Ashes (5)

The atmosphere is serious.

Even Vittorio, sitting on the wagon and wiping away his tears, looks wide-eyed as the downpour eases and the clouds clear, letting light pour down from the sky.

"I promised to make sure you wouldn't lose even the few things you have, but since I couldn't keep that promise, isn't it my fault?"

As I reflect on the memory, I recall that it was something we talked about when we were alone in my room. This kid might not have the concept of empty words in his vocabulary. I hoped that the sudden change in weather wasn't just a director's ploy and, feeling a bit awkward, I helped him to his feet.

"Enough of that. Get up. You were planning to take a lot more from me before you started talking about taking responsibility, weren't you? I guess you've forgotten that you're still a 'young master.'"

"Oh."

Only then did Leonardo open his mouth in a foolish way. He gritted his teeth, realizing that his body, which had been looking pretentious and lacking substance, was actually that of a well-bred young master, something he had completely forgotten. He really is careless in strange ways. I playfully tapped his forehead and added, 

"And right now, we have something more urgent to deal with."

Leonardo raised his head, avoiding the knee he had bent before, and asked, 

"Urgent matter?"

"Yeah. It means we can't stay in Sinistra any longer. If we stay put, we'll just become targets for those creatures. Meanwhile, we'll be getting worn out."

Even though we had cleared the immediate threat at the church, those things were still swarming beneath the city. It's not like we can rely on the writers for help at any time, and as long as trials are inherent to heroes, staying in Sinistra like this is no different from hugging a ticking time bomb.

I picked up a bit of ash with my hand and let it slip away with the wind.

"It's time to leave this place."

I wondered if I could build another inn wherever we ended up. This time, it might not be something the world conveniently offers, but something I'll have to seek out myself.

"Maybe this time, Count's territory would be nice."

Leonardo stood quietly beside me, observing me intently.

"Is that a prophecy?"

Come to think of it, this guy had me firmly mistaken for a "messenger." 

Well, in some sense, I do seem to hold some utility for both the main author and the assistant writer, and they support the protagonist, Leonardo. So perhaps he wasn't entirely wrong. 

For now, I chose to remain silent.

Since the assistant writer, Orlie, had mentioned going to the Count's territory, a slight shift in perspective could make it a divine revelation, but constantly bringing that up would seem rather pretentious.

Leonardo, accustomed to my silence, pressed on with another question. 

"Am I going to be included in that journey too?"

Technically, it was more his journey as the protagonist, and I was merely inserting myself into it. Now that the inn had burned down, I had shed the role of a minor character tied to Sinistra and could head to another stage. I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood, and then asked him slyly, 

"Why, don't you want to?"

"Of course not."

Leonardo simply denied it and started rummaging through the ashes, looking for anything salvageable, while I approached Vittorio. 

Before I could even speak, Vittorio, unaware that the blanket I had draped over him had fallen, ran over and asked, 

"You guys… are leaving?" 

"I see you heard."

"Just the part about leaving."

I wanted to explain calmly, but how should I put it? While I was choosing my words, Vittorio looked at me with desperation in his eyes.

"If you leave, when will you come back?"

I didn't know. Perhaps sensing my hesitation, Vittorio's expression faltered. I had been thinking about the street kids, and I didn't want to leave without a plan for them. So, I needed a way to establish a living foundation here…

"I—"

Vittorio reached out and grabbed my sleeve.

"If there's anything I can do to help— I… I will."

Leonardo walked over, the sound of his heavy footsteps approaching from behind. He dropped a sack of charred potatoes onto the ground and looked at Vittorio. Vittorio whispered to us, 

"Can I still be useful?"

His voice trembled.

"That person who took me away said I was a 'discerner,' and if that can help, I'll use it for you. I'll study writing harder for you. And I'll train…"

I found myself momentarily at a loss for words. Vittorio hesitated for a long time before lifting my outstretched hand to his cheek, pressing his small face against my palm. 

Leonardo quietly asked, "What about your friends?"

It wasn't an accusatory or mocking tone; it was simply a straightforward inquiry about what he had been thinking. After a moment of hesitation, Vittorio turned to the round-headed street kid who always followed him, wearing a resolute expression.

