Decision

I went out to look around a bit because I was done with the tasks in her house, but I see that Ichika is carrying a big package, so I went over to help her.

Mizeya: - Let me help you a little.

Ichika: - Thank you, young man.

I grabbed the package from her hand and took it into the house, then I wondered a little about what I could do today because this will be the last day I will spend here, not that I'm sad, I also have a home, but this family warmth and freedom that this place provided, maybe because I never knew my parents and through Ichika I was able to learn how a mother behaves... Thank you.

Mizeya: - I didn't notice you, little man.

Kirita's smiling face, then the hug of his two small arms, which he extended around my legs, he started sniffing and belching from the gap in his throat, I wanted to ask him why he was crying, but it was enough to look into his tiny eyes, I immediately knew what the problem was and without asking, that's all I knew to answer me.

Mizeya: - I will come to play with you when I have time, don't worry.

I stroked the little bastard's hair as if he had been changed, he immediately became the energetic, cheerful child I know again.

Kirita: - Let's go play.

Mizeya: - Later.

Kirita: - Please.

The little child's eyes sparkled with joy, ah, I don't want to take this joy away from him, even for the last time.

Mizeya: - Let's go.

It's hard to believe that 1 week has passed, it's like I just woke up yesterday, but at least I learned one thing here, despite all the bad things if at least 1 person believes in you, you can move on and stand up, come back much stronger, I have to become stronger, I have to bear all your weak burdens, even if I break in.

As usual, I went to train with my sword even on my last day, I can swing it quite well, but I'm still weak for shooting, the training is bearable, but the associated muscle pain and its regular strain is another story, at least I've improved a bit, still if not that much, I don't think I'm that useless after all, I said with a small smile on my face.

The evening came, and everything happened like every other day during the week, we sat down to dinner, and I talked to Ichika for a bit, it's a bit sad that I have to leave tomorrow, for her it feels like her son is leaving home, even if it's not me.

Ichika: - So you're leaving tomorrow.

She looked at me, breathing hard, turning her head.

Mizeya: - Yes.

Looking at the woman, I told her to calm down inside, this is not a final goodbye, just a temporary one, but I can feel the weight of even this small feeling.

I also remember that in the first three days, I almost stumbled and tried to take all the burden off Ichika's shoulders, by at least helping her with the house cleaning while she was not at home, and playing with Kirita was also quite entertaining, I will miss him a bit, but that's how it has to be It's true that I'm not strong, but that's no reason not to save someone else's life, that can't be an excuse. In the last few days I've been determined to train, it was a bit difficult because of my many bruises, but after a while, I got used to it, if I turn off my brain and focus completely on my movements, I can bear the pain caused by that cursed sword, even if it always ended up being a bleeding wound or an accompanying lot of suffering.

It's still early for me, but I can already feel the warmth on my face, which is gaining light in the small room, so here's the time I had my things, I packed them, I fastened my sword on my shoulder, ah, then it seems that the only time left is to say...

I see that everyone is still sleeping, I don't want to disturb them, especially since they are resting so well, I sigh, then stop in front of the door and walk out silently, as if I wasn't here, this week wasn't so bad, goodbye.

I started on the road that I talked to Ichika last night everything went smoothly, not a bandit or an unwanted person anywhere, although I wouldn't have said it so loudly, at that moment 3 roadblocks threw themselves in front of me, and then demanded the backpack on my back content.

Mizeya: - Who are you?

No one answered, one of them started running towards me with a dagger in his hand, and the other two also started running, so you want to attack at the same time, I started running backward, thus keeping the distance between them, so I have enough time to act, I drew my sword from my back with both hands and then I started to run backward, I need distance, I can't yet swing this blade like I could with the other sword.

I ran at least 100 meters, I think that will be more than enough, I spread my legs a little, and assumed the basic position that the boy used in my dream, I took a huge breath, concentrate, and pulled out the huge sword in my arms to my back, all 3 strangers jump at me, in this I put all my strength into a blow, one blow is enough, I don't need more. I gave all my strength, and I succeeded, I broke their weapons with a single blow, then I cut the tree behind them in two, luckily they ran away, I couldn't make such a huge cut again.

I feel the joy and satisfaction inside, I finally see what I'm capable of, the week of training wasn't so unnecessary after all, I'm already able to save people, but it's still not enough, I want to free the whole world from suffering and tyranny, this is not enough.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see the small wall of our house and the rose thorns, I finally arrived, I stop in front of the door, and take a deep breath, but I was only away for 1 week, I hope my sister doesn't take my head off, I'm sure you weren't worried about me either, Yoriko...

I open the wooden door, but I don't find anyone inside, what is this? Where have you been?

Mizeya: - You could come, I came.

But no one answered, this is unusual, my sister is usually at home around this time. I go out to look around, then I think I will discover a huge army coming from the direction of the city, I have to hurry there.

What's all the fuss, I can barely see anything from the huge crowd, there's Yoriko! What?

Yoriko: - Let me go!

From the army, a team of 5 selected people from the townspeople to be drafted into the army, but why Yoriko?

Mizeya: - Hey, let it go.

I grabbed the stranger's arm, which was holding Yoriko's wrist.

Unknown soldier: - Because if not, what will happen?

He muttered to me.

I kicked him in the stomach, then he fell off his balance, I pulled Yoriko's hand away, but the next 4 members pinned me to the ground, one of them pulled one of my arms back, while the other tried to stand up by leaning on the ground, but failed.

Unknown soldier: - What were you even thinking? How would you save it?

One of them stood me up and started hitting my face where he could, after a good 10 minutes they got bored, but one of their men from the army came up to me, looked me in the eyes, and started smiling at me.

Unknown man: - Would you like to join us? If we have already selected your friend.

Mizeya: - Did you choose it? Why?

Unknown man: - You know, we are in quite a crisis now, the allied kingdom, Perenis, no longer supports us, and our troops were executed in Derenia, so we need people, it doesn't matter if she doesn't want to.

Mizeya: - They could take me, but not her.

Unknown man: - Are you worth that much?

I got up from the ground, then took out my sword, stood in front of him, and challenged him to a duel.

Unknown man: - Are you sure?

I nodded, indicating that I was ready at any time. He pulls out his sword and then rushes to me, everything happened too fast, he defeated me with a fine cut, and the next cut would have already hit my throat if he hadn't told me.

Unknown person: - I would give up if I were you.

A little disconcerting, I gave up the fight, it was impossible to win even at my level.

Unknown man: - But you know what, this little exercise was pretty good, let's just take you.

That's how I became a columnist in Syronida's army, it's a pretty complicated situation, but at least I saved Yoriko, I hope...