Chapter 27 – No bad dream!

"Anyway, this village is the most isolated place on the eastern continent, far from Thalradia. So we should be fine," Catherine said, though her tone lacked full confidence. She pushed back her chair, standing with a determined look. "I'll check on Aegis Wardstone's status. You must be tired, though. Get some rest."

I rubbed the back of my neck and sighed. "I'm sorry. I guess I'm such a night owl."

Catherine gave a soft chuckle, her lips curving into a reassuring smile. "No… I mean, it's normal for your folk, isn't it? The night feels more like home for you."

Her comment caught me off guard, but I quickly nodded, trying not to overthink it. "Ah, right. Maybe that's it," I murmured, my cheeks warming slightly. Then I remembered the promise I made earlier. "Um… I… promised to have dinner with someone at Lisa's place this evening. Is… is that okay?"

Catherine tilted her head slightly, her brow raising just a bit. "That girl, huh?" she said, her smile teasing. "I don't see why not. The village is rather lively at night, and it's good for you to bond with the others."

"Hey, Catherine. You're a witch, right?" I asked, my voice hesitant as I watched her tilt her head slightly, her witch hat shifting with the motion. "Is there magic… that can heal heart problems?"

Catherine let out a long, weary sigh, the kind that carried centuries of weight.

"I can't," she said, her voice soft and tinged with regret. She offered a weak smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm not skilled in spatial magic, nor am I a priestess gifted with healing magic. I'm just… a retired witch, living quietly on this hill near the village, spending my immortality in peace."

"I see…" I murmured, my voice barely audible as a faint shudder ran through me.

Her eyes darkened slightly as she looked at me, her gaze piercing. "I know what you're getting at," she said quietly. "I've lived for far too long. Long enough that I've lost any sense of innocence I once had. People come and go, living and dying, while to me… a generation passes in the blink of an eye."

Her words were heavy, and the room seemed to grow quieter with every syllable.

"I'm sorry," she continued, her voice steady but laced with an ache that only time could forge. "I'm not a good person, Mashiro. My empathy wavered a long time ago. Even now, the only reason I try to mediate the conflict between the humans and elves is purely selfish. I just want to keep my peace here… to live undisturbed."

"I'm sorry," I said softly, the words slipping out before I could think of anything else. They felt inadequate, but they were all I had.

Catherine didn't respond immediately. She simply gazed at me with those tired, ancient eyes, a faint, almost imperceptible smile tugging at her lips.

After all, I was just a 19-year-old college girl not so long ago. What did I know about living for centuries, about watching people come and go like seasons changing? I wasn't sure what I was supposed to feel about her words—pity? Admiration? Fear? Or maybe just the simple, aching loneliness that hung in the air around her like an invisible shroud.

The silence between us stretched, heavy but not uncomfortable. I shifted awkwardly, my hands brushing the edge of the table. Part of me wanted to offer something—comfort, perhaps—but what could I possibly say to someone who had seen and endured so much?

"I'll go to sleep," I said, my voice tinged with weariness.

Catherine gave a small nod, her expression softening. "I'll wake you up early in the evening," she replied, leaning back in her chair. "Oh, and I need to buy a few things in the village. We can head down together if you don't mind."

A faint smile crept onto my face, her offer bringing a small sense of comfort. "I'd like that," I murmured. "Goodnight, Catherine."

She waved a hand lazily, her witch hat slightly tilting as she leaned her elbow on the table. "Goodnight, Mashiro. Sweet dreams."

I smiled at her goodnight, though deep down, I doubted I'd have much luck dreaming tonight. Still, the thought of seeing Furukawa in my dreams brought a flicker of determination. This time, if she showed up, I wouldn't let her off so easily. I'd wrestle her down for answers—no cryptic remarks or dodging my questions. Just the truth.

With that thought in mind, I headed to my room, feeling the weight of the day settle in. Even if sleep didn't come peacefully, I'd at least try to face it head-on.

❦ ❦ ❦

"Wake up, my apprentice," Catherine said softly, her voice warm as she smiled down at me.

I blinked groggily, rubbing my eyes as I sat up. The room was dim, and the window framed the dark hues of early evening. Catherine was in her usual witch outfit, looking as composed as ever.

I yawned lazily, glancing around. One thing was missing. "Huh… no Furukawa?" I muttered to myself, half in relief, half in confusion.

