"Actually, I really want to cry! More accurately, if we weren't in front of other people, I would already be crying."
"Because you're moved that I'm still alive?"
"Partly because of that, but actually there are all kinds of other feelings too..."
Although hiding from reality in her disciple's arms was somewhat embarrassing, at this moment Roxy could only temporarily avoid reality as best she could and bury her face in Ash's chest, because...
Even at this moment, she could still clearly feel the cold gaze being directed at her from the little girl beside them. That gaze seemed to contain enough chill to freeze someone, making her completely afraid to raise her head and look directly at her, and even less willing to face her.
Moreover, the temperature of that gaze seemed to grow colder as time passed, and Roxy could not even tell whether it was because of her past behavior or because of her current undignified behavior.
But no matter what, right now she only hoped that within this brief warmth and protection, she could slightly settle the tangled emotions in her heart.
———
At the inn, Eris was led unwillingly to another room, leaving Roxy alone in Ash's room.
Along the way, Roxy remained silent. Now that she stood inside the room, she looked just like a child being punished by being made to stand, extremely uneasy.
Her eyes darted around in confusion, looking left and right, but no matter what, she could not gather the courage to look directly at Ash's face.
'Even this kind of thing has become known to someone else. I have no face left to live in this world!,' Let alone looking at his face, Roxy's cheeks were still bright red even though she was no longer being held upside down, making her wonder whether touching them would burn her hand.
"Don't just stand there. Come sit down. Make yourself comfortable. Treat this as your own home; there's no need to be polite with me," Ash's voice was gentle and friendly, clearly trying to ease the awkward atmosphere. Her heart warmed, and she slightly lowered her head before quietly replying, "Th-thank you."
"Would you like some tea? I have all kinds of tea here, as well as various kinds of alcohol. Hmm... Maybe milk."
"Black tea is fine," Roxy answered subconsciously, trying to show that she had some say in the matter, but he smiled and corrected her, "It's rare for us to meet again, isn't it? How about milk with sugar? It tastes good~? I really liked it when I was little."
"I'm not a child... But fine, I'll have that."
Although the girl with her hands clasped between her legs offered a small protest, she still quietly nodded and gave up resisting, accepting his arrangement.
When the milk with sugar was brought in front of her and she took a small sip, her eyes instantly widened slightly, and she unconsciously let out a surprised exclamation, "So good..."
In this era, sugar was considered a very scarce resource and was usually something only nobles and wealthy merchants could enjoy. This was also her first time trying the combination of milk and sugar.
After tasting it just once, she already suspected that from now on, she would not be able to resist spending a large amount of money to buy sugar and milk.
As the tension in her cheeks relaxed, Ash sat beside her and smiled, "Are you a little calmer now?"
"A little... Ah!", As soon as Roxy finished speaking, she hurriedly defended the little bit of "dignity" she had left, "It's not because I got something delicious to eat!"
"Yes, yes~ I know. You don't have to emphasize it."
Ash naturally knew that she cared very much about looking like a child, and he was now looking at her with warm eyes.
Although the gaze made her feel a little ticklish inside, she did not dislike it, yet she still felt somewhat uncomfortable about it. She could only continue trying to look serious, narrowing her eyes unhappily as she looked back at him, "I have a lot of questions I want to ask you."
"It's fine. The night is still long."
"Why did you become the Evil God?"
"Who knows...", Ash helplessly shrugged, looking innocent.
"Now that you've been exposed, you still want to hide it from me?"
"No, no, I really don't understand either!", He had not intended to hide anything, and he genuinely did not understand. He even could not help complaining in return, "It's like I don't know why someone suddenly added so many settings to me. And of course, I've never even heard those things you said about me being despicable and shameless... Could they be some new rumors from the other continent?"
"Eh? Th-This...", Hearing Ash say that, Roxy's body stiffened slightly, and a trace of panic flashed through her eyes.
Her mind instantly filled with scenes of herself traveling from place to place, working hard to spread all kinds of rumors about the Evil God.
Among those words, it seemed, perhaps, maybe... there really had been quite a few descriptions that were not very friendly toward Ash, and they seemed to include words like "despicable and shameless."
All right, not "seemed." Those were completely the key parts she had emphasized.
Remembering what she had done in the past, Roxy stiffly turned her face away, nervously fiddling with the bangs over her forehead as her eyes began to wander, "Well... uh... maybe someone deliberately slandered you? That kind of thing is pretty common too. They're just jealous, so don't take it too seriously~ I've never believed it, you know? Really, believe me!"
"I believe you... Or rather, I've never suspected you. It's just...", Ash keenly noticed something strange about Roxy and could not help staring at her suspiciously, "Do you know something?"
"Me? What could I know? I only heard these rumors just now too. I find them inexplicable just like you do!", Roxy forced herself to remain calm, but the unnatural smile on her face could not be hidden no matter what. She accidentally pulled out two strands of her own hair, making her grimace in pain for a moment.
Although she felt that confessing might be better, telling him that she had slandered her own disciple... she simply could not imagine how she would face him afterward.
All right, what had happened earlier was already quite difficult to face, and in the past she had also always ended up doing foolish things whenever she was not paying attention.
But still! Although she really wanted to confess, the dignity she had as his master, together with Ash's gentleness and his usual willingness to tolerate her, made her feel utterly ashamed. She could not bear the guilt in her heart, and furthermore...
Amid her intense guilt and shame, she suddenly lowered her head hard against the table, hoping to escape the embarrassing situation.
The sudden act frightened Ash as well, "Ro-Roxy? Are you... are you all right? What are you suddenly doing?"
"I-I'm fine. It just hurts so much I want to cry~!", The girl, tears welling at the corners of her eyes from the pain, covered her forehead and forced a smile. She looked rather pitiful, as well as adorably foolish.
"You really don't look fine at all..."
He was somewhat speechless and worried about Roxy in every sense, but he still hurriedly used healing magic.
After thanking him, Roxy once again held the hot milk, turned her face away, and let out self-mocking little laughs as though she had been thoroughly worn out, muttering something to herself.
A quiet night, a strange little loli master, and sweet milk.
Ash, who was drinking alcohol beside her, looked at that familiar petite figure and unconsciously sighed with a smile, "What a nice night."
"What's so nice about it?", Roxy slightly raised her head, her face filled with confusion and reproach.
"Meeting you again."
"Ugh... You're always saying pretty things..."
Roxy was clearly a little happy and a little troubled. She could not help staring at him suspiciously, looking as though she intended to interrogate him properly, and asked coquettishly, "How many girls have you deceived? Why are you so good at dealing with girls?"
"I don't like deceiving people. I just unconsciously want to say what's in my heart."
"Sp-Speaking of which! We've known each other for so many years. Why haven't you changed at all? This really isn't an illusion?"
His words did not seem fake, leaving Roxy stunned for a moment. She awkwardly pressed her lips together and tried hard to change the subject.
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