A Benevolent Deception

“Isn’t trusting your family the most natural thing?”

“Trusting…”

“What I mean is, there’s no need for you to hesitate so much.”

Leaning slightly forward, South Creek closed the distance between herself and Jack. She offered a bright smile to the boy, whose face was etched with panic.

“This kind of thing… I mean… you…”

A faint blush had unexpectedly crept onto his face, and Jack quickly averted his gaze. At that moment, he found himself utterly at a loss for how to respond to the girl before him, his mind racing as he grappled with concepts he had never before considered.

[Family…]

A scattering of fragmented images suddenly flashed through her mind, and for South Creek, who remembered a past world, the word ‘family’ did not seem to carry a pleasant resonance.

[Why do I feel such a profound sense of loneliness?]

Her memories of the past world had long since blurred, and in South Creek’s eyes, the only one who truly fit the description of ‘family’ was her sister, Elise.

Completely oblivious to the shift in South Creek’s expression, Jack was racking his brain, trying to formulate a response. However, before he could deliberate much longer, South Creek had already emerged from her sudden melancholy.

She glanced at Jack, who had turned his face away, and frowned. “Don’t run away… merely avoiding things won’t solve anything.”

“Uh… I…”

Rendered completely speechless, the scene plunged into an awkward silence. As South Creek’s gaze grew increasingly dissatisfied, Jack could only weakly stammer:

“My mother… she really just wants my older brother to come home, doesn’t she? To see him healthy and safe… that’s been the unwavering wish of everyone in our family.”

“I see…”

South Creek sat back thoughtfully, then reached out and scooped up a Dobby, who had been basking leisurely in the sun beside her. She gave it a vigorous rub, muttering all the while:

“Your older brother hasn’t returned in so long, and no one knows where he is. Even if you wanted to look for him, it would be impossible to find him.”

“Indeed, that’s true…”

“Hmm… but there’s always a solution for everything. Oh, right, didn’t you mention earlier that a messenger comes to the village to deliver letters every so often?”

“Yes, wh-what about it?”

The sudden rise in her tone startled Jack, who had just been mired in gloom. He mulled over South Creek’s words, seemingly piecing something together, and after a long moment, tentatively asked:

“You’re not thinking of…”

“Since your older brother won’t write to your mother, why don’t we just write a letter for him?”

“Y-y-you know what you’re saying?”

Utterly dismayed, Jack trembled as he questioned South Creek. While he had never seen or even heard of forging letters, the mere mention of the concept made him instinctively feel that it was far from a good idea.

“Have you considered what might happen if we’re discovered?”

“So, we do nothing?” South Creek retorted with a dismissive huff, increasing the force with which she was petting the Dobby. The little creature, nestled contentedly in her arms moments before, let out a disgruntled squeak.

“But wouldn’t that be deception?”

“While we can’t bring your older brother back to your mother, at least we can make her believe that he’s still safe and sound…”

“Even so, a lie is still a lie.”

“A false miracle is always better than despair, and a benevolent lie is always superior to a harsh truth.”

Quoting an impressive line she had once read in some obscure novel, South Creek observed Jack, who, despite his lingering worry, offered no rebuttal. She couldn’t help but sigh and shake her head.

“Let me be clear, while I’m willing to help you, this is ultimately your own affair. What you decide to do is entirely up to you.”

Struck speechless by the girl’s words, Jack lowered his head, his face a mask of conflict. He pressed his left hand to his forehead and murmured:

“…What would the priestess do, I wonder?”

“Why are you suddenly bringing my sister into this? Elise… she might even say the exact same thing as me. She’s not some rigid stickler for rules… except on rare occasions.”

This was indeed true. Although Elise was a devout follower of the Goddess, she possessed her own set of principles. To her, most rules were not absolute, a philosophy that was also reflected in her upbringing of South Creek.

“Is… that so?”

Hearing South Creek’s assessment of the priestess, Jack remained somewhat unconvinced. In the mouths of countless villagers, Elise was practically the Goddess’s earthly representative, an embodiment of virtue and discipline. He found it truly difficult to imagine such a person ever resorting to deceit.

“You all think of my sister as far too saintly. She’s certainly kind-hearted, that’s true, but not to such an exaggerated extent.”

South Creek had long grown accustomed to the villagers’ excessive praise for Elise. In her eyes, her sister would always simply be her sister, nothing more.

“I truly envy you, having such a wonderful relationship with your sister.”

Hearing this, Jack said nothing further. After uttering his sigh of admiration, he gazed at the distant scenery, lost in thought.

“There’s nothing to envy, really. But what about you? Have you decided what you’re going to do?”

“………Yes, I’ve decided. If it can truly lift my mother’s spirits…”

After a long period of contemplation, Jack looked up at the girl beside him. She was holding the small Dobby, her hair partially obscuring her emerald eyes. Somehow, he suddenly felt a surge of courage to make his decision.

“What should I do?”

The sky had grown dim.

Inside the village church, as the bells tolled, the villagers began to depart. By the old altar, Elise closed the book she was holding, her gaze sweeping towards the doorway, as if anticipating someone’s return.

“Sister Elise—”

Accompanied by a vibrant shout, South Creek dashed into the church, clutching an empty burlap sack. Disregarding the dust clinging to her clothes, she launched herself into Elise’s embrace.

“I delivered all the herbs you asked me to!”

“That’s wonderful! I’m so proud of you, South Creek. Come, let’s go inside; the food on the table is getting cold.”

Gently pressing a kiss to her forehead, Elise gazed lovingly at the girl in her arms. She took South Creek’s small hand, and together, they walked into the inner room.

“What are we having for dinner tonight?”

“The usual: bread, Rowling Flower soup, and wild vegetable stew.”

“Oh… why do we always eat the same things? If this continues, won’t my taste buds lose their ability to discern flavors?”

South Creek pouted, clearly dissatisfied with a menu that had remained virtually unchanged for nearly a week.

“How could you lose your taste? I recall your little mouth being quite delighted when you were eating dried meat and honey candy.”

“—! W-what? What meat and honey? I don’t understand what you’re talking about!”

Jolted by Elise’s sudden revelation, South Creek’s mind whirred into overdrive as she immediately began to play dumb.

“As if I don’t know you, you little rascal, with your sneaky thoughts… Alright, I’m not scolding you. Hurry and eat. Since you worked hard all day, I’ll tell you a story after dinner, alright?”

“Ugh…”

Her energy suddenly halved, South Creek slowly took her seat at the dining table. She glanced at Elise across from her, then at the vegetable stew before her. After a long moment of deliberation, she carefully began:

“Actually… Sister Elise, I wanted to ask you a favor…”