Anne
Hugo, you idiot!
I watched him disappear into the horizon, with that necromancer in her arms, unable to do anything to stop him.
For the second ti, I had lost to another girl.
She chose her over . Over us. Us, who had traveled with him for months. And , who had bared all my feelings towards him. Just for so woman he was far too young to be with, for so woman that practiced necromancy, for so woman who he barely knew about.
I've told him—begged him not to do anything stupid. And yet, he did it anyway. He's now a bonafide enemy of the Church, and he would be hunted down by them for the rest of his days.
The worst part was how he didn’t even bother to say goodbyes to us. He only spared a glance. A single, short glance.
I know why. He didn’t want to involve us in his cri. But still, after all we’ve been through, I just cannot accept it!
Alie, being the girl that she is, nearly chased after him. I stopped her on her tracks, telling her that there’s nothing she can do for him, that she would only be a burden.
All of us would be a burden.
That’s right. Even though we had gotten a bit stronger thanks to his training, we’re still nowhere near his level. I saw him survive that massive light. If the spell wasn’t so obvious, having that giant magic circle on the sky before it fired, we would’ve died to it. No question about it. It was the first ti I saw a magic that powerful. It erased the dungeon and everything else around it, including the camp the soldiers had set up, leaving only a massive crater behind.
And now, the woman who cast that spell was going in a rampage. After realizing Hugo had escaped, she imdiately ordered us and pretty much anybody else present to search the area for him.
We complied, of course. We didn’t want to tell her the direction where he went, but there were other people who saw him as well and they had no reason to lie. To my relief, when we got there, to where the tall cliff was, he was already gone.
He got away.
Anton and I knew not to start smiling, but I had to make sure Alie was on the sa page. She would no doubt be suspicious if we had relieved grins on our faces when we reported that we couldn’t find him.
We were interrogated afterwards, being the one closest to him. We let Anton do all the talk, and to our relief, he managed to convince that woman that we had nothing to do with Hugo. In fact, he managed to assure her that we were terribly disappointed by what he did today and how it was a betrayal he didn’t see coming in the slightest. He even offered his aid on finding him, as he wanted revenge for said betrayal.
It’s painful, having to lie about your friend like that. But it wasn’t like we had any other choice, did we? Hugo didn’t say his goodbyes to us to keep us safe. We couldn’t waste his goodwill in the slightest.
We were then deployed to search for him at the nearby forest, where she suspected he had escaped to. We went there and did so, but found no tracks of him after several whole days of searching. When we returned to her, we knew that the other adventurers didn’t have any luck in finding him as well. As for the soldiers, I overheard how they didn’t even want to bother helping her anymore, after what she did to their comrades, with that grand spell of hers. So they only did the barest searches, just so they wouldn’t suffer her wrath.
In the end, the woman, and her only surviving subordinate, decided to hunt down Hugo on her own. She believed he wouldn’t stay around in the country for long, and that he would be heading sowhere else where the Church couldn’t reach him.
And, if I had to guess, she’s thinking the sa thing as he does.
The Demon Continent.
I could only hope he could make it there before she reached the port town and announced for his search. That, or he decided to go west instead to the Feuding Kingdoms region. The Church had little influence there as well. And if he did, then we could—
I shook my head.
No, he would never abandon his plan to be with that Sherry girl.
Hmph, thinking about it, with him having a demon girlfriend, he might be more at ho there living with the demons there compared to with us humans.
I sighed. Maybe I should make my way to the Demon Continent too one day.
Not now though. I’m still too weak for that.
We then returned back to the capital, where we received our pay for our participation in this whole ss. The pri minister kept his promise, and we were indeed paid handsoly for our reward.
And then, it’s ti for us to decide what we would do from here.
----------
After we made our visit to the castle, we went to the usual tavern at town. The sun had already set already and we intended to have our dinner there, as well as to discuss where we would go next. Anton always said that he wanted us to go west to the Feuding Kingdoms region, but he hadn’t said any specifics about the matter.
The place was as busy as usual. Thankfully, we managed to procure a corner table, allowing us privacy from the rest of the patrons. Anton and I decided to order so at soup. It was usually a pricey dish, but since we just got a lot of gold coins, we figured that we could splurge a bit for the night. Alie didn’t say anything, only nodding when I asked her if she wanted so at soup as well.
After a short ti waiting, the waitress arrived with our bowls. Anton and I imdiately partook in it, enjoying the fresh contrast between the supple at and the spicy broth it was served in. The waitress proudly said that the spices were imported from Laudgar, and it might just be true for once.
