Chapter 39 Elvira Rocco
It was a nice and sunny day with a refreshing breeze. Today, I finally met Elvira.
Arnold quickly brought Elvira from his hometown to the capital city as soon as he obtained the monster's horn. He must have hurried before the horn rotted. Not long after Arnold returned to the capital, Elvira arrived today.
I couldn't calm down all day today. I tried to do synthesis, but I ended up feeling dizzy and wasted one herb, so I quickly switched to studying. I needed to figure out a way to synthesize the monster's horn. When I heard Elvira was coming, I had planned to think of several synthesis methods before her arrival.
From being a trainee to becoming an assistant, I can now perform synthesis on my own even without a mentor. Additionally, I've been assigned the smallest synthesis room for my personal use. This room is my workspace - my castle.
Just before the end-of-day bell rang, the door of my castle was knocked. There was only one person I could think of who would knock on that door. It was Arnold.
As expected, when I opened the door, Arnold's black eyes looked down at me. However, contrary to my expectations, his expression seemed somewhat stern. I had thought he would have a gentle face since he was going to meet his beloved sister.
"Spare a moment to see my mentor. She is with Elvira."
Arnold said with a sigh, and I understood the meaning behind his expression.
Arnold's Mentor. A very beautiful woman with long green hair - Marcedes-san!
She's the one who clearly showed me the path of the Royal Alchemist. We also share the same Mentor, making us like sibling in training.
Remembering her kind smile, I felt my cheeks flush with anticipation. It's unexpected to meet Marcedes-san after so long.
If I nod enthusiastically, Arnold responds with a deep sigh.
I follow Arnold out of the royal castle. In front of the castle gate, she was there. But there was no sign of another figure beside her—Elvira, perhaps staying at the inn.
As I admire her long hair swaying in the wind and her perfectly beautiful profile, her face suddenly turns towards me. Her sparkling red eyes, shining like jewels, narrow into a smile.
"Laura-chan!"
"Marcedes-san, long time no see!"
I met Marcedes-san, who is Arnold's mentor and my senior disciple, after a long time. She still looked as beautiful as ever, not showing any signs of aging. The last time we met was when we accompanied Arnold for his exam, which was about 2 years ago.
Marcedes-san gently cupped my cheeks in her palms and stared at me intently.
"Oh my, you've become quite a beauty! Right, Arnold?"
"...Where is Elvira now?"
Marcedes-san smirked and nudged Arnold's side with her elbow. Arnold glared at his mentor with a puzzled look. I had always thought this, but Arnold's attitude towards Marcedes-san didn't seem like that of a disciple towards his mentor.
However, Marcedes-san didn't particularly reprimand his disrespectful disciple's attitude. Instead, she seemed to be amused as if it was nothing out of the ordinary.
"It's been a while since we greeted your Mentor, right? ...Anyway, she's at the inn. She seems tired from the long journey, so Olivelle is taking care of her."
Olivelle. I was slightly surprised by the name that came out of Marcedes-san's dissatisfied tone.
It's the same name as the vice captain of the Savila Knight Order. Are they just someone with the same name, or could they be the same person? I couldn't judge, but if they are the same person, what kind of connection could there be?
I imagine the appearance of Olivelle-san that I know in my mind. Pale pastel green hair, pointed ears that are the proof of being an elf. The color of the eyes that look down on you is—
And then, it suddenly dawns on me.
Marcedes-san and Olivelle-san have very similar features.
"...So, you called that child over and introduced her to Laura-chan like this... Did you make a request?"
Arnold nodded slightly and glanced at me for a moment without making eye contact.
It was clear she was referring to what Arnold had asked me about - Elvira's situation. It seemed obvious that Marcedes-san, our mentor, knew about Elvira.
"Laura-chan, have you asked for anything in return?"
"Huh?"
"You're getting involved in quite a difficult situation. It wouldn't be fair if you didn't ask for a few favors in return!"
Surprised by her words, I couldn't help but smile wryly - I stopped myself from raising the corners of my mouth as I met Marcedes-san's serious gaze.
Helping Elvira would ultimately save the world. Thinking about that, I never even considered asking for anything in return.
However, I couldn't be foolishly honest about my reasons.
"Um, no, it's not about getting something in return... As an alchemist, I just want to help Elvira-chan... That's all it is."
I said those words, half disguised as a nice thing, but half true.
