Atlas: Lightning From The Wild West
37: IGNIS'S RETURN

IGNIS'S HOME

"It seems I underestimated you too much, Indra. You're better than I thought" Ignis praised Indra.

"After knowing everything, I felt that all your words from a long time ago were just lies" Indra replied.

"No, you're wrong. I keep teaching you things I think are right. For example, do not become a government slave, thank goodness you are able to make it happen" Ignis said.

"At least, it makes me a little more relieved. I thought all your words and advice were just falsehoods" Indra replied.

"I wasn't that cruel even when I was pretending" Ignis said.

Moments later, Indra still keeps Ignis and intends to sleep in the treatment room. 

"Back, Indra. Avalance doesn't lack servants to help me. Rest" Ignis said.

"I should have said so" replied Indra who immediately stood up and walked out.

Curious about the letter that Avalance was displaying in the treasure room, Indra infiltrated the treasure room and tried to borrow it. Indra also found one more letter that was not on display. However, the letter was written by Avalance to Ignis. Out of curiosity, Indra took it and intended to show it to Ignis tomorrow morning.

The letter that Avalance wrote to Ignis made Indra very curious. What Avalance said to Ignis. Indra was impatient and tried to open it.

"Sister, I have something I want to tell you. I know we meet often. However, I did not have the courage to say it directly.

My wife is pregnant with our child, how are you feeling? You'll soon be uncle!

I wrote this when my wife was pregnant for a month. However, when you receive this letter, Tessa may have been pregnant for 4 months.

I wish I could pass this on directly to you, brother. But I was too nervous.

See you later - your sister, Avalance"

Indra sighed. He became more and more understanding of Avalance's grief. This time he tried to open a letter from Tessa to Avalance.

"Darling, I know you're busy and rarely home these days. However, I have important information that you should know.

You'll soon be a father!

Aye! I was pregnant, and I had no chance to tell you. I know you're busy. However, I am very much waiting for your return.

See you soon, baby.

Your lover, Tessa"

The contents of the letter were beyond his expectations. Finally Indra understood the source of the sadness that always emanated from the look of Avalance's eyes. Indra also felt that it was possible that these letters could have resuscitated his father. Makes his father feel guilty for Avalance.

Indra has plans for later if he has to deal with his father. Then the plan requires these two letters. Indra then immediately returned to the treasure room and exchanged the letter displayed by Avalance with another letter.

Sooner or later Avalance will wake up. But he doesn't care much.

The next day, that morning Indra heard a knock on the door from inside her room, in contrast to usual this time the knock on the door sounded louder as if forcing her to get up. Indra then opened the door and Ignis was already standing in front of him.

"Keep your promise" said Ignis who stood in front of Indra.

"Alright, follow me" replied Indra who was still sleepy.

Just yesterday Ignis was lying weakly on a patient's bed. However, overnight he was able to recover most of his injuries. The level of a Great Witch was indeed much different.

"Why can you be with Avalance? Aren't you two enemies?" Ask Indra.

"really. However, for just a moment we will ignore that" Ignis replied.

Indra believes Ignis and Avalance ignored their conflict with each other due to the presence of Chaos Dragon in Nosferat. It was very clear in the eyes of Indra.

"So so. Chaos Dragon is still in Nosferat" said Indra.

"How did you know that?" Ask Ignis.

"Just a lucky guess" said Indra.

Moments later, Indra and her father finally arrive at Avalance's treasure room.

Indra takes Ignis to the place where Avalance's mail collection is kept. Indra did not tell about the letter that was displayed in the glass. He only took Ignis to another mountain of letters.

Ignis opened the envelopes and slowly read the letters in them one by one. Soon he stood up and walked out without saying a word. Indra followed him out, Ignis continued to walk up to the castle gate. Surprisingly, there was not a single soldier who blocked Ignis like an enemy. Indra thought it might have been Avalance telling his soldiers to ignore Ignis.

"Where are you going?" Ask Indra.

"Return to the South" Ignis replied.

"What about the Chaos Dragon still in Nosferat?" Ask Indra again.

"I am still incapable. Not alone" replied Ignis.

"After I set foot again in the Southern Region, you will again become my enemy! Now take this, Indra" said Ignis throwing a card at Indra.

It was shaped like a card in general. However, it is made of gold. A logo that seemed to be the logo of the Southern Region on one side, while the other side was engraved with a strange line that filled that side.

"That's the thing that will help you to enter the Southern Region. Think of it as a reward for taking care of me" Ignis replied.

"You sure? I could have been a spy for Avalance" Indra replied.

"Avalance is not a coward. I don't know if it's you, Indra" said Ignis who was outside the castle and continued his journey home.

