Chapter 207 In a Cabin sneath a Tree III (2/2)
”... yeah. I suppose that part is true.”
”... so you really think you can't change the world? Isn't that the Empyrean's sole job?” Hannah asked.
”... first you should ask me whether I want to change the world in the first place.”
”Do you?”
”Not particularly.”
”Why?”
”... because the world is fine,” Lino said. ”It's those inhabiting it that are fucked up. I mean, I'll be the first to admit that I know next to nothing about our history, and why are we so conflict-driven, and I very much doubt that nobody else in the history of the world realized it yet, all the same, the chaos continued. It almost feels like it's always meant to be that way.”
”... that's a unique way to look at it. Ah, up this path.” she said as the two pushed past the thin forest and up a mountainous road. ”Though I guess the Bringer of Chaos himself thinking that is only natural, actually.”
”What about you, then? You want to bring the order to the world?” Lino asked.
”... not really,” Hannah said in a mellowed tone. ”I just want to learn... why.”
”Don't we all?”
The two went to walk the rest of the way in a somber silence, climbing up a rather steep, winding road before reaching a halfway point of the mountain whereupon Hannah took a side turn rather going further up, soon reaching a massive cleave in the mountain on the side leading to a circular valley of sorts with a lake at its center.
Lino was rather stunned when he laid his eyes on the scene for the first time; the lake was eerily coral-dyed, surrounded by tall, plum-colored flowers of sorts which then further went on to spill into almost an artificially-made garden of black roses which climbed up the steep walls of the surroundings.
”You like it?” Hannah asked with a chuckle, noticing Lino's expression.
”... it's at times like this I wish I picked a brush once or twice and learned the damn thing.”
”You look the sort who lacks patience for that intricate art.” Hannah said.
”... I'm a blacksmith.” Lino replied firmly.
”Eh?! No way!!” Hannah exclaimed with a genuine wonder.
”What do you mean no way?! How in the fuck do you think this body you drool over got made, huh?”
”... I-I don't drool over it...”
”Yeah, and I'm not glancing at your tits and ass whenever I get a chance.”
”...”
”...”
”...”
”... pretend that never happened?” Lino suggested.
”Deal.” Hannah nodded firmly.
”Anyway, yeah, I'm a blacksmith,” Lino said as the two walked up to the lake, sitting at its shore. ”I got lucky when I got kicked out of the orphanage and met a great blacksmith whose wife talked him into adopting me.”
”... okay, you just made that up.”
”It does sound made up when I say it out loud,” Lino commented, stroking his chin which was already devoured in beard. ”But, it's true. That's also when I became the Empyrean. You could say that year really turned my life around.”
”... you really could.” Hannah mumbled faintly. ”What are they like?”
”Who?”
”Your parents...? I guess...?”
”Oh. Ha ha, they're quite... unique,” Lino said, smiling warmly. ”I've yet to meet someone with hearts as big as theirs, to be honest. Who else picks a random kid off the street, who by the way repeatedly insulted them and made it difficult to even stand him, then proceed to feed him, clothe him, teach him and give him a wholesome home? I mean, however you think about it, it takes someone special.”
”... perhaps they just saw in you something worth pulling out.” Hannah said with an honest smile, getting up. ”Wanna go for a swim?”
”...what? This water's actually clean?” Lino asked in wonder.
”Of course it's clean,” she replied, rolling her eyes at him as she pulled her one piece dress off, left with only her underwear on. ”What's with that look of disappointment?”
”... don't ask if you know.”
”I just want to hear it.” she smiled.
”I was hoping you'd accidentally pull your mask off as well.” Hannah's cheeks suddenly flushed red as Lino grinned, getting up and leaning into her face. ”And what did your perverted mind think about?”
”... shut up. I hope you drown.”
”I'm sure you'll save me.”
”Try me.” she whipped out her tongue at him before running off into the lake and taking off. Lino laughed for a moment as he took off his shirt and pants, with only underpants remaining. He quickly followed her and swam out into the lake as well.
The water was rather warm, he realized, and even had some healing properties. His heart swelled as he realized she must have been looking for ways to help him whenever she went out for hours at time. She stopped somewhere around the lake's center, waiting for Lino to catch up.
He stopped just before and looked on at her in silence, his eyes glistening strangely. Her wet hair almost seemed like draining blood as it slithered about the lake's surface, her eyes terrifyingly beautiful.
”What? Is there something stuck on my face?” she asked as she realized the two hadn't spoken for nearly a minute, merely staring at one another.
”No,” Lino said, smiling. ”I'm just thinking about how I actually wished you had no underwear on.”
”See, I knew it you---” before she had a chance to speak any further, Lino closed in quickly and grasped at her back, hugging her and pulling her lips against his. They were warm and soft, he mused inwardly as he closed his eyes, taking a simple, yet the most difficult leap of faith he ever would in his life.