Guilt

The next day, I woke up feeling refreshed and excited. While practicing with my sword, I couldn't get the previous day's events out of my mind. So, I decided to visit Yuri again. Even though I had only been there once, I already knew the way to her house, as the details along the path, like the large nearby trees, were imprinted in my memory.

As soon as I arrived, I found her carefully and lovingly tending to her rabbits, which seemed just as calm as she was.

"Hi, Yuri."

"You came back! I thought you wouldn't come again."

"Why?"

"I thought you had better things to do with your other friends."

"That… ah… they're working right now."

Working? Couldn't I have thought of something better, like studying? She'll never believe that.

"I understood."

What? She believed it? I let out a discreet sigh, trying not to show my nervousness.

"I was thinking about making some cookies for you, but I didn't know if you would come back. If you have time, I can make them quickly."

"I'd love that! I have the whole day free today."

"Great! Come in."

I followed her towards the door of her house, but soon her gaze shifted toward the direction of the capital, as if something had caught her attention.

"Do you know why it gets so noisy from that side sometimes?" She pointed toward the capital.

"You must be talking about the festival."

"Festival? What's that?" Yuri stepped closer to me, curious, her eyes sparkling with genuine interest. I took a step back, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"You've never been to the capital?"

"No, I've never left the forest."

"Why?"

"Mr. Jack and Mr. Elion said it was dangerous to leave. They promised I could go out when I got older."

Noticing Yuri's disappointment, I felt a strong urge to cheer her up. That's when an idea popped into my head.

"Let's go to the capital now, just the two of us!"

"I can't leave, I already told you."

"It's no problem! They're on a mission outside the city, they won't even notice. We'll go quickly and return before they find out."

Yuri hesitated, shifting from side to side, but after a few seconds, she looked up and finally said, "Alright, let's go!"

My excitement grew even more, and I could barely contain my anticipation to show her what lay beyond the forest.

"Wait a moment, this dress is dirty, I'll change quickly." She hurried into her house.

Soon, she came out wearing a white dress adorned with delicate embroidery and a light blue ribbon around her waist, which only enhanced her serene presence. I was speechless; the dress seemed tailor-made for her, accentuating her beauty in a captivating way.

"So, what do you think?" Yuri seemed curious as she gracefully moved, showing off her dress.

"You look wonderful…" I murmured, smiling shyly as I admired her. "Cough! Let's go!?" I started walking toward my house, trying to hide the obvious embarrassment that warmed my face.

After a short walk, we arrived at my house, which appeared grand before Yuri's curious gaze.

"This is your house? It's huge."

"Yeah. Wait here, I'll grab some money."

I rushed inside, went straight to my room, and grabbed some of the money I had saved. On my way back, I found Margery cleaning the house, her expression calm as she diligently organized everything.

"Margery, I'm going to the capital!"

"You know your father doesn't like you going to the capital."

"It's just a quick trip, I'm only going to buy some cookies."

"Alright, but come back quickly."

"Yes!" I ran toward the exit.

"Don't run inside the house!"

"Okay, sorry." I slowed my pace, though the excitement still bubbled inside me.

I figured it would be better not to mention Yuri, avoiding any chance of my father or Uncle Jack finding out. As soon as I got outside, I ran to meet Yuri.

"Let's go!" I said excitedly, starting to walk toward the capital. "Unfortunately, the festival is already over. You would have been amazed by everything."

"That's a shame, I wanted to see it too."

"We can go together next year!"

"Really? I can't wait!"

"But, some food stalls are still there. I'll show you cotton candy, it melts in your mouth, you won't believe it!"

Yuri stared at me, impressed, with a curious smile lighting up her face as I spoke, captivated by my enthusiasm.

Soon, the trees began to thin, gradually revealing the imposing capital. Yuri's eyes gleamed with excitement and fascination, unable to contain her wonder at the city's grandeur.

"So many houses… I can't even count them!"

I smiled as I walked beside her, feeling a deep joy witnessing her contagious enthusiasm.

As we entered the capital, Yuri looked around with wide, shining eyes, marveling at the grandeur of the place. However, her expression turned to slight apprehension when she noticed the dense crowd around her. For a moment, she stopped, clearly overwhelmed by the city's hustle and bustle.

"Hey, brat, move out of the way!" said a man, rudely shoving her aside.

Yuri was visibly startled, her eyes wide as she tried to steady herself, clearly unsure how to react. Anger bubbled in my chest at the sight of that scene. I firmly grasped her hand, trying to reassure her.

