29. A Lucky Day
29. A Lucky Day
"You homeless?"
"I knew you'd say that... You even made a promise, so why are you doing this? And I'm not homeless."
"No, that... sorry. But where exactly is your house? This mat can't be your home, right?"
"Of course not. Over there, at the far end."
Stella gave me a sidelong glare, as if she'd known that was coming, and pointed her finger toward the edge of the slum.
Right. Stella's home was in the slums.
Though calling it even a neighborhood was generous—it was really just somewhere near the drainage works.
Is she a marquis's daughter or just a beggar brat?
"There are a lot of sunken spots along the way, so follow me carefully. Don't trip for no reason."
Stella said it offhandedly and started walking, clomp, clomp, her Mana wrapped around her pristine white sneakers so the mud wouldn't splash on them.
At the same time, Stella's violet Mana wrapped around our shoes too.
Meanwhile, Eurasia looked fairly shocked. Sara didn't show it outwardly, but she was just as shocked.
I'd expected she'd run away from home for some reason, wandered the Demon World, and then returned to the Empire when she reached academy age.
I didn't expect she'd be staying in a place like this.
The staff she was holding had a Mana Stone set into it that looked like it would cost a fortune.
A Mana Stone that seemed even more expensive than the black iron sword I'd given Eurasia.
And then there were those beggar-like clothes from last time.
I'd heard those were from the most expensive adventurer clothing brand, too.
Why is she living in a place like this?
Of food, clothing, and shelter, did she give up food and shelter and pour everything into clothing?
Of course, I'd been the same in my Past Life, so I could understand it to a degree. What I couldn't understand was why she'd go this far.
In my case, I lived with the mindset that as long as I could kill the Demon King, I didn't care about anything else.
The other companions were the same.
So does that mean Stella has something like that too?
Does she have something she desperately wants, something she absolutely must achieve, as much as we wanted to kill the Demon King?
That's... something.
"...She is impressive, though."
It's not a choice just anyone can make.
But she's still just as much a beggar. I muttered that while watching Stella's back, stepping where her footsteps had landed.
About five minutes later, we finally arrived at the place Stella called home.
"...You're calling this a house?"
"It is a house."
"If this is a house, then anything with walls and a roof is a house?"
"Th-that's not true, but anyway, I live here, so it is a house."
"...Fine. You're not wrong."
Behind Stella, I could see a shanty that was falling apart.
If I built one myself, I'd do better than that—no, I actually do better.
I've built plenty of them in Ge Vihenum.
But isn't that a bit much?
"Did you build it?"
"...No?"
"Ah. Then who built it for you?"
If at least someone had built it for her—
"I paid to rent it."
Smack! I smacked her forehead.
"...For how much?"
Stella hesitated over her words, then muttered very quietly.
"300,000 Sel a month."
"I'm not even surprised anymore."
"Ugh... Still, it's the most expensive shanty in this neighborhood."
"What neighborhood? You live alone around here. And what's an expensive shanty? A shanty's a shanty."
"...Everyone moved away. There used to be a few more people."
"They moved away to prison, did they? Well, they feed you, clothe you, and give you a place to sleep, so I guess that's a home too."
On the way up, the ground was littered with piles of detention-related papers.
Tsk, I clicked my tongue and opened the tattered door.
"Haah..."
I don't know how many times I've sighed since I got here. I don't know, but they just keep coming.
"Hey, did someone rob you?"
"...No."
"No?"
"...I tidied it up in my own way."
"You can call this tidied up?"
"Yes."
Thump— Stella shoved past my shoulder and started rummaging through the one-room place without even taking off her shoes.
And into an old, worn backpack went all sorts of odds and ends.
"Hey. Why are you taking that? Just throw it—"
"My mom gave it to me as a gift."
"—just setting it down would brighten up the room. Yeah. Right, Eurasia?"
"Y-yes."
Marquis Verheigen.
I'm not sure if he's famous or not, but Eurasia, confused by the title of marquis and this beggar-like shanty, had kept her mouth shut since earlier.
