Found it!
Violet hurried over, haggled at lightning speed, then returned to her companion, who stared at her with mild curiosity.
"Here… this should work."
She showed the dwarf what she held: a rope, not too long. She uncoiled it, letting it hit the ground with a dull thud. She tied one end around her own waist, then did the same to Nainai.
"Let's see…"
She took a few slow steps forward, waiting to see what he'd do.
"Yes, good… just like that!"
Feeling the pull, the dwarf began walking toward her.
"Perfect! Now we can go."
Violet set off at a brisk pace, dragging her companion along. The dwarf adjusted his stride to follow her obediently.
They crossed the city quickly, weaving through the twisting streets several times until at last the familiar bridge came into view. After crossing into the outskirts, Violet continued straight on with steady determination until she arrived in front of the orphanage.
"And who's that supposed to be??"
The moment Violet entered the courtyard, the children froze as they stared at the girl and the dwarf tied behind her.
"Sis… is that your boyfriend??" Lili looked utterly confused.
"My… what??? No!"
"Then why's he here?"
Negis approached the dwarf, circling him while inspecting every detail. The other children swarmed around as well.
"Heeellooo?? Can you heeear me??"
Gal and Piro eyed the dwarf's armor and rugged, scarred face.
"He looks like a soldier."
"Yeah! A real warrior!"
Violet was even more bewildered than they were, but she stepped closer to stop the kids—who had already started tugging on his beard.
"He's Nainai. My… companion."
"Weird guy… Can he talk?" Negis circled him again.
Lili stepped forward, staring straight into the dwarf's eyes.
"I like him… He has such a gentle look…"
She took his hands and smiled warmly at him.
Violet observed the dwarf.
His expression… actually seemed amused.
Well… at least he likes children.
"Motherrrr!" Lili's voice echoed across the courtyard.
"Violet brought home a man! She says she found herself a companion!"
Violet jolted, but didn't even have time to react before Célene's voice cut through the air as she appeared at the doorway.
"Violet… you're back already?"
"Célene… uh, yes… I—"
The woman stepped forward, curious, her eyes drifting toward the source of all the children's excitement.
"And who might this gentleman be? Is he a friend of yours?"
Flustered, Violet rushed to answer.
"Y-yes… maybe we should go inside so I can explain everything."
Once inside, seated at the table, Violet explained the strange encounter she'd had at the guild and the mission she'd been given.
"Wow! A real mission!"
The children, hearing the story, immediately exploded into their usual wild theories.
Célene, having taken the envelope from Violet, examined carefully the contract the girl had signed.
"To look at it like this… it does seem like a legitimate contract. After all, it was the guild who gave it to you, right?"
"Yes… but everything was so weird… And they didn't even tell me where I'm supposed to go, or what exactly I'm looking for…"
Célene studied the map and the small note that came with it.
"…Is this a… kitten???"
"Yeah… Célene… What am I supposed to do?"
Violet's voice grew serious.
The woman looked at her and at the dwarf for a long moment, weighing the situation.
"Well, I think you should think very carefully. Running north without even a clue is… honestly, a very foolish and dangerous idea."
She was right—completely right.
But Violet felt a spark of excitement all the same.
"Well… maybe… but it can't be that difficult, right?"
Violet tried to convince herself.
"I just joined the guild. They wouldn't give me something too complicated or dangerous… right?"
Célene stepped closer to Nainai, examining him more closely.
"True. The guild is a serious organization, run by professionals… But still. A mission is a mission. And here they don't specify anything… And this goddess, Sigillaria, I've never even heard of her."
Célene's worry showed clearly, but Violet tried to lighten the mood.
"It's just recovering an item and bringing it back. How hard can that be?"
"So you'll have to fight monsters?? Amazing!!"
Piro could barely contain his excitement.
"But… can you even fight, big sis? You're always so clumsy, you can't even walk around town without getting lost!"
Negis, unlike his brother, was far more cautious.
"Of course she can fight! Big sis is an adventurer!"
Gal jumped in to defend her.
"Yes! Big sis is super strong!"
Even Lili—still holding Nainai's hands—chimed in.
"All right, children, calm down now," Célene cut in, reclaiming control.
