CH 123

Kei busily brought teacups and a teapot. However, there weren’t enough chairs, so Perante had to pull over a small table and sit on it.

“These are tea leaves that I picked and dried. The aroma is delightful.”

As Kei spoke, he placed the tea leaves into the teapot and poured hot water, filling the cabin with a pleasant scent.

“My boy tripped and sprained his ankle.”

Grandmother affectionately stroked Kei’s head. Kei smiled confidently.

“It happened when we were walking and I tripped on a rock.”

“You should be more careful.”

Grandmother’s deeply lined face was filled with concern.

“It’s nothing serious.”

“Still, it would be best for you to rest and not climb the mountains for a few days.”

“No, I can’t. When the weather gets colder, it becomes difficult to find herbs that are sensitive to the cold. I have to gather as many as possible before that.”

Instead of agreeing, Grandmother let out a deep sigh.

Riett felt like they understood the meaning behind that sigh.

Grandmother probably wanted to stop her grandson, but considering the circumstances, she couldn’t bring herself to do so.

As Riett silently observed this, a sense of frustration welled up in her chest, and she shifted her gaze to the crackling fire.

Perante’s profile caught her eye. His pale face was illuminated by the red light of the fireplace.

His expression was so rigid that it was noticeable. Riett thought it was unexpectedly different from the way Perante had acted towards Kei earlier, pretending to be kind and pure.

The atmosphere had changed as soon as they entered this house.

‘Weird guy.’

Riett made that judgment about Perante and absentmindedly stared at the flames in the fireplace.

There was a moment of silence.

The first to break the silence was Kei’s grandmother.

“Kei, don’t overexert yourself because of me. If things don’t work out… you can sell the dagger.”

It was a calm voice, but Kei immediately stood up as he had heard it.

“Grandmother, I can’t do that!”

“I know you’re not receiving the proper value for the herbs.”

Kei’s eyebrows twitched with anxiety.

“How did you know, Grandmother?”

“Every night, when I fall asleep, don’t you sigh deeply while looking at the ledger?”

Kei clenched his fist.

“Grandmother, but…”

“Enough. Let’s sell the dagger before the end of the week. A person’s worth lies in something other than the possessions and status of the household.”

Grandmother lowered her gaze to Kei’s feet.

“I don’t want my only grandson to trek up the mountains with an injured foot and achieve nothing.”

Kei didn’t retort. He simply bit his lip, stood up, and went outside.

With one leg already uncomfortable and the other injured today, his departure seemed extremely burdensome.

Grandmother stared at Kei’s back and then turned her head towards Riett and Perante.

“We showed such behavior in front of the guests… Hufgh, hufgh.”

“No, it’s not like that.”

Even with Riett’s reassurance, Grandmother weakly lowered her head.

“I apologize. You brought Kei all the way here, but we couldn’t offer anything better than this tea.”

“We didn’t bring Kei here for special treatment.”

Riett tried to comfort Kei’s grandmother. Her pale lips formed a faint curve.

“…There are still many good people in this world. If Kei grows up with good people, he can become even brighter and more wonderful… I’m truly sorry.”

Cough, cough. 

Kei’s grandmother covered her mouth and coughed continuously, her distant gaze fixed on the window.

“Even with an injured ankle, how could he climb these rugged mountains…”

Riett felt a renewed empathy for Kei’s difficult circumstances. Climbing the herbal mountains was never easy, let alone with an impaired leg.

But to live as an herbalist at such a young age… The hands Riett saw when Kei picked the tea leaves were covered in wounds. He seemed to struggle to feed himself properly and appeared physically weaker than other children his age.

“But where do you two live? Since this is a remote mountain cabin and there are no other houses nearby, you must not be locals… It would be difficult for you to cross the mountains and return after sunset.”

Riett turned her head towards Perante in response to the grandmother’s question. Perante also seemed slightly taken aback.

They had followed the boy, who was instructed by the Spirit Stone for them to meet. They couldn’t part ways here. Surely Kei must have some hint or clue about the Spirit Stone’s name.

However, at that moment, Grandmother made a kind smile and suggested, 

“If you’re tired, you can stay here. We have a simple room on the second floor.”

Her gaze fell on the small bag Riett was carrying.

“Looking at you, it seems like you’re travelers…”

Indeed, Riett and Perante stood out as non-locals. Their attire, including winter robes, indicated that they were not from the area. Happily accepting the offer, Riett quickly nodded her head.

“Yes, we would be grateful if you allow us to stay.”

Perante also quietly expressed his gratitude, indicating that they would stay here.

“If you go upstairs, there are two rooms available. You can choose one each. As my night vision is poor, it would be difficult for me to guide you.”

Riett smiled and said, “Thank you,” and began to ascend the stairs.

“Excuse me…”

Grandmother’s voice stopped Riett in her tracks, and she turned around.

“I’m sorry, but after you settle in your rooms… Could you please check on Kei once? I’m worried…”

Grandmother seemed anxious, her fingertips trembling.

The sky outside had gradually darkened. Since their house was located near the mountains, it felt much darker than the city.

