The Weight of Truth and New Beginnings

“That was all a lie I told her…” Ed reiterated.

Alice froze.

“Having been consumed by my own arrogance, our adventuring party wouldn’t have been plunged into such peril during that hunt, and my leg… it wouldn’t be like this now.” Ed’s voice was hoarse.

As Alice listened to his confession, an inexplicable tightening gripped her heart.

“My old adventuring party cast me aside, and no other party would take on a cripple,” Ed explained, “so I could only deceive White Star, who had been unconscious and unaware of the true circumstances at the time, telling her I’d been injured saving her.”

“All I wanted was to scrounge a few coins from her, just enough to get by.” Ed sighed softly. “Yet, to my surprise, she was willing to abandon her own adventuring party, resolved to take me with her and find a team that would accept me.”

Alice gazed at Ed, a knot forming in her throat.

“Knowing all this, do you still believe I’m someone worth having expectations for?” Ed asked.

“Those are all things of the past…” Alice murmured. “White Star didn’t abandon you, and our party took you in…” Alice’s voice grew a little stronger. “You should live well, truly live, and stay with us.”

Ed offered no response, his fingertips merely picking unconsciously at the armrest of his wheelchair.

The air hung silent for a few seconds.

Suddenly feeling she had spoken too earnestly, Alice’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly waved her hands, attempting to lighten the mood. “Uh, I-I mean… you’re Ed! The amazing Ed! If they didn’t want you, it’s entirely their loss.”

Ed paused, then finally lifted his gaze.

“Though I’m not sure how to comfort you…” Alice awkwardly rubbed the tip of her nose, “but, but I really don’t think you should see yourself in such a terrible light.”

“Thank you, Alice,” Ed looked at Alice.

“You have no idea how much our captain admires you; he scrutinizes every plan you make multiple times.” Alice blinked, speaking earnestly. “So, would you start anew here with us?”

Ed finally chuckled softly, his voice low. “…You really are bothersome.”

“Heh heh.” Alice’s fingers unconsciously tugged at the hem of her clothes.

A sudden wave of panic washed over Alice.

‘If Ed truly found a new path, would he then leave? What if… one day, he quietly departed with White Star, and she, Alice, would ultimately be nothing more than someone who had merely appeared by his side by chance?’

Alice shook her head, dispelling the jumbled thoughts from her mind.

She changed the subject, pleading with Ed to recount tales of northern folklore and to share his latest research on potions.

****

As evening descended.

The members of Link’s adventuring party returned laden with spoils, their faces alight with joy.

John first carried the spoils and mission proofs to the guild counter to submit the quest, after which everyone gathered at the tavern for dinner.

During the dinner hour, the tavern teemed with adventurers, their clamor filling the air.

The air was thick with the rich aromas of roasted meat, ale, and spices.

John ordered a plate of beef stew, its gravy thick and the meat meltingly tender.

Rob opted for a whole roasted chicken, its savory scent wafting enticingly.

Before Alice lay a pan-fried river fish, its skin crisp and golden, the rich oils permeating its flesh.

In addition, John had personally paid for a mug of ale for each team member, with Alice being the sole exception, as she never touched alcohol.

Alice had a low tolerance for alcohol; merely catching a whiff of it made her feel dizzy.

Ed ordered three main courses. He always did this at every meal, ordering copious amounts of food before devouring it ravenously.

Only then did Alice truly begin to grasp what Ed had previously referred to as his “bad habit of wasting money.”

In stark contrast to Ed was White Star.

White Star always ordered only half a portion of food, yet she never seemed to be anything less than satisfied.

The other team members had more than once joked that White Star’s stomach must have somehow found its way into Ed’s belly.

“The church folk came to town today,” Rob poked at his chicken with a fork. “Those chaps had sour faces and were incredibly rude.”

“Have more cultists infiltrated the town?” John asked, setting down his mug.

“No,” Rob shrugged. “They saw me with my sword on my back and sternly warned me—’Hey, adventurer, you’d best be careful entering the forest these next few days…'”

“Likely some trolls roaming about,” John said, taking a sip from his mug.

“They mentioned a monster’s name, but I didn’t catch it,” Rob shook his head. “They also said the creature resembles a human and is rapidly gaining power… that small village by the river, over a hundred souls, not a single survivor, all devoured.”

“Rob!” Alice’s voice held a note of displeasure. “I’m eating.”

She disliked hearing such unappetizing tales while savoring her meal.

Rob, however, merely pursed his lips and grinned at his companions, attempting to prolong the discussion.

“When I was at the guild today, I also heard news of the village’s destruction,” John nodded.

“It seems like a serious matter, but those church folk didn’t need to act like royal magistrates…” Rob grew more animated. “…The way they looked at people, as if they were hunting traitors… Could it be that these monsters can truly transform into humans, infiltrate the town, and sabotage the church’s protective arrays?”

Seated around the wooden table, everyone continued to chatter about the monster rumors, with even the two archers appearing eager for action.

Captain John cleared his throat softly, interrupting their lively discussion.

“Everyone, a troll has indeed infiltrated the forest recently.” John’s voice was not loud, yet it swiftly quieted the group. “I’ve accepted this mission from the guild, and in the coming days, we will depart to hunt it.”

“Whoa!” Rob slammed his mug down, his eyes lighting up. “Are we finally going to hunt a large monster?”

John offered a slight smile and nodded.

A large monster meant greater rewards, and simultaneously, the party’s reputation would ascend.

“Tomorrow, Ed will outline the detailed hunting plan for everyone; for now, you should all head back and get some rest,” John concluded.

After a little more small talk, everyone dispersed.

Just as they were about to leave, White Star tugged at Alice’s sleeve.

“A-Alice, you can return the key to me now,” White Star whispered, urging her.

Alice turned around, smiling at White Star.

“White Star, you’ve been busy all day, you must be tired…” Alice brazenly made a presumptuous request. “How about I take over caring for him tonight too?”

White Star’s eyes widened abruptly, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

“N-no!” White Star puffed out her cheeks, glaring at Alice. “Evenings are White Star’s time to spend with Ed!”

“Oh? You two, together at night, you wouldn’t be doing anything strange, would you?” Alice blinked.

“W-what nonsense are you spouting…” White Star’s face instantly flushed crimson. “What if Ed feels unwell at night while he’s sleeping? He’s my savior; of course, I have to stay by his side.”

“I can take care of him too, you know,” Alice tilted her head, a look of utter conviction on her face. “You can’t possibly do it all by yourself all the time, can you?”

“B-but…” White Star bit her lip, her expression crestfallen.

Her gaze involuntarily flickered towards Ed.

“Alice, you’ve already done more than enough during the day; you should go back and rest early.” Ed’s tone was soothing, like one used to placate a child.

“Then… can I still come see you tomorrow morning?” Alice asked, gathering her courage.

“Of course, after the meeting tomorrow, I’ll still need you to push me back.” Ed smiled. “Chatting with you is quite enjoyable.”

“Really?” Alice’s eyes brightened, and she beamed happily.

Despite her reluctance, Alice returned the key to White Star.

‘Should she tell White Star the truth? If White Star grew disillusioned with Ed, then she herself might have a chance…’

Alice shook her head.

She would never stoop to such an act; even the mere thought filled her with shame.

As Alice watched White Star push Ed out of the tavern, an unfamiliar pang of wistfulness settled in her heart.

‘They wouldn’t do anything excessive tonight, would they?’