Chapter 122 Evacuation
The letter from Kasper-san, which arrived from the royal capital, contained words that worried about my well-being. It seemed that Reinhardt-san had visited Kasper-san and advised me to hide in a village of the Rustu people. The letter was filled with kind words, saying that I didn't need to worry about work and that I should agree with their opinion.
I felt sorry for causing trouble despite the lack of manpower, and I was filled with gratitude for Kasper-san's thoughtful letter.
I decided in my heart to thank them sincerely and to focus on my work as the Royal Alchemist once I calmed down.
After receiving Kasper-san's letter, I started preparing to hide in a village of the Rustu people. To be honest, I only packed my luggage and did a bit of handover work at the Flaria branch.
While preparing, I was surprised by the unexpected words from my 2 junior colleagues who had been thinking of returning to the royal capital.
"Laura-san, we're staying in Flaria."
"Huh?"
"We'll synthesize your share too, so don't worry."
"Yeah, so you can rest easy, Laura-san!"
Basilio-san nodded strongly, and Iris smiled brightly. Their determination was firm.
I felt ashamed for putting my junior colleagues in a difficult position, but at the same time, I saw my junior colleagues in a new light.
I bowed my head, filled with apologies and gratitude.
"I'm sorry for being an incompetent senior. Please take care of things for me."
Thud, and 2 hands of different sizes were placed on my shoulders. When I looked up, I saw Iris and Basilio-san smiling at me.
"Leave it to us. We've learned synthesis from Laura-san, so we'll be fine."
"Teach me all about it once you've calmed down, okay!"
This year's newcomers, who were accepted in greater numbers than usual, are already experiencing unbelievable events like the demon king's revival in their first year. Iris and Basilio-san's friends must be busy too.
Despite the unexpected series of events, the juniors who look forward to the future are encouraging.
"Laura-san has been busy until now, so it's necessary to take a break sometimes, you know."
I forced a smile at Basilio-san's words.
It's not something I'd say myself, but it's true that I haven't had time to relax lately with all the events happening one after another. I nodded slightly, and Basilio-san smiled kindly.
Suddenly, Iris leaned in close to my ear and whispered.
"Laura, be nice to everyone."
I nodded at Iris's words too. She said Sieg-san and the others grew up in a village, but maybe it's the same for Iris. Maybe she has acquaintances there too.
――After that, Iris and Basilio-san explained the facilities and such of the Flaria branch to me, and I returned to the inn once. Since I'll be leaving Flaria and heading to the village tomorrow, I need to make sure I don't forget anything and prepare thoroughly.
As I walked down the corridor to my room in the inn, I saw a familiar figure walking towards me from the other side. It was Marta, wearing comfortable-looking clothes and with short brown hair.
She was carrying a small luggage and heading towards the inn's front desk, looking like she was about to depart.
When Marta noticed me, she waved her hand, and I saw her smile as she ran towards me.
"Hey, Laura. Were you hiding somewhere?"
"Yeah... Are you leaving already, Marta-san?"
"Yeah. There doesn't seem to be anything interesting around here anyway."
Ahaha, Marta laughed with her mouth open. Thanks to her, I was able to get out of a tight spot, and it's really great that we met like this.
Still, I wonder why Marta was in Flaria. Did she find some treasure or something she liked in this city?
"What's the deal with Marta-san going to Flaria?"
"Huh? I heard there's some magic water that can cure anything, so I came to check it out."
――I see. So Marta was invited to Flaria because of The Drinking Water of the Spirits. In a way, I called for help and she came to save me herself.
I'm grateful for this unexpected coincidence, and I ask her again.
"What's your next destination?"
"Hmm, I don't know... Maybe I'll follow Hero-sama? If I tag along with Hero-sama's journey, I might see some rare things."
I remember hearing those words before in "Last Brave". In the game, Marta says something similar to the protagonist and ends up joining their journey. Maybe she'll join up with Lukas and the others now.
It would be great if Marta joined their party in this world too, I think to myself, and agree with her.
"That might be a good idea."
"Yeah, yeah! I got Laura's approval, so I might just follow Hero-sama for a bit."