"What do you intend to do, Violet?"
Her tone was serious.
"I… I don't know…"
Damn it… I've waited my whole life to become an adventurer, but I didn't think things would go like this…
Célene looked at her sharply, without speaking.
"If what you told me is true—about the parchment burning away and the magical seal appearing—then I'd say what you signed is a magical contract."
"A magical contract? What does that mean?"
Violet had no idea.
"It's a contract formed with magic. Once sealed… it cannot be undone."
Those words hit Violet like a punch, making her flinch.
"I don't know what the consequences might be," Célene continued, "but in some cases the price to pay can be… very serious."
Violet understood immediately what she meant.
Célene had stopped herself before frightening the children.
"So I'm doomed, then?"
Violet slumped back into her chair.
Damn it! What do I do now?
"I think… at this point, you should leave."
Violet jerked upright, taken completely off guard.
"...Really?"
"Yes, Violet. You can't risk breaking the contract. And besides, in the large cities to the north there are big guilds full of experienced mages. Someone there might be able to advise you on what to do."
Violet knew Célene well.
The woman had watched countless children grow up and leave the orphanage, and she had never once interfered with their choices.
Still, Violet also knew that each of those goodbyes had always hurt her more deeply than she ever let show.
"Yeah… maybe you're right," Violet murmured, slowly resigning herself to the idea.
"I guess I can't ignore this anymore…"
I have no choice… I have to leave…
The heavy atmosphere was suddenly shattered by an unexpected noise.
Glurgurpglurp
Everyone looked around, startled.
"Was… that him?"
Lily stared at Nainai, who had flushed bright red from embarrassment.
Glurgurpglurp
"Looks like our guest is hungry," Célene noted, eyeing the dwarf sitting motionless with his vacant stare.
"Mother… I'm hungry too."
"Me too!"
Célene sighed. The children had taken the chance to join in.
"All right then, I suppose it's time to prepare dinner."
Everyone sprang into action.
Piro and Gal rushed to grab the tableware and set the table, while Negis, wielding a large knife, began slicing the hard bread.
Lily moved closer to the fire, helping Célene prepare the ingredients for the soup.
Violet watched them, suddenly struck by the thought that once she left… she wouldn't be able to enjoy these moments anymore.
Dinner passed quietly—
aside from one detail: after realizing that Nainai couldn't even hold a spoon properly, Violet had to spoon-feed him herself, and then help him undress and get ready for bed.
When she finally rejoined Célene, the woman was tossing more wood into the fireplace.
"I think you should head to the capital, Violet."
Célene didn't look at her, keeping her eyes on the flames.
"Do you think I'll be able to find someone there who can help me?"
"I believe it's the best option. It's true, it's several days of travel… but we're very far from the northern borders, and that road is busy and patrolled by the king's guards. I don't think the journey will be dangerous."
The capital… I wonder what kind of place it is…
Suddenly Célene stepped away from the fireplace, walked toward her, and wrapped Violet in a gentle embrace.
"Promise me you'll be very careful."
Caught off guard, Violet felt her resolve crumble.
Embarrassed, moved, she melted into Célene's arms.
"I… yes… I promise…"
"You're a special girl, little Violet. Don't ever forget that."
Violet remained nestled in the woman's embrace, her eyes growing warm and misty.
"I… I promise that as soon as I finish this mission, I'll come back to see you.
And I'll tell you lots of stories."
Célene stroked her head softly.
"Then we'll be waiting for you. Now go get some rest—tomorrow is an important day."
Violet wiped her eyes and looked up at her, receiving a shy, gentle smile.
"Yes… I'll go now. See you tomorrow."
Lowering her gaze, Violet turned away and walked back to her room, collapsing onto her bed.
It was a long night—full of doubts, questions, and restless thoughts.
Her dream had finally come true, and yet… for the first time, Violet felt herself sinking under the weight of a thousand uncertainties.
She turned on her side, staring at the small window where the pale moonlight spilled into the room.
In the silence, she could hear only the steady breathing of the children sleeping in the next room and the soft crackling of firewood in the hearth.
Beneath her blanket, her hands tightened together.
I can do this…