I Can’t Run Away From the Girl Who Saved Me

5 – Ready to break up (1)

＊

In fact, my body, which had been damaged more miraculously by being alive, was recovering day by day.

This phenomenal recovery, which can be called a miracle, was, of course, thanks to Mr. Millwood’s sincere care.

And that wasn’t all.

It would be normal to be bored in a life where you spend most of the day in bed in a quiet forest, not even in a city, but I spent more fulfilling days than I thought.

It was because the unknown woman by the name of Millwood was surprisingly a very pleasant conversation partner.

Unlike now living in ruins in the forest, I wonder if I have ever traveled around the world in the past, as I was a country boy stuck in the manor, he gave me surprising news from all over the world.

In addition, the consideration to make the conversation smooth and the sense of humor added between stories were not bad.

I quite enjoyed the conversation with her, who was more of a wit than she seemed.

The doubts about her in his heart did not completely disappear.

There was always a friend or colleague in the experiences she told, but when the story about them came out, she would talk happily, but then suddenly stop talking and be silent.

It was the same when the story about himself deepened.

When he talked about the past, he would talk happily, then suddenly shut up, and then unnaturally switch to a completely different subject.

Whenever I unknowingly showed signs of asking more questions, she would undoubtedly unleash a bloody and sharp blow.

When she stopped talking, I had no choice but to wait until she resumed the story.

However, even under such limited circumstances, I have been able to figure out a few things about her through the conversations we’ve had so far.

“It was always a busy trip, but sometimes when I had a free day, I would spend the whole day sharpening my sword. Oh, of course, that doesn’t mean I usually put off cleaning. If you cut something even once, you must clean it that day, and no matter how short you are, you must find time to oil it once every five days.”

She must have come from an adventurer who handles long swords.

I don’t know if she was famous enough to be known, but at least she seemed to have some confidence in her own skills.

In the way he happily explained the process of carefully wiping his sword with boiled linseed oil, his meticulous personality in handling weapons was also highlighted.

“If you ever go on an adventure with your friends, you should definitely have a bard in your party… at least one person who knows how to play an instrument. Or maybe you’d like to learn too. The cheerful sound of music was a strong comfort even in a terrible situation, and when music was added to a comfortable break, I couldn’t ask for more.

It seems that she had allies.

Trustworthy colleagues who were able to share time together, overcome crises, and have each other’s backs.

It is not even possible to guess what happened to her now, until she ended up living alone in a remote forest ruin, but the pain of loss clearly felt in her voice suggests that many stories lie dormant in her past. made it

“…I’ve crossed a lot of dead ends, and I’ve lost a lot. Whoa… No matter how much it may not be as much as you, Ash, but when I lost someone important to me too. And I know the pain and guilt I feel when it seems like it’s my fault…”

“Mr. Millwood…”

“Huh… Maybe that’s why I didn’t see you dying… even though I knew it was dangerous…,”

She seemed to have lost those companions.

Like I lost Lila, in a way I’ll probably never see again.

Perhaps the reason she lives alone in the woods is because of atonement or escape from the scars of painful memories…

Maybe she’s famous.

A famous adventurer that everyone knows just by looking at his face.

Perhaps that is why she is terribly wary of showing her face.

Because the end of his adventure wasn’t so pretty…

“I don’t know what happened to Mr. Millwood, but it won’t be all your fault.”

“it is not so. You don’t know…”

“Yes, I do not know. But at least I know Mr. Millwood is a man who doesn’t turn a blind eye to dying people.”

“…”

“Isn’t that proof that I’m alive?”

“ash…”

“yes.”

“… thank you,”

Mr. Millwood’s voice was watery.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t find out more about her identity.

But I didn’t bother asking.

Not because I was afraid of her, but because I didn’t want to offend the benefactor who saved me.

Besides, listening to her story, it seemed that she wasn’t a monster, so there were some things that put her mind at ease.

“Honestly, I doubted that Mr. Millwood was a demon. You hid your face too much.”

“Foot, demons… Then this cabin must have been full of demons. you idiot.”

“Ah… I guess so.”

“Whoops…”

There was still sadness in her voice.

