18 – Innocent Boy (1)
“Do you have a plan?”
Walking quietly along the side, a question arises.
When I think about it, I actually had an ambitious goal of going global, but
I didn’t look closely at what to do after that.
…In the first place, the current situation was the result of impulsive action.
Before my mom catches me any further,
Before I could not achieve the dream I wanted.
“I guess it’s not there.”
I tried to force my mouth to open, but in the end I had no choice but to lower my head.
Although I learned about human history and the world through books,
I was held in my mother’s arms and heard many stories,
I couldn’t set a goal without knowing where I was.
“By any chance… Is the capital very far from here?”
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“It’s far, it doesn’t matter.
And it is also the place you should stay away from the most.
It is the home of the Knights.”
And sure enough.
I was thinking of places I shouldn’t even set foot in.
“If you want to become a promising wizard,
Wouldn’t it be much better to pretend to be a vagabond than to suddenly appear?
After wandering the world and walking with nature as my friend, I decided to help people.
I wonder if he’s trying to become the main character of word of mouth… Pugh.”
My mother was smiling as she faced me, who was about to die.
Walking among long-growing weeds and flowers, red hair blowing in the wind –
The forest path was becoming brighter and beautifully decorated.
“But, you didn’t say that as a joke.
Maybe he really will become a wonderful wizard who saved a dragon.”
At the end of the forest path, I was able to face the brilliantly shining sunlight.
It is much weaker than the one that my mother lifted into the sky, but
That’s why I was able to feel the gentle warmth approaching my skin.
There were a few dark clouds in the open sky,
The trees on the mountain in the distance were sometimes colored with black leaves,
Nevertheless, the scenery of the small village in front of it was truly refreshing.
Colorful dots were wriggling along with the rising smoke.
Could the small fluttering fabrics be blankets and clothes hanging out?
Is it a horse and carriage that pulls the bigger brown thing?
My heart was pounding at the sight of the village I had not seen in a long time.
Very occasionally, she would accompany her grandmother to see how people lived.
If I inadvertently became too absorbed in the sight, I would get a stern scolding…
“I think this will be your first stage.”
That smiling face, gently embracing me, was gently covering up the dark memories of the past.
The fact that it gave me a warmth that made me forget the empty, hungry, and cold days of the past,
Perhaps no matter how many times I thank you, it will not be enough.
“The name of the village is Ruzek.
It’s small and quiet, and the only interaction with the capital is maybe once a year.
It is an ordinary place that trades with surrounding villages.
If it weren’t for that.”
The tip of the finger held out while holding my shoulder tightly.
There was greenery there that had begun to turn slightly black.
A color that does not match the mountain located right behind the village.
When I first saw it, I thought it was just a shadow, but
“The demons’ minions started wandering around here a while ago.
Of course, they are not the ones who dare to touch the dragon – but it is common for them to attack wild animals and humans and use them as food.
That’s why we’re looking for adventurers and mercenaries to fight against it in that village now.”
Apparently it wasn’t just black.
In the distance, I saw a speeding carriage on the flat land, noisily kicking up dust.
It is being chased by something and runs towards the village, hitting small solid lines.
The small commotion ended with silver sparkling dots appearing and staining the dust-covered area a dark red color.
“It’s located on the outskirts, and most young people are busy helping with the village’s businesses.
If you appear in such a situation…”
“I guess I can gain fame?”
“I guess so?”
As I looked at the village where the commotion had been cleared, I felt my heart pounding.
I was a little nervous just because I was able to meet people after such a long time.
I had high expectations again.
I was about to stretch my feet forward, imagining what would happen.
The tail that blocked me hissed menacingly and pushed me back into the forest.
“I know you’re anxious.
I’d like you to look at this a little bit.”
The mother’s face, with its red scales and glowing red black horns, looked a little distressed.
Mom approaches me with her eyebrows slightly furrowed.
She gently spread her arms and puffed up her body as if to hug me…
“If I send you away like this, I will be alone again.
As your family, we will be waiting endlessly for you to return.
So… I’m embarrassed,
To the three promises I asked you to make, couldn’t I just add one more?”
He stared at me with pitiful eyes.
The way he twitched his fingertips, squeezing and unclenching them, the elegance I saw at the entrance was nowhere in sight.
Instead, there is just a distorted expression on his face, as if he will burst into tears at any moment.
“If I add a stroke to your forehead, the magic that will connect you to me will be engraved on you.
You can talk to me anytime, anywhere, just by pouring in a little mana.
Can you give me permission, at least to this extent?”
I stopped laughing at those words.
I was nervous that a fourth rule would be added, which is worse than the third.
The sight of her becoming anxious and even crying because she was worried about me was the weakest mother I had ever seen.
“Of course it’s okay. Rather, I think it’s strange that it hasn’t happened before.”
So, I took a step forward and fell into its arms.
Her head rested comfortably on his chest,
I let out my breath as I felt the tail tightening around me.
“My lovely baby…”
Is it okay to call it the last hug?
When we meet again, how will we see her mother?
Thinking about such things, I felt her fingers pressing against my forehead becoming hot.
“Please, take care of yourself.”
When I was finally separated from that warm embrace,
When I face that face once again.
I ended up shedding tears like my mother.
There was no sobbing.
However, her eyes grew hot, and her separated hand kept trying to reach towards her mother.
Instead of stretching it out, she clenched her fist –
“Mom too.”
He responded with a raised corner of his mouth to the smiling red dragon.
That was my mother’s farewell to me.
***
The dragon was busy wiping away his tears as he watched the boy leaving.
There was no sound, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t sad.
A special meeting, and a special farewell.
The fact that she was leaving her child, whom she had raised with love, was a fresh pain for her.
The mere thought of letting the one she had grown so attached to escape with her own hands made her have no choice but to grind her teeth.
“…Did I really have to let it go like this?”
Correcting my faltering steps,
She wants to snatch the child from behind as he walks steadily as if he has made up his mind.
It’s been a long time since I spread my wings.
The corners of the eyes are thin and covered with hard scales,
It was already difficult to say that the hand that pulled out the sharp claws was human.
However, she calmed down her emotions in an instant, returned to her human form, and just stared in front of her in despair.
The boy’s mind seemed to have already been made up as he headed towards the village without even looking back.
“Did you really never make me feel like a woman?
While talking about love, has he never once talked about a love like mine?”
As if he was disappointed that he was unable to change Russell’s heart despite numerous temptations,
Her face was full of sadness as she repeatedly hit the ground with her tail.
No,
It was full.
“But it’ll be okay.
At least the mark has already been left.”
In an instant, a dirt road began to appear in my right eye, which began to glow red.
I hesitated for a moment at the growing wooden fence, and when I saw her magic book-
She could see the view progressing further.
“There is no way that a child who can’t even decide where to go can become independent.
And… Just falling like this hurts this much.
There is no way we can achieve independence.”
Rosaria slowly leaned against the nearby tree and then sat down in her seat.
She sees the world through Russell’s eyes and smiles as much as the excited boy.
However, the hand holding the area where her heart would be did not match the smile.
“Just to have a safe adventure and comfortable days…
I’m just doing what I have to do as a mother.
She hasn’t even seen the whole world yet,
Because it is difficult for misfortune to occur.
Besides… We have to see if she keeps her promise.”
Of all the things said, there is only one word that contains the Red Dragon’s sincerity.
Promise.
And especially, the third promise I made with my ‘son’.
Chewing it over and over again, she let her accumulated saliva roll down her throat.
No matter how fancy and wonderful food was placed in front of a hungry person, there was no way it could make as loud a noise as that.
