The Cycle of Fate

Chapter 4: Naroka

Leaving the old tavern, Lumière stood on the dirt road, hesitating about where to go next.

The morning sunlight fell with a slight chill.

At this moment, Raymond Craig approached from the side:

"I was just about to look for you."

"What's the matter?" Lumière returned to normal, asking deliberately.

Raymond looked surprised:

"Did you forget? Today we're supposed to find the elderly folks who are about the same age as my grandfather and ask about the legend of the wizard."

Lumière raised his hand to his head, looking pained:

"Really? I don't remember that at all, or maybe you're hallucinating?"

Raymond, both shocked and fearful, was about to recall the details to confirm whether yesterday's event was his own fantasy when he suddenly saw a smile appear on Lumière's face.

"You bastard, playing tricks again!" Raymond couldn't help but curse.

"Not convincing enough," Lumière clicked his tongue in admiration. "Even Ava curses better than you."

Ava Lecière is a pretty girl from Cordu Village, now a "goose girl." Her father, Guillaume Lecière, is a cobbler known in the surrounding villages for making leather shoes from the shepherds' leather.

"Ava..." Raymond's expression changed slightly.

He then looked at Lumière:

"Ava is our friend, right?"

"Yes," Lumière nodded with a smile.

The three of them, along with Guillaume from the Berry family and Ava's cousin, Azema Lecière, were often together as a group of young friends.

"Why don't we involve Ava in our investigation of the legend's truth?" Raymond suggested. "You know, her father always says, 'Why must a woman give a dowry upon marriage? Many good families fall apart because of this.' This makes her uneasy. If she can find some treasure or reward during the investigation, she might feel more secure."

"I've heard several household heads in the village say similar things, including the local priest. They wish their siblings would stay home forever, even if married, instead of moving out to start their own families, which would require sharing the family property." Lumière looked at Raymond with a sly smile and said casually, "That's why many families prefer to have one child become a shepherd. This way, they mostly won't get married and can support themselves with some income."

Raymond's face gradually darkened.

This was something he hadn't considered before.

This is also why he liked hanging out with Lumière. Despite most villagers thinking Lumière had a nasty personality, enjoying deceit and pranks, his knowledge surpassed that of all his peers, unlike himself, who knew little, drifted aimlessly, and could only follow his family's arrangements.

It's good to know... Lumière thought to himself, bringing the topic back on track:

"It's too late now. We should hurry and ask people today and find Ava tomorrow. Hmm, we can also involve little Guillaume and Azema later. Not only could it yield results, but it's also a fun activity that can develop our skills."

"Involve little Guillaume and Azema?" Raymond was a bit reluctant.

The more people to share the rewards, the less he would get.

Most importantly, he would lose his chance to impress Ava.

Looking at him, Lumière's eyes softened with a bit of pity: