Chapter 69

Chapter 69: Parallel Lines of Understanding · The First Gift

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The importance of the environment one grows up in cannot be overstated. Take demons, for example. Aura serves as a fitting illustration.

Someone like Schlacht must have grown up in a good environment, which is why he became one of the rare demons who genuinely cares about others, even willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good, despite the rampant individualism in demon society.

Of course… it's hard to say exactly what shaped Schlacht into such a demon. He just seemed to possess that nature.

Meanwhile, Ash had to raise the child by himself. Not only did he lack the time and energy, but he also had to worry about Fern being negatively influenced by someone like him.

Unfortunately, he didn't have any "normal" friends in his circle, and most of his close ones were gone. If he asked Aura for help, there was a real risk it could end tragically. At least now he was entirely anxious about Aura's involvement.

Most nobles in this kingdom were basically controlled by Aura. If they were entrusted to his care, their fates would be sealed should he lose control.

So, after much contemplation, and over half a year of worry and searching, Ash still hadn't found a suitable guardian for Fern in this magical city. He finally decided to turn to Heiter for help.

He had been concerned that Heiter might not be alive anymore, but an investigation revealed that Heiter was retired and—surprisingly—alive and well.

As a highly respected bishop of the Holy City and a former hero of salvation, Heiter had a much stronger reputation, and the people he associated with were more serious and reliable.

Naturally, Ash immediately dismissed the option of having Heiter take on the role himself. After all, it was hard to say when that wine-drinking, meat-loving priest might die, and Ash wasn't exactly confident in his ability to raise a child.

If only Himmel were still alive—he'd be the ideal candidate in both character and temperament. Sadly, the goddess hadn't been particularly fond of him, and he was the first to die among their team.

"…Though our time together was brief and regrettable, I'll definitely help you watch over her. Now, sleep peacefully."

Gently, he placed Fern onto the bed, covered her with a blanket, and softly stroked her hair, which was slowly regaining its healthy sheen. He then silently resolved to do everything he could, even if it took one or two years, to have Heiter find a suitable home for the child.

…

The next morning.

Warm sunlight spilled onto his face, rousing Fern from a deep sleep. Under the gentle nudge of the morning sun, she rarely allowed herself a moment of idleness, stretching and wiggling on the bed before finally getting up, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

"…Master Ash must be away again today…" she muttered, habitually patting her face as she sat on the edge of the bed, a trace of loneliness in her voice. But then…

"No, I'm here today."

"Eh?—M-Master Ash?!"

Startled, she turned toward the voice, only to see Ash—who was almost always absent—sitting at her desk, flipping through a magic book she couldn't understand at all.

She quickly stood up, tidied her messy hair and pajamas, and bowed her head respectfully. "G-Good morning, Master Ash. Is there something you need today?"

"…Don't be so tense; try to act more naturally."

The girl's nervous demeanor reminded him once again that this wasn't the attitude one should see in a typical family setting.

Ordinarily, he should be patiently working to soothe the inner pain of this traumatized child and slowly build trust, making her feel less restrained. But whether it was because he'd become numb after living so long, or perhaps because he worried that forming too close a bond would be unwise, he just couldn't bring himself to do it.

He had tried everything he could think of, yet after more than half a year, things were still the same. He didn't know what exactly he should do to make her feel closer to him.

Looking at the girl sitting so stiffly, he finally made up his mind, put down his book, and crouched in front of her.

"Fern, do you have class today?"

"Yes, there's nothing special scheduled... Um, is something the matter?" Ash was always very busy, sometimes vanishing for three or four days or even a week. It was the first time he'd asked her a question like this, showing interest in her schooling, which made Fern look a bit surprised.

"It's nothing, really. I just thought I'd like to visit an old friend. Would you like to come with me?"

"Me…?" Fern blinked, slightly confused, but agreed without much thought. "Of course."

"…Then maybe find a good moment to say goodbye to your friends."

"Goodbye? Why?"

"Well, he lives pretty far away—in the Holy Capital of the Central Kingdoms."

