as Leo walked, the butterflies returned guiding him, flying closer than before.
Unaware of being followed, he pressed on.
Exhausted after miles, he rested by a river. Sitting in peaceful silence leaves rustling, butterflies landing nearby he closed his eyes to meditate.
Suddenly, small footsteps crunched nearby.
"Hmm?" Leo whirled around.
Nothing...?
He crept toward rustling bushes
"What?!" He spotted her hiding there, grabbing her arm.
"What are you doing here? How did you follow me... this far?" Leo scolded, worry sharpening his tone.
"I-I was just interested in your braveness, Mister Hero," the innocent girl said, her eyes flickering with curiosity.
"I want to see you beat some bad guys again!!"
Bum Bum pam!!
The little girl was imitating Leo's moves from the day before.
But Leo pushed her slightly.
"What!?" The little girl stopped.
"What are you talking about? I can't keep you with me. I'm a traveler now! I am not going back to the orphanage soon!"
"Eeeeeh?! You're not taking me with you?!" The little girl's eyes welled up with tears.
"No," Leo responded with a cold tone.
Leo started walking, leaving the little girl behind.
But she started sobbing, wiping her tears.
"DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE! I FEAR BEING ALONE!!" she yelled.
"AND I DON'T KNOW THE WAY HOME!!"
The little girl stopped; her tone became softer and more calm.
"...It's your fault. It's your fault for saving me."
The little girl sniffed, then inhaled.
"I... I... I..."
"Okay! Okay! Fine! Come along," He sighed, opening his hands in a calming gesture
"R...really?" The little girl wiped the last tear from her cheek.
"Yes... I will regret leaving a little child to the wilderness."
"You... you don't want me to be dinner for wolves?.. You really have a kind heart!" she said, her tone serious yet easily misunderstood as a joke.
"YAY! Let's go then!!" The little girl started leaping around her sad expression changed on an instant
"...Wasn't she just crying a moment ago?..." Leo muttered.
That's weird... this girl. How did she stalk me this far without me noticing? I used to notice every creature in the forest back then...
The little girl approached Leo, grabbing his hand and shaking it.
"My name is Alice! Nice to meet you!"
"L... Leo..." He started scratching his head; it was his first time introducing himself to someone... even if it was a little child.
"Anyways, let's go, Alice..."
"Let's go!!" Alice said, thrusting her fist forward.
"I can lead the way! I know a close village anyways.. follow me, Leo!"
"O... Okay!"
As Leo followed Alice, the butterflies started moving too, surrounding Leo.
Alice didn't bother herself focusing on them but on the way to the village.
She turned to Leo.
"You know? There's a village nearby called Rosa Village."
"It's just beautiful! Oh god, I can't wait.. let's hurry!"
Alice started running, and Leo ran after her.
"W...what... where did she go?" Leo lost Alice. but not for long.
because he reached the village.
Leo saw an old wooden sign: "Welcome to Rosa Village."
"Welcome to Rosa, Leo!!" Alice was waiting for him, sitting on a rock.
A faint smile came across Leo.
The village road was breaking apart and washed out... like rain had fallen recently... but it was just water..?
a shopkeeper had thrown it.
Leo saw two people: one holding a piece of bread, arguing over it... the other making a throat-slitting gesture with his hand. Maybe they were discussing the rebellion that happened in the Eastern Kingdom.
Dust rose as Leo walked.
"Beautiful?.. Huh..." Leo sighed with a confused smile.
"It's no different from my home village."
Leo approached Alice; she was holding something.
"Look at this beautiful gem! I found it beside that shop! Can we keep it?"
"It's a piece of gravel, Alice." Leo pressed a hand to his forehead.
"Anyways, don't go anywhere without my permission!" He jabbed his finger at her.
Alice stopped for a moment, then stared into Leo's eyes.
"Leo... I'm So-"
The sound of a crowd echoed nearby...
"Something interesting is happening, Leo!" Alice grabbed Leo's hands and rushed with him.
"W...w...wait!!"
Royal knights rode through the village's main road to the center, their banners waving, armor gleaming under the sun.
The crowd is going wild! This kind of excitement isn't usual for them even an old man is cheering
Something is about to be announced