As Celeste approached the town's entrance, memories of the gate guard surfaced. He recognized her immediately because of her distinctive hair color. "Wow, you're Ilvia's daughter, right? How many years has it been since you left to train with that swordsman? Your mother's health has gotten worse since you left. She's still living in the brothel, but she's not well. I'll let you pass, but remember—you need to go to the guild and get yourself a guild card. It's an ID, so you can enter any town without trouble as long as it's on the continent of Eripia."
Celeste was surprised the guard still recognized her after all these years. She bowed in thanks for his kindness. As she set foot inside Willowshade, she noted how little the town had changed, but she certainly had. A few villagers recognized her but hesitated to approach, likely because of her scarlet hair and the sword at her side. Old memories rushed back, filling her with uncertainty.
"I used to run all over this place," she thought. "It was nice growing up here. Now, let's go see my mom."
As Celeste approached the brothel, she quickly stepped inside. The first person she saw was Mother Rosario, the elderly woman who had taken care of her while her mother worked.
"Oh my, Celeste! You've grown so much in the five years since you left! Come here, let me hug you!" Mother Rosario exclaimed.
Celeste felt the weight of the hug, realizing how much she had been missed. "Mother Rosario! You're still here. Thank goodness. I missed you so much. I've finished my training, and I came back to see my mom. Where is she?"
Mother Rosario's expression became anxious. "My dear, Ilvia's condition has worsened. She's still in the room you both used to live in. I sent you a letter explaining, remember? She has a disease that may be contagious. It's dangerous for you to go near her."
Celeste, knowing that her sanctum protected her from illness, replied, "I don't care, Mother Rosario. I'm going to see her." She rushed up the stairs to their old room, memories of her childhood flooding back. She began to feel emotional but pushed forward. When she opened the door, she saw her mother lying in bed. The sight shocked her. Ilvia, once a beautiful woman with a healthy body and glowing brown hair, was now frail, her hair thinning, her lips dry.
Celeste rushed to her side, gently waking her. Ilvia's eyes fluttered open, and she smiled faintly. "My beautiful daughter... you've come back. I've waited so long for you. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about my illness sooner... I missed you so much." Ilvia held Celeste's face, pulling her into a tight embrace.
"Mother, I'm so sorry for leaving you alone. I should've stayed by your side and taken care of you," Celeste whispered through tears.
"No, Celeste," Ilvia replied, her voice weak. "Before Master Kite took you in, I already knew I had this disease. I'm grateful he trained you. I didn't want you to end up working here like me." Tears streamed down Celeste's face.
"Mom, don't talk like that. I'm here now. We're going to find a cure, okay?"
Ilvia gently pushed her away and faced her. "There is no cure, my little girl. I've been holding on, fighting every day just to see you again. Now that you're here, I can finally rest." With those words, Ilvia closed her eyes and lay back down. Celeste, trying to hold back her sobs, felt her heart breaking.
Memories of her previous life flooded back—the indifferent parents who never cared for her on Earth. She was their only child, and they had separated, each moving on with their own lives. She had been passed between relatives, never truly feeling at home. When she finally graduated from college, she moved out to live on her own. But in this life, Ilvia had been her anchor, the only person who truly loved her. Ilvia was the reason she strove to be strong.
As Ilvia lay on the bed, she pointed to the side table. "Celeste, look there," she said weakly. On the table was a necklace, luxurious with gold and silver, featuring a pendant engraved with a lion's head.
"I know you've wondered about your origins," Ilvia said in a low voice. "This necklace belonged to your father. He was a noble, and you inherited your crimson hair from him. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."
Celeste's mind raced. "Do I really want to know about my father?" she thought.
"I met him during a dungeon break," Ilvia continued. "Adventurers and knights flocked to this town to protect it from the monsters pouring out of the dungeon. Your father saved me from one of them. His name was Callisto Stallard Radcliff, and he was a great sorcerer. I still remember how handsome and dazzling he looked when I first saw him." Ilvia paused, and Celeste handed her a glass of water, though Ilvia declined it.
"He had no choice but to leave. As a noble in Eripia with strong magical abilities, he was bound by the emperor's orders. He's now a renowned sorcerer known as the Crimson Magician of the Radcliff family."
Celeste was silent, trying to process the information. Ilvia continued, struggling to speak. "He sent me a letter last year. It's in the drawer. He wants to meet you, Celeste. Take the letter and the necklace to his estate. He'll recognize you."
Ilvia's voice faded as she smiled weakly, patting Celeste's head. "I'm sorry I can't be with you anymore... but even after I'm gone, I'll always..." Ilvia's words trailed off as her eyes closed for the last time.
Celeste's grief exploded. "Mom, no! Don't leave me! Mom!!!"
Her cries echoed through the brothel, and Mother Rosario rushed in to comfort her. Later that day, the entire town gathered at the church to mourn Ilvia's passing. She had been well-known in Willowshade, and her funeral was attended by many. Due to the contagious nature of her disease, Celeste and Mother Rosario decided to bury her quickly on the hill behind the church.
As Celeste watched her mother's coffin being lowered into the ground, memories of Ilvia's unwavering love came rushing back. Tears flowed freely down her face. Among the crowd, she noticed knights standing watch, including Vonavick, who observed her silently.
After the burial, Celeste lingered by her mother's grave. "She was only 31," Celeste murmured. "So young to die. I'll never forget you, Mom. I'll cherish this life you gave me. I may have been reincarnated, but you made me who I am. I love you." Sitting on the grass, Celeste reflected on her mother's life, only to be interrupted by the sound of clanking armor.
Vonavick approached her and spoke softly. "I'm sorry for your loss, Celeste. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to reach out. Consider it our thanks for what you did."
Celeste nodded quietly.
That night, Celeste returned to the room she had once shared with her mother. Mother Rosario had told her she could stay as long as she liked, but the memories were overwhelming. She noticed her father's letter on the table and opened it.
"My dear Ilvia, I'm sorry I left so long ago, but I've never forgotten you. I know our love bore a child. It may be late, but I want you both to come to our estate. I hope to see you soon."
Callisto Stallard Radcliff's name was signed at the bottom, along with the Radcliff family's lion insignia.
"What a sore loser," Celeste thought. "How did it take him this long to reach out to us? Maybe I'll go to his estate... ask for some money or gold. I guess it's my right."
The room's memories weighed too heavily on her, so she grabbed one of her mother's black leather coats and left. She sought out Mother Rosario.
"I can't stay in that room. I think I'll get a room at an inn. Thank you for everything," Celeste said.
Mother Rosario smiled warmly. "This will always be your home, child. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to come back." She handed Celeste a bag full of gold coins. "These are your mother's savings. She wanted you to have them."
Celeste accepted the bag, placing it in her pouch. "Thank you. Tomorrow, I'll head to the adventurers' guild and see what work I can find. Do you have any recommendations?"
"Be careful," Mother Rosario advised. "Don't take on dangerous tasks, and avoid urgent quests unless you're in a party. Solo work can be risky. As for inns, there are plenty nearby."
Later, in her small inn room, Celeste lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. "I'm back to living alone again, huh? Tomorrow, I'll see what the guild has to offer." She reached into her pocket and took out the necklace. "He's living nearby in Willowshade... maybe I'll visit him once I'm done here. But what would I even say?"
Turning on her side, Celeste closed her eyes, clutching the necklace, and whispered, "I'll miss you, Mom. I'll remember you always." As she drifted off to sleep, her thoughts lingered on her mother's love.