“I’m fine.”

As Helena nodded, the man smiled broadly, fitting the definition of a cheerful person.

His speech, expressions, and gestures exuded a refreshing aura. Even the large sword slung across his back added to his lively character.

After tightening the leather belt that secured his sword, he looked around just as he had done moments before. His blue hair swung with his head movements.

Helena observed him from a few steps away.

He squinted down the street, then scratched his head in confusion.

Suddenly, his head whipped around.

As their eyes met, Helena quickly averted her gaze. However, the man approached her confidently without hesitation.
Finally, as the shadow loomed close, Helena cautiously faced the man. Although he wasn’t as robust as Ian, his considerable height required her to tilt her head back.

“Excuse me, if it’s not too much trouble, may I ask you something?”

Despite his large movements, his tone was surprisingly polite, with a refined accent hinting at a knightly demeanor.

Still wary, Helena couldn’t hide her suspicious gaze. Sensing her apprehension, the man gestured soothingly with his hand.

“It’s nothing serious. Actually, I’ve been circling this area for two hours, unable to find my way back to my lodging.”

He laughed awkwardly and pointed upwards.

“My companion told me that when I see this green store, I should turn left,”

The man, reconfirming the green rooftop, suddenly became animated, explaining,

“But I’m confused if it’s left from where I was standing before, or left from here, or left from over there.”

He crossed his arms and tilted his head in thought. Helena internally agreed with his confusion.

‘Normally, you’d understand it as the direction from where you were first told.’

Sensing his unique sense of direction, Helena pointed left and right, explaining in more detail than usual.

“Your companion probably meant left from the store’s front. Going this way only leads to the sea. So, from where you’re standing now, left is correct.”

“No wonder I kept ending up at a sandy beach. I thought my companions had abandoned me overnight.”

The man chuckled and bent down to shake sand off his hem. Dry sand grains fell off in heaps.

A genuinely honest figure, his whole being seemed to scream, ‘This is who I am.’

“So, it’s this way, right?”

He rearranged his clothes and pointed in a new direction.

Helena recalled a saying from the Duke’s house: be wary of people whose insides match their outsides – they’re either fools or extremely calculating.

…The man in front of her seemed to lean towards the former.

She grabbed his arm, pointing it in the right direction.

“No, it’s this way.”

“Ah, I see. Hopefully, I’ll make it this time.”

His cheerful affirmation came naturally, without any hint of embarrassment.

Although she doubted it would be much help, Helena took out a map from her bag and gave it to him.

After reconfirming the direction with her, he disappeared briefly into an alley. When he reappeared, he was leading a horse.

Helena wasn’t an expert on horses, but it was clear this one was of a fine breed. Its large eyes were clear, and its golden mane gleamed, indicating well-maintained health.

The man hopped onto the saddle and caressed the horse’s flank.

“Helios, let’s go.”

The horse neighed softly in response. The man, his melancholic smile intact, thanked Helena.

“Thank you, kind miss.”

With a light pull on the reins, he urged the horse forward and galloped down the road. Fortunately, he was heading in the right direction.

Still, Helena watched the receding gold and blue of the horse’s tail, just in case he veered off course again.