* * *
He was someone who was used to handling everything on his own, someone who never relied on others.
Now, I think I understand why he didn’t want to come here…
At the same time, I was certain I wouldn’t find any sign of deep affection between Zerbin and his guardian in this place.
“You probably didn’t want to come, but… thanks for bringing me.”
I thanked him belatedly, shaking off the ominous thoughts creeping in.
Right now, what mattered most was this.
Zerbin turned his head to look at me.
The moment those cool gray eyes landed on me, I flinched involuntarily.
I hesitated, worried he might tell me not to speak unless I had something worth saying.
I’ve had enough of suffocating silence!
“Well, I… I don’t know if I should say this, but…”
I flattened myself in submission, hoping to ease his mood.
“Say it.”
He allowed it so easily? I’m honored!
“…I think I get why you didn’t want to come.”
How arrogant of me.
I knew it. Someone like me had no right to pity Zerbin.
But still… he brought me to this place, a place he despised, just because I asked.
He abandoned ten years of stubborn resistance to grant my request.
If that’s the case, then the least I can do is share my thoughts about what I’ve seen.
“It must’ve been tough.”
“……”
“And yet I was just talking, completely oblivious… Sorry.”
Zerbin didn’t respond to my overstepping words.
I was relieved he wasn’t angry, but at the same time, I was terrified.
That’s how tense I was—so much so that Zerbin became the only thing in my field of vision, and the noise of crying children and lively conversations around us faded into nothing.
He furrowed his brows slightly before his face returned to its usual stone-cold expression.
Still, my heart pounded.
That piercing, cold gaze always made it impossible to stay calm.
“That’s not what I wanted to hear.”
“H-Huh?”
He actually responded.
He didn’t even sound angry.
It was just an ordinary statement.
But somehow, it still felt like he was expressing discontent.
‘There’s something he wants to hear?’
Did he bring me here hoping I’d say something?
But what could it be?
What does Zerbin expect from me…
Praise?
Oh, well, if that’s what he wants, I’ve got plenty to say!
“You’re seriously incredible!”
And I meant it.
“Honestly, aside from basic necessities like food and shelter, you basically survived on your own! No wonder you’re so capable at everything—you’ve been independent since childhood!”
I kept rambling, but his expression remained unreadable.
Did he not like it? I should keep going.
“Growing up in a place like this, it must have been hard to train and develop as an adventurer. But somehow, you discovered your talent, honed your skills, and now you’re the strongest adventurer out there! You’re a natural-born genius.”
“……”
Did… did he like that?
“And even though you can do everything alone, you still take me along. Thanks for that. I feel really lucky to be with you.”
Zerbin averted his gaze.
Oh?
Is he flustered?
Noticing that, he cleared his throat awkwardly.
That was clearly a sign for me to stop—but I didn’t want to.
It’s not every day I get to see him this embarrassed.
“How is it fair for someone to be this strong, this good-looking, and have such a great personality? It’s a little unfair, don’t you think? Not that I’m complaining—being around you is amazing.”
…Wait, considering how he acted toward the priests earlier, maybe saying he has a great personality was a bit of a stretch?
But he still brought me here even though he was angry.
That says something about his character, right?
Yeah.
I wasn’t lying.
Zerbin let out a small chuckle.
…Huh?
What was that?
That sounded like a line someone says when they had certain expectations and were let down.
But it didn’t seem to match what I was saying?
Aside from that—Zerbin just laughed.
Zerbin. Laughed.
Was that real?
Did I imagine it?
I wanted to stare at him to confirm, but knowing him, he’d never laugh again just because I asked.
“What? What do you mean?”
“I’ll stop sulking now.”
Wait.
Does that mean… he’s done giving me the silent treatment?
That he’ll actually talk to me instead of ignoring me for two days straight?
“Thank you!”
I was so relieved I almost teared up.
Aside from that, Zerbin calling it “sulking” was kind of… cute.