Midway through my bowl, however, I noticed that Anne had yet to touch her bowl. Not even a single spoonful had entered her mouth.
“Hey, Alie. Your soup is going cold, you know.”
“...”
“Alie! You know how expensive this soup is. I’m not going to let you just waste it! If you don’t want it, then I’m going to eat it for myself!”
I took the bowl off her side of the table.
And yet, she still didn’t respond. She continued to sit there with her hands propping her head, staring into the distance.
“...I wonder where he is right now…”
…
This spoiled brat!
"...Alright, that's enough! I'm sick of you moping around like this! Do you think you’re the only one who’s worried about him?!”
The blonde airhead had been like this ever since he left. At first, it was understandable but it’s already been a week since then. She should just get over it like Anton and I had! No need to bring our moods down with her!
“If you want to be with him so bad, then just go to the Demon Continent on your own! Not that you would survive there for long, of course! The mont you stepped out from the human cities there, a demon would just snatch your pretty little head off.”
“Anne…”
“Shut up, Anton! I’m tired of this princess here pretending that she’s the only one suffering!”
"Umm, excuse …"
Our argunt was interrupted by a face we were all too familiar with.
“Is this a bad ti perhaps?”
“Yes! Yes it is! No one of us is in any mood for your interviews!”
It was the elf bard—the nosy one who kept giving us questions about him a few months back. To think that tonight, she would be here of all places… my luck must be rotten or sothing.
“R-right,” she replied in a seemingly apologetic tone. “I-I just… I just want to ask about him. I-is it true? That he’s a heretic who helps that court mage-turned-necromancer ran away from the Church?”
“...It’s true." I sent her a glare. "Now leave us alone.”
"Wow, that's amazing! What a romantic story! The hero has fallen for the evil lady, but he never gives up her! And so, she saved her, even if it ans becoming the enemy of the entire world!"
Her eyes shone and she was clasping her hands together.
...And I am seriously considering punching her in the face.
"Listen here, you delusional bard! There's nothing heroic or good about that! He's just a stupid little kid who gets seduced by a woman far too old for her!"
"O-oh, I'm sorry! I forget that you're one of his lovers!"
"What did you say, you pointy-eared bard?"
I leapt from my seat and grabbed her by the cuffs. "I never liked him, alright? I just admired him a bit! That's all there is to it! And now, after he betrayed us to be with that witch, the only feeling I have for him is hate. So don't you dare even think that I'm part of his posse or sothing!"
I bolted out of the room, earning confused looks from the other patrons as well as Alie and Anton.
I ran for one reason, and one reason only.
The water trailing down my cheeks.
I never finished my soup that night. I ran back to my room and buried myself under my sheet.
And of course, he had to show up in my dream, apologizing for what he did. He the
flashed that stupid grin of his and told him that he wanted to marry . He even knelt on his knee and gave a ring adorned with a gem of ruby. Said that it matched the color of my hair.
Before I could answer him, I woke up, with the sun already beaming through the window.
I never really got over him. Even now, I still wanted to be him.
Alie no doubt felt the sa. She simply wasn't as good as
at hiding it.
I hated it. I hated this feeling, wanting to chase after so kid who already had a girlfriend. And maybe two, if that witch ended up seducing him, which, knowing how perverted he was, would happen sooner or later. Since when I liked younger guys anyway? If it weren't for his stupid smile, and his occasional cool monts, and the awkward yet charming way he talked to , not to ntion his good looks…
Aaargghh, it's not fair! You can't expect a girl to not fall in love with a guy when he saved her twice!
…
"Haaahhh…"
I stood up, did a short stretching session before staring out the window. It was already bustling outside, with people going back and forth on their business.
Life went on. Whether we wanted to or not.
...I would get over this feeling in ti. I would fall in love with another guy then I would forget about him.
But, if sohow, knowing how vast the world was, I ended up eting him again one day, with my heart still beating rapidly for him…
…
I had no answer then.
I could only continue on with a smile, trusting in myself and the future I would walk.
----------
Hugo
We didn’t stop our stride until we escaped the forest so hours later.
I didn’t carry Felicia all the way though. My hands eventually grew too tired to lift her. So I had to drop her down once we left the forest.
"There we go."
I noticed the disappointed look on her face.
"What's the matter?" I smirked. "You still want more?"
Her cheeks colored themselves again.
