Where is she?
"Damn it!"
"Captain Zeid, there's no trace of negative energy around. I think... she left on her own," Ren said.
I frowned again. I already knew there was so much I didn't know about that woman. But what could have been her reason for leaving? I also tried to locate her using her spiritual energy, but her spiritual energy was just too weak, so it was useless.
I sighed and looked at Ren, who was holding the tassel hair rope that I had given to Hatake after our wedding. It was red and specially made by the Chen Clan for wives or female members of the Chen main family. Each tassel had unique materials and was imbued with spiritual energy by the husbands as a binding force. This meant that no matter where they were, as long as they wore that tassel hair rope, they could be found. It was also a symbol of being a member of the Chen Clan. Only women wore it.
But...that woman.
She took off her tassel.
"Tsk.If we can't find her,let her be.I think she can take care of herself."
I glanced at the paper pinned under the book. I picked it up and read it.
Zeid,
I know you're going to be angry because of what I'm doing now. I want to help my friend, so I'm going with him. I don't know if I'll be able to come back. I'm sorry for making you worry.
It's only now that I've realized no matter what I do, you'll never notice me. But I'm happy... just seeing you do the things that make your heart whole is enough for me! Thank you.
I clenched my fist.
Hatake...
You're so stupid.
~~~
One week later.
"Master Zeid..." I heard Lila call out. She stood before me with her head bowed.
"What is it,Lila?" I asked.
"T-they say you're not going to continue searching for Madam, right?" she asked hesitantly, her voice trembling. She couldn't bring herself to look at me, as if she was trying to hold back her emotions.
I sighed deeply.
"It's her decision. If that's what she wants, then let her do as she pleases," I replied.
"Just because that's what she wants, you won't search for her? What if she's in danger? Won't you look for her and protect her?" Her tone was tinged with frustration, making my brow furrow.
"No," I said, walking past her. "If all she'll bring to my family is shame and disgrace, it's better if she doesn't come back at all," I added coldly, leaving her behind.
Truth be told, that woman hadn't added much value to my life anyway. Her presence had always been a source of tension, and her departure, though unexpected, somehow felt like a relief. I couldn't help but wonder if she had ever truly belonged here.
~~~
"KAITO!" I waved my hand and ran towards Kaito, who was cooking our food. I carried the fruits I had gathered from around the area.
"Coming!" Kaito shouted back.
It had been a week since we left the city. We spent three days gathering information in Hashi Village before we traveled to the place where Eisha and the others had gone. We avoided areas with dangerous monsters—according to the mercenaries we had talked to.
That was also the reason it took us so long to reach the place. Plus, I think Eisha and her group had horses while we were just walking.
"Why are we walking anyway?Why didn't we buy some transportation tool?" I asked.
Kaito smiled at me and then scratched his head. "I didn't think of that right away. Hehehe."
WAAAAHHHH!
"KAITOOOO!"
"S-sorry! Why are you only thinking of it now?" he asked.
I scratched my head in return. "It didn't even cross my mind."
"HAHAHAHA!"
I smiled and then looked at what he was cooking. "Kaito...what..."
He looked at me and tilted his head. "Mmm?"
"W-what is it? What are you cooking?" I quickly asked, and he immediately took out what he was cooking.
I just watched him as he prepared our meal. He noticed that I was staring at him, and he looked puzzled, but I just laughed.
"Is there something on my face?" he asked, handing me a bowl of soup and a pair of chopsticks. I bowed my head slightly to show my gratitude and then smiled.
"Nothing, I was just thinking."
"While staring at me?"
"It doesn't mean anything. I was just thinking about your situation," I replied, and then I began to eat. He didn't respond and started eating as well. By the time we finished eating, we hadn't really had a proper conversation. It seemed like we were both just preoccupied with our own thoughts.
"Let's stay here for the night and continue our journey tomorrow," he said, as he started setting up his tent.
I also set up my tent, brushed my teeth, and did a few other things before I decided to read for a while. Reading helps me relieve stress. I know it's unusual to bring a book on a journey, but this isn't just any ordinary book. It's a Book of Spells that I borrowed from the Chen Clan's library a while ago. I haven't returned it yet because I haven't finished reading it.
I glanced at Zeid's coat that I had taken from his luggage.
"Sorry, I'll return it next time!" I whispered softly, pressing my palms together as if in prayer.
I turned off the energy stone and went to sleep.
The next morning, I was awakened by screams. I immediately put on Zeid's coat and ran out of the tent. Kaito was just emerging from his tent, still rubbing his eyes. He seemed to have been startled awake by the screams as well.
"RUN!" I heard someone shout in the distance. Kaito and I exchanged glances. He quickly grabbed his katana, and I ran towards the direction of the screams. Midway, I nearly tripped because of an unexpected tremor.
As I rounded the corner, I saw a group of men and women running towards me, with a woman carrying a baby at the back. She was the last one running, and behind her was a...huge monster.
My eyes widened, and I immediately sprinted towards the woman with the baby.
"MIRA!" I heard Kaito shout, but I ignored him.
The woman!
"YUKO!" I shouted at her, and she immediately responded. I quickly conjured a spear made of fire and launched it towards the monster's eye.
The moment the spear hit its eye, the monster roared in pain, giving us enough time to escape. I ran to the woman with the baby and helped her get back on her feet.
"Hurry! While we still have time!" I urged her. She looked at me tearfully and started running with me. I saw Kaito ahead of us, and we followed him back to our camp. The five people who had been running earlier were already there. Kaito must have brought them to our camp.
I let out a sigh of relief.
I bowed my head slightly and apologized. "It might take a while before that monster finds us again, but there's a possibility it could use its sense of smell if it has that ability. So, I think we need to move away from this place for now. I'm sorry that's all I can do. My spiritual energy isn't strong enough to launch a more powerful attack."
"You shouldn't be apologizing to us.Thank you for saving us. Some of our companions were already eaten by that monster..." the woman with the baby said sadly.
I noticed the heavy atmosphere, so I began packing up my things, and Kaito did the same.
"Where are you planning to go?" Kaito asked, carrying his large bag.
"There's a village nearby where we lived. But our village was attacked by monsters, so we don't know where to go now," replied a man who looked to be in his 40s.
Kaito and I exchanged glances.
"Well, do you think you can travel to Hashi Village? We can send a letter to their village chief to have them meet you along the way," I suggested, looking at each of them in turn.
The woman glanced at her baby, who was sleeping quietly, then looked back at me.
"For my child, I can manage. Thank you very much," she said, bowing her head. I smiled warmly at her.
"-No,it's nothing! Please don't bow. You don't need to. Ah...umm... Okay, let's get going."
Kaito and I escorted them to the safer route we had taken yesterday. I wrote a letter and sent it using a firebird I summoned. The letter was placed inside a small bottle to prevent it from burning, and then I launched it towards Hashi Village.
I cast a ward potion on them so they wouldn't be detected or seen by monsters. Only humans would be able to see them.
Kaito and I smiled at them before saying our goodbyes.
"Thank you so much!" they said.
I watched them as they walked away.
Even in a small way... I was able to help after all.
I smiled broadly.
Suddenly, Kaito nudged me and urged me to continue our journey.
"Come on,come on! We're getting close to our destination. We need to double our pace," he said with a grin.
"W-WHATEVER!"
He laughed.
I smiled...
I feel happy...somehow.