Sara was likewise confused, but she was prioritizing keeping watch over the surroundings.
I was also on edge in case of a surprise attack, but so far I didn't sense any presence.
"I've got everything now. And I'm only telling you this so you don't get the wrong idea. I have a real house somewhere else."
"Of course you do."
"It's true! It's at the entrance to Ge Vihenum. It's much cleaner and bigger than this. It even has a bed. This place is... just somewhere I was staying for a bit before going to the academy."
"...Really?"
That's pretty good news.
If we end up going to the Demon World during vacation, it'll help in a lot of ways.
"Right. So don't get the wrong idea. You don't need to feel sorry for me."
A kid with no money to buy lunch, who got scammed buying an Artifact, got attacked by Black Wizards while going to retrieve 5 million Sel, and ended up with nothing but debt, saying something like that while packing in a shanty just makes it sadder.
I just nodded.
"Because it's what I chose..."
Right. She's the one who chose it.
I snatched one of the many bags she was lugging around and started walking.
"Ah!"
"If you've got everything, let's go."
"I-I can carry it—"
"What could you carry with that pathetic little body?"
"What...? Hah, seriously! You're smaller than me!"
"Did I say that? I meant it'd be hard for a Wizard. You've got quite the complex, don't you?"
"Eek...! I don't!"
"Of course you don't."
"Y-you!! Stop saying that!"
*****
"...You, no. Let's go buy you some clothes tomorrow."
"Why? This is enough."
"This, this, this. The one with a hole in the back. This is enough?"
"...It's called f-fashion."
"Bullshit. Sara, take care of it tomorrow."
"Understood."
After returning to our lodging without any trouble,
I sorted through the luggage Stella had so diligently brought.
In the process, I threw out everything useless and tossed all the ripped and worn-out clothes too.
After that, there were only two decent outfits, two indecent outfits, and a few things like a doll her mother had given her and some faded accessories left.
"You... why are you being so nice to me? Is it because you feel sorry for me? Don't think like—"
"No? I don't just give you things for free, you know?"
"...Huh?"
"I'll collect on all of it later. What, are you so cute that I should give you things for free?"
"Th-then you don't have to buy me anything. The academy has its own uniforms anyway. I, no... we're in Signia, so I heard we get four whole sets. So... it's fine."
"I don't like it. It's embarrassing to be seen with you."
"What?! Em... embarrassing... Hah, hey, you're ridiculous. Who said I'd hang around with you? I'm not going to hang around with you."
"You may not want to, but you'll have to hang around with me."
"No. I really don't want to."
Stella plopped down on the floor, hugging the clothes I'd been about to throw away and glaring at me.
I crouched in front of her.
"Now. Listen to me carefully."
With a "Hmph!", Stella turned her head away.
I grabbed her chin and turned her face toward me, meeting her eyes.
"Ugh... Wh-what are you doing!"
"You're in debt to me right now. Right?"
"Well, I do... have some. 7... million Sel. But I can pay it back soon."
"What about the value of your life?"
"...Huh?"
"I saved your life."
"Y-you're counting that too?!"
"Isn't that obvious?"
Her violet eyes began trembling violently.
"...H-how much is my life worth?"
"Why would I decide that? You have to decide that."
Stella, who had been opening and closing her mouth, hunched her shoulders.
"Ugh... How much... do I have to pay back?"
"Can you put a price on your life? I don't think so."
"Then... how do I repay... no, what do you want me to pay with?"
She'll have a hard time answering.
If she names a low price, it's like her life is worth little.
But if she names a high price, it'll be hard to repay.
That said, I hadn't brought this up for something so crude.
I have no intention of taking money from Stella.
I did it because I wanted to, and I spent it because I wanted to spend it.
Of course, the money I was using was all family money, but I was spending it freely because I was confident I could pay it back—no, return it.
The three years I'll attend the academy.
Within that time, I can repay it and then some.
I have the ability and the time.
So I don't need to take money from Stella.
"Then, until you decide it's enough—"
What I need to get from you isn't money.
"—pay me back with your body."
What I wanted was trust.
