Nights in the great forest of Kamut were different from most horror movies of my previous life.
As undead creatures like ghosts, zombies, and skeletons were real in this world, the spookiness of the night increases manyfold.
But, excluding these all, the nightlife of the jungle is very vibrant.
The glowing plants, fungus, and small bioluminescent creatures make a spectacular show.
I wanted to look at it a bit more but the night was getting dark.
Closing the small hole with a rock and mud, I walked back.
On one side of the cave, I had dug a large hole with wet soil around it.
It worked as a temporary fridge that can store the things like fruits and herbs for possibly two or three weeks.
This wasn’t something that could work as a proper fridge but it could lock the moisture and keep it preserved.
The preservation spell was second-tier magic so I was still a long way from doing something like that.
The apple was enough for me to last at least two weeks so I was just going to stay inside my humble cave and do some seclusion training.
I had enough herbs to increase my stats a bit, enough that I could hunt small beasts without being noticed.
Stealth was also necessary for me right now, but that wasn’t much big of a problem.
I had a good affinity with nature so noticing my presence required senses close to a (Yellow) ranked beast.
I didn’t want to get close to any of those beasts that were impossible for me to kill right now.
There was almost nothing much to do here… just survive.
Living alone in this hell; in a dimly lit closed cave was something I never thought about in my life.
‘Mom, dad… please be alright,’ I prayed and sighed.
After living with them all this time, I already had forgotten the lonely past life.
Unlike before, I hadn’t lost them this time.
They were still there waiting, hoping, and maybe… crying.
Even if I was here, in some humongous hell, I had hoped they were doing ok.
‘Mom… take care of everyone,’ I smiled hopefully and sat down.
She was the only one strong enough to handle dad and baby.
Dad would be blaming himself for all these things that we went through.
Thinking that he wasn’t strong enough to protect everyone, he would just blame himself.
Mom was not that strong in this matter either.
She would think why I asked her to look after them, but she will do that.
I knew she would.
I wanted to see them all, I…
“Huuuu…”
Taking a deep breath, I calmed crying my heart.
The same heart that was as normal as any other time in situations of life and death.
‘So it doesn’t work with emotions like these? Little bastard…’
Well, this was a good thing. A very important and good thing.
I wasn’t some heartless, merciless machine.
I had all of my emotions.
The very thing that made an animal a human.
A clear tear escaped my eyes as a smile spread out on my small face.
***
-Knock. -Knock.
Someone knocked on the carefully crafted metal doors.
They were beautifully crafted with silver color and golden, red, and blue patterns.
The voice that answered from inside was slow… and tired.
“Yes…?”
The person that knocked on the door before, replied in a dignified, heavy voice.
“El, it’s me. I’m coming inside.”
The door opened and a lady in a beautiful green dress walked inside.
A forest green dress with beautiful golden embroidery all around it.
The collar and shoulder long sleeves had white ends.
The dress was fabulous and the pink flower on her green neck ribbon was… fresh.
She had the same green eyes as her dress, deep and refreshing like a morning scene in the garden.
She had fiery red hair which shined in the light of the big candle holder in the middle of the room with bright lights.
“Oh, Augustine! What brings you here?”
Buried in countless books, a man with ruffled sea blue hair and deep sky blue eyes, looked up at her.
“Well, do I need a reason to see my beloved husband?” she smiled and picked up the books to arrange them on the shelves.
Her smile was… fresh.
Just like her sweet scent of fresh roses, the aura around her was refreshing.
“Aug. Eon will be ok, right?” he asked, closing the book he was reading in a heavy voice.
He had an extremely sad look in his eyes.
She looked at him pitifully.
Everyone was worried about Eon from the day he went missing.
Father even sent out search parties from knight order and Nolen is already done with her preparations.
Nol and Brian, both had suffered from this gravely.
Father was also devastated by this news but he was proud of his grandson.
He always talked about how Eon knew he would protect his family and in a dangerous moment, he did protect them.
She was proud of him. He was not only Nolen’s son, but he was also her nephew.
She was also very eager to meet him.
Nolen was a little sister to her for a very long time and they were also close friends.
She knew her so she knew how much burden she was carrying by herself.
Not only did she have to do her work as the guild leader of one of the top merchant guilds, but she also had to keep a promise.
A promise that she would look after her family.
There was a joyous thing that we were going to have another little one in our family but, the news of Eon’s disappearance was grave.
Everyone was doing their best not to show it but anyone could guess from the atmosphere in the house.
Father, mother, Nolen, and Brian were doing much better than yesterday, Carla was also shocked when she heard what happened, and at last… this fool.
Her fool of a husband didn’t leave his room.
He loved Eon and was the most eager person to meet him.
He had made many preparations and even prepared for his birthday.
She was happy whenever he asked her for her advice on that.
Everyone in the capital knew about her talent and skills in regard to any event.
She was one of the pillars of the empire’s higher society.
Ladies from different households were happy to just talk with her, and she liked them.
She walked closer to him and hugged him from behind.
“Don’t worry. He will be fine. Everyone knows he will be back safely. If not tomorrow… then one day.
He made a promise to his family, you know right?
He wished to protect everyone.
So he will come back. Safe and healthy,” she put her head on his back.
He was a scholar and one of the best theory professors at the imperial academy.
Though he was neither a knight nor a mage, he was an important figure for people of both professions.
“But what should I do about this worry? If something-” she cut him off and spoke in his ear.
“I said not to worry, right? Instead of worrying, think about Nolen.
She needs help right now.
Not only from mother, father, and me but also from you.
Think about how we should help her. ．
You are good at thinking, so I know you will figure something out.”
Biting his ear, she stepped back.
He had a slight blush from the expectedly expected move.
“Ok. I should think about something,” with a small smile, he sat back on his desk.
“Call me if you need anything~.”
With that, she turned around to leave.
But before she moved forward, he grabbed her from behind.
They both were stunningly gorgeous and when they stood like this, holding each other… it was beautiful.
“Thanks…” biting her ear, he let go and walked back.
Her dignified expression was slightly different now and a very faint pink blush was visible on her gorgeous face.
She rolled her eyes with a smile.
She had successfully cheered her crybaby and succeeded for tonight.
But, her expression fell as she exited the room.
“Be safe Eon…” she mumbled under her breath and closed the door behind her.