Time Healer Ceres

Ceres sighed and gently soothed the tearful Julia.

“How could he... how could he do that to Dave...?”

“Because he’s insane.”

Right, insane. If a man could kill his own family over nothing more than suspicion, what else would you call him?

It hadn’t even stopped at suspicion. He had hounded his wife every single day, going so far as to claim Dave might not be his child.

In front of others, he played the role of a kind and devoted husband and father, but at home, he was nothing like that.

What do you mean he’s not his son?

Even after being taken away by the guards, Knox cried out that it was an impulsive act born from rage over the affair, which only made people scoff. Anyone could see it at a glance that Dave was the spitting image of his father.

How could he look at a child like that and still convince himself they weren’t related?

Did suspicion blind him that much?

“I miss Dave...”

“...Let’s go together later. We’ll bring the snacks he liked and some flowers.”

Ceres patted Julia’s back.

Knox had confessed everything, even going into detail about what he had done with the bodies of his wife and son. Over several days, he had carried them out to the nearby mountains bit by bit until he finally buried them.

“I’ll take you.”

After being dragged off by the guards, he had confessed it all, half willingly and half under pressure, and would soon be put on trial.

It will be a death sentence, most likely.

She decided not to dwell on it any further since the thought alone was irritating.

Seeing Julia, who couldn’t seem to stop crying, Ceres chose not to say anything else. Telling a child who had just lost a friend not to cry would be absurd.

To begin with, Ceres wasn’t particularly good at comforting others. Still, staying by the girl’s side until her tears subsided was something she could manage.

SCREEEEEECH!

“...?”

At that moment, a chilling screech rang out and filled the entire shop. Julia, who had been sniffling, widened her eyes in surprise.

“...Why is that going off now?”

There was no way they would fail to recognize that sound.

The strange alarm said to have been created by the Tower Master, Cheion, was blaring wildly from a corner. The instant they realized the source, the expressions of everyone present stiffened.

SCREEEEEECH!

The alarm continued to shriek without pause. The fact that it was ringing could only mean one thing.

Thud.

The mercenaries seated inside the dining hall all rose to their feet at once and reached for their weapons, their gazes sharpening immediately. It was hard to believe they were the same men who had been cautiously watching Ceres just moments ago.

“Well, well, does this mean the Black Forest is finally appearing in the middle of the capital?”

“Damn it, and on my day off too...”

“You’ve always been unlucky anyway.”

“Shut it. Look who’s talking!”

Though they exchanged light remarks, the hands gripping their weapons tightened. Before long, they rushed out of the shop as if by unspoken agreement.

“U-Um, Ceres...”

While covering her ears with both hands, Julia called out to Ceres in a voice full of fear. Ceres stroked the child’s head and called out toward Jay.

“Write it all in the ledger.”

“Y-Yes?”

The ledger, all of a sudden?

“Mark down everyone who left without paying.”

“Ah...”

Trying to sneak out without paying, are they?

As Ceres recalled the faces of those who had just slipped out, she untied the apron around her waist.

“Colin.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Through the window, she could see the light outside being swallowed by darkness. It meant the surrounding area was already being overtaken by the Black Forest.

Black trees surged upward in an instant, blotting out the sky as they spread. The sight is more than enough to fill anyone with dread.

“Take care of Julia for me. Everyone, stay here and don’t wander off.”

“How about you, my lady? Y-you’re not thinking of going outside, are you?”

“You can’t!”

Jay and Mark hurried to stop her.

Staying here could hardly be called safe, but stepping outside right now was no different from suicide. Though they had never experienced the Black Forest themselves, they had heard about it.

From this point on, the outside would be crawling with monsters. If they wanted to live, the best option was to stay hidden inside, keeping their heads down until help arrived.

“Well, going out like this does seem a bit reckless.”

“Of course it is!”

“My lady, it’s dangerous, so please come over here—!”

Crack!

Jay and Mark froze mid-sentence, their mouths falling open.

After glancing around the shop, Ceres had stepped on a perfectly good chair and smashed it apart.