Building a relationship of trust with each other.
Someday, after all preparations are complete.
The words that you'll go with me to the Demon World.
And I need to secure your promise that no matter what happens, you'll never betray me.
Stella Verheigen.
This airheaded, secretive little kid.
Because she might be a tremendous talent who could reach a higher Realm than Kaloso.
"...Uh, uhh? B-body... hnn...? Wh-what are you... what are you talking about, ah... uuah..."
I tilted her chin down slightly and slipped a peach-flavored candy between her slightly parted lips.
Then, with the bright smile I'd practiced like crazy while staying at the family estate,
I said:
"For that, we'll need to get along from now on, won't we?"
I tidied Stella's disheveled hair.
At the same time.
As if with a pop!
Stella's face flushed red.
"Hah, hahh... hah...? You're crazy, heh...?"
Every time sounds that couldn't form words came out, a faint peach scent wafted out.
Snickering, I waved and walked out of the room.
"Until we go buy clothes tomorrow, just wear my clothes. They're in the wardrobe over there, so you can pick whatever you like. The size... should more or less fit."
Creeeak—thud.
Even after the door closed, no sound of movement came from Stella.
She looked seriously pissed off. But what could I do?
If she had a problem with it, she could get stronger than me.
"Heh-heh."
Thud, thud— I strolled through the lodging—no, more like the inside of a mansion—with a slightly lighter step than usual.
Now it was time to give Eurasia her necklace.
*****
"Eurasi—"
"Yes!"
The door opened before I'd even finished speaking.
"My lady!"
Behind the open door, Eurasia, looking as if she'd just stepped out of the bath, was there to greet me.
"...You opened that awfully fast."
"I happened to be right by the door! Please come in!"
Eurasia pulled me in with a brighter smile than usual, her movements brimming with anticipation.
She'd been expecting it this much, yet she held it in and waited until now—impressive.
No matter how I look at her, she's like a big dog.
To my past-life self, she would have been a small dog, but to the me now, she's definitely a big dog.
Snickering, I followed Eurasia's lead into the room.
"What brings you here?"
Beaming, fidgeting—
She already knows everything, and she's showing it with her whole body, yet she still asks—it's very cheeky.
"I came to give you a present."
Still, I answered according to her expectations.
"Wow! This is the 10th present you've given me!"
"What? I've already given you that many?"
"Yes! You've given me a present every single year for my birthday for five years!"
"...Then five, plus the sword, plus this one—that's only seven."
Hearing my question, Eurasia smiled a little and whispered as if letting something slip.
"Hoo... The other three are a secret."
"Hah, how can presents I gave you be a secret?"
"There's such a thing! Now, sit here!"
Eurasia's soft touch led me to the chestnut-colored sofa.
I flung myself onto the sofa and rummaged through my pockets, pulling out a box smaller than my palm.
"Well, I don't know if you'll like it, but if you don't, too bad. Can't exchange it. So, uh, what was it. Just wear it... This... custom order... Ah, shit. Just look."
I cut myself off and opened the box right away.
With a sparkle, a cherry blossom bloomed inside.
"...Huh?"
Eurasia's eyes widened, too.
"Wow... A n-necklace?"
"...Yeah. It's a necklace."
"And it's a cherry blossom... It's the same color as you, my lady!"
"Right. Well, I originally asked for something blue, like your eyes, but they said if it's for a gift, it's better to do it like this... So... I trusted them and left it to them."
I held the necklace out further.
"So, what do you think? Do you like it?"
"Yes. Very much..."
"...Well, good. First of all, it's both an Artifact and a necklace with magic that restores stamina and energy. It'll be really weak, but it should help during all sorts of training."
"...Huh?! This... is a custom-made Artifact?!"
"Well, yeah...?"
Eurasia's mouth dropped open.
Even her already widened eyes grew huge, as if her eyelids might split.
"Amazing... C-can I touch it?"
"Of course. It's yours now."
Eurasia pulled back the hand that had been reaching for the necklace, rubbed it roughly against her clothing, then wiggled her fingers and lifted the necklace.
