IBDFSML Chapter 53

53

The next morning.

While the usually chilly northern sun was, for once, casting warm rays of light, we had finished preparing to leave the village of Ritten.

Village chief Paula, along with most of the villagers, came out to see us off.

Hans and Anna, who had been waiting early, handed us the supplies they had prepared in advance: a small map and some stored provisions.

"As I mentioned yesterday, this map shows a shortcut through the Alpheon mountain range that will let you cross more quickly." 

Hans said with a slightly embarrassed look.

"To be honest, I only discovered it by accident while I was lost and wandering in the mountains the past few days. But at least this way, I can be of some help, what a relief, haha."

Sion accepted the map, studied it for a moment, then gave a short nod.

"We'll make good use of it."

"Yes, sir."

Even at Sion's curt reply, Hans looked immensely satisfied.

"Um, but…"

Just before we set off, Genevia spoke up hesitantly.

"What about that person?"

Where she pointed was the one problem everyone had conveniently forgotten about.

The castaway, Person A.

"….."

"..…"

"..…"

Everyone's eyes turned toward him.

Oblivious, or perhaps indifferent, to the situation, he was flailing his arms in the wind, trying to catch the drifting snowflakes.

'…Right. I almost forgot about him.'

Last night, with the real Hans suddenly barging in and stealing all the attention, this man's presence had completely faded from memory.

I let out a thoughtful hum and studied the castaway closely.

'An unidentified survivor…'

In stories like this, there were usually only two possibilities:

1. A throwaway extra for a one-time event.

2. Or, a hidden mastermind in disguise.

But with that scruffy, unkempt hair and beard, the presence weaker than even the village chief's son, and that undeniably clueless air about him… the odds of him being the first were overwhelmingly high.

In short, he was a troublesome burden, both for us and for the village.

Chief Paula seemed to share the same thought, as she glanced at us awkwardly and trailed off.

"…His circumstances are unfortunate, but to be honest, our village doesn't have much need for extra hands right now. Perhaps it would be better for him to be with people he's at least somewhat familiar with…"

In other words, since we brought him here, we should be the ones to take him along.

Sensing the atmosphere, Genevia looked at the castaway with pity and said.

"I'd feel awful just leaving him here. After all, he's the one who saved me during the avalanche…"

"….."

After a brief silence, Sion stepped forward, standing before the castaway.

Looking down at him squarely, he asked.

"I'll respect your decision. What do you want to do?"

"….."

The castaway quietly gazed back at Sion.

Inside, I hoped he would say he wanted to stay in the village.

Sure, part of it was because he was troublesome and annoying, but more than that, I didn't like the idea of Genevia developing needless sympathy for him.

'First off, he looks shabby, his identity is unclear… and above all, he's not even a married man~ That's the point.'

Whoever it was, if there was even a 0.1% chance they could become Sion's rival in love, they were automatically on my watchlist.

Once more, I sent the castaway a sharp glare filled with determination.

'Don't follow us. Don't follow us.'

At that moment, the castaway strode straight toward Sion.

With an innocent smile, he pointed at his collar and said.

"Sparkle, sparkle."

"….."

"Sparkle, sparkle. Go together."

"….."

Oh, damn it.

I hurriedly whispered to Sion.

"Sion, let's just leave him here. He'll manage and adapt just fine on his own, right?"

Just then, Diene rode up beside Sion, glanced briefly at the castaway, and spoke in a calm tone.

"My lord, why not take him along?"

"And your reason?"

"From observing him, his build and stamina seem quite remarkable. And from what Priestess Genevia has said, his athletic ability isn't bad either."

"That's true. During the avalanche, he carried me on his shoulder and leapt between trees without hesitation." 

Genevia added in agreement.

Even Garen chimed in.

"I hear the borderlands are always short on manpower. Wouldn't it be useful to take him along, even just as a laborer?"

"…That does make sense."

Even as they discussed his potential role, the castaway kept staring at Sion, or more precisely, at me, hidden against Sion's chest.

Sion asked him.

"Do you remember your name?"

The castaway tilted his head.

"Name? Hm… no memory."

"Then we'll just give you a temporary one. Since we met you in the Alpheon mountains, how about 'Alo'?" 

Genevia suggested.

The castaway's eyes sparkled.

"Alo. Alo, good, I like it."

"….."

He seemed delighted, repeating his new name over and over.

"Alo go together, sparkle sparkle."

"To think you'll now serve the young lord, what an honor. Congratulations." 

Chief Paula said, subtly nudging Alo toward us.

