"Your father? Mr. Willner is your father?"
That's what Leah said, Her face shocked.
I wanted to ask her something, but Mira answered to her question, it was obvious that she didn't understand that Leah was surprised by this revelation, and I wonder why she is.
"Yes, he's my dad..."
Looking back over my shoulder as I drove the carriage, I saw that Mira's answer strengthened Leah's confusion, I couldn't help myself anymore and spoke.
"Why did you ask that Leah?"
Leah took a while before answering, her face lost in the void, as if she was processing something. She eventually snapped back and answer me, well, if you can call that an answer.
"It's nothing, I'm just familiar with that name."
"Familiar?" I asked, quite confused.
"No it's nothing really apportant, I've just been already there in the past..."
It seems like she doesn't want to talk about. seeing how tense and awkward this situations is, after all that happened... Just thinking of those poor children corpses makes me sick... I don't really want to make things worse...
"I see..." Those words slipped off my lips, trying to change the subject.
In the end, it only made things worse, turning the moment into a long, awkward silence.
...
Several minutes have passed, while I was holding the reins of the wolf. I realized that I was just following a road dirt path and didn't really know where I was going. I pulled the reins to stop the wolf.
"Hey, Mira. Do you know where's your father's domain?"
I turned towards Mira, hoping for an answer. But I already have an Idea of what she would say, because hearing my question, her face was a bit embarrassed and ashamed.
"No... Sorry mister..."
"It's okay. Don't worry."
"It's in the Lightwood Forest near the capital."
Leah finally spoke, and I almost forgot that she also is familiar with the Willner's domain. But I didn't expect her to know where it was.
"Oh thanks Leah, would you mind guiding me where it is?"
Then Leah, with a slight blush on her cheeks, covered her face with her hands.
"Sorry, I gave you false hope. I don't even know where we are, so I can't even help you."
And there we go again, This part of Leah who's always apologizing. But hey, she must be doing better now. But she's right, I don't have any idea where things stand either, actually it's not surprising, I don't even come from this world.
"Before we got kidnapped, do you know where we were?"
I asked Leah. Upon hearing my question, a small, proud expression appeared on her face. That's a good sign.
"Yes! We were in the forest that separated Darmeti and the capital, Arnesia."
Then Leah looked outside the carriage, analysing the forest we were in.
"This forest really looks a lot like the one we were in. I don't think they took us very far."
"So you think you can guide us to where the capital is?"
Leah rubbed her chin, then looked outside again towards the sun.
"The sun is still high but already tilted to the right... This road is leading to the north."
It's true that you can find your way around like this, it's a shame I didn't have my phone with me before arriving here, it would have been very useful.
"So I just continue along this road?"
Leah nodded.
"Normally we should get to the capital a few hours before the night falls."
This is the only good news of the day, and I hope it won't be the last.
"Alright, Here we go!"
I whipped the reins to signal the wolf to continue.
Time passed faster than I thought, During the journey to the capital, Mira fell asleep because of how quiet it was, And Leah was lost in her thoughts, silent, looking outside the carriage. I also noticed that we didn't encounter a single carriage or person, Which was a bit worrying. But my worries disappear when, finally, after a very long journey, the sun already setting, we are finally emerging from the forest, and a meter away, a town lit by lanterns!
"Leah, is this the capital?"
Leah instantly jumped and approached me, looking at the town, her eyes filled with relief.
"Yes! It's Arnesia!"
"So, what do we do know?"
"It's getting late, we should go to the local inn and sleep and eat there."
We entered the town, Leah guiding me towards the inn, and this was something I've never seen before.
The town had a warm and relaxing feel, the soft orange hue of the lanterns reflected on the ground and walls.
The atmosphere was so rustic, the smell of natural fruits, vegetables and meat from the market stall was so much better than the rusty smell of supermarket of my world.
And the passersby were of all kinds: lizard men, people with animals ear, especially cats ears, dog ears, wait... Am I seeing Bunny ears!? It's paradise for an Otaku like me! There were also dwarves and elves passing by, and the carriages!
They were not all pulled by horses; some by giant lizards, others by bears, and even some by small groups of black wolves, well seeing those black wolves creeped me a bit remembering what they did to me.
After everything that happened to me when I arrived here, I finally felt like things were turning in my favor.
Leah giggled when she saw the wonder in my eyes.
"Well Amos, why are you so amazed by such an ordinary place?"
I scratched a bit the back of my head, embarrassed that she caught me looking around like a kid going out for the first time.
"Well, this place is very different from where I come."
My answer amused Leah and made her laugh a little.
Even I, understanding the absurdity of what I was saying, couldn't help but laugh.
"Don't make fun of me." I say, as I tried to stop laughing.
The noises me and Leah were making eventually woke Mira up. She rubbed her eyes then approached us, and when she saw where we were, she jumped in excitement.
"We're home!"