"Don't worry, he's just an idiot. Come on, let's go over there." I pointed toward the cotton candy stall.

When we reached the food stalls, the lively atmosphere and delicious aromas heightened her excitement even more. I felt utterly captivated by how happy and engaged she was in the moment.

"Hello, I'd like two cotton candies," I asked the vendor with a cheerful smile.

"Alright!"

Soon, he began preparing them. As he spun the wheel that formed the cotton candy, Yuri watched intently, her eyes wide with surprise, as if witnessing something magical. A small smile formed on her lips, and her shoulders relaxed as she became completely enchanted by the scene before her.

"Incredible…"

Once he finished, he handed me both. I asked her to hold them for a moment while I paid the vendor.

"Here, try it," I said as I grabbed mine, my eyes locked onto her, eager to see her reaction.

As she took her first bite, her expression of surprise intensified, and a laugh escaped me as I witnessed her delightfully genuine reaction.

"Wow! It disappeared in my mouth, and it's so sweet!"

"I told you you'd be surprised. Come on, there are other foods for you to try."

We then explored the other stalls. Yuri marveled at every new food she tasted, and I felt deeply happy seeing her delight in so many new experiences, especially knowing that she had lived her entire life in the forest.

We had so much fun that time seemed to fly without me noticing. Although I had visited the capital several times, I had never done so with a friend; it made everything infinitely more enjoyable. After a long time exploring, we decided to sit on a bench to rest.

"I'm so full, I can't eat another bite," she said, leaning back on the bench with a satisfied smile.

"Me too. So, what did you think of the capital?"

"I loved it! I never imagined it would be like this."

"If you liked it so much, we can come again."

"Really? I'd love that. Oh, and what about your other friends? Where are they? I want to meet them."

I averted my gaze, surprised by the question, and cleared my throat discreetly, trying to hide the nervousness creeping over me.

"They… They're from other villages, they're not here."

"I see… Still, today was so much fun. I've never had this much fun before, thank you for bringing me."

Her words filled me with deep happiness. I leaned back on the bench and let my eyes wander to the sky. That's when I noticed the sun beginning to set.

"Oh no, it's already late. We'd better head back. Margery is going to be furious. I hope my father and Uncle Jack aren't back yet."

"What? Elion is your father? Why didn't you tell me before?"

"I tried. Come on, let's go quickly!" I grabbed her hand, and we ran together toward the exit.

✧༺⚔༻✧

At the same time, in the north of Valoria.

Elion and Jack rode toward the village of Voltina, one of the closest settlements to the capital. Jack was visibly concerned about the time, as the sun was already beginning to set, and the night would soon envelop the path in darkness.

"Boss, we need to pick up the pace. Otherwise, we won't make it before nightfall!"

"We're close to the village. Don't worry, we still have time."

Jack nodded and refocused his attention on the road ahead. After a few minutes of riding under the golden glow of the setting sun, Elion and Jack moved forward cautiously, staying alert to any movement around them. Suddenly, a peculiar sound from the forest caught Elion's attention, and he abruptly pulled the reins of his horse. Jack, riding just behind him, also stopped.

"Boss, what is it? Why did you stop?"

Elion raised his arm in a silent signal and said, "Shh! Don't make a sound."

Elion dismounted his horse and tied it to a wooden post. He knew that investigating on foot would be quieter and make him less visible, ensuring a more cautious approach. He started walking slowly toward the forest, his senses heightened. Every step he took was meticulous and silent, he had no idea what could be lurking in the shadows. As an experienced man, he knew a single mistake could be fatal.

A few meters from the road, Elion paused for a moment, closed his eyes, and focused on the sounds of the forest. The rustling of something running nearby caught his attention, and he realized an attack was imminent.

With a massive right arm and sharp claws, a monster lunged at Elion with a fierce strike aimed at his neck. However, with a swift backward movement, Elion skillfully dodged the attack, emerging unscathed.

With his eyes locked in unwavering determination, Elion grabbed the monster by the neck with his left arm, displaying an impressive level of strength. In one quick and precise motion, he hurled the creature to the ground and, in the blink of an eye, pinned its left arm under his knee, completely immobilizing it.

The creature attempted to fight back, swinging its other arm for an attack, but Elion, with impeccable reflexes, brandished his sword and severed the limb in a single strike. Without hesitation, he swiftly spun the blade in his hand and drove the sharp tip deep into the monster's chest.

