I succeeded. I did it.
I have achieved my revenge, eradicating the Dark Faction that took the lives of my comrades, and all its collaborators.
And, from that place, they rescued a child, a child with warm hair similar to Alexandra's.
They tried to rescue the other imprisoned children, but the dark faction had planted explosive firestones in the dungeon beforehand. Caught off guard, not only did they fail to rescue any more children, but they also suffered even more serious injuries as a result.
Once again, I did nothing... No, this time, at least I saved a child.
Or rather, he saved himself. Although it is unknown how he escaped, staying in the dungeon would have certainly meant certain death. It was his own courage that saved him.
This child should live.
After completing her revenge, Ryu felt no sense of accomplishment or satisfaction, only boundless loneliness.
I don't know where I should go or where I should go.
The once vibrant red landscape has now turned gray, and the smiles of my former companions, or their tragic deaths, are now difficult to recall.
Tears, laughter, pain, joy all vanished like smoke. Having fulfilled her obsession, Ryu finally became an empty shell.
She was now enveloped in endless darkness. What had once illuminated the darkness was the raging fire in her heart, but now, with the end of hatred, the fire had burned out and returned to utter nothingness.
No, in the pure black void, there is still a tiny spark left, a spark formed from obsession.
"I'm always the one being saved by them. This time, I must at least save this child, even if it's just him "
This must be a self that has been completely distorted by anger and hatred, with the last remnant of justice in its heart, pursuing self-satisfaction.
Finally, before he fainted, he saw a girl reach out her hand.
That's great. At least this child can be saved, and I can finally follow in their footsteps with peace of mind.
"Alicie, you've come to pick me up "
When Ryu opened her eyes again, she was certain that she had arrived in heaven. The red hair that came into view was as warm as the sun. Ryu hugged the long-lost figure in front of her, afraid that the other person would disappear like a bubble again.
"Liu, Miss?"
Wait, something doesn't seem right. Apart from the red hair, the age, gender, and appearance all seem incorrect.
"Wow, Shirou, did you really awaken the princess with a kiss of true love, meow?"
Anya reappeared at the door, but this time she was being carried by Boss Mia.
Seele, peeking out halfway, whispered, "It looks like Shirou-kun is being forced."
Boss Mia was more concerned with a different issue: "[Swift Wind]'s age should be over 18, right...?"
As for Shirou, he looks to be only twelve or thirteen years old.
"Wow " Anya said in a subtle and euphemistic way, looking at Ryu with the eyes of the non-flammable… no, the criminal.
After realizing she had made a huge blunder, Ryu's mind went blank, and Anya's gaze felt like a giant hammer hitting her chest, making her vomit blood with a "poof" sound.
And just like that, Ryu collapsed again, her face steaming with heat.
Arisel was the leader of the familia to which Ryu Leon once belonged. She was the "Red Flower" with red hair and was a deceased adventurer. In a daze, Ryu mistakenly saw the phantom of her old friend because of Emiya's red hair.
It seems that Boss Mia saw through Ryu Leon's identity from the beginning, but apart from her name, she didn't give Emiya any more information. In the past two days, he could only learn about this world by subtly inquiring about her from Anya. As for Miss Ryu, he only knew her name and that she was very strong.
This is a good opportunity to learn more about Miss Ryu.
Ryu woke up again half an hour later. This time, all the tavern staff were present, including waitress Seele, owner Mia, handyman Emiya, and Anya who had come to join in the fun.
However, Ryu seemed to have shut herself off; she simply lay in bed without saying a word.
"Why did you save me " she asked Seele in a hollow voice.
"Um." Seele looked very confused, but she smiled gently. "I couldn't just stand by and do nothing when I saw someone lying in the rain covered in injuries."
This is an absolutely legitimate reason, and anyone present, from that position, would undoubtedly have done the same.
Liu asked this question not to inquire about Xier's logic, but because she felt that she had no reason to live or be saved.
Ryu then turned her gaze to Emiya, the boy with warm red hair.
For a moment, she was unable to make a sound.
The boy's relief at surviving, the embarrassment of mistaking the other person for someone else, and the inner turmoil about whether he saved a child out of self-satisfaction... all of this left Liu speechless.
However, at this moment, the boy took the initiative to walk over.
"Thank you so much for saving me, Miss Ryu." He took Ryu's hands in his hands, his tone earnest.
Liu did not push his hand away.
"Eh, aren't all elves supposed to be germaphobes, meow? Why... ouch, meow!"
Strange meows and the sound of dwarves punching cats on the head could be heard all around; just treat them as noise.
"He is the second person…" Liu was stunned for a long time.
If someone tries to shake hands with Ryu upon first meeting her, Ryu will reflexively slap their hand away. This is not out of personal will, but rather a kind of "cleanliness obsession" inherent in the Elven race.
