“What?”
Rio, the man who had poked Noel’s father, Bern, on the side when they first met, was initially restraining Bern but was actually one of those still wary of Sylvia, Felix, and the Croban mercenaries.
He was infuriated by the behavior of the nobles he had seen in the Kingdom of Capitis. If it weren’t for their greed, his family wouldn’t have died so meaninglessly.
“Have you forgotten being backstabbed after believing in that?”
Rio clenched his teeth as he remembered the village chief who had betrayed and abandoned them.
“We shouldn’t forget the bastard village chief who threw us away like trash after living his whole life as a lapdog of the nobles!”
“Rio……”
Bern and Rio were born on the same day and grew up together. Their friendship was closer than that of real brothers, and they even had their weddings on the same day, making their bond famous throughout the village.
Bern felt sorry for not being able to protect his family. He even blamed himself to the point of feeling a painful sense of guilt. After losing his family, Rio became even more vigilant about the safety of Bern and his family.
To him, Bern’s family was all he had left to lose. So, while he was happy that Noel had improved, he couldn’t trust people recklessly. The most desirable yet untrustworthy beings were none other than fellow humans.
Just then, laughter from the children came from the hut.
The bursting laughter of the children involuntarily turned Bern and Rio’s heads. Bern, with a dazed look, turned his gaze from the hut to his friend.
“I know what you’re worried about. But…… I’ve come to want to trust one last time. Our last end would have been nothing but death or starvation anyway. It’s as if we’ve already reached our last; what’s there to lose in trusting people once more? If we’re betrayed again, then it’s just our fate.”
With bloodshot eyes, Rio gripped Bern’s shoulder firmly. However, he had to agree with his friend’s stubbornness. His words about being pushed to the ultimate end were true.
“If you say so, there’s nothing I can do.”
Rio, with a slightly softened gaze, turned his back. He then relayed the message to the people he saw.
“Hey, everyone, gather around. We’re being offered breakfast!”
His voice, which had been low just moments ago, suddenly rose. Rio forced a cheerful tone. All the villagers were exhausted, mentally and physically. They were all like family to each other, just like Bern. People began to gather quickly.
“Are we being given food again?”
“Where does all this food come from?”
“Must be a spatial bag!”
“Even so, considering how much we all eat, how much can fit in a spatial bag?”
“You! Do you think the spatial bags we use and those used by the mercenaries are the same? Besides, I wonder what we’ll be given today. That coconut thingy from yesterday was really delicious…… I thought it was some kind of monster, but it wasn’t.”
Then, the women who had been with the children came bustling out of the hut and started setting the table.
Sylvia also came out with the children. She thought it wouldn’t be bad for them to soak up some sunlight and feel the cool breeze, as their fever had somewhat subsided, compared to lying inside the hut.
Just in case, she took out spare clothes for the children. Rolling up the loose sleeves, Sylvia asked.
“Can you sit quietly in the chairs and wait?”
“Yes!”
Sylvia narrowed her eyes at their bright gazes. There was something about the children that just made one feel good by looking at them. Sylvia hurried back into the makeshift house.
[Sylvia, can we eat this egg roll?]
The fairies, particularly fond of sweet flavors, eyed the sweet egg rolls. Sylvia grinned and set aside a portion for the fairies.
“I had already prepared some for you. Here, have this and some fruit. Got it?”
[Of course, Sylvia!]
[Thank you, Sylvia!]
[Asta is so happy!]
[Really, thank you!]
[Sylvia is the best!]
Leaving the fairies huddled together, blowing on the hot egg rolls to cool them down, Sylvia came out with the food.
Just then, Felix and the Croban mercenaries, who had already woken up and finished scouting the area, returned. However, some unknown people followed them.
Seeing them in armor, Sylvia guessed they might be mercenaries too, but she couldn’t understand why they were returning together. As she tilted her head in confusion, Felix dismounted from his horse and strode toward her.
“Siri.”
Ah, really.
She would have to have another conversation about that nickname of his.
Following him, Hubert, Dennis, and the members of the Croban mercenary group tagged along. Seeing Sylvia busily moving about, the mercenaries also started to help with the food. Watching the Croban mercenaries wash their hands first, as she had taught them, she couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
Just then, a man shouted towards Sylvia.
“Ah! The lunchbox lady!”
It was Jeremy, the blue-haired magician.
Following him, Ethan, the leader of the Nakri mercenary group, tied his horse to a tree and quickly approached.
“Huh?”
Sylvia noticed Jeremy and smiled brightly.
“Sir Jeremy?”
“What a sight! To see you here!”
Jeremy quickly approached and grabbed one of Sylvia’s hands, shaking it vigorously.
“I wondered why I couldn’t see you around the city gates!”
At his words, Sylvia made a sheepish face.
“Ah… I’m sorry. I should have given you a heads up… I left the castle without saying a word.”
“Ah, I see. That’s okay. My captain was worried something might have happened to you…”
“Your captain?”
“That’s enough.”
Then, a head with red hair popped up from behind Jeremy.
“Never thought we’d meet here!”
Ethan approached with a big smile, hugged Sylvia, and patted her back.
