Chapter 1-59 : The Girl Is Hoping For An Answer But Ends Up With More Mysteries (part 2)
Judging from his expression, the guild master seemed to know Hugo.
Elle’s heart pounded. She thought she could finally learn something about her father.
「That man… Hugo was my friend.」(Guild Master)
「…”Was”… I see…」(Elle)
The record said that Hugo had passed away, but deep inside her heart, Elle still believed that it wasn’t the case.
However, that one word from the guild master shattered that hope.
「Did he really pass away…?」(Elle)
Without answering Elle’s question, the guild master silently lowered his eyes.
Even without hearing the answer, Elle could already tell that he was confirming that Hugo had indeed left this world.
She wasn’t as shocked, but she had the similar sensation she felt when she was in the library. Her chest was in pain, her heart was beating fast, and tears slowly began to flow from her eyes.
She dreamed she would reunite with her father again, and he would smile at her awkwardly while saying, “Elle, I’m sorry”, but a dream would remain a dream.
Seeing Elle crying while holding her chest, Ingrid wrapped her arm around her shoulder and hugged her tightly while Yoyo and Prox were looking at her with concern.
「Elle-kun, could you be his… No, nevermind.」(Guild Master)
A random girl wouldn’t have cried over Hugo’s death. The guild master had a hunch about Elle’s identity, but he hesitated to ask.
After she calmed down, Elle wiped her tears and returned her gaze to the guild master.
「Sir, would you tell me how he died? I have to know.」(Elle)
「I’m sorry. I have no idea either. He was my friend, and of course, I was looking for that answer myself, but when I visited his family’s home to inquire, they didn’t tell me anything regarding his death.」(Guild Master)
「What? But why?」(Elle)
「I don’t know. They told me to go away and stop investigating.」(Guild Master)
「What…?」(Elle)
「They’re clearly hiding something.」(Ingrid)
「Well, he was a complicated man with a complicated background, so… you know.」(Guild Master)
「And you stop investigating because of that?」(Ingrid)
「Miss Black Gale, even the Adventurer Guild has no power against nobles. I just didn’t want to take the risk.」(Guild Master)
「Tsk.」(Ingrid)
The guild master looked frustrated that he couldn’t do anything. Even Ingrid, who had never seen Hugo herself, couldn’t accept it.
However, for Elle, she felt sadness more than frustration.
「I see… Thank you for telling me, Sir.」(Elle)
「I didn’t tell you anything useful. Only sad news, and I’m sorry for that.」(Guild Master)
「No, don’t be. Anyway, that’s all I wanted to ask. I’ll be leaving now.」(Elle)
「Alright. Ah, about the bounty, it should have been transferred into your guild card. You can withdraw your money anytime.」(Guild Master)
「Understood.」(Elle)
「You can visit me again if you need anything.」(Guild Master)
「Thank you, Sir.」(Elle)
Elle had received a huge amount of money for killing the red ogre, but it didn’t make her feel better even the slightest.
Finishing her business with the guild master, Elle stood up from her seat, bowed to the man politely, and left the drawing room with Ingrid. Yoyo and Prox were following from behind.
「Haaahh… Can’t believe she’s in this city… Hugo, you’re really such a pain in the ass…」(Guild Master)
After they left, the man let out a long sigh and leaned against his seat while looking at the door where Elle had just gone through.
ーーーーー
After leaving the guild, Elle and Ingrid slowly walked down the street while holding hands.
Elle had been looking down along the way, and it made Ingrid concerned. She was thinking of cheering her up.
「Yosh! Elle, let’s go eat something delicious right now!」(Ingrid)
「Eh?」(Elle)
「Which one do you prefer, the sweet one like cake or the savory one like meat? No, we can have both if you want!」(Ingrid)
「Oh! That’s a good idea!」(Yoyo)
「Gyau! (Food!)」(Prox)
「Eat something delicious…」(Elle)
Elle’s stomach growled the moment she thought about food.
She had been so depressed that she hadn’t even noticed how hungry she was.
「Umm, I want something savory.」(Elle)
「Meat it is then!」(Ingrid)
「Gyau, gyau… (I prefer cake…)」(Prox)
「Fufu.」(Elle)
Hearing what Prox muttered, Elle giggled.
Ingrid was happy to see Elle cheer up a bit.
「What did she say?」(Ingrid)
「She wants cake.」(Elle)
「Hahaha! You’re really such a weird dragon. Alright, let’s have them both then! I know a good restaurant. Let’s go!」(Ingrid)
「Alright.」(Elle)
Ingrid picked up Prox, who had been toddling behind Elle, put her on her shoulder, and then led the way. The four of them then headed to a restaurant in the next district.
After taking a seat at an empty table and waiting for a while, their food came.
On the table, there were delicious-looking soup, grilled meat, some vegetables, and, of course, some cakes for Prox.
「You know? This soup is made by simmering bones for three days straight. This is the best soup in this city.」(Ingrid)
「Really?」(Elle)
Elle took her spoon, scooped up the amber-colored soup from her bowl, and sipped it.