"Grrraaaagh…" The creature groaned in agony before exhaling its last breath.

As Elion remained focused, another monster suddenly emerged, rushing toward his back at full speed. Elion sensed the imminent attack but remained calm, waiting for the perfect moment to act.

The monster believed it had an easy opportunity to kill Elion, who was seemingly unaware of its presence. However, Elion knew he had nothing to fear from an attack at his rear, he had someone he could always trust to cover his back, someone always alert and ready to act.

Just as the monster prepared to strike with its claws, a sword sliced through its neck, beheading it with flawless precision, leaving not even a single stain of blood on the blade.

"Boss, what are you doing? Don't let your guard down like that! If I hadn't arrived in time, you'd be dead right now!"

Elion stood up, flicked his sword to clean off the blood, and sheathed it on his back.

"I knew you'd get here in time."

Jack slid his sword back into the scabbard at his waist, took a deep breath while scratching his neck, and then turned toward one of the fallen monsters.

"Think there are more of them?"

Elion scanned the area, carefully examining the surroundings for any signs of danger, his sharp eyes sweeping through every shadow in the forest.

"No, if there were, they would've already attacked us."

"Boss, we need to burn these creatures' bodies. We're too close to a village—if an animal drags their remains into the river, it could contaminate the water and cause disease among the villagers."

Elion observed the corpses and nodded, fully aware of the threat these dead creatures posed to the nearby settlement.

"Start preparing a fire," he instructed, pointing to a suitable spot for burning the bodies.

Jack promptly began setting up the fire, expertly tossing the creatures' remains onto the growing flames.

As the monsters' bodies burned, Elion remained motionless, his gaze fixed on the crackling fire, lost in his thoughts. Jack studied him carefully and noticed something seemed to be deeply troubling him.

"Something wrong? You've been standing there for a while."

"We have a problem."

Jack, who had been crouched down, quickly stood up, his movements revealing a growing tension.

"A problem? What problem?"

"These monsters are too close to the capital. If they invade, there will be a massive bloodbath."

"I hadn't even considered that, but you're right. We need to return as fast as possible and inform Gregory so he can reinforce the city's defenses."

"I don't think it's safe to return now, especially in this darkness. Let's keep moving toward the village and wait for the first light of dawn before heading back to the capital."

The two men mounted their horses once more and resumed their journey until they finally reached Voltina. After a well-deserved night of rest, they set off at sunrise, beginning their return trip.

"Jack, gather your family and also bring Yuri to the castle. It's not safe to stay outside the city anymore."

Jack nodded, though the tension in his face was evident, signaling the gravity of the situation weighing on his mind.

"Alright. Elion… do you think it's him?"

Elion's expression hardened for a moment, as if recalling something from the past.

"It doesn't matter who it is. We have to protect the people."

"Yeah… And what about young master Saito?"

"I'll head straight to the castle. You go to my house and grab the documents in the bottom drawer of my desk, deliver them to Gregory immediately. They contain reports on the incidents near the capital; we need to review everything now. After that, take the girls and Saito to the castle, and tell Margery to stay home until further instructions."

"Understood. I'll take care of it!"

The two galloped back toward the capital, remaining vigilant to every movement around them, but the journey remained uneventful, with no signs of immediate danger.

✧༺⚔༻✧

Saito's Point of View

It was still early in the morning, but as I stepped outside, I noticed a strong rainstorm approaching. Yesterday, I spent the whole day studying with the old man and didn't get the chance to visit Yuri. Today, even though I had planned to practice sword fighting, I decided to leave that for tomorrow because of the weather and instead go see her.

Before that, though, I figured I'd stop by the capital quickly to buy the sweets she loved so much. With that thought in mind, I ran toward the city, eager to get there before the rain started. Once I arrived, I headed straight for a small food stall.

"Hello, I'd like four chocolate and strawberry cakes, quick, please!" I glanced up at the sky; the storm clouds were closing in fast.

Not far from me, three men were sitting at a small table, drinking.

"I don't think that guy is in this kingdom anymore," one of them said.

"I agree. We searched everywhere and found nothing. A few years ago, we combed through this entire kingdom and still didn't find anything."

"I know that bastard is here. This time, he won't escape!"

"You, you're the kid from yesterday. Where's that beautiful white-haired girl that was with you?" asked the vendor as he handed me the cakes.

"She's not here."

