Volume 2 Chapter 23 There’s No Room for Carelessness or Negligence
"...And with that, my sister left. That was 5 years ago."
"Lene's older sister..."
Lene, who sat beside me and had just finished a long story, let out a deep sigh.
From that expression, filled with melancholy, it was clear she didn't want to dwell on those memories.
Having the village where she had loved and grown up destroyed, and her Alchemy master, who had understood her, killed.
While it was surprising that Lene had such a dark past, it was also terrifying to think that an entire village had been wiped out by cultists.
Just how powerful was that elf, Emerada?
"...Five years..."
"Yeah... maybe it's a bit long."
I understood what Lene meant by "too long."
After all, 5 years of unreported involvement with the cultists... the penalties from the Inquisition would probably be severe.
"Let's consult with His Excellency Duke Hoffman first. His Excellency might have connections with the Inquisition. Lene probably didn't even know the Inquisition existed back then, right?"
"Yes, that's right."
She said they were a closed-off village, culturally behind the times.
Having to live alone without the world's common knowledge... Lene must have struggled greatly.
"...If I had properly reported to the Inquisition, things might have turned out differently. His Excellency Prime Minister and Mr. Guy wouldn't have become victims, and we wouldn't have put Mr. Ryuuji in danger this time..."
"...Well, maybe"
I answered without beating around the bush.
For Lene's sake, I couldn't just say things like "That's not true" to make things better in that moment.
"But, don't worry about me. I told you we're in this together, right?"
"...I'm worried"
Lene sighed and leaned slightly closer to me.
Feeling her different breathing so close, my heart hammered in my chest.
"If Mr. Ryuuji hadn't invited me as his partner back then, I probably would still be lost. ...Betrayed by my sister, betrayed by Marie. It was something I brought upon myself, but I couldn't even realize it, and I would have been betrayed by someone else..."
Lene took a breath and showed an expression I had never seen before ── truly serious.
As if she was warning herself, "Don't make the same mistake again."
"That's why I can't betray Mr. Ryuuji."
After saying all that, Lene looked up at me with tear-filled eyes.
As she said, I was naive, and I did take her in as a partner.
And I can't deny that.
But, I'm not that great of a person.
I don't deserve the right to answer her when she says she likes me.
When I said that, Lene frowned and gave me a wry smile.
And then she clung to my right arm, wrapping her arms around mine, leaning her weight into me.
"You say you have a low self-esteem, Mr. Ryuuji, but I don't think you realize how impressive you are."
"...I'm just doing what anyone else could do. The truth is, I'm the kind of person who cares a lot about what others think. I'm a coward."
"I know you're a coward."
She laughed from the bottom of her heart.
...It stung a little.
But Lene continued with a "But you see..."
"There are very few people who can do what they're capable of well... And on top of that, you always put yourself at risk to take the lead. That kind of person is not common at all."
"........."
Could that really be it?
If so, even though I met with misfortune in my hometown, I was blessed with the people I encountered, including 'Teacher.'
That's why I wanted to become someone who could do something for others.
"The man who taught me Alchemy also sacrificed himself to stand up to my sister. How can I not respect such a person and Mr. Ryuuji?"
Lene's arms, wrapped around my right arm, tightened slightly.
I could feel the pulsing of her heart, like the tolling of a bell.
"Mr. Ryuuji is a remarkable person. I guarantee it... Even though my guarantee might not be reliable since I'm so naive."
"...That's not true at all."
I released Lene's arm and turned to face her, then embraced her tightly.
Her body, well-proportioned but slightly small for an elf, felt almost fragile in the arms of my large frame.
"I think I'm still very immature... But I want to live up to your expectations without betraying them."
"Yes, please don't betray them."
Lene giggled softly, nestled against my body, her laughter light and playful.
The sorrow that had clouded her expression just moments ago had vanished.
* * *
"...So, how long are you all planning to lurk there?"
Without turning around, I answered, sensing 3 presences lurking in the hallway behind me.
Just then, I heard the sound of hurried footsteps scurrying away.
Honestly, there was no room for carelessness or oversight.
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