Off to a new start.

Rumie had her bicep against my name as the rest of her arm coiled around me. It wasn't in companionship or romance. She was just so battered that it was impossible for her to walk on her own. With her body against mine, we started to move towards where Vivi and Anino were.

The town was in shambles, but a decent portion of its citizens was still alive. Injured, yes. But alive.

"What are you- ah... Going to do after this? As eager as you are to take revenge, I am in no shape to help you out." Rumie was gasping for breath between every word. "Not to mention, I doubt that Anino girl would want to be anywhere near me."

"Just shut up and get better. I'm giving you three days. If you don't get well by that time, I'll let the monsters have their fill of you. And as far as Anino is concerned, I'm not taking her with me." I didn't particularly want Rumie's company, she tried to kill me after all. But this was a cooperative relationship we had going on.

For a minute Rumie did not reply then-

"Eh?! That's surprising. I didn't think you were the type to abandon a helpless girl."

Couldn't tell if she was talking about Anino or herself. If those words were aimed at herself, I didn't need to justify myself. Abandoning Rumie was a matter of course, had we not had colliding interests, I would have done so already.

Anino on the other hand stole some of my pity. Her being abandoned by her family created a soft spot in my heart for her. She got backed into a corner with no choice but to die just like myself.

And that was precisely why I would have to leave her behind.

My future was slathered with constant danger, and the main villains of my story were the people who decided to bring her harm in the first place, Luoris.

So I must leave her behind for her own sake. I wasn't going to base my whole life around her. I had to move forward. The fact that 'forward' would only bring her harm was not on me.

This town was not the safest place, but it would be safer than barging into the lion's den like what I was about to do.

As the smoke cleared the corner of the town became clear. And within that corner shone bright red hair hanging from the tree. Vivi was covering for Anino as they both were balled up defensively.

"Vivi." I called as I laid Rumie on the ground next to the tree.

"El?"

"Yeah, it's me. Everything's fine now, you can come down. Take Anino with you too."

They slowly climbed down the bald tree. All the leaves seemed to have been burnt down.

"There were these crazy rabid little beasts down here a minute ago." Vivi started spouting in her usual crude tone. "And- and these crazy adventurers too. The hell even was that?!" She was more agitated than curious.

I had her answers too.

Well, the beasts would be my summons and the adventurers Luoris, but the situation was too big of a hassle to try to explain.

"Well, seemingly both are dead now. So it's fine." I copped out from giving the full answer.

And Vivi seemed to have taken my word for it. Anino on the other hand was still half dazed as if she had witnessed death and come right back.

"What were you doing for this long?" Vivi finally asked.

In response, pointed at the bottom of the tree.

"WHOA- WHAT THE FUCK IS SHE DOING HERE?!" Vivi took the defensive stance as Anino cowered behind her.

"Don't worry, she won't do anything, more like she's not in the state to do anything."

Rumie shrugged her shoulders. But even that left a bitter painful expression on her face.

"What did you hold her captive for? Torture?"

"Shut up. I'm not that kind of guy."

It was Vivi's turn to exercise some silence.

"Then the fact that you have her here is because she has some use to you now." Vivi's intonation rose up as if she was asking. "If she is of some use to you, that must mean that you have a goal behind this town now."

"Yeah, I'm going back to Rottheim."

Vivi's expression got heavy and then suddenly reverted to a smile. As if she was looking forward to it all.

"We came out all this way for nothing then." She tried to sound against it but I could practically hear her blood pump.

"I wouldn't say that, we came back to deliver Anino."

"W-wait am I not coming with you?" The girl young finally decided to peak from behind Vivi's back. Calling her young was weird. She wasn't that much younger than me.

"No, you probably know the reason too." I broke it to her. Anino dejectedly looked down on the ground. "Anino, there are two women who live in the town. We met them a while ago."

"Your mother and your sister?" Wait I never clarified that-

"How did you kno-"

"Y-you were showing a face only someone who got their life turned upside down showed." We really were alike after all.

"You are correct. My mother and sister." They weren't the most trustworthy of people, but after a lot of thinking, this was the only conclusion I could draw. I didn't know any other people I could entrust Anino to. The safest place she could be would be next to them. And for that, I bet on those two feelings even the slightest bit of guilt towards me.

Even if they did reject her, Anino could always pose as an orphan. As bad as the church was, they would have to take her in to maintain their image.

"They are still where you saw them, I want you to meet them and tell my sister that she doesn't need to take care of my field anymore. And that she should focus on taking care of you instead." This would trip her feelings up, right?

"Okay." Anino said, while still looking at the ground.

"Vivi, you should start off by carrying Rumie to the plateau outside. I'll start plundering for some food."

"Alright."

"And Anino, I know this is sudden, but this will probably be the last time that we meet." I had no obligations toward her. I took care of her of my own free will, and she was old enough to survive in this world. "It would be bad if someone recognised me here, or if any remaining Luo-" Eh they were all probably dead.

As soon as I was about to finish, Anino bent her head forward. She was bowing so deeply that her hair flipped over her head and her nape was visible.

"THANK YOU!" She shouted in all sincerity.

And I didn't have any words left. Til now all that I had ever been thanked for were little chores. I could feel the entire weight of her life behind her gratitude. And since this was all borne of my self-interest I didn't expect something like this in the first place.

I felt my neck choke up but I pushed through- "Live a good life."

Those words were cheesy but that was all I could think of as I left ahead.

"I don't know about that guy, but I'll definitely see you again!" Vivi shouted as she ruffled her hair.

"Bye! Be safe!"

"You too!"

And then our little alliance disbanded. We left towards a new destination. A new start.