A Core Ship From The Start-Chapter 2298 - 1552: The Story of a Borderland Boy (A Bouncing, Rolling Cat)
When Litt walked out the door, it was early morning.
He donned his armor, picked up his weapon, and lifted his head to glance at the sky to confirm the time.
"Ah, brother."
Just then, a sweet and clear voice sounded, and Litt looked down to see a girl with playful brown curls smiling and greeting him. It was his sister Aileen, who was washing clothes by the river and waving vigorously at him.
"Good morning, brother, are you going on patrol?"
"Yes."
Litt tightened the longsword at his waist and nodded. He was just a militia here, mainly responsible for patrolling the village perimeter on ordinary days. Although previously it was mostly to guard against wild beasts, the invasion of the Demon King’s Army forced him to stay vigilant. Even though there was a Kingdom Army sentry nearby, it didn’t relax his guard.
"Be careful on the road... Ah, that’s right."
Aileen seemed to remember something at this point.
"I just saw Mina going to the graveyard..."
"Is that so... Speaking of which, it’s that time again."
Upon hearing his sister’s words, Litt nodded.
"I’ll go check on her."
"Alright, leave it to you, brother."
After saying this, Litt turned and left, while Aileen watched Litt’s back, clenching her fists firmly.
"Good luck, brother, I’m rooting for you!"
Following the country road, Litt reached the graveyard located at the corner of the village. As he entered the graveyard, he saw a girl standing not far away, silently praying with her eyes closed.
"Mina..."
Looking at the girl in front of him, Litt sighed involuntarily, then silently walked to Mina’s side and accompanied her.
Mina’s parents were killed by the Demon Clan, not recently, but a few years ago, perhaps by straggling soldiers of the Demon King’s Army. At that time, Mina was just a child, and their parents were killed by the Demon Clan while protecting them. Litt and Mina grew up together, and he still remembers that Mina’s parents were very righteous and kindhearted, yet were killed so senselessly. Because of this, watching Mina’s heartbroken appearance at the funeral, Litt secretly vowed to protect Mina, which led him to join the Civilian Corps.
Even though he isn’t capable now, one day he’ll use the sword in his hand to protect Mina.
"Ah, Litt, you’re here."
After a moment, Mina ended her prayer and turned to look at Litt. He nodded and watched Mina.
"Are you alright?"
"I don’t know."
Mina shook her head.
"It’s been several years. I thought I would quietly forget, but every time I come here, I clearly recall what happened that day, as if it happened just yesterday. I can’t forget the wretched appearance of the Demon Clan at that time. If possible, I even want to kill them with my own hands. But..."
At this point, Mina looked down at her own hands.
"I can’t do anything."
"..."
Hearing the sigh of his childhood friend, Litt said nothing and merely clenched his fists. Just then, Mina raised her head to look at Litt.
"Litt, I’m very worried. I don’t want you to die like them. If you die, I have nothing left..."
"..."
Litt turned his head to look at his childhood friend, seeing her moist eyes, suddenly feeling different. To Litt, Mina was his childhood friend he grew up with. They had a good relationship, and he remembers them playing everywhere with Aileen.
But now, under the sunlight, Litt looked at the other’s pale cheeks, moist eyes, radiant and silky golden hair, and the figure with gentle curves slightly revealed under the sunlit dress. Suddenly, he felt his heart start to pound. The Mina in his memory was an innocent girl, but standing here was a young girl—a youthful and beautiful young girl.
"I won’t die."
Litt finally managed to say these words, turning his head away, unsure why he didn’t want to face the vibrant emotions contained in those moist eyes.
"I’ll protect you, Mina."
"...Alright."
Hearing Litt’s response, Mina quietly lowered her head and whispered after a moment.
"I believe you, Litt."
"Yes, um, Mina."
Perhaps wanting to dispel the slightly strange atmosphere, Litt awkwardly changed the topic.
"Did you know? The Brave Lord arrived in our village."
"Ah, I already heard about that."
"Really? Is that so?"
"Yes, the village chief called me yesterday, asking me to serve the Brave Lord well."
"I see..."
After all, Mina originally worked in the tavern, so it was only natural for the village chief to ask her to serve the Hero well.
"Have you met the Brave Lord?"
"Yes... Though a bit fierce, he’s unexpectedly a good person and very kind to me."
"A bit fierce? Unexpectedly a good person?"
Hearing Mina’s reply, Litt was somewhat surprised. These descriptions didn’t seem fitting for a Hero. But now wasn’t the time to inquire further, as it was getting late, and he feared his partner was waiting for him. It was time to patrol. After all, the General issued orders to increase scout patrols to prevent surprise attacks by the Demon Clan, and if they continued talking, he’d be late.
