Chapter 92 – Anecdotal – Necessity Named Fate (2)

Nadia Leonhart.

That day, the name I had turned my back on and looked away from came back to me back in time. Unlike the others who had passed away a long time ago, she arrived in front of me out of necessity, just like when I first met her. Apparently, the name Nadia has as much vitality as its owner.

That’s how she couldn’t turn away from her who came to her again. If you spread her fingers out, Nadiara’s existence is the least painful finger, but if you bite it, her deep regret still leaks out like a drop of blood.

And that’s probably something Ellie knows too. Although she was only told the story, she must have been aware of how much weight Nadia had in that nightmare. But I couldn’t bear to open my mouth and just looked at Ellie.

“Hmm…Wouldn’t it have been better not to tell you? But I thought Luca-san would have wanted to know.”

“…”

“Isn’t it?”

Meanwhile, Weather looked at me with a meaningful expression. Hell, she couldn’t even fathom how far this woman knew. Gradually, she began to believe that she was a prophet.

“So what are you going to do, Mr. Luca? It’s hard to give you a lot of time. I’m on vacation too.”

“Yes. I don’t intend to worry too long anyway.”

“I’m worried that you’ve been talking casually since before, but I’ll think that the old way of speaking is back. So what’s the answer?”

“But the answer should come from someone else, not from me.”

“Aha. Holy shit.”

At that moment, our gazes were directed to one place at the same time. Then, far from panicking, Ellie raised her chin proudly, as if it were natural for her to do so. Then she sneakily pinched my back so Weather couldn’t see her.

“You always leave these things up to me. Normally, you just do whatever you want.”

“Think of the important thing as being allowed. So, Ellie, what should I do?”

“What. Is it okay if the first destination I take is the land of demons?”

“…Yeah. What do you think?”

“What do you think?”

At that moment, the mischief that was prevalent in Ellie’s voice disappeared in an instant. I was a little worried because I couldn’t give her a rough answer to her, who had become serious for the first time in a while. But that time wasn’t very long.

“I am…”

“…”

“Therefore…”

“Okay. I see what you mean.”

“…”

“It’s going to be an exhausting honeymoon, isn’t it?”

Ellie gave a light wink and a soft smile. Then, without hesitation, she nodded her head at her weather.

“I’ll go, but you’ll have to keep your promise, Mr. Weather.”

“Of course. Of course, it’s not me who will keep the promise, but the imperial family. But I’ll tell you to keep it.”

“I’m not surprised at all. Did you expect that?”

“Well…Well. I’ll leave that to your imagination.”

Weather, as if relieved, pressed his tired eyes. Then, almost sighing, he opened his mouth.

“Then, should I know when you’re leaving? I’m not trying to rush, but I want it as soon as possible.”

“Don’t worry. We’re leaving today.”

“Yes? Right now?”

“Then there must be no reason to delay. Oh, then I’ll have to pack some things. First, Luca?”

“Uh… Yes.”

Weather and I looked a little flustered, but Ellie walked toward the closet with a slightly excited expression. Even though her purpose was a little different, she seemed to be thrilled by the fact that it was her first trip anyway. Unlike Ellie, she even thought that even her steps were a little frivolous.

Even the clothes she chose were sky-high and pretty. It may be suitable for the season, but it may not be suitable for the destination. Approaching cautiously, I pointed out the point.

“Hey, Ellie. Why don’t you wear mostly discarded clothes? That dress is a bit…”

“This? You’ll wear it.”

“Uh… Huh?”

“I’m joking. But it’s better to go prettily.”

Ellie gave her signature eye smile and then she tapped me and bumped her head. Ellie, who always acted as if she was ten years older than me, seemed so excited like a child, which made me feel strange.

Come to think of it, we didn’t go on that common group trip even during our academy days. When I was young, I couldn’t go because I was afraid of Sera, and when I was a little older, I couldn’t go because I was expelled. In the end, this was also my karma, so I couldn’t bear to stop it anymore.

So I had no choice but to pretend I didn’t know that I put pretty underwear with lace in my bag. Weather, too, coughed for no reason and came to talk with his back turned.

“It’s better to pack plenty of luggage. It’s going to be a long journey. To give you an outline of the schedule, we’re going to stop in the capital first, then resupply at Myler for a while, then go through Erendel and finally…”

“Yes? I don’t intend to travel that long. I can’t leave my house empty for that long.”

“But the border area is quite far from here, Mr. Eli. It will take at least a month to get there.”

“It doesn’t take that long. I’ve been to the academy myself, so I know roughly where it is. So maybe here…”

Ellie suddenly turned around and slightly frowned at her as if calculating something for her. After tapping the abacus in her head for a long time, she suddenly raised her hand in the air.

And she, as it were, began tearing through the space.

