Isabella had never thought of herself and Alisa's group as street urchins, because in her mind, they had a home—and how could children with a home be considered strays?
But now…their home was gone.
"Isabella, are you okay?"
Lilith leaned in and whispered softly.
"…"
Only then did Isabella's eyes flicker faintly, regaining a glimmer of vitality. She wiped her eyes with exaggerated force and grinned.
"Don't cry! I've long thought this place was too run-down and uncomfortable to live in. I've been wanting to move to a new place for ages."
As she spoke, Isabella looked toward Roy King and Darkwill.
"Gentlemen, thank you for saving us just now."
Of course, Isabella didn't believe that simply opening a door could cause a house to collapse—Roy King might have had something to do with it, but to her, it was more proof that the house had been on the verge of falling apart anyway. If it had happened at night while they were asleep, everyone would have been buried alive.
Instead of blaming them, she thanked them. This only made the master and disciple feel even more guilty—yet, for the moment, they had no idea how to make it up to her. After all, their own situation was precarious. If they didn't leave soon, who knew what other trouble they might bring upon these children?
But…could they really just walk away like this?
"Darkwill, do you have any money?"
The chubby apothecary fumbled through his pockets for a long time before producing a few Soli notes.
"Just…just this much. What about you, Master?"
"…"
I shouldn't have bought that bottle of Sonia bloodwine!
If not for that Die, he could've gone to the casino and, with ease, won a hundred or two pounds—enough to compensate these kids.
They'd have to wait until he delivered the Die to his teacher and then return to make it up to them.
Roy King shot Darkwill a meaningful glance. Darkwill awkwardly stepped forward and shoved the notes into Isabella's hands.
"This money…is to pay for the damage to the door."
"Thanks."
Isabella didn't bother with false modesty. She took the money and called out to the three still-sobbing children, "Alright, stop crying! Let's go see if there's anything left we can salvage. Move!"
The children obediently headed toward the ruins and began rummaging through the debris.
"Let's go too."
Roy King cast another odd glance at Lilith, patted Darkwill on the shoulder, and turned to leave.
"Master, we're just leaving like this?"
"We'll bring the item to my teacher first, then find a way to come back and repay them. Staying here will only put them in more danger." He paused. "By the way, did you see how that girl got out just now?"
"Uh?" Darkwill blinked. "Wasn't it you who saved her?"
"…Forget it."
While speaking, they left the ruins behind. As they turned onto a main street, rapid footsteps suddenly echoed from several directions. Both men's expressions changed instantly.
Darkwill spun around, ready to run back, but Roy King yanked him by the arm. He pulled out the small jewellery box containing the Die and shoved it into the talons of the owl perched nearby.
"Take it and go."
"Gah?"
The owl stared blankly at Darkwill.
"Listen to the Master—go!"
"…Take care. I'll remember you."
With that, the owl flapped its wings furiously and soared away.
"What do you mean, remember you? If you can't talk properly, then don't talk at all!" Darkwill snapped.
At that moment, several squads of Loen soldiers appeared from three directions, surrounding them. Leading them was none other than Admiral Amyrius's secretary, Lueran. He gave a cold smile.
"Finally found you."
Meanwhile, Mr. Harry the owl flapped desperately, retracing his path. In no time, he returned to the collapsed ruins, glancing back frequently in fear that someone might be pursuing him.
Just then, he felt the jewellery box in his talons give a sudden tremor. He instinctively looked down at it—and when he raised his head again, a tree trunk appeared right in front of him.
Thud!
Lilith was rummaging through the rubble with Isabella and the others. Nothing else mattered—Isabella's photograph did!
Ah! Found it!
She had just carefully pulled the photo free when a loud thump sounded nearby. Turning her head, she saw a certain owl plummet to the ground, eyes spiralling, with a small, delicate jewellery box lying not far away.
Huh?
Wasn't this the same owl that had been perched on the chubby guy's shoulder just now?
Clapping her hands free of dust, Lilith strolled over and grabbed the owl by one talon, holding it upside down.
"Hey!"
She gave it a firm shake. "What's wrong with you?"
Shaken so hard, Mr. Harry snapped back to awareness—only to find himself dangling upside down in midair, staring at a human-shaped figure that radiated a very dangerous aura.
He instinctively shrank back, pretending he couldn't speak.
"Hoo...hoo."
Isabella came over, eyes wide in surprise.
"Lilith, did you just catch this owl? I've never eaten…owl before. Do you roast them too?"
"!!!"
Mr. Harry immediately began struggling.
"Don't eat me, don't eat me! Mr. Harry's meat tastes awful!"
The talking owl startled Isabella so much she froze.
"The owl…it—it spoke!"
"The box! Where's the box?"
