When I went back to my inn, I saw Commander Vale's eyes glaring at me from the waiting area of the inn. I became tense and bowed my head.
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"I just ate outside, Commander..."
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Commander Vale sighed. "Have I not told you to not go outside for a week and rest? Have you ever listened, child?"
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I closed my eyes. "I apologized, Commander..."
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He sighed. "Tss. Nevermind. This is the food that I bought you. The knights went here at noon and they said you're all asleep at your room so the medicine's held by the Madam."
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"I escaped from Madam Pearl a while ago so..."
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"Really?..."
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"I---I didn't mean to not go outside without her knowing, it's just that she's asking about the hero because I was there yesterday."
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Commander Vale knows how much Madam Pearl is obnoxious about asking things she's interested about, so he can't blame me for acting this way. Maybe she act that way in him when he arrived a while ago too.
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He sighed. "Right. You need to rest more, so sleep again. Tomorrow, ask the medicine on the Madam, just eat the food when you wake up. Don't worry, it won't be rancid then."
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"About the medicine, Uhh," I scratched my face using my pointing finger, I hesitated to tell him what happened a while ago or not.
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"What about the medicine???"
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"N-Nothing. Just don't bring medicine anymore, Commander. I'll be fine. Just a week of rest and I'm coming back to the headquarters."
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He didn't asked any further. "Alright."
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"B-By the way, Commander...Uhh, what day is the hero's departure?"
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"After the festival, child, why?"
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I shook my head. "I'm just asking,"
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He snorted and stand up before tapping his palm on top of my head. "Sleep. If you're okay the day after tomorrow, I'll bring you to him. He said he wanted to see you."
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My eyes widened in surprise.
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"He wanted to thank you, and he asked me where you are. But I only said you're resting."
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"W-Well...alright. Goodnight, Commander Vale."
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I bowed my head and waved my hands. As I went back to my room holding the food Commander Vale brought for me, I took the potion the hero gave and place in on my table. I stared at it for a couple of minutes before opening it and placing a drop of it in my tongue. It made me cough because of its bitterness.
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When I remove the bandages on my hand, only a scar has left to be seen. I was amazed and perplexed in an instant.
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Now...how do I tell Commander Vale about this? I don't know what would be his reaction.
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I jumped off to my bed and started to bury my face on the pillow, empty yet sleepy.
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----
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I walked with my bandaged hand place in my back while strolling around the plaza the next night. The crowds were bustling, some were running for the show that's occuring beside the jewelry shop. There's a singer holding his guitar while singing a familiar song I instantly recognize that Commander Vale used to sang in the kitchen of his house when I was a kid watching him help his maids to cook something for me.
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Child, o child,
Don't ever be so wild
When you grow up
I'll watch you overcome
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You'll see me get old
And in your journey
I'd watch you unfold
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Child, o child,
Rest on my arms
I'd make you forget all the harms
I'd be there, I'd be here
For you, I'd be everywhere to clap my hands
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Child, o child,
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Even as the years goes by, it makes me so feel comforted. The singer was sitting on a wooden chair, holding his guitar, strumming and smiling while singing the song like we'd never existed around him. I guess his aged were approaching 30, he looks very adult but also very young.
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When I looked at the audiences, I saw them holding their child with teary eyes. Some were holding hands, other children came to hug their parents beside them. As I sight closes to my right side, isaw the face of a black-cloaked man stuck-staring with glittering eyes at the singer.
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My heart almost skipped a beat when I realized it's the hero.
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Now, why is he wearing a cloak? And was he mesmerized as he heard the song?
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I quickly shift my way to go beside him and tapped his back. When he slightly turned his head, his eyes soften.
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"Good evening, Sir! Why are you wearing a cloak this time?"
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"H-Hi,"
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Both of my eyebrows raised as he greeted me with surprised.
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He looked back and listen to the singer as it continued. I can't help but smile. I guess he liked that song.
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As it come to an end, we clapped our hands holding a wonderful feelings kept inside our hearts. The crowds parted with each other, but the hero never even flinched and move.
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"Sir?"
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I lifted my head, and he was staring at the ground like he had been lost but at the same time, mesmerized and baffled.
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"Sir?"
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"Huh?" This time, he responded and look at me.
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"Is it your first time hearing that song?" I smiled.
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It seemed that he snapped back to reality and breathe.
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"N-No...it's just...someone used to sang that song to me. It's been a while since I've heard it again." He put his hands on his face.
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"I see. Ehrmm, then, may I ask why are you wearing a black cloak? You haven't worn it yesterday, I'm sorry for asking," I scratched my face.
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He hold his cloak tightly. "I was introduced to people a while ago and they came running to me to thank me. I might be recognized when I came my way here not wearing one. I want to roam around freely like last night..."
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Ah, that's why I've heard most of the passerby gossiping about it since the noon. I didn't realize it then.
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"Hmm, is that so?"
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He nodded. "How is your hand?"
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I lift my hand and remove the bandaged. "I actually did not tend to sell it. I sip one time, and only a scar remained!"
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His expression grimmed.
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"The potion failed. It wasn't supposed to leave any sight of scar. I'll punish that healing wizard in an instant."
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I panicked. "No---it's effective! I-I mean it, Sir!"
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He sighed. "You can then removed the bandaged on."
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"Could I?"
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He nod again. "I'll send you some ointment to remove the scar."
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"It's really---It's really fine, you know? Look! The healing wizard was such an expert!"
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"If he's such an expert, why couldn't he make a potion that doesn't leave a scar?"
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"Well, maybe he's improving it yet?"
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"No, because he's so incompetent."
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"…"
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"Let me see your hand,"
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He placed his palm on the back of my hand to stare at it. His fingertip landed on my continent-like scar. He let go of it as he sighed for the second time.
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"Will you tour me around?"
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I smiled. "Just as I promised!"
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As the cold wind blew off the plaza, the sound of the fireworks matched up the voice of amazement of all of us.
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I smiled at the thought of it's wonderful colors shaping the way like an exploding sun. When I gazed at the hero, I saw how the reflecting colors of the fireworks in his face remarks his beauty.
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Truly spectacular.
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