Chapter 62, Hal’s Plan

Translator: Barnnn

 

One week before Ize’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony, after returning from their latest Dungeon exploration and taking a long, refreshing bath, Hal sought out Etta.

 

“Miss Etta, I have something I’d like to ask. Do you have a moment?”

“Oh my, what’s with the formality?” Etta turned to him. “Well, if you don’t mind talking while I do the dishes, take a seat at the counter.”

“Thank you.”

 

With that, Hal pulled out a chair at the counter, settling into a spot where he could see into the kitchen.

The clinking of dishes filled the air as Etta stepped inside and turned back to her work, going through the towering pile of dishes.

 

“So? What’s on your mind?” she asked without looking up.

“Well, Ize’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony is next week, and I was wondering—”

“What!? Really!?”

 

Etta whirled around, eyes wide as she completely forgot the dishes.

As expected, the conversation was derailed before he could even get to the main point.

 

Hal chuckled at her reaction. “Yes, he’s turning fifteen.”

“Oh my, oh my… my, my…”

 

She shook her head, murmuring to herself in disbelief.

 

“So, I was hoping to learn if people in the Tajellia Kingdom — or rather, here in Jasted — celebrate the occasion in any particular way.”

“Ahh, I see. You and Ize wouldn’t really know what’s considered ‘normal’ around here, would you?” She finally resumed her washing. “Before I explain, how was it done in your homeland?”

“Let’s see…” Hal thought for a moment before answering. “In my case, I wore traditional clothing, gathered with others coming of age that year, and we enjoyed a meal with good food and wine.”

“Sounds about the same, actually,” Etta said, nodding. “Men and women both dress nicely, and after the ceremony, they usually go out for a good meal with their family.”

“Was it like that for you too, Miss Etta?”

“Yup. My mother prepared a beautiful dress for me. I even put on a bit of makeup and had my hair done. Just that alone made me feel like an adult.” Recalling a fond memory, she let out a soft chuckle.

“Is there any tradition about what color the outfit should be?”

“Nope. You can wear whatever color you like. Honestly, I think Ize’s usual style of clothing is fine, but… maybe adding something a little special wouldn’t hurt.”

“Something… special, huh…”

 

Hal fell silent, deep in thought, turning over the possibilities in his mind. Etta let the quiet settle for a moment before speaking again.

 

“–Listen, I don’t know much about your circumstances…” Her voice carried a note of understanding, drawing Hal’s attention back to her. “But when you have family who will celebrate with you, anything can make you happy. From what I see, Ize trusts you, her big brother, a lot. Even after Fieda joined, that hasn’t changed.”

“Is that so…? That makes me happy to hear.”

“That’s why, no matter what you do, he’ll be happy. So don’t overthink it — just do what you want to do for him!”

 

Etta finished her words with a hearty laugh, her hands never pausing in their work.

Hal smiled as he felt a weight lift from his shoulders.

Just then, Fieda descended the stairs and called out the moment he spotted Hal.

 

“Oh, there you are… I’ve been looking for you, Hal.”

“Fieda? Did something happen?”

“Nah, nothing serious. Ize was pacing in front of the stairs, muttering, how you haven’t come back yet, and what if some drunkard picked a fight with you again… and stuff.” Fieda shrugged. “So I came to check.”

“Ah…” Hal sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “My bad. Did he head back to the room?”

“Yeah. I shoved him in before he could start fretting even more.”

“Got it…” Hal exhaled, then turned to Etta. “Thanks for your time, Miss Etta.”

“You’re always welcome. You’re a beloved big brother, you know. Come talk to me again if you ever need anything.”

“I will. Thank you very much.”

 

With a light bow of gratitude, Hal stepped away from the counter and started up the stairs, glancing back at Fieda as he went.

 

“Uh, so… the day after tomorrow, on our break, I might be off on my own. Could you stay with Ize?”

Fieda raised an eyebrow. “Going off alone without Ize? That’s rare.”

“There’s something I want to put together, but I don’t know if it’ll work out. Gonna need some time.”

“I see. Can’t tell me the reason yet?”

“Not yet,” Hal admitted. “But can I count on you to watch over him?”

“Don’t worry. As long as we’re in town, I can handle it.”

“I’ll count on you outside town too.”

 

At that, Fieda faltered. A tinge of red crept up his face, and he looked away, flustered. Compliments always had a way of disarming him.

Hal chuckled softly, amused by the reaction, before pulling open the door to their room.

Inside, Ize sat on the bed, arms folded, her expression clouded with worry.

 

“Sorry, sorry,” Hal said with an apologetic grin. “I got caught up talking with Miss Etta about recipes. We were debating what the next miso dish after hot pot should be.”

“Oh, good…” Ize exhaled, her posture relaxing. “I thought maybe another weird old guy was after you.”

Hal groaned. “I told you to erase that from your memory…”

“I can’t stop picturing your face all red and teary-eyed with fear…” Ize smirked. “If you don’t want me to remember, stop making me worry!”

“I have no excuse,” Hal admitted, raising his hands in surrender. “I’ll be more careful.”

 

Satisfied with his genuine apology, Ize nodded before flopping backward onto the bed. She hugged a pillow to her chest, chuckling to herself.

Hal shot her a sharp glance before climbing onto his own bed.

 

“You two, we have Dungeon duty tomorrow,” Fieda reminded them from the doorway. “Make sure you get enough sleep.”

“No problem,” Hal said, stretching out.

“Yup, no problem at all,” Ize parroted.