Although Kei couldn’t go far due to his injured leg, there was a possibility that he could be attacked by wild animals. It would be better to find him before it got too late at night.

“Yes, after we put down our belongings, we’ll go and look for him.”

“Thank you. Also, be careful going upstairs as the ceiling on the second floor is low.”

“We’ll be careful.”

With Riett’s smiling response, they climbed the stairs and went up to the second floor.

The ceiling on the second floor was low enough for Riett’s forehead to touch it. Perante had to slightly stoop.

‘At least we can have separate rooms. That’s a relief.’

If she had to share a room with Perante, it would have been awkward. Plus, if Evan found out later, he would definitely make a certain expression.

Riett’s gaze alternated between the two doors in the corridor.

Well, the flimsy doors seemed like they could be opened at any time…

Riett turned her head sharply and glared at Perante.

“You won’t try to kill me again, will you?”

“I can’t do that while I’m undergoing the Spirit Stone’s test.”

Hm… It seemed like the Spirit Stone was watching them from somewhere. If that’s the case, it would be difficult to use unfair methods.

However, Perante’s dark expression had been bothering her since earlier. While it seemed like he was reminiscing about his impoverished past when he saw Kei’s difficult life, the lingering effect seemed to last longer than expected.

“Why are you like this?”

Riett finally asked. Perante tilted his head slightly.

“What do you mean?”

“Your expression has been dark since earlier.”

Perante hesitated for a moment with his hand on the doorknob, then opened the door and entered.

“Don’t worry about it.”

With a rather cold voice, the door closed.

Riett bit her tongue inwardly.

Why was he so lost in his own world like this? Even if he focused on finding the answer to the problem posed by the Spirit Stone, it wouldn’t be enough.

‘Well, it’s none of my business.’

Riett shrugged and entered her room.

She had to unpack and then go find Kei.

* * *

After putting down her belongings, Riett set out to find Kei with a lightened body. As she glanced around, she noticed that Perante’s door was tightly shut.

As Riett stepped outside, she slowly scanned her gaze in the darkness. It was significantly darker than the city, and she had to be on high alert.

‘Usually, I would use spirit magic to create light and brighten the way.’

Once you got used to spirit magic, it became incredibly convenient, and she occasionally yearned for it like this.

‘It’s a shame that I can’t use spirit magic after just one day here.’

As Riett quietly looked up at the sky, she suddenly felt concerned about someone.

‘Could it be… Evan isn’t standing in the snowy field, waiting for me, is he?’

No, there was a high probability that he was. In that case, she had to quickly finish the Spirit Stone’s test and go outside. She didn’t even know if Evan would go on a rampage thinking she had died.

Feeling anxious, Riett quickly decided to go look for Kei.

‘He couldn’t have gone too far.’

As Riett wandered around the house, she suddenly became aware of the sound of water amidst the calm night air.

She listened attentively and followed the sound, which grew louder as she went. Eventually, she discovered a valley in a bend of the hill.

The sound of the flowing water echoed through the cool night air. Additionally, fireflies sparkled here and there in the darkness, creating a truly beautiful natural landscape.

Splash!

She heard the sound of something falling into the water. When she turned her head, she saw Kei sitting on a rock, throwing pebbles into the stream with an indifferent expression.

“Kei?”

As Riett softly called his name, Kei’s pumpkin-colored eyes lit up with surprise.

“Sister…?”

Riett cautiously approached Kei, as if approaching a timid wild animal.

“Grandmother was worried, so I came to find you.”

When Riett mentioned his grandmother, Kei’s face turned gloomy. It seemed like the first time she saw a boyish expression on his face at that age.

The young child indeed looks like a young child.

“When the time comes, I should go back inside. Grandma worries a lot…”

Then Kei suddenly lifted his head and looked at Riett.

“By the way, does that mean you and your brother won’t have to return to the village?”

“Ah… Grandma said we can sleep here tonight as well, so we’ll be staying at Kei’s house for now.”

Kei blinked, saying, “I see…” Then he scratched his head awkwardly.

“The second floor is really small and we don’t clean it often, so it might be messy…”

“Just the fact that you’re letting us stay and providing a place to sleep is more than enough.”

Riett spoke sincerely.

Although she had a small amount of money in her bag, the currency used in the Truto Empire 63 years ago was different, so it wasn’t usable.

If they couldn’t sleep at Kei’s house, they would have had to sleep on the streets or find some other desperate means.

“You and your brother are really strange. You helped me the first time we met, and you speak so kindly… You seem like the kindest adults I’ve ever seen.”

Riett’s conscience was pricked once again as she had approached him with ulterior motives, but it was also true that she genuinely cared about Kei’s situation.

Compared to her noble status, the lives of common people were so harsh and cruel.

Of course, not all common people’s lives were this difficult, but she couldn’t help but reflect upon herself.

Had she been superficially claiming to work for the benefit of the Truto Empire’s citizens while not truly understanding their hardships?

As Riett was self-criticizing, Kei’s hesitant voice reached her ears.

“Actually… there’s something I want to confide in you.”