GDTEA Chapter 89

Farewell

Early winter arrived without her even noticing autumn’s farewell, having spent such hectic days. The first snow, which she thought would only briefly greet them before ending, fell relentlessly, and with each step came the crunching sound of snow underfoot.

Somehow, Sharti ended up leaving Sedipia Village on the cloudiest, coldest day.

“It’s cold, Grandmother. Please go back inside.”

The group seeing off Sharti and Ren was modest. Aside from Karun, Vireta, and Shukadi from the Krofl Mercenary Group, there was no one else.

It was because of the bombshell announcement from the former doctor who had shamelessly returned to the village the day before.

[Ahem, when did I ever run away? I went to seek help from the outside! No matter how hidden a village is, we must save people’s lives. I’m a doctor. Isn’t that obvious?]

[Ahem ahem, I really tried to save the people of this village, you see? I risked everything and begged and begged again before the noble lords. Moved by my spirit of sacrifice, the noble lords agreed to help me.]

[Tomorrow! The busy, high-ranking noble lords will personally grace us with their presence to examine the people of this village! So you don’t need to worry anymore, haha!]

The former doctor gesticulated excessively and spoke with an exaggerated tone, sweating profusely. Even before the Tower Master, he defiantly held his chin high.

His attitude was like that of an envoy backed by the emperor, making the corners of the Tower Master’s mouth twitch.

[Those high-ranking noble lords couldn’t possibly not know. This village, this entire mountain has been the Tower Master’s property for quite some time now.]

The owner of Sedipia Village was the Tower Master. Without his permission, no other noble could dare set foot in the village.

However, the former doctor, as if he had already anticipated the Tower Master’s reaction, awkwardly glanced around and whispered secretly.

[If it’s a village that has become the Tower Master’s property, shouldn’t the dirty things be cleaned up even more thoroughly?]

[Ah, did the noble lord with the scorpion insignia say that?]

[Yes, yes?]

What was the point of saying anything?

It was expected that the noble faction would move, led by Darhan Bridend.

[They must be burning with frustration since they can’t spy on the situation inside the village no matter what tricks they try.]

Even so, to use treatment as a pretext while obviously knowing that the mana poisoning patients had been treated at the Magic Tower – it was such an insincere excuse.

Of course, for Darhan Bridend, who wanted to confirm the Tower Master’s intentions and the village situation as quickly as possible, he had no choice but to come out with a shameless attitude that showed no qualms.

And upon hearing the news that the nobles of the Great Empire of Neweiton would be coming, Vireta changed her mind about returning with Sharti.

[Sha, it seems I won’t be able to go with you. I’ll need to stay a bit longer.]

Vireta, like Sharti, couldn’t have her face recognized either, but when her sworn enemy was coming directly on his own feet, shouldn’t she at least see his face before leaving?

Though her desire to strike that face and carve up his body remained as strong as ever, she would conceal her killing intent since she couldn’t bring harm to the Krofl Mercenary Group’s home base.

One failed assassination was enough.

[Then from tomorrow, I’ll hand over the temporary village chief position to my son and step back.]

The current village chief, Ashu’s father, also responded quickly. It was a decision made to cut off as many connections as possible between Sedipia Village and Marquis Bridend.

Though Ashu wasn’t that reliable, since the changes in the village had also started from Ashu’s courage, the villagers all agreed with the chief’s decision.

[Let’s not give them any excuse.]

The situation that had seemed like a bolt from the blue only increased the unity among the people of Sedipia Village.

—For these reasons, the village residents were currently unable to sleep, busy sprucing up the village. The Magic Tower’s mages were inspecting the barriers spread around the village, and the mercenary group was assigned to monitor the former doctor.

Since the nobles would surely descend upon Sedipia Village as soon as dawn broke, Sharti had to leave in a hurry.

“We’re sending the child away at this early dawn hour as if driving her out, so we should at least see her off.”

Even knowing the situation, Vireta glared toward the village beyond Karun, grinding her teeth.

Sharti laughed helplessly. Despite the disgruntled tone, the wrinkled hand that held hers tightly to leave even a little warmth was so affectionate.

Since she had removed her hood, the blush that rose on Sharti’s cheeks was fully revealed.

“……You’re pretty when you smile, child.”

Even though she was wearing a facial recognition interference magic tool and couldn’t be seen properly, Vireta smiled with overwhelming emotion as if she could see everything.

Vireta knew better than anyone what despair the 15-year-old girl had experienced and how she had lived hiding her face under a hood. So how could her heart not overflow watching the courage of that small, young girl who had removed her hood?

Moisture filled Vireta’s eyes.

“I’m sorry I’m so inadequate.”

“Please don’t say such things, Grandmother.”

She had always felt guilty that her wallet wasn’t full enough to even rent a magic tool for Sharti to use from the mercenary group. However, even such apologies were no different from expressions of love for Sharti.

Sharti’s eyes also became moist.

“Thank you as well.”

For the first time, Vireta cast her gaze at Ren as if finding him praiseworthy.

Finally recognized as a proper person rather than a mongrel, Ren bowed his head to Vireta.

In the warm atmosphere, Karun approached.

“Since leaving through the village’s main gate could expose the doctor’s presence, Shukadi will transport you to avoid the eyes of the spies outside the village.”

Shukadi, standing behind, snorted as if to say leave it to him.

Sharti bowed her head in gratitude to the two.

“And this is a gift the villagers prepared.”

“What?”

When Sharti was surprised by the thick bundle Karun held out, Vireta smiled warmly.

“They don’t want to send you off feeling lonely.”

Inside the bundle were two winter fur coats. Coats made specifically for Sharti and Ren.

The well-maintained fur coats were good enough to be sold.