I paid him quickly and turned to leave. But before I could start running, a deep voice called out to me.

"Hey, kid, wait up," said one of the men at the table.

As he approached, I noticed his imposing height, black hair and eyes, and the dark cloak that gave him an air of mystery.

"What do you want? I need to go fast, the rain's coming."

"Tell me, do you know someone with white hair?"

My heart raced upon hearing that. Did he know Yuri? Had he seen us? I masked my surprise and decided not to reveal anything. I stared at him directly, my gaze filled with suspicion, even more so after overhearing that conversation.

"What do you want?"

"Nothing much, I just overheard the vendor talking. I happen to know someone similar who's been searching for his family. He even has golden eyes. Maybe they're relatives."

I was taken aback by what he said. Could it be someone from Yuri's family? The thought sparked growing excitement within me.

"Yes! I know someone like that. I was just on my way to meet her now."

The man smirked.

"Well, I'll be in town until tomorrow. Can I meet this friend of yours? I'll wait near that candy stall over there to make it easier. That way, I can see if she's related to my friend."

"Sure! I'll talk to her and bring her here." I turned and started running back.

My heart filled with hope. Maybe Yuri would finally find a family member, something she had longed for in her solitude.

Upon arriving home, I noticed Uncle Jack was also just getting there, and I saw this as the perfect opportunity to ask him about Yuri. As soon as Uncle Jack dismounted his horse and headed toward the house, I waited on the stairs, watching as he approached.

"Can we talk, Uncle Jack?"

"Sorry, young master, but now's not a good time. I have urgent matters to handle. Stay home and don't leave until I return."

As I watched Uncle Jack enter the house, I felt disappointed. I wanted to know more about Yuri, but he seemed too busy to talk. So, I decided to go to Yuri's house. Looking up at the sky, I saw that the rain was about to fall, with strong winds shaking the trees intensely.

A few minutes later, I arrived at Yuri's house and found her crouching, watering her flowers with serenity. I approached carefully, so I wouldn't startle her.

"Hey."

"Ahh…" She turned, surprised. "Saito, it's you! You startled me. I don't get many visitors."

"Sorry."

"It's nothing."

I stepped closer and watched her care for the flowers with such affection. I admired how she seemed perfectly in tune with the nature around her.

"You really love these flowers, don't you? But why are you watering them if it's going to rain?"

"I told you before, they're my companions here. When I'm with them, it's like I'm not alone. I water them every day, even when it rains."

At that moment, a delicious aroma wafted from inside Yuri's house, stirring my curiosity.

"Are you cooking?"

"I'm making cookies, like I promised last time. I just need to cover the rabbits so they don't get wet. You can go inside."

"Okay! Also, look what I brought, those little cakes you liked so much."

"That's great! Come on, let's eat them with the cookies!"

She covered the rabbits with a thick leather sheet and entered the house with a cheerful smile. As soon as I stepped inside, the aroma of cookies grew even stronger, making my appetite spike immediately.

"Have a seat. The cookies are almost ready. While they finish, I'll make some tea."

I sat at the table and watched Yuri. The agile, skillful way she prepared everything mesmerized me; I observed in silence, admiring her natural grace.

"All done!"

She placed a bowl full of freshly baked cookies and a steaming cup of tea on the table. I took one of the cookies, and upon taking a bite, I was stunned by the unique flavor. I had never tasted anything so delicious before.

"Well, how are they?" She sat across from me, eagerly awaiting my response.

"They're incredible! I've never had cookies this good! Way better than the ones sold in the capital! You're an amazing cook, Yuri."

"Stop it, you're exaggerating. I've never cooked for anyone before. I'm just happy you liked them."

I decided to tell Yuri about the man who had mentioned someone similar to her. However, before I could begin, I heard birds suddenly taking flight outside, their wings fluttering in alarm. Intrigued, I stood up and walked to the window to see what was going on.

"What is it?" Yuri asked.

"Are you expecting anyone?"

"No, Mister Jack said he'd take a while to come this time."

I kept watching outside, puzzled by the birds' restless behavior, they were flying away as if fleeing from something.

Could it be Uncle Jack coming? But he seemed too busy with something important…

"If you stay standing there, your tea will get cold." Yuri took a sip of tea and bit into one of the cakes, a soft smile of satisfaction forming on her lips.

I had never heard the birds so agitated before; maybe it was just because of the approaching storm. Seeing nothing unusual and as the birds' noise faded, I chose to ignore the situation and walked back to the table.

