This contact warned Arthur that he couldn't give any tips, as it could cost him his life. Arthur, under the guise of a merchant, was gathering information to discover the identity of the organization's boss, a mystery no one knew.
Although Arthur acted as a merchant, he was really doing this as a personal favor for Neizan, who had been investigating the criminal organization for some time, trying to uncover who was in charge.
『Neizan: How is it possible that I've been trying for three days and nothing has happened yet?』
『Meilia: Normally, a person with less than 10% compatibility with any magical element can manifest it slightly in just two days. Since it's already your third day, it means that percentage is much lower, so it's not worth putting in so much effort to learn magic.』
『Neizan: Tsk. It was all for nothing.』
『Meilia: That's right. Well, I've already paid off my debt for teaching you these past few days, so what will you do now? 』
『Neizan: Arthur should be back today. When he arrives, we'll all go back to your city together so you can show us where the library is. 』
『Meilia: I see you have plans to steal the books. 』
『Neizan: It's my specialty. I'd rather be the one taking the risk than have you get caught with me. 』
『Meilia: Of course, that's because it's not in your best interest for me to get discovered now that you're complicit in hiding me in this house. 』
『Neizan: For being so arrogant, you're quite smart. 』
『Meilia: Mph. And you, despite those dark circles, are always alert. 』
『Neizan: Be careful, or you might end up with warts for having such a tough face. 』
『Meilia: What? 』
『Neizan: Nothing, hahaha. 』
The young girl with blue eyes and light brown hair looked at him with a displeased expression.
『Meilia: Honestly, this house isn't bad at all. Did you also steal it? 』
『Neizan: The only thief who lives here is me. The others have nothing to do with what I do. As for this house, Arthur and I built it together a little over a year ago. An old carpenter I knew helped us; he was the one who designed, with my help and Arthur's, everything we wanted for our home. We chose this place in the forest, near the mountains, to hide it. That way, no one would dare to search this area, which is inhabited by dangerous beasts. 』
『Meilia: I see you have everything planned out.』
『Neizan: I assure you, it wasn't as easy as it seems... 』
That day, Arthur arrived, and they were able to discuss how they would manage to steal the books from the library mentioned by Meilia.
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The next day, already together in a carriage driven by Arthur, they headed to the city of Abedul. Once there, they let Neizan take the lead on the plan.
『Neizan: When I steal the books, I'll have to hide them in the street I mentioned, under the trash. Then, I'll figure out how to mislead the guards and leave the city so you can pick me up in the forest. You need to pass by after a while so no one suspects anything. 』
『Meilia: Yeah, yeah, we've heard it a thousand times. Come on, don't take too long! 』
『Arthur: Don't worry, when we see you pass by here, we won't do anything. We already know. 』
『Neizan: Alright, see you later. 』
『Lina: Be careful... 』
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The boy said goodbye, thanking Lina for her concern, and got out of the carriage, heading toward the library.
Neizan took a while to steal the books from the library. He encountered no resistance or difficulties.
However, there was a girl in the library who saw him: she was Meilia's younger sister, who exchanged a few words with him.
Already at the hotel, night had fallen. Meilia and Arthur slept in a room with separate beds, while Neizan and Lina shared a large bed.
『Lina: Neizan. 』
She called to the boy in the darkness of the room.
『Neizan: What is it, Lina?』
『Lina: What are we going to do tomorrow? 』
『Neizan: You're asking me that now, just as we're about to sleep... How should I know? Why do you ask? 』
『Lina: I was just thinking out loud. I'm sorry to bother you. 』
『Neizan: Fine... Goodnight, Lina. 』
『Lina: Goodnight... 』
Although Neizan had told her not to get used to sleeping together, he and Lina had shared a bed almost every day since then. This was due to two specific reasons: Lina's company somehow improved Neizan's frequent insomnia, while she felt safer beside him.
They had both grown accustomed to being together, but what Lina had yet to learn to manage was a feeling that pressed on her chest. Her heart raced just thinking about it.
『Lina: I love you.』
That was what Lina thought as she gazed at his serene face, his eyes closed, while listening to his breathing. He felt genuinely warm. Being next to him helped her better regulate her body temperature. As sleep approached, Lina closed her eyes and let herself drift off until she finally fell asleep.
In the deepest dreams of both young people, Lina's subconscious invaded Neizan's, allowing her to see what he hid in his dreams.
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『???: Waaah, waaah, waaah! 』
The cries of a baby echoed throughout the room. Inside a hospital room, a young and beautiful mother, with long dark brown hair and black eyes, held her child in her arms.
Beside her, several people dressed in white watched the scene; they were the nurses who had attended to her moments earlier.
『Nurse: Miss Jessica, we'll leave you alone with your son. Call us if you need anything. 』
『Jessica: Alright. 』
The mother of the newborn gazed at him with eyes shining with emotion.
For the first time in her life, she understood what a mother's love was. I love you so much, my son, she thought.
『Jessica: I will name you Neizan. «Because you are the gift that God brought into my life.» 』