Chapter 18 Reunion With The Future Hero
I guide Lukas to my favorite spot - a bench placed on a small hill. Right now, the setting sun beyond the mountains looks very beautiful.
"This view from here is my favorite. Especially at this time, the sunset looks so beautiful, right?"
Lukas turns around. He takes a few steps forward, looking amazed.
"It's true..."
The orange light reflects on Lukas's golden hair, looking very beautiful.
I smile at his reaction like a childhood friend and guide him to the bench.
I remember the beautiful sunset I saw in Emme Village. The sunset in my hometown was splendid, gently shining in the grand nature, but the sunset seen from here seems to light up the royal capital, Savila, in a gentle orange color, offering a different kind of beauty.
I steal a glance at Lukas sitting next to me. His face has become quite refined - I think he has grown more mature.
As my childhood friend starts resembling the future Hero more and more, I think about his destiny ahead. Everything rests on his still slender shoulders. Though it's a story of the future, he already carries the safety and lives of the people in Emme Village.
Just a few dozen people. But for a 14-year-old boy, it's too heavy a burden.
"I'll be heading back to the village this time. I really want to see my mom, dad... and Petra and the others too."
Unconsciously, a soft voice slipped out. At my words, Lukas suddenly looked over here.
――The path to becoming a Royal Alchemist seemed halfway achieved for me. But that was a mistake. Ahead lies a path unknown to "me." Perhaps the path Lukas is about to take may be different from the path of the "Last Brave."
A few years later, I'm the only one who knows that the demon king will come back to life. ――No, there's a chance that even that event could change.
So, let's do what I can. But, there's not much I can do.
First and foremost, I want to become a skilled alchemist. If I do that, I should be able to help the future Hero. Yes, like the Alchemist Granny in "Last Brave."
Aim to become a Royal Alchemist! After that, maybe aim to become like the Alchemist Granny!
"Yeah, everyone would be happy if you did that."
Lukas laughs. I laugh too. I hope days like this continue. Even if disaster strikes this world, if we can overcome it and laugh about how tough it was back then, that would be great.
――For a while, the two of us watched the sunset in silence.
The silence didn't feel awkward at all, this distance felt comfortable. I always thought being next to Lukas was calming, but after being apart for a few months like this, that feeling seems even stronger now.
Enjoying the comfortable silence and the sunset — suddenly, a cold breeze brushed against my cheek. I involuntarily shivered, thinking I should go back before catching a cold.
The sun seemed like it was about to set soon.
"It gets pretty cold quickly once the sun sets. Shall we head back to the inn?"
Lukas nodded silently in response to my words.
* * *
Since Lukas was going to unpack his belongings at the inn, I had secured a seat at the tavern across from the inn beforehand. It was crowded at this time due to the holiday, but I managed to slip into a seat somehow.
This place is called a tavern, but it's more like a restaurant, offering a variety of dishes like meat, fish, pasta, pizza, and more. The prices are reasonable, so on weekend nights, I often see families dining here. Even when Chelsea and two other girls come, they never get bothered by strangers.
The place is right across from the inn. Before parting ways, I told him to meet here, and I informed the staff about Lukas' features. Surely, Lukas will be guided once he arrives.
Although not planning to order yet, I open the menu.
What should I have today? Thinking about ordering a refreshing fish dish...
"Oh, it's you! Laura-chan, right!?"
A familiar tone with high energy called out. The distinctive tone was unmistakable.
As I looked up from the menu,
"Kasper-san!?"
Kasper-san, who looked red-faced and clearly drunk, stood over me as I sat down. In one hand, he held a bottle of alcohol.
I don't mean to judge how he spends his holidays, but isn't he a bit too drunk this time?
As I worried, Kasper-san slammed his hand on the desk in front of me. Being accosted in a tavern is one thing, but being accosted by your boss at work is another.
"Laura-chan, I saw something around noon..."
Kasper-san whispered.
What could he have seen around noon?
Despite feeling a bit annoyed at being bothered by a drunk, I couldn't just ignore him, so I asked, "What is it?" But before I could finish, Kasper-san raised his voice.
"Who was that blond pretty boy you were with around noon!? I won't accept any mistaken identity excuses!"
Gah... ――I didn't let slip that detail, I hope he praises me for that.
It seems like Lukas and I were seen together during the day.
I knew there was a chance of being seen in the capital, but I didn't take any precautions thinking it wouldn't cause any harm even if we were seen. However, I wish it was just Kasper-san who saw us. Meeting Kasper-san by chance while he was a bit drunk and being questioned like this feels somewhat disadvantageous. I involuntarily lifted myself off the chair. The smell of alcohol echoed in my nostrils at that moment. He must have been drinking quite a lot.
Without waiting for me, who was delayed in reacting due to swallowing a half-spilled sigh, Kasper-san continued with his questioning.
"No way... is Laura-chan two-timing!?"
"What!?"
