Ch#89
Nordics couldn't hide his surprised expression.
He knew Lucarion was Tie's summon, but he hadn't expected it to have been that long.
After struggling to find words for a moment, he finally spoke.
"Then do you know Astie's father well?"
"No."
Nordics furrowed his brow.
"You spent four years with Astie. You must have encountered the man called her father many times by her side during that time—how could you not know?"
"Whether it was four years or several years, I had zero interest in that man. The only thing I'm interested in is Astie. And I only remember the things that interest me."
After speaking, Lucarion turned away indifferently.
But his words were all true.
During the four years he had been asleep in the Bed of Repose in the Republic of Korea.
He had focused all his mind solely on Astie.
So even if he tried to recall that man now, nothing much came to mind.
'Never saw his face even once, so I don't know.'
He didn't know the name either, since the man had never said it.
The most familiar thing would be his voice, but...
'I only know that man's voice when he spoke to Astie.'
The man's voice was vastly different when talking to others versus to Astie.
When speaking to Astie, it rose higher and brighter, one might say.
He sometimes used infantile words or comically acted out fairy tale characters, so it was no wonder.
'But now that he doesn't even know Astie exists, he won't speak in that voice anymore.'
In other words, it meant Lucarion would never recognize the man by his voice.
Even so, feeling the persistent gazes on him, Lucarion added without hesitation.
"Even if you stare like that, there's nothing you can do. I won't be any help in finding that man, so give up."
"......Ha."
Veil let out a hollow laugh.
"Summon acting all high and mighty. What a punk."
Muttering, Veil's gaze shifted to the other summon stuck right by Astie's head.
That summon was highly likely the one that emerged from Krazar's core.
"Kyuuut. Kkittaheuk......"
But even so, that bizarre, dumb-looking summon seemed more summon-like.
The strangely shaped beast summon with its long nose and big ears had been wiping tears while gazing at Tie since earlier.
It was crying so pitifully that even Veil felt a pang of sympathy watching.
Sighing and shaking his head, Enzo, who had been peering out the window, spoke up.
"Seems the old man's words were right. Rain......"
Turning his head, raindrops were indeed beginning to fall one by one outside the window.
Worried rain might seep in, Veil lowered the cloth by the window and stared at Tie.
'Hope it's just a shower.'
That way they could quickly set off again at daybreak.
"I'm such an idiot. Didn't even notice the kid was sick."
If he'd known her condition was poor, he wouldn't have rushed departure.
They could've asked Berugon for permission and stayed a few more days in the Weapon District.
"Haa."
Basto, thinking along similar lines, let out a sigh as well.
"......Dad?"
A hoarse, muffled voice came from below.
Looking down hurriedly, Tie had faintly opened her eyes.
"Kid! You okay?"
Her small lips parted slightly.
The child slowly looked around her surroundings and said.
"Kkamang-i...... uncle and oppas and grandpa......"
"Yes, yes, Tie."
Basto approached the child and stroked her head.
In the quiet carriage, only the sound of Tie swallowing from her sore throat echoed a few times.
Soon, she reached out one hand as if asking to be sat up.
Veil hurriedly propped Tie up and bunched the fluffy blanket into a backrest.
After panting a few times, Tie said.
"Tie's throat hurts so much, all stinging."
"Yeah, drink this. Quick."
Veil offered the warmed water he'd been holding.
But upon seeing the water, Tie grimaced.
"Don't want water."
"Huh?"
"Don't want water, want milk. Or Poro strawberry flavor......"
Perhaps aggrieved from the pain, Tie's eyes reddened in an instant.
Veil looked around restlessly.
"U, no milk......?"
He had no idea what it was, but no Poro strawberry whatever either.
But at his reaction, tears began falling down Tie's cheeks.
"Give me Poro strawberry. Milk......!"
Everyone was flustered at this first sight of Astie like this.
"Astie. Even sick, what junk food do you want."
Lucarion cut Tie's words with a stern expression.
Tie widened her eyes then pouted her lips pitifully.
"Friends said it's not junk food. Said it's a healthy drink."
"Loaded with liquid fructose and sugar—sure, healthy drink. Stop whining and drink water quick."
Tie fidgeted her hands.
But soon took the water bottle from Veil's hand.
Lucarion said as if he'd been waiting.
"Drink it all."
"Tie's appetite is gone."
"When drinking water, no appetite is fine. Finish it or your throat will keep hurting."
"......Hate Kkamang-i."
"Hate all you want after you finish that."
The members watched wordlessly as Tie forced down the water in the bottle.
The child returned the empty bottle to Veil, let out a small burp, and leaned deeply into the blanket.
"My head's spinning and hurting......"
"You caught a cold. Fever was boiling."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Blow your nose."
Lucarion casually wiped Tie's nose and cleaned his hand with the wet cloth.
"If sleepy, sleep more. When sun rises, we'll go to nearby village and rest a few days. Until you're all better."
At those words, Tie's closing eyes snapped open again.
"Can't rest a few days."
"Why."
"Promised to go to Lumenen Leader's house after two full moons. Can't be late."
Lucarion shook his head as if it couldn't be helped.
Then gently stroked Tie's head as if urging her to sleep quick.
"Your members will make sure we're not late. So don't worry and sleep."
Listening Basto nodded hurriedly.
"Yes, Tie. We absolutely won't be late, so sleep more."
Only then did Tie close her eyes as if relieved.
But after a few seconds, she slyly opened them again.
"You know, suddenly can't sleep again. What to do......?"
Lucarion, watching Tie, pulled out the Bear Doll from the kindergarten bag on the side.
Then offered it to her.
"Then hug this."
A faint smile spread across Tie's face.
The child quickly hugged her favorite Pink Panda and began babbling.
"You know, when we go to the Capital, recruit other mages for our mercenary group?"
Nordics, smiling faintly, asked back.
"Other mages for what?"
"Tie doesn't know how to use Orbs, so need to learn from other mage. Need a teacher."
"......Ah, I see."
Already a top-tier mage yet wanting a teacher.
Who would step up as Tie's master? The future already looked bleak.
Whatever, Tie was playing alone, moving the Bear Doll's limbs.
Watching her, Basto casually asked.
"Tie. Did your throat hurt since the Weapon District?"
Tie nodded nonchalantly.
"Yeees."
Surprise spread across the members' faces.
"But why didn't you say anything?"
At the follow-up question, Tie looked up at Veil.
Then answered in a creeping voice.
"If it hurts, Dad—no, everyone worries...... keeps saying go to the hospital."
"If it hurts, of course you go to the hospital."
"But Tie has no medical insurance, so hospital bills are super expensive......"
