Ch.5Preparing to Part Ways (1)

My body, which had been so damaged that it was more surprising I was still alive, was recovering day by day.

This miraculous recovery was undoubtedly thanks to Milwood’s attentive care.

But that wasn’t all.

Living in a quiet forest away from the city, spending most of my day in bed, should have been boring, but I found my days surprisingly fulfilling.

The mysterious woman named Milwood turned out to be an unexpectedly pleasant conversationalist.

Unlike her current life in the forest ruins, she seemed to have traveled the world in the past, sharing news from various places that amazed me, a country bumpkin who had never left the domain.

Her considerate way of keeping conversations flowing smoothly and her sense of humor sprinkled between stories weren’t bad either.

I quite enjoyed talking with her, who was more of a storyteller than she appeared.

The suspicion I harbored about her hadn’t completely disappeared.

In her stories, there were always friends or companions, but whenever the conversation turned toward them specifically, she would suddenly stop talking and fall silent mid-sentence despite having been cheerfully conversing just moments before.

The same happened when the conversation delved deeper into her own past.

She would be happily talking about her past, then abruptly close her mouth, awkwardly switching to a completely different topic.

If I showed any sign of trying to pry further, she would invariably emit a sharp, murderous aura.

So whenever she stopped talking, I could only wait quietly until she started again.

Nevertheless, through our conversations so far, I had been able to figure out a few things about her.

“It was always a busy journey, but when I occasionally had a leisurely day, I would spend the whole day maintaining my sword. Ah, of course, I didn’t put off regular maintenance. If I cut something even once, I had to clean it that day, and no matter how busy I was, I made sure to oil it at least once every five days.”

She seemed to be a former adventurer who wielded a longsword.

I couldn’t tell if she had been famous enough to be well-known, but at the very least, she seemed to have some confidence in her own skills.

Her meticulous personality showed in the way she happily explained the process of carefully cleaning her sword with boiled linseed oil.

“If you ever go adventuring with companions, make sure to have a bard… or at least someone who knows how to play an instrument in your party. Or you could learn yourself. Cheerful music can be a solid comfort even in terrible situations, and when added to peaceful rest times, it makes everything so satisfying that you couldn’t ask for more… I was… going to learn to play the lute from my companion…”

She seemed to have had companions.

Reliable comrades with whom she shared time, overcame crises, and entrusted her back.

I couldn’t even begin to imagine what had happened to make her live alone in these forest ruins, practically in the middle of nowhere, but the clear pain of loss in her voice suggested that her past held many untold stories.

“…I’ve crossed many lines between life and death and lost many things. Heh… though perhaps not as much as you, Ash, but I know well the pain and guilt felt when losing someone precious… and feeling like it was all my fault…”

“Miss Milwood…”

“Sigh… Maybe that’s why I couldn’t just watch you dying… even though I knew it was dangerous…”

She seemed to have lost those companions.

Probably in a way that meant she would never see them again, just as I had lost Laila.

Perhaps the reason she lived alone in this forest was for atonement, or to escape from the wounds inflicted by painful memories…

Maybe she was a famous person.

An adventurer so renowned that anyone would recognize her face.

That might be why she was so terribly cautious about showing her face.

Because the end of her adventure wasn’t so beautiful…

“I don’t know what you’ve been through, Miss Milwood, but not everything is your fault.”

“That’s not true. You don’t understand…”

“Yes, I don’t. But at least I know that Miss Milwood is someone who doesn’t ignore a dying person.”

“…”

“The fact that I’m alive is proof of that, isn’t it?”

“Ash…”

“Yes?”

“…Thank you.”

There was moisture in Miss Milwood’s voice.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t learn more about her identity beyond this.

But I didn’t press further.

Not because I was afraid of her, but because I didn’t want to make the benefactor who saved my life uncomfortable.

Besides, from her stories, she didn’t seem to be a demon, which put my mind somewhat at ease.

“Honestly, I suspected Miss Milwood might be a demon. Since you hide your face so much.”

“Pfft, a demon… Then this cabin would be filled with demonic energy. You fool.”

“Ah… I guess that’s true.”