Indra then re-entered Avalance Castle. He goes to Cheryl's room to look for her because Indra is bored.

However, after knocking on the room door for quite a while, Indra felt Cheryl had already walked out of her room. Therefore Indra went to the dining room and sure enough Cheryl was already there while enjoying her breakfast accompanied by several chefs who brought her food. Indra was surprised by the chefs, Cheryl only wanted a few loaves of bread. However, all the chefs served it to Cheryl. Maybe that was their way of welcoming guests.

"Indra! I tried to find you in your room. However, I did not hear an answer. That's why I don't want to, I went to breakfast by myself. Unfortunately, I couldn't wait for another dish, so I chose to eat some bread and jam, would you give it a try? It's delicious!" said Cheryl who spoke while chewing two pieces of bread filled with jam in it.

"No, just eat as much as you can. Incidentally, I also just came from your room to look for you" Indra replied.

"I've never smelled this sweet jam before, what jam did you put on that bread?" Ask Indra to change the topic.

"Ceri Sail. My favorite food, I think it's downhill from my mom because she also likes it so much that she names me Cheryl so fond of Cherries, funny isn't it? Haha" Cheryl replied with a small laugh.

"My father once said that my mother only craves cherries as long as she is pregnant with me" Cheryl continued while going back to eat the jam bread.

Indra laughs.

"No wonder, if you are no less sweet" said Indra teasing Cheryl.

Cheryl was surprised to hear it suddenly coming out of Indra's mouth. He choked on the bread and coughed at it. Indra also panicked.

"You okay?" Indra asked as she stroked Cheryl's shoulder which was still coughing after choking.

"It's okay, I'm just a little surprised" Cheryl replied after her cough subsided.

Rarely anyone says such a thing to Cheryl, because she is an adventurer who can be said to be in class with Misha. People did not dare to carelessly invite him to speak. Plus, there weren't many men he talked to. It made other men think Cheryl's taste is quite high. And if it is like that, Indra has met his criteria.

"Sorry, I was just surprised to hear your joke" Cheryl said shyly.

"Who said I was joking? I'm telling the truth" Indra replied.

"Eh…? Um.. thanks" said Cheryl who is still shy.

"By the way, what about you? What's your favorite food?" Cheryl's question adds to the topic.

"I? I'm sure you won't believe it. I love the burnt lizards. Especially desert lizards. I know it sounds disgusting, but I think it feels pretty good" Indra replied with a face that said it was normal.

Cheryl momentarily stopped devouring her bread and looked at Indra. He again ran out of words when talking to Indra.

Shortly after, a piercing chill suddenly filled the room. Avalance arrived in the room with a less pleased face. 

"Oh, hey Avalance. Already better?" Indra asked ignoring the cold.

"Indra's. Where's Ignis, your father?" Avalance asked back.

"Oh. After ruffling your treasure room, he said he would return to the Southern Region" Indra replied.

Indra lied a little to cover up about the letter he stole from the treasure room.

Avalance sighed.

Avalance then sat down at the dining table. The chefs there were so panicked that they did not prepare a dish for the King. The chefs ran to the kitchen to immediately cook something for Avalance. Cheryl who was also surprised to see the arrival of Avalance decided to come out because she did not dare to start a conversation with a classmate of Avalance.

"Indra, I have to get out now! I dare not speak to the King of the Northern Region" Cheryl whispered to Indra.

Cheryl then ran out while carrying her unfinished bread. Avalance and Indra.

"Your father seems to have changed" Avalance said.

Indra did not answer.

"Looks like you brought a new friend, where's Misha and Miller?" Ask Avalance.

"They were quite busy with the Wyverns" Indra replied.

"So then, sorry to trouble you to protect this region" Avalance replied.

"I just want the rewards" Indra said.

"By the way, how did you get close to the residents of the Avalon Country?" Ask Avalance. It seems like Avalance has not intended to reveal Indra's payment amount.

"You know about that? Waw. Actually, I only know about it from Bella, if you ask who Bella is. Bella was one of the people who raised the three of us. Bella says that Miller and Misha have been with her since the age of 5, Bella picked them both from Avalon when Bella was still an adventurer. He said that he picked them up from the 'An Incident' that Bella herself would not tell me" Indra replied.

"The Kingdom of Avalon is a land full of Magicians, out of a total of 10 Great Witches 5 of whom are from Avalon. The inhabitants have a distinctive aura and it makes them easily recognizable" Avalance replied.

"Then about this incident. 13 years ago, as I recall there was an incident involving many victims in the country" continued Avalance.

"Yes I know too. They both have a dark past. However, they are still good friends" said Indra.