Ashes and Vestiges IV

Everyone had noticed when Carolyn left the campsite, and they had the same idea as to where she planned on going. Tristan and the twins would continue to follow her, but the rest decided to stay at the campsite. After all, there likely wasn't anyone still in this world that was fit to walk with her to that place.

From the campsite to her destination, Carolyn kept a steady pace. Outside the forest was somewhat brighter, but it was still too dark to see more than a few steps ahead. Nonetheless, she knew exactly where to go.

When her feet eventually stopped, she turned to her left and looked at the ground. The first light of day managed to pierce through the trees and illuminate the sight before her, but there was nothing there. There were neither ruins nor ashes, just a burnt piece of land. Although Hanson's soldiers had cleaned up, she knew that they hadn't moved anything from here. Hanson would have asked her to check the remains in that case. This could only mean that when they arrived, there was already nothing left for her to see.

"I knew there wouldn't be much, but those bandits were more thorough than I expected. Don't you think, Mom, Father?"

It had been such a long year since she was last here, so she used those familiar terms, but naturally there was no one to respond to her. In front of the empty lot where the house that Carolyn remembered should be, was only her.

"..."

Even when the sky was brightened by the sun, Carolyn remained in the same position, staring at the desolate space. She didn't try to direct her thoughts; she simply allowed her memories to flash by. Their voices didn't reach her, but she could picture the smiling faces of a family of three. The child was always a rambunctious little lass, eager to explore her surroundings. She didn't particularly like studying, but her mother was good at convincing her to settle down.

As for her father, she used to follow him around as a child, but as she grew older, she started to get embarrassed about it. Even though there was nothing wrong with a daughter loving her father. Over time, she saw him as a goal, someone to defeat, and still, someone she admired. She never told them, but if she had to pick who she wanted to be like the most, it would be him. Her mother certainly made her feel comfortable, as if she could finish dinner even while the sky was falling, but her father's back looked like it could support that falling sky. To be able to protect her loved ones no matter what happened, that was the strength she wanted.

"Huh?"

In the midst of her reminiscence, a single tear dropped from her right eye, soon followed by a steady stream. She hadn't cried even once since returning to the village, but this time she couldn't even imagine how to stop these waterworks. She couldn't pinpoint what was the final strike that broke the dam, but she knew it was too late to stop it now. So she let them flow—the last tears she would ever shed here.

Although they had seen more grievous sights, Tristan and the twins turned their eyes away from her trembling back. However, they couldn't block their hearing as they still had to protect her. With her quiet whimpering in the background, they ensured that no man or beast interrupted this moment.

About half an hour later, the tears came to an end, and Carolyn wiped her face with her sleeve. She could sense that her hidden guards had looked away while she cried, so she turned towards them and gave a bow in gratitude. They didn't respond, but she was confident that they understood her intent. Afterwards, she returned to the campsite, where only Kathy was waiting.

"Young Mistress. Was your, ehem, walk pleasant?"

Kathy didn't make it hard to know that she was aware of the purpose of Carolyn's early trip, but her awkward way of concealing it made Carolyn chuckle.

"Yes, it was. By the way, where are Mr. Adam and Harold?"

"They went into the forest to get materials for the ceremony. The Chief suggested that it would be more appealing to their spirits if we used local wood."

"Oh, that's surprisingly thoughtful of him."

"Yes. We're usually more casual about send-off ceremonies, but the Chief must wish to ensure that this one meets your standard."

"He really didn't need to worry about it that much. They weren't the type to be bothered by it."

Carolyn took a moment to remember the villagers, but not for long as Kathy appeared to be struggling to make a response.

"Well, while we wait, would it be alright if I went somewhere to cleanse myself? Just us, of course."

"Yes, naturally. I'll order Tristan and the other two to secure the area and kill any trespassers."

"I doubt there will be any intruders, but is killing them really necessary?"

"Of course. We can't afford to risk any chances of your purity being put in doubt. Don't worry, Young Mistress. I'll make sure Tristan and the others wear blindfolds."

"Then how are they going to secure the area?"

"We've been trained to fight in total darkness, and all scouts have learnt how to detect presences without the use of sight. Worst-case scenario, I'll have you cover up and slaughter whatever fool manages to slip past them."

"Kathy, I'm grateful that you're being so, 'considerate', but why are you so concerned about my purity?"

"Unfortunately, I can't tell you that at this time. But I want you to know that I'll do whatever it takes to ensure that you grow up as a proper young lady."

"I, I see. Ah, how about we just collect some water and then I'll wipe off inside my tent?"

"Hmm, I suppose that could work. But will that be satisfactory to you? I imagine that this is an important step of the ceremony."

"That's, "

Kathy brought up a very good point, so Carolyn hesitated. The send-off ceremony was a very important ritual meant to appease lingering spirits, so it would be disrespectful and likely ineffective if she didn't prepare adequately. Carolyn could tell that there was a story behind Kathy's abnormal devotion, but she couldn't guess what it was, and though she wanted to curb Kathy's overprotective behaviour, she couldn't think of an argument to convince her.

'I'm sorry, Tristan, Nathan, Nate. I'll try to be done quickly.'

"You're right. But please try not to kill anyone."

"I don't recommend that, but very well. Because of your benevolent heart, I'll settle with removing their eyes."

"Hah..."

While thinking that she had to talk to Hanson about Kathy when she returned, Carolyn sighed in resignation. After gathering a change of clothes and a towel from her luggage, Carolyn led Kathy to a small pond a short distance from the village. Dangerous beasts sometimes appeared near the pond, so usually she could only visit it while paired with her father, but with her bodyguards present, Carolyn judged that there wouldn't be a problem.

Carolyn waited until Kathy gave instructions to the hidden three and returned before removing her clothes. Though still developing, Carolyn was slender, with prominent bulges emerging in all the right places. She was fit thanks to her daily training, but her skin still appeared soft and delicate. Only her mother had seen her naked body since she hit puberty, but Carolyn didn't mind if Kathy saw her. However, when she looked, she found her with her eyes covered by black cloth.

"Kathy? I don't mind if you look, you know?"

"Those words are more than enough, Young Mistress. However, I doubt that I will be able to stay calm if I see your uncovered noble figure."

Carolyn already found Kathy to be overprotective, so she didn't argue with her self-assessment.

"I see. I wanted us to bathe together, but maybe another time then."

"...I will begin mental training as soon as we return."

'Is it really that serious?'

Little did Carolyn know that her mother once had other women worship her after seeing her naked body, so there was a real danger of Kathy losing control of herself, but that was a story for another time.