Someone was watching them.
The next day, as they set out from Gloucester, both Aesc and Shiomi could feel that gaze upon them.
They were already conspicuous enough—within the Wing Clan's territory, both fairies and humans knew that Aesc the Savior and her Sage had come to the city. And now, they had even managed to win over Totorot, one of the most notoriously hot-tempered fairies among the Wing Clan.
So, it wasn't strange that they drew attention as they left the city. The problem was that this gaze wasn't hostile—it carried a strange, almost fervent warmth. Amid the fairies' usual mix of wary and calculating stares, it was hard to single out.
It was only because it felt distinct that the two of them noticed it at all.
Not intending to track down its source, the Savior and her companions simply continued on their way out of Gloucester. Yet, even after leaving the city, the gaze did not fade. Without the distraction of other onlookers, it became even easier to feel.
"They've followed us all the way out here," Shiomi murmured quietly, stepping closer to Aesc.
"I felt it too." Aesc was about to look back when Shiomi rested a hand on her back.
"Don't turn around. There's a forest ahead," Shiomi said with an amused look.
Since he didn't sense any malice, he assumed it was just a curious fairy—or perhaps one meaning no harm.
Once they entered the woods along the main road, the group quietly vanished from sight.
The fairy who had been following their tracks was startled when they disappeared. She ran a few confused steps forward, then stopped, her face clouded with sorrow.
"Looking for us?" Shiomi's voice came from behind her.
Startled, the fairy spun around—and all of them froze in surprise.
"You're... that low-ranked fairy from the day before yesterday?" Totorot recognized her first.
Aesc didn't quite understand. The girl had fled the other day, and now she had followed them all the way outside the city.
The red-haired fairy girl was still covered in filth, wearing the same tattered dress. Bruises and traces of blood still marked her face from the beating she had taken.
When she saw Aesc's expression darken, she panicked, trembling and near tears. "I-I'm sorry... Savior... I didn't mean to make you angry..."
Then she broke down crying, wiping at her face with muddy hands.
"I'm not angry," Aesc said softly, shaking her head. "I just don't understand. Why did you follow me? Were you bullied again? I'm not your protector—"
The fairy girl quickly shook her head. She raised the small bouquet of wildflowers she had been clutching and held it out toward Aesc.
There weren't many flowers in or around Gloucester; those that grew were usually reserved for high-ranking fairies or even the clan chief. Shiomi guessed that the girl must have spent days searching outside the city to gather this humble little bouquet.
"Eh?" Aesc froze in surprise.
"Th-thank you for helping me, Savior," the fairy girl stammered. "I... I have nothing of value to give you, so I found these flowers."
Aesc stared at her for a long moment, as though struggling to process something so unexpected. Then she slowly reached out and accepted the bouquet.
"I see... You must have spent a lot of time gathering them. Then I'll gladly accept them," Aesc said with a gentle smile, her eyes softening.
The fairy girl, who had been crying moments ago, finally managed a small smile. Her bruised and dirt-streaked face looked fragile, even endearing.
Seeing her gift accepted, she stepped aside to let them pass, quietly watching as they walked on.
Aesc looked down at the flowers in her hands and continued forward without a word.
Shiomi sighed inwardly.
In the two thousand years since setting foot on Britannia's soil, this was the first time he had ever seen a fairy show Aesc such pure, heartfelt gratitude.
Even if it was insignificant—even if they were just wildflowers picked from the fields.
He thought to himself, I should do something.
When the fairy girl saw Shiomi step toward her, she froze in terror. She knew how frightening the Sage could be when angered, and feared she might have provoked him. So when Shiomi reached out a hand, she immediately thought she was about to die and squeezed her eyes shut in panic.
But the pain she expected never came. Instead, a gentle hand rested softly atop her head.
"It's all right now," Shiomi said quietly.
"Eh?"
The fairy girl blinked in confusion. It took her a few seconds to realize that all her wounds had vanished—and even her left eye, which had nearly lost its sight, had completely healed.
She touched her face in disbelief. "Thank you, Sage... but I have nothing I can give you..."
"It's fine. It was nothing," Shiomi replied, withdrawing his hand. "Besides, Aesc really liked your gift. That's more than enough."
"R-really?" The fairy girl's expression brightened in surprise. "I-I won't bother you anymore then. Please have a safe journey."
Her purpose fulfilled, she reluctantly bid them farewell, then turned back toward Gloucester.
Perhaps she would face torment again. Perhaps she would die tomorrow.
Yet she no longer felt afraid. She felt she could face the still-gray dawn ahead with a smile.
"Wait," Aesc suddenly called out. "You haven't told us your name yet."
The fairy girl stopped, startled, then quickly ran back and bowed slightly. "I... I'm Baobhan Sith."
"Baobhan Sith..." Shiomi murmured, recalling the blood-drinking fairies of Scottish legend. Or rather, the name itself meant "female fairy." The Baobhan Sith of Proper Human History had indeed been a vampiric fairy—much like the girl standing before them.
"So your name is Baobhan Sith," Aesc said, glancing at Shiomi, who gave a small nod of acknowledgment. "We're traveling to save Britannia. Would you like to come with us?"
"I... but... I don't have any combat ability," Baobhan Sith said, clearly wanting to agree but hesitating.
"But that's something you can learn," Shiomi said with a teasing smile. "The Savior could use a maid. I think you'd fit the role nicely."
"A maid?" Baobhan Sith froze for a moment. "If you don't mind, I—"
"Not a maid or a servant," Aesc interrupted with mild exasperation. "A companion."
Shiomi raised his hands in surrender, showing he'd only been joking.
"Really? Even a useless fairy like me can... travel with the Savior?"
As Aesc clarified her words, Baobhan Sith almost thought she was dreaming. She quickly pinched her cheek—only to wince at the pain. She wasn't dreaming.
"Having another companion who can talk isn't bad," Totorot said cheerfully. "Otherwise, I'm always the one getting teased by you two."
Realizing she didn't have to go back to Gloucester—that she could choose something she'd never dared to hope for—Baobhan Sith burst into tears again, then smiled through them, like a child finally being comforted.
"...I... I would be honored to... Savior-sama..."