𝚘𝔳𝗅xt.𝐜𝑜𝗆

“Just so we’re clear – the freedom I offer you isn’t unconditional.”

“…?”

Zoemi pointed out and Roiso glared at him while raising her brow, silently demanding an explanation.

“You will need to stay by my side. Always. The Efemare family hid your existence from the world and should not give us any problems in public, but they surely try to either kill you off or get you back in the shadows.”

The black-haired boy leaned down and declared, staring deeply into the wide-open neon-pink eyes.

“I will make you strong, protect you until you are able to live without fear, and then I myself will need your help with saving the world.”

Zoemi continued, leaning closer and closer in – at one point he put his hand on the backrest of the chair too, which resulted in a situation that Miriette would love to find herself in.

Roiso did not look away during Zoemi’s speech, even though her eyes did later and she tremble when someone she met for the first time got so close to her. Normally the servants that came to take care of her did their best to stay as far away as they could because of the ridiculously corrosive properties of her attribute.

“…hmmhnn…?”

The neon-pink-haired girl forced some noises through her nose and it sure did sound as if she wanted to inquire about some part of Zoemi’s speech.

“Yes. Saving the world.”

The black-haired boy wasn’t completely certain that it was the part that the neon-pink-haired girl was bothered about, but he went with it anyway.

“You see, I don’t have mana. What I use is the spiritual energy that fuels the star power the same way that mana fuels magic. You might or might have not heard about marital artists from another continent who wields star power, but I am one of them. Although not exactly the same – I have been chosen by the faceless god, Guide, the guardian of the stars, to become the next Heavenly Star warrior and defeat the evil that is the demon lord Cherro.”

Zoemi said, revealing something that he didn’t even share with Miriette, not even mentioning Mizoe or Rokiana.

“That filth’s awakening is still set in the undetermined future, but I need to prepare the best I can for it. Star power counters mana you see, and Cherro uses mana. That’s why I wish you to be my first ally against him. Because your attribute corrodes mana.”

The black-haired boy grabbed the neon-pink-haired girl’s shoulders and declared with might.

“I already lost a world because of him. Help me protect the current one. You might be hating it, but I promise you that if you cooperate with me, I will show you that this world is worth living in.”

“…”

Truth be told, Zoemi didn’t have to bring such heavy entirely of arguments to bring Roiso to his side – but he did, and it worked splendidly.

To the point of the neon-pink-haired girl ending up starry-eyed at the end of his explanation.

“Now then, I will ask you again. Roiso Baru Efemare. Do you still want me to free you knowing full well what I am going to involve you in?”

“MM-HMM!”

Zoemi asked with an extremely serious face and Roiso nodded her head so vigorously that the chai that she was tied up to trembled.

“That’s what I wanted to hear~ Pleased to make you my comrade, Roiso.”

“!?!?”

The black-haired boy smirked devilishly, causing the unprepared heart of the neon-pink-haired girl to skip a beat.

“Let’s get you out of this mess…”

Zoemi added, subconsciously patting the girl’s head while inspecting the ropes made of her own hair.

…

“Lord Efemare, I cannot thank you enough for the kindness. I will make sure to repay it in full!”

In the morning, right after sunrise Rokiana curtsied to the sleepy gold-haired man who got out of bed only because a servant hastily informed him that the young lady Perserios and her servants were planning on leaving.

“It’s the least I could do for the daughter of our ally.”

Lord Efemare rubbed his eyes and shook his head before smiling benevolently and nodding back at the teenager.

“I was informed that the boy’s fever went down but it wasn’t completely healed… Feel free to stay until he recovers completely.”

The gold-haired man recalled some trivial information to keep the conversation going although there was nothing he wanted more than to chase the trio away.

After all, although Rokiana was the eldest daughter of the Perserios family, she wasn’t the designated heir to her family… The light-blue-haired man who traveled with her and was supposed to be strong had a ridiculously low amount of mana for a water magician, and his son didn’t have mana at all.

…the two last pieces of information came from the medic who was also a rather efficient spy – although as it turned out, employing him just to look into the duo was a waste of money.

Then there was the money lost on the medicine that the magicless brat drank to get better…

Such a troublesome situation…

“We are eternally grateful for such a kind offer, but it would be rude to impose on you any further.”

The blue-haired girl motioned at Mizoe, or rather at the child wearing a warm hooded cape which also was a gift from the oh-so-kind-and-benevolent lord Efemare, sitting in his lap.

“I respect your choice, young lady Perserios. I wish you a peaceful journey. Farewell.”

Lord Efemare nodded, trying to not leak any of the thoughts that were swarming his mind, and merely waved his hand as a goodbye and returned to his mansion.

“Farewell~”

Rokiana curtsied at the man’s back and got on her mare – a few minutes later her group left the Efemare’s estate and the capital city of their territory while on their way to their next stop.

The Tencelion territory.

After traveling for a few hours and making sure that they weren’t followed, the trio stopped on the edge of a small village to have a meal in the local rundown inn.

As they took their seats and waited for their orders, the door opened and a lone black-haired child entered the building and walked straight to their table, seating himself next to the hooded child by Mizoe’s side.

“How are feeling, Roiso? Does it hurt anywhere? If the wounds in your lips start sitting or letting out a funny-smelling substance, tell me immediately, it might be a sign of infection.”

The black-haired boy leaned in and reached under the hood of the child traveling with Mioze and Rokiana and said with concern.

“…haaaah… you could at least say something to us too, don’t you think?”

The blue-haired girl let out a heavy sigh and asked, furrowing her brows.

“Dad is capable enough for the both of you, and since you are here safe – it means that the plan worked without a hitch, what’s the big deal? Roiso here on the other hand is my precious ally that I promised to protect.”

Zoemi glared at Rokaina before protectively hugging the hooded girl who was snuck out of the Efemare estate right under her own father’s nose and scoffing.

“Tsk!”

Rokiana merely scoffed and glared at Mizoe as if he was responsible for his son’s response…

“…I… am fine… thank you… Zoemi…”

“Ah! She can talk?!”

The hooded girl fidgeted in Zoemi’s embrace and spoke quietly in an embarrassed voice, causing the blue-haired teenager to let out a shocked gasp.