Chapter 51: A New Morning

How could he possibly be dissatisfied when his fiancée was someone as beautiful as Lady Sherria?

"Anyway, that is why when I found Lady Sherria in a place this remote, I suspected there had to be some reason behind it. However, I thought saying something unnecessary would only cause trouble, so I decided not to interfere."

"I think you made the right choice, Viktor. Other people should not interfere in someone else’s love life. And when politics are involved, it only becomes more complicated."

Qiu Nuoya did not completely understand everything, but it seemed that the woman he had rescued had been dealing with many difficult circumstances.

"Still, I believe I should meet her at least once, since she wishes to personally say thank you to you."

"Even so, you must remain completely bedridden today."

With that, Viktor firmly returned Qiu Nuoya to his bed.

Warren repeatedly apologized, saying, "I promise I will never force you to do something reckless like that again."

Meanwhile, Mochi lay flat beside Qiu Nuoya’s pillow.

It seemed the little slime had become exhausted and fallen asleep.

Today had truly been a difficult day.

But Qiu Nuoya was genuinely grateful that he had survived.

Looking back on everything that happened, there were probably many better ways he could have handled the situation.

There were countless mistakes he had made because he still lacked experience.

If he wanted to survive in this world, he needed to become stronger.

With that determination renewed in his heart, Qiu Nuoya closed his eyes and drifted into sleep.

"Nuoya, you’re such a kind and hardworking boy. But you don’t have to push yourself so much. I want you to enjoy your own life too."

Those were the words his mother had once spoken to him, while gently trying to reassure him. But Qiu Nuoya had always known the truth.

His mother had worked far harder than he ever had.

Because of that, he could never bring himself to rely on her kindness.

There had been things he wanted to do.

Dreams he wanted to pursue.

But none of them were worth neglecting his family for.

So he had quietly set those desires aside and lived only for the people he cared about.

He had no regrets about that life.

Even so, now that he had been freed from it, he realized he no longer wished to return to the way he had lived before.

Warm sunlight shone across his face.

As Qiu Nuoya slowly opened his eyes, he found an exceptionally handsome man leaning over him.

"What are you doing, Viktor?"

"Hm?" Viktor smiled faintly. "I was just thinking again about what a mysterious child you are. Good morning, Nuoya. How are you feeling?"

He was far from fully recovered after everything that had happened the day before.

Still, Qiu Nuoya slowly sat up and nodded.

"I’m fine."

The moment he said those words, his stomach let out a loud growl.

"...Although I’m hungrier than anything."

Viktor chuckled.

"It certainly sounds that way."

Come to think of it, he had fallen asleep the previous night as soon as Viktor had tucked him into bed.

He had completely missed dinner.

It had been a long time since he had felt such honest, healthy hunger.

Qiu Nuoya had always enjoyed cooking. But that was only because it had been necessary for daily life.

He had eaten every day, of course, yet somehow he had forgotten what it truly felt like to be hungry.

Eating at fixed times had simply been part of Qiu Nuoya’s daily routine.

He enjoyed delicious food, but he had never been particularly attached to eating itself.

That was why his meals had always been simple and most of the dishes he knew how to cook were inexpensive, budget friendly recipes.

Now, however, he found himself wanting to create delicious meals that could bring smiles to even more people in this world.

That was because so many people genuinely enjoyed the food he made.

"Shall we go have breakfast?" Viktor asked.

When Qiu Nuoya climbed out of bed, he realize he was wearing different clothes.

The oversized shirt hung loosely on his small frame.

The hem reached all the way to his knees and the sleeves were so long that even his fingertips disappeared inside them.

The collar was also much too wide, making it look as though the shirt might slip right off his shoulders.

"As expected, Igor’s shirt is much too large for you," Viktor said with a faint smile. "Mine would fit you a little better around the shoulders, but they’re far too long."

Come to think of it, Viktor’s clothes were unusually long.

They were almost like a long tunic or a one piece garment worn over trousers, so they would have been far too long for someone of Qiu Nuoya’s height.

"So this is Igor’s shirt... Then what happened to my clothes...?"

He stopped mid sentence as the memories came rushing back.

Right.

The goblins and the Orc had torn every piece of his clothing to shreds.

Come to think of it, even his underwear had been stripped off.

...Wait.

He looked down.

No, he was wearing underwear.

As Qiu Nuoya checked, Viktor chuckled softly. "I went out and bought you new underwear, at least."

That made sense.

Leaving him completely naked would have been a bit much.

"I’m grateful," Qiu Nuoya said with an embarrassed smile.

"After breakfast, let’s go buy you some proper clothes," Viktor said. "After that, we need to report everything to the Adventurers’ Guild."

"You mean about the cave?"

"Yes. And about the Orc as well. A monster like that has never appeared so close to town before."

Qiu Nuoya had to admit that Viktor was right.

If monsters like that Orc were roaming so close to town, the townspeople would be too frightened to leave the safety of the city.

"...Viktor? Is something wrong?"

After saying that, Viktor simply stood there and staring at him.

When Qiu Nuoya tilted his head in confusion, Viktor gently took his hand and looked up at him. "Once again, I sincerely apologize for failing to protect you."