Lokkishi wore a nostalgic expression.
"I asked around. A few bands of thieves did head north, but south of the Red Dragon Mountain Range, there was only this one group. It seemed they happened to have a human-trafficking smuggling base in the forest, so they gathered manpower and kept trying to obtain information about you. That was all I found out."
Allen narrowed his eyes.
"So you were worried that the thieves might have already found Buena Village and that something might have happened to the Greyrat Family, so you hurried back? In case something really had happened, you could lend a hand? Is that it?"
Lokkishi glanced at Allen, then shifted her gaze and nodded.
"I was worried about Rudy too. After all, he was my first disciple. So, have you all been well lately? Has the village been disturbed by outsiders?"
"Nope~"
"I see."
Allen looked at Lokkishi with an unpleasant expression.
Another Butterfly Effect caused by my actions. But this time, it's troublesome. If I handle this badly, it might even affect the plot going forward. If Lokkishi stays another year or so because she's worried about the Greyrat Family, how will things develop then?
Will Rudy and I become adventurers with Lokkishi to earn money, then save up tuition for Magic University? Then the plot will be completely changed. How would the childhood and adolescence arcs even be defined then? And would Eris still meet Rudy?
No! I have to steer the plot back onto its original path. I'll guide Lokkishi with my words and get her to leave as soon as possible. That'll minimize this Butterfly Effect.
"I see. So when you saw that I was safe just now, you finally breathed a sigh of relief? Because the thieves coming to our door, as you'd imagined, never happened?"
Lokkishi nodded. Seeing Allen's grave expression, she assumed he was worried about the thieves coming after them. Considering the situation, she chose her words carefully and tried to reassure him.
"After we separated that day, it seems you took the main road. That meant you didn't leave further traces in the forest, so the thieves lost track of you. Naturally, they couldn't find Buena Village. You don't need to worry too much."
"Yes, it really was a false alarm. So after this, will you still continue traveling according to your original plan?"
"Yes. Since you're all safe, I can rest easy. I'll continue my travels as planned."
"...I see."
After that, the two fell silent for a while. Lokkishi awkwardly tapped the ground with her foot. She had rushed back in a moment of panic, but now that she had confirmed nothing had happened to the Greyrat Family, she did not know what to say.
"Then—"
"By the way, how did you deal with those roadside thieves?"
Lokkishi froze, then frowned. She turned and stared directly at Allen, looking somewhat angry.
"I killed them. I handled the bodies too. They deserved to die."
Only under Lokkishi's gaze did Allen realize that his words had carried a hint of distrust. But subconsciously, he thought Blue Mom was rather kindhearted and feared that she might let the thieves go out of sympathy. Then, because Lokkishi had asked too many questions about Allen, the thieves might follow the scent all the way to Buena Village and even secretly send people to tail Blue Mom.
Thinking that, he lowered his head and apologized.
"That's not what I meant, but... thank you."
Lokkishi looked at him, smiled, and lightly tapped Allen on the head with her staff.
"I used to be an adventurer, you know. I wouldn't make that sort of mistake."
"Sorry."
The two fell silent again. After a while, Lokkishi lightly patted her face.
"Alright. Since I've confirmed you're all safe, I should continue traveling according to the plan. Farewell, then, Allen."
Allen froze for a moment. However, he had deliberately guided the conversation to this point. He merely blinked, then nodded.
"Then... don't you need to tell Mr. Paul and the others?"
"Ah, no. It's too late. I'm leaving now, and you don't need to tell them I came back. That's for the best."
With that, Lokkishi raised her head and looked Allen over. Moonlight flowed across her pupils, and the corners of her seemingly cool lips curved into a crescent moon.
"Still, it seems you've been doing well with the Greyrat Family since we separated that day. You no longer have that restless air you did two months ago. And you look much gentler now than you did then. That's good. You've reined in a lot of your aggressiveness."
Allen lifted his head in surprise and looked at Lokkishi, who was staring at his face.
"Really?"
By the moonlight, Lokkishi examined his straight brows between the bangs and loose strands that lay obediently over his forehead, then nodded.
"Yes. Your eyebrows have changed shape, your hair has grown longer, and your gaze isn't as sharp as it was two months ago. If people only relied on the descriptions of your appearance in the wanted notice, they probably wouldn't be able to identify you right away. So you don't need to worry too much."
After saying that, Lokkishi blinked. When Allen did not respond for a long time, she felt as though he did not wish to continue talking with her.
She quietly watched Allen for several breaths, then let the smile on her lips fade. Turning around, she gently waved to him.
The same gesture Allen had made to her two months ago.
"Just as you said, you never know where life will bring people together. We met again so soon..."
"Well then... goodbye."
Allen froze for a moment. Looking at the hem of Lokkishi's robe swaying in the breeze, he answered instinctively.
"Ah, okay. Goodbye."
Lokkishi turned and walked toward the courtyard exit. Allen unconsciously watched her retreating figure.
Under the moonlight, her magic robe bore obvious stains. Some places had even curled from being pressed while she sat. Her boots, which had been fairly clean when they first met, were covered in mud. With each step she took, a fallen leaf stuck to her sole dropped to the ground.
The heels of her boots showed obvious signs of wear.
Allen lowered his eyes at Lokkishi's boots and became somewhat lost in thought.
"Um."
Lokkishi halted and slightly tilted her head toward Allen. Under the moonlight, soft blue strands of hair clung to her lightly sweating forehead.
Allen looked at Lokkishi. After pausing for a moment, he seemed to suddenly lose heart, yet also seemed to relax as he let his tense shoulders drop and spoke.
His tone finally returned to its usual leisurely, lazy state.
"...Uh, I think you should come in and sit for a while. It'd be nice if you stayed a few more days too. Rudy keeps saying he misses you, and..."
"And?"
"...Even if you never know where life will bring people together, meeting again so hurriedly has completely robbed the reunion of its meaning, hasn't it? So why pretend and say things like, 'You never know where life will bring people together'? What's the difference between you and me and ordinary passersby? Uh... no! That's not it! What I mean is, Rudy and the others spent so much time with you, so... uh, how should I put this..."
Seeing Allen repeatedly weigh his words, Lokkishi could not help blinking. She turned around and interrupted him.
She replied with only one word.
"Okay."
Allen stared blankly at Lokkishi's returning smile.
For a moment, he felt that tonight's moonlight was far too bright.
As I wrote this part, I reexamined the storyline.
If Lokkishi learned that something had happened to the Greyrat Family, she would absolutely turn back.
Whether it was abandoning her original travel plans after the Great Transfer to search for the Greyrat Family, or saying during her heart-to-heart with Rudy that the Greyrat Family was her second home.
Both supported the logic behind that behavior.
And coming back to check on Allen was only one factor that led to that outcome, not a major one.
But deep down, Lokkishi liked romance. This wonderful experience of meeting again as though fated to do so, forced by a crisis, was the fundamental reason she chose to stay a few more days.
Before you continue