“I thought you were up to your reckless acts again! But if it’s with the Croban mercenary group, you’re in trustworthy hands!”
It seemed he was referring to the first time she woke up in this place. Sylvia, feeling embarrassed, narrowed her eyes and muttered.
“How long are you going to talk about that?”
Regrettably, the original Sylvia, who had acted recklessly at that time, was gone. In truth, Seo-young had entered the body that was supposed to die at that time.
Although surprising, she felt a sense of welcome first. She was curious about how they ended up here.
Just then, the children spotted Ethan and Jeremy and waved.
“Uncle!”
And the children’s parents and the adults greeted the Nakri mercenary group members one by one.
“My goodness, aren’t you the people who helped us last time? What brings you here?”
From the conversation, Sylvia could infer. Noel’s father, Bern, had mentioned in passing.
‘Didn’t the say some kind-hearted mercenary group helped us, reducing the casualties? They are really good people, huh?’
Sylvia was in the same boat as the villagers, having been saved by their help.
Felix stored his armor in the spatial bag and walked over quickly. After giving some instructions to Hubert and Dennis, he looked for Sylvia, curious why she was hugging the leader of the Nakri mercenary group.
Actually, he was a bit annoyed.
“Siri.”
He called out to her with that enduring nickname as he approached.
“Felix.”
And yet, she still didn’t call him by the nickname he preferred, which brought a sense of disappointment to him. It had been a while since he felt let down by someone, and he hadn’t even realized it himself.
“I’m hungry.”
Felix said, glancing sideways at the two still close together with narrowed eyes.
She knew how sensitive he was about his state of hunger. Even a passing mumble from him was enough for her to miraculously hear and then prepare or bring him something to eat.
Essentially, it was his way of saying, get away from him and pay attention to me. Of course, he wasn’t consciously aware of this.
“Oh! Just a moment!”
True to form, Sylvia heard his quietly mumbled voice and quickly sprang into action. As the two separated, he felt satisfied. The slight curl of his lips was somewhat mischievous.
Sylvia was completely overwhelmed. The number of people in the Nakri mercenary group was much larger than that of the Croban mercenary group.
Even though Ethan said he’d manage on his own, how could she let that be? She had been indebted to them before, and meeting known faces in such a remote place brought her joy. She busily moved about preparing meals for the suddenly increased number of people.
Felix glanced at the empty seat beside him. He sighed deeply, having followed her bustling teal hair with his eyes. Just moments ago, he was incredibly hungry, but now, not so much.
He crossed his arms and kept his eyes on Sylvia alone.
“What?”
Rio, the man who had poked Noel’s father, Bern, on the side when they first met, was initially restraining Bern but was actually one of those still wary of Sylvia, Felix, and the Croban mercenaries.
He was infuriated by the behavior of the nobles he had seen in the Kingdom of Capitis. If it weren’t for their greed, his family wouldn’t have died so meaninglessly.
“Have you forgotten being backstabbed after believing in that?”
Rio clenched his teeth as he remembered the village chief who had betrayed and abandoned them.
“We shouldn’t forget the bastard village chief who threw us away like trash after living his whole life as a lapdog of the nobles!”
“Rio……”
Bern and Rio were born on the same day and grew up together. Their friendship was closer than that of real brothers, and they even had their weddings on the same day, making their bond famous throughout the village.
Bern felt sorry for not being able to protect his family. He even blamed himself to the point of feeling a painful sense of guilt. After losing his family, Rio became even more vigilant about the safety of Bern and his family.
To him, Bern’s family was all he had left to lose. So, while he was happy that Noel had improved, he couldn’t trust people recklessly. The most desirable yet untrustworthy beings were none other than fellow humans.
Just then, laughter from the children came from the hut.
The bursting laughter of the children involuntarily turned Bern and Rio’s heads. Bern, with a dazed look, turned his gaze from the hut to his friend.
“I know what you’re worried about. But…… I’ve come to want to trust one last time. Our last end would have been nothing but death or starvation anyway. It’s as if we’ve already reached our last; what’s there to lose in trusting people once more? If we’re betrayed again, then it’s just our fate.”
With bloodshot eyes, Rio gripped Bern’s shoulder firmly. However, he had to agree with his friend’s stubbornness. His words about being pushed to the ultimate end were true.
“If you say so, there’s nothing I can do.”
Rio, with a slightly softened gaze, turned his back. He then relayed the message to the people he saw.
“Hey, everyone, gather around. We’re being offered breakfast!”
His voice, which had been low just moments ago, suddenly rose. Rio forced a cheerful tone. All the villagers were exhausted, mentally and physically. They were all like family to each other, just like Bern. People began to gather quickly.
“Are we being given food again?”
“Where does all this food come from?”
“Must be a spatial bag!”
“Even so, considering how much we all eat, how much can fit in a spatial bag?”
“You! Do you think the spatial bags we use and those used by the mercenaries are the same? Besides, I wonder what we’ll be given today. That coconut thingy from yesterday was really delicious…… I thought it was some kind of monster, but it wasn’t.”
Then, the women who had been with the children came bustling out of the hut and started setting the table.
