Chapter 67 Farewell And Reunion
On that day, I was helping Lukas pack up to return from the royal capital to Emme Village. After coming back from Flaria, he stayed in the royal capital for a few days - we took care of booking the accommodation - and now he's set to return to Emme Village by carriage from the royal capital.
"Lukas, did you forget anything?"
In response to my question, Lukas nodded with a hesitant, vague smile.
"Yeah, maybe. I have a lot more luggage than when I arrived..."
In response to my childhood friend's words, I returned a wry smile.
All the clothes and items prepared by us for his training were handed over to Lukas as they were. So, compared to when he arrived, his luggage has clearly increased. He also has souvenirs for the people in Emme Village and a sword he received from Olivelle-san - he even bought a large bag in the royal capital to pack everything.
"If you forget something, I'll bring it back with me when I visit next time."
"Sorry, thank you."
I nodded firmly at my childhood friend who smiled with lowered eyebrows and left the room at the inn.
While heading to the reception to check out, Lukas spoke.
"Will you be busy for a while?"
"Yeah, probably. It might get hectic."
I would likely be busy with synthesizing The Drinking Water of the Spirits for a while. The report for this training hasn't been completed yet. Moreover, it seems that my mentor will be coming here around the same time as Lukas, and events keep coming one after another.
"Don't push yourself too hard."
"Same goes for you. Lukas, you must be tired from all the new things, so make sure to rest."
Having spent the past month together, saying goodbye felt even more difficult than usual. We walked down the hallway of the inn at a slower pace.
After checking out, we left the inn. And there, beyond the door, stood a familiar figure I didn't expect.
His black hair sways in the wind. His dark eyes lock onto us. The moment I recognize his presence, I freeze in surprise. Slowly, he starts walking towards me. Yes, it�s him.
"Arnold-san..."
I noticed Lukas standing next to me straightening up as if on guard.
Why was he here? Was it something urgent?
Having seen my childhood friend and senior at work exchange glances a few times in the past, my tension naturally rose. Lukas didn't seem to want to speak to Arnold, so I gathered my courage and asked, "What's up?" Finally, he spoke.
"I heard from my boss that Lukas Kamil-dono is staying at this inn."
With those words, I understood Arnold's purpose. Ah, maybe he wants to...
With a sharp gaze that seemed to pierce through, Arnold took a few steps closer to Lukas and then bowed deeply.
"I appreciate your help. Thanks to Lukas-dono, we were able to discover 'The Drinking Water of the Spirits'."
Those words were as expected.
Lukas's efforts this time might bring relief to Arnold's sister, Elvira. Considering that, it was natural for Arnold to feel grateful towards Lukas.
However, from my perspective knowing all the circumstances, Lukas receiving thanks from a stranger out of the blue might be awkward. Moreover, the person thanking him is an unfamiliar "senior at work of a childhood friend" who has shown a lack of compatibility every time they met.
Lukas seemed clearly puzzled by suddenly being called "dono" and even bowing.
On the other hand, Arnold didn't raise his head. It seemed like he was waiting for Lukas's reaction, which my childhood friend seemed to sense as he let out a small sigh before speaking.
"...I'm just doing a favor for my childhood friend. It's nothing that deserves your thanks."
Lukas responded with a firm voice, perhaps out of caution. His tone was somewhat more distant than usual.
Arnold raised his face. When they stood side by side again, Arnold was slightly taller and more well-built. However, this was likely due to their age difference. Considering the age gap, these two had a similar stature.
Lukas and Arnold stared at each other for a few seconds. Standing between the two, the tension that always lingered between them started to feel slightly suffocating.
"If I could be of help, then I'm glad."
Lukas seemed to relax slightly. If I looked closely, I could see a hint of a smile forming on his lips.
Lukas was a perceptive child. It seemed like he had sensed something from Arnold's words and actions. While part of the reason for this change in Arnold's attitude might have been quite obvious, there was no need to force out the reason. Arnold surely appreciated this attitude.
"...Thank you. Sorry for bothering you on your way out."
Arnold bowed his head slightly once more and turned on his heel. His figure quickly disappeared into the crowd.
Even though his back was now out of sight, Lukas gazed into the distance as if searching for something, and muttered softly.