"N-no! I couldn't possibly—"
"It's fine! You're not as heavy as I thought you would. And I got sothing out of it too."
She tilted her head, until a lightbulb lit inside it.
"Oh! You an your hand squeezing and pinching at my butt wasn't an accident?"
"That, and
peeping at your chest." I grinned. "With no bra on, they bounced all over the place. I could even see their pink cherries from ti to ti."
She was brought speechless by my blatantly perverted admission.
That's right. That's how it should be.
"And that's how I truly am—a worthless, cowardly pervert. I am no hero. Nor am I so noble gentleman either. I am just Hugo Greenwood, a kid who left his family just because he was too scared to apologize."
My smile turned bitter. Hate . Despise . That's what I deserve.
"Milord…"
"Stop calling
that. Just call
Hugo. Or Trash. That works too."
"Please! Stop blaming your—"
"No. You should. I've let a little girl die on my watch. I had her, you know—that inquisitor. Right in my sight. I could pull the trigger before Leila died. But I couldn't. My hands—they shook. Terribly. I couldn't bring myself to do it. Not when it mattered. After I experienced first hand how strong that lady was with her holy light…"
My hands clenched themselves. I looked away from her gaze.
"...Milord…"
"Oi, ye two! What are ye' doing in mine's farm?"
I looked up. A burly, slightly overweight man jogged at our direction.
I looked down. Oh. We were really standing inside soone's field. The soil we stood on was already prepared for planting. And we might have ruined it by standing here.
Quickly, we relocated where we stood.
"Adventurers, ain't ye? Ca out from the forest? Got lost? Ain't gave you the right to trample on mine property."
"A-ah, apologies. Like you've said, we are indeed lost adventurers. We didn't an to trespass."
I took the initiative and gave a bow towards the farr. Felicia, noticing what I was doing, followed suit.
"Heh, at least ye got so manners." He spat to the side. Seed like he had been chewing so sort of leaf. "Closest village is that way." He gestured with his thumb. "Now go. Don't wanna see yer faces around. Damn adventurers…"
Grumbling, he turned his back and walked away.
Suddenly, an idea hit my head.
"Wait, Sir!" I yelled.
"What?" He turned.
"Do you have a carriage we can buy?"
"A carriage?" He raised his eyebrows. "I do have one. Not for sale." He resud his walk.
"I'll play twice the usual rate!"
He stopped again.
"Make it thrice and ye have a deal."
And so it was that we got our getaway carriage.
---------
The man then told us to follow him to his house, which was located on a short five minute walk from where we were. His little farm outright bordered the forest so you could see the small building from a distance.
As we walked, with him quite a bit ahead of us, Felicia asked
a question.
"Milord, are you truly serious in taking
along with you?"
"I am. If you want to anyway, being with a perverted loser like I am."
"H-how about yourself, Milord? Why would you want to be with —so wannabe failure of a necromancer who thought it's a bright idea to make a little girl be her apprentice?"
"Like that haughty elf said, we all have our failures." I flashed her a somber smile. "You and I—we're both failures. So we should stick together."
"B-but you're just a child, Milord! And I'm a full-grown adult! My mistake is much, much worse because of that!"
"Hey, I already got my wet dream a year ago. I might still look like this, but I'm just as perverted as your average adult man, maybe even more. And I don't have ti to pretend to be a child anyways. If you're an orphan, you'd already be kicked out from your orphanage at this age, especially if you're a guy."
I learned that fact from Renee when we got to chat about orphanages, thanks to Sherry.
"Not to ntion how dukes and earls would already be telling their sons to shop around for their future wife. Hell, I even heard a rumour of a certain duke who told his sons to buy female slaves on the market just so they could use them as training against won—to not fall for their charms easily, apparently."
This fact I learned from Fiora, as an example on how the Holy Empire's nobles treated their slaves.
Damn, already leaving the land of virginity at such a young age… I'm jealous…
"I actually have so noble blood in
by the way. Though it doesn't matter since my father got disowned by his father."
"What happened?" Felicia's eyes twinkled in curiosity.
"Not sure." I shrugged. "Father won't talk about it. Doesn't matter though. I don't really want to be a noble."
"Why not?"
"Because I can't be an adventurer if I beco one." I smiled.
-------
We arrived at the house. It was your usual farr house, made out of wood but with a straw ceiling. There was no floor, just straight up dirt from the land he built it on. I wonder if it was really his house, or it's just a makeshift place he built while he had an actual house in the nearby village.
