Chapter 65 Greetings Round
The day before returning to the royal capital, we decided to go around and say goodbye to the people who took care of us in Flaria. The first people we went to greet were Emiliana-san's parents, who provided us with everything we needed - Luisa-san and Ubaldo-san.
We met them in a sunny room on the day we first met, to bid farewell.
"It's been a short time, but thank you so much."
"No, thank you. I'm sorry we couldn't offer much hospitality."
"No, really! Thank you so much."
Luisa-san smiled gently. She was the one who kindly guided me when I was lost. I can't thank her enough.
On the other hand, Ubaldo-san, who stood next to her with a somewhat displeased look, had been too busy with work. We had only shared a few meals together before, so it had been a while since we had a proper face-to-face meeting. I was a bit taken aback by the intimidating aura he exuded, but...
"Hey, you too. This guy here was too busy with work and couldn't chat with Laura-chan and the others properly, so he's sulking."
Luisa-san chuckled and poked Ubaldo-san's shoulder with her finger. Seeing their interaction, Ubaldo-san, who had seemed scary just moments ago, suddenly appeared cute. On the other hand, being described as sulking like a child, Ubaldo-san awkwardly lowered his gaze and spoke up.
"Feel free to come visit anytime. Let's have a meal together then. Tell us your stories."
"Yes, definitely. And please bring Emiliana-san along too."
I pictured my friend in my mind. I really wanted to have a leisurely chat with her next time.
As soon as I mentioned my daughter's name, the expressions of the two in front of me softened into parental ones. They were kind, loving expressions. Just by looking at them, I could tell how much Emiliana-san had been cherished and loved while growing up.
With the same expression a mother would have towards her daughter, Luisa-san spoke to me.
"It's wonderful to work hard, but more importantly, take care of your health."
"...Yes."
It struck a nerve, and for a moment, I was at a loss for words. But as I nodded in agreement, Luisa-san nodded deeply as if to say, "That's good."
She was right. If your condition isn't good, you can't perform at your best, and mistakes can happen. Pushing yourself too hard isn't a good thing.
As I engraved that in my heart,
"Lukas-kun, you too. Make sure neither of you collapse together!"
The same words were directed at Lukas, who hadn't done anything reckless this time. I glanced at my childhood friend, and he too looked surprised.
――Perhaps we were being seen as two peas in a pod.
We exchanged glances and couldn't help but smile. Then, we both replied with a resounding "Yes."
* * *
Next, we visited the Flaria branch. Honestly, I wasn't looking forward to it, but we couldn't neglect greeting them. During a busy period when they were short-staffed, they had lent us a whole synthesis room for a considerable period of time. We were greatly indebted to them.
As the leader, I visited the branch manager's office alone to greet them.
"Thank you for your long-term support."
"No, no. I couldn't do much, I'm sorry."
The branch manager smiled warmly. I was curious about what lay behind that smile, but there was probably nothing to delve into. It was best to maintain a friendly relationship on the surface.
"I will submit the report on this training soon. We found some interesting synthesis materials."
"That's wonderful. Your efforts were not in vain, genius-sama."
Genius-sama. There was undoubtedly a simmering malice behind that word.
This time, I had been selfish and had caused a lot of people trouble. The people around me didn't reprimand me because they were kind, but the reactions of the branch manager and the alchemists at the Flaria branch were normal.
I clenched my jaw and then smiled.
If it weren't for the support from the Flaria branch, we might not have been able to obtain The Drinking Water of the Spirits. When I fell off the cliff, thanks to the healing potion synthesized in this branch, I was able to provide first aid.
"Yes, thanks to everyone. You all have taken care of me."
Looking back, I bowed to the alchemists from the Flaria branch who were waiting near the entrance. There was no response. They all bowed their heads uniformly and didn't even look in our direction.
Bowing once again to the branch chief, I left. As I looked at the closing door, I vaguely thought that I would have liked to deepen my friendship with the city's alchemists if there was more time.
* * *
Next, we visited the Savila Knight Order Flaria garrison with Lukas. To our surprise, Olivelle-san, who should be the captain of this garrison, welcomed us when we knocked on the door.
"Olivelle-san, hello."
"Ah, Laura-chan and Lukas-kun. Hello."
"I'm here too!"
Peeking out from behind Olivelle-san was Charles-kun. We had also received a lot of help from him. After lightly bending my knees to greet him, Charles-kun smiled back at me.
It seemed like it was either lunchtime or training time. I thought I shouldn't stay long, so I opened my mouth to say goodbye at the entrance.
"We will be returning to the royal capital tomorrow. Thank you very much. Please let me express my gratitude properly when things settle down."
As I deeply bowed, I felt Olivelle-san chuckle. When I raised my head, Lukas, my childhood friend, was still bowing, and Olivelle-san was looking at him kindly. It was like the gaze of an older brother looking at his younger brother.
Olivelle-san patted Lukas on the shoulder. Finally, looking up, Olivelle-san spoke to my childhood friend in a gentle yet firm voice.
"Lukas-kun, you have strength within you. It is your pure desire to protect those dear to you. Please never forget that."
"Yes!"
