177 The Safest Place in The World (1/2)

Mia said after Sheila had removed her disguise and tell her of the truth, in the Trial Tower. To be honest, Mia did felt a bit upset upon being told she was played around by Sheila just like that, but once she realized it was for her own good and part of a bigger plan, she couldn't muster any strength to do anything to the latter. Even so, she couldn't help but advise Sheila to warn her or give a signal ahead of time before doing that sort of thing. If Sheila had done that, Mia wouldn't have been so troubled in that kind of situation. Had Ria been here, she would have nodded her head, agreeing with Mia's thought. That is because Sheila had been troubling her with this sort of situation multiple times.

Even before she got her hand on the 'mystical system,' Sheila had always been a troublemaker, one way or another. But if Ria had to compare between before and now, the latter gives her more headaches. One time Sheila was feeling a bit of mischief and decided to surprise her in the bathroom as a creepy-looking ghost. She had just finished washing her body at the time, and just as she went out of the shower wanting to dry her body with the towel, her steps came to a halt. In front of her, there stood a creepy-looking ghost, staring at her with its bloody eyes. It was one of the scary experiences she ever had in her entire life.

Nonetheless, Sheila ended up getting beaten up by Ria black and blue once she realized it was the prank from her best friend. Because they have a potion and her healing skills, Ria didn't put her strength to waste during the punishment and went all out. Of course she didn't go too far with her punishment, unlike a certain girl. In a way, Ria might have spoiled the latter way too much, and now she's just reaping what she sows.

”I sincerely apologize if that upset you.”

”It's fine. Now that I think about it, it's nothing much anyway. After all, you did save me from that assassin. The least I can do is to forgive my savior, isn't it?”

”Is that so...”

”Yes, it is.”

”Now that the problem has been put to rest, I have a question for you, Mia.”

”What is it?”

”It might be sensitive but, you don't have to answer it if you feel uncomfortable. I'm simply curious, after all. Anyways, you're an orphan, right? Do you have any memories of your family before you were admitted to the Orphanage?”

”...”

Mia was silent for a moment, but she soon replied with a wry smile.

”I do not, not even a single piece. The earliest memory I can remember is when I have already admitted to Orphanage. When I asked the Caretaker about it, she answered that I was found sleeping peacefully in a basket, at the front of the doorstep of the Orphanage. If not for the fact that Caretaker always goes outside early in the morning for some business, I might have frozen to death in my sleep.”

”That is...”

”it's fine, I'm alive now, aren't I?”

”But, don't you ever thought of looking for your family?”

”It would be a lie to say I haven't thought of it. I do, very much. But without a clue in hand, I couldn't get anywhere.”

”I see.”

'Hmm, then why did the assassin target her instead of the other girl? In my opinion, the latter holds a higher position than Mia. After all, the difference between an orphan and daughter of an influential family is just too evident. It wouldn't be strange if the assassin were to go for the other girl. Did that assassin perhaps know something about Mia? I should have taken him away the moment that guy was about to behead him, but that is too late to regret now. If I came across that guy again in the future, I will ask him.' thought Sheila.

”Oh right, are you going back now? I think it'll be bad for you to go since they already know about you.” Sheila asked.

”Ah! That's true, but I have nowhere else to go.”

”How about that friend of yours, Angelica Ernest, was it? She has a quite outstanding background, or so I heard.”

”Of course she did cross my mind but, I think it will only make the situation in her family worsen if I go. Her family was once united but due to a certain accident, they had been split into two factions a decades ago, I think. Even to this day, the two factions keep on fighting against each other like dog and cat; there has never been a day where they could sit and converse calmly on the same table. My presence there would only be adding fuel to the already burning flame.”

'I wonder what kind of accident that caused them to split and fight against each other. If this had been a game, a quest would have pop up by now. But ever since that day, the quest system had been silent. Although it did give me more time to focus on my current quest, it still feels like something is amiss. Because usually, at a time like this, it would definitely show up to give her a quest or two. Or is it because the current is that important?'