v2 Chapter 5: Let’s Go Get Her

"Huh?"

Shou, who had been sitting calmly beside Falco, let out a confused voice.

"Haru? But Dred, you said she was studying at the magic academy, didn’t you?"

"She was. She had food, clothing, and shelter. But she had no guardian, and no one cared for her. In the end, because of her immense magic power and her ability to attract monsters, they started using her as bait during hunts. She got caught in a magician’s spell and was injured."

The story was so appalling that no one knew where to even begin questioning it.

"Not even a guardian? That’s… When it was your turn, Shou, we had people fighting over the chance to take you in."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I won."

Falco said smugly.

The master healer gave him a pitying look and said,

"They chose you because Shou looked like she could take care of you."

"What?!"

While Falco panicked, Shou continued the conversation.

"But Haru is my age, right? That means she should be in the younger apprentice group. Shouldn’t she have been in a support role, not in combat?"

"She was bait. In other words, she was placed at the frontlines to attract monsters. Normally, that would be unthinkable. And yet, that’s what happened."

"She couldn’t say no, huh?"

Shou recalled the quiet woman she had met. She said she wanted to protect others because she had always been protected herself.

"They said they would send her somewhere safe..."

Shou muttered, and Falco responded,

"Shou, do you remember where you were sent?"

Her eyes widened.

"That’s right! The middle of the forest, in the dead of winter! Falco only found me by pure chance!"

The realization struck her, and the master healer added,

"No magician could selectively send someone to the best possible guardian. And more importantly—"

His expression darkened.

"If this Haru possesses power similar to yours, it could drive people mad."

Shou had hidden her ability, but there was a chance she could regenerate lost body parts.

If Haru had the same power…

"But that’s not Haru’s fault!"

Shou shouted.

"Exactly. Fortunately, I haven’t made any plans for this winter yet. The healers in this town’s church are more than capable of training the apprentices in my absence."

"Master Healer," Dred said.

"I accept the request."

"Thank you."

Dred looked relieved.

Lyla giggled.

"I only saw her while she was asleep, but she looked so much like Shou. The hair was different—perfectly straight."

Straight and silky!

Shou envied that. She didn’t like her curly hair and always wished for straight hair.

"Shou is running around full of life, but when I saw this child, I couldn’t stand it."

Dred muttered, looking slightly embarrassed.

"Then we’ll take a day to prepare. We leave the day after tomorrow."

"That soon? That helps a lot."

"Shall we recruit additional escorts?"

"Of course. Lyla and I are coming as well."

"You just arrived."

"The job isn’t done until she’s safe."

"That’s a relief."

As the plans solidified, Shou turned to Falco.

Falco said,

"I’m in."

"Are you sure?"

"I’ll ask Leon first, but he loves excitement. He’ll be fine with it."

"If possible, I want to bring her back here."

"I know. We’ll find her a guardian in Deep Forest."

"Falco… thank you."

Shou hugged Falco tightly.

Falco patted her back.

The master healer sighed.

"Lyla, that looks like a touching moment, but really, it’s just my fool of a son thinking, ‘If Shou hugs me for this, I’ll do anything for her.’"

"Lyla, sometimes things are better left unsaid."

"It’s complicated."

"It really is."

Recruiting Leon

Shou and Falco brought Lyla and Dred to Gina’s inn. Leon was probably there too.

Gina sighed as they entered.

"Geez, you’re back again?"

"Oh, Gina. This time, it’s for a job."

"A job?"

"An injured girl in the Lake Country. They need the master healer’s help."

"Hmph. Well, if it’s for that, I won’t complain. We’ve got plenty of Black Rock Lizard meat this year."

"Then we’re counting on you."

Gina, despite her grumbling, was always helpful.

Leon, ordering an ale, raised an eyebrow.

"The Lake Country? They don’t usually rely on outsiders. Must be serious."

Falco smirked.

"It’s a child, Leon."

"And?"

"I want to go as the master healer’s escort."

"I don’t mind exciting jobs, but what about Shou?"

Leon frowned.

Even if he was just a guardian, a parent was still a parent. Until she was an adult, she had to be his priority.

But Shou spoke up right away.

"I’m going too."

"Traveling is dangerous for a child."

"I’ve been to the Rock Caverns three times."

"That was because you traveled with the whole town’s hunting party."

Leon was unexpectedly stubborn.

Shou thought for a moment.

"Look, we have Dred, Lyla, Falco, you, and the master healer. How could a trip possibly be safer than this?"

"That’s…"

Leon hesitated.

Falco watched with amusement.

"Leon, you lost this one."

"Falco wouldn’t leave Shou behind anyway."

"Honestly, you guys are probably the ones who’ll need her taking care of you."

The group got rowdier.

"Fine. But Shou has to listen. And Falco—no spoiling her."

"Got it!"

"Why am I included?!"

And so, with a formidable team, they set off for the Lake Country.