Chapter 756 – Appearing With the Wind

000

Dacapo, who was told by Amelia that she and her children had become residents of Helix Village, listened to her story blankly for a moment, then told Shitaka to pinch his cheek in disbelief.

And then, Shitaka pulls her older sister’s cheek hard and without mercy.

＂Ouch…!＂

After realizing from the intense pain in his cheek that this was not a dream, Da Capo speaks to Amelia.

“B-but… You didn’t stop at just helping me get out of the barrier, you even provided me with a place to live…”

＂Ahaha… Whatever the connection, it’s because we got to know each other. Lila, obviously, couldn’t just abandon her. Of course, so do we.”

When Amelia says that with her wry smile, Da Capo looks as if he is also moved.

Of course, it wasn’t just out of goodwill that Lyla lent them the mansion she had for them, or talked to her chief representative, Fromme, about allowing them to reside in Helix.

It would certainly have been possible for them to say they didn’t know after coming out of the barrier, but for now, according to the laws of the kingdom and the Eastern countries, it wouldn’t be surprising if they were kicked out if their true identity was discovered.

Even if you don’t take responsibility and ignore them, their true identity is discovered by the people of the kingdom or the people of the eastern countries – and they get arrested.

An investigation will be conducted into how they were able to get out of the barrier, and it could eventually lead to Cleon and his companions.

I’m being chased by the kingdom’s soldiers who don’t know what’s going on, and I guess the reason is that I don’t want to get any more attention from them.

It was unclear whether Amelia knew Lila’s intentions or not, but at least it was clear that Amelia was full of good intentions.

“… This grace will definitely come someday…”

“I’ll wait without any expectations.”

When Da Capo said that and tried to bow his head to Amelia again, someone appeared at her door, just like Amelia before.

Dacapo, a blue-eyed girl with long red pigtails, remembered what he had vaguely seen of her before losing consciousness, and his body flinched for a moment at the touch of strong, hot magical energy coming from her. 〉

However, when Amelia looks at her and calls her ‘Lila’, she realizes that she is the owner of the mansion where they are currently staying.

＂Hey, Laila. Thank you so much for allowing us to live in this village this time…”

And, he immediately bowed his head to her and expressed his gratitude.

If she gets out of sight, she might have to leave the shelter she has earned.

“There’s no need to bow your head like that. I think I’ve heard the basics from Amelia, but I’ll also pay attention to you for now.”

As Lila says so, he hands her a circular ring with several keys hanging from his arms.

“It’s the key to this mansion. There’s no way there would be thieves in a town like this, but let’s at least lock down the doors. You can use the items in the house if you want. But if you need more than that, get it with your own strength.”

“That’s right, Sister Dacapo! I think we need to make ‘money’!”

When Laila said, Shitaka next to her raised her voice and Da Capo nodded.

“It’s a town like this. Most tasks are handled by familiars, but there may be some that require human intervention. Because I can’t do anything about that part. Stand up for yourself. … Even so, with your current body condition, it will take about a week until you can walk.”

＂That much…?＂

Da Capo realized that his physical condition was not as good as he thought and looked surprised at Laila’s words.

“And I heard from Amelia that you are an alchemist? In that case, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to try making various medicines for the old folks living in this village. Well, it’s not that there are no alchemists, but the medicine from the imperial recipe may be different.”

“Oh, I understand. I’ll work hard. So, make sure to repay the favor shown to you…”

“Therefore. I won’t expect anything like that and will wait. First, think about surviving well.”

Lila continues her story by responding to her words in an indifferent manner, as if she wasn’t actually expecting anything.

＂And this… Is something that must be observed. So far, we’ve talked about ‘what to do’, but this time it’s ‘what not to do’.”

Then she raised her index finger.

“First. Do not open the originally locked doors inside the mansion. I’m talking about a room that won’t open even if you use the key I just gave you.”

“All right. What is inside?”

＂Most of them are tools for magic experiments used in the past… And what my grandfather said was the Flamewatch family’s secret that should never be revealed to outsiders? I guess there is such a thing.”

When Lila said that in an interrogative manner, Amelia next to her also looked at Lila as if she was concerned and asked a question.

“Does Lila not know?”

“I heard that the key will appear when the time is right, but there is no sign of that happening. Anyway, if you don’t have the key to the door, don’t break it down and go inside.”

In a way, it was natural, so she nodded her head again at Lila’s request.

And then, looking at her like that, Lila was making her fingers pry with her middle finger.

“Second. Do not enter the broken tower near the town’s central fountain. Of course, the same goes for children.”

＂Broken Tower… There is such a thing?＂

Dacapo was already unconscious when he was transferred here, so he tilts his head at the fact that there is a structure that cannot be seen in the room, but Shitaka spreads his arms and speaks a little fussily.

“Huh! Behind the fountain, right in the middle of the huge tower! There was a broken building!”

“That’s the ruins and dungeon that my grandfather sealed. If you go inside, your life is not guaranteed. And it becomes a nuisance in many ways to the people outside.”

