NOVEL WEB Chapter 76
76. Your Destiny
In the city of Barla, located along the border between the Kingdom of Adonis and the Kingdom of Salla, we arrived to celebrate the Ada-El festival, famous for its hot springs.
I came here with Lilith and Alice. Luka and the others had accepted a request to exterminate wild monsters appearing near the town.
According to the townspeople, they had completed the request in no time. As expected of Luca and Sarome.
However, their whereabouts after that remained unknown.
Even when we asked the inn where they were staying, all we heard was that they had suddenly disappeared.
We spent about half a day gathering information in the town, but as night fell, we still had no leads.
“The streets are quite empty now. Let’s continue tomorrow and return to the inn for tonight.”
Lilith sighed in disappointment.
“Let’s stay persistent. Don’t worry, they’re both strong. We’ll find them soon.”
Alice encouraged.
“Those two wouldn’t die that easily. For now, let’s rest up.”
I smiled at them.
Of course, I couldn’t shake off my worries. But first, we needed to stay strong.
“Yes, thank you, both Haruto and onee-chan.”
Lilith finally smiled.
“Shall we go to the hot springs for a change of pace? I heard there’s an open-air bath near the inn.”
Alice suggested.
“Okay, dinner at the inn is at eight, so let’s go to the hot springs until then.”
Lilith agreed, then mischievously looked at me,
“Don’t peek, Harth.”
“N-no, I wouldn’t—”
Even though I knew it was a joke, I couldn’t help but get flustered. Hot springs, huh?
Reflexively, an image of the two bathing popped into my mind. No, no, that’s not good. My cheeks grew hot.
“Oh, wouldn’t it be okay if Harth peeked, Lilith?”
Alice teased.
“Wh-what are you saying, oneechan!”
Lilith panicked at Alice’s smile.
“He has already seen once, hasn’t he?”
Alice recalled when I accidentally walked in on Lilith changing after our celebration when I became an adventurer.
Lilith was beautiful then.
No, I shouldn’t think about that.
My cheeks grew even hotter.
“Since he has seen you, he must take responsibility.”
Alice continued with a grin.
“Sister, stop it!”
Lilith’s ears turned bright red.
“Responsibility…”
I gulped.
“No, that’s not what I meant… I mean, it’s too early to think about marriage.”
Lilith stammered.
“‘Too early’? So, eventually—”
“Stop it, sister!”
Lilith cried out in embarrassment.
“Alright, I’ll stop teasing. See you later at dinner.”
Alice said, leading a blushing Lilith away.
At eight, we gathered for dinner prepared by the inn.
The dining area was on the second floor, featuring Eastern-style décor with hearths and fireplaces.
Eating in such a setting made me feel like I was on a trip.
Other guests were also dining around us.
Lilith and Alice, fresh from the hot springs, were wearing Eastern-style yukata, their napes, and collarbones faintly visible, which made my heart skip a beat.
“Is something wrong, Haruto?”
Lilith asked, her hair giving off a clean, pleasant scent.
“N-no, it’s nothing…”
I averted my eyes.
“Haruto-kun?”
Alice looked at me curiously.
I averted my eyes again. Oh, this isn’t very comfortable.
“Looks like you bear an interesting destiny.”
A girl’s voice interrupted.
She was a beautiful girl with short bobbed black hair and a neutral impression.
She too wore a yukata, her skin slightly flushed from the hot springs.
“Sorry, I am Electra Ravana, a fortune teller. My job makes me interested in those with intriguing fortunes.”
A fortune teller, huh?
“Can you tell us about the people we’re looking for?”
“I have two friends we’re trying to find. Could you help us?”
Of course, I meant Luca and Sarome.
Since gathering information hadn’t yielded results, we needed to try every available method.
“Understood. But first, may I read your fortunes? I can’t resist when I’m intrigued.”
Electra gazed intently at us. Her blue eyes shone with a mysterious glimmer.
“In exchange, I’ll give you a discount on finding your friends.”
“Alright, please do.”
Lilith leaned forward.
“Let’s start with your destinies. May I have your names?”
Electra asked.
“Lilith Laphiel.”
“Alice Laphiel.”
Alice and Lilith smiled.
“Lilith, how about asking about your love life?”
“Stop it, sister. You love romance stories but have no experience yourself,” Lilith retorted.
“T-that’s off-limits,” Alice replied, flustered.
“If you wish, I can read your romantic futures.”
Electra offered.
“No, that’s not necessary.”
Lilith blushed and shook her head, glancing at me.
“Me neither… maybe another time,” Alice, also blushing, glanced at me.
What’s going on with these two?
Then Electra began her reading.
There are many fortune-telling methods, such as astrology, birthdate readings, cards, and crystal balls.
She mainly read faces.
“Hmm? I see a strange image. A girl in a black dress… countless staffs… a shadow with a scythe… power surrounding you two… this is—”
Electra looked at Lilith and Alice’s faces, furrowing her brow.
“I don’t understand, will good things happen to us? Or—”
“I can’t see clearly,” Electra shook her head at Lilith’s question.
“The future is still uncertain… but you two will be involved in a great battle.”
“A great battle?”
“Be mindful. Trust your friends and comrades. Follow your beliefs, and the path will open.”
Electra advised with a smile.
“Now, it’s your turn—”
Electra turned to me.