With that, Genevia lifted Alo onto her horse.

"Come, ride with me."

At last, as we prepared to leave the village, Chief Paula's eyes grew misty. She bowed deeply.

"My lord, and everyone else, thank you again, truly, for helping our village."

One by one, the other villagers added their gratitude.

"We'll never forget the grace you showed, risking your lives for people like us."

"May the goddess's blessing guide you, young lord Luxior, on your journey."

"Please, travel safely."

With the villagers' heartfelt send-off, we set out once more on our expedition, this time with an unexpected new companion in tow.

***

Following Hans's map and taking the hidden shortcut, we managed to reach the other side of the Alpheon mountain range in just half a day.

"Tonight will be our last camp in these mountains." 

Garen remarked casually as he fed more wood into the campfire.

Diene gave him a teasing grin, nudging him with her elbow.

"You sound almost regretful, Garen. Is it stirring up some old memories for you?"

Flustered, Garen stammered, his face growing red.

"I-I don't know what you mean, all of a sudden."

"Oh ho, and now you're speaking so formally?"

"…I'll go gather more firewood."

With his ears burning, Garen quickly got up and left. Diene, watching him go, looked at him with eyes as sweet as someone watching a beloved lover.

I, on the other hand, looked at them with a much colder gaze.

Then Genevia asked.

"So, what exactly is the relationship between Sir Garen and Dame Diene?"

"Us? Well… you could say we're ex-lovers with a bit of history, now comrades."

"Judging by how you two are now, it wouldn't be strange to call you lovers still."

"Maybe so. At least, my feelings are still there. But… he just won't accept them anymore."

I immediately perked up and asked.

"Garen? Why not? It's obvious he still has plenty of feelings for you."

At my words, Diene smiled faintly, gazing into the flames, her expression tinged with bitterness.

"Right? But apparently, having feelings for each other isn't always enough."

"What? Who told you that nonsense?"

"He did."

It seemed the two of them had some kind of past weighing between them.

I wasn't particularly interested in their love story, but since I'd heard such foolishness, I couldn't help but snort.

"Pfft. What utter garbage. Only an idiot doesn't realize what a blessing it is to be truly loved by someone."

I rolled lazily on Sion's shoulder and added carelessly.

"Just leave him be. Let him regret it all later, crying his eyes out, living with nothing but remorse."

"Hahaha."

Diene laughed, wiping away a tear, then murmured softly.

"As the fairy says… if only love were really that simple."

A brief silence settled over us.

It was broken by Sion, the least sentimental among us all, when he asked.

"Diene. How long until we reach the borderlands?"

"At this pace, we should arrive within a day or two."

"I see."

Just then...

Thud.

Something heavy sat down right beside Sion.

"...?"

For a moment, I thought it was Garen returning, but no.

It was Alo.

The big man hunched down beside us, turning his head in my direction.

Through his shaggy bangs, I caught a glimpse of his eyes fixed squarely on me.

Ugh, how annoying.

Too lazy to deal with him, I deliberately rolled over to face the other way.

But Alo paid no mind and spoke.

"Sparkle."

"….."

"Wings… pretty."

"….."

Since I kept ignoring him, Genevia stepped in kindly.

"Alo, aren't you cold?"

"Not cold."

"If you get hungry, please let me know."

"…Hungry."

"Really? Then come sit here."

I peeked my head up to see Genevia patting the spot beside her and Alo rising to go sit with her.

Oh no, that won't do.

For the sake of my beloved's romance going smoothly, I couldn't allow those two to grow closer than necessary.

So I quickly called out to Alo.

"Hey, Alo. Want to see my wings?"

"..…!"

Alo plopped right back down beside me.

"Here, take a look."

With some effort, I sat up and gave my wings a little flutter.

His mouth fell open in awe.

"Prettyyy."

"…But don't touch. Just look."

"Alo, no touch."

And yet, he wiggled his fingers and carefully brushed against my wings.

"Hey! I said don't touch!"

"Alo, no touch."

But like a curious child unable to restrain himself, he kept prodding and stroking my wings here and there.

I clicked my tongue but still let him, unable to pull away.

Sigh… what a tearful sacrifice I'm making for the sake of my favorite's love life.

While I was halfheartedly entertaining him like that, I suddenly felt someone's gaze.

Looking up, I found Sion staring directly at me.

"..…?"

"..…"

Our eyes met, and Sion immediately turned his head away in silence.

I stared at his profile, noticing that his expression somehow looked… displeased.

What was that about…?

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