Sincerely, Vanessa [EN]: Chapter 82

To Barnett,

Please forgive me for cowardly writing you a letter with an endearment I can’t even properly call you.

It seems the year has changed. This village has suffered severely from monster attacks, and the atmosphere is so wary of outsiders that it’s difficult to know the exact date.

However, I believe that once all the subjugation is complete, they will surely be embraced by the abundance of the new year.

To be honest, I was originally planning to go to the east with you to rest, but now I’m here alone. It’s all my fault, so I have nothing to say.

I’ve never felt it difficult to put my name on the joint council list and be the head of the Special Task Force, but why have I been accumulating complaints ever since I met you?

The lodging you’re staying in faces east, so it gets plenty of sunlight, which should lessen the cold of winter. Still, I hope you always stay warm.

It would be best if you could contact Valder Castle if you need anything. What worries me the most is not knowing if you’re sick.

I’m getting impatient because the day I can go to Phydom is getting later and later. I’m also worried that you might regret meeting someone like me.

Isn’t being someone who can’t be by your side when it’s coldest a huge disadvantage?

However, I’ll have some free time when I return, so I’d like to spend time with you then.

Gideon Sol.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Yes, Barnett. Vanessa rubbed that part lightly. The rough paper absorbed the ink well, so it didn’t smudge.

Vanessa read the letter filled with worry over and over again.

He hadn’t been able to return for quite some time after going east to subjugate monsters. She couldn’t know exactly what the situation was, but it was clear that he was terribly busy. The Special Task Force building was completely empty, as if they were using all available personnel.

She found it absurd and amusing that he had listed so many apologies even in the midst of such chaos.

Vanessa folded the letter, put it in an envelope, and opened a drawer. Inside were several large boxes.

Replies from the teacher were kept in a glossy, light purple box, and letters from Gideon were kept in a dark yellow box. Letters from other friends were in a pink box.

Vanessa put the letter in the dark yellow box and smiled faintly. Regret, she thought, what a useless worry.

After reading and organizing the letter, it was already time to go out.

Vanessa put on her thickest and longest coat and wore thin leather gloves on her hands. She wrapped a scarf tightly around her neck to prevent warmth from escaping. Then, she locked the green wooden door and stepped out onto the street.

Finally, stories began to be heard even in the capital, Phydom. The further away from Priva Castle, the more ominous the rumors became.

Stories of monsters thriving even in safe places. Stories of abandoned villages. Stories of the King’s Special Task Force not having time to set foot in Phydom.

And stories that the monsters looked surprisingly hideous.

“I heard they have five arms each.”

“Arms instead of legs?”

“They walked on two legs! The young man from the alley who went to load wheat onto the wagon almost died.”

The man with darkly tanned skin chewed on tobacco leaves and spat on the ground.

“Chimeras [monsters composed of different animal parts]. So many strange things are happening.”

“That’s what I’m saying. I wonder what’s going on in the country. Is the saying that the King protects the land a thing of the past? No wonder more and more people are believing in gods these days.”

“Hey, you should be careful with those words. You’re making a living thanks to His Majesty.”

The man wearing a hat whispered in surprise.

Vanessa walked, listening to those stories. And she sighed softly.

Today, Evan and Daloys had safely returned from their first mission, and they had offered to treat Vanessa, Lina, and Chevati to dinner.

The two of them didn’t refuse and came running excitedly.

“Oh, hey guys!”

Daloys was seeing Lina and Chevati for the first time since graduation, so he jumped up and down from afar, expressing his joy. The short Chevati was startled by the intensity but smiled shyly.

“Daloys, it’s been a long time.”

“Chevati. You’re still cute. How have you been?”

“I’ve been well. I heard Daloys went to the Special Task Force? Vanessa told me a few times.”

Chevati and Daloys chatted lightly and walked ahead, while Vanessa, Lina, and Evan bickered and followed behind.

While the two in front hugged and patted each other, exchanging news, the three in the back were mainly attacking each other.

“Why are there dark circles under your eyes? Why didn’t you live that hard when you were at the Academy?”

“That’s not funny. Anyway, Vanessa and Chevati are the only ones here who got honors, right?”

“Ha! Still, you can’t compare me to you.”

“That’s right, because I’m better.”

“Why do you guys always fight when you meet?”

Even at Vanessa’s question, Lina and Evan bared their teeth and growled.

The restaurant, located in a small alley, was decorated with several small lanterns hanging on a string.

It was a very small place, packed with just five people, but it was said to be quite popular these days. The food was good, and it was also great for private conversations.

Lina, who was seated, didn’t seem to have any intention of choosing a menu. That’s what she said as soon as she received the menu.

“Give me everything from here to here.”

The employee was flustered by the words and confirmed several times before rushing to the kitchen. Soon, the restaurant’s kitchen began to get very busy. The small space was filled with the savory smell of oil.

“I heard the monsters are terrible these days?”

Lina started with those words after confirming that no one was around. Daloys, who took a sip of water, rolled his eyes.

“The west seems to be getting better, but the east and south seem to be a bit severe.”

“A bit? A bit, you say? I thought I was really going to die….”

Evan yawned widely and smacked his lips.

“I really thought I was going to die. Three monsters attacked at the same time, and things were flashing before my eyes. Happy moments and regrettable moments flashed by….”

“Evan is just a bit weak anyway.”

