Chapter 34: Until We Meet Again

When we arrived at the roadside inn before Blackleaf Forest, Rowena and I took rooms along with the members of Black Dagger.

It was our last night together since leaving Norest.

All of us gathered in the dining hall and sat around a table for dinner.

Fiona and Lyra sat beside Rowena as if it were the last chance, fussing over her with reluctant smiles.

“Gordon, everyone… you’ve really helped us a lot.”

When I said that, Gordon took a sip of ale and looked at me with a serious expression.

“No need for thanks. But Edwin—even if you’ve passed through that forest once before, don’t get careless. You never know what might be lurking in there.”

“Yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Then Pip timidly held out a small leather pouch from beside him.

“Um, this… it’s a parting gift. I mixed together some medicinal herbs I collected myself. It should help with minor wounds.”

“Thank you, Pip. That’ll be a big help.”

Just as dinner ended and we were about to head back to our rooms, Zack—who had been quietly eating the whole time—pulled something out of his pocket and silently held it out to Rowena.

It was a small wooden bird charm.

The carving was a little crooked, clearly made by clumsy hands, but it had a certain charm to it.

The moment Rowena received it, she seemed to understand everything.

That this was a token of farewell.

Lowering her head, she clenched the newly received charm tightly in her small hand, holding back tears that threatened to spill out.

Seeing that, Fiona and Lyra gently embraced her from both sides.

“It’s alright, Rowena. Saying goodbye is sad, but we’ll definitely meet again someday.”

Before returning to our rooms, I turned toward the members of Black Dagger and bowed deeply.

“Because of all of you, this journey has been truly reassuring. I won’t forget this kindness. Thank you… truly.”

The next morning, after finishing our preparations, Rowena and I went down to the dining hall.

The members of Black Dagger were already gathered there quietly.

The lively atmosphere from the night before had vanished.

Everyone spoke little, silently eating their breakfast.

A lingering sadness filled the entire room.

Before long, the time for farewell arrived outside the inn.

“Take care out there, Edwin. I’m sure you’ll be fine, but don’t push yourself too hard.”

“Rowena, we’ll definitely meet again someday!”

“…Stay safe.”

Each of them sent us off with their own words.

Rowena fought back the tears welling in her eyes and waved her small hand again and again to everyone.

With the members of Black Dagger seeing us off, we stepped onto the road that led into Blackleaf Forest.

Every so often, when we looked back, they were still standing there, watching us.

Each time she saw them, Rowena waved back with big, exaggerated motions.

Eventually, the road curved, and their figures disappeared from sight.

The moment silence settled over us, the restraint Rowena had been holding onto finally broke.

She stopped in place and burst into loud sobs.

I crouched beside her and gently placed a hand on her small shoulder.

“When you travel, you meet many people. And just as many times, you have to say goodbye. It’s sad… but it’s something that can’t be avoided.”

I spoke slowly, as if trying to comfort her.

“But Rowena, goodbyes aren’t the end. We’ll surely meet again someday.”

At my words, Rowena nodded through her sobs.

She wiped her tears roughly with the sleeve of her clothes, then firmly took the hand I offered her.

Alright. Let’s go.

Before us, Blackleaf Forest stretched endlessly, wrapped in silence.