Creating Anime In A Fantasy World (Patreon)

Chapter 15: You said you can do anything, right?

After opening the door of the confinement room, as the rush of cold air and low pressure flowed out, Edward immediately saw the girl lying motionless on the straw mat.

The red and black alternating wizard robe was stained with dust, and the girl's face was hidden under the wizard hat. Edward, who hadn't seen this old friend for a few years, was surprised to find that she hadn't changed at all. He quickly said, "Hey Helena, long time no see."

Upon hearing his words, the girl who had been lying on the ground like a dead fish suddenly moved. Leaning on the staff tightly held in her hand, she slowly stood up and said, "Haha, long time no see, my ally and archenemy Edward! I never expected that your power has been increasing since being separated from the Black Star of the Spire. It really excites me. Ah, could this be the resonance between the twin stars..."

Facing Helena's self-absorbed words, Edward's companion, Winry, couldn't help but ask, "What is this lady talking about?"

"Well, you can understand it as 'long time no see, didn't expect you, bastard, to be doing better than me.'"

Seeing Winry's puzzled expression, Helena quickly added, "That's not true! I'm not envious that this guy couldn't become a wizard and still inherit the family business! I'm also not envious that this guy's magical power has been increasing even after leaving the Mage Tower!"

"..."

With a subtle expression, Edward, realizing that this person was still easy to understand, smiled helplessly and said, "By the way, how did you get here? Considering your situation, you probably can't even afford to use a teleportation array now..."

Hearing his words, Helena, who had expressed dissatisfaction due to the inequality between people, immediately said confidently, "Humph! Can't guess, right? Originally, I thought my fate would end because of the loss of my belongings. I didn't expect to meet a kind person who offered help on the way, successfully reaching the place where my ally is. This is fate!"

"What does that mean?"

Seeing Winry's perplexity again, Edward just answered silently, "In simple terms, she lost her wallet on the way, and someone helped her. Otherwise, I doubt she could have made it to our southern border."

"Oh."

"And, this girl's wallet didn't have much money in it. If no one had helped, I doubt she could have reached us."

Upon hearing Edward's words, Helena blushed immediately. After struggling to find words for a while, she couldn't continue to pretend in front of her old friend and said tiredly, "Anyway, Edward, I haven't eaten anything for three days. If possible, could you please treat me to something before the interview?"

...

In Durin Family Castle, after Helena almost devoured the plates, she finally sighed with relief and asked, "Although you mentioned a job in your letter, you haven't told me what kind of job it is! To be honest, this time I sold all my belongings after running out of the Mage Tower. If you don't tell me about the job that pays five gold coins per month, I'll stay in this castle!"

"Don't worry, I can afford five gold coins. But what about you? You owe more than four figures in debt at the item shop in the capital, right..."

Hearing Edward's words, Helena couldn't help but smile brightly and shook her head, "Hahaha, what are you talking about? How could I owe a debt of over four figures? Don't underestimate me! I owe a debt of over five figures, you know. I decided to leave the Mage Tower partly to avoid creditors."

"What did you say? Over five figures?!"

Seeing Edward's confused expression, Helena, who had been eating, suddenly showed a sad expression. She almost burst into tears and said, "I have no choice. After you were expelled from the Mage Tower, I had no place to freeload, and someone told me that I could get a small loan with seemingly low interest. So I agreed, not knowing that..."

"Not knowing what?"

"Not knowing that these magic crystal packs would be so attractive. I just took advantage of having some money after borrowing and opened twenty packs without paying much attention. But that damn item shop was too deceitful. After opening eighty-eight packs, I realized that I had reached the limit of the small loan without realizing it and unknowingly owed a debt of over five figures! So, it's not my fault!"

"Just get out of here!!"

"Please don't! My credits are on the verge of expulsion this year. I can only comprehend the heart of the fire element, and I can't master magic from other elements. I can't find a decent job to repay the debt. The capital's shopping street has already blacklisted me. If I go back now, I'll definitely face lawsuits!"

"What does that have to do with me?! I can't afford to support someone with a five-figure debt! What if the Imperial Knights find me?! "

Seeing Edward's determined look, the panicked Helena hurriedly said, "You are a baron, Edward– Lord Durin! Please don't abandon me! As long as you are willing to provide me with a place to eat and bathe, I won't ask for any compensation. As long as you can take me in and not tell the Knights about my whereabouts, I'm willing to do anything!"

"Anything?"

Edward, who had just shown a resolute expression, suddenly smiled. On the other hand, Helena, who was still trying to persuade Edward, felt a chill and subconsciously covered her chest. Stepping back two steps, she muttered, "Uh, Edward, you're not that kind of person, right..."

"What kind of person do you think I am? Anyway, since you said you're willing to do anything..."

Completely ignoring the shivering Helena, Edward, now smiling like a hungry wolf eyeing its prey, turned to Winry, who had a subtle expression, and said, "Winry, is the outfit I asked you to make ready? Go get it and help her change."

"???"