Chapter 46 - Strangers

Azriel’s birthday used to be her twin brother’s birthday, not hers. Benhiram received things like a small wooden horse or new clothes every year from his parents. Azriel had never received anything nor had never been celebrated for her birthday.

When she shook her head, Rhema approached her and bent his waist to meet her eye level. If he could, he was always careful not to cast his shadow over her. He asked gently. “When is your birthday?”

“…It’s August 30th.”

“It’s still far away. What do you want to have?” Azriel shook her head again at his question. “I received so much from you that I don’t need anything else.” Rhema tilted his head and smiled faintly. “I got it. A birthday gift is normally kept secret anyway.”

And on August 30th, Azriel received one and only tree that bloomed flowers, which was made out of chocolate, and an embroidered black robe, which was a symbol of a wizard who did one’s share.

“I’m genuinely happy that you were born, Azriel,” Rhema celebrated Azriel’s birthday. She liked the gifts, but she was happier about the fact that he was celebrating her birthday. She beamed.

“Thank you, Rhema.” She was no longer a child that was not supposed to be born. She was neither useless nor cursed. She was the wizard of the highest quality that the greatest wizard of the world recognized and the only girl whom Rhema Reshith cherished more than anyone else.

Rhema’s familiar spirits that lived together also cared very much for her. Two cats, a large dog, and the spirit were already her family. The village people also treated her as a decent wizard and occasionally asked for help. It was also fun to get along with her peers. She also made friends. There was nothing else she wanted. She was happy. That year, in the early winter of 990 in Iskam Year, strangers showed up.

*

It was a day when sleet fell and melted. The dirt road had become muddy. It was inevitable that a wheel of a carriage that was running on it was caught in the mud and broken.

“Of all things… Can we fix it?”

The Chief Knight wearing an armor that was dented here and there nervously said. Another knight, who was wearing a messed-up armor like him, struggled to connect the wheel to the carriage somehow and put on a hopeless face. “No, it won’t work. We need to stop by a village and get another carriage…” 

“Are you insane? Those darn insurgents are chasing us!”

“But we can’t move like this.”

The Chief Knight rubbed his face, groaning. His messy face, covered with blood, sweat, and dirt, had a determined look. “What is the closest town?”

“I will go check,” another knight took out a ragged map and searched it. The Chief Knight approached the carriage. “Your Highness, I apologize. We need to change the carriage. Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I’m fine. What about you? Is everyone safe?” A clear and calm voice of a boy came out of the carriage. When the Chief Knight was about to answer him, he sensed someone’s presence from the woods that surrounded the dirt road. “Who’s there?!” The knights quickly drew their swords. With a grim atmosphere flowing out of nervousness, the one who came out through the bushes was a girl with long black hair, “…A girl?”

The knights were startled but did not take their swords back. It was because the girl who appeared was wearing precious clothes, which did not match the country area. A soft furry black robe embroidered with gold thread. She was different.

“Is your carriage broken?” Azriel Esthera asked calmly.

“Who are you?”

A knight tried to put his sword close to her. Then, with a fierce barking sound of ‘woof,’ a yellow dog bulged in between the knight and the girl. The dog growled baring its teeth.

“Largo, wait.” Azriel opened her mouth, lightly tapping the dog’s neck. “I’m a wizard of Hanora. The road to the village was messed up and I came here to clean it up on a request.” As it was too small, no wizard was residing in the village of Hanora. So, Azriel sometimes lent help to the village and practice her magic.

“A wizard? At your age?” the night asked.

“Well, I’m still learning.” She had long passed the level of regular wizards. Despite this, since there was no need to explain it in detail, she gave an easy answer.

“Is there a village nearby?” the chief knight asked one of the knights.

“Certainly, there is a village called Hanora, Chief.” The knight who was looking at the map answered. The Chief Knight nodded and looked at Azriel. “Can you buy a carriage from the village and send it to us by chance? We need the biggest and sturdiest one. It’s urgent. We will give you as much as you need, so get it as fast as you can…”

“You’re in a hurry, right? You don’t have to do that.” Azriel barged in between the knights. Largo followed her from behind. When she came near the carriage, the Chief Knight aimed his sword at her. “Step back.”

“The wheel, I will fix it for you.”

“…What? You’re going to fix it? How?”

“I said I’m a wizard.” She was surely wearing a wizard’s robe and introduced herself as a wizard a while ago. However, she was still a child about age ten. She was too young to be a wizard who could do one’s share. The Chief Knight frowned. “Little kid, we have no time to play…”

Azriel tilted her head and pointed at the Chief’s armor with her finger. “Esthera.”

“…!”

“What?” The dented parts were smoothed out clearly. Some of the knights involuntarily let out an exclamation, and the Chief Knight almost dropped his sword in surprise. There were very few wizards who could fix broken things so quickly and clearly without touching the objects.

“I’m not playing. Ummm, I won’t charge you for the armor repair.” Azriel smiled lightly.

“What’s going on?” The boy inside the carriage asked. Confused, the Chief Knight responded. “It’s nothing. Well… Your, no, Young Master.” 

Through the window, Azriel saw a blond boy’s image peeking through. He soon disappeared. ‘He should be a noble. It looks like they’re being chased…’ It was none of her business. Azriel, soon, took her mind off him and spoke to the Chief Knight. “You said you’re in a rush. I’ll fix the wheel, so please step aside.”