Stray

When leaving the witch’s residence, Nemo couldn’t help but look back.

The courtyard full of flowers was as peaceful and lovely as it was at first, but at this moment felt a bit lonelier. The orange cat that they first saw was nowhere to be found. The witch should still be sitting in front of her workbench. After she planted the last of the earthsea orchids, her entire body seemed to meld with the workbench. Bottles after bottles of medicine was prepared, labeled, and put together with a small wooden sign with a name on it.

Except for the sound of glassware bumping and the thin sound of clothing rubbing, it was too quiet.

Nadine stuffed the bottles belonging to Nemo into Oliver’s hand, gave a few instructions, and then waved casually. She then gave them an ordinary farewell, as if they would meet again.

After withdrawing his attention from the courtyard, Nemo looked at Oliver’s face. It was the first time he saw Oliver Ramon show this expression. Oliver had never really been discouraged. Even if he was confused, even if he couldn’t see what’s ahead, he usually would force himself to march forward. But now…

“Nemo.” Oliver noticed his gaze. He seemed to want to withdraw the heavy expression on his face but failed. “I… Sorry, I’m a bit confused now.”

“I may not be able to empathize,” Nemo subconsciously stretched out his hand and rubbed the other’s short light brown hair. After realizing that this method of comfort might not be appropriate, he shrank his hand back embarrassedly. “After all, I’m not from the Lopez family, but I… can imagine it.”

They could kill wolfhounds, repel worms and demons, and even stop a small-scale war. They may have power far above an ordinary person, but they couldn’t change stupid and stubborn thoughts. This was enough to make him feel frustrated. From Oliver’s point of view, the executor of this foolishness was very likely to be his own blood relative.

“Let’s meet everyone first.” Nemo tried to dispel this powerless atmosphere by changing topics.