Knock, knock!

A knock at the door echoed through the room, making me stop abruptly. A heavy air seemed to fill the space, thick with tension.

"Huh? Who could it be? Could it be Mister Jack already?"

Yuri walked past me and slowly opened the door. I stepped a little closer and saw them. The man in the center was the same one I had met in the city, but something in his eyes unsettled me, black with thin, golden slit pupils, like those of a serpent. Nothing like a normal person's eyes.

She took two steps back, visibly frightened, as fear reflected in her gaze.

"Who are you? What do you want?"

"That hair, those golden eyes… I've finally found you, the Elementalist's stone." The one in the middle stretched his arm toward Yuri.

Yuri became even more terrified. Instinctively, I ran and slammed the door shut, trying to protect her.

"Yuri, get behind me!"

I glanced around, desperate for a way out, but found none. Suddenly, the door was shattered by a powerful kick, sending fragments flying through the room.

"Take the stone!"

The other two men advanced toward Yuri, who was cornered against the wall with nowhere to run. I stepped in front of her, spreading my arms wide in a desperate attempt to protect her.

"Get out of here! If my father finds out, you're all dead!"

The man on the right let out a laugh before hitting me with a punch to the face, sending me flying near the kitchen. My head spun, and soon I started coughing up blood, pain spreading through my body.

The man on the left grabbed Yuri's head forcefully and tried to yank out her hairpin.

"Let go of me! Leave me alone!" Yuri struggled desperately.

"Hurry up and take it!" the impatient one at the door ordered.

"Yes, boss!"

Without mercy, the thug delivered a violent punch to Yuri's stomach, making her vomit and fall to her knees. Then, he ripped out the hairpin, pulling several strands of hair with it.

"Here, boss." The man who took the hairpin handed it to the leader at the door.

Holding the hairpin in his hands, an evil grin spread across his face as he admired it.

"Finally, after so many years of searching." He placed the hairpin in a small pouch, and without another word, the three men turned to leave.

"No! Give me back my hairpin!" Yuri managed to get back up and, without hesitation, ran toward the leader, pounding his back in a desperate struggle.

He grew irritated and, with a sudden swing of his right arm, hurled Yuri backward with impressive force. She crashed against the table and fainted. Helpless, I remained frozen, watching the scene in shock until, moments later, I also blacked out.

As I began to regain consciousness, I felt something cold in my hand. Looking down, I noticed it was covered in blood. Scanning the area, I saw Yuri unconscious and realized that all the blood was coming from her.

"Yuri, wake up! Come on, wake up!" I shook her body, but there was no response.

Seeing the amount of blood on my hands, I went into shock, paralyzed and unsure of what to do. Then, a familiar voice echoed, pulling me back to reality, it was Uncle Jack's voice.

"Young master, young master, what happened?"

"Uncle Jack, is that you?!" A few tears streamed down my face as I struggled to process everything that had just happened.

"Yes, it's me. When I noticed the animals acting strangely in this direction, I decided to come check. What happened here?"

"Three men showed up and attacked us. They took Yuri's hairpin, and when she tried to get it back… but… but… it's all my fault."

Uncle Jack approached Yuri and carefully placed his fingers on her neck, checking for signs of life.

"Master Saito, please listen! She's still alive, but if we don't treat this wound quickly, she won't make it."

Uncle Jack tore a piece of his cloak and fashioned a makeshift bandage to stop the bleeding, working with precision and urgency. Gently, he placed Yuri onto my back and tied a cloth around us to keep her secure.

"Young master, listen closely!" He placed his hands on my shoulders while I kept my head down. "To the north, there's a stream. Cross it and follow the road up the mountain. There, you'll find a house where a woman named Nissa lives. She'll know what to do."

Lifting my head to look at Uncle Jack, I saw his eyes burning with fury, the veins on his face bulging. I had never seen him like that before, and for a moment, I felt a chilling fear.

"Go, quickly!"

We rushed through the rain, and as I glanced at the rabbit pen, I saw them all dead, their heads scattered across the ground, blood mixing with the rainwater. I covered my mouth, feeling nausea rise and a knot tightening in my stomach. Then, Uncle Jack helped me mount his horse.

"What are you going to do, Uncle Jack?"

"That doesn't matter right now, just go!"

Without hesitation, I gripped the reins tightly and rode off toward the mountain, determined to get there as fast as possible.