Chapter 60

(Elu’s Pov)

【”What… does he mean?”】

【”Try to bear with it for now, Lifa”】

【”…. sorry”】

【”-!… How long have you been here?”】

【”Please sit over there. It looks like we all have things to ask each-other, so I’ll treat you to some tea.”】

【”Well then, I’ll start with since you seem like you can talk properly. You two did some fine reconnaissance work there. You do know that was a crime, right?”】

【”Yes. We’re very sorry.”】

【”Well, I’ll admit that I made a blunder, I was talking carelessly while I knew that you were coming to visit. But what you heard was a very important secret that can’t be disclosed.”】

【”A secret? Then that means…”】

【”Yeah, it’s the absolute truth, Harold is going to die soon.”】

As Justus affirmed that, Lifa, who was looking down at the ground, controlled her voice. Elu could see her tightly clenching her hands on her lap.

【”―― But why?”】

She, who had been silent up to this point, asked urgently. Her eyes were filled with tears.

【”Like I said, it’s confidential. If I tell you it would be-“】

【”Please tell us! …. Please….”】

【”Lifa, I’d like to ask you something.”】

【”What is it?”】

【”You haven’t spent that much time with Harold. At best, you’ve known him for two weeks. So why are you so concerned about him?”】

◇

【”…… Harold often speaks cynically and has one twisted personality. Whenever we talk to each other, we end up quarreling, I don’t know about him being the worst but I haven’t heard any good rumors about him. However, he appreciates the magic I thought of. And, just to keep a promise he had with me, he fought without caring for the risks.”】

These weren’t absolute truths, but most people went by them. That created disparity, as the rich became richer and the poor became poorer. And Lifa’s village was not spared from that.

【”I can’t thank Harold directly, but one day, I’m going to repay his kindness without fail. Or rather, that’s what I wished, so why……”】

“Why is Harold going to die” she wanted to say, but she swallowed back those words.

She couldn’t possibly tell all those lines to Harold face to face. She did wish to express her gratitude, but she wasn’t able to be frank in front of him. However, she sincerely wanted to become more honest in the future.

【”Even if everyone thinks of Harold as a bad man, he’s important to me. Therefore, if he doesn’t have much time left, I want to do whatever I can for him.”】

【”I don’t want to see him pass away without knowing anything about him….”】

【”You absolutely must keep this story to yourselves…. Actually, scratch that. You can’t tell anyone about anything that you have heard or will hear in this place today. I will tell you about the secret that guy carries on his shoulders.”】