Dont you want to go back to the bakery, though?
Thats what Lucinda asks while Im making lunch. I made Valarith transport so supplies, and Im cooking for everyone.
Sunk cost fallacy, Lucy. If you have spent a lot on sothing, it doesnt an you should still be throwing money or ti at it just because. Im done with baking. For now, at least. I dont see any reason I should be going back to Amorium or trying to fight my sentence.
Arent you angry?
I stop finely cutting the pork belly to take a big breath.
Yep. Obviously, I exhale, but what should I do? Start a covert war with the nobles? Go against the entire Royal Family? Should I start murdering every single enemy I have? Nah, thank you. Ill mind my own business. If people who figure out who I am and where I am want to ss with , Ill take care of them. But I think we have both assessed that I can probably fry anything short of an [Archmage] from the inside out.
Lucinda sighs and nods.
Also, if you can learn from Valarith, you are set. She and Lord Juler are the real deal. The Vanedenis are as crazy as mad cows, but they are also the strongest, arent they?
They are losing the continental war on Ko. They have been losing for centuries now.
And yet, they are still fighting. Also, they fought each other because of a crazy necromancer. And if Valarith went back, she could easily slaughter all their enemies and lead the Vanedenis to victory.
Lucinda shrugs and looks at the food Im making with a raised eyebrow.
Is that a, what is it called again?
Carbonara.
Is it the one with milk?
I look at her with a disgusted expression.
Jesus. Where are you from? New Jersey? Disgusting.
No? Which one was the milky thing? I could have sworn it was this one, she says with a glint in her eyes.
I am not entertaining these satanic talks, please, I say while waving a hand. Also, as I was saying. You are good. I have a little proposal for us. Later. Not now. But learning magic from them? Man, people would kill for itmaybe even cause genocide. Given the murderous tendencies of Elves, I wouldnt be surprised.
Have you decided what to do? she asks, ignoring what I just said.
Im good.
You are not.
I am!
Lucinda throws a spoon at that I have to block with so magic before it can land in the food Im making.
Hey! Manners! Im cooking!
Answer the question! she starts raising her voice.
I did!
You didnt! she shouts.
I did!
I can see so sparks of magic in Lucindas hand, and I decide that maybe its best not to escalate the situation. Shes worried for , I know. She has no right to be, dont get wrong. But it feels good that soone is worried about . And the few weeks we really spent together gave her a good sense of how my emotions show up.
I dont know. Im a bit lost, to be honest.
No one wanted to helpno, no one helped. Thats even worse.
You shouldnt concern yourself with others. You survived what I did to you. Im sure you can keep going.
I take my eyes away from the pans and pots for a second.
It still hurts like a bitch, Lucy. The fact that I could take it doesnt an it didnt hurt. I dont know. I simply thought Stan would help when worse ca to worst.
There are political interests that are much bigger than you.
You know I co from a world without magic, right?
Lord Juler told sothing about it. So?
Where I co from, I wouldnt expect people to help just because. No magic, no levels. That ans theres very little to gain from risking your life. Note that so still do risk their lives. Policen and firefighters, to na a couple. But the point is that I would understand if no one ca to help . Why would they, right?
I pick up a whisk and look at the fine tal lines before looking at Lucinda again. The simple instrunt reflected a life I had decided to abandon. And now I was paying the price for it.
In a world without magic, its fine to be whoever you are. If you are a coward or weak, its fine. Theres really nothing most people can do about it. So Humans since we are talking just about Humans are happy with being weak. Aspiring to a grand life is, in a sense, aningless. Everyone dies in the sa way. Whether its between silks or rags, everyone kicks the bucket equally.
Heres different, Lucinda sighs, hinting at the awareness of what I will say next.
Yeah. Heres different. You can beco immortal. And even more, you can level so much that you beco a literal [Hero]. Every single one of you matters, in a way. You just have to put the work in, buckle up, and be ready to go down with a fight. So
Why dont we? Lucinda finished my sentence.
Yeah.
People are scared of dying in the sa way they are in your world. No one is immune to fear. The fact that we gain levels, while your people dont, doesnt really change what happens inside your head, does it?" she asks.
It should. It hella should.
When she puts a hand over mine, I realize I was about to fall into my thoughts, willing to abandon reality for as long as possible.
Ill have your back, Lucinda tells , cringing slightly at her own words.
Thats sothing unusual from you.
Ill leave you to die, then, she snorts, taking her hand away.
I grip her arm before she can get away.
Nah. Next ti an [Archmage] picks a fight with , Ill tell them to et with you first. You better study hard with Valarith, you know?
Are you jealous of her? You have been ntioning the Princess a lot.
Jealous? I snort.
But before I can continue, a part of starts aching.
A little? I dont know. It feels weird that Lord Juler is not in my head anymore. He felt like a like a
Lord Juler felt like a father to .
And thats sothing that I had lost a long ti ago.
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