"Just in case, I had the chain woven from northern meteoric iron. It won't break easily."
The glimmering platinum chain cascaded down like clouds filled with light, making a soft shhh.
"And the thing in the middle is a Heavenly Cherry Blossom Stone from the Eustetia Duchy. You know it, right?"
At the center of the chain, a cherry blossom petal holding the color of my hair and eyes drank in the light and reflected the color of spring.
I considered explaining the other enchantments, but then just shut my mouth.
Because Eurasia's face right now looked like none of that would even register.
So I just smiled contentedly.
As I was doing that, Eurasia, who had been gazing at the necklace, placed it in my hand and turned her back.
"My lady."
Then she gathered her thick blonde hair and swept it forward.
The line of her neck was so slender it was hard to believe she was a long-trained swordswoman.
Exposing her slightly flushed nape, Eurasia whispered shyly.
"...Please put it on me."
"Me?"
"Yes. I think it'll be hard to do by myself... Is that not okay?"
Her delicate shoulders flushed pink as if they might start steaming at any moment, and since the moisture hadn't fully dried, they glistened damply.
"Well... There's no reason I can't."
"Hehe. Thank you."
Scratching my cheek awkwardly, I shifted closer to Eurasia.
A different scent than usual wafted from her.
Soft, gentle, floral.
"Hm? You changed soap?"
"It's not soap, it's body wash... But how did you know?"
"What do you mean, how? I just know."
At the laugh that escaped me, Eurasia's shoulders trembled slightly.
"Lift your hair up a bit more."
"Y-yes..."
Eventually I reached my hands around either side of her now fully exposed neck. Once the hand holding the necklace had passed well around to the front, I took the chain on both sides.
I slowly pulled, keeping it from pressing against her neck.
"Is the length okay?"
"...It fits perfectly."
"It should be comfortable when you swing your sword, rather than in a pretty position. If you get distracted by this and make a mistake, it's really dangerous—"
"My lady."
"...Huh?"
"It really is fine... Just put it on me here."
"Uh, uh... okay."
I shut my mouth and carefully fastened the clasp with a click.
I'd learned how just in case. Good thing I had.
"Done."
Her thick blonde hair tumbled down.
At the same time, a quiet ripple stirred.
"How does it look?"
Eurasia had turned around.
"Does it suit me?"
Honestly, I thought it wouldn't suit her because it was completely different from Eurasia's coloring.
But now that I actually see it.
"...Yeah. Not bad."
It suits her incredibly well.
"Not bad is all?"
"Hey now, tuck that lip in."
"Nyehh..."
Eurasia, who had been grumbling for a while and studying herself in the hand mirror.
"My lady."
Stroking the necklace with fingers flushed pink.
"Thank you."
She smiled softly.
That smile was one Eurasia had never worn before.
A smile it seemed she'd never shown anyone.
"...Yeah."
I was a little surprised.
*****
And so time passed.
"Huff. Hoooh... Hnnn... Hyaaa... I-I can do well, right?"
"Yeah. Just do it like you always do."
"Uwaaa... What do I do? What should I do? I-I'm so nervous!"
"How do you get nervous over every little thing? There's a cheongsimhwan in that bag over there. Take it."
"Cheong... cheongsimhwan? What's that?"
"Something that calms your mind and body if you take it."
"Wow. Does that actually work?"
"No, it didn't."
"Nyehh...?"
"Hey... Uh, can I really wear this?"
"I told you to wear it."
"No, it's... too expensive, isn't it?"
"Yep, it's expensive."
"Ugh... Then why are you giving me something like that?!"
"Sara, the clothes you picked out are just expensive and the design is ugly as hell, she says. Let's just throw them away."
"Understood. I will set fire to them and burn them without a trace. After that, I will bring Lady Stella different clothes."
"What the hell are you saying?! No. Miss Sara, that's not it. Ah... No, no! Th-that's not what I—! Ugh, uh, uhha... No. I'll wear it! I want to wear it! I'm sorry! Thank you!"
The day of Karelai Academy's entrance ceremony approached.