RE: ZERON I will return for you, even if it takes a million

Chapter 8 : The weight of trust

​The next morning, I woke up early, the air still thick with the damp chill of the forest. I headed down to the river to fetch water and catch some fish for our breakfast—a simple routine I'd grown accustomed to during my time alone here.

​Catching fish was easy for me now; even the rushing water of the stream could be halted by the power of the Time Sword. Once the water stood still, I simply plucked them out and cleaned them on the mossy rocks.

​As I walked back toward the house, Lavender came running toward me, looking frantic. She didn't say a word, just reached out and grabbed onto my arm as if she were terrified I would vanish into thin air.

​"Wait, what's wrong? Did something happen?" I asked.

​She shook her head, explaining that she thought I had left her there alone. I scratched the back of my head, feeling a strange tug in my chest. I told her I had just gone to the river to prepare our meal for the morning.

"Here, We have food for breakfast. "

​I wasn't sure if it was right to feel this way, but seeing her reaction—seeing how much she wanted me around—actually made me happy. I had lived alone since I was six years old; I wasn't used to having someone waiting for me to come home.

​I invited her to help me prepare the food, and she nodded eagerly, following my lead. She didn't know the first thing about cooking, so she just watched intently as I started the fire.

I gathered some dry wood and used the flint stones from the hunter to get the small iron stove going.

​I seasoned the fish with salt and grilled them over the open flame, the smell of charred skin filling the small room. "I really miss eating rice," I muttered to myself.

​While the food was cooking, I told her to wash up, pointing to a bucket of water. I felt a bit awkward as I explained that the house didn't have a proper bathroom. I usually just did a quick sponge bath myself.

​"Don't worry, just use the two buckets inside. I can fetch more later," I said.

​A few hours later, the hunter arrived to deliver my share of the money. I received fifty thousand pesos as my cut. He also brought the items I had requested: a Magic Bag, an enchanted satchel where I could store all the gear I'd need for our journey.

​"Thank you so much. This is a huge help."

​The hunter asked if I was truly leaving Hayem. He seemed disappointed, knowing how much profit we could make if I stayed to collect rare items from Class A monsters.

​I apologized and explained that I had an essential mission to complete. To help them out, I told them they could have the remaining crystals and stones I had gathered the previous morning.

​As we were talking, Lavender stepped out of the room. The hunter noticed the iron collar was missing from her neck and frowned, asking why I had removed it.

​"You know, that iron is a sealing spell," he said. "It's meant to keep slaves from disobeying their masters or taking aggressive action against them."

​That wasn't news to me. I told him plainly that I had no intention of keeping Lavender as a slave; I wanted her to be free from a life of servitude.

​"Really? People as kind as you are rare," he remarked.

​He went on to explain that Lavender is a Musang (Civet-folk). Her race possesses traits similar to tigers or other feline beasts. He mentioned that Musangs are often used for tracking and hunting because of their heightened senses. With her sharp sense of smell, she could locate rare animals or valuable items held by monsters—the very things hunters like him spent their lives searching for.

​Lavender bowed her head, admitting that they were often ordered to hunt animals or track down people. I was surprised. I asked if being used for hunting meant she knew how to fight.

​The hunter replied that it's a natural trait for her kind; they are inherently fierce and far stronger than the average human.

​"Our masters forced us to hunt," Lavender whispered. "If we didn't obey, they would starve us or lock us in the dungeon."

​I could feel the weight of her sadness as she recalled those memories. Even if it went against their nature, they had no choice but to comply.

​"Don't worry. I won't force you to fight," I promised her.

​Lavender bowed deeply in gratitude. "Thank you very much."

​She added that while strength was natural to her, she was terrified that her "curse" might manifest again and cause another disaster. I had no idea just how much power Lavender truly held, but it was clear she was haunted by the fear of losing control.

​"You don't need to fight. As long as I'm here, I will protect you," I vowed.

​Minutes later, we were ready. Dressed in new clothes and equipped with our gear, we left the forest and headed toward the town of Hayem.

​"Alright, everything's set. Let's head to the plaza and find a carriage."

​Once again, I saw the beautiful, prosperous town of Hayem. It was bustling with life, the streets packed with carts and people. As we walked toward the transport hub, I caught sight of the municipal hall.

​It looked so different from the ruins I knew in my own time. Standing there, I realized just how much can change in a hundred years. I thought it would be wonderful if this peace could be preserved.

​"Hayem was so beautiful back then. There are so many people," I remarked.

