Continuing the Journey

A couple of days had passed since the operation in the bandits’ cave came to an end. Both Liz and I spent most of the time resting, especially me, due to the exhaustion and the pain. Fortunately, it seemed that Liz didn’t have any problems even after spending almost all of her mana in the cave, and she recovered in a short time.

Lui also seemed stable and didn’t suffer any complications during that time, so the three of us enjoyed a few rather peaceful days after everything that had happened. However, on the third day, it was time to return to reality.

A funeral was held for the ones who had fallen in battle, and Liz and I attended. Lui insisted on coming as well, since she felt partly responsible, given that it had been an operation to rescue her. We were lucky enough to manage to get her a wheelchair.

“These knights died fulfilling their duty, the truest proof of their loyalty and commitment to the people and the land they loved so much!” shouted Captain Edran. “Do not remember them with sadness for what has happened—remember them with pride for what they were! Honorable and valiant knights!”

Then, Captain Edran turned his back to us and walked toward the graves. He unsheathed his sword and raised it, pointing directly at the sky.

“May the goddess Asenta hold them in her glory!”

All the knights present, aligned in symmetrical and orderly fashion, unsheathed their own swords and raised them in the same way as the captain.

“May the goddess hold them in her glory!” they all shouted in unison.

A goddess, huh?

Truth be told, I was never someone religious. But, if by any chance gods really do exist in this world, I hope that all those who sacrificed their lives can rest in peace.

Once the captain’s speech ended, everyone proceeded to leave offerings at the graves of the fallen. The girls and I placed one flower on each grave. I may have only been close to Clay, but they all deserved respect for their service.

“Thank you,” whispered Liz toward the graves.

When the funeral was over, everyone departed back to their homes. Liz and I were particularly busy preparing everything, for despite everything, our journey still had to continue.

***

“Aaah… it smells delicious,” said Liz.

“Focus on finishing the packing, come on,” I replied, waving the spoon to hurry her up.

Even though we had been delayed a few days, we still had to prepare everything to go to the capital. While Liz was packing some things we would need for the trip, I was cooking—not just lunch, but also enough food for Lui so that she wouldn’t have problems while we were gone.

Truth be told, I hadn’t thought of doing it at first, since I was worried the food would spoil, but it turns out this world has its own tricks.

“To think they’d already have refrigerators…” I muttered to myself.

Apparently, thanks to mana crystals it had been possible to build refrigerators, although a bit more rudimentary than the ones from my world. They worked by putting ice inside, and the mana crystal only maintained the temperature so that it wouldn’t melt. More like a cooler shaped like a refrigerator, but it worked well.

Another thing that worried us was Lui. Before, Liz could leave her alone while she went to the capital, but after everything that had happened, we didn’t want to be so careless. So, after thinking for a while about the best option, we finally found something—or rather, someone. They should be arriving at any moment.

Knock

Knock

Knock

And it seemed they had arrived at the perfect time.

I left the stew to cook and went to open the door, finding a familiar face on the other side.

“Good afternoon, Naoya,” he greeted. It was Captain Edran.

“Hey there!” added his companion, Mr. Draum.

I was quite surprised to see the instructor. We had only asked the captain if he could help us take care of Lui while we were away, and Mr. Draum had been injured until not too long ago—but now he looked rather recovered.

Did I really face someone this tough?

“Sorry for bringing him along,” said the captain. “Once he heard we’d be eating something, he clung to me and I couldn’t shake him off.”

Mr. Draum just laughed loudly at the captain’s words while the latter gave a slight bow, showing how much he regretted the inconvenience. I supposed I would have to prepare another plate. Good thing the table was big enough.

“Well then, since you’re here, come in, the food’s almost ready.”

Both men tried to enter at the same time, blocking each other’s way. Faced with such a sight, all I could do was watch in silence.

“Move aside, I’m going in first!”

“Excuse me!? I was the one asked for help!”

