Kidnapped the Saintess of the Hero Party

15 – The Parched Mirror (3)

– It takes about two days for the thorn to be crafted. Stay until then and then leave.

‘Actually, I only intended to pick the fruits when approaching.’

It was good advice for Lucion as well.

Considering leaving this forest gradually had been on his mind.

Since we have to tidy up the camp anyway, we decided to stay for another two days.

Lucia was delighted as she gazed at the rising lake.

“Look, Sion! The water is getting higher and higher!”

The water level in the lake has reached 70%.

When sediment accumulates below the lake, it will reach 80%, and as time goes on, it will naturally become the same height as the river.

As the amount of incoming and outgoing water becomes equal, it will blend into nature.

It might become a marsh, but since elves prefer dampness, it might be a place where the elves who left will eventually return.

Lucia, perhaps reflecting on the fact that she had to leave this place, held Kyle in her arms and asked.

“What about Kyle?”

Harold, too, didn’t seem to be willing to leave Sia. It seemed like the time to leave had come.

“We have to take him with us.”

“King?”

A brief pause.

Harold, showing a reaction that seemed to doubt his own ears, soon came out of Sia’s arms and started jumping around, barking.

“King! Woof woof woof woof woof! Woof woof! Woof!”

Harold barked, urging the forest to leave.

Was he so happy?

He still had a humble appearance, but now he runs around quite well with all four legs.

Growth is quite rapid, growing to about two human heads. It’s twice as big as when Lucia first saw him. The largest Harold that Lucion has seen in 20 years has reached his waist, and he might be even bigger than that.

“Are you okay? If we go to the village, we won’t be able to take care of you as well as we do now. It won’t be as free as when you’re in the wild. Still, do you want to come with us?”

Haurd asked.

He couldn’t understand the words, but the expression that conveyed that he would open the way for their future must have been delivered properly.

Haurd seemed a little nervous, but it seemed that being together was better than being abandoned.

Kyle licked Lucion’s outstretched palm.

“Alright. Let’s go, kid.”

They didn’t know when or how they would die, but wouldn’t it be the same for Lucion and Lucia?

There was also a part of him that had come to like Haurd.

He couldn’t make the choice to let him go.

“I guess we should start getting ready to leave.”

“A little… regretful.”

Lucia made a gloomy expression.

It seemed like she was sadder than when she left the orphanage.

Come to think of it, when she left the orphanage, she was smiling, perhaps because of anticipation.

“It was fun, huh?”

“Yeah. It felt like we did something great. It was like a dream.”

Lucion was sincerely happy when he saw Sia enjoying herself.

“But it can’t be.”

Even though he felt a crisis in his heart, he couldn’t hide the smile on his face.

“It’s an unavoidable situation.”

Shia knew that she was pretending not to know about what she had been protecting.

She decided to stop the act.

The act belonged to Lucia’s territory, not Lucion.

Lucion had to keep worrying.

He couldn’t change the fact that he had to raise Lucia strongly and make himself not trust her.

Instead…

It might be good to show a slightly incompetent side.

#

“There’s not as much luggage as I thought.”

It all fit in three backpacks.

Lucion carried two in front and back, while Shia carried one on her back, so they could carry their luggage.

When they left the orphanage, they only needed one backpack each. Shia packed her clothes and necessities, and Lucion packed the tent.

Of course, Lucion also brought essential items like a map and a sword, but one backpack was enough.

This time, they had quite a lot to carry. Thanks to collecting treasures from the forest through trades in the village to secure travel expenses. With dragon oil, troll fangs, and just a daylily, they could secure three months’ worth of travel expenses.

The backpacks were picked up by Sharon Bird.

It seemed to be a bag that an adventurer had lost. The bag had a luxury logo on it, but Lucion couldn’t tell which manufacturer it was because it was an overseas brand.

Since receiving the territory, Lucion, who had used custom-made equipment with direct subordinates, was not interested in the maker.

“Well, it would be good to have subordinates quickly this time too.”

Lucion couldn’t live without subordinates.

For the past two years, living alone had become somewhat excellent, but the memories of the previous ten years did not disappear. He had entrusted almost all the odd jobs to his subordinates. He was feeling cramped because he wanted to create subordinates right away.

