Saying Goodbye to My Home: Elena's Farewell

"Uuugghh!"

I pressed and closed my suitcase with all the strength I could muster. It seemed I had packed too much, making my suitcase appear overly stuffed. But... these were all important items. At least, they were important to me! (Though I wouldn't expect anyone else to think the same.)

I began dragging my heavy suitcase toward the living room. As I did, I looked around, gazing at every corner of my late mother's house, a home filled with countless memories.

Then my eyes landed on a picture of my mother hanging in the living room.

"I'm leaving, Mom!"

I said with a smile on my face.

I started walking away, leaving the home where I was born and raised. A home filled with cherished memories of my time with my mother.

'Goodbye, Mom. I, your daughter Elena Fearis, am about to embark on my adventure.'

I walked slowly, reminiscing about my life with my mother—fond memories from a life now past.

Moments later, her voice seemed to echo in my ears. Glimpses of past memories flashed through my mind.

"Elena... what are you doing!"

She was shocked to see me sneaking a piece of cake intended for dessert after dinner.

Seeing her reaction, I, a mischievous five-year-old at the time, ran off laughing. My mother chased me with her radiant smile. Eventually, she pounced and caught my tiny body. Her face ended up smeared with the chocolate cake I had stolen. We both burst out laughing. Yes... I laughed in the warm embrace of my mother.

But the last memory I have of her is filled with tears.

Several months later...

On her bed, my mother held my hands with her weakening grasp, smiling amidst her tears. She smiled even as her body writhed in pain. And she said to me,

"Elena, forgive me for leaving you behind!"

I could only cry and reply,

"No, Mom! Please don't leave me alone!"

Back then, I was just a little girl, not yet even seven years old. In front of me lay my frail mother, struggling to breathe, looking at me with deep concern. Soon, she would leave her little girl all alone. Alone to face life without her presence.

I sobbed in my mother's arms, which felt so warm. Scorchingly warm.

"Estella... don't worry too much about Elena's future. I promise to protect and care for her!"

Those were the words of Father Dante, standing behind me. He was the head priest of the Sun Temple in Toffa Village.

"Thank you, Father Dante."

Not long after, my mother's hands slipped from mine. I immediately leaped onto her, sobbing and shaking her body with all my might. Hoping she would open her eyes. Hoping that everything was a lie.

In the end, I screamed and cried my heart out...

"Mom! Don't leave me, Mom… Mom!"

That night was the most painful night of my life. Even now, I can still feel the wound deep in my heart.

Yes, Mom... I miss you so much. Why did you leave so soon? Why?

After my mother's death, the nuns and priests from the Sun Temple cared for me. Father Dante always tried to cheer me up with his antics. Over time, though it took a long while, I began to recover from the pain of losing her.

Before I knew it, my feet had carried me near the gates of Toffa Village. In the distance, I could see them waiting for me: Father Dante, the priests and nuns of the Sun Temple, the village guards, and several townsfolk who knew me. Rize and her mother were there too. Rize waved her tiny hand at me with a smile. And, of course, Ryuji Honda-san was also there.

A moment later, Rize ran toward me, leapt, and hugged me tightly. She then spoke,

"Elena-sama… are you leaving?"

She looked saddened by my departure.

I gently stroked her head and replied,

"Yes… Rize, be a good girl, okay? And never upset your mother. Can you promise me that?"

"Yes…"

She nodded her little head as she answered.

From a distance, I saw Rize's mother bow her head and send me a warm smile. I returned the gesture in kind.

Soon after, Father Dante walked toward me and suddenly embraced me tightly, beginning to weep.

"I'm sorry... Elena! Forgive me!"

Everyone watched in confusion, their faces showing curiosity. The priests and nuns lowered their heads, hiding their sorrowful expressions. Some of them even cried.

I whispered to Father Dante,

"Please, don't do this, Father Dante! You're making everyone wonder…"

"But, Elena..."

He tried to cut me off, but I continued as I looked him in the eye.

"Father Dante, I made my choice because I want to protect the happiness of the people in this village. I want to keep them smiling. And I did all of it without the slightest regret."

I held his gaze firmly.

"Please don't say anything that might make them sad. Can you do that for me, Father Dante?"

I pleaded with a gentle smile.

"Elena… you've grown to be such a strong and resilient young woman. Just like your mother, Estella."

Father Dante spoke with a look of admiration mixed with sorrow.

Yes! This was my decision. I wouldn't regret anything I had done.

I began walking away from the village gates, waving to everyone bidding me farewell. Some of them cried. Rize cried too, waving her tiny hand.

And I think… I might have been crying too. Yes, how could I not cry at a moment like this?

'Goodbye, my village, Toffa. And... I'm leaving now, Mom!'

Finally, I turned away and stepped forward to begin my journey.

---

Now, I am walking through the wheat fields at the northern border of Toffa Village. At the start of this journey, Ryuji-san and I had decided to head to the festival city of Mildiesta.

During our walk, I noticed Ryuji-san looking at me with a curious expression. Why? Could it be that he was wondering about my conversation with Father Dante?

I decided to ask him.

"What is it, Ryuji-san?"

He seemed startled and turned his face away from me. Then, after a moment, he began scratching his nose nervously and said,

"Uh… it seems like you're really close with the villagers, especially the priests and nuns at the temple."

I responded with a small smile,

"Yes… of course! I was born and raised there. And also, the priests and nuns of the Sun Temple have been taking care of me since my mother passed away."

"Your mother…?"

He looked at me, startled.

"Yes, my mother passed away when I was six years old. The priests and nuns of the Sun Temple cared for me after her passing. Especially Father Dante, who treated me like his own daughter."

I walked ahead, turned to face him, and smiled.

"That's why he hugged me while crying. He doesn't want to lose the only daughter he has."

"Ahhh!"

He nodded as if understanding everything. Then Ryuji-san chuckled. Why? Even I don't know what he found so amusing. Perhaps, to him, an old man crying over his daughter's departure was a little funny.

Yes…

It's better this way. Let it be a secret between me and Father Dante. There's no need for anyone else to know. Maybe some of the priests and nuns at the Sun Temple also know because they seemed deeply saddened when they looked at me.

But let Ryuji-san remain unaware...

I don't want him to find out. Not the truth I'm hiding. He might feel guilty, and I don't want that.

This was my choice…

The only way to save Toffa Village from the ogres' rampage that night.

So… I have no regrets.

---

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The first chapter of this story (5-7) introduces Elena Fearis and Honda Ryuji. Who are they, and what are their stories?

This is a prologue before we dive into the first arc of this tale.

So, stay tuned!