...!’

Not just like a newlywed couple, but it could be said without anyone doubting it.

“How does it taste?”

“It's delicious! I wish we could eat together every day...!!”

At that moment, Aria closed her mouth in embarrassment. That was a statement that would make her recall the 'marriage fantasy' from yesterday.

“I'm glad it suits your taste. It makes me a little proud.”

Leo's cheerful response eased Aria's worries, but her embarrassment remained.

“...That... yesterday...”

Swallowing the food with difficulty, she put an apple in her mouth.

“I'm sorry for saying that. It must have been a difficult topic for you...”

“No, I'm grateful that you said it.”

“Eh? Hic...!”

It was such an unexpected response that Aria let out a high hiccup.

She wondered if Leo might have harbored the same plan as her.

“You were trying to save face for the village chief, right? Thank you.”

At that moment, Aria didn't know, but the sage was cursing under his breath. Not knowing that was probably a blessing for the pure-hearted her.

“...A... Ah... Yeah...”

But Leo's response was a curse, for her and for himself.

***

“Are you leaving already? You don't come often, stay a bit longer?”

Dean smiled with his fangs and suggested casually. It seemed the villagers all agreed.

“Unfortunately, the main purpose was to get the tower's permit. It's hard to stay long with so many variables.”

“Then have a safe trip. Get that permit right away.”

Leo chuckled and nodded.

Meanwhile, Anus, the village chief, walked over to represent the villagers.

“Leaving?”

“Yes, I'm sorry I can't stay longer.”

“You'd just ruin the food if you stayed longer. Get going.”

While saying that, Anus approached Aria and extended his hand.

“You said you were going to the tower, right?”

“Yes? I'm not going for magic, but...”

In his outstretched hand was a small note. If the envelope had been a bit better, it could have been called a letter.

“Give this to Physis Natra. He'll treat you well since he owes me.”

“...Thank you.”

Aria expressed her gratitude, recalling his consideration and the events of the previous night.

“Now get out. My lightning-struck knee is aching.”

“Yes, sir, as you command.”

Despite the harsh words, perhaps because he had grown fond of them, Leo bowed with a smile. Aria also bid farewell to the villagers as respectfully as possible and followed Leo.

“Leonardo!”

At that moment, Anus called out to Leo with a voice as loud as a train's whistle.

“If you make that girl cry, don't ever come back to this village! I didn't raise such a spineless brat!!”

Without turning back, Leo replied.

“Yes! Who raised me, Grandma?!”

Leo said and left.

[Your face is red. You must be pretty happy, huh?]

“Shut up.”

[Well, you probably got struck by lightning on purpose. Your original plan was to use that as a sympathy card and call me Grandma, right?]

Not hearing that conversation was both fortunate and regrettable.

***

When they returned to the train station, the usual crowd of people was there. If they hadn't bought first-class tickets, they would have surely been swept away by the human tide and drifted for a long time.

“401... Here it is.”

The compartment where Leo's group would board was 401. Inside, two connected seats faced each other.

[But you guys rented the whole compartment? Last time, it was just the two of you in the compartment.]

That was true last time, but it was just luck.

<That would be too expensive. Usually, unknown passengers share the compartment. Last time, either the seats weren't sold or the passengers didn't show up.>

The sage nodded as if understanding and floated by Leo's side. Leo and Aria sat next to each other and waited for the train to depart.

“Here?”

While waiting, another passenger entered 401.

“Hi?”

She looked like a girl of their age, with a bright smile. What was most noticeable was the large suitcase she carried, which was slightly bigger than her.

Leo's group bowed to her and moved their legs to let her sit.

“Thank you.”

She tried to put the suitcase on the compartment shelf, but her height was far too short compared to the shelf.

“I'll help you.”

Unable to bear it, Leo helped her lift the suitcase. The girl smiled brightly and said,

“Thank you.”

“...”

Leo was silent for a moment before responding with the same smile.

“You're welcome, Miss.”

The title 'Miss' made the girl's smile even rosier, and Aria blushed slightly.

It looked the same, but completely different emotions were crossing and clashing.

“Where are you traveling to?”

“We're not really traveling, but we're going to the tower.”

The girl exaggerated a bit in response.

“Lovers often choose the tower as a travel destination! It's popular because of the magical artifacts and magic restaurants around it!”

Aria's expression seemed to relax a bit at the word 'lovers.' If she misunderstood, Aria's feelings wouldn't have been so tangled.

“Haha, we're not lovers. We're close friends.”

But Leo deliberately twisted her relaxed expression. Aria's face began to contort with redness.

“I see. A trip with friends is nice too.”

The girl giggled, covering her mouth. Aria naturally clenched her fists at that laugh. If it were confirmed as mockery, she would punch without hesitation.

“Why are you on the train, Miss?”

Leo was also irritated. What made this brat a 'Miss,' both in spirit and body, he was closer to a 'Miss.'

“I'm here because my friends called me. They said they wanted to meet after a long time.”

“Is that so? It's really kind of you to do that for your friends.”

What was kind about that?

At best, she was probably just going to have fun, which could be described as frivolous or extravagant.

“Hoho, thank you.”

While watching her smile, Leo suddenly stood up and approached the girl.

“Leo...?”

Then his face moved close to hers.

“Why suddenly...”

Leo removed a small petal from her hair.

“It was stuck in your hair. I'm sorry.”

“Oh... Thank you.”

“No, it was nice to see such a pretty petal.”

Now, she was holding back her anger.

Anger at the fox-like woman and betrayal from the trusted knight were piercing her heart.

Her clenched fists were getting tighter. If she added some aura, she could definitely knock out a tooth or two.

“Miss, could you please show me your cheek? I'm really sorry, but I need to check something.”

“Did something get stuck again?”

The girl unsuspectingly showed her cheek.

Now, the anger and betrayal had reached a breaking point. Aria's fist was...

Crack

Suddenly, the fist extended. By the sound, it seemed to have broken the nose or cheekbone, and possibly the jaw and teeth.

“No.”

But the one who threw the punch was not Aria.

“To make it easier to hit.”

Leo's fist definitely collided with the girl's face.

Or rather, the term 'girl' was no longer appropriate.

Her skin melted like clay, revealing a small man's face with a sparse beard.

“Damn, I hoped it wasn't you.”

Looking at the train robber, Leonardo muttered under his breath.

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