𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟓
(5)
The cleaning boy came to the tower again before dusk. It was a time when Rayza was preparing meals in the kitchen, which was convenient for the girl.
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“I apologize for not introducing myself earlier.”
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Belatedly, the girl thanked him for saving the chick.
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“I’m glad you’re safe.”
“Yes.”
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The boy was sitting by the window. Despite wearing a mask and being named Peppoko, he didn’t seem suspicious.
Occasionally, he said he felt someone watching from this window.
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“Sorry for hiding from you.”
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The girl was scared of being seen and hid behind the curtains. It must have made him feel bad.
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“No worries.”
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The boy shook his head.
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“I’ve also run away many times.”
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Hearing those words, the girl felt a little reassured, though she didn’t know why.
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“Peppoko, what are you doing here?”
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I haven’t done anything.
She, who is called “calamity,” is merely trapped here. However, there’s no point in talking about such things. It will either elicit sympathy or disgust. So the girl asked about the boy.
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“How can a cleaner climb the high walls of the castle without using a ladder or rope?”
“What do you mean?”
“Climbing the tall walls of the castle.”
“Eh? Oh, well. . . . . .”
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Crossing his arms, the boy pondered deeply. He seemed to struggle explaining how he could do it.
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“I used to be a moss collector.”
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Far from here, in a village, he was born as Luo. At the edge of the village is a cliff known as the Grand Canyon. There, moss collectors gather moss. Each family has a guardian deity called “Ishigami-sama” who protects the moss collectors.
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“A blessing, you say?”
“The stone wall, it feels squishy.”
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The boy touched the frame of the bay window. The stone’s surface rippled as if touching water.
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“Try touching it.”
“Y, Yes, I will.”
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Hesitantly, the girl touched it. The stone, which should have been hard, gave way to her touch. It felt strangely warm, like human skin.
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“It’s soft.”
“This is the blessing of ‘Ishigami-sama’.”
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It was a mysterious phenomenon. The girl, intrigued, asked another question.
How did the cleaner understand what she wanted to convey?
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“From here to the chapel roof is very far. The wind is strong. Could you hear my voice?”
“I didn’t hear.”
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The boy simply saw it.
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“I understood by the movement of your lips.”
“Lip movement?”
“Yes. That’s why I wanted to help a distraught Peppoko.”
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The boy’s words were a bit awkward, yet they resonated deeply.
The girl was in disbelief.
Someone wanted to help her? Someone who was despised from birth, made to wear a strange mask, and confined to a decrepit castle on the outskirts?
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“Um, Mr. Cleaner━━”
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Just then, there was a knock on the girl’s room door.
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“Your Highness, your meal is ready.”
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It’s Rayza’s voice.
The girl panicked. This can’t continue. Never mind herself, the cleaner will get scolded.
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“Ah, um, Rayza.”
“Excuse me.”
“No!”
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The girl closed her eyes.
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“What happened?”
“Huh?”
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When she looked back, there was no boy at the bay window.
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“N, No, it’s nothing.”
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At that moment, the girl was grateful for the mask that hid her expression.
It was the first time she had talked to someone other than Rayza for so long. And it was with a boy her age.
The boy named Luo was full of wonders.
From the next day, the girl started looking for the boy.
Since he accepted Peppoko with such a mask, she was no longer afraid.
The boy continued to work hard as always. But occasionally he looked her way and waved. “Be careful not to fall.” Speaking slowly and enunciating, the boy nodded in agreement. The girl was happy that her intentions reached him.
Before lunch and dinner, the boy came to the girl’s bay window.
The girl asked about the boy.
The boy, without hiding anything, told her everything.
Why he became a moss collector. The confrontation with the demon bird nesting in the Grand Canyon. And the very delicious but tough egg. About Aniki who helped him a lot. After that, he went to the city of Arche to register as a wizard and became a lookout for the dismantler.
It was a very sad, magnificent, and heartbreaking story. But the boy had no distorted heart or tragedy. He works hard every day.
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“Luo is amazing. I just read books, eat, and sleep in this room.”
“Books?”
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Various illustrated encyclopedias, history, geography, tales. Things unnecessary for her now, or even for her future self.
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“Stories?”
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The girl hummed a favorite line from the “Hero’s Tale.” It was the scene where the hero Maltheus rescued his lover Princess Ophelia, who was locked in a room of the palace.