An adventurer who lost all his friends and disappeared somewhere.

To be honest, it wasn’t that rare.

In this world, the lives of people who take up adventure as their business are basically full of dangers that take their lives lightly.

An underground labyrinth full of traps, monsters with claws that can easily tear people apart, monsters that deceive and kill people with cunning tricks.

It’s a world overflowing with all sorts of fears if you take one step out of the cities and villages of humans.

Not to mention, even that prestigious warrior party died at the end of the adventure to subdue the demon king.

with my sister

“My older sister had an adventure too.”

“Oh, so? Then waiting for you…”

“…”

“… You said you don’t have a family… then… I see… I’m sorry.”

“… no.”

If only the hero had died and my sister had survived, she would surely have been ruined like Mr. Millwood.

Four years at the academy, and two years of adventure.

It could be said that a colleague who has been together for 6 years is a closer family than a family member who has not met for the past 6 years.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, my sister died.

Other colleagues, and the hero himself, also made friends with the demon king.

“My sister had a great adventure, and I think it paid off.”

“…”

“I was really, really very sad, but my sister’s death was not in vain.”

“…okay.”

“… so will Mr. Millwood’s colleagues.”

“…”

“So feel so guilty,”

“stop,”

Mr. Millwood cut me off.

Fortunately, I hadn’t let off that intimidating air yet, but as soon as I realized she was uncomfortable, I kept my mouth shut.

She stared at me, then turned away and sighed.

Then he slowly opened his mouth.

“… What are you going to do with Layla’s tombstone?”

A blatant change of topic.

I tuned in to her tune.

“If I use stone, it will take too long, so I am thinking of using wood. The contents will be carved with a knife and engraved.”

“… Hey, Ash”

She called my name carefully.

It was a voice full of hesitation.

“You know… Maybe it’s too weak for a tree.”

“Hmm… It may not be as good as a stone, but if you choose the tree well, apply the sap well, and dry it, it will become an undistorted tombstone. Besides, I’m sure Mr. Millwood will take good care of it even if I’m not there.”

“…”

“Can I trust you?”

“okay. you idiot,”

“yes…?”

“…Nothing.”

＊

Before I knew it, three more days had passed since the day I visited my sister’s grave.

Although he had to be supported by her, he was still able to walk gradually.

It was a little regretful that if I hadn’t forced myself to walk all the way to my sister’s grave, I might have already walked alone by yesterday.

But even if I told this to my past self, that day I would have ended up heading to Layla’s grave.

For if I could trade my leg for my sister’s life, I would do it with a smile.

Mr. Millwood, who had come to support me, appeared wearing a large blanket over his robe.

It seemed that I was afraid that I might fall and pull the cloth covering my face.

Is it possible to see the front like that?

It was understandable to be careful because you didn’t know what kind of accident might happen during contact, but I thought I’d gotten quite familiar with it after spending a few days, but I was a little disappointed to be warned this far.

However, if the cause of covering the face is something like personal trauma, it’s not a problem that I can rush to solve.

Rather, it would be more rude for me, who will be leaving soon, to talk about it.

With that thought in mind, I grabbed the hand that Mr. Millwood had given me and slowly got up from the bed.

“Do you have any pain in your leg?”

She asked, putting my arm around her shoulder.

I said as I slowly followed her lead.

“No, much better than yesterday.”

“That’s good, then I’ll loosen up my hands slowly, let’s see if I can walk on my own.”

“yes.”

She gently let go of my arm.

The center of gravity carried by her was transmitted through my arms to both legs.

There was no pain, but the feeling of disparate heaviness transmitted to the legs was somehow unfamiliar.

Simply put, both legs were heavy.

It felt like I was wearing several layers of wet pants.

“Yes,”

I struggled to lift my right foot and step forward.

thud,

My right foot, which was in contact with the ground, fell to the floor like a lump of lead.

“It looks a little awkward, but it’s not a big problem.”

“Oh, my legs are heavy.”

“It’s not just because of the accident. It must be because the muscles have shrunk from not using the legs for too long.”

“So that’s why you’ve been hunting deer every day.”