​"True," Ora replied. "This is one of the most developed towns in the country, and in this era, it's still peaceful."

​Ora reminded me that this prosperity—something completely absent in my original timeline—was exactly what we were here to protect. It felt good to witness this beauty firsthand, and I knew it was my mission to ensure future generations could experience it too.

​As we looked around, I noticed several slaves locked in cages on the side of the street, being auctioned off by merchants. Lavender gripped my arm tightly and looked down, unable to meet the gaze of anyone we passed.

​I worried that her trauma was resurfacing, so I immediately calmed her down, reminding her that she would never have to be a slave again. She gave a small smile and held onto my arm even tighter. But as we walked, someone suddenly bumped into me.

​"My apologies."

​I didn't think much of it and kept walking, but I noticed Lavender staring intensely at the man who had hit me.

​"What's the problem?"

​"Master Aren... that man who bumped into you... he is also a slave from the Candal Mansion."

​I was confused by her concern, but she insisted she couldn't be mistaken. She knew the scent of the slaves from that mansion because she had lived among them. She looked worried, explaining that it was impossible for a slave to be out alone like that unless they were on a specific mission.

​I didn't quite understand why an escaped or wandering slave was so frightening to her, but since I knew nothing of the local politics, I just told her not to worry about the Candal Mansion anymore.

​"Forget about your old home. Let's just find a ride out of Hayem."

​I took her hand and led her away to help her relax. I spotted some food stalls by the roadside and invited her to eat to take her mind off things.

​"Let's eat for a bit. Is there anything you want?"

​"I don't want anything specific. I'm happy with whatever you give me, Master Aren," she said.

​I sighed and reminded her once more not to call me "Master." I told her she needed to change her perspective. But Lavender wouldn't budge; she preferred the title because it gave her peace of mind to know she was following a leader.

​I explained that I wasn't used to it because I was just an ordinary guy who grew up poor, and I had no desire to own anyone. She explained, however, that her race has a deep-seated tradition of following a leader. Even without a tribe, the instinct was in her blood.

​"We look for leaders among our own to guide us. Since I haven't seen any other Musang, you are my Master for now," she said.

​I scratched my head, baffled by their traditions, and asked if she was truly okay with a human being her "Master."

​She immediately replied that she didn't care about race. To her, I was simply a good person. She pointed out that unlike her previous owners, I wasn't abusive or arrogant. She was grateful that I gave her food without conditions, bought her clothes, and spoke to her with kindness.

​"The leader of our tribe acts as our protector and provider, just as you have done. I am happy to have you as my Master," she added.

​"Your traditions are certainly unique. But if that's what you want, I guess I can be your leader for a while," I conceded.

​She beamed, her tail wagging slightly as she clung to my arm. "Thank you for accepting me, Master Aren! From now on, I will be loyal and serve you."

​Seeing her vibrant smile again made my chest feel light. She was an incredibly cute girl, and her affection was sweet, but beyond that, I was genuinely touched that someone believed in me so much. I couldn't remember a time when anyone had entrusted their life to my abilities. Hearing the good things she saw in me felt incredible.

​Growing up poor and alone, I had learned to be suspicious of everyone and keep my distance for my own safety. No one had ever accepted me for who I was. Maybe that's why I felt so happy to have someone who wanted to be by my side on this journey.

​As I watched her eat with such innocent joy, I couldn't help but wonder how a girl like her could ever become a "Destroyer." I couldn't imagine this heartless being who supposedly kills over three million people. To me, she looked like a little kitten that needed protection. I was determined to defend her, no matter what. I would not let the war we feared come to pass.

​After a few minutes, we reached the carriage station. The workers there informed us that no carriages had returned from the west yet due to travel delays. They advised us to check back tomorrow.

​Getting a carriage would have been a huge help. It's only a half-day journey by coach, but on foot, it would take much longer to reach the next town, forcing us to spend the night on the road.

​I worried about our safety out there. This was my first time leaving Hayem, and I knew the mountains and forests outside were perilous. I wasn't strong enough to gamble with Lavender's life.

​"Lavender, I'm sorry, but it looks like we'll have to wait here in Hayem until tomorrow. Is it alright with you to spend another day in town?"

​"That's no problem," she replied. "It's better to wait. I've heard there are many rebels roaming the roads to the west."

​Since we agreed to stay, I invited her to explore the town and find some entertainment while we were stuck in Hayem. I wasn't going to pass up the chance to experience a normal, peaceful day in this era.