No, I don’t mean it in a weird way.
Just that, instead of being outright furious, he was just feeling upset and acting a little petty.
It was kind of endearing.
Yeah.
It was reassuring, too.
I wanted to ask if he really laughed, but I held back.
I didn’t want to ruin his improved mood by pushing too much.
More importantly—this proves something.
Zerbin really likes compliments!
Maybe it’s because not many people have the guts to praise him to his face?
I should do it more often.
“You know everything I said was sincere, right? You can get mad, sulk, whatever you want—it’s fine! Honestly, I’m kind of glad to see this side of you. How many people even get to witness this? I feel honored.”
Zerbin gave me a light shove.
Not hard enough to hurt, but definitely enough to send a message.
His face was slightly flushed.
Oh, wow. The compliments really worked.
“Enough already.”
“Why? Is my overwhelming admiration too much for you?”
“……”
Ow.
That one actually hurt.
I must’ve gotten too comfortable seeing this more human side of him—I ended up joking like I would with my other friends.
Was that too much?
But come on! He was the one acting all flustered and cute first!
It’d be a waste not to tease him a little!
“Are you mad again?”
“If you know, then quit messing around.”
“Messing around? I was just expressing my genuine admiration. You really are incredible!”
Zerbin shut me up by covering my mouth.
“Mmph—”
“…It’s not like I got strong on my own.”
He muttered that as if he was making an excuse.
Ah. Was all the praise making him uncomfortable?
He should just accept it—it’s all true!
“If no one had recognized my talent, I probably would’ve ended up as a priest.”
…Wait.
That sounded important.
Someone recognized his talent?
“Who was it? That person!”
I immediately pushed his hand away and pressed for an answer.
I asked, full of anticipation, but no answer came.
Silence at such an important moment?
“Zerbin?”
Does he not want to tell me?
Why not? I’m genuinely curious.
Isn’t this the very answer that justifies my journey here?
‘Is it too personal of a question?’
Maybe…
To be fair, Zerbin isn’t the type to chatter on about his memories.
He might be willing to take me to places from his past, but that doesn’t mean he intends to share intimate details.
It’s actually reassuring—very much like Zerbin.
It just means we’re not at that level of trust yet, right?
Yeah, yeah. I think so too!
There’s no way Zerbin sees me as someone that comfortable and dear to him!
‘Wait… is that something to be happy about?’
I’m not sure, but I’ll set it aside for now.
I hit a dead end as soon as I found a lead, but that’s fine.
Just hearing this story makes coming here worthwhile.
Someone from the temple recognized Zerbin’s talent and supported him in becoming an adventurer.
That’s undeniably a special connection.
Zerbin seems to think so too!
There’s definitely room to explore this further.
If someone had enough influence to do that in such a poor temple, they must have been a priest—likely one with a significant position.
But Zerbin was at the temple ten years ago.
Ten years ago… that would’ve been when he had just gained independence.
Training to become an adventurer wouldn’t have happened overnight, so he must have spent a few years on it.
Meaning, this priest was at the temple over a decade ago.
Are they still here?
Priests tend to stay in the same temple for a long time, but without knowing their age, I can’t be too optimistic.
They might have retired and moved far away… or they could have passed away.
Are they already gone?
Is that why Zerbin doesn’t want to talk about it—because it’s a painful memory?
If ‘that person’ were still at the temple, Zerbin probably would have visited more often.
It makes sense.
That thought alone is enough to sadden me, too.
I don’t want that to be the case, so I’ll push that possibility to the back of my mind.
Retirement is one thing, but at least let them be alive!
The savior of the Hero!
‘But how do I find out?’
I have a lead, so I need to investigate.
But Zerbin doesn’t seem willing to say anything.
“Was it a priest? Are they still here?”
See?
“If they were here ten years ago, they might have retired by now.”
* * *
He’s so cute ~~