“Because meat is the best way to replenish muscle. Now, take one step forward with your left foot.”

“yes,”

I slowly lifted my left foot.

The right leg was more stable on the ground than the left leg and was centered on one foot.

Perhaps thanks to that, my left foot was able to move a little further forward than before.

I unknowingly let out an exclamation.

“oh,”

“Okay, that’s going well, let’s walk a little faster now. If you walk, stop, and repeat like that, you won’t be able to get out of this forest even if it takes your whole life.”

as she said

I put my right foot forward once again.

He pushed his heavy legs forward as if kicking them up, and as soon as his right foot dropped, he immediately stretched out his left foot.

And right leg again.

I walked slowly through the cabin, crossing my legs.

bruise, bruise

It’s still a bit awkward somewhere, but I could hear the beat of normal people walking in slow steps.

I screamed at her.

“Wow, Mr. Millwood!”

“It’s okay. Now I just need to strengthen my legs.”

“…I thought I would never be able to walk again,”

I looked at Mr. Millwood with a thrilled expression.

She nodded as well, as the cloth over her head moved up and down.

“I’m glad you’re all well.”

“Thanks to Mr. Millwood!”

“… I was afraid of being humble, but it doesn’t work, it’s thanks to me.”

“hahahaha,”

Mr. Millwood snorted at a mischievous joke.

I also smiled and stepped forward vigorously toward her.

It was then.

“100 million,”

“ash?!”

“Whoops!”

For a moment, my left foot couldn’t support my body, and I lost my balance.

Mr. Millwood came to catch me, but I was already falling towards her.

“…no!”

At that moment, Mr. Millwood, as if taken by surprise, pushed me away with all his might.

Its movement was so fast that it seemed as if it had hit me with a hand.

“Cheak!”

“Ah… Ash, are you okay?”

Not only was it seen, but it was also felt.

Even though I simply pushed her away with the palm of my hand, the moment her hand touched me, I was pushed back as if a spring had sprung out, and I slammed into the wall.

It felt like I was flying a bit.

“Ugh!”

“Mi, I’m sorry!”

She apologized to me and came over in a hurry.

I felt a tingling sensation as if I had been hit on the back by a large palm, but I immediately checked my legs first.

If it breaks again, you don’t know how many days you will spend here.

“Ash, are you okay?”

“Ah, ah, wait…”

“no way…”

She froze for a moment without saying anything.

I slowly felt my legs here and there, and even moved my ankles.

Maybe 10 seconds passed.

By the time I heard Mr. Millwood’s gurgling, I let out a weak sigh.

“…phew,”

“Ah… Ash, maybe…?”

“No, thank goodness, Mr. Millwood. I think my legs are fine.”

I looked up at Mr. Millwood and replied with a smile.

You couldn’t tell from the look on her face how surprised she was.

Mr. Millwood offered me a trembling hand, but I shook my head and rejected hers.

Then, slowly, alone, he began to stand up.

Ugh,

Unexpectedly, what happened from the seat was an act that required a lot of weight to be supported by the legs.

Realizing that, I struggled but got up on my own.

“Whoa… look at this, I’m fine. really.”

I spread my arms out and appealed that I was as fine as possible.

Mr. Millwood stared at me like that, then ran his hand over his chest and said,

“…Ha, sorry, I was surprised,”

“hahahaha, it could be. Sorry to startle you too.”

“… I’m really sorry, but I’ll make you pork tomorrow instead.”

“oh?”

“I found the trail of a herd of wild boars. You can look forward to tomorrow.”

I nodded slowly.

“It’s tomorrow…”

“…Looks like you’re looking forward to it. Didn’t the venison taste good?”

“Oh no! It’s not like that.”

I looked down at my legs, which were completely off the ground.

“I think it’s about time to start making Slyla’s tombstone.”

That meant I could leave soon.

No matter how good Mr. Millwood was, he must have had many inconveniences, such as constantly covering his face or making strangers sleep in his place forever.

I thought Mr. Millwood would be pleased, but she made no reply to me.

He just stood still, as if he was thinking about something.

Maybe 1 minute passed.

she answered briefly.

“… I see.”

.