Volume 7 Chapter 14: Leaving
The main building of the roadside Hammer and Bow Inn, besides serving as the inn's front desk, was also the home of the owners.
In the living room, Aurevia was sitting on the sofa, holding Kana (ps: the real name of the little bandit). The two of them were happily playing together.
"Sister Aurevia, I'm almost at the time to choose my own [Elf Weapon], and I... I want to choose a hammer!"
"A hammer, huh? It seems little Kana has the talent of a [Warrior]?" Aurevia stroked Kana's head as she spoke.
"Yes! Kana wants to become a powerful berserker!"
"Isn't that a great idea?"
"But... John and the others say elves shouldn't use hammers. They say it's too wild, too violent... But I just like it! It's so cool when my dad swings the hammer and smashes monsters into meat pies!" Kana pouted as she spoke.
"Precisely because you're in an environment where others deny you, there's even more value in proving yourself, don't you think?" Aurevia said as she fondly pinched Kana's soft little cheeks, "I believe in you, little Kana."
"I! I will succeed! Kana is going to train right now!"
Encouraged by Aurevia's words, Kana smiled happily, jumped out of Aurevia's arms, and skipped away.
Watching Kana leave excitedly, Aurevia smiled warmly from the sofa.
"Sorry, my daughter must have caused you some trouble." Jesvi came out from the kitchen, holding two glasses of wine.
"It's nothing, little Kana is adorable," Aurevia smiled. "She looks a lot like you."
"But her personality is more like her father's." Jesvi shrugged with a helpless smile. "She actually has a talent for archery like you, but unfortunately, she's obsessed with hammers."
"Who knows? The future is hard to predict. Maybe she's so gifted, she could choose both," Aurevia said, feeling rather emotional inside.
"Don't tell me those hero stories meant to fool kids!" Jesvi said, then changed the topic. "By the way, I looked into what you asked me earlier." She pulled out a scroll of parchment from her pocket and pushed it toward Aurevia.
"You really managed to get information from the Imperial Capital, huh? Thank you."
"I was the prime minister's daughter before I eloped with my husband, you know. I still have connections." Jesvi puffed out her chest proudly, but then added, "Though the capital is under lockdown now, getting this information took quite a bit of effort."
"You're still the same as always, trying to get a little something out of everything. That's why I said Kana is just like you in that way." Aurevia didn't say much more, just tossed a small coin pouch towards Jesvi.
"Doing business for payment, taking responsibility when required — that's the motto of our family," Jesvi said, catching the coin pouch.
Not much, just two gold coins, but enough to show appreciation, and a symbol of the mutual understanding the two had developed over the years.
Since I've taken the money, no matter how heavy the responsibility, I'll carry it for you.
Aurevia smiled, then opened the parchment and scanned it up and down.
She sighed. It was just as she had thought.
"The Emperor has already been sidelined, and real power is in that guy's hands. The Ispan family, who have always been strong supporters of the Empress, have been constantly oppressed, and now they've been demoted to a fallen noble family on the northern frontier. You don't have to worry too much about your sister; ever since she married my brother, she's been doing well. As for Ron... I only found out that he joined the Imperial Guard."
Jesvi summarized the contents of the parchment for Aurevia.
"Thank you, Jesvi. Now I feel more at ease," Aurevia said.
"Well, Aurevia, there's something I've been wondering whether I should ask or not. If you don't want to answer, it's okay, really."
"Go ahead and ask."
"Are you about to face some kind of... unimaginable enemy?" Jesvi asked.
"Why do you ask?" Aurevia didn't answer directly but posed a question in return.
"Well, it's just... I've been running this inn for over ten years now, and I've seen all kinds of people. Occasionally, some guests give off a certain... hard-to-explain aura, like they have profound depths. Lately, you and your companions — and even the you I used to know — have started to give off that same feeling."
Aurevia remained silent.
"And I've noticed you're stocking up on supplies. It feels like you're preparing for a fight."
"Yes, there is a battle coming," Aurevia finally said with a smile, "and a very terrifying enemy."
"Eh, really? But... from what I heard, you were stripped of your [Elf Weapon] and exiled to a foreign land. If you're going to face an enemy, how will you fight without the weapon?"
Before Jesvi could finish, Aurevia interrupted her.
"That's a secret," Aurevia said with a mischievous smile, placing her finger on her lips.
"Then... Aurevia, is there anything I can help with? I could try to get more information for you, maybe about that person or..."
"No need," Aurevia replied calmly. "Whether it's him, that woman, or this country, I have no lingering attachment. If I care about anything, it's my younger siblings... and maybe you and little Kana. As for the rest, I don't care about the trivial details."
Jesvi blinked, surprised.
She's changed so much.
"Are you really okay with this? With what they've done to you?"
"How should I put it... As one's perspective broadens, so does the way one views the world."
At that moment, a deafening roar echoed from the distant sky. Blinding white flashes lit up the horizon, suggesting an intense battle had erupted.
Simultaneously, the sound of torrential rain began, coming down without warning.
"It seems the time to part has come," Aurevia said with a shrug, slightly resigned.
"Aurevia..."
Leaving Jesvi stunned, Aurevia turned to leave but found little Kana standing there with her large, teary eyes, clutching a delicate hammer.
"Eh? Sister Aurevia, you're... you're leaving?" Kana's pitiful expression tugged at Aurevia's heart.
Aurevia chuckled softly and crouched down to Kana's level.
"Yes, I have some matters I must deal with. But before I go, I have a coming-of-age gift for you, little Kana."
With that, Aurevia pulled a small vial filled with a white liquid from her pouch and gently placed it in Kana's hands.
"This is a magical blessing potion. Remember, drink it after your [Elvenisation] is complete," Aurevia said as she patted Kana's head, then rose and walked toward the door.
Outside, lightning flashed across the thick clouds, and thunder cracked, illuminating the entire sky.
In that instant, both Jesvi and Kana stood frozen in astonishment.
Black wings— unfurled.
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