I unconsciously frowned and my response was delayed again. At that moment, the smell of alcohol hit my nostrils. He must has been drinking a lot.
Kasper-san approached me as I frowned and was delayed in rebutting again.
"But you were with Arnold at the herb garden the other day, weren't you!"
Arnold. I was stunned by the name that came out of Kasper-san's mouth. At the same time, I thought it was a good thing Lukas wasn't here.
"Well, I was just getting some guidance..."
Even though I denied it, Kasper-san leaned in closer and glared at me.
To be honest, his breath reeked of alcohol. How much did this guy drink?
Asking such things in a drunken state, could it be that Kasper-san is always jumping to conclusions about Arnold and me? Come to think of it, when we first met, he mistakenly thought I was Arnold's girlfriend. That misunderstanding was finally cleared up after two years — could it be that he's the type who's keen on romantic gossip, even though he's not a Japanese high school girl?
"No way, that's definitely a lie! That Arnold, who never accepted any invitations from his boss! That Arnold, who looks visibly annoyed when alone with me! He volunteered to take care of Laura-chan! There's only one answer to this!"
Kasper-san declared firmly with clenched fists.
As I listened to him, thoughts of whether it's not that I'm particularly liked but rather that Kasper-san is particularly disliked crossed my mind, albeit rudely. I racked my brain on how to navigate this situation. While I find Arnold's disrespectful attitude towards his boss questionable, let's put that aside for now and just focus on calming the situation before Lukas arrives. If I let Kasper-san in this excited state meet him, it will surely lead to more trouble.
I should just leave the store and wait for Lukas in front of the inn - the idea that popped into my head wasn't bad, but I still need to figure out how to escape from Kasper-san.
"And yet it's daytime! Laura-chan was with an unfamiliar cute boy!"
"No, he's um... a childhood friend."
"A childhood friend!? Laura-chan, you're quite the player, huh!?"
I tried to reveal the true identity of the unfamiliar cute boy as smoothly as possible, but instead of being satisfied with the answer, Kasper-san became even more interested. This is not good, I have to leave the tavern.
Making that decision, I tried to stand up――
"Hey hey, what a troublesome way to get involved, you!"
In an instant, a manly, rough hand from Kasper-san slapped his head.
That voice, that tone, that strong palm - I remember them. As soon as I recognized his figure, I stood up from the chair energetically.
"Wha...t!"
The person who saved me from the drunk Kasper-san was none other than Vake Buckel.
We met two years ago, a future hero and a member of the "Last Brave" party.
As he grabbed Kasper-san's neck, which had elongated due to the current blow, he frowned apologetically and smiled. His right eye still didn't bore a large scar.
"Sorry, I tried to stop him from drinking because he gets drunk easily, but he managed to drink while I was away for a moment..."
"N-No! Please don't worry!"
I shook my head vigorously. I never expected to meet again in such a place and under such circumstances.
I glanced at the entrance of the shop. Lukas was not there yet. I felt a bit hesitant about introducing my childhood friend to Vake here.
Lukas and Vake meet for the first time at the beginning in the royal castle. They have a friendly match on the spot, and Vake acknowledges Lukas's strength. Vake expresses his desire to accompany the king himself. However, if they meet for the first time here, their future might take an unexpected turn.
I remember thinking that I shouldn't worry about how my actions will affect the future anymore, but I still resist the changes in Lukas's surroundings. This is because it is connected to the safety of my childhood friend and my friends, just like in "Last Brave."
If Lukas and the others follow the same path as the game, they can save this world without anyone missing.
"Young lady, you're the alchemist trainee who joined this year, right? It's been a topic even among the Knight Order that a genius girl joined since the start of the trainee system."
"I-Is that so... Haha... I'm honored."
It makes me really happy as a fan of "Last Brave" to hear Vake say that. Honestly, since we've finally met again, I really want to talk more. Besides, I can't help but be curious about the rumors of Arnold's Knight Order joining — though it's not something I can ask directly.
Even though I felt reluctant to leave, I quickly packed my things. However,
"Young lady, sorry for causing you trouble. Come on, let's go, incompetent boss!"
Before I could retreat, Vake turned on his heel, dragging Kasper-san away from the scene. With a speed that didn't seem possible for one adult to drag another, they reached the entrance of the tavern. Just before leaving the shop, he waved at me.
I nodded in response. Then, with a sigh of relief, I rudely plopped down on a chair.
Thinking back to Vake's smile. Within the next 2 years, he will probably get a big scar on his right eye. He was used to fighting with one eye in the story, so that event might even happen this year. There's a chance it might not happen, but it's not impossible.
I opened the menu again.
I wonder if Kasper-san and Vake are close enough to drink together. They were chatting amiably two years ago as well. Anyway, there might be a chance to meet again.
When that happens, I want to talk properly this time. I want to hear many heroic tales from his own mouth.
While waiting for Lukas, I recalled Vake's brave figure from "Last Brave."
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