Ah, that's my privileged, modern era mind talking. Back ho at Father's village, there are many houses with no floors as well. They were perfectly happy with it. Father didn't see the problem either, and he's the kind of guy who would rush to help them if they ever were in need of anything.
The farr had gone to the barn behind it, but instead of following him, we decided to just sit on the chairs at the veranda. We could use so rest after all.
"You know, you don't have to go with
all the way. I can drop you off on the Demon Continent once we get there. I assu that's the safest place to be from those guys."
"R-right…" She looked down, all dejected like a little puppy. "I would just be a burden… you already have soone after all."
"...Yeah, Sherry's not going to be happy if she sees you latching on to ." I chuckled. "She's the jealous type, you see."
"Then please!" She slamd her hands on the table. "Take
as far as you could!"
She leaned forward, tears glimring inside her eyes. Her cleavage hung low, making my own eyes wander.
"I-I don't have anything or anyone else to live for… My life purpose… it's gone now… I can only repay the kindness you have given , Milord!"
"Kindness?" I chuckled. "I'm not that kind. Do you know why I didn't co to your side earlier? Because I didn't want to. I saw you as a stranger who wasn't worth saving. I even thought you might deserve holy judgnt from them."
I didn't bring up Anton and the others begging
not to save her, nor did I bring up the fact that Ilymhyrra persuaded
ever so slightly to see her as evil. There's no use pointing fingers and blaming others. It was all on .
"Then… then why did you—"
"Because after they killed Leila, I knew for sure who was truly in the wrong. No good n or won would do that to a child. If I hadn't saved you, then I would feel even guiltier than I already am." I chuckled dryly. "So no. I'm not so hero of justice you think I am. I'm just a loser who wants a good night's sleep, though, after failing to rescue her, I'm sure to have nightmares for so ti. Just like when I failed all those other people before."
"Other people, Milord?"
"...Ah. I haven't told you about my past, have I? You know, I tell you my past and you tell
yours. How about it?" I flashed her a grin.
Before she could answer, the farr returned, driving the carriage along with him.
It was a simple farr’s carriage, intended to carry produce instead of people. There was only a roofless box behind the carriage seat and only a single horse was pulling on it. As expected, its state left much to be desired. The contraption was terribly worn and rickety, not sothing I would even consider buying if we weren’t in such a tight spot. Even the horse looked a bit sickly. Not to ntion that I had to pay thrice the ordinary amount for a carriage. I did have the gold from all the quests I had done these past months, but it didn’t an I was all that willing to part from it.
We climbed up the carriage imdiately once I paid him in full (he didn't even try to hide his greed-filled grin). We knew that if we dallied around, we still could get caught. That man would obviously tell them about us if they asked him, no doubt about it.
And Felicia naturally realized it as well.
"Milord, that man…” she whispered as she sat beside
on the carriage seat. “He's going to inform them about us for sure. Should I—"
"No. There's no need. We'll be long gone when they get here."
“I-I know you’re too nice for it, but to keep you safe, I-I’m willing to dirty my hands! So please! Allow
to—”
“You’re turning a new leaf, aren’t you? Then stop thinking like that. I want you to start thinking for yourself, for your own future. I might have saved you but I didn’t do it for you to act like this. And I’m done with people sacrificing themselves for my sake. If they’re going to co, then let them co. I’ll protect myself and you as well when that happens. That’s the least I could do to redeem myself.”
She fell silent under my glare. She looked downwards to her lap, giving
a glimpse of her watering eyes yet again.
“There’s sothing you can do for
though,” I added with a nervous grin. “I… never really drove a carriage before.”
She looked back up, now with a smile on her face.
“Then, let
take the reins, Milord.”
With a whip of her arms, we departed. Despite its looks, the horse could pull on our vehicle just fine.
I heard the farr thanking us for the money once again from a distance. I didn't bother to respond though.
"I learned this from my father, if you care to know." Felicia suddenly spoke. "He told
to be a farr. I wasn't interested though. I wanted to be an alchemist instead."
A wistful smile appeared on her face. She didn't need to say anything. Sothing bad must have happened to him.
"You said you wanted to hear about my past. Then, I shall tell you. Every single bit of it. When I'm finished, you would know just how rotten I really am."
"Fire away. Tell
every bad thing you did. I'll do the sa. Then we'll see who is the most horrible person sitting on this seat right now."
She gave a light chuckle. “Then, I shall tell you, how the person sitting in front of you now ca into being.”
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