Leon observed the girl’s bloodshot eyes. She didn’t appear to be lying. She must have risen quite early and been slaving over the stove all this time.
She wanted his approval. She wanted Leon to stop and look at her. He could see it in her eyes.
It would be a lie to say Leon wasn’t happy about that, at least partially. But despite—or perhaps because of—those feelings, he had to disappoint her.
“I’m a ghoul. I don’t eat human food.”
His staunch refusal left no room for discussion.
“Your kindness is wasted on me,” he said. “Never cook for me again.”
This revelation came as some shock to the eager Alice, whose face slowly fell.
“…I’m sorry. I suppose I got a little ahead of myself, didn’t I?”
She left the room. Leon could see the tears forming in her eyes as she did. It pained him…but it was for her own good.
“It was the right choice,” he muttered beneath the crushing weight of guilt. “…I’m sure it was.”
The corpse heaved a deep and helpless sigh.
Later, after Alice had finished eating, Leon told her, “Grab your bags. We’re leaving.”
At the sound of his voice, Alice jumped out of her seat. “Whoaaa…,” she said, as though she’d just witnessed a miracle.
“…What’s that for?”
“W-well! You spoke to me! You spoke to me!” she said, as if expecting Leon to be angry. “I was worried…you know, after breakfast…”
Watching her express relief, Leon felt a twinge of pain. He knew the blame for that morning’s exchange fell squarely on his own shoulders… Yet when he looked into Alice’s eyes, he felt a strange sense of déjà vu. It felt like one more step would bring all his old memories flooding back. Then he would remember who this girl was, and if that happened, he wouldn’t be able to ignore her any longer.
Thus, Leon steered the conversation back on track.
“…Get ready. We’re leaving in ten minutes. If you’re not packed by then, I’m going without you.”
“Y-yes!”
Alice’s loyal demeanor was unshaken in spite of Leon’s unkind treatment. She trotted back to her borrowed room, put on her equipment, and hurried down to the front door where Leon was waiting. The pair of them then left the mansion and headed into town.
“Um,” ventured Alice. “Are we going to a dungeon? What kind?”
“We’re not. We’re heading to the guild.”
“Oh, th-the guild?”
“Yes. Most people have this impression that adventurers just explore dungeons. Especially newbies like you.” Leon looked Alice in the eye and continued. “But an adventurer’s life isn’t restricted to the collection of Testament Stones and anomalies.”
The Shroud affected not just the area where the disaster first occurred. It had also spread to surrounding lands. One of an adventurer’s tasks was cleanup.
“Quests don’t bring in a lot of money,” Leon explained. “And nobody earns a hero’s title by fulfilling them. However, the risk of death is less than half that of dungeons. You can use them to gain experience until you’re ready to take on greater challenges. So today, your trial is to complete one.”
“S-so what you’re saying is…you’re worried about my personal safety…?!”
It was true, but Leon worried what might happen if he admitted it, so he ignored Alice’s question.
“But…this quest will most likely involve entering a dungeon, nonetheless, will it not?”
“…Perhaps.”
“Still, you chose a quest because you were mindful of my well-being! That’s so nice!”
This girl was beyond help. She would believe whatever she wanted, so long as it made her feel better. Leon was already fed up with her, but even so, he couldn’t help but be charmed by her excitable nature.
…That was why he found it so painful knowing how it was all going to end.
I only bring pain to those around me. Once she realizes this, she’ll leave. Just like all the others…
Leon remained silent, trying not to feel anything about their imminent farewell, and soon the pair arrived at their destination. Leon opened the gate and led Alice inside. The guild was packed with adventurers, just like any other day, and the energy within its walls was starkly different from the outside.
However, as soon as they noticed Leon, the place fell silent.
To Leon, this was an everyday occurrence. But Alice became scared and confused. She stopped in her tracks, her bright green eyes trembling.
“…Keep walking. Stay by me.”
Trailing his left leg behind him, Leon walked toward the notice board to which quest notes were pinned. However, on his way…
“Tch! Who do you think you’re lookin’ at?”
“Get outta here, freak!”
Leon’s fellow adventurers looked at him with anger and revulsion. But Leon didn’t care. No emotional outburst could rattle his bone-dry heart. It had been four years since that tragedy, and ever since then he hadn’t felt a thing.
But Alice stopped and, in a strong voice, yelled…
“Please retract that statement!”
“…Excuse me?”
“I…I said…please retract that statement! L-Leon is not a monster!”
It was clear from her tone that this was not a point she was willing to back down on.
“…Don’t bother,” said Leon with a sigh. In the last four years, nobody had ever stood up for him before. It almost made him…happy, but such a thought was enough to spark his self-loathing once more.
Still, there was nothing for it now. Leon made to step between the big man and Alice to stop an altercation, but just as he did…
“You got guts, kid. I like you.”
A bellowing voice rang out across the guild. The man was so large, it seemed his shoulders would scrape the ceiling, with scars all across his arms and face. The man Alice confronted seemed like a baby by comparison.
“I…it’s Velgo the Hawk!” he squealed, his brow erupting in sweat.
This man, Velgo Zahaj, was one of Yugosland’s heroes and a veteran adventurer besides. His was a face that Leon knew well. Yet Leon ignored him, making his way to the quest board, and after running his eyes over the notes posted there…
“Here, this one’ll do for today.”
Leon tore one off and brought it over to the counter, where he signed it. Then, having no more reason to stay here, he and Alice made for the exit. But just as they were about to reach it…
“Hold on, girl.”
“Eep?! Wh-wh-wh-wh-what is…it?”
“Word of friendly advice. Pack it up. Bein’ round that guy ain’t good for you.”
Suddenly, Alice’s frightful shivers stopped.
“You’re just another one of those—”
“Don’t get me wrong, kiddo. I’m only thinkin’ about you.”
“About me?”
Alice cocked her head in confusion. Velgo nodded and then spoke.
“Claire Redheart. Rheinhardt Crossline. You’ve heard of those two, right?”
Claire Redheart, the Second Hero of Salvation, and Rheinhardt Crossline, otherwise known as Shining Rheinhardt, Claire’s most gifted apprentice and the boy expected to succeed her.
Leon glared harshly at the man, but did nothing.
“They lost their lives during the Festival of the Holy Spirit four years ago. By the hand of your friend there.”
“Allegedly,” Alice corrected.