Their search for Micah had ended after they both were informed by Rudi. They bid farewell not to return directly to the tavern because they wanted to wander around like Micah did before. Rudi allowed them to go as long as they both returned at sunset.
Lidya and Elia strolled along the streets filled with vendor stalls. The stalls were scattered along the entire side of the alley. The place could be considered the central market of Sayejij City. Many horse-drawn carts passed by carrying their goods there. The merchants carried goods that clearly were not from this city or even this country.
"Is this what Micah felt when he roamed this city?" Elia gazed at the stalls around with a lackluster expression.
"Do you find this boring?" Lidya asked.
She remembered that Elia was a native of this world. Elia must have seen this scenery many times until she felt accustomed to it or even weary.
"Yes... Isn't this ordinary?" Elia looked at Lidya with confusion.
She noticed the curious gaze and bright expression on Lidya's face. She didn't know what caused that look, but she knew Lidya was definitely not from around here.
"Why do you seem so delighted with this scenery?" Elia asked.
"Am I?"
Lidya immediately touched her face, blushing. It was unusual for her to be swayed by the city's atmosphere.
"Is your world very different from this one?" (smiling while pinching her own cheek)
"Hmm... Very different."
Hearing that statement made Elia smile. "Different? How so? Is it more advanced or more ancient?"
"I don't know... maybe more ancient?" (humble)
"Ancient, really? Your attire is quite different from the books my mother used to read. Speaking of you three. Can you tell me about yourselves, to me? I'm really curious!"
"Me, Rudi, and Micah. We were in one city, but suddenly captured and brought to this unknown country."
"Are you scared?"
"At first, yes, but after Micah smear his own hand with blood. We both realized, we can't just stay still and let him bear all that guilt alone. We also have to rise, anything that become obstacle for us, we will crush it!"
Elia fell silent. She saw what Lidya experienced was similar to what she experienced in school. Being in an unfamiliar place with some known people. She did anything to survive, even eating carcasses if necessary. She did it all for those who fell there.
"You're strong, Lidya." (placing her hand on Lidya's shoulder)
"No, I think, I'm the weakest there."
"Call yourself whatever you want. But, don't call yourself useless. When I or your two friends lose you, then that's when they or I realize how important your presence is."
Lidya smiled weakly hearing advice from the woman. Despite being filled with ambitions for revenge, Elia remained a teacher. Giving advice was her duty.
"Thank you."
"By the way, when you're with your two friends. Somehow your atmosphere is very different, especially Micah and Rudi?"
"Micah is driven by ego. He always prioritizes all his heart's desires over others. Nevertheless, he still cares about both of us. While Rudi, he's more of a 'silence is golden' type. He's afraid to speak to new people. In the past, he was always pressured by his parents and siblings. All his hobbies, preferences, and lifestyle were always negatively criticized by them. That's why he prefers to observe before acting. If he feels there's no need to act, then he won't."
Lidya didn't mention Micah's other side, always listening to his parents' arguments almost every night because of money. That's also the reason why he loves money so much and prioritizes them. For Lidya, parental issues are probably normal for people in this world.
*Pluk!
Elia suddenly pressed Lidya's forehead while raising the corners of her lips.
"Why?" (Lidya)
"You know a lot about your friends. You can tell many things about them. But, can you tell me about yourself, Lidya?" Elia's smile seemed to challenge the flat-chested girl.
"Me? Why are you so nosy?"
"Let me just explain directly. You're not fit to judge your friends if you can't judge yourself."
"Didn't I already judge myself?"
What she meant was how she called herself the weakest among her two friends.
"Not that, tell me, your issues!" Elia requested calmly.
Lidya looked down and gazed at one of the green magical stone necklaces in one of the stalls. She gazed at her reflection from the stone.
"Me?" Lidya struggled to think about what kind of person she was.
She didn't really care about herself. What she cared about was the suffering of others. She hated that. She hated seeing others suffer.
She actually wanted to say that, but she held back. She couldn't bring herself to say it to someone who seemed to care about her.
"The thing I hate most in this world is people suffering. I hate it when they boast about all their suffering as if they are the most unlucky person in this world. They look like trash to me!"
Elia felt annoyed by that statement, but she smiled at Lidya. After all, she was the one who asked the girl to say it.
"Why do you hate those who talk about their suffering?"
"When I was little, I was always hurt by my friends. When I cried at home, I cried to my mother. I asked for protection. But, all I got from her was, 'My life was terrible than this! Don't become spoiled kid!' I was instantly stunned."
Lidya moved to another stall and looked at the fresh fruits picked from the Jin Wei Country. All the fruits were striking and captivating.
"Every time I complained about my problems. I was always scolded like that. They always countered it with that statement(that their life more harsher). Until eventually, I also started to hate it. I hate those who are angry at their unlucky fate. They're trash who don't want to accept it!"
Lidya moved again to the next stall filled with fish caught from this country.
"That's why I hate Micah! He tried to tell us about his suffering! I hate that! That's why I never liked him!"
Lidya almost screamed and attracted the attention of the people around. But luckily, she immediately held her breath and left the market. Elia, who was with her, followed her.
"You okay?" Elia asked worriedly.
"I'm fine, I'm used to it."
She used to holding back emotions until they turned into envy and resentment.
When she said that words. Her facial expression showed a sly smile and full of hatred towards the person she was looking at. That hatred didn't come from her, but from a sadness that was converted into negative aura within her.
All her resentment, hypocrisy, and cunningness came from a sadness that she couldn't express. She became someone like that. She couldn't blame the world or anyone else. Because they must be suffering more than her. That's why she kept silent and did that.
"It's okay, don't worry! Everything's fine! You're not alone!" Elia suddenly hugged Lidya gently.
Elia saw the sadness within Lidya. She could feel all of that, just from that sad face.
"Pain doesn't see how old you are. Anyone can be affected. And the only ones who can heal that wound are the people around you." (Elia)
"Please, just be silent! And don't hold back your tears." Elia added.
Elia tried to comfort Lidya without talking about her own suffering that more harsher. She didn't talk about her suffering at that school. She didn't care, she wasn't herself if she said it.
Elia felt that pain, she didn't want someone younger than her to drown in despair like her. She didn't want others to use revenge as a reason to live like her. She wanted Lidya, who was still young, to feel alive, just like that. No matter where she was from, who she really was.
That's better... -Elia smiled