By Zephyria 
With one hand, I cupped Ruben’s round head, and with the other, I gently patted his broad back. Rubel did not cry. He simply carefully wrapped his arms around my waist and buried his head against my collarbone, breathing deeply in silence for a long time.
Neither of us spoke, so as not to disturb the sleep of the others.
Rubel’s familiar scent reached my nose. Each time the child nudged his head like a spoiled child, his soft hair tickled my cheeks and ears. He was warm in my embrace. A sigh escaped me naturally.
Feeling immense pity and sorrow, I firmly massaged the back of the tense child’s neck. When the child occasionally gasped for breath, I would briefly pull away to allow him to breathe more easily.
About thirty minutes passed like that. Only then did the tension leave Rubel’s shoulders, and he grew weary. The child rubbed his forehead against my shoulder a few times and then let out a steady breath. He had fallen asleep.
Only then did I relax my own heart and release the tension in my body so the child could rest comfortably.
We woke up on time and took turns keeping watch. However, when we both needed to sleep, we slept huddled together in my sleeping bag. Rubel did not shed a single tear all night.
Even though I slept less than usual, I felt much more refreshed the next morning.
❖ ❖ ❖
September.
The stark, bare tree cast a shadow like a drawing made by sunlight. The shadow, with each branch clearly defined, was imprinted on the ground. As we hopped over the shadow, which was three times longer than the actual tree, dappled shadows flickered across the faces of our companions.
Then, after a little while, the sun rose directly overhead, and the shadows shortened to the width of a hand.
It is the way of things. Just as shadows circle around and disappear into the black darkness as the sun rises and sets, both bright and dark feelings easily sweep through the heart over time, leaving only small seeds before fading.
The sorrow Rubel experienced also diminished in this way, becoming invisible to the eyes of our companions.
We did what we had to do.
As we explored deeper areas more frequently, we encountered medium-sized monsters often. We frequently defeated familiar foes like Trolls or Minotaurs.
Troll blood was infused with contaminated mana. Because of this, while the blood flowed, they possessed the characteristic of regenerating no matter how many times they were cut. However, regenerating in areas with low mana concentration required over a hundred minutes, and during that brief window, they were easily decapitated and killed, much like harvested rice.
We went to Dunmel Canyon more often on cloudy days than on clear ones.
We did so with the thought that we might encounter the Minotaur herd from before. However, we only defeated a few ordinary Minotaur herds; no suspicious ones were found.
Were the things they were tearing apart truly monsters? We couldn’t be sure of anything.
Still, the companions regained their cheerfulness. It was entirely thanks to Marianne.
Marianne often told silly jokes. She boasted about how great a wizard she was, and she would needlessly urge Benjamin to train his body.
Beside the campfire, whenever Marianne fussed around doing push-ups or sit-ups, Benjamin would hold her steady, and Elvin would count the repetitions, joining in the fun.
Or, she would make a bet with Benjamin, hopping on her feet. Marianne would boast that she could jump faster and farther than Benjamin because she was lighter, and Benjamin, with a sigh, would still willingly join in and play.
Then Elvin would lie down nearby and show off his skill of doing push-ups with just one hand. Then, Rubel and I would join in, doing stamina exercises in place.
The only one who didn’t want to participate in this messy, amusing outdoor training was Hugh Benson.
Whenever we were rolling around on the ground like that, Hugh would stand back with his arms crossed, saying, “You guys have so much energy,” and stand guard.
But even he, unable to refuse when the children grabbed his arms and clung to him, would grumble as if defeated and join them in doing push-ups.
Hugh Benson’s leg strength was exceptionally strong, more so than his grip strength. This was likely due to his mastery of advanced movement techniques. We already knew his stealth skills were top-notch, but it was a shame there was no opportunity to compare movement techniques.
Sitting around the campfire, Marianne and Hugh often talked about what they wanted to do once they returned to the Duchy.
“Ah, I want to soak in hot water up to my neck, bathing to my heart’s content. With plenty of holy oil, enough to fill the bed with its scent. I want to smell the floral scent so strongly it stings my nose.”
“I want a turkey. I want to tear into a whole, large turkey leg. It feels like a million years since I last chewed meat.”
“A bed… I miss my bed. I want to sleep for three days straight under a goose-down comforter…”
“Goose down? That’s nobility for you.”
“What! That’s right! I’m a noble! So what!”
“No, I mean, that sounds nice.”
The others, who had been listening quietly, chuckled. Marianne, pouting again, crossed her arms, but less than thirty seconds later, she brought up another topic.
“Seonbae. You said you spent five years in the Yuil Mountains.”
“That’s right.”
“So, you’re… twenty-three?”
“Twenty-seven.”
“Eek.”
As Marianne’s eyes widened, Hugh chuckled and poked the campfire, making the flames grow larger.
“What. Am I too old?”
