The Activity of Jess (Part 2)
“Big sister. We’re gonna die.” (Monty)
“It’s okay. Monty.” (Monty’s big sis)
“We’ll all be eaten up.” (Monty)
“I’ll protect you. So sleep a little bit ” (Monty’s big sis)
The 13 year old girl hugged a little boy, two years younger than herself.
Their clothes were too clean with no unpleasant odors for them to be commoners.
Above all, the girl’s mysterious emerald hair was difficult to find among commoners.
Since the first emperor of the Gras Empire, it was a hair color that was found mainly in the royal family and high-ranking n.o.bility.
The girl just tied a white cloth over her head, but the firmness in her big eyes and the dignity felt throughout her face was not ordinary.
“We’ll surely get out of here. And there will be opportunities for revenge. Monty. If you do not, I will without fail…….” (Monty’s big sis)
The boy fell asleep in the girl’s arms.
Her body and mind was exhausted because of the more than month long escape.
“Uncle Gillian.” (Monty’s big sis) (Darknari: not blood related)
“Yes.” (Gillian)
A middle-aged merchant with a robust physique, who introduced himself as the father of the boy and girl when they came into the cave, responded politely.
“How long can we stay here?” (Monty’s big sis)
Gillian carefully looked around the cave.
Except for their party, there is only a man and his companion that is a.s.sumed to be a dwarf. Their ident.i.ty is unknown, but there is no need to care.
The dwarves were indifferent to the human’s power struggle and were even disgusted.
“The hiding place seems to be safe for the time being. It is a place where it is surprisingly difficult to find because it is camouflaged in a naturally formed cave and in a blind spot. At least we will not be caught by the stupid Phraison tribe or the mainstream army of Rogenak for about a week.” (Gillian)
“Then after that?” (Monty’s big sis)
“It is likely that we would have already left and gone elsewhere.” (Gillian)
“Haa. Somewhere else will be plundered again.” (Monty’s big sis)
The girl gave a big sigh.
During that time they had endured the deaths of the people who guarded them.
They had not relaxed for a moment.
There were about twenty people protecting her and her brother in the cave here, but it was reduced to less than a tenth of the original amount.
“Just get some rest.” (Gillian)
“It’s late at night, please relax.” (Knight?) (Darknari: no clue who is talking here)
Only then did she finally manage to sleep.
Suddenly, the gra.s.s and branches that covered the entrance of the cave were removed.
The girl’s face stiffened, and the knights that disguised themselves as merchants, without wagons and trade goods, to protect her were the same.
And the young boy and elf that appeared could be said to be totally unexpected!
“Look at this. I told you they would be here.” (Jess)
“You really were right … … How did you know. Is it a miraculous coincidence? Or is this some kind of insidious ploy or trick you have used against me.” (Lisianthus)
“It’s a human intuition. A feeling. Don’t you know?” (Jess)
“A preposterous story.” (Lisianthus)
“Anyway, later let me and Alrium play one day.” (Jess)
“A promise is a promise…… I know.” (Lisianthus)
The young boy was welcomed by the human and dwarf who were here beforehand.
The magician Herz and the dwarf Nedhand looked at the boy who came and found it difficult to believe.
“How did you…… Did you tell your mother?” (Herz)
Jess at that moment looked as if he was struck in the back of his head.
“No. I came in secret. If I’m caught, I’ll be killed.” (Jess)
The girl and the knights who were hiding together in the cave just watched the conversation.
There were no hostile feelings at all.
It seemed better to say that they did not receive any interest from the beginning.
“Now let’s go back to the forest.” (Jess)
“Well. Outside those ghastly guys that have an appet.i.te for people are wandering around again. We should stay here until it is safe…….” (Herz)
“Sir Lisianthus has decided to help.” (Jess)
“Yeah?” (Herz)
Herz looked at Lisianthus as if he were strange.
Elves keep a distance from humans and do not usually get along with them. Unusually, however, Lisianthus was the first to tell Jess that he would teach him archery.
Learning archery from an elf can be said to be right, and naturally, including himself, his parents gave permission.
However, he was surprised that even in such a dangerous place, he was not frightened or cowering.
The elves were known to be afraid of battle.
“Come for a moment.” (Nedhand) (Darknari: raw had ‘Look at me’)
Nedhand whispered something to Herz.
The dwarf, whose lifespan was longer than a human, had guessed the true ident.i.ty of Lisianthus. And he remembered the incidents he caused in the world.
“Is that true?” (Herz)
“No doubt.” (Nedhand)
“You are not drinking, are you?” (Herz)
“With the wooden bow he is holding, I’m correct. Have you seen a case where we dwarves could not recognize equipment?” (Nedhand)
“Isn’t there a possibility of him being a successor?” (Herz)
“That high elf is not old enough to have died. And there are not many arrogant elves like him, right?” (Nedhand)
Though he whispered in a small voice, Nedhand’s husky voice was not at all small.
