Chapter 10: Delmion's 'precious'

"Well. What do we have here? Is that a boy I see?" Hail asked with a bright smile.

"Cut the innocence. I know just how many centuries old you are and what act you were going to do just now." Delmion's furious gaze, although not directed at her, sent a chill down Estacia's spine.

"D-Delmion? What is it? He was just... giving me the key."

Estacia didn't intend to stammer but her words gave her out. She was quivering. During the amount of time she had spent with him, such an aggravated face was never seen by her.

"The key? Do you even realize what you're saying? Only one person can retrieve the key to the Millainean flower! The power he was giving you can only be utilized by you and for your needs! The secrets that will be revealed to the retriever must never! Never be said to anyone else! So even if you found out what secret I wished to know, you won't be able to tell it to me!"

Delmion breathlessly said these words. He was gasping for breath. Sweat was evident all over his face.

Estacia stared wide-eyed at the marine haired boy. He looked exhausted, as if he was clinging to his only life source.

'Why is it so important to him anyways?' Estacia thought.

What is this precious thing that Delmion desires? To the point where he can even follow a stranger in hope to find it.

Estacia never knew that there would ever be person who will go this far for something.

She herself pondered,

'Why did I help him? Why did I help Sherwind? Just why did I come this far...for someone I don't even know well...'

Her chain of thoughts shattered when she heard a clap.

Hail clapped his hands loudly, as if praising Delmion.

Delmion didn't hold back his glare and disgust.

"Wow! What a smart kid! But I must say, not everything you think is correct ,child." Hail said with an eerie look.

"The key isn't something that can be handled by anyone. The person must be chosen by me or at least be eligible enough to carry it. Especially not to a boy who recklessly shoots an arrow in between an important ritual." A smirk appeared on Hail's face who was currently in the form of a child.

"So in other words, you're nothing but a nobody." Hail's words entered Delmion's ears.

A hazy memory replayed inside his mind.

"My! How can such an insolent child ever wield the greatest power?" An unfamiliar voice said.

"I can't believe he's one of their descendants." Another laughed.

"He's just any ordinary human, useless."

"Of course, he can't even be compared to our powerful -"In other words.."

The cruel and heart wrenching statements continued to flow in his head.

"He's nothing. Just a nobody!" Voices of different genders covered Delmion's ears. Tears threatened to fall.

A blurry scene of the young Delmion could be seen. He was crouching, shivering, tears flowed down his rosy cheeks.

He was alone. All alone.

"Hey! Why are you crying? Are you okay?"

Suddenly, a cute and melodious voice of a girl was heard. Delmion looked up. The bright light shone on the girl's face.

"I-I'm nothing...I'm just a nobody.." The tiny boy sniffled and muttered to the girl.

"Don't look at me with those warm eyes...please...they don't deserve to see such a horrible being"

"What are you saying?" The little girl giggled.

"You're not horrible. You're beautiful! We can't see a nobody! But I can clearly see your shiny eyes and hair that looks just like a lagoon!"

Delmion stopped shivering, he looked at the girl.

No. She wasn't a girl. She was a Goddess.

The girl smiled brightly,

"You look really special! So then, shall we go and play my-"

The words were unheard.

That moment, Delmion swore that he will protect her. His only light. The only one who didn't judge him on his looks. The first person to call him beautiful. The first person to smile at him and...his precious Goddess.

Delmion's bittersweet memories flew through his head. He can't just sit there. He mustn't utilize and waste more time. He had to find her. No matter the cost.

As he proceeded to rise up, a voice was heard.

"What do ya mean he's a nobody, ya old freak. I can clearly see him standing right in front of me! We can't see a nobody but I can clearly see his beautiful features!"

Estacia's voice harmonized with that of Delmion's goddess. They almost said the exact same words...

As if both of them had similar thoughts.

"Ouch! I feel bad Esty...how could you say such cruel words to me." Hail put on a pitiful act and a fake tear escaped his right eye.

"Who are you calling Esty?" Estacia pulled his ear and twisted it.

