She spoke.
「I came to thank you, Henry-san.」
「I see. I’ve already been thanked so many times, I’m starting to get a little tired of it.」
「Fufu. That’s understandable. Everyone is grateful to you, after all.」
Flemia smiled.
After a brief pause, she began to speak.
「I was meant to be a sacrifice to the demons.」
Flemia continued.
「I was given three years of reprieve, but after that, my fate was sealed. I was going to die. They told me that if I ran, they would kill the villagers. I couldn’t even consider escaping.」
「……」
「And today, the demons ignored that deadline and almost devoured me. But thanks to you, Henry-san, I can keep on living. I am truly grateful to you.」
As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.
She must have been relieved—relieved that she had been saved, that she no longer had to live in fear of the demons.
I listened to her words in silence.
Then, after a moment, I asked,
「Is that all you wanted to say?」
「……No.」
Flemia shook her head.
Then, she got to the heart of the matter.
「Ano… Henry-san, you’re going to continue your journey, aren’t you?」
「Yeah.」
「Then… could you take me with you?」
「……What?」
I looked at Flemia.
Her eyes were serious as she gazed at me, illuminated by the flickering bonfires.
「I don’t want to be separated from you, Henry-san. I want to spend my life repaying you.」
Flemia spoke from the heart.
「So please, take me with you. Let me stay by your side. I beg you.」
She lowered her head.
I hesitated for a moment.
Then, after some thought, I spoke.
「Listen, Flemia.」
「Yes?」
「You see me as your benefactor, but… I doubt I can be called a good person. Can you still accept that?」
「I can.」
「I show no mercy to those who stand in my way. Not just demons. Humans, elves, beastkin—it doesn’t matter. Even if you think someone is a good person, if I have a reason, I will kill them. Can you still accept that?」
「Yes. I accept you, Henry-san.」
「……I see.」
I gave my answer.
「Very well. To put it simply, I cannot allow you to come with me.」
「Eh…?」
「However—」
I paused before continuing.
「Once my journey settles down, I will return here. If, at that time, you still wish to be with me… then I will allow you to accompany me.」
The road ahead would be filled with danger.
I couldn’t take her with me.
But when things calmed down, that would be a different story.
Flemia hesitated before asking,
「Ehto… so this isn’t a final farewell?」
「That’s right.」
「……I understand.」
She nodded.
「Then, until that day comes, I will wait for you here.」
「Alright.」
I gave her my answer.
With that, our conversation came to an end.
After a brief pause, I spoke up.
「By the way, I have a favor to ask.」
「What is it?」
「I’ve been given so much food that I can’t possibly finish it all. Help me eat it.」
I gestured toward the mountain of dishes in front of me.
「Fufu… Alright. I’d be happy to.」
Flemia smiled.
Leave a Reply