“Hehe…”

Her soft laughter still carried an undertone of sadness.

An adventurer who lost all her companions and disappeared somewhere.

Honestly, it wasn’t such an uncommon story.

In this world, the lives of those who made adventure their profession were filled with dangers where life could easily be lost.

Underground mazes full of traps, monsters with claws that could easily tear people apart, cunning monsters that deceived and killed people.

Just one step outside the cities and villages of humans, and the world overflowed with all sorts of fearsome things.

Even the renowned hero’s party died at the end of their adventure to defeat the Demon King.

Along with my sister.

“My sister was an adventurer too.”

“Ah, is that so? Then the one waiting for you…”

“…”

“…You said you had no family… So… I see… I’m sorry.”

“…It’s alright.”

If only the hero had died and my sister had survived, she might have been broken like Miss Milwood.

Four years at the academy, and two years of adventure.

The companions she spent those six years with might have been closer family than the relatives she hadn’t seen during that time.

But unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, my sister met her death.

Her other companions, and the hero himself, perished along with the Demon King.

“I think my sister had a great adventure and left behind results.”

“…”

“It was really, really sad, but my sister’s death wasn’t in vain.”

“…Yes.”

“…Miss Milwood’s companions must be the same.”

“…”

“So don’t feel too guilty—”

“Stop.”

Miss Milwood cut off my words.

Fortunately, she wasn’t yet emitting that intimidating aura, but as soon as I realized she was uncomfortable, I shut my mouth tightly.

She stared at me for a while, then turned her face away with a sigh.

And then slowly opened her mouth.

“…What are you planning to do with Laila’s gravestone?”

A blatant change of subject.

I went along with her lead.

“I’m thinking of using wood since stone would take too long. I’ll carve the inscription with a knife.”

“…Um, Ash.”

She called my name cautiously.

Her voice was filled with hesitation.

“You know… I think wood might be too flimsy.”

“Hmm… It’s certainly not as good as stone, but if I choose the wood carefully and apply sap well to dry it, it should make a stable marker. Besides, I believe Miss Milwood will take good care of it even when I’m gone.”

“…”

“You will, won’t you?”

“Yes. You fool.”

“Huh…?”

“…It’s nothing.”

*

Three more days had passed since the day I visited my sister’s grave.

Although I still needed her support, I was gradually able to walk.

It was a bit regrettable that if I hadn’t strained myself by trudging all the way to my sister’s grave, I might have been able to walk on my own by yesterday.

But even if I could tell my past self this fact, I would still have headed to Laila’s grave that day.

If I could exchange my legs for my sister’s life, I would have done so with a smile.

Miss Milwood approached to support me, wearing a large blanket over her robe.

She seemed worried that I might pull away the cloth covering her face if I fell.

Could she even see properly like that?

I understood she was being cautious about accidents during contact, but after spending several days together and feeling we had become quite familiar, it was a bit disappointing to be guarded against so much.

However, if the reason for covering her face was due to personal trauma, that wasn’t something I could rush to resolve.

Rather, it would be more disrespectful for me, someone who would soon leave, to make a fuss about it.

With these thoughts, I took Miss Milwood’s offered hand and slowly got up from the bed.

“Is there any pain in your legs?”

She asked as she put my arm around her shoulder.

I followed her lead, walking slowly, and replied.

“No, it’s much better than yesterday.”

“That’s good. Then I’ll slowly let go of your hand to see if you can walk on your own.”

“Okay.”

She gently released my arm.

The center of gravity that had been supported by her was now fully transferred through my arm to my two legs.

There was no pain, but the unfamiliar heaviness in my legs felt strange.

To put it bluntly, my legs felt heavy.

It was like wearing several layers of water-soaked pants.

“Ugh.”

I struggled to lift my right foot and step forward.

Thud.

My right foot hit the ground heavily, as if it were made of lead.

“It looks a bit awkward, but there doesn’t seem to be a major problem.”

“Ugh, my legs are so heavy.”

“That’s not just because of the accident. Your muscles have probably atrophied from not using your legs for so long.”

“So that’s why you’ve been hunting deer every day.”

