The Merchant and Tavern Master

Savior: Salvation

I woke up with a refreshed feeling. The noxious odors had dissipated entirely. Despite my previously battered and bruised body, it now responded more willingly to my commands. Gone was the harsh, unforgiving floor beneath me. Instead, a gentle breeze tenderly caressed my cheeks and tousled my hair. I felt the comforting embrace of a blanket cocooning me. It was as though all the torment I had endured until now was merely a nightmare that had finally receded. I opened my eyes, and the brilliant light washed over me.

The room exuded tranquility, accompanied by the gentle hum of activity from beyond its walls. Where had I ended up? I attempted to rouse myself from slumber, yet even though my limbs responded, I remained achingly feeble. A soft growl emanated from my stomach, a reminder that I had yet to eat anything.

Suddenly, the chamber's door swung open, causing me to startle and heightening my alertness. A familiar figure emerged from behind the door.

"A... Amanda?"

"I... Isabelle? You're awake?"

"Amanda, thank goodness you're safe!" My hunger took a back seat as relief flooded over me. I wanted to leave the bed, but Amanda beat me to it, rushing toward me.

"Isabelle!!! Huaaa!!" In her excitement, she lunged onto me with a strength that momentarily disregarded my illness. Not that I minded.

"We... we made it, right? What about the others?" I inquired anxiously.

"We're all alive! Isabelle! We..." Still catching her breath while crying, she attempted to contain herself, but I reassured her.

"There, there... Take a moment to catch your breath."

"Hic.. hic.."

I gently ran my fingers through her newly cleaned hair, noticing the improved quality of the clothing she now wore—similar to what I had on. I found myself pondering: Who could have been the one to rescue us?

"Excuse me..."

A man's voice rang out, catching me off guard. Involuntarily, I tensed up and instinctively shielded Amanda, who was still clinging to me. The man emerged from behind the door, and somehow, his face stirred a distant memory.

"Hi, Isabelle. Do you still remember me?" he inquired.

"Y-You are... Takahiko?"

"It's been quite some time. The last time we met was at the founding festival two years ago."

His mention of the joyous festival flooded my mind with happy memories. I recalled how he had bought me my favorite stuffed bread rolls and the necklace I had chosen. I wondered if that necklace was still waiting for me back at home.

"W-Why are you here?" I asked, my guard still up.

"Sofia and Guin were worried about you since you hadn't sent them any letters," he explained with a regretful expression. "So, I decided to search for you during my travels. I never imagined your situation would be this dire."

I was still grappling with understanding the situation when he continued speaking, "I'm sorry I found you so late, and I'm grateful that you survived."

"Takahiko saved you, Isabelle! He stopped that bad person who was hurting you! I saw it happen," Amanda exclaimed with an intense energy, painting him as a hero in her story. But my own recollections were foggy. As I attempted to piece together that memory, a wave of revulsion swept over me. I instinctively clutched my mouth, fearing I might vomit, but thankfully, I managed to hold it back. I found myself unable to let my guard down, even in the presence of our supposed savior. After all, I had been betrayed by Lysander, discarded like trash by that sinister old man—how could I be certain this wouldn't end the same way?