[Morning]
When the sky began to brighten, I was awakened.
At first, I didn't really want to get up since I usually wake up later than this.
With drowsiness, I'm slowly follow Flora before sitting down near her as she was now putting on her iron armor.
I watched the process of her putting on the armor and was surprised.
I never thought that putting on iron armor would involve so many steps.
Each piece of armor had to be worn in a different way.
The shoulder armor was worn by fastening leather straps under the armpits.
The leg armor had to be fastened by tying the leather straps to the back of the calves.
I really wonder, does it not bother Flora to have to go through such a complicated process every time?
Soon, she finished putting on her armor and walked over to me.
"Let's go… I'll take you to my home quickly," Flora said with a smile, and I nodded in agreement before following her.
"Oh… by the way, Ellie, I forgot to tell you that my friend will be at our destination. Is that okay with you?" Flora asked with a concerned look.
Not used to being cared for, I lowered my head and replied softly, "Y-yes…"
Seeing that I didn't answer her clearly, Flora reached out to pat my head.
"Ellie, you don't need to worry. My friend is really nice."
Hearing her say that, I nodded, though I still felt uneasy about meeting a stranger again.
But since she said her friend is very nice, there probably won't be any problem, right?
I thought to myself as I walked with my head down, but suddenly I was startled.
Flora came over, lifted me up high, and held me by letting me sit on her arm.
"Ahh!"
I yelped in surprise, feeling embarrassed. It was the first time I had ever been held in such an embarrassing way.
"Don't be scared," she said as she stroked my head, pulling me close to her neck.
Ahh… I really want to bury my head in the ground, it's too embarrassing!
Not long after, we came out of the forest.
I was still being held in the same position, and even though I tried to get down and walk on my own, she wouldn't let me go.
In the end, I just let her carry me without any more resistance.
"We're out now. My friend will be here soon," Flora said.
I gazed outside the forest, where I hadn't been in a long time. I couldn't even remember the last time I left the forest.
But soon, I saw a group of shadows moving toward us.
"Is that your friend?" I pointed toward the shadows, and Flora looked at me with a puzzled expression.
"You can see them?" I nodded in response.
"Over there."
I pointed again, looking at her face.
Flora smiled awkwardly when she followed my finger.
"I didn't know, Ellie's eyesight would be this good…"
Flora praised Ellie.
"I can't even see the people you're talking about yet."
Flora laughed dryly, but soon she also began to see the group of shadows approaching, just as Ellie had said.
Before long, the shadows moved close enough for her to recognize them, and she smiled in delight.
The group was carrying a flag bearing the symbol of crossed hammers over a large shield, the emblem of her battle unit. The hammer symbolized the main weapon of her leader.
She waved happily.
"Flora, I'm glad you're still alive," said a middle-aged man with a thick white beard as he guided his horse beside her.
This man was my unit leader and the one who led us through the recent battle with the barbarians.
Even though our force was only about ten people, we survived against thousands, showing how skilled he was at commanding.
"I'm glad that I'm still alive too, Captain Ceasar."
"Hmm" Ceasar nodded, then looked at Ellie, who was still sitting on Flora's arm.
"This… this child's name is Ellie. I found her deep in the forest, and she saved my life," Flora explained.
"I heard it from Vincent," Ceasar said as he dismounted and approached Ellie.
"Little Child, my name is Ceasar. Thank you very much for saving one of my precious comrades," Ceasar said with a slight bow of his head.
"Y-yes…" Ellie stammered, nodding nervously at Ceasar's bow.
"Captain, I'd like to take her back with us," Flora said, her voice a bit hesitant.
"Go ahead… but are you sure?" Ceasar asked, looking into Flora's eyes before continuing.
"You're engaged to Gulle now, even if it's just a political arrangement…"
"Yes, I know, but I can't just leave the child who saved my life," Flora said firmly.
"Besides… I can't bear the thought of her living alone in the forest anymore."
"Do as you wish," Ceasar sighed before getting back on his horse and riding away.
"Here's your horse" Vincent said, bringing Flora's horse to her after the conversation ended.
"Big Brother…"
Flora's voice caught Vincent's attention, and he turned to look at her. She hesitated for a moment before swallowing the words she wanted to say.
"It's nothing."
She turned to Ellie.
"Ellie, have you ever ridden a horse?"
"No… never…"
Ellie replied nervously, noticing that Flora didn't seem well but unsure how to help. She rubbed her cheek against Flora's.
"Are you trying to comfort me? Thank you…"
Flora smiled and rubbed her cheek against Ellie's cheek even more.
Before long, we all started our journey back.
During the trip, Flora tried to teach me how to ride a horse several times.
But riding a horse was difficult. You had to hold the reins to guide the horse along the desired path.
Controlling the horse required a lot of technique and experience because if you pulled too hard, it could startle the horse, and if you pulled too gently, the horse might resist and not follow the command.
With my little strength, it was really hard to control it.
In the end, I learned only a little bit of controlling the horse and eventually gave up on continuing to learn.
"It's okay, Ellie. You'll get the hang of it soon," Flora reassured me.
"Yes…" I replied, my voice tinged with disappointment. I felt bad about not being strong enough to control the horse but couldn't do anything about it. My ears drooped, clearly showing my sadness.
Flora noticed this and decided to change the subject.
"By the way… Ellie, do you have parents? I forgot to ask."
"Parents…"
Ellie murmured before shaking her head.
"No… ever since I can remember, there's never been anyone by my side."
"I see…"
Flora responded softly, feeling even worse that she had brought up a topic that was even sadder than before, and she couldn't help but sigh.
Ellie, seeing Flora sigh, tilted her head in confusion, wondering why she sighed.
"We're here!"
Flora pointed to a distant destination.
"Wow…"
Before them, there are a large city.
A clear blue stream ran alongside the city, making it a very appealing place to live.
"It's huge."
"Is it?" Flora grinned and patted Ellie's head.
Ellie's tail, which was standing straight, wagged and hit her face several times.
But instead of being annoyed, Flora loved it.
"I'll take you to my house," Flora whispered in Ellie's ear, causing her ears to twitch with every breath Flora exhaled. Watching her ears twitch made Flora chuckle.
"Okay," Ellie replied, tilting her head away from Flora's breath, which tickled her ears.
As the two were about to enter the city, Flora held Ellie tightly.
When they entered the city, Ellie saw a group of people cheering and throwing flower bouquets at her.
Seeing things thrown her way startled Ellie, and she quickly tried to stand up and escape, but Flora held her and hugged her tightly.
Her ears drooped, and her tail, which had been wagging happily, now curled under her belly.
Flora felt a pang of sadness at this.
"It's okay, don't be scared," Flora said, holding Ellie close as she stood on the horse from fright.
Flora gently stroked her back, calming Ellie a bit.
"Welcome to Lumindoria, Ellie," Flora whispered in Ellie's ear, hugging her even tighter.