Looking at the two adult deer and the small one, which was definitely their baby, I stopped the tears at the end of my eyes.
It has been more than a year and I was still nowhere near escaping this place.
Looking at them, just walking together like this was enough to wet my eyes.
This was a family, and I wasn’t with mine.
Maybe the big deers sensed those things somehow and looked around in confusion.
I didn’t know if they can see me or just the emotions, but I thought it was because of my emotions.
[ “Celes. Let’s go meet them.” ] I suggested as my eyes locked on the baby who was looking at his parents in confusion.
[[ Yes… master… ]] There was still hesitation in her voice but, she lifted the camouflage.
I stood up and looked at the deers who were confused by the sudden appearance.
This also confirmed that by now, Celes’s <Skill> cannot be looked through by even (Indigo) ranked creatures.
Her skills would grow even more as I grew strong, so it meant she was much stronger than I thought.
Once again, I was glad she was with me.
With a small nod, I walked a few steps.
All three of them looked at me, and I looked at them.
Their eyes were very special as they looked through the emotions and hearts of others.
As our eyes met, all three of them had a very sad expression in their eyes.
I knew… they understood my emotions.
Emotions that I suppressed with great difficulties.
Emotions of loneliness and longing.
The emotions that I knew would break me if I were to let them flow out of that strong dam.
I knew… that they knew.
The baby deer was even sadder than his parents.
May be… because it was a child-like me?
Maybe he thought about how he would feel without his parents.
It was devastating for them, even more for a child who has seen little of this world’s cruelty.
Looking at his parents, the baby asked something.
They both looked at me and then back at their child.
The mother said something that made the child jump into the excitement.
It was cute to see the child so happy, so it sent a smile to my face too.
The child then looked at me and started walking forward.
I didn’t know what he was doing, but I also took a step toward him.
Standing before each other, I looked into his eyes. 𝐞𝗼𝘃𝐞𝐥．𝗰𝐨𝗺
They were pure, innocent, and filled with wisdom.
Even though it was just a child, it at least knew more about emotions than me.
The presence it gave off was also close to the mother snake, but a bit different.
Closing its eyes, the baby bows down on one knee like greeting me.
This gave me an idea of what this child was trying to do.
It was shocking, and I wanted to deny it as a stupid thought but… I couldn’t.
Looking at the bowing child, I also bent down on one knee and extended my hand as a greeting.
I didn’t know if I was doing ok but, but from the cheerful expression of the child, it looked like it was right.
The child stood up, and after him, I also stood up.
Looking at him with a confused expression, I blinked.
I knew it would understand my thoughts, and hopefully, it did.
Walking forward, it came before me.
It was a baby, but it was still as big as me in height.
Its deer horns were small, and it was still many years from reaching adult age, like its parents.
Signaling me to bend down, it raised its head.
I came before him and set just beside his face.
Closing his eyes, he waited for a bit, as if thinking about something.
Now… I was sure and I still couldn’t believe this.
[[ Master…? ]] Celes asked in confusion.
It was very confusing to her. Not only this child’s behavior but this whole situation.
[ “It’s giving me a gift.” ] I answered warmly while chuckling inside.
[Arcane]
This special energy was purer than normal Mana in the environment and more refined energy than simple Mana.
It was above Mana in terms of power, and it could be compared to the spiritual energy of nature.
But… it wasn’t on quite that level.
Creatures that used Arcane energy are good at defense magic as well as support magic.
Attack magic skills powered by Arcane energy are powerful but they are mostly only used by creatures like adult golden deer because of higher purity.
Some races mostly captured golden deer on illegal bases not only because of their skills, body parts, and use but also because of their ability to condense Arcane energy.
This condensed crystal was nothing less valuable than a (Yellow) ranked core.
These condensed forms of Arcane tears were called [Golden Tears].
In the empire, these golden deer were protected because of their low number and decreasing population.
They mostly lived in a protected territory and only the ones they saw as pure could receive these gifts.
Controlling their skill was hard and for such a young child to give this gift… increased its specialty.
After a full minute of deep concentration, the baby deer opened his eyes.
Its deep blue eyes glowed and slowly, a small tear slid from the end of those beautiful eyes.
The transparent and normal tear fell on my palm, and a new reaction started around it.
Mana particles surged inside it, getting visible as its density increased many folds.
It slowly turned gold and then began crystallizing.
After another minute, the crystal was finished, and it was… amazing~.
A tear-shaped crystal that was as big as my hand rested in my hands.
This was unusual, and I knew the reason.
We heard the sound of his mother and looked behind.
Dad walked up a step and looked at his child in surprise.
They talked through their eyes, and they understood what was going through his mind.
It was a child-like behavior, giving some pitiful person something more than necessary.
It wasn’t bad, but you use a large amount of concentration and your energy to create these crystals.
This child has overdone itself this time.
And as all parents would do, his parents were scolding him.
Well…
Looking at them was painful in itself.
But… I was happy.
All three of them understood this and the father sighed.
Cuddling his baby, they walked back.
The child looked back at me when they were leaving after saying goodbye and drinking water from the clear lake.
Its eyes were too easy to read, just like a little child: ‘Be safe and get back to your loved ones~’.
,m I smiled and waved goodbye to them.
And also thanked him for giving me such treasure.
Looking at the golden gem, I sighed.
“See, Celes. Not all powerful are cruel and… not all cruel beings are powerful.”
[[ I will remember that, master. ]]
I sighed and put the [Golden Tears] inside the white crack.
Not much time has passed in this place, so I had good enough time on hand to find a place to spend my night.
‘Such fortunes, kind and warm encounter…’ I sighed in helplessness.
I remembered time after time.
There was still kindness in this hell.