Chapter 144 – Destiny.

Donard had been absent-minded since the morning. It wasn’t just because he was behind work. He had a lot of work because the lord was vacant, but he was managing to finish it now that he had been lord for a month.

“Donar, you are a lord.”
“I really couldn’t have imagined it.”

However, the reason why today felt particularly busy was that he had invited old colleagues to the castle, whom he had previously met as a lord involuntarily due to a trial. Thanks to this, the castle, which had always been quiet, became lively and lively.

“Hey, these things. What about me?”

I know it’s just a joke, but Donnar himself agrees that he’s not really suited to the job of a lord.

“Still, it wasn’t bad because there was no need to get a report from the superiors.”
“…Suddenly, you’re extremely envious?”
“So you probably didn’t invite your hometown friends to have a housewarming party, so why did you invite us? You dared to pick us up.”

They knew very well that if Donard had intended to do so, he would not have bothered to call only those who had been crippled and retired knights. Even though they had a friendly relationship, Donnar was the leader who led them anyway.

“It’s nothing special. Are you guys thinking of training successors?”
“Huh? We?”

When Donard handed them the contract, they accepted it with bewildered faces.

“Oh my God, 40 iron coins?
“I understand what you’re thinking, but even if you work only as an engineer here, you get 130 jeon per month.”

For reference, Donar, who had been a Knight Commander for a while, had a higher salary. Donard is still unable to adapt, but will they be able to adapt easily after learning the truth? Anyway, that salary was a value that came out through a reasonable calculation. This mining town was also a fairly prosperous place to live, and the finances were plentiful as Pyarjar, now imprisoned in a dungeon, confiscated the property he had hidden or accumulated.

“If you don’t do it, it will be a loss.”
“Call!”
“What are you doing? Quickly give me the contract and pen.”

Donnar asked as he watched them read the terms of the contract and sign it.

“How is this town guard? Is it usable?”
“It’s okay. At least I’ve gathered some sturdy guys, so I’m full of strength, but I’m not as good as the conscripts who have a little time.”
“Still, if there are useful guys, pick them up and train them. If you raise them to be worthy knights, you’ll get bonuses.”

I gave the key to the room that was given to each of the noisy guys who were scared to raise. From what I’ve heard, it seems that while working with the guards, I only received a salary similar to them in Pyalyar. No matter how uncomfortable they are, there is nothing that they, who were knights, cannot deal with monsters. After such a tumultuous time passed and they dispersed to look at their respective rooms, they saw Ur who was left alone.

“Ur? Aren’t you going to see the room?”
“I just wondered if you were really overdoing it because of us.”
“Because it’s not too much. That’s right.”
“That’s it.”

When he wets his hand, he laughs.

“Let’s say that the knights are fine, but what about the chores in the castle?”
“I have to file an official notice. What should I do?”

Most of the maids did not require professional skills like knights, so they would be relatively easy to find. Still, it would be good to replenish manpower as quickly as possible. It was when he was thinking.

“Then why don’t we hire some green dwarfs? They’re still in that cathedral.”

Ur’s words were enticing. Then it would be easier to solve problems with villagers and employment. Even if there is a problem, there will be no problem as long as you make it clear.

“Do you know how to do housework?”
“They cook for me.”
“I don’t think it’s bad.”

That was when the talk about work was over.

“U-Is the child okay? It’s an adopted daughter?”

Ur spoke cautiously. Somehow, I was able to meet them again, but the opportunity wasn’t a very good thing. It was clear what Ur was talking about had happened to Belka not too long ago. Maybe that’s why it was especially noisy until they left.

“Ah, well. You seem surprised, but the herbalist saved you.”

Since that happened, even though we were close friends, I didn’t want to call him by his last name, but he was now the lord of this village. Like this, he couldn’t leave the castle empty. Fortunately, the monsters didn’t attack because it was rainy season, but the monsters will attack again when the rainy season is over. Donard needed to move the castle smoothly before that. And since it’s no different from bringing other people into the house, I decided it was necessary after discussing it with Sif.

Then there was a knock on the door. Upon Donar’s permission, Helena opened the door and entered. However, Donnar was surprised by her unusual appearance.

“Helena, what’s up?”

Usually, she was very thorough. The maid outfit she always wore and her hair were never disheveled, but today the disorganized outfit was covered in muddy water and was a mess, which embarrassed him. Then Helena tried to say something, but she found Ur in front of him and shut her mouth. It wasn’t until Ur noticed it and went outside that Helena opened her mouth.

“I’ve found a way to cure Usher.”
“What? Is it really?”

At that, Donnar jumped out of his seat and stood up. Because that was what they wanted so much. But the joy was short-lived, and he sensed something was wrong with Helena’s expression, for it wasn’t the bearer of good news, after all.

“How?”
“You have to leave this place and go to Parz to cure Usher’s illness.”

A brief moment of hope was worse than nothing.

“Damn it. You have to cross the Cloud Zone?”

Helena continued her words as she watched Donnar grabbing her hair.

“Yes. But we have a way to cross the Cloud Zone. Come in.”

Before Donnar could ask about him, she called someone over.

