The Weight of Moving On.

What am I doing? I froze for a moment, barely a couple of steps away from him. I lowered my head. What the hell am I doing?

“Tell me, are you going to run away and go back to being the same as always?”

That last sentence was the spark that set everything off. I lowered my body, bent my knees, and lunged at him before he could even raise his arms to protect himself. My fist struck his face and sent him crashing to the floor with a dull thud. I climbed onto his torso, pinning him against the floor of the cabin, and swung my fist again.

“What are you doing?!” he shouted, trying to block me with his forearms as blood began to seep from his lip.

“Isn’t this what you want?!” I shouted, completely out of control, feeling the heat of my anger cloud my vision. “For me to be honest?!” Another punch struck his jaw, making his head bounce against the floor. “You don’t know what I had to endure! You don’t know anything!”

My knuckles burned, but the anger dulled the pain. My breathing became ragged.

“Is it so annoying that I try to smile?! Tell me... why does it matter so much to you that I try to keep things to myself?!” I struck him again. “You don’t know what it’s like to be abandoned! Especially when you feel like it’s all your damn fault! Forgive me for wanting to keep going!”

Itsuki suddenly stopped resisting. His hands, which had been trying to push 

me away, went completely still. He stared at me, eyes wide, breathing heavily.

“I... I act this way because I’m afraid of losing the things that matter to me...” I said, my voice breaking into a thin, pathetic whisper. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

I stopped. My fist remained suspended in the air, trembling, covered in a mixture of my own sweat and the blood from his lip. The room fell into a crushing silence.

“I’m sorry...” I muttered, the strength draining from my legs. My anger vanished in an instant, leaving behind a cold emptiness. “Do whatever you want... Hit me, kill me... I’m already dead inside anyway... Damn it, I’m sorry.”

I clumsily moved away from him and let myself fall back against the wooden wall. I sat down on the cold floor, pulling my knees against my chest. My hands trembled uncontrollably.

Itsuki remained lying there for a few seconds, staring at the ceiling as he wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand.

“Why did they have to leave?” I whispered into the emptiness of the room, hiding my face in my arms. “Why did I have to be the one to do it? Why couldn’t they stay?... Damn it... I’m tired...”

My hands covered my face. I wanted to leave this place.

“I’m sorry...” I said, my voice barely audible.

VILLAGE LEADER

◇ ◇ ◇

As I checked the routes we could take, I concluded that we would have to travel from the west. It would give us enough time to reach the nobles’ grand event without drawing too much attention.

I sank into my chair and rested my elbows on the table. What am I going to do about that boy?

“Leader,” one of my guards said, approaching cautiously.

I raised my eyes.

“Information?”

“I’m sorry to tell you this, but the Royal Cavalry will be here tonight. Our scouts witnessed a conversation. In any case, I think we should prepare everything.”

The guard kept a firm posture, though his expression showed some concern.

“You think so?”

“Yes, my lady. Should I begin the recruitment, just in case?”

I looked away and let out a quiet sigh. I knew it was the right thing to prepare for any trouble. However, if they arrived and saw this, they could interpret it as a confrontation or even an attempt to cover something up.

“No. Just start organizing everything. We leave tonight. If they arrive, nothing will happen.”

“As you command,” he replied, slightly bowing his head.

“All right. Let me know if anything happens.”

“Of course.”

I leaned back in my chair and placed my legs on the table. If I handed him over... I would lose the advantage. Damn it... The duke needs to understand that I’m not always at his damn beck and call. But I would die for my people.

The letter... if it really means what I think it does... I’ll try to help him. The report from his companion, Itsuki, was quite peculiar. The Black Hat Knights... It seemed extremely strange that they were, or had been, in Zure. What the hell happened there? He told me it was all connected to the letter... But what sense does that make?

If it’s true, which it seems to be... then we’re talking about... the prophecy coming true.

I frowned and slowly lowered my legs from the table.

“We have to do something about this.”

◇ ◇ ◇

Two hours had passed. I helped my companions organize our supplies for the journey. Eventually, I sat down on the floor, exhausted, sweat running down my forehead. I looked around and felt a sense of nostalgia beginning to settle in... At least, I think that’s what it was. We had been here for more than three years. We settled in surprisingly quickly. Although I decided that the place would remain in operation, the guild would no longer be here. I would leave some adventurers behind to protect the village. The Royal Cavalry should not interfere. Besides, I bought these lands myself.

“Leader.”

I raised my head.

“Tell me.”

“Everything is ready. The guards are prepared for when they arrive.”

“Good, good...” I replied as I stood and brushed the dust from my clothes. “Do you know where my son is?”

“My lady, I haven’t seen your son. Would you like me to look for him?”

I remained thoughtful for a few seconds before answering.

“Yes...”

I’m sure he must be in the forest... He’s probably sad. He has to say goodbye to his friend, since neither he nor his family will remain part of the guild. I hope he can forgive me for that. I think I’ve been too hard on him. Ever since his father left, he has been distant from the father figure he barely has anymore. I think that’s why, when he met the human, he felt that... he could admire someone again. It’s difficult to accept, but he always admired his father more because he liked the way he fought.

Being a mother really is a difficult job. I always wanted to give him the best, but I won’t force him to accept that his father abandoned him because he was useless as a father. Still, I would rather have him admire Guikyume, no matter what. He isn’t someone with dangerous intentions.

“All right... enough thinking.”

I quickly stood up and headed outside. I checked the horses. Everything is perfect. The carriages had everything they needed. I watched as the children and families said their goodbyes. It’s difficult, yes. But we cannot allow them to take our home from us. I hope they can all continue taking care of this place. If my son manages to establish himself as a warrior, I will seriously consider making him the leader of this village.

I wonder how those two are doing. I’ll go check on them. I headed straight for their cabin. When I arrived, I saw that the door was slightly open.

“I’m coming in.”

I carefully pushed the door open and looked inside. There was no one there. Where the hell are they? I stepped back outside and caught the attention of one of my guards.

“Have you seen the humans?”

The guard seemed to remember something and looked toward the stables.

“My lady... now that I think about it, their horses are gone too.”

My eyes widened in surprise.

“Damn it! Go look for them now.”

“Yes, my lady!”

The guard immediately ran off.

My son suddenly appeared, approaching from one of the village paths.

“Where are they?”

“Mother... Do you mean Guikyume and Itsuki?”

“Where are they?” I asked again, stepping closer to him.

“I’m surprised too, Mother. I haven’t seen either of them since early this morning.”

I watched him in silence for a few seconds.

“...Where have you been?”

“I was with my friend, Mother. I wanted to spend more time with him. I’m sorry if I worried you...” He lowered his head, and his eyes began to fill with tears. “Mother... I don’t want to leave this place. Why do we have to?”

I stepped closer and placed a hand on his head.

“Because I love you. I want to protect you all... Everything will be fine, I think...” My voice softened as I tried to remain calm. “Forgive me for this, son. But we have a lot to do. The peace of our people is in danger. You have to help our people. Be brave.”

My son pressed his lips together and slowly nodded.

“I understand... But... why don’t we fight them?”

“Because we would put our village at risk.”

“I understand...”

Before I could say anything else, I heard hurried footsteps behind me.

“Leader, they left an hour ago!” the guard shouted, stopping in front of us to catch his breath.

My expression changed immediately.

“...Follow them! They must be at the first clearing!”