🦊 🦊 🦊
THE festival started as soon as we returned. The village elder also ended up inviting the three guys to stay for the festival, and they all seem to be enjoying it in their own way. I’m glad we could repay them, somehow, although Claire and I try to keep a considerable distance between them and us.
Claire warned me about getting too close, so I do my best to stay away as nonchalantly as possible. She worries too much. Still, the festival is so much fun! As usual, we indulge in so many tasty treats, dance until our feet are sore, and laugh with the other villagers. We’re overjoyed by the sense of peace that lays over the village. There’s such an air of joviality, you’d never have thought the village had been on the brink of destruction earlier that day.
I love our village. I love seeing the large bonfires set up all around the town. I enjoy dancing the legendary Fox Trot, and occasionally, someone stops by to wish Claire and me a happy birthday. That’s right! We’re celebrating our coming of age this year. The well wishes from everyone, more so than usual, filled me with joy.
“You two are adults now, huh? Are you gonna stick around this village forever?”
“Of course! That’s the plan.”
The question comes from our neighbor, an older lady, and Claire answers without hesitation. Leaving the village is completely unthinkable. Claire’s story follows us as we leave the village, but with the story diverting onto a different path, that’s no longer happening.
We’d spent so much time and effort into our training, however, it didn’t make sense to stop. It only makes sense to keep training and growing stronger, so the next time danger threatens our village, we’ll chase it away ourselves. We wanted nothing more than to give back to the people who’d raised us.
The sun begins to quietly set, and the adults are beginning to get rowdy. Some folks will continue drinking to their heart’s content until the sun rises the next morning, most likely, while others who want to get some sleep will head home, prepared to clean things up tomorrow.
We’re usually part of the going home crowd, but before we can leave, our parents appear in front of us, asking to talk. They both look uncomfortable. Did they prepare some speech for us now that we’re adults? We both straighten up and turn to face them.
“First of all, welcome to adulthood. I can’t believe how grown up you both are.”
“Thank you, father.”
“Thanks, dad!”
Both our mom and dad smile gently at our words before nodding. Our parents are both hardworking and kind. However, their smiles quickly fade. What’s wrong? It seems serious, whatever it is. I feel worry begin to gnaw at me as I wait. Our dad looks at Claire and then at me before speaking once more.
“It seems the both of you have grown quite strong recently.”
“Y-You noticed?”
“Of course.”
We both gasp in surprise at his words. I glance over at mom, who’s simply watching, smiling quietly.
“We’re your parents, right? We’re always watching you. How could we not notice?”
“Mom…”
We thought we’d been so careful, not wanting to make them worry, and yet they knew everything anyway. Not only that, but they’d watched over us from a distance without saying a word. I feel a lump rise in my throat. This is the first time I’ve felt such overwhelming love for them.
“We heard what happened from the village elder. That you helped exterminate the monster horde.”
“Huh? Uh? H-How…?!”
Did Ektor and his friends tell our parents what happened? Even after promising not to say anything…
The two of us begin combing the crowd for Ektor and his friends.
“Calm down. Don’t blame those three. They came here for work, and as such, they had an obligation to tell the elder what happened, and he decided to tell us himself.”
Ugh. So that’s what happened.
I instantly feel bad for doubting Ektor and the other two guys for even a second! They really had kept their word and only talked to the elder. Catching the guilty look on Claire’s face, I know she had the same thought I did.
“With that said, we were in the wrong for not believing you when you warned us of what might happen. We deeply regret it, and we’re very sorry,” Dad apologizes.
I’m flustered seeing them both look so dejected, especially dad, whose gaze is lowered in shame.
“Don’t worry about it, I know what I said was pretty unbelievable,” Claire responds while waving her hand awkwardly in the air as if to punctuate her statement.
I understand how she feels. Having our parents stand before us, staring at the ground sadly, is a little too much. But the fact they’re able to apologize for their mistakes proves how trustworthy and reliable they are. I feel proud to have them as parents.
“With that said…,” Dad continues. “Why don’t the two of you take a break from the village for a while?”
Both Claire and I freeze at that suggestion. Did he really just say what I think he did?
“This strength of yours is going to waste in a peaceful place like this. If you go out into the wide world, you’ll have a greater opportunity to put your newfound abilities to use.”
Abilities? But we hadn’t trained this hard for an unseen future! We’d been training to protect the village so we could stay here…
“Huh? W-Wait a minute. You want us to leave the village?” Claire asks in shock.
“We’re not saying forever,” Mom says, backing Dad up. “Of course, you can come back anytime you want. But the two of you are still so young, and all we’re saying is it’d be nice for you to experience things outside of the village. If you’re strong enough to protect yourselves, then it shouldn’t be a problem. Plus…”
We’re both struck speechless by what mom says next.
“Those three young men who helped take care of the monsters? They asked if you two would like to join their guild. I’d feel much better knowing you’re out there with them. This is an amazing opportunity for you both!”
Those nice young men? I’m not sure if that’s how I’d describe them. They didn’t say anything about wanting us to leave with them or join their guild. What’s going on? I glance over at Claire only to see her standing there, her mouth gaping open.
Say something, Claire!
“It’s a mid-tier guild, meaning your reputation would be secured, and you’d be able to make some money as well. You’d be able to make a decent living,” Dad says.
“I want you both to explore what the world has to offer and come back with marvelous stories to tell!” Mom exclaims. “It’ll give us all something to look forward to, since we hardly ever leave the village.”
“There’s so much out there,” Dad continues. “A world totally different from a quiet country life.”
“Plenty of delicious food, too,” Mom adds.
“Maybe you could bring us some back.” Dad winks.
It’s almost as if they forgot we were there as they continue talking. Wh-What? A part of me had been so relieved knowing our time with those three guys was coming to an end… I suddenly feel intense pressure coming from right next to me. I slowly turn my head to find Claire’s face twisted into a fearsome mask of anger!
“Ektor, huh? Clearing away the obstacles impeding our departure… He really knows what he’s doing!”
“C-Claire, you’re scaring me…”