Chapter 42

That day turned into a grand celebration.

As the guest of honor, I was pulled here and there. It was fun, but even I have my limits.

Well… I couldn’t let their smiles and gratitude go to waste, so I powered through with sheer determination.

Fiole and the others, meanwhile, were gliding through the crowd like birds, full of endless energy. Youth is something else.

“Huh…?”

I suddenly noticed that Almoa was missing from the festivities. When I asked a nearby resident, they said she had already gone home.

I guessed she wasn’t too fond of large crowds, and the resident added thoughtfully, “She’s probably paying her respects to her parents by now. That girl, whenever something good happens, she always puts her hands together in front of their graves.”

That made sense. It was so like Almoa.

“Still…”

“What’s wrong?”

“Well, when I caught a glimpse of her earlier, she seemed a bit preoccupied. My kid even asked, ‘Is Almoa okay?’”

The resident added that it was probably best to give her some space for now.

The city, brightly lit by the festivities, shimmered. Looking up, the stars that usually shone so clearly seemed shy tonight, hidden by the glow of the city.

––The next morning.

With the morning mist still lingering, I followed directions from a resident and made my way to Almoa’s home. It sat on a small hill on the outskirts, a single, small house standing alone.

Strangely, even from a distance, the place felt welcoming.

As I got closer to her house, the morning mist started to lift. Near the building, there was a scenic spot overlooking the city, where her parents’ graves had been placed, facing the view.

In front of the grave, I saw Almoa, Rod, and Avril, the new spirit she had bonded with. Almoa noticed me and gave a soft smile.

“Good morning.”

“Ah, good morning. Are you feeling better?”

“I’m fine. But you, Isto—after all that excitement yesterday, you’re up early.”

“It’s a habit from my days as a guild employee. I’ve always been a morning person.”

“And probably good with alcohol, too.”

Almoa chuckled softly.

“My mother was the same. She could hold her drink, but my father never managed to keep up.”

Sounds like he had it rough.

I stood next to Almoa. In the morning light, the cloudless sky took on a brilliant shade of blue. We stood there for a while, silently taking in the serene view.

“Rod told me…”

Almoa said quietly.

“He wants to stay here—to protect my parents’ grave.”

“Yeah, he told me too.”

Almoa’s eyes widened.

“You really can communicate with spirits now, Isto.”

“I’m glad I can talk to Rod.”

“That’s amazing. It feels like you’re always a step ahead of me, Isto.”

A quiet pause fell between us.

“…Are you uncertain?”

I asked.

Almoa didn’t respond—neither nodding nor shaking her head.

I placed my hands on my hips.

“Domirudo suggested that besides running an orphanage, I should consider opening an adventurers’ guild.”

“Really?”

“I want to be a teacher at the orphanage, guiding the kids. That’s the role I think I’m meant for.”

“That sounds like you, Isto.”

The gravel crunched underfoot as the silver-haired girl turned to face me.

“If you open an adventurers’ guild, you should go for it.”

“Almoa?”

“If you do, Isto… I’d like to work there.”

Her gaze—so direct, so reminiscent of the straightforward look Fiole often gives—seemed to pierce right through me. I felt she was waiting for my answer.

I scratched my head.

A safe home, a life free from hunger, a chance to learn. Just securing those things is enough and takes great effort. My ideal is for us all to live a quiet, peaceful life.

But…

Whether it’s Redelia, Fiole, or the other children, they all have potential beyond my simple vision.

And the girl in front of me… she’s the same.

If I open the guild, and she wants to work there… I think I know my answer.

“Almoa. Why don’t you join me, whether or not I open the guild?”

She pursed her lips, and I repeated my words.

“Let’s keep meeting people together, keep growing alongside everyone else. I need your strength.”

“That’s what I was waiting to hear.”

Almoa began to cry. Her face was clear of doubt, shining in the morning light.

Honestly, she’s unfair—using me to resolve her own worries like this.

Well, feel free to keep using me from now on.

Wiping away her tears, Almoa turned to her parents’ grave and spoke.

“Mom, Dad. I’m going to be with him. And I’ll be a woman worthy to stand by his side.”

I thought for a second that it sounded like a different kind of announcement, but I kept quiet.

Rod nuzzled Almoa’s hand, his way of saying farewell.

‘Almoa, you have endless potential. Isto has shown you the way. Trust him and keep moving forward.’

“Thank you, Rod.”

‘As for your masters, leave them to me. Avril, I leave my duties to you. Don’t let me down.’

“Kyu—!”

Avril let out a cute sound, clearly still adjusting to the human language.

With a radiant smile, Almoa turned back to me.

“Almoa Savance. From this day on, I fight under you. Looking forward to it!”

“Yeah, same here.”

I held out my hand.

Instead of a handshake, Almoa leaned her small frame into me.

“I wonder what kind of world awaits us. I’ve never felt so excited and nervous.”

“Let’s do our best. And once you’re someone worthy of your parents, let’s come back here together.”

“Yeah.”

Almoa nodded.

And so, another new day was about to begin.