Warmed Hands

Mornings after a hassle had been dealt with always felt particularly good.

Better still, I'd slept in until the sun was fully up, so I was in top shape.

"I can't believe I…"

It seemed Finn had dozed off too.

She'd been sleep-deprived from taking on the job while already exhausted.

We checked out of the inn for real this time and decided to have a combined breakfast-lunch at a nearby restaurant.

A porridge specialty shop. After last night's lavish meal, something simple was just right.

"I'll come along with you. I'm going to keep my distance from the Assassin's Guild for a while."

"That's fine by me, but what about a place to sleep?"

"Haven't decided. I'm sure I can find an inn easily enough."

"If you don't mind sharing a room with Azu and the others, you're welcome to stay with us."

The slave quarters were a large room with space enough for four.

Some owners separated their slaves into different rooms to prevent them from colluding, apparently, but communal living was more efficient.

In practice, I'd often seen the three of them cooperating smoothly.

Since I'd stopped buying slaves after Alexia, Finn staying over wouldn't be a problem.

"Hmm…"

"Um, what is it?"

Finn studied Azu, sizing her up.

"Well, fine. You lot are complacent enough that it shouldn't matter."

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"

"What else would you call a merchant who lets an assassin stay in his home?"

"Are you planning to come for my life?"

She spread her arms wide and scoffed.

It was a bit late for that. And I couldn't think of any reason she'd want me dead.

Surely Finn was aware that if she were truly operating as an assassin, she wouldn't be spending time with us like this in the first place.

Seeing my brazen attitude, Finn couldn't help but laugh.

"If someone ever puts a contract on you, I'll charge double and take out the client instead."

"Now that's a deal. By all means. I won't haggle over the price of my own life."

We traded jokes.

… I hoped they were jokes.

"Wait! If anything like that happens, we'll protect you, Master!"

"You'd need a lot more training before you could protect him from me."

Finn brushed off Azu's protest with a casual wave.

I watched the exchange while spooning buckwheat porridge into my mouth.

It was mixed with herbs and seasoned with salt alone.

Easy on the stomach.

After finishing our meal, we finally headed for the portal.

As I'd heard, the blockade had been lifted, and a long line stretched out before us.

We joined the end of the queue.

Despite bundling up, standing around under the cold sky took its toll.

Finn was also wrapped in a black cloak against the cold.

Azu and the others had likewise donned the winter gear they'd purchased.

"It's cold out here."

"It is."

Elza fell into step beside me.

She wore her usual smile as she looked my way.

"What is it?"

"I was just thinking about how exciting it'll be. You're going to start farming once we're back, right?"

Back when Elza was looking after children at the church, she'd tended a small vegetable garden.

She'd also been working as an adventurer to fund operations, so she must have had her hands full.

"Compared to labyrinths and quests, I suppose it would be enjoyable."

"Very much so. And once the Earth Elemental Stone's power recovers, that'll make three."

"Right. I'd thought spirits were nothing more than rumors, and yet here we are with quite the collection. All that's left is a Wind Elemental? I haven't the faintest idea where to find one."

"Neither do I. Azu-chan's vessel isn't ready yet anyway, so there's no rush."

"Her vessel, huh. What actually happens when all the spirits are gathered? I asked before but didn't really follow."

Being told about the power of an Apostle didn't mean much to a merchant.

I'd seen with my own eyes many times over that Azu possessed extraordinary abilities, though.

"That's a secret for now. Don't worry, it won't be anything bad."

"You sound exactly like a con artist when you say it that way."

"Oh, do I? It's a safeguard. For Azu-chan and for us."

She always grew evasive when pressed for details.

Most likely, she had no intention of telling me until the time came to actually carry it out.

"Well, whatever. Luck doesn't last forever. I haven't heard any rumors about a Wind Elemental."

While we talked, the line had thinned, but our turn was still a ways off.

My gloves were thinner than I'd realized, and my fingers were going numb.

I pulled the gloves off and rubbed my hands together, trying to warm them with friction.

"Oh, they're cold."

Elza took off her gloves too and clasped my hands between hers.

Her body temperature must have run high. Her hands were warm.

"Did you know? They say people with warm hearts have cold hands."

"By that logic, your heart would be cold," I said.

"… Yeah, that's just a superstition."

"Is that really how a priestess should talk?"

"It's fine. I'm not a priestess anymore."

For a while, Elza kept warming my hands.

By the time our turn came around, the cold had faded completely.

"Elza, thanks."

"Anytime. I'll warm your hands, your feet, or anywhere else you'd like…"

"Don't push it."

Alexia poked Elza's back.

"I didn't mean it that way! I'm saying this out of pure goodwill."

"Sounds more like you're coming on to him."

Alexia sighed.

"What does 'coming on to' mean?"

"Something you don't need to know, Azu."

"That's right. It's too soon for you."

"A little older, okay?"

"Um, huh?"

Hit with one remark after another, Azu was left thoroughly bewildered.

"Let's get moving."

We'd finally reached the portal.

I filled in our names and showed our guild membership proof.

The portal attendant checked the entries and glanced at Finn.

"Is there something?"

"No, nothing at all. Please, go ahead."

The attendant dismissed her question quickly enough.

We stepped into the portal without issue.

I felt the familiar floating sensation as we traveled.

No matter how many times I experienced it, I couldn't get used to it.

Solid ground beneath our feet again. We were finally back in Kassad.

I'd only meant to make a quick trip, but we'd ended up staying in Alsarm far longer than planned.

Back to the shop, then. Plenty to get started on.

The real push wouldn't come until spring, so winter would be spent on preparation.

The cold wouldn't be kind to Azu and the others either. Better to keep them home helping out rather than sending them on quests.