The first was Ryu's former captain and confidante, Alexie Rofer. Before that, she was the first and last person who could naturally approach Ryu.
The boy before her was the second, and she was the one who initially approached him. Was it because he resembled Alexie, or...?
"You know my name," Ryu abruptly changed the subject.
"A quick check of the clothes and luggage will tell you, [Swift] Liu Liang, right?" It was Boss Mia who spoke: "A first-class wanted criminal with a bounty of 80 million Fali."
Because of what Boss Mia said, a sense of stagnation instantly spread through the air.
"What are you planning to do? Hand me over to the union?"
As Liu spoke, his tone was less of a provocation and more of a self-deprecating, or even a desire that he could not have had.
In order to avenge her companions, Ryu secretly targeted numerous factions and their associates, even killing many of the faction's accomplices within the guild. These were all acts of vigilante justice carried out without trial, which led to a bounty being placed on her head by the guild.
Because of the large number of murders and the frequency of the crimes, the bounty has been increased, and now it has reached an astronomical figure of 80 million falies.
At a price of thirty falcons each, one liu is equivalent to two million six hundred thousand falcons, enough to last a lifetime.
Mia simply sneered at this without any hesitation.
"What a joke! Why would I do something so troublesome, you useless little devil?"
"A useless, good-for-nothing fairy?"
"Now that you're awake, what you do next is your business, but you have to pay for your lodging for the next few days before you can leave."
Mia's answer left Liu speechless.
"Miss Ryu, if you don't mind, how about staying here a little longer? It's very safe here. You can leave after things calm down. Shirou will also be working at the tavern," Seele said.
What nonsense are these two spouting? How did they even survive in Orario? They're dangerous Level 1 wanted criminals and powerful Level 4 adventurers. They should either get rid of this trouble as soon as possible, or they should be blinded by greed and tipping off others.
Leaving myself here is like inviting trouble. If I were to commit violence here, who would protect them, that rude dwarf woman?
Ryu's mind went into chaos.
"Miya's mother is very capable, you know. I believe she can protect you, Ryu-san. Besides, I want to know you better, and I think Shirou feels the same way "
Mia...?
Upon hearing the name, Ryu subconsciously recalled some information, but she immediately thought it was impossible and quickly dismissed the idea.
"Miss Ryu, I also hope you can stay, at least to recover from your injuries…" Shirou looked at Ryu and said earnestly.
No, stop talking.
Liu's heart was in turmoil.
I have no reason to live anymore. Don't look at me like that anymore, don't remind me of my fallen comrades, don't disturb my peace of mind
"I...I already have!"
Unconsciously, the storytelling turned into a shout that was somewhere between a roar and a wail.
"I…I have nothing left, neither companions nor a place to go…I have committed a foolish act and should have died long ago. I have no reason to live!"
Just as Ryu suddenly roared
Suddenly, a "gurgling" sound came from inside.
That adorable sound came from Ryu's abdomen.
"..."
Ryu was stiff with shock, Seele was dumbfounded, Mia looked completely bewildered, and Anya was laughing out loud.
"You say nice things, but your actions tell a different story, meow."
As the cat-girl explained frankly, the proud elf's face quickly turned bright red.
"Your body seems to still want to live," Boss Mia couldn't help but laugh.
"Gurgle..."
What utter shame! Ryu felt like she was about to die from a heart attack due to overwhelming embarrassment. No, even if she had long wanted to end it all, she didn't want to die in such a ridiculous way... At least, at least she would die in a fight against ten villains...
Liu was already exhausted and seriously injured, and had been unconscious for three days. Naturally, her body would crave nutrition.
The boy in front of him seemed to be pursing his lips as well. While Seele couldn't help but chuckle, Emiya managed to maintain his composure, while Ryuna's pointed ears were completely red.
Just then, Seele had an idea and winked at Mia.
Mia was slightly surprised, but quickly smiled in response.
"Honestly, leaving a starving ghost to die without helping would ruin my reputation. Come on, I'll make you something to eat."
"Wait, wait a minute, I didn't say I wanted to eat anything "
However, before Ryu could finish her refusal, Mia pressed her head down.
"You stubborn, stupid elf, stop spouting nonsense and insulting my intelligence! Now, just listen to me!"
"Hmm..."
A massive hand, as heavy as a mountain, pressed down on Ryu's head, its force just barely within safe limits.
Unable to resist in terms of strength, unable to dodge in time, and unable to avoid in terms of speed... Faced with the dwarf's one-handed suppression, Liu's back was already covered in cold sweat.
She immediately understood that her strength was worlds apart from that of her opponent.
Just then, Emiya suddenly spoke up.
"Mama Mia, please leave the task of cooking for Miss Ryu to me."
"Oh?" The dwarf boss raised an eyebrow.
"I want to repay Miss Ryu's kindness, and besides, I'm quite confident when it comes to cooking."