Ludia's Nameless Hometown
Ludia's hometown was an unnamed settlement. Strictly speaking, it wasn't where she was born, but it was home to the people she'd known since childhood. Even though they all lived in rickety wooden houses and wore threadbare clothes, every one of them lit up with joy at the sight of her.
But there was one thing that felt a bit off...
"Daddy! Mommy!"
"Ludia! It's been so long since you came home!"
"Oh dear...! You must have suffered out there! Your face looks so pale and drawn!"
"....."
They didn't look anything alike.
....No, they weren't even the same species?? This went beyond just not taking after them.
Ludia, arms wide open, hugging the elderly couple she called her parents. Their copper skin, sunken eyes, and rough facial lines. No matter how I looked at it... I couldn't believe a snow-white girl like Ludia had come from that combination.
"Let me introduce you. This is Master Huu."
After a long while of the three catching up, Ludia reached out toward me, where I stood awkwardly behind her.
"..Ugh. (Hello.)"
"..!"
"Eek...!"
I'd only bowed politely, but one fell silent while the other let out a scream like air leaking from a tire.
"W-Well... who on earth is this...?"
"He's the mercenary I hired. He's helped me out a lot."
"Ah..."
"He can't speak. It's a shame..."
At Ludia's words, the man's wariness eased a little.
"Ugh. (Hello, I'm Huu.)"
This was my chance. I bowed deeply and extended my hand in what I considered a proper social greeting—a request to get along.
"W-Wel... come... to m-meet y-you..."
He took my hand, but it trembled violently. It was slick with sweat.
....My appearance is a bit, well... unfamiliar, I guess. Back at the village entrance, I'd seen kids run away crying or hide at the sight of me, but adults too?
Should I just leave?
Bang.
"Father! I caught some rabbits!"
"Oh! Keltun!!"
As I pondered our awkward first meeting, the door burst open and a burly man strode in. Ludia's parents both sighed in relief, their faces blooming into smiles. It was like a savior had appeared just as villains had them cornered.
Sadly.
"Master Huu! Do you like meat? We've got some home-brewed liquor too."
"Ugh. (Hell yeah!)"
I nodded, and he grinned, thumbs up. This loud, friendly guy was Ludia's adoptive brother Keltun, the one who'd welcomed us at the village gate.
"Ludia, you eat with us too."
"Sure. Rabbit roast after so long? Want help prepping?"
"Sounds good!"
As Ludia rolled up her sleeves, Keltun handed her the game. Her pale, delicate hands crossed his thick, tanned arms.
"......"
Really her brother??
I'd felt this strange disconnect watching Ludia's family the whole time.
**
"Urp.."
Oof. Ate too well. Burp city.
Disconnect or not, pounding meat and booze made everything smooth. Even Ludia's wary parents relaxed, laughing heartily.
....Booze is magic.
"(Master Huu. Where are you?)"
"..Ugh?"
As the cool night air seeped through my bandages into my skin, Ludia's voice rang in the air.
She'd wanted family time, so I'd slipped outside quietly. Why was she looking for me now?
"(Bitch! I'm outside! Cooling off before heading in!)"
"(Ah. Found you!)"
"....?"
Poof.
The ring's sound came from behind as I turned, and something soft bumped lightly against my back. Warmth spread over my rigid body, along with a familiar scent.
"Not cold, are you?"
It was Ludia. Having drunk for the first time in ages, her cheeks were flushed, and she grinned drunkenly.
"(Not at all! You had a lot, huh!)"
"Huh? I didn't drink much?"
"(Hahaha! Liar! Booze reeks from your mouth!)"
"No way! See?"
Fwooo...
Her pursed lips blew warm breath. Sharp fruit and alcohol wafted over my face.
All that remained was the lingering warmth on my face and my frozen self.
"See? Not much, right? Hehehehe...."
She beamed, eyes crinkling. Her lips stayed curved upward. Her smile was so wide, it made me wonder if all her previous ones were fake. She looked happier than ever, lifting my spirits too.
"Haa... so dizzy.."
Thud.
She grabbed my arm, wobbling, then plopped onto a pile of logs like it was a throne.
"(Bitch! You drank plenty! Let's go in!)"
"Nooo! I'm not drunk. Come on, Master Huu. Sit here. Standing hurts your legs."
Ah. She's wasted.
Ludia patted the spot beside her, eyelids half-closed.
"(Heh... fine...)"
Maybe drunk on her earlier alcohol breath, or some invisible pull, I sat with a thud.
Plop.
Her head dropped onto my shoulder like she'd been waiting. Long black hair cascaded over me, soft warmth settling in.