“Oh, my God. Goddess of the world.”

“Ugh… It’s been a while…”

“Oh my god, my God. Oh…”

The space where there was nothing was literally destroyed, and the scenery beyond it gradually began to be revealed. Weather covered her eyes, as if he couldn’t bear to see it, and Ellie didn’t care, as she continued tearing the air out of her. Then she sighed and stepped back from her when the hole she had been ripped out was big enough for a person to fit through.

“I don’t know if the location is accurate. But it’s probably right.”

“Ah… Damn it. Space magic. I’ll pretend I haven’t seen it. Please don’t do things like this from now on. I just reported to the imperial family that I found a good wizard and a skillful mercenary.”

“I guess you didn’t expect this?”

“What do you not expect? I’ve already forgotten everything. So let’s go as soon as you’re ready.”

“I’m already ready. What about you, Luca?”

“As long as you’re ready, always.”

We nodded at each other. Weather had still covered her eyes and staggered toward the torn space.

“Okay. Then let’s start right away. Mr. Luca, Ms. Eli. I would like to thank you for accepting my unreasonable request once again.”

“It’s all good, but can you make eye contact and talk to me?”

“May the blessings of the goddess rest upon our journey. Then, following the orders of His Majesty the Emperor, we will begin the operation to apprehend the renegade Nadia Leonhart.”

Weather listened to Ellie’s words and recited a series of fixed words. Then, in a low voice, he added a word.

“This is going to be really tiring.”

The border area was still full of huge crowds. Soldiers roam the city with nervous expressions. Merchants who solicit against them. Even the courageous citizens who chose this place as their residence. As many different people gathered, the complex scene of human groups filled the field of vision.

…

However, the figure of the wounded soldier moaning with his limbs severed was nowhere to be seen. The faces of the medical staff who were running around busily with their blood all over their bodies. The image of a mother who came looking for her son and received one of her fingers as a keepsake. And, the footsteps of the red-haired detective who left to seek revenge after losing her husband.

Those things were only visible to my eyes. Because I am the only person in this world who has stitched together the past and the future into the present. My poor brain still couldn’t accept the surreal notion, so I blended past landscapes into present ones.

Because of that, my eyes got tired for a while, so I closed my eyes involuntarily. The only thing that could open it up was the refreshing scent of mint flowers.

“Are you thinking about the old days?”

“Huh.”

“It looks peaceful now. It must have been like that before.”

“At that time, you were so terrible that I couldn’t even look at you properly.”

I still remember. The figure of Ellie, unable to lift her head as she saw the wounded soldiers screaming and dying. Even when her other party members were bruised, she was the one who wished them well and left in the end.

“I guess I was still the same back then. Pretty, good-natured, and capable.”

“And she was cuter. Because she was two or three years younger than she is now.”

“Then, if I confessed to the me then and the present me at the same time, who would accept the confession?”

“Will you hug me from the past. Then I won’t do stupid things anymore.”

I unknowingly mixed the truth in the joke. Ellie lightly pinched my cheek as if it were a bit mean.

Then someone grabbed our shoulders from behind. She turned her head to see Weather, her eyes closed, already looking bored.

“Both of you. If you’re done taking pictures, can you step aside. We have to leave now.”

“A picture? What is it?”

“Ah, don’t worry. The last thing I did was work related to the possessor. Anyway, I’ll go straight to the dorm. Then I’ll give you a rough outline of what’s to come.”

“It’s already a dorm. It’s still early evening, isn’t it?”

“It’s because I’m tired.”

“Are you tired?”

“I told you. I was called while on vacation.”

Weather shook his head and closed his eyes. Then, as he was, he began to make his way through the crowd.

Even though his eyes were obviously closed, Weather’s steps were unstoppable and light. Instead, while we bumped her shoulder into the crowd and got in the way, she slipped through the cracks and quickly headed for her destination. And at the same time, she went on to explain her future work.

“As I said, the target is Nadia Leonhart. I was stripped of my knighthood at the same time as deserting, so you don’t have to worry about political issues.”

“There must have been a backlash from the Leonhart family.”

“Well, it hasn’t been officially announced yet. For now, it’s said that the operation is normally underway. If the schedule extends beyond this, it will eventually be discovered.”

“Is that why you are in a hurry?”

“Because the sooner you do it, the easier it will be for everyone. The imperial family and the Leonhart family too.”

Suddenly, I remembered the face of Sir Leonhart, whom I had met in the capital at that time. A misfortune who was devoured by her daughter’s ambition. I couldn’t even imagine how many more wrinkles would increase on his innocent face.

“To tell you more about Nadia Leonhart… Her main activity time is concentrated at night, and the activity area is very wide from the eastern end of the land of demons to near the border. And during the day, I go back to my base and rest. It’s speculation.”

