By the way, this is the fourth time I've realized it, but I still don't know who the hero is. That damn Trane Rakis.

  -Need a hand, Kayle?

  -No, I don't. I'm good. You should look after yourself before thinking of others.

  I've been here for a month now. There have been no major changes. I work at the tavern six days a week, because yes, the weeks are the same as in my world. I've noticed that Rack is actually a vilger like any other. He helps the elderly, even though there aren't many of them. He eliminates many monsters outside the vilge with his team. There are five of them, and Jean is often in charge of blocking any passing monster by literally running at them. He has incredible stamina and they usually throws him at the enemy. But then, I'm more afraid for the enemies. Poor guys, getting hit in the face with a 200 kg cannonball is a real pain. Roid, on the other hand, is more agile. He always carries his bow and arrow. It comes in handy. He hides in the trees, hides what little az he's got and blows his opponent's eye out as soon as his back is turned. Then there's Fran?ois, who can spot monsters from a couple of hundred meters away and is very intelligent, managing the tactical side of the group and possessing quite a few camoufge and spotting techniques. Then there's Roald. He's a weaker copy of Rack. And finally, Rack. He's very strong for a guy who doesn't handle az. He's agile, powerful and has a certain fighting intelligence. In the vilge, nobody is stronger than him, which is why they respect him. He's a hell of a leader and a very good vilge chief. On the other hand...

  -What ? You've got five wives.

  -Ha Ha Ha. It's true, it's true. Everyone thinks it's hard with five women, but they get along strangely well. I love them with all my heart and I suppose they love me too.

  -So the one I saw at your pce was...

  -That was Rachel. She says hello, by the way. She says we don't often see young people here and that even among them, you're very friendly and helpful.

  Bastard. Anyway, life's not so bad here. I was able to take part in one of their hunts and didn't do much good. I didn't even kill a monster. I was given a dagger and told to go with the flow. Nonsense. The circur energy guy still hasn't shown up and today, on my day off, I'm helping people bring crates of merchandise to the tavern.

  -Thanks, Kayle, for your help.

  -You're welcome.

  -You've helped us a lot since your arrival. The vilge thanks you sincerely.

  I don't have much choice.

  -How are things with Lilly?

  -How are what going?

  -You and Lilly are together, aren't you?

  That old dy wants me dead. Even if I wanted to, I'd get whacked ter.

  -No. Just friends.

  -Very close friend, then. You're the only young man in the vilge. They all leave the vilge to go to town when they're very young. The ones who don't make it often come back, and the others stay in town and rarely come back.

  -Is that so?

  It makes sense. There's nothing to do in this backwater. So young people go to pces where they can develop their talent and make a name for themselves. And for those who don't make it, they come back.

  -So why did Rack come back? He's excellent.

  The old dy looked sombre and lowered her head. Kayle noticed easily.

  -It's a complicated mystery. When Rack left, he went to the capital with his parents. He was the only one in the vilge to have gone that far in life. We thought he was going to be rich and famous, and we were all proud of him, but...

  This old dy doesn't seem to like telling this story.

  -He came back a few years ter. We hadn't heard from him for 10 years. The day he came back, his parents weren't there. His face was down, his clothes were worn and his money was gone. He had walked back from the capital.

  What ?

  -What had happened?

  -Nobody really knows. He said his parents had died in a terrible event in the capital. He told us a story about a loss of confidence and an unlucky fate, but everyone knew he was hiding something. To this day, nobody knows what really happened to him. He won't tell anyone.

  So even Rack, who seems so cheerful, hides a dark side to his life. I thought this world was a little peaceful, apart from Knul's apostles, but I was wrong.

  -That was also the day he brought Lilly back to the vilge.

  -What did he do?

  -Rack didn't return alone from his long journey. That day, he had a little girl in his hands. She was pale and had beautiful blonde hair that seemed to be fading. We knew it couldn't be his child. He simply said: I've found her.

  That's a big file. It was obvious from her elfin appearance that Lilly couldn't be from the vilge. But she arrived here at the same time as Rack, who was returning from the capital after a disaster. What really happened in this world during that period of time?

  -Don't tell Rack too much. He doesn't like it when I tell this story.

  -Don't worry. I won't say a word.

  I'd better stay even more vigint than I pnned.

