His People Know Better

Charlotte was waiting outside the store. A gray wall in the sky obscured the midday sun. The town was more alive than ever

“Meow.”

Charlotte turned around, and a little cat was rubbing against one of her legs while purring. She crouched to look at it. It was black and seemed to be enjoying her strokes.

“Oh, you’re so pretty.”

Without warning, the cat's fur stood on end, its body arched, and it let out a threatening meow.

“Why are you lying on the floor, Charlotte?” Zoe asked.

“I just saw —”

When she stood up, Sybil was standing right in front of her. She was wearing a beautiful two-piece blue dress.

“What do you think?”

Charlotte’s eyes sparkled.

“Oh, she looks adorable!”

Sybil couldn't help but blush and lowered her head to hide her emotion.

“Miss Zoe helped me pick one.”

Suri had let them go shopping for clothes for her.

“It's no wonder she's a member of the nobility.”

Over the past few days, Charlotte and Zoe had been able to talk like they used to. Even though Charlotte still felt that twinge in her heart, she had decided to trust her.

“Now, let’s go and have fun.”

“Pray, hold a moment.”

Zoe grabbed her by the collar from behind.

“Miss Suri said we could walk around town to converse with the people around.”

“Fine.”

Charlotte pouted.

“Any idea of whom we should start with?”

“Actually, yes.”

Charlotte led the way. Inevitably, it took more than it should have, because she kept getting distracted by every stall and vendor. Sybil, though a little shyer, was also fascinated with everything she saw.

After a while, they arrived at their destination. Charlotte had taken them to the stall where they sold merchandise featuring the hero. There were wooden statues and paintings of him.

“Hello, girls, are you big fans of the hero?”

“We sure are. In fact, we want to learn more about him.”

“You've come to the right place. This town is his birthplace, and we are his minstrels.”

“G-great.”

The owner offered them three low wooden benches, which they graciously accepted.

“So, what do you want to know?”

Charlotte thought about her question for a moment.

“You can tell he's the pride of the city, but why?”

“You’re kidding? He saved this town?”

“From The Buried Tree?”

“Correct, its roots were about to reach here.”

“How did he do it?”

“With his own bare hands.”

Charlotte and Zoe looked at each other.

“His dominant Magica was the Physical.”

“Wait, but I saw…” she interrupted herself. “I heard he also used Mirage Magica.”

The merchant stood up to close a sale, but didn't stop talking.

“Oh sure, he was able to use tons of Magica types.”

“So, that's what makes him so special around here.”

He turned his back on them and went looking for another wooden figurine of the hero.

“Not only that, but also what he did around here.”

“What do you mean?”

“This town was awful.”

After placing the merchandise on his stall, he went back to sit in front of them.

“Really?”

“Sure, but then he was born, and everything got better.”

“So he’s been helping out since then?”

“No, of course not. At first he was a normal kid like the others.”
He took out a pitcher and poured himself some water. He offered them some, but this time they declined.

“So, how did he change?”

“I myself witnessed the beginning of the legend.”

They both raised their eyebrows.

“One day, whoooosh!” The merchant whistled and traced an arc down in the air with his hand. “He fell from a tree while trying to save a cat.”

“And then what happened?”

“He woke up feeling like a new person.”

“Different how?”

The merchant took a big sip of his tea.

“He had new, fresh, and unusual ideas. At first, we thought he was crazy.”

He took another sip. He always waited until he had swallowed before speaking again.

“He showed us that we were wrong.”

Charlotte and Zoe remained silent.

“Have you tried the hot springs?”

Zoe nodded. Charlotte shook her head.

“That was his idea.”

“Have you tried the mayonnaise?”

They reacted the same way.

“He created many of the desserts enjoyed by the nobility.”

The merchant finished his glass of water and poured himself another.

“The gods blessed that boy.”

Charlotte was lost in thought for quite a while.

“Are you alright, Charlotte?”

“Yes, I just thought of something really silly.”

“Anything else you want to know?”

Zoe leaned forward slightly.

“Have you heard the latest rumors about him?”

With his mouth full of water, the merchant shook his head vigorously.

“Those are lies. He would never do something like that.”

Feeling a little annoyed, he downed his drink in one gulp and stood up.

“If that’s all, it was a pleasure.”


“Are you sure you’re alright?”

They walked through the extremely crowded streets of the city. They had spoken to more people, but hadn't managed to get any more important information.

“Yes, I was just thinking.”

“About the hero?”

Charlotte nodded.

“I know we didn't get anywhere, but it must be good for something. Besides, the others were investigating too.”

“I guess you’re right.”

Charlotte was walking with her head down, and Zoe noticed that.

“Oh well, I believe we have time to have a little fun." 

That sentence snapped Charlotte out of her thoughts.

“Really, can we?”

“Yes. Moreover, it helps her take her mind off things a little.”

Zoe pointed at Sybil, who couldn't stop looking at the food stalls.

“All right, let’s go!”

They spent the rest of the afternoon eating and looking at clothes and products they had never seen before, especially Charlotte and Sybil.

Night fell quickly, and they sat down on a wooden bench. Despite the dark sky, the streets were still crowded and bustling.

“We can finally catch our breath.”

“Yes.”

Sybil had fallen asleep in Charlotte's lap. She looked more at peace.

“It looks like she had fun.”

“Yes.”

Charlotte's expression grew sad when she saw the bandages on Sybil’s face.

Seeing that the moment was right and summoning her courage, Charlotte took a bracelet made of yellow flowers from her pocket. 

“It’s for you.”

“Where did you buy that?”

“I made it.”

Charlotte offered her the gift. 

“I made them bloom with my arm. Technically, they shouldn't wilt because they're made of Magica.”

“They’re lovely.”

“I looked for lots of flowers… a-and those symbolize friendship.”

Zoe felt a slight twinge in her heart.

“I see… So you still trust me…”

Charlotte nodded.

“I don't like lies... but even the kindest people have to lie sometimes.”

Zoe was on the verge of tears, but she held them back.

“You’re right, and I’m sorry.” She paused. “There are some things I can't say…”

Zoe stood up.

“But from this moment on, I promise I won’t hide anything.”

Charlotte chuckled.

“Really?”

“Yes, and if there ever comes a time when I'm not wearing your bracelet, it will be a sign that I broke my promise.”