Chapter 66: Diverse Friendships Part 6

That day finally arrived.

It was the day Roshanak would become free.

The deep-sea dungeon raid had officially concluded. Our "contract" had come to an end.

It was truly a shame to let Roshanak go. She was someone with a lineage that couldn't be ignored and she was an emerging talent as a wizard…

But it couldn't be helped.

A promise is a promise.

I took the contract and went down to the inn's first-floor dining area. El and Roshanak who had already secured a spot there greeted me. Hmm, it seems Lloyd decided to skip breakfast.

"Master!"

"Master!"

They called out to me loudly. Really, I knew where they were without all that shouting… After sitting at the table, I accepted a cup from El who had learned my preferences over our time together and had ordered in advance. I gulped down the steaming goat's milk heavily laced with honey.

"Aaah, that's good. Thanks, El."

"Haha, no problem."

At my compliment, El gloated a bit in front of Roshanak. They really compete over the strangest things.

"Have you ordered the food?"

"Yes, I ordered three of the innkeeper's special breakfasts."

"I wonder what's on the menu today. I'm curious."

Since the Echaits Union attracted special products from all over the world, the ingredients for the innkeeper's special breakfast varied from time to time. Yesterday we had Roshan-style meals, but today…

"Three special breakfasts! Enjoy your meal!"

The innkeeper skillfully placed a large plate in front of each of us. El's plate was particularly large; she always ordered double portions whether it was breakfast or dinner.

"It smells great."

Today's meal was in the style of the empire. Plump, golden sausages, thick slices of bacon still sizzling from the grill, a couple of eggs fried to perfection in the bacon grease, fresh tomatoes and well-cooked peas, along with fluffy bread and bright yellow butter…

Ah, the joy of eating is truly unparalleled!

When I spread butter on the warm bread and took a bite, the melting butter soaked into every crevice, creating a delightful flavor. I then made a simple sandwich by placing tomatoes, bacon, and a soft-boiled egg on the generously buttered bread. After cooling it slightly with a blow, I took a bite…

"Shoo good~~~!!!"

Before I could even express my appreciation, El had already exclaimed in joy.

"Take it slow, El. You might upset your stomach."

"Yes! Mmmhmm!"

"Swallow before you speak; swallow first."

I gave her a wide smile and continued with my meal. Ah, you really should choose inns based on the cook's skill! This choice was perfect as well!

"..."

Meanwhile, why is Roshanak just picking at her food?

Normally, Roshanak wouldn't want to be outdone by El and would practically devour her plate, but today she's quiet. Is she not feeling well? It's supposed to be her day of freedom…

"Roshanak, don't you like the food?"

Come to think of it, since she was a half-mermaid, Roshanak preferred fish dishes. Should I order something like fried sardines for her now? Just as I was about to call the innkeeper, Roshanak shook her head.

"…No, it's delicious."

"Hey, if you're not going to eat your sausage, can I have it?"

"..."

Normally, she'd be quick to snap at such a suggestion, but Roshanak didn't say anything. Sensing something was off, El glanced at Roshanak and quietly bit into her tomato.

"What's wrong, Roshanak? You're making me worried."

"Worried?"

"Yeah, I'm worried."

"Hmm…"

She looked down and stabbed her sausage repeatedly with her fork. What's with this teenage-like behavior?

"…Liar."

"Huh?"

"Hmph."

With that, Roshanak put down her fork with a clack and got up from her seat before heading upstairs.

"..."

"..."

Left behind, El and I looked at each other blankly.

"Did something happen?"

"No?"

"Do you know why Roshanak is acting like this?"

"No, not at all."

"..."

"Master, is it okay if I eat what she left behind?"

"Yeah, go ahead…"

It's bad to waste food. That's a lesson my mother drilled into me until it almost bled from my ears. I nodded my head.

"..."

Meanwhile, Roshanak was a problem.

Could it be she's upset because I didn't fulfill the contract right after we finished the dungeon raid?

No, that can't be it; she didn't say anything…

…Children are really difficult.

But handling teenagers who have just entered puberty carelessly could cause big trouble. Chasing after them immediately or pressing them with questions about their behavior would only backfire.

Well, I might as well continue with breakfast.

I resumed eating the sandwich I had been halfway through. It was delicious, so delicious… Yet my mind had already followed Roshanak. It was as if I were the parent of a teenager.

I couldn't tell if the sausage went up my nose or into my mouth. After finishing breakfast, I sent El off with Lloyd and headed to the Donar Temple with Roshanak. The purpose was to burn the contract in the temple's holy flame and set Roshanak free.

We walked very slowly along the beach.

"Roshanak."

It seemed like the right moment. With the sound of the waves as background noise, I called her name.

"Are you angry with me?"

"..."

Roshanak looked at me with surprise. Her blue eyes sparkled like the sea in the sunlight.

"I know why."

