โSenseiโฆ does it hurt? Does it hurt?โ
โMaybe if I pat it, itโll heal fasterโฆ?โ
โI should have looked for a book on ointments.โ
A chorus of concern.
The children of the Elpida Orphanage were all crowding around, staring at my back, wrapped in bandages. I appreciate their concern, butโฆ isnโt this a bit much?
After the battle ended, I returned to my room, where Mitera tended to my wounds.
โThere, all done. The wound should close soon. There might be a small scar, thoughโฆโ
โThatโs more than enough. Thank you.โ
โAlright, everyone, letโs let Isto-sensei rest now. Dismissed.โ
With a clap of Miteraโs hands, the children reluctantly left the room, casting lingering glances back as they went.
The only ones left were Mitera and the two strongest girls in Elpida.
โIโm sorry.โ
As soon as my eyes met theirs, Fiole and Almoa bowed their heads.
Mitera gave me a questioning look, silently asking if she should leave. I shook my head and gestured for the two girls to sit down.
โโฆI couldnโt protect you.โ
Fiole muttered quietly.
โEven though Iโm supposed to be Istoโs knight. I promised to stay by your side and protect youโฆโ
โFiole, itโs notโโ
Mitera began to say something, but I raised a hand to stop her. I wanted them to fully process their feelings.
โIโm also at fault.โ
Almoaโs voice was even softer.
โI let my pride get in the way, focusing on the wrong things when I should have been protecting what really matteredโฆ It was terrible.โ
Both of them hung their heads in silence.
I waited patiently. The wound still throbbed, and I had to resist the urge to furrow my brow. But I held on, maintaining a calm expression, ready to listen until they felt ready to look up.
Maybe they spent about ten minutes lost in their regrets before they finally raised their faces, looking uncertain.
โYou both did your best, no matter what anyone says.โ
โIstoโฆโ
โIstoโฆโ
โYouโve reflected enough, havenโt you? I know you two โ youโve probably replayed everything in your heads a dozen times. Iโm not going to deny those regrets. Let yourselves feel them fully. But thereโs one thing I want to say.โ
I smiled. It came naturally.
โThank you.โ
โUโฆ Uhhโฆโ
Fiole and Almoa began to sob.
Then, without thinking, they hugged each other. Theyโd bickered, competed, fought alongside each other, and shared the same regrets. As a result, theyโd become closer.
Mitera stood up slowly, wrapping her arms around both of them, offering comfort like the caring adult she was.
After Fiole and Almoa returned to their rooms, Mitera offered to stay by my side until I fell asleep.
โIโm not a child, you know.โ
โOh, donโt be like that.โ
She checked my bandages, took my temperature, wiped my sweat, and helped me lie down.
It was just like when I was a kid.
With a soft, snow-melting smile, Mitera said:
โYou did well.โ
โSay that to the children, not me.โ
โIโm the only one who can say it to you, though.โ
Well, she had a pointโฆ
โAnd thank you, Mitera.โ
โYouโre very welcome.โ
โโโ
โHey, look! The cityโs in sight!โ
โWeโre back!โ
The children pointed, their fingers stretched toward the familiar walls of Wigarlus. The main road bustled with people. Despite the cityโs past trauma, seeing it now brought a strange sense of relief. It felt like coming home, perhaps because weโd been through so much.
โLook, weโre almost at Wigarlus.โ
I called to the two on the coachmanโs bench: Fiole and Almoa.
They sat there, exhausted.
Ever since that night of tears and regrets, theyโd been busy hunting monsters whenever they could. Fioleโs level had gone up to fifteen. While she wasnโt as strong as Almoa or me, sheโd stopped trying to compete openly. Their teamwork had become much smoother, from what I could see.
But stillโฆ even though Iโd told them to rest in the back if they were tired, they stubbornly refused to leave the coachmanโs bench, always sitting on either side of me.
Well, I didnโt mind.
When we reached Griffoโs mansion, as always, Redelia parked off to the side. The household had even built a small shed just for Redelia, as sheโd mentioned, which felt a bit excessive.
As we entered, the children scattered through the house. Theyโd grown quite close to the maids, who now greeted them warmly with smiles. The place had started to feel like our own home.
Now, it was time to greet Griffo.
I led Almoa to the study to introduce her as our new companion.
โExcuse us.โ
โOh! Back already, hero?โ
โPlease donโt call me that.โ
I replied with a twitch of my brow. Same as ever, Griffo.
โI heard from the boss that you resolved two incidents in Minegel. Word is, youโre seen as a hero over there.โ
โIt was all thanks to my companions.โ
I glanced at Almoa beside me. Still looking drowsy, she held her contracted spirit, Avril, close to her chest.
โThis is Almoa Savance, who helped us in Minegel. Sheโll be joining us as part of the Elpida Orphanage team.โ
โโฆNice to meet you.โ
Almoa looked away slightly as she spoke.
Meeting new people is still tough for her, I thought.
Griffo, however, didnโt seem bothered. He laughed heartily, โAnother beauty, huh?โ
Then Almoa murmured:
โGriffo Moniโฆ I remember studying his name while learning about adventurers. A seasoned, silver fox of an adventurerโฆ And to think you know him.โ
โJust a lucky coincidence,โ I replied.
Griffo was still beaming as he praised me.
โThings are certainly lively around you, Isto.โ
โThanks to that, lifeโs been good.โ
โThatโs the way! Life is to be enjoyed. But not many people manage to leave their mark while having fun. Isto, youโre my pride and joy.โ
He laughed heartily.
โLooking forward to working alongside you in the field.โ
โWhatโฆ?โ
I gave an awkward smile, wondering what he meant by โworking alongside.โ