Aftermath (2)

"Do you require comfort, Andre?"

Andre shuddered as his ears picked up the voice's offers. Turning his head around—Andre saw Elena approaching him casually—her face remaining neutral as always. Not even a hint of exhaustion, nor grief could be picked up by her expression.

"No…it's alright. Thanks for the offer though." Andre spoke in a low voice—still suppressing his tears from leaking out.

"...I shall head somewhere else for now. It is alright…if you wish to let it all out. Everyone has a moment of weakness, and we should never be ashamed when that time comes."

Elena's words struck Andre's heart deeply. By the time she disappeared in the words—tears rushed out uncontrollably from his eyelids—dripping onto Jacob's grave as he mourned his death—bawling his heart out as he poured all of the bottled up emotions he had.

Each and every single heart-wrenching sound that escaped from Andre's throat echoed throughout the environment, yet the children remained asleep—oblivious to Jacob's demise.

After what seemed to have been an eternity, Andre's cries came to a halt at last. He looked down at Jacob's grave one more time before praying—something he has never done before in his life.

'God…if you can hear me…can you please treat my wife…and friend with the utmost care? They…shouldn't experience anymore pain…So, please…give them the rest they truly deserved.'

…

"Uhm…where are we heading…?" Tain asked innocently—holding Elena's waist as she mounted their horse.

Behind Tain was none other than Alice—sleepy and unable to comprehend his words. Meanwhile Andre walked beside them at a leisure pace as he wanted to lessen the horse's burden of having four people riding it.

"...I myself am uncertain. We are lost, and that is a fact. But this is the only solution that has a chance of letting us encounter a village or something similar. After all, rivers have been known to be a vital spot for a village as it is essentially their water source. For the moment, simply hope for the best, Tain."

"O-okay…"

As the group continued marching onwards—they soon came across what appears to be an abandoned wooden cabin located just a few meters away from the riverside.

The structure reeked of a putrid scent that caused even the likes of Elena to instinctively pinch her nose. Nevertheless, the pungent smell was quickly distinguished by skeletal remains laying besides a chest while gripping onto a worn-out iron sword.

"T-this feels like forbidden territory…" Tain muttered fearfully.

Elena dismissed his concerns as she opened box without hesitation—discovering a few gold coins of foreign countries, a broken iron sword, and a creased envelope.

"Currency from Cuglor? Aren't they very far away from here?" Andre asked.

"Correct. For someone who has been trapped at your hometown since childhood, you know more than how you come off. Regardless, the previous occupant may or may come from Cuglor. That's the only explanation I have."

"I guess so too…So, we will be staying here for some times or…are we going to search for another place."

"Here."

"Can you tell me why?"

"...Assume that we does somehow manage to encounter a village, which is already highly unlikely, we also have the possibility of being deemed as enemies than allies. Think for your village for instance. They treat their own with the utmost kindness, but a mere stranger would be instantly assassinated without any regards."

"I-I guess you are right…Alright, we will stay here for the time being. Oh, and Elena. There are some questions I want to ask you later if you don't mind."

…

"Argh! You! I'll get you next time!" Tain shouted—presently playing with Alice at the river, splashing water to one another without a single care in the world.

"Hahaha! Do your worst, Tain!" She responded as she splashed at him again—wetting his entire body even more than before.

At this very moment, Tain felt…rejuvenated. He—having seen his beloved brother dying in his arms, his cherished home going up into flames, along with the sacrifice his teacher had made for his sake—weighed him down mentally. Thus, to be able to simply play without any worries caused a grin to be etched onto his face throughout the entire time.

"Look at them. So cute…if only the world was…just a bit more kind to us." Andre spoke bitterly.

"...Regrettably, this is merely how the world function. There are ups and downs, and all of us will experience them one way or another. So…what do you wish to talk to me about now, Andre?"

"...Elena, what are you exactly? Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful to you for saving me and my daughter. But…I don't want to be tricked again. So, I want you to be truthful to me. Who are you and how did you end up here?"

"I see…I suppose it is time I reveal everything I know. Once more, I will introduce myself to you, Andre. I am Elena Befallen Tiars, a swordmaster and the fourth daughter of the Sword King."

"...Huh? W-what!?!?!" Andre screamed in shocked. Due to the limitations of venturing beyond the village—Andre have only heard tales of swordmasters—those granted the ability to manipulate an ethereal force known as aura.

"N-no way! You're a swordmaster!?"

"Correct. It may sound like a lie, but I can assure you, it is in fact the truth and nothing more."

Andre was baffled by the unexpected revelation—but soon, anger surge through his heart as he pondered about certain things.

"I see…then-" Andre grabbed her collars as he pushed her against a tree. "Why did you not save my village?" His voice tinged with pure hatred.

"Andre…"

"Why did you not do anything to save them!? You're a swordmaster! You're strong! Stronger than me! So, why the hell did you not try to save my village!?"

"...Forgive me, Andre. But I too, have my own reasons. You can hate me for as long as you wish to. Until you're no longer enraged. If that is still not enough, you may inflict pain onto me if that can make your anger subside."

Her expression remained neutral throughout the entire time. However, a tinge of sadness and remorse could be perceived beneath those dull eyes of her—causing Andre to rethink his next decision.

"...Forget it." He said as he let her go.

"Instead, promise me that my daughter will be safe. This is the payment I want in return."

"Certainly."

…