“Finding the base must be the key.”

“But you don’t have to worry about it. What I asked for is eradication, not detection. In fact, the location is somewhat specified, so you will be contacted soon.”

“Then what can I do in the meantime?”

“I’d like to tell you to enjoy sightseeing, but… You’ll be contacted tomorrow anyway. So, you can just relax at your accommodation today. Or do you need more time to prepare?”

“No. You don’t have to.”

“Okay, then we can leave right away tomorrow. If we’re lucky, we’ll be able to go home again before the week is over.”

“…Am I going more right than that? You’re not looking ahead at all.”

“Yes?”

Then Weather turned his head and looked at me. However, as if nothing had happened, he closed his eyes again.

“The only thing you can’t read is your future. Oh, don’t worry, I brought the equipment to the dorm in advance.”

“Equipment. Is the armor included?”

“Yes. And I’ve prepared a wand for you, Eli, but… I don’t think you’ll need it. It’s for operational expenses anyway, so take it with you as a souvenir or sell it to a pawn shop.”

“Oh, is it expensive?”

“I don’t know. But if you go to a pawnshop to sell it, there’s a high chance you’ll get caught, so just keep it.”

The concept of probability that the prophet speaks of has always been heard inevitably. Even more so now that her trust in her has been formed. While Ellie struggled, Weather stopped her steps in front of a building.

“We’ve arrived. It’s cozy, well-equipped, and perfect for a quiet stay. It’s a bit far from downtown, but I think you two will prefer it.”

“It’s fine.”

“Um…A little disappointing.”

“It’s the best place in the border area. Besides, they rented the whole building to host you guys. Oh, here’s the key to the room. It’s room 203.”

She handed her key to me with her eyes still closed. But I tilted my head at her, questioning the fact itself.

“They said the entire building was rented. But does the number of rooms mean anything?”

“Because I’ll be staying in the next room. If you have any questions or need anything, don’t bother coming to me. I’m just attached as a guard.”

“…What?”

“Then go in now. If you go out, don’t worry, I’ll catch up with you on my own. But the border gets dark quickly, so I don’t really recommend it.”

“Ah. Is that so?”

At her words, Ellie showed her slight disappointment. Apparently, she really wanted to enjoy the trip.

“Then why don’t we look around and come? But the sun hasn’t set yet.

“No, it’s okay. Let’s just go in. Let’s focus on work for now.”

“…Whew. Thank you, Mr. Eli. It was the happiest thing I’ve heard today.”

“Then see you tomorrow Mr. Weather. You have worked hard today.”

But Ellie quickly regained her strength and led me to her room. Then she opened the door with a very excited expression.

Then the appearance of a simple room came into view. As Weather said, although it was not flashy, it looked cozy and comfortable. Of course, compared to the shabby lodgings I stayed in before, it was not enough to say that it was almost the best.

In the meantime, the equipment I would use was placed in the corner. Hearing that it was prepared by the imperial family, I expected it to be unnecessarily flashy like Leo’s sword, but it turned out to be surprisingly practical and modest. When I sneakily grabbed the sword, it was so well balanced that it couldn’t even be compared to the ones I had won through a bet.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been fiddling with a sword, so the feeling was different. Actually, this is the kind of adventure I’ve been dreaming of for a long time. Comfortable accommodation. Quality equipment. And even a colleague with whom you can share your heart.

It’s perfect, except that the goal of the adventure is an old master who has reneged.

“Luca. What are you doing?”

“Huh?”

While I was thinking about that, Ellie called my name alluding to me. And as soon as I thoughtlessly turned back, she pricked my throat with her finger.

“Ugh…What is it, Ellie?”

“What is it?”

“What…”

I frowned at the meaningless words. Ellie looked at me and smiled.

Then he quickly lowered his fingers and unbuttoned all the buttons on my shirt in an instant.

“Hey!”

“I think he told me not to exercise outside. I guess he didn’t listen?”

“What…What are you doing now?”

“What are you doing? It’s the first night of the trip, Luca.”

“But…”

“Shh.”

Ellie, as if she didn’t want to hear it anymore, she immediately lowered her head and kissed her tightly. Feeling the scent of mint seeping into my mouth along with my hot tongue, I lost all my strength and collapsed on the bed.

After kissing her for so long, Ellie finally parted her lips just before she was paralyzed by her difficulty breathing. She then wiped her hand over my lips as she watched the glistening saliva.

“As expected, it’s even more special because it’s done outside. No, actually, is this the first time you’ve done this outside your home?”

“…You must have been really sick.”

“The first night at the original destination is a woman’s romance, Luca.”

Ellie pressed her hand against my chest. And she whispered in a low voice, feeling her heart beating wildly.

“I told you. It’s going to be an exhausting honeymoon.”