Chapter 65

To me, the world was nothing but the mansion.

The mansion was large enough for humans to live in, but it was far too small to be the world in which I would spend my life.

That’s why I think I loved books.

In books, I could go anywhere. Of course, there were many places I could read about but not imagine.

What is the sea?

What is the mountain?

What is a lake? What is a river?

After I was found to have an extraordinary aptitude for magic, I could no longer go outside.

There was a maid in the mansion who pitied me and taught me various things. She taught me how to read, about the world she had seen, and then—how to love people.

That maid was reported for “giving me unnecessary wisdom” and was fired. I couldn’t even say goodbye to her. One day, she was just gone.

When I asked about her, I was told—

—She will never appear before you again.

I received a cold answer.

I spent my days reading books. I learned words like “to console the boredom of daily life” from reading books.

As I did so, I felt my heart wearing down more and more.

I would eventually be used as a “weapon.”

The only future I could see was a dark one.

It was a night of heavy rain.

A boy, not much older than me, broke into the mansion and killed my father, who had kept me locked up—strangely, I wasn’t afraid of him—and then he freed me as I was being escorted away.

He seemed like a hero from an adventure story.

He rescued me so effortlessly, even though I had said I was a burden.

And he even cleared a dungeon.

My colorless days rapidly turned colorful.

Outside the city, there was a forest. Caravans traveled on the roads. There was a small bridge over the river. Hot dogs were incredibly delicious—Hikaru said they were too spicy for him.

I knew Hikaru was hiding something important.

But that didn’t make me doubt him or lose my trust in him.

Because, to me, Hikaru was a savior, a hero who gave me freedom, and—probably—the first person I ever liked.

I also learned that Hikaru had a special ability called a Soul Board.

He gave me the ability to be stealthy, so I had no choice but to believe him.

I don’t know how much he realizes, but his ability is—tremendous.

The ability to mass-produce swordsmen if he so desired is something only a god could do.

I could understand why he kept it a secret.

I was so happy when he confided in me that I almost cried.

That’s why I want to be of help to Hikaru.

I don’t need to hear my hopes. If the limits of my abilities are determined by points, I want to make up for what Hikaru can’t do.

Because—I have been given so much.

* * *

The next morning, Hikaru and Ravia prepared and left the city.

A gently sloping grassland stretched out, followed by a forest.

To the north, green mountains spread out.

They found a stagecoach outside the city and headed north.

Hikaru felt refreshed. He thought it was because he had talked to Ravia.

Ravia also seemed to have a change of heart, as she stood closer to Hikaru than usual. They held hands almost the entire time.

They spent the whole day traveling.

They secured a room in a small town at the foot of the mountains. When they went out for dinner, the town was bathed in a crimson sunset.

“Such a huge sunset.”

Ravia murmured, almost involuntarily, as she gazed at the sun setting in the western forest.

Somewhere, the laughter of children playing could be heard.

The smell of cooking—of roasting meat—made Hikaru feel hungry, so he and Ravia entered a tavern. Or rather, it was the only place they could find to eat.

“Oh, little customers. Are you traveling?”

A friendly, plump innkeeper came to take their order.

“Something like that. Can we have whatever you recommend?”

“Sure thing.”

The tavern was about half full.

A woman with a lute, which looked like a guitar, appeared in the corner. The red-haired woman sat on a stool, adjusted her lute, and began to play.

Then she started to sing.

—In ancient times, there was a man with the blood of a phoenix.

He left his strict home in search of freedom—

It was an epic poem with the man as the protagonist.

As she sang, phrases like “the blood of the yellow tiger” and “the blood of the red dragon” came up, which seemed to be keywords related to the clans of Romania.

While nibbling on the sausages, ham, and leafy vegetables the innkeeper brought, they listened to the song. The man who sought freedom was eventually called back to his homeland to fight in a war. His beloved brother had died in battle.

—Hikaru thought this was nice.

Not from books, but from music heard through the ears.

“Another Romanian song, huh?”

“I’d like to hear a more sophisticated song.”

Voices from other tables could be heard.

This town was in Ludansha. They might not like songs about Romania.

(This country… or rather, I’m not sure if it can even be called a country. The mentality of being a small country hasn’t changed at all.)

A green-haired face flashed in Hikaru’s mind.

He was worried about the future of this country.

—The man was finally at a loss, whispering to the green demon.

The green demon received the blood of the phoenix and ran around to stop the war—

(The green demon… I think the League clan was also the green demon…)

Hikaru’s gaze met Ravia’s, who was staring at him.

Ravia’s hand, which had been eating, had completely stopped. She was staring at Hikaru intently.

“…Do you need something, miss?”

“I was wondering what Hikaru was thinking.”

“It’s nothing much.”

“Were you thinking about whether you should save this country? If so, that’s not much of a big deal.”

“Why would I be thinking about something like that…”

“Hikaru may say ‘it’s none of my business’ coldly, but he’s kind to those who try hard.”

“‘Impudent’ is something I’ve been called often, but ‘kind’ is a first.”

“Really? Then it’s just that other people can’t see it.”

Ravia said confidently, with a gentle smile.

She had such a warm and friendly expression—something I hadn’t seen before.

It was definitely influenced by this morning’s conversation.

“…Ravia, that—”

“What is it?”

“Thank you for listening to me.”

“No, thank you for talking to me. I was really happy.”

Her warm words and feelings made Hikaru feel that it was good to have talked to her.

“The song is over.”

“Really.”

Even after the song ended, there was no applause.

The woman leaned her lute against the wall and went to the counter, ordering tea from the innkeeper.

“I’m going to talk to her. Depending on the situation, I might—help someone.”

“Sure. I think it’s a good idea. It’s like you.”

With Ravia’s encouragement, Hikaru approached the singer.

“Miss, I’d like to talk to you for a moment.”

“…What do you want, kid?”

“Are you from Romania? I’d like to learn a bit about the clans—”

Hikaru is curious about the League, so he’s going to gather information about the Romanian clans.