Arisugawa told Cecilia, who couldn’t forget her hometown, that there was another way to live.
I chased after Cecilia, who was walking ahead.
“So, where did you set up camp? I don’t really want to show my face, but I left my luggage behind.”
“Ah, well, after that, some Boa Orc companions came, and I’m staying there now.”
As expected, she scowled displeasantly.
“You’re kidding, right? There’s no way the killer of the Orcs would go out of their way to do that. Besides, I don’t want to go there.”
There was nothing I could do even if she said that. I persuaded her to endure it for just one night. In the end, we came close, but she didn’t enter the village and had to spend the night alone.
When I returned to the Boa Orc village, everyone was preparing their camp at the edge of the area.
“Ah, Hiro, did you find her?”
“Well, technically, I found her, but she doesn’t want to enter this village.”
Philiana and everyone else had the same look on their faces, as if to say, “As expected.”
“By the way, I inquired about the route ahead, and it seems that there is a race called Melusine living further on. They seem to be friendly people, so they might be able to help us.”
I couldn’t imagine what the Melusine race looked like, but a direction was decided. It becomes much easier to proceed if there is a place to aim for. Fortunately, we were able to borrow some tents from the Boa Orcs, so we didn’t have to sleep exposed to the elements.
The next day, I expressed my gratitude to the female magician and the other Orcs for letting us stay.
“Are you leaving already? Are your wounds okay? Even if you hurry, it will be dangerous ahead if you don’t get yourself together.”
“Yes, thankfully the swelling has subsided quite a bit. And thank you for the food.”
They shared some food and water with us. Although they looked formidable, I realized that most of them were kind-hearted. I am not an adventurer, so I can’t do anything for them, but I wished that these Boa Orcs would not be attacked without reason.
A little way after leaving the village, I met Cecilia. I had been worried about leaving her alone, but it seemed my worries were unfounded. Everyone just gave her a casual greeting when she returned. On the other hand, Cecilia seemed to be not feeling her best.
We started heading to our next destination, but she still seemed a bit off. She lacked her usual determined demeanor.
“Um, are you okay?”
“Huh? Oh, is something wrong?”
She acted as if nothing was wrong, but she seemed somewhat distracted.
“No, you just seem down. Did you get bitten by a lot of bugs, perhaps?”
To my cold joke, she let out a small sigh.
“Yes, I wish it were that. But somehow, everyone is probably disgusted. Now that they know I’m not a pureblood.”
Cecilia seemed to be still dwelling on yesterday’s events.
“I haven’t told everyone much about that yet. Besides, what’s the point of saying it now? You should just hold your head high and be yourself, Cecilia.”
“What are you saying? You have a shorter sword than my nose, yet you speak so boldly.”
With that, she overtook me and started walking briskly again as she always did.
