44 Courage

The blacksmith was dark, however, Dye and Ynoir could see everything clearly. The confused Jaglash could only stand outside and watch as everything was pitch black inside the blacksmith. The building was made of stones and cement. Dye was surprised that cement existed in Hyouka. To be honest, she once thought of making building out of stones, but sticking it not using cement but rather the old method of sticking two stones together.

Hyouka was even more advanced than she thought. It was even more advanced than her creation. To be honest, Dye was a bit surprised at that.

There were racks made of wood bolted to the stone walls. The bolts were also carefully crafted, making Dye nod in approval. It seemed that the structure still followed how she previously designed for blacksmiths. The nearest to the door were shields, and then spears followed by swords and the last were...guns? What were guns doing over in Vrenze City blacksmith? Not like other occupations, the gunners could only get better weapons from looting until they reached the middle range. However, Vrenze City was part of the inner range.

Jaglash wanted to see what caught Dye's interest, but he was too afraid to come in.

"Dye, can you give some light...please?" He asked.

Dye looked at the trembling prince who wanted to enter but he was too scared to do so. The prince wanted to step inside, but somehow couldn't force a single step in. He wanted to be where Dye and Ynoir were, however the fear in his heart was too strong. Jaglash could only stand outside the blacksmith like a sitting duck.

Dye looked at how much Jaglash struggled. She couldn't give light, lest they would attract attention from the patrol squad, however, she could afford to give him some night vision. Though, a night vision spell would take a lot of MP, and she needed to reserve some to fight in case they were found.

"I can't."

Jaglash's heart deflated as he saw his idol walk further into the blacksmith. He did not know that Dye was contemplating wether or not she should cast a night vision spell on him. Jaglash couldn't bear seeing his idol and his idol's friend go inside the blacksmith alone. His appearance outside the blacksmith might also attract attention. Steeling his heart, he stepped in.

The blacksmith was indeed dark. Jaglash couldn't see anything around him. He couldn't even see his own hands even if he placed them right in front of himself. Seeing that, he got terrified. What if he did something wrong? What if he did something that might alert the patrol squad instead? He didn't want to trouble the two more than he already did.

"Jaglash? Why do you come in?"

Jaglash couldn't look at Dye's expression but he was sure that his idol was angry. He went inside when he couldn't be of help. If only he just stayed outside, perhaps he could play the decoy and fool the patrol squad. Instead, he had to come in and trouble Dye and her friend. Jaglash felt ashamed of himself. He was an adult man with his own capabilities. As an adult man, he should be of more help to Dye, a fifteen years old girl.

However, he was even mroe useless than her.

"Jaglash?"

He turned away, frightened. If Dye went closer, he couldn't find it in himself to see at her disappointed expression.

"Jaglash, if you can't don't force yourself."

Huh?

Dye looked at the trembling prince. It was really cute, as if she was taking care of a child. She smiled softly as she reached out to Jaglash's head...

Only to touch his face.

'Why is everyone so tall?' asked the 150+ Dye as she looked at the 170+ males.

Jaglash chuckled a bit when Dye's palm rubbed his face. It did make him better. If Dye wanted to, he could kneel a bit, even if he was a prince. What was the use of a princely status if not for this girl? He did not know when he had changed but he felt that he could be more courageous being with her. As if she unknowingly made him hold a torch* for himself.

"If you can't face it, then don't. But don't run away. Don't force yourself to face it either. Get used to it little by little," Dye encouraged, "and if you still couldn't face it..."

"Don't worry, I will be here."

Those words sent relief to Jaglash's heart. He couldn't believe that such a young girl could hold wisdom far more than the old advisor. Even that advisor was not as wise as Dye. Wisdom was not gained from reading and theories, sometimes, all you needed was to experience it, and wisdom would come to you naturally.

There was indeed a lot to life, more than he thought there actually were.