33. Favors from a Lord

"That's why they're staying here, and also why they've 'adopted' me," Averin said with a forced smile.

"It seems that after defeating the demon lord, the whole world went crazy for a while. They were busy dealing with the aftermath, and since Veston wasn't really affected during the demon lord's reign, they came here pretty late. Nevertheless, Lord Lucien thanked them and offered each of them a place to live within the city."

Yumino didn't expect the atmosphere to turn so heavy so suddenly, so he stood there and listened for the most part. Only now, once the story was over, did he ask his questions.

"So, they took you in their party because they thought it was their fault you've lost your father?"

"If that were the case, the hero party would have numbered hundreds by now," Averin answered.

"They took me in because I went to them and asked. I was dressed in my father's gigantic black armor, barely dragging around my brother's sword. Lord Lucien, recognizing the achievements of my father, vouched for me in front of Garron first."

As she spoke, the smile on Averin's face slowly started to crack, giving away how hard it was for her to admit it was not solely her merit that she was not walking together with the Hero of Humanity.

However, she soon changed her attitude, pushing out her chest as she spoke.

"Be it pity or not, Garron spoke with the others, and they took me in. You should have seen how happy Velmira was with not being the only girl anymore."

"I don't know if a kid could understand Velmira too well..." Yumino intervened.

"Oh, I was already in my teens by then. I grabbed the sword at the same age Father and Brother did. Haha, pretty ironic, isn't it?" she said, her smile slowly fading once again.

"Even my loyalty and goals are inherited from them, yet my conviction falters even now..."

Lifting her gaze, Averin looked right into the elf's eyes.

"Yumino, you've answered me before, but do you truly think a knight can be perfect without following every order?"

Yumino wanted to reassure her, but the last time he answered, he did so without knowing her story. Now that he knew what drove the girl, instead of thinking about giving her a straight answer, his mind was racing to find a way to give her the answer that would make her happy.

However, as he couldn't come up with anything, Yumino tried to quickly change the subject.

"You know, when I said I wanted to know more about you, I actually meant to ask about your training..."

Averin's expression clouded over. It was clear that Yumino's plan worked. The question written on the girl's face was erased in an instant, letting a bright red hue replace it.

*slap*

Just then Yumino also received a red mark on his face—a mark that split into the shape of five fingers and would decide the side of his face that will be touching the pillow.

"It's late. I won't keep you all night. Please let me know when Nima comes back," said Averin, dashing out the door with anger now written all over.

Yumino, defeated by his own lack of tact, decided to go to bed early, doing his best to ignore the witch that kept laughing in his head for a good hour.

*****

Another night had passed, and she still wasn't home.

By morning, the house of the two elves remained empty. With Nima's situation becoming increasingly worrisome, Yumino got out of the house before the sun even rose and climbed on the wall in a last desperate attempt to look for the girl.

As there was no sign of her, the next place Yumino went to was the castle.

There, as if expecting him, Lucien sat on his chin propped in his palm.

"Ah, Yumino! It's been too long!"

"That it has, Lucien!"

The knights nearby gripped their lances tightly after hearing how the elf addressed their lord, but Lucien made an unbothered gesture, signaling them that he didn't mind it.

"You seem troubled, dear friend. Is something the matter?" the vampire asked.

"I would have expected you to be up to date with all problems. I guess that means Averin said nothing to you?"

"Ah! How I wish that girl would tell me what's on her mind, but she would never talk to me casually," Lucien said with a troubled expression.

"But I have to say, she does seem pretty anxious lately. Maybe you could tell me what's bothering her?"

Displaying uncharacteristic courtesy, Yumino gestured with his hand, bringing it to his chest.

"Not only her, I'm afraid. It's a problem that's also been bothering me for a while. It's about Nima, actually."

"Little Nima? If I remember correctly, she went out on a mission not long ago. You'll have to excuse me, but I can't remember the details. Don't tell me, did something happen to her while she was out? Did she come back injured?"

"To remember that one of your citizens is out and about, you really do care about us elves." Yumino said with a formal smile.

"Please, I am glad you have learned to pour honey through your words, but there is no need to do so with me, Yumino. More than that, I care about our precious elf. What happened to her?"

After a short break that Yumino used to calm down his worries, the elf spoke in his normal tone.

"Truth is, she hasn't come back yet."

"What was that?!"

Lucien got out of his throne almost instantly, his face painted with worry as he approached the troubled elf.

"Did the others make it back?" he asked a nearby soldier.

"My Lord! We are yet to hear of any news from that adventure team!"

"And why haven't you said anything until now?" Lucien scolded the soldiers before turning back to Yumino.

"My friend, I'm so sorry! I truly had no idea..."

"Don't worry about it! I can only imagine how much the lord of the kingdom has on his plate already. Just yesterday, I found out about your fight with the dragon some years ago. You really are in charge of so much."

"You are too kind, Yumino. But that doesn't excuse my negligence. I assure you, I'll have a search party look for her by the evening."

"Thank you, Lucien!"

The two shook hands, as if they were old friends that would help one another in times of struggle.

"Would you like to be part of the search?"

Yumino gave thought to Lucien's proposal for a second, but it didn't take long for him to realize what the ideal course of action would be.

"Thank you for offering, but we both know I would get in trouble if she were to think that I am underestimating her. If possible, please ask Gavin to go instead, and please keep this conversation between us."

"Haha! I see you have it hard in your own way. Then so be it! I will ask the other capable hero living in this city to help the girl."

That was enough for Yumino. As long as one of the heroes would go look for her, he could put his mind at ease. 

He was already plenty thankful to Lucien that he would use his authority to ask for a favor with Gavin so there was nothing more the elf could ask for. With a nod of his head, he greeted the lord of the castle and turned around to leave.

"Yumino!" Lucien called, having the elf stop after only a couple of steps.

"The story about the dragon… Who told it to you?"

"It was Averin!" he answered. "She's seems troubled about her path as a knight lately. Maybe you should have a talk with her, she is your most loyal follower, after all!" he said, enjoying the angry looks the guards gave him.

"I see," Lucien spoke under his breath.

"Thank you for letting me know! I'll take care of her! I won't let my lack of ability hurt her more than it already has!"

As he turned back, Yumino waved his hand. It had been a while since he got a word in with Lucien, but he was glad that the vampire still held him in high regard.

Yumino's worry wouldn't completely fade that easily, but being able to do something for both Nima and Averin lifted some of the weight.