My childhood friend nodded vigorously and happily. His expression showed deep respect for Olivelle-san in front of him. Although it seemed like they had only trained together for a short time, they had clearly deepened their bond.
While watching the two of them with a smile, I suddenly noticed a shadow fall over Olivelle-san's profile. Wondering what was wrong, I looked at him, and he turned his red eyes towards me, our gazes meeting. In an instant, the shadow that had fallen disappeared behind a calm smile, and Olivelle-san turned to Charles-kun with that expression.
"Charles, bring what we prepared for Lukas-san."
"Yes! Lukas-san, over here! We have a gift for you!"
Charles-kun took Lukas-kun's hand and led him into the garrison. Just as I was wondering if I should follow them, Olivelle-san called out to me.
"――Please take care of Elvira-chan."
Elvira. My heart skipped a beat at that name.
Involuntarily, I looked at Olivelle-san, who had wiped the smile off his face and was staring at me. His gaze pierced through me, making my spine straighten.
"I have known her since we were children. I know her pain, as well as the pain of her brother, Arnold. Unfortunately, I couldn't save them. But maybe you can, or..."
Although Olivelle-san should have been looking at me, his eyes seemed to be looking into the distance. It was a look I had never seen before.
"If there is anything I can do to help you, please don't hesitate to ask. I will definitely be of assistance."
"Thank you. I will do my best."
Those words were barely squeezed out.
I honestly don't know if The Drinking Water of the Spirits will be the salvation. If it turns out that even with The Drinking Water of the Spirits it's difficult to create a special medicine, we'll have to start looking for a solution from scratch again—
Whatever the outcome, I will do my best.
With determination, I looked back at Olivelle-san and tightly clenched my fist. At that moment, Lukas emerged from the garrison. In his hand was a sword sheathed in a splendid scabbard.
"Laura, look! I got a sword from Charles-kun!"
"More accurately, it's from Captain Olivelle!"
Saying so, Lukas showed the sword to us. Next to him, for some reason, Charles-kun was proudly puffing out his chest.
Olivelle-san moved away from my side and approached Lukas. Then, he gently touched the scabbard of the sword held by his childhood friend.
"This is what I used before. It might be a bit heavy for Lukas-kun now, but I'm sure you can handle it."
Upon hearing those words, the smile disappeared from Lukas's face, replaced by a serious gaze. And he looked down at the sword in his hand and spoke.
"Thank you, Olivelle-san."
Looking into Lukas's quietly burning eyes, I think to myself. Perhaps Olivelle-san understood his desire to protect the ones he cares about more than anyone else. Because I always see Lukas with a sisterly perspective, I can't help but wish he wouldn't do anything reckless. But Olivelle-san likely understood and respected the feelings of a childhood friend who has a "man's pride." That's why Lukas opened up so quickly and looked at her with such respect.
Regardless of the reason, an irreplaceable bond had formed between Lukas and Olivelle-san. It might not have been something I, who had been selfish and had caused trouble for both of them, could say, but I thought that Lukas meeting Olivelle-san would become a great asset for him in the future.
*
That night, as we prepared to return to the royal capital, Lukas suddenly spoke.
"We're supported by many people, aren't we? Both you, Laura, and me."
"Yeah, that's right."
Many faces floated through my mind. I could never have accomplished this expedition training alone.
"We have to do our best in return for the support we've received."
"And make sure not to collapse."
In a joking tone—though I didn't mean it as a joke—Lukas laughed unusually, saying, "Haha."
Seeing that smile, I thought once again. I was glad that Lukas had come with me. Unknowingly, there must have been a part of me that had been supported and saved by him.
"Thank you for coming with me, Lukas."
I turned to face him and said it again. Then, my hands were gently enveloped in his grasp. The warmth was familiar, but for some reason, tonight it felt like it was spreading from the palm of my hand throughout my body.
Looking back at Lukas, he was smiling very happily.
"Thank you for relying on me, Laura. It was tough, but I learned a lot. It feels like the world has expanded."
The world had expanded. At those words, "Laura Ampère's" heart beat heavily.
Those words were probably what "Last Brave" Laura Ampère feared the most. However—
"Emme Village is small, isn't it?"
"But it's an important hometown, right?"
"Yeah, it's where we belong. So let's go back, together."
In my mind, I saw the figure of Laura Ampère, waiting for her childhood friend to return in the small village. What would she think if she heard Lukas's words now? Even though her childhood friend had gradually stopped coming back to the village, she continued to wait—
"I" am not "Last Brave" Laura Ampère, so I don't know the answer. But just the fact that Lukas now referred to Emme Village as a "place to return to" made me happy.
"...Yeah, let's go back. Together."
When Lukas responded like that, he smiled even more.
A comfortable silence fell. Suddenly, when I glanced behind him, I noticed that he had already finished preparing to leave.
Tomorrow will come early too. If the preparations are done, it's probably best to go to sleep early. Thinking so, when I said, "Shall we go to bed now?" Lukas nodded.
We let go of each other's hands without a word and slipped into our respective beds. And then...
"Good night, Laura."
"Good night, Lukas."
And so, the first training expedition ended safely.
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