Chapter 39: The Widow


TL: Scaramochi


***


I closed the distance between us at once, hoping to defeat her before she screamed out in grief.


I held my shortsword horizontally at chest and tried to thrust it toward her heart.


I then realized that the woman in front of me was holding a child.


I stopped the shortsword just short of touching her.


The woman's eyes widened and she didn't move an inch.


Then her knees buckled and she slumped to the ground.


Carrie and Falk came out from either side of me.


They both looked at me with suspicion at the same time.


"What's this?"


Tears stream down her cheeks.


She hugs the child tightly and falls on her face.


I lowered my shortsword.


I let out a chest full of breath.


"Hey, you. What are you doing here?　I almost stabbed you, you know?"


The dungeon is not a good place for small talk, no matter how close the exit is.


I call out to Comba and it takes two of us to help her up.


A faint, piercing, strange smell hits my nose.


We turn down the street and head for the exit.


Fortunately, we make it out without seeing anything.


I let out a sigh of relief as I step out into the sun.


We return to the town of Norn with a woman who calls herself Misha.


Protecting another party lost in the dungeon is also the role of the adventurers.


I wondered if Misha, who had come to the dungeon to commit suicide, fell into that category, but I took her in anyway because it was too much trouble to make a judgment on the spot.


Misha, perhaps in shock that I had almost killed her, did not complain much and followed me quietly.


"We'll have to ask Harris to take her in, won't we?"


Jonathan said apologetically at the guild counter.


"Huh?"


"No. I understand your concern, but Misha is not registered with the Adventurers' Guild. Therefore, Harris is responsible for protecting her."


Just a few minutes ago, Falk, Carrie, and Sylvia had returned to their respective homes.


It is very draining in the dungeon.


When we parted, partly because it was the first time, their eyelids were already looking like they were going to stick together.


Comba, who would remain here, had a puzzled look on his face, and Gina was giggling.


I'm sure I'll look dumb.


"Are you kidding me? Then I guess we'll have to ask the authorities to take it back."


"I don't think that's possible."


"Why not?"


"Because the village of Sinoha, where Misha lives, is a Count's territory and outside of our jurisdiction."


"What? So you know her. Then you know her relatives, don't you? You should contact them and tell them to take her in."


"No."


"What?"


Jonathan sighs.


"Harris. Misha is the wife of the late Tomas."


"Who's Tomas?"


"I told you before. He was the archer of the party that was wiped out."


Jonathan looked painfully at Misha, who was standing in the corner of the room with empty eyes, while her five-year-old son, Tuck, was wandering around the area, looking curious.


"Well, then, her relatives are at......."


"None."


Jonathan says emphatically.


"She is just trying to follow in her husband's footsteps. If she had someone she could rely on, she wouldn't be doing that. It's already late, so for now, could you take care of her at Harris' place just for tonight?　The guildmaster should be back from Capital tomorrow, so I'll discuss it with her as soon as she gets back."


I knew this would happen when I heard that she had no relatives.


And that I had no choice but to refuse.


Tiana's face, who wasn't even here, flickered in my mind.


"Damn it. I don't have a choice. Hey, kid. Come here."


Tuck, who had been looking at the tapestry with the image of the holy knight Zeigt woven into it, comes trotting over.


"Brother. I'm sorry, but I can't stay up anymore either. Can I go home?"


The other, who tried to order Tuck to pick him up, was apologetic and went back to his home.


I had no choice but to pick up Tuck.


"I'm hungry."


"Um. I'm going to feed you some really good food now."


"Yes, Mom!"


Misha gets up from her chair as Tuck calls out to her.


"Come to my place tonight."


I could see the hesitation in her hand.


A voice calls out from the side of the room.


"Harris is a good man, despite his appearance. So you'll be fine."


Jonathan approaches her, and he approaches her slowly.


I don't understand.


If you trust him that much, why don't you just have Jonathan to take care of you?


I smiled as affectionately as I could, while I was annoyed in my heart.


Misha's relief was obvious when she found out that Gina was with me.


Tiana rolled her eyes as she came stomping home.


The stupid dog that was walking behind Tiana gave a big sigh.


When I explained the situation to her, Tiana looked perked up.


"I'll have your meal ready in a moment."


Tuck was delighted with Tiana's cooking.


"Wow. I've never seen a feast like this."


Tiana takes good care of Tuck.


She must be used to taking care of her little siblings.


While she was taking care of Tuck's food, Tiana was talking to me as usual.


She talks about her stupid dog named Nix.


She tells me that today's meal is from a secret recipe of her neighbor Odie.


After tell her how my job went, she breathe a huge sigh of relief that everyone made it back safely.


When Gina told her that my guidance was quite good, she was delighted as if it was her own thing.


"Well, it's natural because it's Master."


Little by little, Misha's color improved as she was eating her food.


She hadn't eaten for about three days, according to her.


Hearing this, Tiana looked sad.


If you look closely, Misha has a unlucky look on her face, but her eyes and nose are well-defined.


Tuck begins to rub his eyes, perhaps because his stomach is full.


"Tiana. Make sure you get that boy cleaned up."


She glances at Misha, but takes over maturely.


"Come on."


She pulled Tuck by the hand and headed toward the kitchen.


Nix got up and followed behind her gingerly.


I turn to Misha, who is starting to get a little blood on her face.


"Well, then. I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you about your situation. I have to think about the future."


Misha began to talk about her situation.



PREV | NEXT