Jess and Lisianthus heard everything in the quiet cave.
[Ha. Anyway, those dwarven bunch are…… I wonder if Luckhand who I traveled together with in the past is alive. He would be closer to two hundred years old by now.] (Lisianthus) (Now you know why I had to change Nedim)
It was not long before Herz made his decision.
“If this person will help us, we wouldn’t have to worry.” (Herz)
He confirmed the items he unpacked from his bag while staying in the cave.
And when they tried to follow Jess and Lisianthus, the knights blocked the entrance.
Gillian said as the representative of the knights.
“I’m sorry but I can not let you go.” (Gillian)
Herz opened his mouth.
“We have to go.” (Herz)
“If you are caught by the army of Rogenak, we could be in danger.” (Gillian)
“We will never talk. Though we will not be caught.” (Herz)
“It is too dangerous to believe in such pledges. At the longest, stay together with us for one week, then go when it’s safe.” (Gillian)
The knights had the power to detain them even by force.
At that time, Lisianthus took one step forward.
“Humans. Step aside.” (Lisianthus)
A staring battle was common before a fight broke out.
Gillian met many strong men, moreover he learned the sword by fighting against them.
However, he had never before encountered the fierce look he saw in the eyes of Lisianthus, it was hard to describe the presence he felt.
It was not the vague pressure he was afraid of, but that if he was attacked, he feared that he would be shattered.
[Elf. No, it’s a high elf. I knew they were strong, but no matter how the races differ… Do they feel like this?] (Gillian)
Gillian felt that no knight here could stop him.
If they used magic scrolls or any other last resort, they might be able to defeat them, but if they made that big of a ruckus, the whole army of Rogenak would swarm in.
“You…… may go.” (Gillian)
“Thank you.” (Lisianthus)
Lisianthus, Nedhand, and Herz went out of the cave in turn.
The knights and the girl were worried about what to do now.
If they go out, this cave may not be safe anymore.
From the beginning, it was not a completely safe place. They hid in this relatively well-disguised place because it was better than wandering outside under the enemy’s eyes with the battle growing fiercer.
What if the enemy does not retreat and kept on searching? With the scarce food they had and everything they were in a bad situation.
He noticed the uncertainty and said to the girl, while scratching his head.
“You can follow along too.” (Jess)
“We…….” (Monty’s big sis)
The girl hesitated for a moment.
“There are people who are aiming for us. I appreciate your concern, but do not worry about us, you will be at risk, so go.” (Monty’s big sis)
“Do what you want.” (Jess)
Jess took a step to leave the cave then stopped again.
This is difficult. I feel so guilty.
If he left this way, sooner or later the army will find them.
In fact, the responsibility of Jess and Lisianthus was considerable.
They will search this area more thoroughly as the scouts have been killed.
The knights’ plan was to hide in the cave and wait for the enemy to retreat, but it was impossible to not be discovered in the future, even if they were followed by great luck.
Doing good deeds is not a part my const.i.tution, but…….
But she was still a young girl, and besides the elves, she had the potential to grow into humanity’s most beautiful woman.
It’s fine to be a little kind. Since there is no risk at all.
Jess said calmly.
“You’d better come along now.” (Jess)
“Huh?” (Monty’s big sis)
“To be honest, I don’t intend to take you till the point things become dangerous. Follow us or not, you don’t have to be beholden to do so.” (Jess)
“Then, why?” (Monty’s big sis)
“Even if you are a burden, there is no danger to us.” (Jess)
“Right now, do you think that makes sense? The power of the enemies chasing us……. And how am I to believe the first person I see? ” (Monty’s big sis)
“My age is nine.” (Jess)
“…….” (Monty’s big sis)
The girl and the knights were surprised and frightened.
To think that they were seriously listening to the story of a nine year old boy.
If he had not suddenly appeared with a high elf or appear to know the dwarf and the magician who were in the cave, he could be disregarded as just a kid.
“If the nine year old me is safe enough to not cry, is any further explanations necessary?” (Jess)
“That’s not very convincing. Are you trying to trap us?” (Monty’s big sis)
“What will I benefit from lying? If I were going to sell you out to Rogenak or something, I would have brought them here from the beginning.” (Jess)
The girl looked puzzled at Jess’s strange manner of speech. But he had a point.
“You’re being chased. I’ll save you, so just follow me.” (Jess)
The girl hesitated, then looked at the knight Gillian to seek his opinion.
Gillian nodded a little. It was because he roughly perceived the ability of Lisianthus while confronting the words of the boy.
He thought that a high elf warrior with good eyesight and hearing might find a way out of this encirclement.
“All right. I’ll follow. Wait a minute, let me wake up my brother…….”
“Come out quickly. It’s annoying to wait.”
Jess went out of the cave.
The girl awoke her brother and as she prepared to leave the cave with the knights, she murmured.
“I am thirteen years old and…….”
TL Note:
We never found out that girls name.