Chapter 117 Old Stories
Ever since I returned to the royal capital, I've haven't received any news at all. Apparently, the black mist was discovered under dark clouds, and a subjugation team will be sent out from the royal capital soon. That's all I've heard.
I know it's not a problem that someone like me, an alchemist, should be involved in, but I still can't help feeling frustrated. At that moment, Arnold came to visit me while I was tidying up the synthesis room alone.
As soon as he entered the synthesis room, he bowed his head deeply towards me.
"I'm late in expressing my gratitude. Thank you for saving Elvira"
"No, it's nothing... I'm just glad. Really"
I said it with a sincere expression, and Arnold gazed at me intently.
Suddenly, I noticed the dark circles under his eyes. I hadn't had a chance to talk to him since returning to the royal capital, but he seemed busier than ever. That's only natural, though. After all, he's planning to accompany the Hero on their journey.
If he's going on a journey, he should take care of his physical condition, I think――
"...It's about the first time we met."
Arnold muttered suddenly.
The image of Arnold when we first met floated in my mind. Looking back, he's grown so much――it's like thinking of him as a child. We've been together for 6 years now, since I was 9 years old when we met. It's amazing how far we've come.
I never thought that we'd be having a conversation like this, reminiscing about the past.
"I didn't like you back then."
Arnold's words, spoken in a smaller voice than usual, weren't unexpected. It was clear from his attitude back then, and he wasn't trying to hide it either.
Without worrying about my reaction, Arnold continued speaking as if to himself.
"I'm studying hard even in my sleep, but you're becoming Berta-san's disciple, who I couldn't become, and you're showing off with a smug face. It's really irritating me and making me feel inferior."
Back then, I thought Arnold was just a arrogant brat, but now that I know his situation, I think my carefree attitude must have been unpleasant for him.
His little sister had a serious illness, and Arnold was desperately searching for a cure, studying hard despite his young age. And then, a girl who relied on her talent and was carefree appeared... It's no wonder he got angry.
"But at the same time, you were a beacon of hope for me. ...If you had your talent, maybe you could save Elvira, I thought."
I felt embarrassed to be called a hope, and I couldn't help but think it was an overestimation. I smiled vaguely.
I thought he hated me back then, but I never thought I was seen as a hope.
"I'm not the only one who did it. Rather, I did less than others... It's thanks to Arnold-san, Marcedes-san, my mentor, and many others who lent their power."
Arnold quietly shook his head at my words.
"But if we didn't have the Drinking Water of the Spirits, or if we didn't have the prototype, who knows what would have happened? It's because you found the Drinking Water of the Spirits that the people of Rustu approached us. If Ampère wasn't there, the outcome would have been the worst."
He looked me straight in the eye and said it. It's true that the existence of the Drinking Water of the Spirits was huge, but when he said it like that, I felt more embarrassed than happy.
I was the first to avert my gaze.
"Ah, haha, I'm getting a little embarrassed."
My words were followed by silence.
About Elvira's case, I'm sure I did my best, but I don't think I was the one who saved her. Rather, I couldn't have found the Drinking Water of the Spirits on my own, and the same goes for the trial products. It was thanks to the power of many people and the sacrifices of the past that we succeeded this time. That's something I'll never forget.
Arnold took a deep breath, let out a small sigh, and then opened his mouth again.
"The demon king has taken many things from many people with his Self-destruction disease. I won't forgive him. That's why I want to join Lukas-dono's journey to defeat the demon king."
"...Yes"
It seems like it's already been decided that Arnold will take Elvira's place on the journey. That means the party members of "Last Brave" will change, but what will happen to the other companions they haven't met yet?
Lukas, Diona, Vake, and now Arnold. It's already a well-balanced party, but it's still better to have more companions. Will they meet them on the way, or...?
"I've already gotten permission from Kasper-san. I can leave whenever I'm ready."
It seems like everything has already been discussed. All we have to do is wait for Lukas now.
Arnold will definitely become a great source of strength. Although Lukas and him didn't get along when we were kids, they've come to understand each other over time, and their current relationship isn't bad. They'll definitely support each other and become good companions.
I turned to face Arnold, and then bowed my head.
"Please take care of Lukas for me."
"Yeah," Arnold nodded strongly. Although I'm worried about my childhood friend going on a journey into the unknown, I feel at ease knowing he'll be there. And with Vake and Diona too, I'm sure we'll be fine. I have to believe that.
With this conversation, Arnold was about to leave the room――or so I thought, but he stopped in his tracks at the entrance and turned around.
"Congratulations"
I tilted my head. What was I being congratulated for? Had I done something worthy of celebration?
Arnold gave a wry smile as he looked at me, who seemed out of it.
"It's your birthday. You've already passed it."
I looked at the calendar on the wall, and indeed, I had forgotten my own birthday amidst the chaos of Elvira's incident.
With my memories of my past life still lingering, I didn't really keep track of my birthday. And now, I had already turned 16.
"...Ah, I completely forgot."
To be honest, Arnold's wry smile deepened.
"Let me offer you a belated celebration. Let me know if there's anything you want."
With those words, Arnold left the room this time.
I stared at the door he had exited for a while, then looked back at the calendar. The fact that I had turned 16 wasn't what bothered me. What was more pressing was that my birthday had passed, which meant Lukas's birthday was coming up soon.
(Lukas is also about to turn 16...)
When Lukas set out on his journey, he was 17 years old. Now, he was about to turn 16, which meant his departure was a year earlier than expected.
I believed in the Heroes and continued to synthesize healing potions in the royal capital. That was what I could do for now. So, I decided to wait patiently here for Lukas and the others to return. I wanted to welcome them back with a smile, especially my childhood friends who had become Heroes.
――A few days later, Lukas returned to the royal capital from Emme Village. And after a few more days, the kingdom of Ostria officially announced the departure of the demon king subjugation team, led by the Hero, to the entire nation.
The Hero who carried the future of this world on his shoulders was Lukas Kamil, a young man with golden hair and blue eyes, soon to turn 16.
The crest, proof of his Hero status, was engraved on his left eye.
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