Fieda let out a small sigh, then muttered, “You know, in all the journals of those who met Sages, every single one of them wrote at least once that thinking too rationally all the time is exhausting… I think I get why that’s the case now.”

“Huh? What do you mean?” Hal asked, tilting his head.

“That doesn’t sound like a compliment,” Ize pointed out.

“Ignore it. Just sleep.”

“Now I have to know!” Hal insisted.

“Don’t run away, you coward!” Ize added.

 

But Fieda didn’t so much as glance back. Without another word, he slipped into his own room, shutting the door behind him.

Having a private room at times like this sure was unfair.

 

Ize laughed. “Well, it’s not like we’re Sages, you know.”

“Yeah, just failures at best,” Hal replied with a wry smile.

“I mean, we have some common sense, right?”

“More than those guys who’ve been living in the Royal Castle these past few months, probably.”

 

Hearing Hal’s answer, Ize gave a satisfied nod and finally settled under her blanket.

 

“Goodnight, Hal.”

“Goodnight, Ize.”

 

With their usual exchange of parting words, they pulled their blankets up, cocooning themselves in warmth.

As the room sank into silence, Hal lay in the darkness, staring up at the ceiling. His mind wandered, turning over ways he could secretly prepare for Ize’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

The thoughts stayed with him until sleep finally took hold.

 

◆

 

The next day, after wrapping up their Dungeon run, Hal, Ize, and Fieda sat down for a well-earned meal in the lively common area of their inn.

As they ate, a familiar voice called out to Hal from across the room.

 

“Hal, got a moment later?”

 

Hal looked up to see Kenis, one of the adventurers staying at the same inn, standing near their table.

 

“Sure. You need something?” Hal asked, setting down his spoon. “Should I head to your room?”

“Nah,” Kenis replied with a casual wave. “The team’s drinking over there tonight.

“Oh. Got it,” Hal said with a nod.

 

With that, Kenis returned to his companions. Ize, following his movement, glanced in their direction. Two women from Kenis’s party caught her gaze and waved. She smiled and waved back.

 

“Oh, it’s those guys,” Fieda murmured, sparing them a brief glance before turning his attention back to his meal.

Ize tilted her head. “You know them?”

“They were promoted to Rank C just recently,” Fieda explained. “Asked me for some advice on getting new armor.”

“Ahh… then maybe they’re coming to me for an appraisal request,” Hal commented.

“Appraisal?” Fieda repeated, curious.

“Yup.”

“Figures. Having a guarantee from a skilled appraiser is important. It’s like a good luck charm.”

“Exactly,” Hal agreed.

 

As expected, after finishing their meal, Kenis approached Hal with a request, asking him to help his team choose armor the following day.

When Hal returned to the room later that night, he relayed the plan to Ize and Fieda.

 

“Aw, lucky you…” Ize sighed.

“Focus on your horseback riding,” Hal reminded her, arms crossed.

“Ugh… I AM trying,” she protested.

“I’ll ride behind you and guide you through it tomorrow,” Fieda said. “Your core strength is solid, so once you get the rhythm, you’ll pick it up fast.”

“You’ll be fine,” Hal added. “You’ve been zipping around with Fleet Foot all the time.”

“Yeah, but riding something taller than my own head is kind of scary,” Ize admitted with a grimace.

“You’ll get used to it,” Fieda said with a shrug.

“Otherwise, you’ll be stuck riding double with Fieda forever,” Hal added with a teasing smirk.

Ize immediately straightened. “…You know what? I’ll do my best!”

 

Her sudden surge of determination sent an unexpected blow to Fieda, who flinched slightly, his expression stiffening.

Suppressing a laugh, Hal felt a wave of relief. At the very least, Ize was sufficiently distracted — leaving him free to move forward with his preparations tomorrow.

And so, while Ize remained unaware, everything continued smoothly behind the scenes.

 

◆

 

Four nights later, after returning from her bath, Ize stepped into the room. Just as she shut the door, Hal called out to her.

Normally, tomorrow would be another Dungeon day, but in celebration of Ize’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony, they had made it a special rest day.

 

“Ize, got a sec?”

She blinked, toweling off her hair as she walked over. “Yes?”

 

Hal gestured toward the small wooden table near the bed. She took a seat, tilting her head slightly in curiosity.

As he stood behind her, he raised a hand, summoning a gentle breeze with his wind magic, coaxing out the lingering dampness in her hair. This had long since become a habit between them.

 

“Tomorrow’s your Coming-of-Age Ceremony, huh?” Hal murmured.

“Yes,” she replied softly.

“Nervous?”

“…A little.”

“Heh. It’s good you’re honest about it,” Hal said with a light chuckle.

 

The rhythmic motion of his fingers guiding the wind through her hair was oddly calming.

 

“I wasn’t sure if this was my place or not, but…” Hal continued after a brief pause. As he finished drying her hair, he moved around to sit in front of her. “In the end, the choice is yours to make.”

 

With that, he reached into his Magic Bag, summoning a cloth pouch. He set it gently on the table between them.

 

Ize looked at it, then at him. “…Do I open it now?”

 

Hal gave a small, almost nervous nod.

Something about his demeanor made her hesitate. Swallowing, she reached out, carefully placing the pouch in her lap. Taking a deep breath, she loosened the drawstrings and peeked inside.

 

“Huh, isn’t this…”

 

Inside was a full set of clothes — evidently something Hal had prepared for her Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

For a moment, she didn’t move. Then, with trembling fingers, she reached in and pulled out–

 

“Waaait a second…”

 

A pale blue dress.