“Wh-when did they make these……”

Thick robes didn’t have very good insulation even when worn. However, the fluffy fur coats the villagers made showed no gaps for the cold air to seep through.

Vireta roughly tossed the men’s fur coat to Ren, then wrapped the coat Sharti was only looking at around her instead.

The coat, made by eye measurement without taking specific measurements by the women who raised children, fit perfectly.

“Mm, now you look warmer and my mind is at ease.”

“……I feel like I’m receiving gifts that are too generous.”

Having taken cold for granted since childhood, Sharti felt awkward with the cozy warmth spreading throughout her body. She had never worn such a good coat in her life.

“If you think so, then don’t save it and wear it more often.”

“Yes. All the villagers said they were very worried that the doctor, who had been busily moving around wearing only a single robe, might catch a cold.”

“Ah…….”

Among the many gazes Sharti had felt, there hadn’t been only wariness and hostility. There had also been gazes that watched over her, were curious about her, and worried about her.

Sharti nodded shyly. With gratitude upon gratitude, she fastened the coat tightly.

“Give my regards to the children.”

“Yes.”

Sharti and Ren decided to return to the small log cabin first, to their home.

Ren wanted to tell Tein that he had kept his promise well, and Sharti also wanted to meet Virena and tell her various stories.

After that, they had already made plans to leave home again and descend from the mountain entirely.

[A trip?]

[It’s not that grand, I was thinking we could go on some house call treatments a bit farther away.]

[If I’ll be working without proper rest like this time, I’m not particularly drawn to it.]

While making plans, Ren grumbled constantly, but he couldn’t hide his anticipation for a trip alone with Sharti.

It had been a long time since Sharti had traveled far as well. And a trip at that. A completely different excitement welled up compared to when she had left for long-term house call treatments alone and lonely each time.

“If anything happens, don’t hesitate to let me know like this time. Understand?”

No matter how much she hid her face using magic tools, she couldn’t help but worry about what might happen.

“I will protect her well.”

Ren stepped forward at Vireta’s worry.

For a moment, complex emotions crossed Vireta’s face as she met Ren’s eyes. Vireta let out a short sigh and nodded her head.

“Shall we go now?”

Shukadi, who had inscribed a magic circle on the ground with his staff, gestured with his eyes.

As Sharti held Vireta’s hand and was about to step onto the magic circle, she saw a figure running from the distance, waving their hand.

“Huff, huff, gasp……. Th-thankfully I’m not too late.”

Ashu, who should have been busy taking on the temporary village chief duties, came running while gasping for breath and stood before Sharti. Having faced the one he had confessed to less than a day ago, Ashu’s eyes were slightly swollen.

As Sharti hesitated, unable to rashly speak to him, he smiled gently first.

“My grandfather said his knees were aching.”

What Ashu held out was a large umbrella.

“Since long ago, whenever my grandfather’s knees ached, it would always rain before long.”

Ashu smiled, saying it was quite reliable information with a very high accuracy rate.

Sharti looked at Ashu, who still smiled kindly and shyly, then nodded her head.

“Thank you. I’ll use it well.”

“Docotor, um…….”

Ashu trailed off with a nervous face.

Karun and Vireta warmly watched this scene of youth, while Ren glared at Ashu with fierce eyes from behind Sharti.

As Sharti also faced Ashu with a tense expression, Ashu swallowed dry and opened his mouth.

“C-could you call my name just once?”

“……!”

Sharti blinked at the unexpected request.

Knowing it was an embarrassing request, Ashu’s face had already turned red.

“I don’t mean anything by it. Really. It’s just that I belatedly became embarrassed that I confessed without ever having my name called by you even once.”

If he parted with Sharti like this, it seemed it would remain as lingering regret in his heart.

Though she was a woman whose face he didn’t know, he at least wanted to have his name called once. He didn’t want to leave the innocent love he had cherished and nurtured alone as something shabby deep inside. He wanted to remember it as a memory he could savor anytime.

For Ashu, it was his final courage to let go of a love that could not continue.

“Will you remember……?”

“Ashu—.”

“……!”

Sharti immediately called his name.

Sharti squinted her eyes as if embarrassed at the startled, frozen Ashu.

“I thought you would mind if I called your name with this voice.”

Ah.

Ashu sighed blankly.

Even as he thought what a foolish idea that was, it seemed like something Sharti would think.

Ashu smiled with his eyes, swallowing the overwhelming emotion from just having his name called once.

“I like it, my name.”

And Sharti also looked at him and smiled.

With just that one smile, Ashu’s heart trembled once again. Even if it wasn’t her real face, he was happy just that Sharti was smiling while looking at him.

Ashu then turned his eyes to look at Ren.

“After snow accumulates and then rain falls, it will be very dangerous. Please, I ask you to take good care of the doctor.”

“Yes.”

Ren forcibly suppressed his sour expression.

He didn’t like Ashu’s attitude, which remained calm and mature even after confessing and being rejected.

Sharti stood on Shukadi’s transportation magic circle with Ren, leaving Ashu, Vireta, and Karun behind.

“Please stay healthy.”

Fwaaaash—. Even as the light of the magic circle flickered in her vision, Sharti captured the scenery of Sedipia Village in her eyes until the very end.

‘Farewell.’

Thank you for spending my cool autumn with me.

Thank you for warmly embracing me in the cold winter.

With the Tower Master’s figure faintly visible in the distance as the last thing she saw, Sharti closed her eyes and entrusted her body completely to the magic.

Waiting for the spring that would someday come, farewell.

Holding a snowflake in her hand, Sharti left Sedipia Village together with Ren.

Without the slightest anticipation of what would happen four days later when the heavy rain the white-haired old man had predicted would arrive.