Adventurer's Guild Café: I Was Wrongfully Exiled by the Saint, So I Will Enjoy My Second Life with My Fluffy Friends - V 2.2 Chapter 6.6

As I gazed at the magic crystal, Gier spoke softly.

“Still, you really are someone blessed with incredible luck.”

“Do you think so?”

“Yes. Ever since you came to this country, it’s been that way. Almost as if… you’re being protected by the gods themselves.”

“…That’s going a bit too far.”

I gave a strained smile, but Gier only looked at me with a completely serious expression.

“Kuna, it may not be as exaggerated as you think.”

“Eh?”

He turned his gaze to the sea of golden flowers surrounding us.

“Looking at this situation, it’s hard not to believe it. Do you know, Kuna? The meaning behind the name of the Atlantia flower is—”

A strong wind swept through. Golden petals were carried into the night sky, dancing upward.

And at the moment I heard Gier’s words, a shock like lightning pierced through my mind.

—That’s why I’m searching. Because I believe I’ll definitely meet Nee-san again.

—Kuna, you know… Mother actually has another name.

—It must’ve been over ten years ago, but… I once sold a young woman of the White Wolf tribe to the Aluda Kingdom. You look a lot like her, lass.

—It was the name of a flower. Nee-san’s name. So very beautiful.

—Someday… maybe far in the future… but if someone hears this name, they might help you. It doesn’t have to be now. So please, someday in the distant future, remember this name.

Kuna. Your mother’s true name is….

Connections.

Monster and people. Things and people. People with people.

All bound together, by silver threads of fate—

“Kuna?”

The shock had left me frozen for a while, and Gier leaned closer to peer into my face.

After taking a moment to somehow piece my thoughts together, I quietly spoke to him.

“…Gier.”

“What is it?”

“…Could you wait, just a little, before we run?”

“…Why?”

“I… I’ve thought of something.”

I put into words the thought that had surfaced in my heart. Gier fell silent. It wasn’t something he could possibly grasp right away. To be honest, I don’t think I had only just realized it, either. Somewhere deep inside, I must have always been considering it—the connection between Mother and Ingrid-san.

“Kuna… don’t tell me…”

Gier’s eyes fixed on me, tense. My own pulse was racing, a sharp pain ringing in my head.

“Before we run, just once is enough.”

There was now one possibility—something that might allow me to stand against Father.

I didn’t know if it would work. I didn’t even know if my hypothesis was correct.

“Please… let me fight.”

Still, it was worth trying. Alone, it would surely be impossible. But coming to this city had taught me something.

That things one person can’t accomplish, can be overcome if you have companions. I won’t go rushing out on my own anymore.

I took a deep breath and met Gier’s eyes.

“…Will you help me?”

My throat was dry from the tension.

“If it fails, we’ll run right away.”

Until now, even when I didn’t say help me, everyone had always reached out a hand to me. But now, I could say it myself. Because I truly trusted them all. And now, I was trying to take my next step forward.

Gier, who had been lost in thought, suddenly smiled.

“Leave it to me. No one can catch Shooting Star.”

At that answer, I couldn’t help but smile as well.

“All right. Your plan… it may be worth testing after all.”

“!”

“Let’s do this together.”

“Thank you so much!”

I dipped my head in a quick bow, and Gier gave a firm nod.

“I’ll contact Simon and the others right away. But listen—don’t ever push yourself too far.”

His hand settled on my shoulder, and I nodded deeply.

I understood. I won’t recklessly throw myself forward alone anymore. Because now I know—struggling on your own isn’t the only form of strength. This time, we’ll fight together.

—Even if we fail, the outcome isn’t everything. The road we walk to reach that point… surely, that’s what people will one day call strength.