Several years later, I can assist the heroes who bear the lives of the people in this world. It involves synthesizing healing potions and the matter concerning Elvira. I may just be a minor character in this world, but for the sake of this world and the people dear to me, I want to do everything I can.
The red eyes in front of me widened, then quickly narrowed into a crescent shape.
Suddenly, a gentle fragrance tickled my nostrils. It was a scent that suited Marcedes-san well, like a flower.
"You're a good girl, really. I'm glad Laura-chan is by this foolish disciple's side."
A face filled with affection, a voice overflowing with kindness, and a comforting fragrance. For some reason, it felt like being pampered by a mother.
"As Arnold's Mentor, please help Arnold and Elvira with your support."
I bowed deeply. Before I knew it, I found myself nodding.
Surely, for Marcedes-san, Arnold, his disciple, and Elvira are very important figures, although I had no evidence for this realization. I couldn't understand the circumstances that led her to become Arnold's mentor. However, between them, I felt a bond stronger than that of a mentor and disciple - it seemed to me like a deep bond akin to blood ties.
Marcedes-san, Arnold, and Elvira are all elves. Perhaps there are bonds that only members of the same race can understand, bonds that only members of the same race can form.
"But Arnold, please make sure to let Laura-chan rest soon. She has been working tirelessly since her business trip to Platonovena."
Marcedes-san let go of my cheeks and pointed her finger sharply at Arnold's nose. Arnold immediately swatted her hand away.
"I'm currently negotiating with Kasper-san. She should be able to take a long vacation soon."
That's news to me.
I couldn't help but glance at Arnold. He looked exhausted in front of Mentor, but still nodded at me.
Since leaving Platonovena, I hadn't had a proper break. The evacuation life in Anea could be considered a vacation in hindsight, but it was always tense and not a situation where I could relax both mentally and physically.
And now, a long vacation. I don't know how many days it will be, but I've firmly decided to definitely return to Emme Village.
* * *
――In the inn of the capital city, "she" was there.
Unluckily, Arnold was stopped in front of the castle gate by a senior alchemist. It seemed Arnold was asked to lend a document he had, so he needed to return to the royal castle once. Led by Marcedes-san, I stepped into a room at the inn. In that room were Olivelle-san, whom I knew, and another person. It was a small girl with black hair.
――Oh, she's Elvira.
My heart pounded heavily.
The girl, who was sitting on the bed, rushed towards us upon seeing Marcedes-san's face. She tightly grabbed Marcedes-san's clothes and looked up at me standing beside her.
She seemed wary of the unfamiliar person who suddenly entered the room.
"Nice to meet you, Elvira-chan. I'm Laura Ampère."
I smiled warmly, trying to ease Elvira's guard as much as possible.
Her dark, bulging eyes stared up at me. She looked much younger than the Elvira I knew. But at first glance, I knew she was a future hero. Her eyes held a strong determination that people wouldn't think belonged to someone suffering from a serious illness.
Meeting the future hero, I felt a sense of excitement. Elvira was always my favorite party member. How many times has her magic saved me!
With her mouth tightly shut, I crouched down to meet Elvira's gaze to ease the discomfort I felt from her intense black eyes staring up at me. To express my friendly feelings clearly, I reached out my right hand.
"...Oh, I'm your brother's kouhai. I'm always grateful for all your help."
She continued to stare at me. Her expression didn't soften. Despite feeling pressured by her piercing gaze, I didn't let my smile falter.
No one really trusts me that easily. When Marcedes-san asked me to say hello, Elvira finally spoke up.
"Elvira"
Just mentioning her name made her turn away without even looking at me.
Elvira wasn't exactly the friendliest character. Especially in the beginning, she was a bit arrogant about her talents and would talk down to the main character, Hero.
"Come on, Elvira? You don't have to be so unlike your brother."
Marcedes-san lifted Elvira up and playfully rubbed her cute little nose. Elvira swatted away Marcedes-san's hand annoyingly, looking similar to Arnold who had done the same earlier.
"Sorry, the siblings aren't the friendliest, are they?"
Marcedes-san gave a wry smile and apologized on behalf of Elvira. I could only return the same wry smile in response.
The protagonist of Last Brave, Lukas, also didn't really connect with Elvira until the middle of the story. To put it bluntly, it's not like he can become friends with the quirky character Elvira in just a day or two.
"Laura-san, would you like some milk?"