Of course, in order to get inside, you have to break through a physical barrier, so it would be difficult for you.

Lila spreads her last finger while adding,

“Last. This is the most important thing… Don’t go around talking about yourself as being from the Empire. Including the villagers here.”

As Lila’s expression, which had been serious until now, became even more serious, Da Capo nodded as if he understood what she was worried about.

“Old people are strangely quick-witted people, so you might get caught right away by talking, but she tells you not to reveal it yourself or create evidence. It would be difficult to call the kingdom’s army.”

“… Yes, I know. I’ll be careful.”

Recalling the fact that she was blocked by the kingdom people and unable to escape the barrier, when Dacapo responded with a slightly dark look, Lila sighed a little and got up from her seat.

“That’s all I have to say. I hope your body gets better quickly.”

“… Thank you. We will not cause any inconvenience.”

Meanwhile, Lila is about to leave her room.

But suddenly, Da Capo opened her mouth and made a sound like ‘Ah’, stopping Lila in her tracks.

＂What’s wrong?＂

“… Hey, who is Cleon…? I thought it would be good to also express my gratitude to Mr. Cleon. I heard that it was thanks to Mr. Cleon that I, who was a sacrifice, was able to come out.”

At her words, Lila mutters quietly, ‘I’m the one who found the way.’

But she soon shook her head, sighed, and answered her question.

“… Cleon, wait a minute… I can’t move there right now because of other things. When the time comes, he will come here.”

“Okay. All right. If you don’t have time, please tell me that I really appreciate it.”

To Da Capo’s request, Lila answered ‘Yes, yes~’ and walked out the door and away from her room.

And Da Capo, who was looking at Lila’s back for a bit, spoke to Amelia.

“… You’re a wonderful person. He seems to have excellent skills as a wizard.”

“Yes. Lila is the head of the academy’s magic department. She is now the most famous wizard on this continent, and no one is higher than Lila.”

＂Academy… I’ve heard of it. In the past, even among the empire’s nobles, if not a military academy, they went to an academy to sharpen their studies… He was even more amazing than I thought.”

Starting with those words, Da Capo and Amelia slowly blossom into a conversation.

Aside from the children I was taking care of, it had been several years since I had talked to someone like this, so I was reflecting on the importance of it.

001

Unlike Lila, who returned to her home, Cleon is said to have briefly separated from her to attend to her other duties.

As for what Cleon was doing-

“Mr. Cleon, isn’t it heavy?”

＂It’s okay…＂

I was shopping in bulk with Sasha.

There are six children and one adult woman.

Kuon’s judgment was that it would be a good idea to stockpile food ingredients in large quantities since there would be many people living in the mansion who would not be able to consume much food even with the empty words of a family of seven.

Lila also agreed, opened the safe in her mansion and handed over to her a bag containing a large amount of gold coins.

And, she told him to buy as much food ingredients as he could buy with the gold coins, and the amount was a bit beyond imagination, so Cleon even borrowed her cart and filled it with food ingredients.

And since Cleon and Sasha were each carrying the sheep that did not fit in the cart, various things were being carried behind Cleon’s back and also in the hand that was not holding the cart.

Cleon wanted to show her composure as an adult by saying that it was okay in response to Sasha’s question, but it was still too heavy for this amount.

＂Woman, should I lift it too!?＂

Seeing Cleon like that, Sasha was more worried about Cleon’s safety than her adult face and raised her voice, but Cleon also shook his head and walked eagerly to the mansion for the sake of Gao, who had caught him once. 〉

At that time, when a gust of wind hits the two walking people, the paper bag containing the fruit that was barely balanced on the cart falls to the side.

Sasha, who noticed that the apple-like fruits inside were about to fall to the ground in the aftermath, raised her voice and said, ‘Ah!’, But it was no longer within reach of her hands.

Considering the height of the cart, fruits that fall on a stone road will have damage such as dents in the surface.

It’s not that it couldn’t be eaten, but it certainly wouldn’t look that good.

At that time, there was a hand that caught the fruits that were about to fall to the ground.

＂Oh my…＂

As a result of suddenly leaning forward, the person’s balance was slightly lost, and he took the steps with a thud, but succeeded in catching all the fruits with ease. The person straightened his back and had mint-colored hair that was long for a man but short for a woman. Pass it by shaking your head once.

＂Thank goodness I was able to take it all. I think it would be a good idea to close the entrance to this type of paper bag, or place it in a location where the contents won’t spill onto the ground even if shaken.”

＂Thank you.＂

As Sasha said that, she watched in a bit of a daze as the person who had received the fruits returned them to the paper bag.

Cleon, too, would be distracted by the actions of this person who suddenly appeared.

However, it would be better to say that it is the appearance rather than the person’s actions that focuses attention.

He’s about Cleon’s height, and wears a white-toned jacket with gold embroidery, and black men’s suit pants that are so tight that the lines are just visible.

The person wearing leather shoes and black gloves could only be assumed to be male based on his clothing.

However, when I raised my head and looked at her face, I could see that she looked very androgynous.

