Chapter 7
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Their Circumstances (1)
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"...Alright. So, does any brother here want to explain what happened?"
"What, Bobby? You're awake?"
"Yeah. He just woke up a bit ago. How's your condition, Uncle Bobby?"
"My head's still throbbing a little... but I'm okay. Sorry for being such a burden all this time. So, what happened? Why is Luca...?"
"Do I have to start from the beginning? This is such a pain."
"We'll explain it slowly over breakfast. By the way, where are Rick and Nadia?"
"They were on night watch together yesterday and went straight to bed exhausted, I think? Anyway, Bobby, you're up?"
"Ah, Sera. Nice to see you. I heard you worked really hard while I was out. I'm sorry about that."
"Huh? O... Of course! While you were down, I handled everything from maintaining the barrier to decoding Luca's curse... and..."
"And she took care of treating all the wounded too. Thanks to you being laid up, Uncle, she had a ton of work. You should thank her properly later."
"You're right. I wish there was something I could do for you..."
"Then why don't you take a night watch shift for me? Everyone said it was tough without you, Bobby."
"That sounds good. Would that be okay?"
"Uh... but then I wouldn't stand watch at all for a week, and that'd prick my conscience a bit. I'll pass for now."
"Too bad. How about we pray together next time instead? I've got a lot of prayers lined up for you, Sera."
"Eww. Prayers are boring."
"Don't say that, Sera. Alright, Uncle Bobby. From now on, you have to work extra hard, okay? We were all worn out."
"Got it. I'll make up for all the time I was down. For everyone's sake."
Bobby. Our party's healer and the oldest member.
Maybe because of that, aside from Eli, he's the nicest guy in the group. Compared to that obnoxious Leo or that asshole Rick, he's practically an angel.
Surprisingly, the person Bobby gets along with best is Rick. Extremes attract, I guess—Bobby likes Rick's straightforward personality, and Rick's the only one Bobby calls "uncle" with respect. Well, he's still a jerk about it, of course.
On the flip side, the person he gets along worst with... Sera, maybe? It's not mutual dislike so much as Sera being unilaterally awkward around him. I don't know why. Maybe because she's never met a grown-up like Bobby before.
Sera grew up from age seven receiving unconditional love from every adult in the village. Of course she did. She's a certified genius mage, after all.
She showed talent in magic at just seven and entered Apenheim Academy with a standing ovation from every examiner. I got rejected at the paperwork stage, and Eli took the test with Sera but wasn't outstanding enough.
Still, right after the exam, Sera threw a fit that she wouldn't enroll without us, so the three of us got in together. I got expelled after a year, and Eli quit right after because it wasn't for her, but whatever. It was inevitable.
Anyway, that whole ordeal seems to have shaped Sera's personality big time. A genius mage recognized by the world. Adults who gave her anything she wanted with a little pout. She grew up like a flower in a greenhouse.
Maybe that's why she looked down on and bullied me, someone with zero talent or ability. She'd poke at me for no reason and make me run silly errands, acting like she owned me.
Even so, she was impossible to hate. She cried easily and got lonely fast if you didn't look after her. And sometimes, when she was honest, she was kinda cute.
Excluding Eli, she's probably the most precious person to me. I've never told her, but that's how I feel.
"Yawn... I'm sleepy. Weirdly wiped out."
"Yeah? Want to rest a bit? I'll keep watch."
"No, Eli. You've been up two nights straight too. You rest. Lady Sera here is fine."
"See? You're the only one who thinks of me."
Eli grinned and winked at Sera. The two burst into giggles, then looked up at the sky. I followed suit and cracked a rare smile.
Eli and Sera. The only combo I could watch over with peace of mind. They never fought—the only people in this party I truly loved. There used to be one more, but that person...
...
"...Man, we've come a long way. Us Lorenheim country bumpkins sure traveled far."
"Yeah. Wonder what folks back home are up to now. Probably talking about us? Maybe tales of our exploits have already spread there!"
"Maybe. Could... be."
Unlike the inexplicably excited Sera, the ever-serious Eli swallowed her words with a bitter taste again.
"What's wrong, Eli? Am I getting too hyped for no reason?"
"No. We need your positivity right now. It's just... you know. I don't like getting famous."
"Right. But I don't get it. Being famous is great, isn't it? Remember the cheers when we beat the first of the Four Heavenly Kings and entered the capital? It was deafening. The more famous we get, the whole capital—no, the empire—will love us!"
"I don't need love from that many people. It's too much to handle. A handful is enough."
Even though they were the same age, Eli's words carried far more weight and gravity than Sera's. Sera floundered in their depth before mustering a playful quip.
"Oh? So where do I rank on those fingers?"
It was childish compared to the profundity she'd just heard, but Eli didn't mind and chuckled back.
"Hmm. Excluding my future husband, you'd be first, obviously?"
"Gasp. Lower than that mystery guy? That's a shock."
"Come on, Sera. You know it's a joke."
"Yeah. I know it's a joke... Wait, what?"
Sera shot Eli a mock glare, but their eyes met and she dissolved into laughter. Their giggles harmonized delightfully, easing my heart for the first time in ages.
"When Eli gets married someday, I'll have to torment that guy. For stealing you from me."
"I'd be nice to whoever Sera marries. For loving her in my place."
"What? Trying to hog the high ground again. Mine was a joke too, obviously. Anyone Eli likes would win me over instantly."
"I know. Our lovable little lady."
"Ugh. Don't call me that. You're the only one in the world who does."
Lovable little lady. The nostalgic nickname made me chuckle unwittingly. It was around when we were eight, I think. After the village festival where Sera played a noble lady, Eli started calling her that sometimes. What was I? The butler, right? Eli was the maid.
Honestly, the lady role suited Eli better. Unlike Sera, whose freckles were only just fading now, Eli had pale, delicate skin even as a kid—she was perfect for it. But as always, Eli yielded the role to Sera.
Eli's always been too soft on Sera. It's beyond just being kind.
"...But in my eyes, you're my eternal little lady. So lovable."
"Hmph. I know I'm pretty, so cut it out."
"Fine, fine."
Sera stared at the waving-off Eli for a long moment, then sighed deeply.
"Guess we've known each other too long. Like sisters."
"Yeah. We know everything about each other."
"...Maybe not."
Sera gazed straight ahead with sudden meaning.
"Even best friends have a secret or two."
A brief silence fell between them. Eli tilted her head slightly, then smiled softly.
"A secret between us? Can't you tell me?"
"Nope. Then it wouldn't be a secret. Well, maybe someday..."
Sera's wandering gaze drifted toward me. Her lips, glowing especially red today, parted cutely.
"If Luca wakes up, I might be able to tell."
"I see."
Eli watched her quietly, then nodded slowly. She hugged her knees tight and spoke.
"Hey, Sera."
"Yeah?"
"Let's not change."
"What do you mean?"
"Just..."
Eli fell quiet, then dropped her usual cryptic line.
"Lately, too much is changing."
The smile had faded from her face. Whether Sera noticed or not, she stared at the sky with a foolish grin.
"Yeah. Let's not change."
With that enigmatic exchange, they both turned to the stars filling the sky. I joined them, lost in deep thought.
We three had been together since childhood, but between Eli and Sera, there were secrets I didn't know.
I don't want to know. It might be something I couldn't handle.
I just hope it's nothing serious. So far, no happy secrets have come my way.