"You look absolutely adorable when you sleep," Catherine teased, leaning in slightly. "Especially with that butterfly hovering over your head."

My hand shot to my hair, patting around as I looked for any sign of the butterfly she mentioned. But there was nothing. Then it clicked—the Swallowtail Butterfly skill. Maybe it really did appear when I slept, silently guarding me. Could it have been the reason Furukawa didn't show up this time?

But… wait. I paused, the fog of sleep starting to clear as fragments of my dream surfaced. I did see Furukawa last night, but not as her college-aged self. It was her high school form, like a memory misplaced and dragged into my dream. The pieces didn't quite fit, and the more I thought about it, the more tangled my thoughts became.

Catherine tilted her head, watching me with mild curiosity as I frowned. "What's wrong? Lost in thought?" she asked.

"Just… nothing," I said quickly, shaking off the confusion. I pushed those thoughts aside and climbed out of bed, readying myself for the night ahead. Whatever my dreams were trying to tell me, I didn't have the energy to untangle them now. "Did you finish checking out the Aegis Wardrobe thingy?"

"Wardstone," Catherine corrected with a slight roll of her eyes. "And yes. The one at the heart of the forest is broken. Some dragon probably smashed it because someone didn't do her job properly."

"Sophia wouldn't do that… probably?" I tilted my head, genuinely uncertain. "Wait, are you two close?"

Catherine let out a deep sigh, brushing a strand of her crimson hair behind her ear. "More or less. We were in the same adventurer party more than 300 years ago. We still keep in touch."

"Really? I didn't think you'd still talk to her." I blinked, surprised.

"She's… persistent." Catherine's lips went into a faint smirk. "While I retired here, Sophia's been hopping from one job to another all over the world. She can't seem to stay in one place for long. And now, after failing to catch those nobles in the act of trading slaves, she immediately moved on to babysitting dragons."

"Catching nobles?" I tilted my head, curiosity getting the better of me.

Catherine sighed, adjusting her witch hat as she stood. "After the reports of elves being sold as slaves got out, many nobles fled the kingdom to avoid scrutiny. Sophia was chasing after them, trying to catch them in the act, but they're slippery. She couldn't catch them all."

"I see…" I mumbled, processing her words. It felt surreal, like something out of a tragic tale.

"Anyway," Catherine said briskly, breaking the heavy atmosphere as she grabbed her staff and slung a small bag over her shoulder. "We need to get going. The village doesn't stay lively forever, and I still have errands to run."

I nodded, quickly adjusting my clothes. "Right. Let's go."

Catherine and I descended the hill together under the gentle glow of the evening sky. The setting sun painted the clouds in hues of amber and lavender, and the cool breeze carried the faint scent of wildflowers and earth. Catherine walked gracefully, her witch's hat tilted just slightly, her long red hair swaying as she carried a small pouch in her hand.

"So, this is where I ask if you're nervous," Catherine teased lightly, her voice cutting through the quiet.

"N-nervous?" I stammered, glancing at her. "It's just dinner…"

Catherine smirked knowingly. "Dinner with someone. I saw how you hesitated earlier when you asked for permission."

My cheeks flushed. "It's not like that! It's just—Scheon's kind, and I feel bad for running off on him before."

Catherine hummed, her smirk deepening. "Of course, of course. I'm just teasing. You're blushing, though."

"I am not!" I shot back, turning my head away to hide my embarrassment. She chuckled softly, the sound warm and slightly mischievous.

As we reached the base of the hill, the village began to come alive with the chatter of merchants and villagers wrapping up their day. Lanterns were being lit, their soft, golden glow illuminating the cobblestone streets. The faint aroma of grilled meat and freshly baked bread wafted through the air, making my stomach grumble faintly.

We approached Lisa's inn, which stood at the heart of the village, its warm light spilling out from the windows.

"Well, here we are," Catherine said, stopping just short of the entrance. "I'll leave you to it. I have my own errands to run. Enjoy your date."

"It's not a date!" I exclaimed, the heat rushing back to my face. Catherine laughed, waving a hand dismissively.

"Relax. Just enjoy yourself. Lisa's food is good, and the company doesn't seem too bad either." With a wink, she turned and walked away, her silhouette disappearing into the growing twilight.