The answer came almost automatically, leaving Fern feeling curious as she tilted her head in confusion. "But isn't the Central Continent actually very close?"

"Actually, I plan to stay there for a year or two… After all, it's been a long time since we last saw each other. That's all," Ash explained vaguely, making up an excuse.

He felt he needed to wait until he found the right way to tell her the real reason. That way, they could at least enjoy the journey in the spirit of a trip, making it easier and more enjoyable for both of them.

Hearing such a long timeframe, Fern's eyes widened slightly, but she didn't protest and instead nodded.

"I understand. I'll say goodbye today."

"Good. I'll come with you, and we'll speak with your teacher as well."

"Thank you, Master Ash."

"There's no need…"

Being treated so formally by the child always made him feel a bit awkward, but he understood her behavior and said nothing more.

In truth, Fern felt a little disappointed and reluctant to part with her friends, but she was too mature for her age to voice it.

It's worth mentioning that Ash believed the main reason for their lingering distance was that, from the day they'd met, Fern had never once refused any of his requests—not even a tentative suggestion—and had never made a single request herself.

So, together they went to school, managed her temporary leave of absence without delay, and Fern bid farewell to her friends. He exchanged only a few words with the second-level magician teacher to formally arrange her suspension of classes.

Of course, for the sake of Fern's future, Ash was also thinking about finding a magic academy for her to attend once they arrived in the Holy City.

---

Inside the carriage, Fern sat quietly on the floor, unlike typical children who might have been excited about leaving the city. As they passed through a bustling district on their way out, she gazed out the window with a quiet curiosity. Having always lived on a peaceful street and traveled along a secluded path to school, this was her first time stepping into the lively, chaotic heart of the city in a long while.

The bustling streets outside were lined with an array of stalls displaying brightly colored meats and vegetables, creating a vivid and vibrant marketplace. Vendors called out energetically, and their voices overlapped, adding excitement and life to the beginning of their journey.

Yet, while Fern was intrigued, the crowd and noise seemed a bit overwhelming to her, and she unconsciously shifted closer to Ash for comfort. However, as the carriage moved on, her eyes were caught by a vendor selling silver leaf bookmarks along the roadside, and she couldn't help but stare at them.

When Ash noticed her gaze, he thought for a moment, then called for the carriage to stop. Looking at her, he asked, "Is there something you like?"

"…No, I was just curious." She shook her head slightly, almost as if apologizing for her curiosity.

"It's fine. If something catches your eye, you should get it as a keepsake," Ash replied casually.

Hearing this, Fern hesitated for a moment before murmuring softly, "But… isn't it wasteful to spend money like that?"

"Is that really something a child should be worrying about?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"…Sorry." She lowered her head, clearly feeling as if she'd made a mistake.

Seeing her reaction, Ash found himself both amused and troubled. He sighed, "I'm not blaming you… If there's something you like, you should pick it"

"But…"

"If you don't pick something, I'll feel bad," he added, hoping to reassure her.

"Then… just one will be fine," Fern said hesitantly, clutching her collar with both hands. She finally followed him out of the carriage, still looking a bit nervous.

In front of the stall, she cast her gaze over the items, but despite the variety, she ultimately selected the one that looked the simplest and least expensive. "This one."

"Are you sure? I think this one would suit you better," Ash said, smiling helplessly as he reached out for the silver leaf bookmark she had been glancing at earlier.

Her reaction was almost like a child who had been caught doing something wrong, standing there with an awkward expression.

Seeing this, Ash gently placed the bookmark into her hand and reached out to pat her head. "Alright, don't overthink it. Isn't this pretty? And if it's something you like, then it's perfectly fine."

"Thank you… I'll definitely keep it as a treasure!"

Unexpectedly, her words of gratitude, full of warmth, seemed like sunshine breaking through her previous awkwardness and unease, replacing them with a quiet sense of happiness. Holding the bookmark tightly in her hand, she nodded firmly.