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“My heart is set. With courage, reach out your hand, my lord. Then, a miracle will descend.”
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A “hero” refers to the strongest warrior possessing three powers. The tale of “Hero” Maltheus, who defeated numerous demon beasts and restored peace to the kingdom, is said to be popular among the commoners.
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“Hmm.”
“W, What do you think?”
“I don’t really get it.”
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The girl was disappointed.
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“But, it’s beautiful.”
“Beautiful?”
“Your voice.”
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The boy seemed to be genuinely impressed, not just flattering. Receiving such unexpected feedback, the girl was flustered.
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“Will you tell me more?”
“Y, Yes, then.”
“Your Highness, your meal is ready.”
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In an instant, the boy disappeared from the bay window.
The two enjoyed their awkward conversations afterward. Their interactions were brief and fleeting. There’s a ten-day limit to the boy’s work in the castle. After that, he has to return to the city he came from.
Akkale Castle had already returned to its appearance from two hundred years ago. Rayza seemed excited and happy, but the girl looked downcast.
That evening, the boy came to say goodbye.
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“W, Why? I heard the work was until tomorrow.”
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Today should still be the ninth day. The girl thought they would meet again tomorrow.
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“Yeah. But it finished early.”
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It seems he is departing tomorrow morning.
At this very moment, she felt a slight resentment towards the boy who was giving his all to his job.
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“Peppoko?”
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Seeing the girl looking down, the boy became anxious.
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“W, What’s wrong? Are you feeling bad?”
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The girl showed no response.
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“Cheer up. Is there anything you want?”
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The girl looked up but no words came out. The boy had work and a place to live. She couldn’t possibly ask him to stay a little longer just for her selfishness.
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“Peppoko, what do you want?”
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If she couldn’t hold him back, she wished he would take her away. Even if it was a beautiful castle, there was nothing here. One day, the fledgling birds will take off, flying in the vast sky. All she could do was watch. Trapped within the castle walls, as if in a prison.
But she couldn’t voice such thoughts. If she left, she might inconvenience Rayza.
At least━━
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“I want to see the outside of the castle.”
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Knowing it was a wild request, as soon as she said it, the boy looked around the room hurriedly.
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“I’m sorry, Rayza-san.”
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She jumped from the bay window into the room. Then, the boy turned his back and crouched down.
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“Come on, get on.”
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The girl had never experienced being carried on someone’s back before. So when she followed his instruction and put her hands on his shoulders, he suddenly lifted her up, causing her to panic.
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“There we go.”
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Effortlessly, the boy leaped to the window.
And then, he stepped out into the air.
Falling— no.
Flying?
Contrary to the girl’s expectation, rainbow-colored branches appeared from the tower’s wall, forming a path.
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“Alright, here we go.”
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Branch-like protrusions emerged from the cylindrical tower wall, like a spiral staircase. The boy climbed it with a light rhythm. Clinging to the boy’s shoulders, the girl was in shock. Half of her view was the tower’s wall, and the other half was the sunset sky. She couldn’t comprehend what was happening.
Holding tightly onto the boy’s shoulder, the girl closed her eyes.
How long had they climbed?
Finally, the boy stopped.
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“We’re here.”
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Hesitantly, she opened her eyes to an unfamiliar world.
The highest point of the castle tower.
Thin layers of clouds illuminated by the golden setting sun, shining brilliantly. Everywhere was the golden sky. Even the towering castle walls didn’t obstruct the view.
The boy set the girl down on a small circular roof.
The wind was strong. Her hair fluttered.
Instinctively, the girl clung to the boy.
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“Look over there, beyond the castle entrance. That’s Mido Village. You can still see the kids playing.”
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The boy pointed out.
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“And then there’s a road along the river. That leads to the town of Rocka.”
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Hazy buildings could be seen.
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“And way beyond tha. . . . . .”
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Nothing was visible.
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“Right before the “wilderness”, there’s the city of Arche.”
“The city of Arche.”
“It’s where I live. It’s bustling, lively, and smells a bit like alcohol.”
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The boy’s eyes were faintly glowing red. It wasn’t because of the sunset. It seemed as if those eyes were capturing something the girl couldn’t see.
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“Who are you?”
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Unintentionally, the girl questioned, taken aback by the boy’s surreal presence.
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“A grade four wizard.”
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The boy replied.
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“Rockwall Luo.”
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