"Oh, Olivelle-san. Thank you."
Suddenly, a man offered a drink from behind. It was Vice Captain Olivelle-san of the Savila Knight Order.
Marcedes-san just mentioned something called "Olivelle," and it seems like she was definitely talking about him. As soon as we entered the room, he casually introduced himself as "the twin Olivelle," but I was too distracted by Elvira to understand more than that.
"I can't believe you two are siblings."
After taking a sip of the milk I received, I openly expressed my surprise, and Olivelle-san furrowed his brow apologetically and smiled.
"By the way, when Kasper-dono introduced me, he didn't even mention my last name. How rude of me. Let me introduce myself again... I'm Olivelle Bloom."
"By the way, I'm the older sister. Just for a few minutes though."
Next to Olivelle-san, Marcedes-san leaned in close to her younger brother with a natural gesture. Looking at them like this, they were so alike that I would wonder why I didn't realize they were related by blood.
"Ah, just like Arnold-dono, you've become an alchemist assistant. That's amazing."
"Oh no, it's nothing..."
A modest response in the spur of the moment. As the words failed to continue smoothly, a suspicion began to rise in my mind with the following silence.
If Vice Captain Olivelle-san knew, he should know about Vake's current situation.
I hesitated whether to ask. However, the rumors about him rejecting visits from many people didn't reach me at all. All I knew was that his injuries had healed, but he had lost vision in his right eye.
But if it's Olivelle-san...
I lifted my head that was starting to droop with determination. And then...
"Um, about Vake-san..."
"He's training in the mountains to get back in shape. His body has really gotten rusty. ...Don't worry, he's completely fine now."
Olivelle-san smiled kindly as if he could see all the worries in my heart. That smile, and Olivelle-san's response, naturally relieved the tension in my shoulders.
Training in the mountains, it was truly a bold move typical of Vake.
"――Elvira"
"Onii-chan!"
Behind me, the door opened with a bang, revealing a smiling young face in front of me. Even without turning around, I knew it was Arnold who had arrived.
Elvira left Marcedes-san's side, passed by me, and hurried towards the entrance of the room. As I turned to follow her back, I saw Arnold about to lift his sister.
Black hair. Black eyes. Pointed ears. Common features in appearance. Ah, it's Rocco-nii's little sister. For some reason, I felt a little moved.
"How have you been, El?"
(He's smiling...)
It was a gentle smile I had never seen before. I could tell he truly cares for his little sister, showing the face of a good big brother.
I unintentionally found myself staring at Arnold's profile. Perhaps noticing the impolite gaze directed at me, he quickly turned towards me, his mouth slightly downturned.
"Did you greet her?"
"Y-yes, I did... um, Elvira-chan?"
The once firm gaze that had met mine was now averted. It was a very obvious attitude.
While I had only greeted her, I wondered if I had said or done something that bothered her. She seemed overly guarded to be described as just shy.
Sensing some tension between his little sister and his junior, Arnold briefly turned his probing eyes towards me and then spoke.
"El, she's my kouhai. Laura, Laura Ampère."
"I don't care. It's none of El's business. Why does onii-chan's kouhai come to see El?"
"Because she'll be taking care of El from now on."
"...Taking care of El?"
"She's helping me ease El's pain by lending me her strength."
Upon hearing his brother's words, Elvira looked deeply hurt and then raised her voice.
"Isn't that something you should be doing!? We don't need anyone else!"
With a sob, Elvira buried her face in Arnold's shoulder. Arnold, looking puzzled, furrowed his brows slightly, then gently stroked his sister's head. To calm Elvira down, he patted her back slowly.
At first glance, the scene unfolding before their eyes seemed like a beautiful symbol of sibling love. However, upon reflecting on the background of the situation—honestly, it was hard to know what to do.
Elvira doesn't like me. I don't know the exact reason, but that's the undeniable truth. It would be fine if she was just shy, but it's tough to hear that she finds me physically repulsive. In the future, we'll probably meet often because of the healing potion—
As I pondered deeply, a hand gently tapped my shoulder. Startled by the sudden touch, I turned around to see Marcedes-san, who looked apologetic with a wry smile.
"I'm sorry, Laura-chan. Rocco-nii and his sister are really brocon and siscon..."
"N-no, it's okay..."
Time is running out, even just one day is precious. Before developing the cure for the rare disease, it seems we have to solve other problems first.
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