“Ha, that’s true. I never thought I’d be dragged in like this.”

And the one who opened her door and entered was the wizard who had knocked her down last night. The reason this happened was that he had to go back before Helena came to see Donard. When the morning came bright and Sif came to look after Usher, Helena took her girl and left her room. Sif noticed the unusual mood and asked what had happened, but Helena just hung her head and she took her Belka to her room, leaving only that she would explain later.

She didn’t want to ask because she didn’t think anything good would ever happen. However, the wizard broke into the room. I needed to know what happened last night while she was down. Helena blankly watched Belka staring out of her window. More than anything she couldn’t just leave her girl alone now. I’m afraid that if I leave her alone, she’ll crumble before I know it. It was just as she was about to swallow and bite her saliva.

“I’ve found a way to get Amarat.”
“Yes?”

Helena, having her player stolen by Belka, did not understand for a moment, but she soon remembered her words and realized.

“That’s not possible.”
“Yes. He said. He will take you to Parz.”

Certainly, with the power of a magician, crossing the cloud region alone would be an easy task.

“But how does he get those herbs?”
“They said they brought Catsy from Parz.”

If so, I could understand. How could a beast like Catsy wander as a slave in Lantua instead of Parz? Even why he knows the disease and the herbs that can cure it. But is that really something that can be done with a simple favor? Even if the wizard had really great power, he was still human. There can be no such thing as greed. More than anything else, she felt stronger than ever that the wizard she briefly saw yesterday was dangerous, so she asked.

“Was that really all?”
“…”

Belka was silent. With her back to Helena, she just looked out her window at the rain. But she couldn’t help but know that there was something more. Continued silence. At the end of the dry silence, the girl’s mouth barely opened.

“He said he wanted me.”

Helena caught her breath. The thought she had never thought of came to be a terrible reality.

“Tell me. Is that really the only way?”

The girl’s voice did not tremble or break.

“…What am I supposed to do?”

But why is Helena’s throat as hot and painful as if she had swallowed her heated iron beads? She already knew the answer. Because a kind person sometimes has to make a cruel choice because of that kindness. She did not dare to say that she would help her girl. She had to suppress her words as they welled up in her throat, as the mere utterance of them deceived her.

But did the girl even notice that? Belka comes up to her Helena and takes her in her arms and she pats her on the back. Because of her, she has become unable to hold back the flowing tears. Still, thanks to her, her words were opened. Even if she was herself, she could think of something she could do.

“I’ll be with you.”

It was a cracked and open voice, but did it convey its meaning to Belka? Her little hand that was patting her stopped.

“Why?”

The girl’s question was the same question Helena always asked herself. She asked herself over and over again over the course of a month, and finally got the answer.

“Because I love you.”

At first she thought she was mistaken. She concluded that Belka was mistaken for herself because she looked so much like Sasha. Because if it wasn’t for her, she’d have a crush on a girl just because she resembled her memories, and she’d go mad with disgust at herself. However, her heart, which she kept suppressing and turning away from, eventually burst out and abandoned it.

“…I’m sorry. I can’t do anything in return for you. I already have.”
“I know.”

Even knowing what her answer would come back to her heart. Even so.

“I want to be with you.”

She felt her girl’s body tremble as she embraced her. A pitying and tender resonant sound as if she would burst into tears.

“There’s no benefit to you. It’ll be hard, painful, and painful. But why?”
“You already know why.”

Yes, girl, Belka knew. That’s why she’s in so much pain.

“Because I love you. You can have small expectations from that love.”

The image of her never left my mind. She was more shy than she looked, so she wore a mask and liked sweets, but thought of someone else rather than her share. It must be hard for her to move her little body. She might be able to play around a bit. She remembered the girl who stayed up all night cleaning and tending to Usher.

“But that’s just wishful thinking. Rather, standing next to that person, looking at that person, hugging that person, wanting to be a part of that person’s life. We call that love.”
“…Love.”

Belka muttered in a whisper as she followed her words.

“So I dare to ask you. Let me be with you.”

Then Belka stepped back behind her and she faced Helena. The girl’s face that I finally saw.

“Yeah, I have something I want to say to Usher.”

She was smiling as the dew, which seemed to pour but did not pour, filled the marigolds. Helena went straight to the herbalist after that.

“Muh, what!”

With her bang, her door was thrown open, her herbalist looked at her in surprise, but Helena did not miss the piercing look in her eyes. She immediately drew her dagger and raised it to his throat.

“Stop the nonsensical acting. I came to know your true identity.”
“Kuh, what is it? Did you find out from Belka? Maybe she was a light-mouthed girl than I thought?”
“Don’t speak ill of him.”

Hearing his sneering voice, Helena frowned and thrust her dagger further, but he seemed to be laughing.

“So what? You’re going to avenge yesterday? Or you’re going to kill me? That’s impossible.”
“I know.”

He was rather taken aback by her stern words.

“Shut up and follow me back to yesterday’s gloomy form. I’ll do whatever you want.”

Clearly, Helena meant that the girl had accepted his offer, but the miasma in her eyes had caught him off guard.