  -Don't worry, Kayle. You can do whatever you want with Lilly. If Rack and the others give you any trouble, I'll smash the shit out of them.

  Kayle blushed suddenly. How could that old woman say such things? He turned around with the crate in hand, smiled at the old dy and thanked her.

  Crazy people in this vilge.

  Back in the vilge, Kayle y down on his bed.

  I can't take it anymore. Rest days always end up like this. What else is she going to tell me? I can't wait until tomorrow to see Lilly and tease her a bit. I like she when she blushes. It makes me ugh and...

  -You okay, Kayle?

  Kayle froze for a long moment. He hadn't seen or heard Lilly come in at all. She was standing over him, her body bent forward and her braids falling over her face. There was also something people didn't know about Kayle. When something so sudden and unexpected happened, his reaction time was longer than that of a snail. After a long minute, he gasped and let out a very unpleasant high-pitched scream.

  -HAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaa

  -Why are you screaming?

  -You startled me. How long have you been here?

  -I saw you come in so I wanted to come and see you. Well, that's about it.

  -That doesn't answer my question.

  -You've been talking to Enrie.

  Kayle's face decomposed slightly as he saw Lilly's fade a little.

  -The old dy. Yes, why?

  -She told you how I got here, I guess.

  -Yes, she did. Shouldn't she have?

  -That's all right.

  Lilly sat down next to Kayle on his bed. They both looked at the wall opposite, on which Rack's name was inscribed.

  How long has that been there?

  -You were bound to find out sooner or ter. I'm a little sad it wasn't me who told you.

  -I see. Should I have covered my ears, then?

  -No. Enrie would have kicked your ass right then and there.

  She really thinks that dy can beat me. Do I look that weak? Well...

  -I'm guessing you're hiding a huge past.

  -Not that big.

  -Tell me about it.

  -I swear. I really want to tell you but...

  Lilly seemed to be having trouble telling her story too. Decidedly...

  -You don't have to tell me everything now.

  -Yes, I do.

  -No, you don't.

  -But you're going away too. Like all the other kids in the vilge. You were the first one I could really talk to since we're the same age and you want to leave me here.

  -Well, I'll just have to call you.

  -What?

  At the time, Kayle had forgotten that there were no telephones in this world.

  Damn.

  -You'll just have to come with me.

  Lilly lowered her head suddenly.

  -I can't just leave. The vilge needs me.

  -Isn't the old soldier enough?

  -Maybe, I don't know. But Knul's apostles are probably very powerful too, and you can imagine that I owe a lot to Rack and the vilge.

  -I know, Lilly. I know you do.

  I didn't know she was so sad to see me go. It's true that we had a lot of fun, but at first I was just a stranger who was mistaken for a criminal.

  -Aren't you afraid of getting attached to a stranger?

  -Please, Kayle. You're not a stranger anymore.

  Lilly id her head on his shoulder. For the first time in his life, Kayle felt something strange. He knew what love was, but had never experienced reciprocity. It was always a one-way street. But for the first time in his life, he felt like a couple. A strange warmth swept through his body and his heart began to beat faster.

  What the... What's all this? Does she like me? I thought it was business as usual, but... but...

  -Your heart's beating faster, you idiot.

  -It's your fault, princess.

  They stood staring at the wall for a long time, then Lilly spoke first.

  -Kayle, do you love me?

  -No.

  They stood there for a good min... Wait, what?

  -Huh ?

  -I'm kidding. I love you with all my heart and I want to stay by your side too.

  -So why do you want to leave?

  -There's something I've got to do. I'll tell you someday if I'm not dead by then.

  -Don't say such horrible things.

  -I won't.

  They stood there for a long time in silence again. Then Kayle wanted to know.

  -Say, Lilly, do you love me?

  At these words, Lilly got up and headed for the door. Kayle took her answer as a no. But she turned around before closing the door.

  -I love you with all my heart, Kayle. But if you leave, who's going to repce the void in this one?

  She waited for the answer as she closed the door slowly, but Kayle watched her silently. Then the door closed with a faint sound that seemed to pierce the universe.

  - She's so pretty. How did a girl like her come to love me? It's true that in this vilge there's not much choice.

  Kayle couldn't believe it, though. He may have looked calm, but his heart was jumping in his chest. He y down on his back, arms behind his head to look cool, and let out a small smile.

  -Thanks a lot. Damn Trane Rackis.

  .