Stories by the Hearth

The chill of early spring stubbornly lingered in the morning air of the Northern Frontier Royal Capital, turning breath into mist.

Heiter wrapped his brand-new priest's robe tighter around himself, his tall figure stopping in front of a familiar wooden door with peeling paint.

Above the door, the hand-painted "Hearth House" sign, with its childlike strokes, looked especially warm in the chilly air.

He took a deep breath and gently knocked on the door knocker, the sound echoing in the quiet morning mist.

The door was pulled open almost immediately, as if someone had been waiting behind it.

The girl who opened the door was Lilisa, with pigtails and bright, sharp eyes.

She tilted her head back, her gaze like the most precise probe, scanning Heiter from top to bottom.

"Heiter," her voice was clear and melodious, but with an undeniable seriousness, "You've come."

"Ah, um, I'm here." Heiter smiled, a hint of guilt, almost imperceptible, as if he'd been caught doing something wrong, flickering nervously behind his back as he concealed the oil-paper package in his hand. "I bought some candy on the way..."

"Hmm..." she drawled, her tone cautiously inquisitive, "Heiter, although your scent is very faint, Lilisa's Purification Magic is the best, and she's most sensitive to unpleasant scents. How come it seems... a month ago, you still looked like you had been drinking?"

Heiter's smile froze for a moment, and his heart skipped a beat.

He chuckled twice, trying to get away with it:

"Ha, ha... Little Lilisa, your magic is getting more and more amazing... Well... it was at the victory celebration! Everyone was so happy and insisted on celebrating, so I... couldn't help but drink a little bit! Really just a little bit!" He held up his little finger, trying to indicate a "tiny" amount.

Lilisa looked at him silently, without saying a word. Her large, seemingly piercing eyes sent chills down Heiter's spine.

Just as sweat was about to bead on his forehead, Lilisa nodded gently, a look of understanding on her face suggesting that it was "understandable given the special circumstances."

"Oh... defeating the Demon King is indeed a remarkable and celebratory achievement." Her tone softened, expressing understanding like a little adult. "If it were a special occasion... well, just once in a while, Lilisa and everyone else would forgive Heiter!"

Heiter immediately breathed a sigh of relief and quickly agreed, "Yes, yes! It's just occasionally! Very occasionally!"

However, Lilisa's face immediately hardened again. She pointed her index finger at Heiter seriously. "But! This is a one-time exception! You really can't drink anymore! Alcohol is bad for your health. Heiter is a powerful monk and a member of the Hero Party! He has to set a good example for everyone, especially for us!"

"Yes, yes! Definitely! I promise!" Heiter replied, making sure not to mention "alcohol is the best medicine" anymore, because he knew these kids were all very difficult to fool. "I'll definitely be more careful from now on! I won't drink anymore! Absolutely not!"

Seeing his expression, Lilisa finally gave a satisfied "Mmm" and stepped aside to let him in. "Come in, Heiter, everyone has missed you. Lilina and the others have been looking out the window since this morning, saying your stories are even more interesting than Himmel's."

Heiter felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly bent down to go inside. The familiar heat and the children's noise inside instantly enveloped him, dispelling the chill outside and the last trace of awkwardness.

Like a swarm of bees drawn to nectar, the children poured out from every corner, instantly surrounding Heiter.

"Heiter!"

"Heiter, you really came!"

Did you bring us anything delicious?

Tell me the story of defeating the Demon King!

The chattering of children instantly filled the entire foyer. Looking at these familiar faces, Heiter's hearty smile returned. He laughed heartily, squatted down, and opened the large bag of candy.

"Everyone gets some! Don't rush! Line up, everyone gets some! This is the most famous honey milk candy in the Royal Capital, even the hero Himmel loves it...!"

He skillfully handed out candy to each child, patting one on the head and another on the shoulder. The children excitedly received the candy, eagerly unwrapping it, the sweet taste bringing smiles to their faces, and the hall was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

After distributing the candy, Heiter was surrounded by children as he walked to the common room.

The younger children immediately took out their newly drawn pictures or small wooden carvings made in craft class and showed them to Heiter like treasures; the slightly older boys surrounded him, asking all sorts of questions about the battle and their travel experiences.

Heiter sat cross-legged on the carpet, leaning against the warm fireplace wall, patiently answering the children's whimsical questions.

Instead of boasting about his own achievements, he focused on recounting Himmel's composure and courage, Ruby's diligence in learning magic, Eisen's reliability, and the interesting sights and beautiful scenery encountered on their journey. His tone was sometimes exaggerated, sometimes mysterious, eliciting gasps and bursts of laughter from the children.

He noticed the boy named Nayite, who had a fresh abrasion on his arm. Heiter beckoned to him, and as the boy approached, he extended his palm, a soft and pure milky-white halo emanating from it, and gently brushed it across the abrasion. The tiny abrasion healed and disappeared visibly under the light of the healing magic.

Nayite opened her eyes wide in surprise, touched the spot where the wound had been, and looked incredulous before whispering, "Heiter."

Heiter ruffled his hair and laughed heartily, "No problem! Be careful climbing trees next time!"

After dinner, it grew completely dark. But the warmest moments at the Hearth House were just beginning.

The children quickly washed up, changed into clean pajamas, and then, like a group of eager little animals, clutching their pillows and blankets, swarmed to the huge, stone fireplace in the common room.

Several older girls worked together to lay thick mats filled with hay and soft old carpets on the ground, quickly creating a comfortable and warm "nest".

The children giggled and found their places, wrapped themselves tightly in their blankets, and all their bright eyes turned to look at the storyteller of the evening— Heiter, who sat cross-legged in front of the fireplace, the flickering firelight casting a warm golden glow on his broad shoulders and smiling face.

Inside the stove, the firewood burned brightly, crackling softly, and the leaping flames bathed the entire room in an orange-red glow, casting swaying yet reassuring light and shadows.

Although the Northern Frontier night winds still howled outside the window, this place was baked as warm as a nest.

Heiter cleared his throat, a satisfied look of being needed and trusted on his face. He glanced around at the little faces that looked especially adorable in the firelight, deliberately lowered his voice, and spoke in a mysterious and slow tone:

Today's story is about... a righteous hero battling an evil Demon King!

"Wow--!" The children immediately let out a satisfied sigh, tinged with a hint of nervous excitement, and in unison wrapped their blankets even tighter around themselves, huddling closer to the center of the room.

The story begins slowly amidst this warmth, sense of security, and anticipation.

"Eh... hehe... ah... ha!... Aww! Warrior Himmel! Victory!"