In truth, part of her restraint came from the way Ash was always busy, often using work as an excuse. From a young age, she'd come to realize that making money wasn't easy, though she hadn't completely understood why.

As for Ash, he'd never gone into details, and Fern, being an understanding child, never pressed for them either. If she had asked, he'd have likely made up an excuse on the spot, resulting in an unspoken understanding between them, a kind of mutual respect that created a silent distance.

Back in the carriage, Ash resumed his book while Fern, now seated nearby, admired her new silver leaf bookmark with quiet satisfaction. It was clear she had taken a genuine liking to it.

This caught Ash's attention. He chuckled and gave Fern a gentle pat on the head, causing her to smile shyly.

—Though their understandings were like two parallel lines, they somehow managed to get along, if just barely.

---

After crossing mountains and rivers, they finally arrived safely near the Holy City. However, instead of entering the city, they wandered around the nearby forest, searching for a cabin rumored to be hidden not too deep within.

"…Master Ash, are you sure you know where your friend is?"

Carrying her small suitcase, Fern trudged through the forest for what felt like half an hour. Her small body began to tremble with fatigue, and glancing around, she couldn't help but murmur, "It feels like I've been here before…"

"…Did you figure it out?"

"Did Master Ash do this on purpose?"

"Of course! For a magician, having a strong body is important!" Unable to find the way, Ash made up an excuse to save face.

Fern sighed, lowering her head. "This is the first time I've heard that…"

"What's with that attitude? Your teacher must be subpar if he doesn't know this."

"But the book says otherwise. And Mr. Liyes is a second Class magician, almost as skilled as a first Class mage. It's kind of rude for you to say that…" Fern looked a bit embarrassed but gently suggested, "In the wilderness, it might be fine, but if we're in the city, you might want to avoid saying such things. People could misunderstand and think… you're jealous."

"…Why would I be jealous of a second Class magician?"

"Now that I think about it, you're a magician too. What rank are you?"

"—You're probably exhausted. No more exercise! Let's just fly up and find our way!" Ash quickly changed the subject, avoiding the question entirely. Being Serie's disciple, he had never felt the need to take a ranking, and suddenly faced with the question, he decided it was pointless and might come across as showing off. Without further ado, he shot into the sky.

Fern shook her head and sighed, "…So no ranking? Could it be that Master Ash is just… lacking magical talent?"

Reflecting on her words, she silently prayed that she hadn't gone too far. Was he perhaps insecure about it? Fern felt a tinge of regret for speaking carelessly, hoping she hadn't hurt his feelings.

As to why she assumed he was weak, it was because she sensed that Ash's magical presence seemed faint. However, in reality, she was just an apprentice, unable to discern Ash's deliberately crude concealment of his magic.

Since Ash had never boasted about his abilities, she hadn't inquired further. After all, flaunting magical prowess to a child would feel a bit hollow, right?

Ash never anticipated that his self-esteem would be handled with such care by a child who still had so much to learn. Once he found their destination from the air, he promptly landed, scooped Fern up, and flew towards the cabin nestled in the woods.

As they approached, the lonely cottage emitted a steady stream of black smoke from its chimney, and the tantalizing aroma of stewed beef and potatoes wafted toward them. It was evident that someone was cooking inside.

"…That old drunkard must be feasting on meat and wine again. Seems we've arrived just in time," Ash muttered to himself with a grin. Happily taking Fern's small hand, he led her up the steps, ready to enjoy a long-overdue meal.

Fern, however, looked a bit hesitant… After all, they had come from afar and hadn't even brought any gifts, yet they were already thinking of eating for free. Was this truly acceptable?

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T/N: When I first uploaded this fic, my initial plan was to release two chapters a day during the first week only. However, the overwhelming support you all showed—by giving power stones and boosting its ranking—completely exceeded my expectations.

Unfortunately, I can't promise two chapters a day as I originally hoped, but I want to give back for all the love you've shown.

So, here's my heartfelt promise: for every 300 power stones, I'll release one extra chapter as a token of my gratitude.