Lucion’s lack of skill in handiwork had a significant impact. A versatile supporter to handle miscellaneous tasks was an essential presence in Lucion’s life.

“The fastest way to fill the deficiency is undoubtedly success.”

The priestly society was a closed one, and without accumulating years, there was no chance for promotion. However, in the adventurer’s guild, the situation was different. One could quickly rise through the ranks based on skill alone.

Although he would be separated from Sia in his actions, Lucion had already decided on his route within the adventurer’s guild. As long as they were in the same town, Lucion could rescue Sia at any time, so there was no need to worry.

“Of course, there is also the option of becoming a knight or a priest with Sia.”

Without a proper curriculum, time would simply pass. Being neither a knight nor a priest, a paladin was a profession not warmly welcomed, putting them in a persecuted position. Once a paladin started to actively fulfill their role, life became tiresome for both knights and priests.

Therefore, the only way for Lucion to ensure freedom, success, and the ability to handle subordinates was to join the adventurer’s guild.

A world where everything is proven solely by achievements.

Because that is the world of adventurers.

The only thing Lucion needed to be concerned about was Sia’s intentions.

Whether they could live apart, face danger from monsters, and even occasionally be exposed to the betrayal of other adventurers.

“Lucia, I want to become an adventurer. In fact, I’ve somewhat already made up my mind.”

“Oh, is that so…”

“Is it okay?”

“If it’s what Lucion wants to do, why ask me? I believe in Lucion. Whatever you do, I’ll support you.”

Oh.

I didn’t expect to receive such infinite trust.

Becoming a paladin was the alternative, but it was a lengthy path, so Lucion had been pondering what to do if Sia opposed.

This time, should he ask for her opposition instead?

“If you go to the royal capital, what would you like to do?”

When she was young, Lucia had said that she wanted to become a priest to help people.

Would she give the same answer now?

Sia didn’t hesitate and replied, “The same as Zion. I also like being an adventurer.”

I see.

I expected it, but…

What I was worried about has happened.

Yearning for Zion.

Sia is convinced.

That Lucian is not an ordinary human. That it’s okay to follow and believe in him.

I guess it turned out well, then?

Lucian decided to scare Sia.

“Now, I guess I have to tell you… Sia. My true goal.”

###

I couldn’t tell her about my past life.

If we’re going to conquer the Demon King, she should at least know the reason why.

As we looked at the rising lake, I brought up the story.

“Do you remember when I told you about the appearance of the Demon King before?”

Sia searched her memories.

There was a scene that came to mind.

It was the scene of the orphanage director reading the newspaper.

I had heard stories about something like the Demon King, or whatever it was called.

I still can’t forget the serious side profile of the orphanage director.

“But why the Demon King all of a sudden?”

A shadow fell over Shia’s face.

Lucion talking about the Demon King.

And that someone as ‘strong’ as Lucion is concerned about the Demon King.

Could it be?

“Sion. Perhaps.”

“I’ll tell you, but nothing is confirmed yet.”

“I see.”

Shia let out a sigh as if relieved.

Unfortunately, everything is confirmed.

They will organize an expedition and subjugate the Demon King.

Whether she will be at the forefront, Shia doesn’t know, but Lucia will probably be at the forefront of the subjugation party.

This time too, Shia was convinced that Lucia would become the Saint.

The birth of Saint Lucia is a predetermined future. To overturn that, Shia has to dig into Lucia’s eyes.

“We don’t really know what the Demon King is. The place where it appeared is on the opposite side of the continent.”

Lucia nodded, tilting her head.

“But we still need to be prepared.”

“How?”

We don’t even know who the enemy is, so what kind of preparations can we make?

Lucion squeezed his head.

He had to create a story that was close to deduction, close to a novel, by combining available information. It had to be convincing enough to justify preparing for the conquest of the Demon King.

If they talked about their past lives, Lucion and Lucia would become extremely uncomfortable with each other. It was obvious that Lucia would start to question her existence.

“The demons are gathering around the Demon King. Lucia should understand what that means…”