The short-haired girl continued to glare at me, her expression threatening. She let out a low, animalistic growl and never once averted her eyes from me. Inch by inch, she edged closer to her sister.
The elder sister, on the other hand, maintained her gaze on me, unchanging. Her eyes seemed glued to my face, particularly near my cheek, and wouldn’t let go.
I slowly raised both my hands to show I meant no harm.
“Sorry if I startled you. My name is Isto Rilos. I’m the guild master of the Adventurers’ Guild.”
I deliberately chose to mention a title I wasn’t used to. It felt more natural than introducing myself as the director of an orphanage.
“I’m not a kidnapper or anything like that. I swear.”
“That’s exactly what suspicious people always say.”
“Well, I can’t blame you for not believing me in this situation.”
I nodded at the younger sister’s response.
Stumbling upon them in an alley, claiming I just happened to be passing by, and happened to notice the older sister—it wasn’t hard to see why they were wary of me.
“But I truly was concerned about you two. Neither of you looks like locals. What are you doing in a place like this?”
The younger sister froze, her gaze breaking away as a deep frown formed on her forehead.
“…That’s what we should be asking you.”
“Huh?”
She glared at me sharply, as if to say she had no interest in speaking to me.
It would be great if we could have a casual chat, something to ease the tension.
This helpless feeling—it wasn’t unfamiliar to me.
“Hey, can you tell me your names?”
Neither of them answered. The younger sister had reached her elder’s side and stood protectively before her, as if to shield her from me.
What could possibly make them so cautious?
“If you’re in trouble, I’ll help. Call it fate if you want.”
“Don’t lie.”
“I’m not lying. I can’t just leave you like this. That’s the truth.”
I spoke firmly, trying to convey my sincerity.
Had it reached them even a little? The younger sister’s furrowed brows relaxed slightly, as if caught off guard.
The elder sister placed a gentle hand on the younger’s stiffened shoulder. The tip of her ponytail swayed as she tilted her head slightly.
“Where exactly is this place?”
Her voice was soft and unhurried.
If the younger sister’s voice was sharp like a glass being struck, the elder’s was like a bundle of fluffy cotton cradled in gentle hands.
For the first time, they initiated the conversation. I answered as calmly and carefully as I could.
“This is the town of Era Amo. If you’re lost in the alleys, I can guide you to the main street.”
“Era… Amo…”
“There’s a Ranger Exam coming up, so people are gathering here from all over. Are you here for that too?”
“Ranger… Exam…”
The elder shook her head slowly.
“I don’t think so.”
Her formal way of speaking caught my attention.
“What do you mean, ‘don’t think so’?”
“My sister and I don’t know anything. Not where we are, not how we got here, and…”
The elder gently embraced her younger sister.
“…not even our own names.”
“Sister… Don’t.”
The younger sister whispered softly, still in her sister’s arms.
“This place is dangerous. We can’t trust anyone. I’ll protect you, Sister. So please, stop talking to that man.”
“Thank you. But it’s alright.”
The younger sister looked up at her elder with teary eyes.
The elder smiled warmly at me.
“I believe we can trust this man. That’s what I feel.”
“Sister… But… but…”
The two identical girls clung to each other, bathed in the sunlight streaming between the buildings.
They didn’t know where they had come from or who they were. Their only anchor was the bond of blood they shared.
It reminded me of another time, long ago.
In the forest of Rimani, at the sacred waterfall, there had been Redelia, trembling in solitude.
I hadn’t regretted extending a hand to her then.
So now…
“Ruma,” I said, pointing to the elder sister.
“Parte,” I added, pointing to the younger.
“These are ancient words meaning ‘the scenery brought by light.’ If you don’t mind, may I call you that until you remember your true names?”
A quiet moment passed. Both sisters froze, staring at me.
The elder was the first to respond.
“I am Ruma. It’s such a lovely name… Thank you, Master Isto. I feel like I can finally breathe again.”
Ruma gave me a radiant smile, her tears spilling like dewdrops from a blossoming flower.
“Come now, Parte. You too.”
Encouraged by Ruma’s gentle tone, the younger sister didn’t respond. She buried her face in her sister’s chest, clenching her fists tightly.
Then, suddenly, she embraced her sister tightly.
“Even so! We can’t trust other people!”
With a shout, she carried Ruma in her arms and bolted away.
I chased after them but quickly lost sight of her. She was incredibly fast, even while carrying another person.
Left behind was a bag stuffed with an assortment of food, some of it crushed from haste.
“Probably stolen… those girls.”
I slung the bag over my shoulder and started walking down the alley.
I couldn’t leave things as they were.