Daloys flexed his arm muscles and spoke confidently. Evan couldn’t argue with those words and only groaned, and Chevati started laughing gleefully.

“That’s right, Evan is quite weak. We have to protect him well.”

“Daloys, you… you. What do you do to make your arms so strong?”

“Just live at my house for a year. When I go home, I have to knead bread all day long. You’ll quickly get muscles like this too.”

Vanessa laughed at the story that quickly went elsewhere, and Daloys laughed along.

“So, you’ve cleared up the Siona region?”

“That’s right. Ha, I want to talk about it, but there are confidential matters, so I can’t! Tell you!”

Chevati snorted as Evan raised the tip of his nose and spoke in an arrogant voice.

“I’m not particularly curious.”

“No, I have something I’m curious about.”

Lina rested her chin on her hand and spoke in a listless voice. For some reason, her delicate eyebrows were sticking up, and Evan felt uneasy.

“Where are these chimeras coming from?”

Evan and Daloys shut their mouths tightly.

In the meantime, cold food was placed on the table first. The employee disappeared after placing a plate with thinly baked dough, cheese, and fresh vegetables.

Only then did Lina open her mouth again.

“It’s not just regular monsters, so chimeras can’t just be created on their own, so someone must be making them. You can use hired mercenaries for regular monsters, but it’s difficult to do that with chimeras. Everyone is too busy running away! Where are those guys getting the money?”

“W-we… can’t… tell you….”

Lina sighed annoyedly as Evan stammered.

“The logistics from the south to the north have been completely disrupted. I won’t go into detail about the types of goods here, but the damage was enormous. They readily offered to compensate for everything, but it stings.”

“‘Delina’ is a really trustworthy place. Everyone will flock there more in the future.”

Vanessa comforted her gently. Lina also swallowed a sigh and nodded.

“That’s what they’re aiming for. To expand their influence later…. Still, ugh, really!”

Lina stomped her foot. Evan and Daloys glanced at her, and Lina waved her hand firmly.

“I’m not saying anything to you guys. I know the Special Task Force doesn’t have any time to rest these days.”

“Well, we just joined. We’re barely doing what we’re told.”

“That’s right, we’re useless…. This time, the senior officers returned completely battered. You know Lieutenant Riet? She described her own body as a rag. And the Captain-”

Evan, who was munching on a small snack in front of him, quickly covered his mouth. And he glanced at Vanessa’s face.

Vanessa, who noticed something, tilted her head crookedly.

“Why, who got hurt? Your Captain?”

Evan started shaking his legs as Vanessa smiled with eyes that didn’t smile at all. I knew she’d hear. This slip of the tongue! Why is my mouth so light!

“N-no. That’s not it.”

Evan tried to quickly change the subject, but,

“The Captain was seriously injured. People were being dragged away, so he hurriedly went alone to subjugate the swamp. Unfortunately, there was a monster hiding in the dirt that couldn’t be detected. It was a guy who used his arm like a sickle.”

Daloys, who didn’t know anything, readily told her.

Vanessa’s face hardened. There was no mention of that in the letter she had just read.

He had only arrived in Honir last night. She had clearly checked the empty Honir before going to bed.

But all he said was that he was sorry he would be a little late and that he was worried about me instead. He was that badly hurt?

“Well, he said he was okay, but there was so much blood that it was a little scary. His back was completely cut. Seeing him finish subjugating the swamp and come out, I really thought, ‘Is anyone a Captain?'”

I can’t do it anyway. Daloys shook his head.

Lina and Chevati looked at Vanessa this time. The conversation was generally brutal today.

“When did that happen? And did the Captain who was injured return to Phydom?”

Vanessa asked, gently serving him a meat dish seasoned with plenty of spices and baked crispy on the outside. Daloys tilted his head, put a little meat in his mouth, and smiled contentedly.

“This is really delicious. Was it about two weeks ago that he got hurt? We were told to return to Phydom first, and the Captain moved on to another place again. He really doesn’t have time to rest.”

Evan was still shaking his legs and avoiding Vanessa’s gaze. Vanessa stared blankly at somewhere on the ceiling.

“But why aren’t you guys eating? Is it not good?”

Chevati quickly interjected as Daloys, still cheerful, chewed on a baked mushroom.

“That’s right, eat. Well, everything will be fine!”

“That’s right. Everything will be alright.”

Vanessa also picked up her utensils and served herself food. Evan, relieved, also scooped up a lot of minced meat dish.

There was no need to be like this among friends who had met after a long time. Vanessa composed herself and talked about other things.

The five people, who had graduated from the Academy and had been working for just one year, had a lot to talk about. They weren’t complete newbies who didn’t know anything, but they were also not experts in anything, so there were constant complaints.

Vanessa tried to push the thoughts of Gideon that kept popping up into a corner and focus on the conversation.

‘His back was completely cut.’

I didn’t know anything, I. I didn’t even know you were hurt.

The reason why he didn’t tell me was obvious. He wouldn’t want me to worry about him from afar. He would only want to put good words and affectionate sentences in the letter.

But what she wanted to share with him wasn’t just fun and happy times. She wanted to share worries, sadness, and anger all together.

On days when he was having a hard time, she wanted to lend him her shoulder, even if it was insufficient, and on sad days, she wanted to quietly comfort him by his side.

Yes, it might be greed, but she wanted him to show her everything. Not just to cut out and show her the most perfect moments.

Vanessa lowered her eyes. She clenched her fist without realizing it.