It was only then that Mr. Harry realised the jewellery box was gone. He frantically looked around.
Isabella glanced down and spotted the delicate jewellery box. She picked it up.
"Were you looking for this?"
"Don't touch it! It's dangerous!"
Isabella was surprisingly obedient. Without hesitation, she let go.
"Don't drop—ah, it's over!"
Mr. Harry shut his eyes in despair.
Lilith casually caught the jewellery box with one hand.
"Can't touch it, can't drop it…how strange."
She handed the owl to Isabella, freeing up her hands to open the box. Inside lay a single die, its face showing five small black pips.
"Five!"
Mr. Harry slumped as if all the tension had left his body.
"What's this?" Lilith poked the die inside the box with her finger.
Mr. Harry panicked. "Don't touch it!"
But after being poked, the die rolled a few times and stopped again—still showing five.
"It's a die," Isabella said.
"What's that?"
"It's…uh…" Isabella found herself unable to explain. "Something used in gambling. Anyway, it's not a good thing!"
"Oh." Lilith nodded, then looked at the owl again. "You're scared of this…die, aren't you?"
"It—it's cursed. It brings misfortune to everyone around it."
"So it's a sealed artifact that brings bad luck?"
Mr. Harry's eyes widened. "How do you kno—"
Before he could finish, Lilith raised the jewellery box as if to throw it away.
"Then let's just toss it."
"Wait! It's showing five right now—it won't bring bad luck. It'll bring good luck!"
Lilith paused mid-throw, then pulled the box back.
"What's a curse? And what's good luck?"
"…Three or lower is bad luck. Higher than three is good luck."
Lilith counted on her fingers. "I get it. Isabella, let him go."
Isabella didn't understand what Lilith and the owl were talking about, but she knew Lilith practised witchcraft—perhaps she was one of those legendary witches. In this area, Isabella trusted her completely. She loosened her grip, letting the owl drop straight down.
Fortunately, Mr. Harry flapped frantically just before hitting the ground, wobbling into the air.
"You're…letting me go?"
"What else? Do you really want to be roasted and eaten?"
"…Th-then give me back the die."
"What die?" Lilith's expression was pure confusion.
"The one from the jewellery box! The one showing five!"
"I didn't see any die." Lilith spread her hands innocently. "Nothing here~"
"That's impossible—it was just in your hands—how could—"
Mr. Harry suddenly realised, shifting into "spectator" state.
"You—you just don't want to give it back to me, do you?!"
Lilith shook her head. "Miss Lilith doesn't know what you're talking about."
She took Isabella's hand. "Come on, let's go."
"Oh, okay. What about it—"
"Forget it. Unless you really want roast owl."
"No! No need!" Isabella would roast an ordinary owl without hesitation, but a talking one? Absolutely not. In so many fairy tales, talking animals were actually transformed humans!
Seeing Lilith and Isabella walk away, Mr. Harry was unwilling to give up. He flapped after them, shouting, "Give me back the die!"
"The die!"
"Die!"
His squawking drew the attention of the other three children. They stared blankly until Alisa muttered, "That parrot's really ugly."
"Mr. Harry is an owl!" the owl yelled, twisting his head back before resuming his chant at Lilith.
"Die! Die! Give me back the die!"
"Lilith, what's this parrot saying?"
"It's an owl!" Lilith waved a hand dismissively. "Ignore it. Oh, by the way, Isabella, your photo…"
"Forget it!" Isabella waved back. "It's already old. When Daddy comes to pick me up, we'll take a new one!"
"Ah, is that so?"
Before long, the group of children carried away what they'd salvaged from the rubble. Mr. Harry followed behind, muttering incessantly.
Only when they reached a bustling street did he finally shut up, though he still trailed after them.
"Where are we going, Isabella?"
The three children grew listless again. Isabella thought for a moment.
"Today…let's stay in a hotel! The beds there are super soft, super comfy, and you can even take a bath! I bet you've never stayed in one before!"
"After today, we'll find a new place to live! We'll definitely find somewhere better than before! Don't worry—as long as I'm here, you'll never be without a home!"
"Okay~"
Hearing her describe it, the children's faces lit up with a bit of anticipation.
———
Not long after they left, two figures appeared atop the ruins: Zatwen, a demigod of the Rose School of Thought, and Enzo, a defector from the Life School of Thought to the Rose School of Thought.
"Enzo, you're certain Roy King was here?"
"Yes, Lord Zatwen. At least…they were here not long ago."
Zatwen frowned. "And the item?"
"This…"
"Forget it. It wasn't part of this mission's objectives anyway."
Zatwen gave a small nod. "Prepare the sacrifices. I need to report to Lord Suah."
———
[Note]: Don't forget to VOTE. It keeps me motivated.