∗ ∗ ∗
“Ah...”
I sensed it as soon as I exited the coach. At the makeshift entrance to Asyl—which was really just a gap in a perimeter of wooden stakes—somebody was waiting.
The moment I saw him, from the bottom of my heart, from the depths of my soul, I knew. Ahhh, that’s exactly the person I’ve been longing to see.
But that was precisely why I couldn’t say anything. I couldn’t run to him. All I could do was stand there, stock-still.
“Yo, Kuzan, what’s wrong with you? You look totally spaced.” Merikur, who’d disembarked after me, snapped me out of it.
“Er, well...” I started, but my legs were firmly rooted to the spot. Merikur ended up dragging me by the arm, and I was finally able to walk again.
✦ ✦ ✦
The blacksmith’s guild leader, Kaus, was already ahead of us and conversing with the person in question. They seemed to be getting along extremely well, so much so that I was feeling jealous.
If only I could just talk to him like that, I thought. Somewhere inside, I felt like I’d abandoned him. I couldn’t bring myself to approach him.
But Merikur, who was completely unaware of my feelings on the matter and only knew that I was looking for my friend, had a completely different attitude. She went right up to him and got straight to the point. “Oh hey, are you Noah?”
He replied with a strained smile, unfazed by her extremely impolite form of address. He knew that this was what dwarves were generally like. He’d always had that kind of disposition; he could communicate across species without batting an eye. This was a rare trait. It was all too common for nobles in Oraculum to treat other species with scorn. Of course, House Olipiage was an exception to this, but even he could have been corrupted by “common sense” at school. However, nothing changed even after he had started attending school, and he still treated demihumans equally.
This naturally applied even toward Merikur’s behavior.
“Yeah, I’m Noah. Do you know me or something?” he responded somewhat cautiously.
His wariness likely stemmed from the Church of Astral. He might’ve been afraid that the Church had figured out his location and come knocking at his door.
But Merikur just said, “Well, I don’t, but your friend’s been looking for you all over the place. He’s been really desperate and totally set on finding you! Go talk to him! That’s the guy!” She pointed over at me.
Then, for the first time, his gaze turned toward me.
I had feared this moment. Not a single day had gone by without me searching for him. Why was it that someone of his caliber had been deemed a heretic? Why did he have to give up on his promised position of duke? Most of all, why did he have to be sent to the Purgatory Forest, a monster territory where his life would be in danger? There had been no convincing answers to any of these questions.
If that’s his fate, then I’ll remain by his side and protect him with my life. I refuse to let him die before me. I’ll become his sword and shield, and I would gladly die for him.
That’s what I had thought. But my colleagues, my father, and even His Excellency the Duke had stopped me. They threw me in the detention barracks, and I was stuck in there for a while. By the time I could finally see the light of day again, he’d already been exiled from the country and his own father had cast him into the Purgatory Forest.
For the first time in my life, I rebelled against my father and expressed anger toward him. My father was taken aback by this...but at the same time, I think he was thrilled. Because at the very end, he’d told me...
Please, you and you alone must be his ally.
At that time, I acutely realized that none of House Olipiage had wanted to treat him so cruelly. Even so, there was nothing that I could do.
How much had I imposed on others in order to get here? How many people had helped me on my way? I couldn’t be sure.
But regardless...
He probably won’t accept me, I thought. I abandoned him. I was of no help to him and just abandoned him. Because of my connection to House Olipiage, he must only see me as an enemy. So I thought, against my better judgment.
But...
“That guy...? Oh? No way...huh?! Is that you, Kuzan?! No kidding?!” he exclaimed joyfully as soon as he saw my face. Then he ran up to me and hugged me tight.
“What are you doing here?!” he said. “Actually, how did you find out where I was? Is everything okay?! Your father sounded gruff, like he never wanted anything to do with me again...though I don’t think he really meant it, of course. He couldn’t help it, since he’s affiliated with House Olipiage. Didn’t you just become a squire? Don’t tell me you came all the way out here just to see me!”
I couldn’t help but break into a smile. “Master Noah...you’re not angry? I...we abandoned you.”
He—Master Noah—answered me.
“Don’t be ridiculous. That just couldn’t be helped. I can’t say I didn’t feel resentful about it, but I got over it soon enough. Besides, they’ve given me a chance to see you again. I understand how my family feels, so I’m not going to hold it against them. Anyway, check out the town! I’ll show you around, so come on! Okay?”