“Oh, no. I was just surprised you look so young. Then what about Elwin Seonbae?”
“He’s two years older than me. Besides, we both started at the Academy late.”
“Have you two been together all along?”
“Yeah.”
Marianne smiled warmly and leaned forward. Even without adding more words, her story was captivating, drawing our attention. Marianne whispered, as if asking something very secret, “What are your dreams?”
“To become rich overnight,” Hugh replied without a moment’s hesitation.
Then, without waiting for Marianne’s answer, he continued. Hugh Benson was also from Shierun and a graduate of Shierun Academy. While he could hide his inner thoughts, he couldn’t hide his circumstances, which were recorded in the Nobility Yearbook.
“Neither of us has anyone to rely on, being orphans, and all we can really do is hunt monsters… With my temper, would I be good at running a business or anything? I just need to earn a lot while I’m young and live frugally when I’m old.”
“No thoughts of marriage?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
At Hugh’s answer, Elwin’s gaze quickly flickered to him before returning to the campfire. Only the martial artists with keen eye techniques noticed this glance, while Marianne intently studied Hugh’s lonely eyes. Hugh Benson must have felt Elwin’s gaze, but he paid it no mind, only looking at the chattering Marianne.
Marianne smiled brightly and spoke in a playful voice.
“Seonbae, you should meet a very broad-minded woman. Someone brave, who won’t get scared even if you yell at her.”
“Crazy… Why would I yell at a woman?”
“Hey, you yelled at me a lot!”
“You’re just a chick, not a woman.”
“What? Wow, I’m so speechless, really. Want to bet? Bet on it?”
“Hey, get away. You’re making my brother’s life hard enough as it is.”
Hugh shook his head, and Marianne giggled.
Everyone else let out a soft laugh, but Rubel remained quiet, so I glanced back. Rubel was fiddling with the pendant around his neck. It was the pendant containing the portrait of the Denver couple, which Hugh had entrusted to Rubel after the child had somewhat calmed down.
The pendant Rubel had worn from the beginning was gold, and the newly acquired, slightly dented pendant was silver. Seeing Rubel look sad, I pulled the child onto my shoulder and closer to me. Rubel leaned against me obediently.
A chill still lingered in a corner of my heart.
Lately, on nights when Rubel couldn’t sleep, he would sometimes tug at the corner of my sleeping bag. Each time, I would willingly open my sleeping bag and embrace him. Tonight was like that. After a wave of laughter had surged and then receded, in the dark night, I lay holding Rubel in my arms.
The single-person sleeping bag, meant for honored guests, was spacious enough for one, but when two lay in it, it was a perfect fit, bodies pressed close.
Therefore, many nights I had to stay awake with Rubel in my arms. But I never refused the child. I wanted to lessen Rubel’s sorrow even a little, and I could go days without sleep without issue.
But today was different. I was startled.
Rubel’s hand, which had crawled into my embrace, traced down my neck. Did he sense my impure thoughts? Startled, I pulled back halfway. The child, his eyes narrowed, studied my expression, then lowered his gaze again.
I made a desperate effort not to let my Adam’s apple move too much as I swallowed.
Rubel’s hand moved from my earlobe to my neck, and then lower, parting the collar of my shirt. My hand, which had instinctively gripped the child’s waist, subtly pushed away, creating space between us.
What… what was he trying to do here, right now?
I clenched my fists, afraid I might reach out and touch the child. I firmly closed my mouth into a straight line, enduring. Elwin and Benjamin were on watch. They weren’t looking this way. I glanced involuntarily towards Marianne, who was asleep.
Rubel gently rubbed his forehead against my chin and whispered softly,
“…Happy birthday, Mika.”
“…What?”
“It’s your birthday present.”
Rubel took out the locket around my neck and opened it. Then he opened his own.
One portrait of Rubel and one portrait of me switched places. Similar to the Denver couple’s, each locket held a portrait of the other.
Mine was similar. A portrait of my entire family, beautifully drawn, and a portrait of Rubel, placed facing each other, exuded a cool presence around my neck.
I had completely forgotten that the day had already arrived.
I had made a huge mistake. Heat rose to my face. Rubel, misinterpreting my flushed face, also blushed shyly and smiled softly. Embarrassed by my misunderstanding, I bit my tongue. But I couldn’t forget to express my gratitude.
“…Thank you.”
“Mhm.”
He smiled broadly. Had he been thinking this since he saw the Denver couple’s portraits?
It made me feel sad to think about it, but I was anxious, unable to press my body close to the child. Rubel, with an innocent face, buried his head in my chest and nuzzled, then smiled again, and whispered close to my ear,
“I’ll be looking forward to my birthday present, too.”
Then, without waiting for an answer, he sprang from my sleeping bag as if flying. He quickly unfolded his own sleeping bag and disappeared inside.
Left alone, I was tormented, unsure of what to do.