Hail whimpered for real this time.

"E-Estacia.." Delmion was looking at Estacia. He didn't have the indifferent look that he mostly had. This look was different.

"You know Delmion. My wish is to fulfill your needs. So even if I have to leave this island for your treasure...I will certainly do so. I don't wish to stay at a place where I'm not acknowledged. I think it will be much better to enjoy a life where I'm not being eyed." Estacia smiled and said these words to Delmion.

"W-what are you.." Delmion stammered. He completely understood what she meant...but throwing away her life for something as trivial as his needs. He shouldn't let her do this.

Mustering all the courage that he was left with, Delmion opened his mouth to speak the words. The words that will stop her but it was too late.

Estacia smiled a dazzling smile, "From this day on. Your needs are my needs. I will travel with you. I will help you find your 'precious'. Although I may be incompetent, as long as I could be free, I am desiring to do anything."

The cold wall surrounding Delmion's heart shattered. Freedom. Yes. It's a beautiful thing. But sadly, not everyone has the opportunity to experience it.

If Estacia is willing to help him and leave behind her current life so very bravely, then Dlemion will, without a doubt, make her desire for freedom come true. He will grant her the freedom she wishes for.

"Thank you...thank you so much Estacia." Tears threatened to fall from his eyes. He was overcome with various emotions. Joy, sadness, nervousness, anger and guiltiness for what he had done.

Estacia stood unfazed and proceeded to look at Hail.

"What are you waiting for? Go ahead and give me the key or the power as you would say." (Estacia)

Hail smiled.

"Y..u w... ..ve.. ch..n..e." He muttered as softly as a feather brushing past a smooth paper.

The words didn't reach her ears completely but in broken parts.

She gave a questioning gaze to Hail, not understanding what he said.

Hail smiled and shook his head, denoting her to ignore the words.

Estacia did not question his gesture and looked at her hand.

His hand was right over hers and a smile hovered on his face.

A thin stream of light erupted from his hands and reached Estacia's hand.

It easily seeped into her hand and warmth began to flow throughout her body.

As soon as it did, some bizarre memories played through her head.

No. They were not memories. They were hints!

Hail retreated his hands.

"Well. That's about it. Also, all the best for your trip!"

"What about you? Are you going to keep staying here?" Estacia asked.

"Hm? Of course not! I'm coming with you guys." Hail smiled brightly.

Delmion looked at him with a disgruntled face.

Estacia made a shocked face.

Sherwind was sweating and made a tired face.

They all looked at Sherwind.

"What?! You forget about me and now you finally realize that I exist! Do you know how difficult it was to fly here!" Sherwind screamed.

Estelle chuckled and burst out laughing and Delmion averted his gaze to avoid Sherwind's glare.

"A fairy?" Hail looked at Sherwind with a dubious face.

"But wasn't it 'that' season?" He murmured in a voice that one could not hear...except Sherwind. She cautiously glanced at Hail and saw him smiling.

He knew it. Her secret.

"W-When are we going to get out of hear! This place is suffocating me!" She yelled in her tiny voice that only increased the laughter of Estacia and Delmion.

Estacia walked towards Hail and extended her hand .

"Well, looks like we will be travel buddies. After all, the more, the merrier!" She grinned and held Hail's hand.

Hail said with a smile," Yeah, just so you know, I'm not really that easy to take care of."

"Who even mentioned that we are going to take care of you? You'll take care of yourself!" Estacia demanded.

"Yeah. I'll take care of myself....and you as well." The last words were not heard of.

Hail used his enchantment magic and transported them back to where they had left.

Together they went back to the cottage.

Sherwind avoided Hail's gaze.

Delmion's gaze followed Estacia.

Together, they will experience an adventure that none of them had experienced before.

There may be heartbreaks.

Secrets will unfold.

Truth will be found.

There may also be betrayals...

but it's up to fate. They won't know their future. However, no-matter the obstacles, they will overcome it.

After all....That is what life is about before the eternal sleep.

Smiles or tears. It doesn't matter. Because no region experiences the same climate forever.

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