Chapter 220: Secluded

Eman had a bitter smile from her reaction. Since the Rothsport family was loved by their people, he thought it should have been natural that the members of their family were popular to the people in that town. This is what he believes in. Though he wasn't particularly serious when he said it. He noticed Zennie was in a daze and was just sitting beside him without saying anything. He thought the atmosphere would become awkward if he did not say anything, so he said some random things that came to mind.

Eman could guess if they were lying to him based solely on their heartbeats. His perception leveled up to the extent in which he was capable of reading someone's heartbeat. But of course, it wasn't a hundred percent accurate. Much better if the Elder Dark Priest did the ritual to all of them. Speaking of ritual, it was the extraction of their brain.

But Eman could not do such a cruel action towards these people who did not do wrong to him or to anyone close to him.

While he was gazing at her, he noticed the light from the flickering bonfire radiated on Zennie's face. As though embracing her smooth white skin. He could not help but admire her beauty.

She had light blue hair that's shoulder length, beautiful round eyes of emerald color. She even has wavy eyebrows, and the dimples on her cheeks look cute when she smiles.

A while ago, he learned that Zennie was just 19 years old, running 20 next month. He also learned some minor stuff regarding her. 

Regardless, he noticed her face turning red from time to time. To continue the conversation he hosted, "Is that so?" He said to reply to her previous words. Eman was back to his usual calm tone. But there was also a sign that he wanted to hear further about it.

Zennie cleared her throat first before saying, "Even though our family is loved by the people of Rothsport, it doesn't mean that all of us are known in the town. I am the very example of it…"

He noticed sadness in her voice as she was saying it.

After it-- was a talk about Zennie's life. He learned that Zennie was someone who never went out of their domain. She did not even experience having friends of her age. She was a secluded girl. Even her studies were done with a strict tutor. So, actually, Zennie was ignorant of the outside world.

She continued. "In truth, it is my first time going out of Rothsport's domain."

Eman was attentively listening to her. "I see." His reply was short. However, he finally understood why she gets flustered so easily around him, why she acted young towards him even though she was older than her, why she seemed to have an awkwardness in her, why she was staring at Eina like it was her first time seeing some adorable child.

Also, when she talks, there was an element that she wasn't used to conversing with.

Eman could easily tell that she wasn't lying. After all, he experienced being secluded as well. So he knew what she felt and what she was experiencing now.

At first, he thought Zennie was attracted to him, but after hearing her circumstances, he finally understood that it wasn't the case.

Eman wasn't particularly interested in love life or in Zennie. His mind was all about his goal in the future. Also, there were dangers around him that he needed to take care of first rather than amusing himself with insignificant things.

After Zennie's flustered reply, Eman asked next about their reasons for traveling. He thought that it wouldn't hurt anyone if he asked this. She could choose to reply or not, it was her choice. He will respect whatever her decision is liked.

With a face that she just remembered something, she opened her mouth wider.

"Right! Thankfully, you ask that, E-Eman…"

Calling him by his name still seemed difficult for her. But Eman's focus was on her reply.

She sounded like she wanted to ask something important. He waited to finish her words. He felt she still had something to say.

"Before that, are you from the capital? Or anywhere around the area?" She suddenly threw a question of her own.

Eman slightly narrowed his eyes. But he chose to reply, anyway.

"We're now living in the Sunville Village."

Clang!

After mentioning it, they heard something drop from behind them.

When they glanced, they saw the servant, Miss Liz, standing with a shocked face and a small plate and a cup on the ground. Thankfully, none of them broke. Well, they are made of metal, a pure copper cup, and a plate.

"Young master Eman, did you mean the Sunville Village? The former Mining Village?"

Eman nodded with squinted eyes. "Did you happen to know about the village, Miss Liz?"

He asked a question as well.

There was a lag before she nodded slightly.

Later on, he learned that Miss Liz used to have relatives living in that place. But after the invasion from the bandits, she lost contact with them. She had no idea what happened to them. It was also reported that many residents of that village lost their lives.

Since there weren't any news outlets in this empire, it was hard for them to get news from other villages or towns.

Eman also explained to her that the place was already habitual. The emperor ordered a reclamation mission to that place and the soldiers who carried the task successfully won against the bandits. 

He did not say that he was the one who led the mission as it could be understood wrongly as though he was boasting. 

"I see. It's good to hear that it has been reclaimed by the empire."

Servant Liz tried to ask about the village. But all she got was a sad truth. Eman told her that the town was all but ruins.

He missed to ask her about the names of her relatives as she already left after a slight bow. He decided not to chase the topic.

After Miss Liz's sudden intrusion, the flow of Eman and Zennie's conversation was back to square one.

Liz's storytelling about her relatives in the old mining town made Zennie forget what she would ask Eman.

Eman told her to sleep early as they needed to depart early in the morning. Rossbert, on the other hand, busying himself in cleaning his equipment. And Liz was finishing her chores while Zennie, although skeptical, nodded at him with an unwilling expression on her face.

As Eman stated, they continued their trip before the sun was up.