"Maybe he's not a bad person..."
The words directed at Arnold echoed the feelings I once held. I covered my mouth with my hand and quietly chuckled to myself.
--Later, Lukas returned to Emme Village by carriage. When I promised to visit again, he would smile happily. While thinking about fulfilling that promise soon, a certain face came to mind. It was the sorrowful and pained face of my mentor, Berta.
* * *
As Lukas returned to Emme Village, my mentor arrived at the royal capital.
Arnold and I welcomed my mentor at the entrance of the royal capital. As I caught sight of the familiar robe, I couldn't help but swallow nervously due to the tension, but I tried to maintain my usual self and greeted with a smile until we had a chance to talk.
"Mentor, I'm sorry for the trouble! If you had asked me, I would have come home..."
"Oh, it's nothing. I just wanted a change of scenery."
My mentor smiled and said that, but it was not the usual smile. Whether it was the physical exhaustion from the long carriage ride or the mental fatigue from what needed to be discussed, a deep weariness was evident on their face.
"Please rest well today."
As I reached out to take my mentor's luggage, someone else snatched it away. It was Arnold.
My mentor and Arnold exchanged glances for a moment. Arnold lightly greeted, "Long time no see, Berta-san."
In the ensuing silence between the two, I hurriedly interjected.
"Um, actually, there's someone who wants to talk with you. Mentor, you probably already know..."
"Arnold, you must be going through a lot."
My mentor nodded as if understanding everything. The words "you must be going through a lot" seemed to contain a sense of sympathy.
Arnold didn't react much to my mentor's words and continued speaking calmly.
"I've arranged a guest room in the royal palace. You can stay there while in the royal capital--"
"No, that's fine. I'll stay at an inn."
I involuntarily glanced at Arnold.
My mentor used to be a Royal Alchemist. While the interior of the royal palace might have changed since then, it would still be a familiar place for my mentor. Besides, my mentor might meet acquaintances from the past among the current Royal Alchemists. Even without these reasons, since I had invited my mentor over, it was only natural for us to offer a decent room for her stay in the royal palace.
Basically, it was unexpected when my Mentor said hse would stay at the inn. I instinctively wanted to argue, "But..."
"I've already booked a room. Sorry, could you come to the inn tomorrow?"
As if to silence me, I could only nod in response to her words.
"Of course. Is there anything I should prepare?"
"...As long as you bring that diary, it's fine."
--Suddenly, the previously friendly atmosphere turned completely cold. The word "diary" reminded me and Arnold of the painful contents written in it.
Trying not to make my mentor uncomfortable, I managed a faint smile and nodded.
We escorted my mentor to the inn and walked back to the royal castle with Arnold. The air between us was heavy. Both of us were thinking about the distressing events recorded in the diary.
I suddenly remembered leaving the diary with Arnold. Although I thought he must have finished reading it by now, I asked just to confirm.
"Have you read the diary?"
Arnold glanced at me briefly and slowly nodded. His forehead creased deeper than usual.
"I wanted to stop reading it several times..."
He closed his mouth and looked around as if searching for words. After a moment of silence, Arnold finally said,
"It's too painful."
It was a simple statement but carried a heavy weight.
Arnold looked troubled, with pale lips and a strained expression.
The diary, narrating the suffering of her beloved grandchild from the grandmother's perspective, was too painful for him to read. As his dear sister also suffered from the same illness, he might have overlapped himself with his grandmother and his sister in the diary.
My mentor's story could provide insights on saving Elvira, but could Arnold handle a story about losing loved ones to a self-destruction disease? Despite being usually composed and reliable, Arnold was still a young man trying to mature with his exceptional talents and efforts than the average person.
It may end up being a needless worry. No, I hope it ends up being a needless worry. I couldn't help but worry about his mental state this time.
(...Maybe it's not the time to worry about others.)
I might lose confidence when faced with the hopeless despair of the self-destruction disease. I might have the luxury to worry about Arnold only for today. The thought sent shivers down my spine.
By this time tomorrow, what would I be doing? Would I be tirelessly synthesizing to create a cure for the self-destruction disease, or would I be overwhelmed by despair, unable to do anything, or...
I was just scared of what tomorrow might bring.
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