Chapter 40

As I lifted my head, a large wolf emerged from a nearby thicket.

“Rod!”

“Is that you, Isto?”

Oh… so this is Rod’s voice.

A woman? A man? I couldn’t tell which, as the voice was androgynous and quite formal.

No, but…

It seems that the Heart of Life allows conversation with spirits after all. Did the great spirit Avril simply not speak?

“Both of you seem to be safe.”

“Y-Yeah. I’m fine.”

“Hmm…! Isto, you understand my words?”

“It’s thanks to my skill.”

“Hmm. As expected of you, Isto.”

“Thank you, Rod. I’m glad you came.”

No, no.

Right now, I shouldn’t be concerned about the effects of my skill.

Rod sniffed the scent of Almoa, letting out a huff. Was that a sigh of relief?

“It seems she’s just fainted. She’s wet; did she fall into the river? What is she doing in a place like this?”

“Both Almoa and I were suddenly attacked by a mysterious monster… but right now, we need to focus on Almoa before reporting.”

“You’re right. I apologize for losing my composure. We should hurry back to everyone. Isto, could you carry Almoa on your back?”

“Got it.”

I lifted Almoa’s body and slowly placed her on Rod’s back.

“Now it’s your turn.”

“Is that okay? Thank you.”

Taking advantage of his words, I climbed onto Rod’s back and supported Almoa’s body. The great spirit Avril settled snugly above us.

Rod started running immediately. It was surprisingly smooth, with little vertical jostling.

“Great thanks to you, Isto.”

While running, Rod suddenly spoke.

“I am sorry that such a situation arose while I was with you.”

“You don’t need to apologize. If anything, that’s my line.”

“I appreciate hearing that. Now, what happened?”

I explained the circumstances briefly.

That we were attacked from behind while resting.

The attacker created a space within their body, manipulating the corpses of adventurers and turning them into puppets clad in armor.

That Almoa possessed a hidden gifted skill, which my Awakening Appraisal unlocked, allowing us to escape.

And finally, that we were saved by an “Ancient Great Fish.”

Once I finished my brief explanation, the guardian spirit murmured, “I see.”

It was a deep voice filled with mixed emotions—frustration and relief.

“Years have passed since my master left this world…”

Rod began to speak.

“I have watched over Almoa, following my master’s final wish to protect his only daughter. But even that is becoming increasingly difficult.”

“What are you saying—”

That’s when I realized.

Rod was breathing heavily, almost raggedly.

“Having lost my master, I can no longer replenish my strength. For these past few years, I have managed to get by somehow, but it seems that too has reached its limit.”

“Rod…”

“Isto, I have a request.”

The spirit’s eyes turned towards me.

“Will you take care of Almoa, my master’s only daughter?”

“What kind of weakness is that? You should come along too.”

“That is not possible.”

Rod spoke with a firm voice.

“I must continue to protect my master. Until my last moment. That is my purpose. And my master’s body is here.”

I couldn’t say anything.

His words could easily sound like a cold rejection of Almoa. Yet I instinctively felt it was a difficult decision made out of consideration for her future.

I could sense the turmoil within him—perhaps that was also the effect of the Heart of Life.

“I don’t have much time left. Therefore, until the moment my existence fades away, I intend to protect my master’s resting place.”

“That about Almoa…”

“Embarrassingly, I haven’t been able to tell her yet. Almoa wishes to see the outside world. I believe she should. But if she embarks on a journey, my presence will only be a hindrance. She will grow stronger, and I will continue to weaken.”

Once again, Rod looked at me.

“So, until I can entrust Almoa to someone I can trust, I intended to keep this to myself. And then I met you—a man who can bravely confront wicked people and defeat them, and who can understand and stand by Almoa’s loneliness.”

Rod slowed down.

And then, he bowed deeply.

“Please take care of Almoa. I can entrust her to you. Please.”

Ah.

The people around Almoa in Minigel are truly kind.

“I understand.”

I nodded and said as brightly as I could.

“Our Elpida Orphanage welcomes Almoa Savants. We will protect her future. So don’t worry, Rod.”

“…Thank you.”

Rod began running again.

Somehow, his footsteps seemed lighter.

Not long after, we reached the riverbank where Redelia was waiting.

From the distance, it seemed that the mysterious monster that had captured us had tried to escape through the river.

For a mere monster, it was far too skilled.

The complete absence of presence until we were eaten, and its ability to modify adventurers—it was truly a dangerous opponent.

Surrounded by the children of the orphanage and Fiole, I thanked heaven for our safe return.

Afterward, we laid Almoa to rest in a bed at the Elpida Orphanage.

Thanks to everyone’s devoted care, she soon woke up.

“I’m glad. I was so relieved.”

“…I’m sorry, Isto. Everyone too.”

Almoa reached out and stroked Rod’s fur, who was sitting beside her bed.

“Thank you, Rod.”

The guardian spirit let out a small purr. Miti said, “Ahaha, she’s embarrassed,” and the other children smiled warmly, but I had entirely different thoughts.

Rod had murmured, “Is the time finally here?”

During our journey afterward, Almoa spoke only with Rod.

I told the children to “leave them alone” and stepped up to the driver’s seat.

After a while, Almoa slowly sat next to me.

She had been gazing out at the scenery—the setting sun. Night would soon fall.

I let her do as she wished.

“Thank you. For helping me. Me and Rod.”

In a small voice, Almoa spoke.

“Don’t mention it,” I replied.

I tried not to look at her face.