"We have arrived at the designated location," Henry declared, breaking the silence. "Retrieve the provisions."
"Ah, it's ti for lunch!" Barbara exclaid, her excitent evident as she quickly exited the carriage, displaying unexpected agility despite her small stature.
Observing Barbara's energetic departure, I decided it was ti for to rise as well. I adjusted my posture gradually, sitting upright and reluctantly leaving behind the comfortable pillow that had served as my solace over the past few days.
Initially, I sought solace on that soft cushion only once to calm my racing thoughts. However, Anabelle suggested that it would be beneficial for to rest in that position. Well, I couldn't complain about having such a luxurious cushion for support.
"Anabelle?" I called out to her, noticing the faint blush on her cheeks as she kept her gaze fixed on her own lap. I gently tapped her shoulder to get her attention.
"Huh?" Anabelle looked up, her eyes seemingly lost in a whirl of spirals.
"It's ti for lunch. We should go," I repeated, hoping to bring her back to the present mont.
"Y-yeah, let's go," Anabelle responded, slightly startled by my sudden reminder.
Stepping outside of the carriage, we proceeded to organize the food and prepare plates for everyone to enjoy. As we distributed the als, I noticed Leila silently taking her plate and retreating back into the carriage, remaining hidden from our view as she always did.
Over these past few days, I have observed and confird a few things about her. First, she possesses the ability to use magic and fight, but she is utilizing so kind of concealer artifact to suppress her mana. I have observed her eyes attentively following the flow of mana, which is only visible to individuals who possess the ability to sense mana, such as a mage. Non-mages can only perceive manifested spells, but whenever one of us employs any form of magic, she seems to discern the flow of mana as her eyes track its particles along the sa trajectory.
Secondly, I strongly doubt that she is mute. Sotis, she appears to mutter to herself in the middle of the night. Although the sound is faint, my heightened sensitivity allows to pick up on it.
Lastly, she exhibits an unnaturally strong attachnt to that box.
"I am impressed, princess. You don't seem like the type to notice such details," Blaze remarked, leaving uncertain whether he was complinting or insulting .
I haven't ntioned anything about it because it does not concern us. She could be a trained guard assigned to protect the box but has so reason to conceal her identity. Who knows?
As long as we receive our paynt and I am able to reach Ivorygate, all is well.
"It's a good thing that you left Sephra with these guys, or else it would have taken two months to reach our destination, right?" Blaze stated the obvious. If I were alone, I don't believe it would have been as easy or fast to arrive here.
As we gathered around to enjoy our lunch, the atmosphere remained tinged with a sense of mystery. Leila's withdrawal into the carriage intrigued , but I respected her need for privacy and decided not to pry. Instead, I focused on the task at hand: satisfying our hunger.
The provisions we had brought were carefully selected to ensure a variety of flavors and sustenance. The aroma of freshly cooked food perated the air, awakening our senses and tantalizing our taste buds. We sat together, savoring each bite and engaging in casual conversations.
Henry, always the jolly one, shared anecdotes from our previous adventures, eliciting laughter and smiles from the group. Ali, with his quick wit, added humorous remarks that kept the lively banter going. Anabelle, though still slightly flustered from earlier, gradually relaxed and joined in the cheerful chatter.
"Hey, that's a cool bracelet you have there," Barbara remarked, glancing at my wrist.
"Oh, this? It's a gift," I replied, referring to the silver bracelet adorning my left wrist.
I had kept it safely tucked away in my luggage, but today I felt like wearing it. The bracelet featured a marble-sized athyst-like rock in the center, a Thargtusks Mana core.
"It's the sa core from that day, right?" Anabelle asked, recognizing the unique piece.
"Yep, it is," I confird.
Marylin had gifted this on my birthday, intending it to serve as a nto of my first hunt. She purchased the entire corpse of a Thargtusk from Anabelle before it could be sold to the guild. Then, she took its core to a skilled artisan who crafted the bracelet over a span of three days.
The bracelet had a few runes that allowed it to emit a soft glow in the dark, but its purpose was primarily ornantal. It made for a stylish accessory.
As we indulged in the al, I couldn't help but marvel at the bonds that had been rekindled during our journey. Just two more days remained until we reached our destination.
...
After the satisfying al, we tidied up the empty plates and remnants, leaving no trace behind.
"Ren," Anabelle approached , avoiding direct eye contact.
'She's about to say sothing embarrassing,' I instinctively realized. Whenever she fidgeted and avoided making eye contact, it often led to her saying sothing and then getting flustered. It was rather endearing.
"What is it?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued.
"Umm... can I call you Ruu?" Anabelle dropped an unexpected bomb.
"Huh?" I was montarily stunned, trying to comprehend this new turn of events.
"Ah! No, don't get it wrong. I just thought that since we're good... no, great friends, maybe we should use nicknas for each other. When I visited your house, I noticed your mom and aunt calling you Ruu, and I thought it would be nice if I could call you... I an, it would deepen our friendship, and..." Anabelle stumbled over her words, becoming increasingly flustered.
"Hey, relax!" I interrupted her rambling and said, "You can. Since I always call you Ana instead of Anabelle, you can call Ren or any na you'd like. Get it?"
Anabelle nodded, resembling a three-year-old child. I chuckled at her reaction and headed back inside the carriage, but to my surprise...
"Tuck!"
Sothing tapped the hem of my sleeve, and I turned to see Anabelle.
"Hey, you'll leave after we arrive at Ivorygate, right?" Anabelle's voice held a note of uncertainty. Did she want to confirm it?
"Yep, I'll be going my own way and exploring the kingdom as a true adventurer," I replied, spouting the old cliché. In truth, I wouldn't be in this kingdom for much longer.
"Can I ask you sothing?" Anabelle hesitated, prompting to wait for her to continue.
"I want you to keep traveling with these guys, even after I leave the group. I think you all should stick together. It will provide you with valuable real-life experience, and..." Anabelle paused mid-sentence.
"And?" I prodded.
"And it will be safer for you too," she finally revealed, her words weighed with concern.
I understood her feelings. From her perspective, I was just a teenager not yet mature enough to take care of myself. Moreover, Anabelle herself wouldn't be around for long, as she was pursuing her dream job. She wanted to stay with her friends so they could keep an eye on .
"I don't think that's the only reason," Blaze chid in, his voice lingering with suspicion.
"Listen, Anabelle, let assure you that embarking on this journey alone is sothing I must do for my personal growth. Don't worry, it'll be fine. You've only recently returned to your previous life, and you have your friends here. Cherish your ti with them and don't dwell on anything else," I reassured her before stepping back into the carriage.
It's better for her to be concerned about people who will be with her for a long ti, rather than worrying about soone she only just t who is parting ways soon, right?
"Are you not going to et her again, Princess?" Blaze asked, seeming oblivious to my words.
Once I leave Ivorygate alone, I doubt there will be any chance for Ana and to cross paths again. She will live her life, and I will live mine.
...
That night, the carriage continued its steady pace through the dark night. No moon illuminated the sky above.
Inside the carriage, it was , Zark, Barbara, and Anabelle, who had settled beside with her head gently resting on my shoulder as she drifted off to sleep.
"Mnmm... Ruu, don't do that, it hurts," Anabelle mumbled in her sleep. I wondered what kind of dream she was having, hoping it wasn't sothing too mischievous.
"I highly doubt it's not a mischievous one," Blaze interjected.
Suddenly, a thunderous thud reverberated from outside, followed by Ali's voice shouting, "It's Dreadclaw!"
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Reviews
All reviews (0)