Me and Leah were a bit caught off guard, we didn't see her. We both turned at her and smile.
"It looks like you're awake." I said
"Did you sleep well, Mira?" Leah asked.
"Yes ma'am, I slept well!"
Leah let out a small laugh hearing Mira call her ma'am.
"None of that between us, call me Leah, I'm barely fifteen years old."
"Alright ma'am— I mean Leah!"
The tension between them had disappeared; it made me happy to see them smiling after what had happened.
Leah finally spotted the inn and pointed at it.
"It's in front of us! Park the carriage there."
I meticulously guided the wolf to where Leah had told me to park it, and we all get off the carriage.
As Leah helped Mira getting off, I approached the white wolf. It was quite a huge beast, his skin while like snow, his eyes a golden yellow, and his claw sharp yet clean.
I gently brought my hand near his head; his eyes were wary at first, but when my hand reached his forehead, he immediately relaxed and rubbed it without me even needing to pat it.
"Yeah that's a good boy, You must be hungry. Don't worry, we'll bring you something."
Leah approached me holding Mira's hand.
"Amos, let's go."
I nodded and patted the wolf one last time.
We headed inside the inn, and as soon the door opened, the entire room was filled with laughter and people discussing. As I followed Leah towards the innkeeper, I could notice some people cast curious glances at me. I'm pretty sure it was because of my clothes, they were really different from theirs, and also by the fact I was holding a sword Like that, without a sheath.
Upon approaching the innkeeper, Leah greeted him.
"Good evening."
"Good evening, miss—"
The man stopped when he saw Leah's face, his eyes analysing her. It didn't smell good; I have a feeling things are going to turn ugly again. I was ready to draw my sword and flee with them if necessary.
"But that's the little Leah! It's been years, you've grown so much."
The man exclaimed, I was surprised by his reaction. Is this someone Leah knows? It was surely the case seeing how he's so familiar with her and smiling.
Leah giggled a bit by the warming welcome.
"Glad to see you're still alive, Royler."
"The pleasure is all mine, Leah! So what have you been up to? Did you manage to become an adventurer?"
"Yes, indeed, I succeeded."
I could see that Leah and this man knew each other for a long time, and that Leah was happy to see him again.
"So the White Wolf outside is yours and your party, I'm sure of it; you're the only group of adventurers in town right now."
"White wolf? Oh yes! He's ours, We can put it somewhere else if that's a problem for you."
It seems like Leah is really like that with everyone, always apologizing for nothing and trying to blame herself.
"No, on the contrary, if you don't mind, I'd like to house it in the room dedicated to the high class beast so that it can sleep properly and eat."
High class Beast? So you're telling me that those masked lunatics had enough money to buy that? That's a bad sign.
Leah turned towards me, a bit hesitating.
"Amos, you're okay with that? You were the one who brought it with us after all."
She's right, I'm the one who decided to take that carriage. But anyway, I think my answer is obvious.
"Of course, why would I refuse."
Royler nodded then signaled one of his employees to do it. Then he turned back at Leah.
"So, what brings you here?"
The man asked.
"We must visit the Lord Willner, so we wanted to spend the night here."
Leah looked a bit down, a bit embarrassed.
"I know I shouldn't ask that but, we don't really have money right now and—"
"I see where you're going with this, and don't worry, I'll provide a room and a meal for you tonight. It would be my pleasure to do you and Lord Willner a favor after what happened."
"Thanks, I owe you one."
Wait, his last words.
"What do you mean by "after what happened" ?" I asked to Royler.
"Oh, that's right, what are you talking about?" Leah added.
He was a bit off guard by that we didn't know what he was talking about.
"So you're not here because of that? Well, he got attacked and I don't know who, but several people have been reported missing from the domain."
Me and Leah looked both at Mira. I think she understood the same thing as me. She didn't have a clue of what was happening and was looking around the whole place. She looked innocent, I don't know what those creeps did to her, but it seems like she's doing fine.
"He didn't inform us about that."
Royler handed the keys of our rooms to Leah.
"You should rest, You look exhausted."
Leah took the keys and sight.
"Thank you again Royler."
"You're welcome, it's normal, we have to help each other."
With that way, Leah approached me and said "This way." while reading our room number on the key. I followed her from behind, as we were walking upstairs, something came to mind.
"Leah, why don't we just head towards the Willner's Domain?"
"Well, it's about half a day from here, so sleeping here is the best option."
I see. I should trust her more, after all that happened, I just want to settle all of this and rest.
We reached our room, Leah opened the door. Inside it was average, but at least he gave us a room with two bed. Just enough, one for Leah and Mira and one for me.
I sat down on my bed then sight loud.
"Well, now we can finally rest."
Leah sat down on their bed. Of course, Mira instantly ran all over room, observing and touching everything. She looked amazed.
"This is so different from my room!"