"…I'll learn more and get stronger, so I can come back. I'll be able to sort out this wandering life."

I waited quietly to see how the round-headed kid would react to that. Instead, the child looked at me. The kid alternated glances between Vittorio and me, then tightly grasped Vittorio's hand.

"I'll wait for you."

When Leonardo patted Vittorio on the back, he turned to see familiar street kids peeking from around the corners. This place was home to many individuals who, like orphans who lost their parents to the erosion ten years ago, had been dismantled in a similar manner and formed communities to survive. So, our journey together wasn't an unfamiliar concept. I took hold of Vittorio's hand, and he didn't let go.

I felt a bit guilty for having to muster up courage first, but there was no other way. After hesitating for a while, I finally spoke.

"From now on, it'll be the three of us."

Upon hearing that, Vittorio threw his arms around me. As that moment of warmth and camaraderie passed, I began to think about getting ready to leave. It was then that an alarm, audible only to me, sounded in this street.

[The waiting time has expired, and a new scenario note has been assigned.]

Take 1. The Streets of Sinistra (Day/Outdoors)

After clearing the small village that nearly succumbed to erosion, the streets are in disarray. Baron Roald, armed and determined, moves through the area, inquiring about the recent incidents.

Baron Roald: (Inner thoughts) "Though Sinistra is a free city, it ultimately belongs to the Count's domain, so it's right to report this."

Baron Roald: "Is this where the monster first appeared? I should ask the church about the situation and then report to the Count… Hm?"

Baron Roald spots Leonardo standing in front of the inn's ruins.

Baron Roald: "What is this, Lord Ertinez?"

Believing he has found the runaway "Leonardo Ertinez," Baron Roald attempts to take him back to the Count's estate, leading to a struggle between the two.

Take 2. North Gate of Sinistra (Day/Outdoors)

Leonardo finds himself caught in a predicament under the watchful gaze of the Baron, who is now blocking his escape.

Baron Roald: "It's best to give up on fleeing, Lord Ertinez."

Forced back on the road to his family estate, Leonardo is reluctantly led toward El Dante, the Count's residence.

Leonardo: (Inner thoughts, with a sigh) "I never expected to be dragged back to the 'Ertinez' family like this."

Main Characters: Leonardo, Baron Roald

Scenario Clear Condition: [Baron Roald takes Leonardo and leaves Sinistra.]

It was a scenario note that Orlie had hinted at in advance.

Someone approached the street.

A middle-aged man, well-dressed and accompanied by a few attendants, appeared. He was clearly no ordinary extra, as he was properly armed. The man, sporting a well-groomed mustache, surveyed the street and muttered.

"Thank you for your assistance in the cleanup, Baron Roald."

"Not at all. This place is under the jurisdiction of the Count, so it's only natural for a vassal and knight to help. By the way, is this where the monster first appeared? I should ask the church about the situation and then report to the Count… Hm?"

In that moment of hesitation, I instinctively used on the man before me.

[Accessing information for the designated entity.][Viewing information.]

Rank: Minor Character (Scenario Weight: 11.00%)

Role: Baron Roald

Script: [A vassal of the Count of Ertinez, currently a knight appointed by the Count, with a principled character and deep loyalty.] 

[Built a mansion in Sinistra for his wife's recuperation, and after her passing, periodically visits Sinistra during the blooming season of roses to retreat in the mansion.] 

[While staying in Sinistra, he hears rumours about the recently famous 'Leonardo (Leovald)'.] 

[Captures the runaway Leonardo and sends him back to the Count's castle.]

Dialogue: "What is this, Lord Ertinez?" / "It would be best to give up on escaping."

The name of the individual was familiar to me.

He was the owner of the White Rose Mansion, where Leonardo and I often visited. As I quickly scanned the information window, the middle-aged man trembled his mustache and exclaimed.

"What is this, Lord Ertinez?"

It seemed that the transfer to the Earldom of Ertinez was going to occur in the form of capturing the runaway young master and forcibly sending him back.

'Hmm, wait a minute. But if only Leonardo is being taken…'

Isn't this a situation that doesn't involve me and Vittorio?