Does the Assassin Girl Dream of the Mana Doll?

The Morning of Departure

After finishing up their preparations, Letty and Ellie made their way back to Old Bob’s shop, with Rita joining them soon after.

“You know, I have this hunch that the Duke might actually hire me… Hey Old Bob, what’s your secret?”

“Oh, it’s no big deal. Just called in a favor or two from my old connections,” he replied, a grin playing on his lips.

Rita and Letty knew better than anyone about the old man’s vast network as an information broker, but little did they realize just how far-reaching it truly was.

Feeling an inexplicable depth, the three of them—including Ellie—found themselves gazing at each other intently, lost in thought.

“Hey, why the long faces? Tomorrow is the big day when Egret and Ellie set off, and soon enough, Rita will be a live-in employee. Let’s make tonight a blast!” Old Bob exclaimed, his expression brimming with joy, like a proud grandfather bidding farewell to a grandchild embarking on a journey of independence. He squinted his eyes and pulled out a bottle of alcohol.

And so, Letty found herself playfully influenced by the cheerful Rita, with Ellie always by her side, while Old Bob teased them all. Gradually, they grew accustomed to this lively yet serene atmosphere throughout the night.

The next morning dawned, marking the long-awaited day of departure.

“Are you two all set?” Old Bob asked, inspecting their travel gear.

Letty, accustomed to frequent traveling due to her line of work, and Ellie, who had experienced military campaigns, had made impeccable preparations. If anything, their flawless readiness and the pristine condition of their backpacks seemed oddly out of place.

“Of course, I’ve been awaiting this day… How much I’ve been looking forward to it! I, the unworthy Ellie, will wholeheartedly fulfill my role as Letty-san’s companion!”

“I think you’re a bit too fired up…”

Ellie, brimming with excitement, and Letty, who seemed slightly overwhelmed by it. They were such contrasting figures, yet strangely in sync.

I’m sure everything will turn out fine. Yes, it’s reassuring to think that way.

“Ellie, at this rate, you’ll run out of breath along the way…”

“I’ll be fine, Letty-san! With my current state, I can walk 100 kilometers in a day!”

“…I think it’s more likely that I’ll be the one out of breath…”

Ah, I’m glad Ellie is coming along. She doesn’t belong in a place like that. I can’t help but think she’s better suited to brighter surroundings, although it’s unlike me to have such thoughts.

“Well then, shall we… get going?”

“Yes, it’s a bit sad to say goodbye… Rita-san, Grandpa Bob, thank you for everything! I’m sure we’ll meet again!” As Ellie gave a deep bow, the two of them smiled in return.

“We should be the ones thanking you. Ellie, Egret, thank you. We’ll definitely meet again. And next time, I’ll be the most splendid maid around!”

“That’s right, you’ve both been a great help to us. Take care out there, but I have a feeling you’ll do just fine.”

In just a few days, so many things have happened. We’ve helped each other, and it feels… strange. My daily life used to be confined to fulfilling my assigned role, but now, it feels like there’s something more.

“Thank you… I’m glad… I’m glad you two are here,” Letty spoke with gratitude.

I’ve thought about it, pondered, but the words don’t come easily. Still, I want to convey, I must convey these feelings—how do I express them?

“Well then, we’re off!” Ellie exclaimed.

Ah, I see. Gratitude, reluctance to say goodbye, determination. I’ll pour them all into this one phrase, “Take care…”

As Letty said that while looking into their eyes, she waved her hand and walked out of the town. She couldn’t resist stealing one last glance, waving her hand again at the two figures who kept waving theirs. She nodded at Ellie, who walked steadfastly by her side. Together, they embarked on their journey, striding forward along the road that led west.

“They’re gone…”

“Yeah…”

Rita and Old Bob stood there until the two figures disappeared, and then, words slipped out naturally.

“Hey Grandpa, it’s rare for us to see her off, so I couldn’t help feeling a little anxious. This journey is different from her usual ones.”

“Hahaha, I get it, Rita. Egret has always been competent, especially when the objective is clear.”

“That’s true… For now, things are still uncertain. But they seem resolute.”

Heading west to discover what Ellie longed to see. Only Letty knew the true nature of that desire. She hadn’t shared it with Rita and Old Bob yet.

“And then… I wonder if they’ll want to see what lies beyond that.”

“Rita, I believe they’ll be fine. That child has been changing little by little.” Of course, I know that. I just hope those changes are for the better. It’s unnecessary worry from an old person like me.

Rita and Old Bob stood there, their gaze fixed on the road where Letty and Ellie had departed, and they continued watching for a long time.

The two of them had been walking for a while, or perhaps they had covered quite a distance. Suddenly, Ellie turned around, and Letty followed suit, coming to a halt.

“Is something the matter?” Letty inquired.

“No, it’s nothing significant, but…” Ellie replied, her gaze momentarily directed towards Walls. “I felt a sense of reluctance, even though I hadn’t stayed there for long. It’s not something I’ve experienced before.”

As Ellie spoke, her expression wasn’t exactly a bitter smile; it was more of a mixture of perplexity and curiosity, though it was accompanied by a smile.

“I understand… Despite having left Walls on numerous occasions before,” Letty responded.

A faint tugging sensation lingered in their hearts as they looked back at the place they had departed from. After a while, a gentle breeze caressed their faces, carrying the refreshing warmth of early summer, grounding them in the present.

“Let’s continue. We’ll meet them again… those two,” Letty said.

“Yes, that’s right. They’re the kind of people who won’t easily be shaken,” Ellie agreed.

It was quite a statement considering the brief time Ellie had known them, and Letty couldn’t help but squint her eyes with a smile. Of course, it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling. Ellie, who had become so familiar in such a short time, emitted a subtle radiance.

The two of them resumed their journey. Their destination was the west. Passing through several towns, they would eventually arrive at the border town of Azar, unaware of what awaited them beyond.

***

Author’s Note:

If we consider the place of our birth as our hometown, then it would indeed be our hometown. But if we speak of the place where our souls long to return, it’s certainly not there.

Up next: Similar yet Different

The place where we truly belong is elsewhere.