The last day

The sun was gradually setting and the moon was replacing its place. The sky was dyed in various colors of yellow, orange, green, and even purple. It looked as if a hand had randomly splashed paint on a blank paper.

The rustling of the leaves had mixed with the splashing sound of the water from the river, creating a melody that eased everyone's mind and erased their fatigue.

After picking up the last broken branch from the ground and hugging all of the firewood I had collected, I turned my head to the sky to glance at the beautiful scenery. The son was almost hidden behind the tall mountains, and the stars were appearing in the dark-blue sky one by one. Among them was a radiantly shining silver star which looked dazzlingly beautiful for some reason. For a few seconds, I was unable to take my eyes off of the star.

"What are you staring at like that?"

A soft and curious voice asked as a figure walked to my side from behind. I knew without looking that it was Alaric. Not taking my eyes off of the flickering star, I replied to him in a casual tone.

"That star."

I pointed at the star with my chin. Alaric turned in the direction I was pointing and searched the sky with his eyes.

"There are no stars there though..." He tilted his head as he mumbled before changing the subject. "The weather here is sure humid!"

Well, we are camping just outside the jungle, what did you expect?

"What are you doing out here, young master? I thought you were having dinner with the young lord?"

Alaric let out a sigh and shook his head.

"The dinner finished long ago and I came out to get some fresh air when I found you here collecting wood. It's really hot inside the tent... And also uncomfortable. I never thought it would be this hard to find some carriages for ourselves and we'd travel with the young lord for so long... I... Ah, right! Let me help you gather firewood!"

The man hurriedly pulled the pile of firewood out of my embrace and turned his back on me, walking towards the jungle to collect firewood.

'Since when had Alaric become so talkative?'

I guess having to spend a few days with Barnett was enough to make him suffocate. After all, he had to act all dignified in front of the young lord. Same here, young master. Same here.

"But I don't need your help!"

I rushed towards Alaric who was heading towards the woods, trying to stop him.

"Why? We can collect wood together!"

"...You are the son of the count. The son of a count doesn't collect firewood! I also have to collect some water, so I have to visit the nearby river as well."

The man didn't stop moving.

"Who cares about such things here and now? I'm bored so I want to do something!"

"Go read some books if you are bored!"

I snatched the pile of wood out of his hands.

"Sigh!"

Alaric had a disappointed expression on his face but he still didn't stop moving to the woods.

'Bro, stop! You are ruining my plans again!'

Why can't I just pretend to get lost in the dark of the night inside the jungle while collecting wood? Or maybe fake getting killed by the hands of some wild animal? I can even make it seem as if I saw some kind of ghost and went after it... Or maybe go inside the jungle to search for food and just disappear!

There are a lot of opportunities for me to run away tonight using this jungle, and I don't want this young man here to ruin things!

"I can collect wood by myself, young master. Plus, it's dangerous inside the jungle at night, there can be dangerous animals who can kill you with a blow, so please return to your tent."

Alaric stopped moving for a second and raised his eyebrows.

"Isn't that dangerous for you as well? You can't go there alone!"

"No, it's fine as long as I-"

"I'll go back and send Liam to accompany you!"

The young master nodded with a firm gaze.

"No, please don't!"

That's the worse thing that you can do! I can't do anything at all if Liam is around! I'll get caught without even trying out any of my plans!

"But isn't it dangerous?"

Alaric's expression of worry was not fake. He looked genuinely scared and at the same time concerned about me. By now, I was no longer surprised by these actions of his. He seemed to be a new person after he had lost his memories, someone who actually cared for the others around him.

I was suspicious of his actions at first, thinking that he might have some hidden objectives by trying to stick close to me, but it seemed that I was wrong.

The Alaric I got to know in the past few days looked rather simple. He was keeping some secrets for sure, but his actions towards the others were at least, honest.

There was also another thing about him. He purposely tried to get close to me whenever he had the chance. Again, at first, it was something strange and suspicious that the son of the count was doing such actions, but after viewing things from another perspective, they somehow made sense.

Son of the count or not, Alaric didn't carry his previous memories. That made him nothing more than an ordinary person, maybe even more vulnerable than a child. After all, he didn't know what was going on around him and was forced to act like someone who didn't remember to be.

And in such a situation, he didn't really have people whom he could trust. His sister wanted to kill him and his parents didn't have the time to worry about him. He only had his servants and his guards. The guards were out of the question. They would often hide and not show themselves to others. Ralph was a kid, Severin had betrayed him, and Ranger was an old man who he was scared of. That would only leave me the only one whom this dude could openly talk about and not get scolded or judged.

'Well, not all people need someone to talk to... For example I... I don't have a regressor body I can share my stories with... But I really want one! I want one so badly!'

The new Alaric seemed to be the type who couldn't hold themselves for too long and got attached way too fast. I could say it just by the way he acted towards the others.

'As a regressor with countless years of experience in meeting all kinds of people, I can at least say that much!'

I am pretty confident in my ability to somehow judge people... To some extent... And not all of them...

Anyway, that's not the problem right now!

"There won't be any problems if I take a safe route and come back soon. I also won't go that deep into the forest, so there is no need to worry."

"Then why can't I come with you?"

Alaric asked like clockwork with his eyes slightly sparkling.

'So he was waiting for that, huh?'

Well, I guess bringing Alaric with me is better than going inside with Liam... Also, this young master can serve as evidence as to how I got lost without a trace. This way, they won't suspect that I've run away!

"Alright, come with me, but don't wander around on your own!"

I placed the small pile of firewood beside the bonfire, picked up a bucket meant to collect and move water and a small oil lamp, and walked to where Alaric was standing beside the woods.

"I'll be punished if Ranger finds out about it..."

Alaric visibly flinched at the mention of the old man's name.

"H-he won't! Even if he does, I'll say I forced you to take me with you!"

'Do you think he can't punish you?'

I held those words to myself and decided not to ruin the mood as it was the last day I was with this young master.