Chapter 23: From Winter to Spring, and an Ominous Shadow
After the winter festival ended, winter deepened all at once.
The snowfall increased, and there were mornings when the snow had piled up almost to the window frames.
‘Amazing… so this is how much snow can fall.’
Delighted by the snow, Lydia often went outside.
She made snowmen she had seen in book illustrations, and even crafted little snow rabbits.
When she worried that the animals might not be able to find food in all this snow, Leonhart built a feeding stand by the window.
When she placed grains and fruit there, small birds and squirrels came one after another, and watching them became one of her winter pleasures.
On days with less snow, the two of them went into town.
They delivered medicine, shopped, ate out, and then returned home.
On days with heavy snow, they stayed inside, developing new medicines or cooking together.
Leonhart often went out on his own.
Snowy mountains made good training grounds, and he apparently used them to hone his body by swinging his sword.
And so, after several months of this relaxed routine.
Signs of spring finally began to appear.
The cold softened, and the snow started to melt.
Looking up at the garden trees with their tight buds, Lydia narrowed her eyes.
Tears welled up at the sight of the coming spring for the first time in ten years.
‘It finally feels real… like I’ve truly escaped that great tree.’
And a few days later.
Lydia was heading to the Adventurers’ Guild together with Leonhart.
Carefully walking along the muddy roads left by melting snow, Lydia spoke up.
“We’ve saved up quite a bit now, so I’d like to start thinking about opening an apothecary.”
“That sounds good.
What kind of shop are you thinking of?”
“Well…” Lydia pondered.
“I was thinking of selling common recovery potions to the Adventurers’ Guild as usual, and offering made-to-order medicines at the shop.”
Medicines that adjusted one’s condition or eased chronic pain, like the ones she used to make for her father, would surely be appreciated.
Leonhart narrowed his red eyes.
“I think that’s an excellent idea.
I’ll help you.”
“Thank you.”
Lydia looked up at Leonhart happily.
When they arrived in town, preparations for spring were already underway.
People were repairing roofs damaged over winter and wiping clean grimy signboards.
Watching all that, they went to the Adventurers’ Guild, where Emma and Hanna were waiting with bright expressions.
“The patent went through!”
“What!?
That’s amazing!”
“Mm.
Amazing.”
The three of them discussed their next steps.
For now, they decided to place trial versions at this guild and see how people responded.
After having tea as usual, they returned to the reception hall, where Leonhart was talking with the guild master at a table in the corner.
His expression was more serious than Lydia had ever seen.
‘What’s going on?’
She sat on a bench to wait, and when the conversation ended, Leonhart walked over.
His face was stern, and he was holding a piece of paper.
“What’s wrong?”
When she asked worriedly, Leonhart smiled gently.
“It’s nothing.
Just news about a troublesome monster that appeared.”
“Really?
Is it nearby?”
“No, it doesn’t seem that close yet, so there’s no need to worry.”
Prompted by Leonhart, Lydia stepped outside.
They walked around the springtime town and browsed shops as usual, but Leonhart seemed lost in thought.
‘What could be wrong?
Is he worried about that monster?’
Feeling a little uneasy, she returned home with him and said, “I’ll make some tea,” as she headed for the kitchen.
Watching Lydia walk into the kitchen, Leonhart slipped a hand into his pocket.
What he took out was the paper the guild master had given him earlier.
It read as follows.
――――
Special Request for High-Rank Adventurers
Search for the individual listed below and report to the guild immediately upon discovery.
Race: Elf
Sex: Female
Appearance: Resembles a human aged 18–20, silver hair, blue eyes
Distinguishing features: Elf ears, a beauty mark near the right eye
――――
Leonhart examined the paper calmly.
No matter how he looked at it, it was Lydia.
According to the guild master, this was a top-secret request sent down from headquarters, a method used when they did not want to make something public.
Leonhart crumpled the paper in his fist.
Fortunately, Lydia had changed her hair and eye color as soon as she came to this town.
She hid her ears, and the beauty mark was concealed as well.
The guild master did not seem to have noticed, and if they kept living quietly, she likely would not be discovered.
Still, it was necessary to determine who had issued this request.
“…I can guess well enough.”
Murmuring that calmly, he brought the paper close to the fireplace.
He watched without letting go until it burned away completely.
After confirming it had all turned to ash, he let out a long breath to steady himself and then headed toward the kitchen where Lydia was.