"…. Really? You do?"

"Yes. I should have done it sooner …"

"..."

"I should have given you your freedom sooner."

Roshanak's expression subtly changed.

"Free… dom?"

Huh? What's wrong? Isn't this it?

But seeing no further point to dwell on, I pressed on with the conversation.

"Yes, freedom. That was the agreement, wasn't it? To grant you freedom after we conquered the dungeon."

"..."

Roshanak's face was now gradually contorting.

Wait, something seems to be going wrong…?

"Idiot!"

What?

"What do you know! You idiot! idiot! fool!"

"Wait, wait a minute, Roshanak!"

Suddenly, droplets of water began to gather around Roshanak, growing larger and larger. What is this?! Before I could properly respond, she started hurling a water ball that was as big as a soccer ball at me.

-Splash!

"Roshanak!"

-Splash-splash!

"Wait a minute!"

-Splash-splash-splash!

Eventually, I used [Breath of the Forest]. The branches of the arborvitae trees planted as street trees shot out and began intercepting the water balls for me. Slosh, slosh, I wiped off the splashing droplets and hurriedly used [Plant Binding] to capture Roshanak with vines.

"Eeek!"

In an instant, Roshanak was completely bound by the vines and she started struggling fiercely. Although she had grown into a wizard, she was still no match for me.

"Calm down. Why are you so angry?"

"..."

"Talk to me, Roshanak. I'm ready to listen."

"…you said that."

"Huh?"

"You said you were my master!"

Roshanak screamed at the top of her lungs. Wow, I almost burst an eardrum…

"…Yes, I'm your master, so what?"

"Then why are you trying to leave me!"

"Leave you?"

"I heard you talking to that cat! You're planning to leave without me!"

"..."

I couldn't understand. Didn't she want her freedom? Why was she angry? Her eyes, brimming with tears, made my head spin as I looked into them. However, I took a deep breath and spoke calmly again.

"Roshanak, our agreement from the beginning was… to give you your freedom once our mission was over. It was a contract made with our lives on the line, and the god Donar as our witness."

"….…."

"Do you dislike being free?"

She shook her head. No, if it wasn't freedom she disliked, then what could it be?

"What is it then…?"

"..."

She stubbornly clenched her mouth shut, huffing and puffing, until she almost burst into tears and shouted.

"I could stay with you as a free person!"

...Was that it?

I could only stupidly scratch my head at the unexpected answer.

"But you abandoned me!"

"...No, Roshanak. Please, just hear me out."

I deactivated my skill and began to unravel the vines entwined around Roshanak's body.

"You're a remarkable companion. Of course, I want to be with you."

"..."

"But what matters more than what I want is your choice. You're no longer a slave."

"..."

"When I entrusted you to Katharina, it was all for your sake. I want you to live safely as a free person."

"..."

"My journey is not an easy one. It may be filled with horrors worse than the deep-sea dungeon."

"..."

"It would be too much to simply take you to such places."

"Sniff, sob, sniff…."

Tears like chicken droppings streamed down from Roshanak's blue eyes. I pulled out an old handkerchief and gently wiped away her tears.

"Even so, do you still wish to be with me, Roshanak?"

At my question, Roshanak just sobbed for a while before shaking her head.

…. That makes sense. She's still just a child.

It was not a bright and hopeful adventure but a grueling journey she was embarking on. Who would willingly jump into such hardship?

Despite anticipating her response, it left a bitter taste in my mouth.

"Yes… For now, Katharina will act as your guardian."

"...Can I continue to learn magic then?"

"I'll make arrangements for you to continue your magical education."

"..."

Roshanak stopped crying and looked straight at me with her eyes red and swollen.

"I will become stronger."

"...huh?"

"I'll become a powerful wizard and join you on your journey."

"..."

"I'll become so powerful that you will beg me to accompany you."

Ah, this was an unexpected answer.

A strong determination was already present in Roshanak's eyes.

Perhaps…

"Okay."

I met Roshanak's gaze and smiled broadly.

"Please become a wizard so powerful that I beg you to come with me, Roshanak."

"I'll become a wizard so strong that you will cry and plead, so be prepared, Master."

With a surprisingly cheerful voice, she cut off the vines herself and shook them off.

"Roshanak, it seems you've already become a bit stronger, haven't you?"

"Hmph."

"Future Archmage. Take it slow, or you'll fall."

I followed behind Roshanak as she led the way to the Temple of Donar. At the temple, under the supervision of the priest, we burned the contract in the holy flames.

With that, Roshanak was free. The contract was over and my heart was free from any bindings, yet, somehow, I felt empty inside.

"Master. Aren't you coming?"

"I'm coming, I am."

"I'll buy dinner tonight to celebrate becoming a free person."

"Oh, really?"

I smiled as I followed behind Roshanak who was walking forward confidently.

When we meet again, will she really become an archmage?