Ah yes, Mira is the daughter of a rich man from what I understood, she must be use to fancy stone polished rooms, and not those cheap wood ones. She's still a kid so, unlike those noble adults, sleeping her won't bother her.
Someone knocked at our door, then said "This is your meal" Leah opened the door and thanked the person. In her hands a tray of three bowls of stew with stale bread. Nothing so appetizing, but that was better than nothing.
Leah handed me one, I thanked her and began to eat.
"Mira, come here and eat."
Mira rushed to Leah.
"Yay, I was so hungry!"
Mira took her bowl, and she ate everything, and it seems like she didn't hate it.
"It was delicious." She said.
I was quite surprised, I thought a noble's daughter like her would hate meals like those, guess I was wrong.
Mira finished her meal first, and soon fell asleep. Me and Leah finished at the same time.
"Hey..."
Leah was hesitating, I could hear in her voice that she already regretted starting whatever this conversation was.
"What's up?"
"After what happened, I didn't take the time to heal you, I was a little shaken... I'm sorry, it must hurt really bad."
She was right, it still hurt at the level of my stomach when that mage had hit my stomach with that pillar before I... killed him. But I don't want to bother Leah more, she has already endured enough.
"It's okay, it don't hurt that much, you should rest instead of worrying about me."
Leah stood up and approach me, determined to do whatever she was about to do.
"Let me heal you, I owe you that, you saved me."
I sighed, I know that no one can stop this girl when she's like this.
"Fine, if you insist."
Leah sat next to me. Then noticed the damaged part of my hoodie, she had managed to guess that it was there. She put her hands there, then said "Regeneratio vitae".
Her hands pulsed again of that soft green, I began to slowly feel better, I could feel the injury being less painful.
After she finished, Leah smiled at me. It was comforting. I felt safe.
"Thank you Amos, I don't know what would have become of me if you hadn't come to save me."
She sounded honest, there wasn't a hint of doubt or lie in her voice. I feel pretty bad because it seemed like what happened was my fault...
"Hey Amos, are you okay?"
Her voice snapped me back to reality before I could delve into that thought.
"Oh yes, don't worry. And I should be the one thanking you."
Leah smiled the headed to her bed with Mira.
"Sweet dreams, Amos."
"Same for you Leah."
I lied down on my bed, I could hear that Leah too. The room was silent. I could hear the noises of carriages and passerby outside fading away as the time passed, my eyes slowly closed...
"Where am I?"
I was again in this black void... Wait?
How? I didn't even noticed it but I'm somewhere else now. In... Where we were kidnapped? It looked distorted but I could tell I was outside. It was extremely cold, I was alone, this is so unsettling. What am even doing here?
"It's your fault."
That voice... No... No.... No... I recognized it... It was the voice of one of those children coming from behind...
I slowly turned... And...
I've never wanted to be that blind.
There they were. Those four children that died holding each others hand. Their faces mutilated, blood flowing everywhere, their bellies ripped open, their entrails spilling out of their stomachs.
I could smell the rotten odor of their bodies.
"It's your fault."
"You killed us."
"You didn't save us."
"No! No! No! I didn't" my mind fell in disgust, It wasn't my fault, right? It tried my Best, how could'ven I know?
Then they repeated it again, over and over.
"It's your fault."
"You killed us."
"You didn't save us."
Theirs blood dripping out faster and faster, their voice more and more distorted...
I couldn't accept that this was my fault.
I'm a failure. Every time they repeated their world, I could feel my heart being stabbed.
Everything became louder and louder.
It's awfull.
Someone stop this.
I want it to end.
My mind was never this messy, Their words distorting in my head, their corpses blaming me in full view, I was unable to look away.
Then I felt something on my hands.
I raise them, my face still in horror.
Blood.
Not any blood, their blood. This was the last straw, I dropped on the floor.
This was my fault, I messed up everything.
I couldn't help it, but I just wanted to pay for what I did. I began to smash my head over and over on the ground. Blood leaking from my forehead.
It hurt so bad, I couldn't bear the pain, but I couldn't stop. I felt like this is what I deserve.
But it hurt, I want that to end.
Why must I suffer so much? I didn't asked to be transported in this world.
What did I do wrong to deserve this?
Then, a knife appeared in front of my head in the ground before I could smash it again.
"What am I supposed to do with this?"
I asked myself, my hands shaking. I looked up, they were looking at me, silent this time.
"I see, so this is how I end it, right?"
I took the knife, then slowly approached it if my neck, both of my hands filled with blood holding it. Do I really want this?
I'm tired, I'm afraid. I know I won't be able to support what will come next. I took a deep breath.
Yes, this is the best thing to do, all of my suffering will be gone...
"Failure." That what they all said together. My vision turned to a crispy red.
My eyes opened in the same room again.
I sat down. Then I remembered everything that I just saw. I couldn't help, but vomited everything I ate on the floor.