Free Web NovelBefore heading to the battlefield, every Hero would carefully polish their armor, oil their weapons with the finest refined mineral oil, and then embrace their treasured friends and family in farewell. No need for many words—just the exchange of true feelings was enough.
That exchange of pure, transparent hearts nourished the belief hidden deep within, and with it the Hero could become invincible on the battlefield, fighting at two hundred percent of their strength.
Vieya had no armor to wear, had lost her sword, and had no friends left to exchange those feelings with.
Once, she had possessed them all—things won through great effort. Now, all of it was past.
They say that a true Hero, even if stripped of everything, can still embrace the world with optimism.
“So what! So what! I cannot let go of the past—so what! I am still the First Hero!”
Hands on her hips before the mirror, Vieya inspected her reflection.
White hair, green eyes, delicate and cute—at most the appearance of a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old girl—though her expression carried a chill far beyond that age.
What could she do? She had lived too much, too early.
Now she wished to dress this somewhat childish body in clothes fitting for a formal occasion, to be able to present herself properly.
Her little disciple had said she would accompany her today. As the teacher, how could Vieya allow her pupil to feel embarrassed unknowingly?
Yet the endless patterns and styles of dresses quickly dazzled her eyes.
“Choosing clothes is too hard... at this point, I might as well take a bath first.” freewebnøvel.com
With time to spare, Vieya bathed, washing off the smell of wine clinging to her body. Draped in a loose bathrobe, she returned before the mirror to stare blankly at the wardrobe.
Back to the theme.
What to wear? Something simple? Fitted? Grand and elegant? The problem was—she did not even know how to wear clothes that were too complicated!
How did this button fasten? How was this ribbon tied? How were these stockings worn? Could she just skip underwear altogether?
Maybe she should just go barefoot in slippers? After all, ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) she had a wife already. It was not as though she was going on a date.
She could just wait until her disciple could not bear to watch anymore.
Comforted by that thought, Vieya shamelessly picked the first off-white casual dress to her left and slipped it on with practiced ease.
Time crept toward eight in the morning.
This residence was much quieter than the tavern’s temporary room, with only a few scattered dog barks audible from next door.
Knock, knock, knock.
The door sounded right on time.
“Come in, the door isn’t locked.”
In front of old acquaintances, Vieya’s attitude remained gentle.
The heavy door eased open, morning sunlight spilling in. Standing in that light was a violet-haired girl, looking like a slightly shy neighbor visiting without notice.
Today Rania was not clad in the rigid armor of a Hero. Her smooth violet hair was tied into a high ponytail with a red ribbon. A pale-white dress made her look full of youthful vigor, hardly different from a student at the academy, with no trace of the wild, ferocious edge she showed in battle.
Only in her violet eyes was there a faint shade of melancholy.
“Good morning, Miss Vieya.” She bowed slightly in greeting.
“Good morning.”
Vieya studied her little disciple carefully, asking with concern: “So, Hero Miss did not find the important person she spoke of last night?”
“Eh...?”
The violet-haired girl froze for a moment. freewёbnoνel.com
“It is still early. Come have some hot milk.” Vieya gestured toward the steaming simple breakfast on the table. “By the look of you, you probably have not eaten at all.” Then she added with a light smile, “Fortunately, I happened to prepare a bit too much breakfast.”
“Thank you.”
By rights, Rania wanted to decline. But her body thought otherwise.
During that brief hesitation, she had already taken the seat across from Vieya, a cup of hot milk placed into her hands.
Now refusing would surely be rude.
With that thought, the violet-haired girl accepted the free breakfast. Under the warmth of Vieya’s smiling gaze, she sipped a little milk and, breathing out as if in relief, said softly:
“Miss Vieya, as long as you stay close to me later, everything will be fine.”
