Chapter 2
From where he stood inside of the returning ship, Claus Valca stared through the glass window and into space at the huge, artificial world that slowly grew before him as they approached. It was a giant hourglass-shaped world that he was seeing again for the first time in a year. Until they journeyed through outer space, this world was the only home he ever knew. Anatoray and Disith were once two nations at war here, death and devastation being brought to many people due to the scheming of the Guild.
It was also the resting place of the boy's mother and father.
The light from the setting sun dyed the vast wheat fields gold as it slowly sunk behind rolling hills. Smoke rose out of the chimney of a small house that stood alone, a small distance away from the nearby village and closer to the fields or barley.
"The wheat is growing really well."
Lavie smiled, happily narrowing her eyes. "Yeah, that's good."
Lavie had been in high spirits all day, and the night seemed like it would be no different.
"Um ... Di--" Claus started.
"What?" Lavie looked up from her dish.
"... This stew is really delicious."
"...yeah." Lavie scooped some more soup into her mouth.
"The baked pie looks good, too."
"Al made it."
Looking up at Lavie, Al's expression as she nodded seemed to say 'I'm sorry' to her.
Maybe I'm stepping on a landmine?
The sound of boiling tea accompanied Lavie as she used a dingy rag to wipe the dishes clean. They were able to use water abundantly now, but Lavie still did her best not to waste even a drop of it.
"I want to go look for Dio..." As he lit a fire in the lamp, Claus finally spoke what he had been thinking for many months.
"Mmn, you should go if you want to." Lavie replied.
"I feel like I have to go ... is it okay?"
Next to the dismayed-looking Claus, Alvis smiled as she poured some tea into a cup. The scent of the tea's infusion filled every corner of the room.
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