I smile slightly at Marta's words. There's no guarantee she'll be able to catch up, but if Marta joins Hero's party, who knows what will happen? I imagine how Arnold and Marta might clash at first, and so on.
Whatever the case, it would be very encouraging for the Heroes if they gained more companions.
"Please give Hero-sama my regards when you meet him."
"Got it. See you later, Laura. I'll take this as a favor."
Marta takes out the prototype I gave her from her pouch. There aren't many, but they might come in handy on her journey.
"Okay, see you later."
I smile, hoping we'll meet again.
Marta gives me a few pats on the back with a big smile, then walks down the hallway without looking back. Her back looks really reliable.
I'm grateful for the chance encounter with Marta, and I pack my bags in my room.
* * *
Reinhardt-san lent me a horse-drawn carriage all the way to Flaria. Leon-san was the coachman, and Sieg-san accompanied us as a guard.
"Laura-chan, be careful."
"I've got this! Don't worry about me."
"Take your time and rest, okay?"
After exchanging farewells with Olivelle-san, Iris, and Basilio-san who came to see me off, I got into the carriage. ――At that moment, something hugged me and I stumbled. I put strength into my legs and somehow managed to brace myself,
"Laura!"
I realized the true identity of the "something" that clung to me when I heard my name being called.
I steadied myself to avoid dropping it, then peeked at its face. As expected, our eyes met, and I saw black pupils staring back at me. Ah, I thought, and at that moment, I heard a gentle, amused laugh, "Hehehe." When I looked up, I saw an elegant, seated elven woman.
"Elvira-chan, and Marcedes-san!"
When I called out their names, both of them smiled and responded. I had expected as much, but it seemed Elvira was also hiding in the village of the Rustu people, just like me. Marcedes-san was accompanying her.
Sieg-san encouraged me to take a seat, and I did so. Then, the carriage departed.
"Laura-chan, are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine, thank you for worrying."
Marcedes-san let out a sigh of relief at my response, then took out an envelope from her bag and handed it to me, who was sitting across from her.
The envelope was simple, with no decorations or seal. Since it was handed to me like this, I assumed it was a letter addressed to me, but I wondered who could have sent it, and tilted my head.
"This is from Mentor."
When I heard that it was a letter from Mentor, I caught my breath for a moment.
After curing Elvira's self-destruction disease, I still hadn't had a proper talk with my Mentor. It's not just that I was busy, but more like she was avoiding me. Although she was still staying at the royal capital's inn, I couldn't catch her no matter how many times I visited. However, the innkeeper said she would show up at the front desk at least once a day, so I thought it wasn't that something was wrong, but rather my timing was just bad. But――
I received an envelope from Marcedes-san. And slowly, I took out the letter inside.
――First, I must apologize. I knew you visited the inn many times, and I was avoiding you. I didn't know what face to make or what to say, so I didn't know what to do.
I slowly traced the letters.
――I heard about Elvira from Marcedes. Congratulations.
It seems my eyes, which took you as a disciple on a whim, were indeed correct. You did well.
My Mentor's face floated in my mind. Ah, I want to see her, I thought. I want to talk to her slowly.
――Once everything is over, will you go with me to Annette's grave?
Let me introduce you as my proud disciple.
Even though my Mentor wasn't in front of me, I nodded many times as if responding.
I'll go to Annette-san's grave and express my gratitude. It's because of you and your grandmother that I'm here now.
――Please take care of your body.
Then, see you again.
The letter ended with those words.
It was a short letter, but a simple and Mentor-like one. However, it was more than enough, and it was a happy letter.
Tears didn't fall, but my heart felt warm and fuzzy deep inside. As I was reading the letter from my Mentor alone, I met Elvira's black eyes, which were gazing at me curiously.
"Was it a good letter?"
"Yeah"
When I nodded, Elvira smiled happily and said, "I'm glad."
――Elvira's self-destruction disease has been cured. However, that doesn't mean everything is over. It's only when Lukas and the others defeat the demon king that true peace will come to this world, and to us.
Believing in the peace that will eventually arrive, I dream of the day when I can visit Annette-san's grave with my mentor, and for now, I'll search for a way to protect myself.
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