「Mmm! It’s really good!」(Elle)
「Right?」(Ingrid)
The soup contained slices of onions and pieces of tender meat. It tasted rich and flavorful, but not too heavy for a kid like Elle. It warmed up her chilled body instantly.
After enjoying several spoons of the soup, Elle grabbed her fork and knife. She was about to eat the grilled meat, but Ingrid stopped her.
「No, no. You don’t use those. You eat it like this. Humm humm! MMmmmmm~!!」(Ingrid)
Without using any cutlery, Ingrid grabbed the bone sticking out of the meat with her hand and started devouring the grilled meat.
「Umm… Alright then.」(Elle)
Elle hesitated for a second, but seeing Ingrid eating her meat deliciously, she put away her fork and knife and did the same.
「*Munch munch*… Mmmm!」(Elle)
Her hands were greasy because of that, but she could understand the excitement of eating meat that way.
「Oi, what’s the point of these forks and knives then? If Moritz saw this, he would be furious for sure…」(Yoyo)
Yoyo couldn’t help but sigh and mutter, watching Elle eating with such bad manners, but then he smiled. He was glad that Elle no longer looked sad.
They were eating and enjoying their meals until they emptied their plates and bowls.
「Phew… I’m full.」(Ingrid)
「Me too.」(Elle)
After she was done eating, Elle grabbed her bag and rummaged in it.
「What are you doing?」(Ingrid)
「Grabbing money to pay.」(Elle)
「No, no. It was my idea, so I’m the one paying here.」(Ingrid)
「But I’ve just received a lot of money.」(Elle)
「Yeah, but I did this to cheer you up, so you don’t need to mind it.」(Ingrid)
「Umm, alright then. Thank you, Ingrid.」(Elle)
「So? Did I cheer you up.」(Ingrid)
「You did.」(Elle)
Elle smiled at Ingrid, but then she looked down again.
「If I did, then why the long face?」(Ingrid)
「Ah, I’m not feeling sad right now. I’m just thinking.」(Elle)
「Thinking?」(Ingrid)
「I stay with you until I find my dad. That’s our agreement. But… I will never see him. And I don’t have anywhere else to go.」(Elle)
Elle was staying with Ingrid temporarily until she found Hugo, but now that she learned that he had really passed away, she lost her goal.
Her house was burned by the villagers. Her master and her father had left this world. She had no place to go.
「Hm? Is that what you’re worrying about? Then there will be no problem.」(Ingrid)
「Why are you saying that?」(Elle)
「Because the answer is simple. You just have to live with me. Permanently, of course.」(Ingrid)
「Eh?」(Elle)
It was a huge problem for Elle, but Ingrid solved it right away.
「Can I? Really?」(Elle)
「We’re already family, aren’t we? But, of course, only if you want to stay in that cheap rented house with me.」(Ingrid)
「I don’t mind at all! I want to live with you!」(Elle)
Unlike other people she had met during her journey, Elle felt at ease when she was with Ingrid. She knew she could trust her.
Her words made Ingrid happy. She wanted to pat Elle’s head so badly, but her hands were greasy. She kind of regretted eating the meat with her bare hands.
「Umm, I’m sorry if I’ve been relying on you too much.」(Elle)
「No, that’s not true. In fact, I’m the one being helped by your presence.」(Ingrid)
「What do you mean?」(Elle)
「Hmm, how do I put it? Elle, you’re like a breath of fresh air to my life. I had been struggling in this city, living my boring, meaningless life, but it had changed since you came. Thinking that I will see you when I wake up in the morning alone is enough to brighten my day.」(Ingrid)
「Is that so? I see…」(Elle)
Elle blushed at Ingrid’s words. She looked away shyly as her face turned red.
Ingrid had been living in loneliness since she was betrayed by the man she trusted. Elle’s presence had really changed her life.
「Say, Ingrid. Since we’ll be living together, I want to help you with your workshop.」(Elle)
「Really!? Are you sure?」(Ingrid)
「Yeah. Honestly, I’m interested in your research. I want to make interesting magic tools too, like the kotatsu you’re working on. I will help you make them and sell them, and we can make a living.」(Elle)
「That’s a great plan! I can’t do it by myself, but with your magic stones, it will surely be possible. In that case, my workshop will be OUR workshop then!」(Ingrid)
「Our workshop… Sounds wonderful!」(Elle)
Developing magic tools in the workshop together, gathering materials together, and sometimes going on adventures to search for the blueprints left by the outworlder hero together.
Elle thought it would be a lot of fun with Ingrid by her side.
「Ingrid, I’ll be in your care.」(Elle)
「I’ll be in your care too. Let’s grow our workshop together, Elle!」(Ingrid)
「Un!」(Elle)
Thus, Elle took a new step forward and decided to live a new life in the royal capital with Ingrid.
You can gain access to [Early Access] page and read up to ten chapters ahead by supporting me on [Patreon]