Chapter 10 – The Discarded One
With a comforting sound, the wagon moved along the road.
It had once been a barren land filled with holes and puddles so that it was difficult to travel through. But now it was paved with stone and wood. It was even wide enough for two wagons to pass through at the same time. And so it was very important to merchants headed to Limiris.
“Still, this road has sure changed.”
The driver muttered to himself. He had long given up trying to have a conversation with the passenger in the back.
He appeared to be around fourteen or fifteen years old. He wore a cape and carried a long staff and wore boots. This gave the appearance of some noble’s son who was apprenticing as a magician.
However, the driver already knew who he was.
The Hero, Keita, who had protected Lindle Village.
But the gentleness he had once seen in his face, was gone completely now. And he spent the whole time in silence.
“Bah. I’m starting to feel hungry. Perhaps we should eat soon?”
“Yes.”
When he stopped the wagon and removed the yoke from the horse, the boy took out the small pot and began to prepare to cook. They had been traveling like this for a week now, and the Hero was acting more like a servant.
He let the horse graze in a nearby field, and then he sighed.
“Ahh. How depressing.”
Even though the roads were safer now that the Hero’s army had driven away the dangerous monsters and animals, he knew that it was best to travel with at least one guard. This one was a magician, and was willing to work just for foot and a place to sleep.
However, he would only answer with as few words as possible. And there was something about him that was gloomy.
“Well…it cannot be helped. After all, he was tricked, and lost his own village…”
It was a rumor that had spread between the merchants.
The monster attack on Lindle Village and the expedition of the Hero’s Army. The timing was too perfect.
Not only that, but they had purchased large quantities of materials and supplies before moving. Only a fool would not see what was happening.
That being said, the merchants were not too concerned about the truth. The Hero’s Army had made this road, hunted down monsters, and protected the towns and villages they were stationed at.
Even some of the Lindle Villagers had slowly learned the bitter truth, but ended up accepting it.
But after such an expert maneuver, all that was left was a single boy who had lost everything.
What had he done those first two months after leaving? Well, the truth didn’t matter.
“Ah, it is already cooked. It is a great help that you prepare the food for me.”
“Uh…yes.”
There was dried meat, wild vegetables and cheese inside of the pot. There was also bread close to the fire.
“It’s hard to get a warm meal when you’re traveling. So…I’m grateful.”
“This…is nothing. Nothing to be grateful for.”
The boy looked pale. As if words of gratitude hurt him.
Even if he looked healthy, he was bleeding inside. That’s what it looked like.
He took the bowl silently and at. The boy did the same.
“We’ll reach the Limris border soon. I will continue south and buy dried fish.”
“Yes.”
“And what will you do?”
He regretted it as soon as he said it. The boy flinched, and looked like he was trying desperately to repress his emotions.
He did not want to be abandoned. That was what his eyes said.
“…If you haven’t decided yet, you should help me for a little longer. And then you can tell me when you decided where to go.”
“Yes…”
“As for me, I’d like to have your help for as long as possible. Of course, I do feel bad, not being able to pay you…”
It was half a lie and half the truth. The boy continued to eat quietly.
Next time, he would try to hire a friendly mercenary.
While he felt bad, he could not help but think such things.