Sylvia also came out with the children. She thought it wouldn’t be bad for them to soak up some sunlight and feel the cool breeze, as their fever had somewhat subsided, compared to lying inside the hut.
Just in case, she took out spare clothes for the children. Rolling up the loose sleeves, Sylvia asked.
“Can you sit quietly in the chairs and wait?”
“Yes!”
Sylvia narrowed her eyes at their bright gazes. There was something about the children that just made one feel good by looking at them. Sylvia hurried back into the makeshift house.
[Sylvia, can we eat this egg roll?]
The fairies, particularly fond of sweet flavors, eyed the sweet egg rolls. Sylvia grinned and set aside a portion for the fairies.
“I had already prepared some for you. Here, have this and some fruit. Got it?”
[Of course, Sylvia!]
[Thank you, Sylvia!]
[Asta is so happy!]
[Really, thank you!]
[Sylvia is the best!]
Leaving the fairies huddled together, blowing on the hot egg rolls to cool them down, Sylvia came out with the food.
Just then, Felix and the Croban mercenaries, who had already woken up and finished scouting the area, returned. However, some unknown people followed them.
Seeing them in armor, Sylvia guessed they might be mercenaries too, but she couldn’t understand why they were returning together. As she tilted her head in confusion, Felix dismounted from his horse and strode toward her.
“Siri.”
Ah, really.
She would have to have another conversation about that nickname of his.
Following him, Hubert, Dennis, and the members of the Croban mercenary group tagged along. Seeing Sylvia busily moving about, the mercenaries also started to help with the food. Watching the Croban mercenaries wash their hands first, as she had taught them, she couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
Just then, a man shouted towards Sylvia.
“Ah! The lunchbox lady!”
It was Jeremy, the blue-haired magician.
Following him, Ethan, the leader of the Nakri mercenary group, tied his horse to a tree and quickly approached.
“Huh?”
Sylvia noticed Jeremy and smiled brightly.
“Sir Jeremy?”
“What a sight! To see you here!”
Jeremy quickly approached and grabbed one of Sylvia’s hands, shaking it vigorously.
“I wondered why I couldn’t see you around the city gates!”
At his words, Sylvia made a sheepish face.
“Ah… I’m sorry. I should have given you a heads up… I left the castle without saying a word.”
“Ah, I see. That’s okay. My captain was worried something might have happened to you…”
“Your captain?”
“That’s enough.”
Then, a head with red hair popped up from behind Jeremy.
“Never thought we’d meet here!”
Ethan approached with a big smile, hugged Sylvia, and patted her back.
“I thought you were up to your reckless acts again! But if it’s with the Croban mercenary group, you’re in trustworthy hands!”
It seemed he was referring to the first time she woke up in this place. Sylvia, feeling embarrassed, narrowed her eyes and muttered.
“How long are you going to talk about that?”
Regrettably, the original Sylvia, who had acted recklessly at that time, was gone. In truth, Seo-young had entered the body that was supposed to die at that time.
Although surprising, she felt a sense of welcome first. She was curious about how they ended up here.
Just then, the children spotted Ethan and Jeremy and waved.
“Uncle!”
And the children’s parents and the adults greeted the Nakri mercenary group members one by one.
“My goodness, aren’t you the people who helped us last time? What brings you here?”
From the conversation, Sylvia could infer. Noel’s father, Bern, had mentioned in passing.
‘Didn’t the say some kind-hearted mercenary group helped us, reducing the casualties? They are really good people, huh?’
Sylvia was in the same boat as the villagers, having been saved by their help.
Felix stored his armor in the spatial bag and walked over quickly. After giving some instructions to Hubert and Dennis, he looked for Sylvia, curious why she was hugging the leader of the Nakri mercenary group.
Actually, he was a bit annoyed.
“Siri.”
He called out to her with that enduring nickname as he approached.
“Felix.”
And yet, she still didn’t call him by the nickname he preferred, which brought a sense of disappointment to him. It had been a while since he felt let down by someone, and he hadn’t even realized it himself.
“I’m hungry.”
Felix said, glancing sideways at the two still close together with narrowed eyes.
She knew how sensitive he was about his state of hunger. Even a passing mumble from him was enough for her to miraculously hear and then prepare or bring him something to eat.
Essentially, it was his way of saying, get away from him and pay attention to me. Of course, he wasn’t consciously aware of this.
“Oh! Just a moment!”
True to form, Sylvia heard his quietly mumbled voice and quickly sprang into action. As the two separated, he felt satisfied. The slight curl of his lips was somewhat mischievous.
Sylvia was completely overwhelmed. The number of people in the Nakri mercenary group was much larger than that of the Croban mercenary group.
Even though Ethan said he’d manage on his own, how could she let that be? She had been indebted to them before, and meeting known faces in such a remote place brought her joy. She busily moved about preparing meals for the suddenly increased number of people.
Felix glanced at the empty seat beside him. He sighed deeply, having followed her bustling teal hair with his eyes. Just moments ago, he was incredibly hungry, but now, not so much.
He crossed his arms and kept his eyes on Sylvia alone.
