Future Arrangements

Future plans… yes, that was a question I hadn’t seriously considered yet. Looking back, ever since I ended up on that pirate ship, I had used every ounce of my strength just to stay alive.

“I will likely leave this place, but I wanted to ask about our exact location. Or… Miss Kotetsu, do you happen to have a map or something similar?”

“My apologies. A ‘map’ is such a precious item that we do not have one here. However, I can certainly tell you our location. Our village is at the foot of a mountain; you likely noticed that on your way here, didn’t you?”

Are maps… precious items? At the foot of a mountain, though. I was so busy observing the state of the village earlier that I had overlooked that detail.

“Beyond that mountain lies the east. Once you cross the ranges, you will find the Bloodsource Kingdom. As a traveler, I imagine a global power like that is already on Miss Leni’s itinerary?”

The Bloodsource… Kingdom? No, could that be a leading question?

“I see… so we are near the Bloodsource Kingdom.”

Carefully choosing words that wouldn’t reveal any vulnerabilities, I feigned knowledge of the place.

In truth, I desperately wanted to ask what kind of country the Bloodsource Kingdom was, but if it was one of the strongest nations in the world, then as a “traveler,” it was something I supposedly had to be familiar with.

“Yes… however, the Bloodsource Kingdom has been in turmoil lately, so I wouldn’t highly recommend going there. To the west lies the Kingdom of Hansha. I wonder if Miss Leni came from that direction?”

No, she wasn’t testing me.

Ilu was genuinely thinking things through for my sake. At this point, how could I still doubt someone who treated me with such sincerity?

That kind of thing only needed to happen once.

“No, I didn’t.”

“Is that so? Then I highly recommend the Kingdom of Hansha. It’s a major trading nation, so you can buy almost anything there. It’s just in the opposite direction of where I need to go.”

“I see. That is a pity, but I shall manage on my own from here. I shouldn’t trouble you any further, Miss Kotetsu.”

If possible, I had wanted to ask Ilu to guide me, but I had already received too many favors. I should handle the rest myself.

“Miss Leni, you are far too polite. However, winter is approaching, and magic beasts are rampant at the foot of the mountain. It would be far too dangerous for Miss Leni to go alone.”

“Are there… magic beasts?”

I didn’t understand the concept of the term “magic beast.” When I spoke the word in the common tongue, I accidentally stumbled over it.

“My Lord, it is true that magic beasts have been showing signs of activity; hunting lately has been more dangerous than usual. If Miss Leni truly intends to leave, I really wouldn’t recommend leaving alone,” Hisaba added from the side.

While I wasn’t sure what a magic beast actually was, if wild beasts were rampant, it would indeed be difficult to manage alone. I didn’t know the habits of the creatures here; if I made a mistake and my fire attracted them, my life would be in danger.

“Hisaba, isn’t the usual merchant caravan arriving soon?”

“Ah… indeed. Generally speaking, they should be here in another two days.”

A caravan? Would a caravan pass through this village?

“Miss Leni, we actually trade with a passing Goblin merchant caravan every so often. They should arrive in about two days. They are very familiar with the surrounding environment and travel with guards. If you want to head to Hansha, I believe following them is the safest course of action.”

A caravan, guards, and the Kingdom of Hansha. Although I wanted to say I hadn’t decided on a direction yet—

“If it is a matter of money, Miss Leni can simply give them my name.”

Seeing me hesitate, Ilu made an incredible offer.

“Wait—please, wait a moment. As for money, I will handle it myself. You’ve already provided me with lodging and food; to ask for more would be excessive.”

“That won’t do. You are a benefactor, yet I laid hands on you back then. No matter how I compensate you, I feel I have failed you.”

“That was a special circumstance; please don’t take it to heart. Besides, I don’t mind. Now you’re offering so much advice for the next step of my journey—I’m more than grateful. Please, Miss Kotetsu, you must not worry about it.”

Though, I definitely didn’t have the currency used here. I would likely have to ask Ilu for help in the end.

“Since Miss Leni puts it that way, I shall focus my efforts on ensuring your journey goes well.”

“No, no, please continue to work hard for this village.”

“Hahaha, alright. I’ll take that blessing. Hisaba, I’ll leave Miss Leni in your care from here on.”

Ilu laughed broadmindedly, while Hisaba bowed. “Understood. I shall see to Miss Leni’s daily needs properly.”

Can I trust them?

My mind, constantly calculating, never fully let go of its wariness. Too many betrayals and instances of being used had made me hear hidden meanings even in simple concerns and greetings.

How exactly should I choose?

To choose trust, or solitude?

To choose companionship, or betrayal?

I knew that choosing one meant losing the other. And in my past, I had always abandoned the side I cherished, and what I gained…

Was nothing at all.

Sometimes I wondered, what exactly is the right thing to do?

I didn’t know.

—Leni-chan!

But, I understood that I had to make a change.

“Then I shall trouble you for everything.”

Grateful, I showed a smile to the two Nako women before me.

At least for this moment, I wanted to believe in them.

The meat on the plate that had been so hard to swallow was, at some point, almost gone.