Very long eyelashes and a pointed nose.

The emerald eyes that sparkle like jewels and the white skin make people confused whether they are male or female.

It was the same with the voice that the character made.

It seems to be a husky voice, quiet and calm, but if you say it is masculine, it is also a voice that can be felt as a woman.

＂Oh. These are faces I haven’t seen before. “Are they new immigrants?”

“No, we are Lila’s colleagues. She only stopped by Helix briefly with her.”

When Cleon mentions Lila’s name, the character lets out an exclamation of surprise and then bows and introduces herself.

“I never thought they were acquaintances of Laila Flamewatch. I am Ventuna Gale Gazer. He is the current head of the Gaelgazer family, the fourth-generation family in this village.”

“The Four Great Families… Does that include Earthseeker and Riverfinder?”

When Cleon asks that question, Ben Tuna nods her head.

“Yes, that’s right. The family of the great Flamewatch and their associates who founded Helix. … Well, it doesn’t have a long history so that it can be called the Four Great Families, but it’s just a self-proclaimed name within this village.”

Ventuna’s words seem to be somewhat self-deprecating.

Elegant behavior and formal speech. And with his appearance, he looks like a nobleman’s master or prince.

“So, what’s your name? Since this side has revealed its name, I think it is fair for that side to reveal its name as well.”

And, when Cleon, who was contemplating something for a moment, kept his mouth shut, she politely pointed out Ben Tuna.

“Ah, ah. Sorry. I’m Cleon. And this one-“

“This is Sanasia Lupenwolf. I’m also going on an adventure with Laila.”

As the two people introduce themselves, Ventuna once again looks surprised, as if reacting to the word ‘adventure’.

“Oh, you are adventurers! I’m jealous. If you’re an adventurer, you’re definitely traveling to various places!”

At Ventuna’s reaction, Cleon and Sasha look at each other for a moment and smile bitterly.

It’s certainly normal for adventurers to do that, but lately they’ve often stayed in one place and gotten caught up in major incidents.

＂Hmm. Illustration. I am also an adventurer at heart because I long for adventure and travel. Because of my family’s circumstances, I just regret not being able to leave the village.”

“Well… I’ve seen quite a few people like that. I understand.”

Cleon spoke in a slightly protective manner toward Ben Tuna, but Ben Tuna placed her hand on her forehead and shook her head.

“My heart is longing for freedom, but the shackles of fate won’t release me.”

Sasha looks at Ben Tuna, who talks exaggeratedly as if he were a poet, as if he doesn’t know.

There seemed to be a thought mixed in with that gaze that said, “This is a strange person.”

“By the way, Lila’s acquaintances – no, colleagues. For a short stay, it looks like you purchased a fairly large amount of food ingredients.”

“Ah, this is… There are guests at the mansion. The guests decided to stay in this village even after we left. It’s a reserve for them.”

In response to Cleon’s answer, Bentuna tilts her head as if she doesn’t really understand, but she soon nods her head in a short reply, perhaps thinking that it’s okay.

“What. Lila’s friend is also my friend. If you ever feel like it, come visit the mansion sometime and tell me the story of your adventure. I’m usually in the mansion, so you’re always welcome.”

＂… If Lila is willing.＂

When Cleon responded, she said, ‘Oh…’ And Bentuna let out a small exclamation as if she hadn’t thought about that part.

＂Certainly, given her personality, it would be difficult for her to deliberately visit other people’s homes unless there was a good reason. ＂

＂Well, if Laila was also invited by her friend, then… Umm…”

Sasha was trying to protect Layla in some way, but she was unable to complete her words because she knew full well that the Layla she knew was a person who could do that.

“Ah. Yes. Then tell her that she has a nice gift for her too.”

＂… A gift?＂

“Okay! Probably, that’s what she wants too. Just tell it like this. ‘This is the key information you’ve been waiting for.'”

Cleon isn’t sure what this means to Lila, but she nods her head in understanding.

“We are planning to leave today or tomorrow… I don’t know if we will have time to go there. Okay. I’ll tell this to Lila too.”

＂Please do so. Probably, she would also really like to have information about this key.”

After saying that, Ventuna left, saying that she would wait at the mansion.

“… What can I say, he was like the wind.”

＂Ah… But.＂

Cleon was clearly impressed by Ventuna’s courteous and courteous attitude, but at the same time, he felt somewhat uncomfortable.

People from the four major families appeared one after another after coming here.

As for Petrus and Aqua, they claimed to be Lila’s acquaintances, but Lila did not remember them.

If that’s the case with Ventuna – it’s to the point where we have to suspect Lila’s dementia, but at least she’s never shown anything like that, so she’s probably not the cause of her problems.

“… I have a bad feeling. First, let’s go back to the mansion. It won’t be too late to tell the story later.”

＂Yes!＂

Sasha nods loudly at Cleon’s words.

And, it could be said that Cleon’s prediction was correct to some extent.

When the two return home and tell Laila about the Ventuna they met-

“… For a moment. Ventuna? “Who on earth is that?”

─, The answer was as expected.