"Why are you helping me?"
That was what Lirienne asked while gulping the soup Callius gave her.
'I can't understand him….. Why is he doing this?'
In her mind, a lot of things were going on.
Remembering the things she had always seen from others or how people behaved she could say for sure that in this world there was nothing that would come without a price.
"Why, you ask, huh?"
"Yes."
"Don't you really know that?"
"Hmm?"
With his red eyes straight up looking at her grey ones, he asked in a response.
"Although I don't know what kind of life you have lived so far, I can say when I see a person's eyes if they have gone through a lot."
"….."
"And, your eyes are telling me that you have already seen how this world works, isn't it?"
"….Don't divert the question."
'In the end, this is not enough to fool her…'
That was what Callius thought while releasing a long sigh.
"The answer is simple. There are things I will benefit from when I help you."
With his head straight, he said.
"…. I see…."
'As expected, he is just like others.'
Hearing this answer, she thought while lowering her head again.
In the end, sometimes a glimmer of hope would remain inside a person's heart, to find the one that would care about them.
"Don't tell me you expected something different?"
"Hm?"
With his blood-red eyes looking deeper into hers again, Callius asked.
But this time there was something different in those eyes… Something fiercer…
"When it comes to humans, you need to expect nothing from them but you need to expect them to do everything. If you are heartbroken just because someone or something didn't meet your expectations, then it is your fault for feeling that."
"….."
"In the end, you can't change the whole world…. You can only change yourself."
'Changing myself….'
Looking at those fierce red eyes that were looking at her like they had seen everything this world could offer, she was momentarily taken aback.
Because she was not expecting such a fierce response.
After that talk, neither Callius nor Lirienne(Flore) said anything and just kept eating the meal Callius prepared.
'It is delicious….'
That was what she thought while eating the meal Callius had prepared.
Because it was her first time that she was eating such a meal that was prepared by a lot of different spices.
Though she was never able to say it….
****
After eating the grilled meat I had prepared without talking any more than that, we went to rest.
Now, some of you may have wondered why I gave her such a fierce response.
The answer is, I don't know.
Somehow, I felt annoyed seeing her lowering her head after hearing what I said.
And that made me irritated.
In the end, I am also a human; though I might not show it that much, I get annoyed too….
Anyway, thanks to me having one more tent as a spare, there was no discomfort.
I mean, although I am traveling alone and won't need a tent, in case of the one I am using rip or get damaged, I always bring a spare one.
'Can't say I am unprepared, can I?'
That was my motto all the time.
Just like that, we went to sleep, finishing the day….
****
After Callius set up the tent for her, Lirienne was left alone with her thoughts.
'You can't change the world… But, you can change yourself.'
In her head, what Callius said was echoing.
Normally, she would not consider what others were saying as something important.
She would dismiss those lectures directed to her…. Since most of the time, they would hurt her pride.
Therefore, she would always think whatever she wanted to.
However, for some reason, when she talks with that guy who grabbed her hand and threatened her at the beginning, she is not able to ignore what he is saying.
It felt like her feelings were resonating with his.
Like, he also has been in such situations before and dealt with them.
But, it was also annoying for her because whenever she looked into his eyes, which looked like he knew everything, she felt exposed.
She felt exposed; she felt that her private life was being interfered with.
She felt like, in front of those crimson-red eyes; she was completely naked, devoid of any cover.
Which made her scared.
And that night, she was not able to get any sleep at all….
With thoughts filling her head.
****
After resting for six hours, I woke up thanks to my body clock.
'Hmm… I hadn't seen any monsters on the way, and they hadn't bothered us either. It seems the monster repellant is working just fine.'
Although that was what I thought, relying on monster repellant is not always a good idea since, just as it happened before, some other monsters may be able to ignore it or have resistance against mana waves sent by it.
Getting out of the tent, I saw Lirienne standing around the fire, looking around.
'It seems she woke up early; that sleep on horseback should be enough for her.'
I thought while greeting her.
"Morning."
"Good morning."
"Are you ready? I don't plan to stop on the road, so it is better for you to finish everything…. Like- humf!"
Just as I was about to say it, a hand reached to my face.
Of course, I could see that hand, but seeing it didn't contain any strength at all, I decided to let her be.
"Don't talk about it."
With the tip of her ears red and with her eyes glaring at me, she said.
"Okay. If you are ready, we can leave right away."
This rest was also good for Night since she was not used to carrying two people on her, which made her really tired.
"I am ready."
Normally, eating breakfast might not be bad, but we hadn't rested for a long time after we ate dinner.
Therefore, it is also skippable.
"Come then."
/WHISTLE/
After calling Night with a whistle, we left, starting off….
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