“Meat is best for replenishing muscles. Now, step forward with your left foot too.”

“Okay.”

I slowly lifted my left foot.

My right leg was more stable on the ground than my left, maintaining balance on one foot.

Thanks to that, my left foot could move a bit further forward than before.

I let out an exclamation of surprise without realizing it.

“Oh.”

“Good, you’re making progress. Now let’s try walking a bit faster. If you keep taking one step and stopping, you’ll never get out of this forest even if you spend your whole life trying.”

She was right.

I stepped forward with my right foot again.

I pushed my heavy leg forward forcefully, and as soon as my right foot landed, I immediately extended my left foot.

Then my right leg again.

I walked slowly around the cabin, alternating my legs.

Thump, thump.

Though still somewhat awkward, I could clearly hear the rhythm of footsteps, like a normal person walking with slow strides.

I looked at her and shouted.

“Wow, wow, Miss Milwood!”

“You’re doing fine. Now you just need to build up strength in your legs.”

“…I thought I’d never walk again.”

I looked at Miss Milwood with an emotional expression.

She seemed to nod, as the cloth covering her head moved up and down.

“I’m glad you’ve recovered.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Miss Milwood!”

“…I was going to be modest, but I can’t. You’re right, it is thanks to me.”

“Haha.”

Miss Milwood snorted with a mischievous joke.

I laughed too and stepped vigorously toward her.

That’s when it happened.

“Ugh!”

“Ash?!”

“Whoa!”

In an instant, my left foot failed to support my body, and I lost my balance.

Miss Milwood came forward to catch me, but I was already falling toward her.

“…No!”

At that moment, Miss Milwood, seemingly startled, pushed me away forcefully.

The movement was so fast that it almost looked like she had struck me with her hand.

“Argh!”

“Ah… Ash, are you okay?”

It not only looked that way, but felt that way too.

Even though she had simply pushed me away with her palm, the moment her hand touched me, I was propelled backward as if by a spring and collided with the wall.

It almost felt like I had been thrown.

“Ugh!”

“I-I’m sorry!”

She apologized and hurriedly approached me.

Though I felt a numbness as if I’d been hit on the back with a large palm, I immediately checked my legs first.

If they were damaged again, who knows how many more days I would have to spend here.

“Ash, are you alright?”

“Ah, ouch, wait…”

“Could it be…”

She froze, unable to say anything more.

I slowly felt around my legs and wiggled my ankles.

About ten seconds passed.

Around the time I heard Miss Milwood swallowing nervously, I let out a weak sigh.

“…Phew.”

“A-Ash, perhaps…?”

“No, fortunately, Miss Milwood. My legs seem fine.”

I looked up at Miss Milwood and answered with a smile.

I could tell how shocked she was even without seeing her expression.

Miss Milwood extended a trembling hand to me, but I shook my head and refused it.

Then I slowly began to stand up on my own.

Ugh.

Getting up from the floor turned out to be an action that required my legs to bear a lot of weight.

Realizing this, I struggled but managed to stand up using only my own strength.

“Huff… Look, I’m fine. Really.”

I spread my arms wide to demonstrate that I was perfectly okay.

Miss Milwood stared at me for a moment, then stroked her chest in relief and said:

“…Hah, I’m sorry, I was startled.”

“Haha, it happens. I’m sorry for startling you too.”

“…I’m really sorry. To make up for it, I’ll let you have pork tomorrow.”

“Oh?”

“I found traces of a wild boar herd. You can look forward to it tomorrow.”

I slowly nodded.

“Tomorrow, huh…”

“…You seem excited. Was the venison not to your taste?”

“Ah, no! That’s not it.”

I looked down at my two legs firmly planted on the ground and said:

“I think it’s about time I start making Laila’s grave marker.”

That meant I would soon be able to leave.

No matter how nice Miss Milwood was, it must have been uncomfortable for her to constantly cover her face and indefinitely house a stranger in her dwelling.

I thought Miss Milwood would be pleased, but she didn’t respond to my words.

She just stood still, as if deep in thought.

About a minute passed.

Then she answered briefly:

“…Yes, I suppose so.”

.