“Hmm...”

This should do. Picking up one of the broken legs, Ceres looked satisfied.

“L-Lady Ceres? What are you...?”

“I figured I should have something I can use as a weapon.”

“Excuse me?”

That thing? Not even a blade, just a wooden stick?

Everyone stared at her in disbelief, but Ceres turned her gaze back to the window, now darker than before. It wouldn’t be long before monsters began to appear. This was no time to hesitate.

“......”

Just as Ceres was about to head outside, she paused. Julia was still standing there, hands clamped over her ears. She looked up at Ceres with anxious eyes.

After a brief hesitation, Ceres turned and headed toward the kitchen.

Why the kitchen all of a sudden?

Ignoring the puzzled looks around her, Ceres quickly returned.

“Take it.”

“What is this?”

“A protection stone.”

“A protection stone?”

A small black stone rested in Colin’s palm.

“If you’re in danger, throw it and break it. It’ll create a barrier. You’ll be safe for a while.”

It would only last about three hours, but that was still better than nothing. It was something Artia, back when he was the Tower Master, had made for her long ago.

I should’ve kept more of these.

She had thought she would never need it and tried to refuse, but he insisted she keep at least one, so she had tossed it into her subspace storage.

It only occurred to her just now, which was why she took it out. Having just one was a bit of a shame, though.

“Stay here and don’t move.”

Three hours should be enough.

Ceres gave Julia’s head one last pat.

“Y-You’re really going out? Why? It’s safer here!”

Jay fidgeted in place, unable to understand why Ceres would go out when they had a protection stone.

“I need to collect what I’m owed.”

“...What?”

“If they die, I won’t be able to collect.”

So better make sure they don’t die.

With that, Ceres turned and headed toward the shop entrance, where the darkness already began to thicken.

“Ah...”

All they could do was stare as she walked out into the deepening dark. Her steps were unhurried, as if she was simply heading out for a stroll.

***

“What?”

“What did you just say?”

“A Black Forest has appeared near Delasi First Street.”

“What do you mean—!”

Thud.

Cheion, who had been lazing around his office and grumbling as usual about not wanting to work, shot to his feet at Luca’s report. Across from him, Crown Prince’s expression hardened.

“A Black Forest... in the capital?”

Delasi First Street was in the center of the capital.

Recently, Black Forests have been appearing with unusual frequency in nearby areas. They had been keeping an eye on it just in case, but even then, they hoped it wouldn’t come to this.

In the end, the worst possibility became reality.

“If it’s there...”

Murmuring under his breath, Cheion suddenly activated a spell.

“Cheion, wait—”

Before he could be stopped, Cheion vanished on the spot, leaving Aseraian’s outstretched hand hanging in the air.

“What’s gotten into him?”

He wasn’t the type to care much even when Black Forests appeared nearby. Why was he reacting like this?

“It’s probably because of his usual spot.”

“His usual spot? Ah, you mean that stew place?”

“As expected, you already knew.”

True to his reputation as an overprotective older brother, Aseraian was already aware of Cheion’s recent whereabouts without needing to be told.

“What kind of place is it for him to react like that?”

“How would I know? The moment I show an interest, he snaps at me and tells me not to follow him.”

“What is he, a cat...?”

It was strange. Was there something about that place he didn’t know?

“Shouldn’t you get moving?”

“I should.”

Aseraian cut off his thoughts before they could spiral further. There were more urgent matters at hand.

A Black Forest just appeared in the capital for the first time. They needed to mobilize troops immediately to minimize the damage.

Unlike the border regions, something like this in the middle of the capital meant every second counted. Just imagining how much destruction could unfold in such a short time gave him a headache.

“I’ve prepared a teleportation circle.”

“Thank you.”

Thanks to Luca’s swift preparations, Aseraian was able to move swiftly. After giving Luca’s shoulder a light pat, he left by following the waiting mage.

“Hm...”

Left alone in the office, Luka quietly stared at the spot where Cheion had disappeared.

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