NOVEL NEXT Chapter 239: Chapter 63. It's Already Safe Now
[Arc3] - 63. It's Already Safe Now
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"Teacher, what's that thing on your arm?"
In the Hostess of Fertility Tavern, Bell was holding a glass of juice, curiously examining the bracelet on Cyd's left arm.
"It's just a small blessing," Cyd chuckled, raising his hand to poke Bell's nose. "How did things go today?"
Like a child showing off his achievements to his parents, Bell excitedly pulled out a newspaper, clearly having prepared it in advance.
"Teacher, I defeated the floor boss too!"
"Hmm?!" Cyd's eyes widened. Although that creature wasn't particularly strong, it was supposed to be an obstacle that Bell would struggle to overcome for a while. How did he manage it in less than a day?
"But I also owe it to everyone's help; without them, I wouldn't have had the chance to defeat the floor boss," Bell scratched his face.
"You shouldn't say that, Hero's Apprentice. Without you, we couldn't have defeated the floor boss so easily," said an adventurer sitting not far away, raising his glass. "Everyone, let's toast to the Hero's Apprentice!"
"Cheers!"
In an instant, the adventurers in the Hostess of Fertility raised their glasses.
"To the Hero's Apprentice!"
"To the Rabbit!"
The adventurers, though strangers, put their arms around each other's shoulders and enthusiastically talked about the Hero's Apprentice.
"Bell, you've become remarkable," Cyd raised his hand and ruffled Bell's hair. "I'm very proud."
"Oh no, I just did the same thing you did, teacher," Bell scratched the back of his head, grinning sheepishly.
"This is your achievement, hero. When it's time to smile, you must smile more happily than anyone else," Cyd gestured toward the adventurers. "Go on, celebrate today's great victory with them."
"Alright! But... teacher, aren't you joining?" Bell's eyes lit up, but he took a step forward only to step back again.
"Do you still want me to praise you?" Cyd tilted his head.
"No, no… that's not it!" Bell hurriedly waved his hands, looking flustered.
"Just kidding. That's a place for young people. An old guy like me is content just watching from the side," Cyd waved his hand. "Go on."
While Bell hesitated, the slightly drunk Welf grabbed him by the shoulder, half-forcing him into the center of the revelry.
"You're leaving, aren't you?" Ryuu placed a cup of wine in front of Cyd. At a time when all the waitstaff were too busy with the celebration, she was probably the only one allowed to do nothing by Mia.
In the past, she might have been dissatisfied with this permission, but now she was grateful. She just wanted to stay by his side for as long as possible.
"You noticed too," Cyd slumped onto the table, rubbing his face. "Is my expression that obvious?"
"They might be fooled, but to me, it's very clear," Ryuu circled the counter and sat beside Cyd. "Although Bell isn't fully mature yet, he's already sufficient. The two shields you gave him will protect him until he becomes a reliable hero. You don't need to worry anymore."
The usually stoic elf girl wavered, her calm voice beginning to tremble.
"I wish you could show some weakness in front of me, but..." Cyd propped his right hand under his chin, gently covering Ryuu's head with his left hand, lightly ruffling it. "What will you do when I'm not around?"
"I've always lived like this. Even if you're not here, everyone else is," Ryuu lowered her head and pulled a letter out of her pocket, placing it in front of Cyd. "But... who will you rely on when you leave everyone behind?"
Ryuu slowly clenched her fist.
Who can you rely on now?
The one who always walked at the forefront, leading the way.
"It'll be fine," Cyd picked up the letter and waved it slightly. "Because I know you're all here. No matter how far I go, I won't be alone. It's just..."
Cyd scratched his face awkwardly.
"It might be a bit troublesome to find you when I turn back."
"Just go," Ryuu slumped onto the table, burying her face in her arms.
"Then... goodbye," Cyd chuckled, standing up and taking something out of her bosom, placing it on the table. "Please give this to Bell. It's his graduation gift."
After speaking, Cyd looked toward Bell, surrounded by people. The young boy, once naïve, was now entrusted with their hopes—not because he was the student of a Pure White Hero, but simply because he had become their hope. Perhaps now, only a few people saw it, but Bell's journey had just begun. One day, he would become the new beacon of hope.
"Who… who pulled my waistband!" It seemed that one female adventurer was a bit too bold, and the little rabbit's face turned red.
"Bell-sama's chastity is mine to guard... Don't hug me!" Tiny Lili exerted a combat power completely disproportionate to her size, being hugged and passed around by several starry-eyed female adventurers.
"He will be more outstanding than I am," Cyd couldn't help but laugh. "Not an unreachable legend; he will grow alongside everyone."
Ryuu turned her head slightly, sneaking a glance at Cyd's profile, then looked at the item on the table. "Because you have guided his path forward."
"Take care of that kid," Cyd gently patted Ryuu's shoulder, then turned and walked toward the door.
As if sensing something, Bell looked toward the seat where Cyd usually sat. It was already empty. The last thing he saw was Cyd's waving back.
The teacher will return...
Bell, as always, lowered the hand he had raised.
Because the teacher always said to him, "You troublesome kid." So, the teacher would definitely come back...
All he had to do was keep believing, just like always...
"You're leaving?"
Hermes, wearing a cowboy hat, stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the moonlit night sky with a sigh.
"Never thought I'd be the one to lead the way in the end. Damn, I've never hated a task this much."
"I'm not going off to die," Cyd said, waving the letter in his hand. "Lord Hermes, you swapped the contents of this, didn't you?"
Standing beside Hermes, Asfi's eyes widened. "Lord Hermes, you promised not to mess around! This letter is supposed to be..."
"Ouranos entrusted this letter to Cyd," Hermes scratched his head. "What does that have to do with me? Giving it to me means I can do whatever I want with it, right?"
"Isn't that because he trusts you?" Asfi retorted, feeling somewhat powerless.
"How unfortunate. Trusting me was his biggest mistake," Hermes stuck out his tongue.
"Lord Hermes," Cyd extended his hand toward Hermes, "this is my responsibility."
"This isn't your duty!" Hermes jumped up, a bit agitated. "Anyone can do it!"
"I have never seen what I do as a duty," Cyd replied with a gentle smile. "It's simply because I want to do it."
Hermes was momentarily at a loss for words. After a while, he reluctantly pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Cyd, his face full of reluctance.
"Can't you leave a little later?"
"If I wait any longer, I won't have a reason to leave," Cyd sighed bitterly, unfolding the paper. "I'm not good at serious farewells, so this is just right. Plus, this mission..."
Staring at the paper filled with divine script, Cyd fell silent.