They bickered for a few moments, but I ended up letting the captain go in first and then the instructor. The captain had a good point—it was him I had asked for help in the first place—and then they both continued on their way to the kitchen. Liz looked a bit puzzled as they passed by and came over to me.

“Weren’t we only supposed to have invited Captain Edran?” she asked.

“Yes, but seeing how they are, I should’ve expected this…” I answered with a bit of resignation in my voice. Those two sure get along well.

“Ah! Liz, now that I remember, there was something I wanted to ask you.”

“What is it?”

I had forgotten because of the whole issue with Lui and the bandits, but it was something I needed to confirm if I truly wanted to become stronger.

“Do you think it’s possible for me to learn a technique similar to Mr. Draum’s? You know, the one that makes his body glow and turns him stronger.”

It had caught my attention ever since I first saw it during the guild test when he was my instructor, but watching it in action against the golem made me certain that I needed to learn it, if it was at all possible.

Liz thought for a few moments before giving me a hopeful answer.

“I think so. That kind of technique doesn’t require much mana, so you could try it,” she replied. “How about I help you? I can teach you how to handle mana.”

“Yes, please!” I said excitedly, holding her hands. “I’ll be counting on you!”

“Y-yes! Yes! I-I got it already!” she exclaimed, her face flushed and her hands trembling.

“Are you feeling sick or something? You’re really red…”

“It’s nothing! L-let’s just go eat already!”

Ending the conversation there, she rushed off to the kitchen. She was right—it was best that we ate now, since we’d be leaving soon. We already had everything ready.

“Delicious!” shouted Mr. Draum from the kitchen.

Looks like they had already helped themselves…

***

“And… up you go!”

It was time.

After eating, we finally left and met the man who would take us to the next town in his cart. He was different from the one I had seen last time when they brought me, although the animals pulling the cart were of the same breed. They still looked just as creepy…

“Not forgetting anything?”

“No, I already told you I’ve got everything…”

Lui had come to see us off, with Captain Edran by her side helping her with the wheelchair. I was a bit puzzled by the conversation between the two sisters.

Now Lui really did look like an older sister. It was nice to see how much she had improved since the first time I saw her.

I was helping the driver load some boxes onto the cart to speed things up. They weren’t heavy, though there were quite a lot of them. Luckily, we finished sooner rather than later.

“All set!” I exclaimed.

“Good! We’ll leave as soon as you’re ready!”

“Liz, it’s time to go.”

“Ah! Right!” she said. “See you soon, Lui.”

“See you. By the way, Naoya, there’s something I’d like to ask of you.”

“Yes? What is it?” I asked.

Lui took a deep breath and, moments later, stood up. Her body was still a bit weak, so doing so must have cost her quite a lot, but she didn’t seem to care.

“Lui, don’t stand up!” Liz exclaimed.

Lui didn’t listen to her and, instead, bowed toward me.

“Please, take care of my sister,” she asked. “I know she can be a little clumsy and careless, but she’s a wonderful girl and the only family I have left… so, please… take good care of her.”

I remained silent for a few seconds at the suddenness of the situation. It was obvious she would want me to protect her, but I didn’t expect her to get so serious all of a sudden. She really must love her younger sister. Even Liz was surprised and left speechless.

Still, I had to respond to her feelings.

“I will. I’ll protect her with my life if I have to.”

I had made that decision days ago, and today I was only reaffirming it. I would protect Liz no matter what. She had to return safely to her sister—that was my resolve.

At the seriousness of my words, Liz blushed just like she had earlier, still without saying anything. Lui, however, looked at us with a big smile.

“Thank you, Naoya. I’m entrusting her to you,” she said before sitting back down.

Liz and I climbed onto the cart shortly after and finally departed from the village. As we grew more distant, Lui looked smaller and smaller as she waved her hand, bidding us farewell.

Despite the troubles and misfortunes that had occurred, our journey had officially begun.