Did the cool night air warm passing through her? My body twisted and melted in the heated air.
"...Mom and Dad said you're a really good person, Master Huu."
"(Yeah?)"
"At first they said you looked scary... but after my stories, they trust you."
"(Good! You think so too, bitch?!)"
"Uh... yeah?"
She looked up, eyes shining dark pools. "You've protected me so many times."
Her unwavering gaze always pulled me in like a trance.
"Um, one thing I'm curious about."
"(What?)"
"Who... are you really, Master Huu?"
"....?"
What? But her eyes were serious. The next words embarrassed her; she grinned, then looked away.
"Honestly... at first, I dreaded what you'd do after branding me. Like, what now?"
"...."
"Monster got me, am I a monster now? That kinda thing... but I'm fine so far?"
"(Sorry about that! Wasn't on purpose!)"
The brand had weighed on me; apology slipped out first.
Ludia shrugged.
"That's weird too. A monster apologizing. Wait, no. Monsters don't even talk to people, right?"
"(Heard high undead can talk!)"
"But they can't use Holy Power. And super strong ones."
"Ugh.. (Well...)"
Did she drink smarts potion? Not the gullible girl dumping money; sharp deductions now.
"And... usually branded ones aren't treated like this. Church said owners treat 'em like slaves or objects..."
"(Nonsense! Pretty bitch gets protected or pampered—pick one!)"
"....?!"
The ring echoed. Sudden silence between us.
I didn't want to treat you like that. Exactly! Trying to paint me pervert? Maybe smash rings with her soon.
Poof.
"...Hnn.... hehehehe..."
Her head slid down my shoulder to my thigh. She gazed up with utmost peace, smiling.
"Thanks, Master Huu."
"....."
"...But you're really not gonna tell me who you are?"
"Ugh...(I'm...)"
What to say? I barely knew myself, but wanted to share. Mysterious voice, my old world, etc. Her openness sparked stories, but where to start...
"Hmm.. Should I go first? Secrets for secrets—no holding back."
"(Secrets?)"
"...This is a big one."
Ludia pressed a finger to lips, shhh, drawing focus. Sobered a bit, eyes wide and sparkling.
How big to warrant this...?
"I... don't think I'm Mom and Dad's real kid."
...Ah. That.
Almost laughed. But serious her; bit lip.
"Didn't know at first... found out before saintess candidate."
"(Surprising!)"
"Right? Looks so alike, didn't suspect."
No.. I'd wondered how she hadn't known till then. Obvious at glance?? Skin color alone??
Frustrating urge to interrupt her story. No wonder she got scammed.
"Sometimes wonder real parents... but doesn't matter now. They're family."
"(Yeah. Saw how much they adore you!)"
"Hehe.. Know what? Keltun bro raged when lord was gonna sell me. Almost fought soldiers."
"......????"
Sell what? She dropped bombs casually like old tale. Shocking; blood boiled.
"Huh? What's wrong?"
"(...N-No! Nothing!)"
"....?"
Fuck.. that lord bastard. Thought mild old guy; pure kill-worthy??
Suppressed rage, played cool.
"Haa... anyway, I spilled everything."
"...."
My turn. Laughing, raging at her tale led here. Below, Ludia sparkled, waiting.
What to say? From beginning?
"Ugh.."
"Ah. One thing first."
"...?"
"I'll trust you no matter who you are."
"....."
"We're stuck together forever, right?"
Her face bloomed blinding smile. Head spun blank.
"(Y-Yeah... thanks!)"
Sudden heart-baring confused me. What'd she hear at home?
...No. I'd felt her attitude shift gradually. Then suddenly, I'm the one shaken.
"(Ludia, I'm....)"
Her closed eyes serene, smile lingering. Heart calmed seeing it.
Yeah, tell from start. Knowing me might help understanding.
"(Truth is, not from this world...)"
"Snoooore....."
".....?"
What? About to spill hidden truths.
Her snores boomed.
"(....Bitch. Asleep??)"
"Snooore..... snooore....."
".........."
Snoring.
....Ludia.. bad drunk sleeper.. Poked cheek; just snored peacefully.
Teased heart then crashes out.
"....Pfft."
Her steady breaths like lullaby under moonlight. Breasts rose/fell rhythmically.
Last near-drowning, desperate to hear this again. Memories overlapped; laughter burst.
"Huu..."
Happy exhale. Warm body on thigh, cloudless stars twinkled.
Suddenly. If nothing changed, wished to stay here.
"Ughh.. (Why not?)"
With her, anywhere fine.
Lost in whimsy, stayed outside long.