Novel Finding My Freedom In Another World

Chapter 22

Spoiler

Chapter 22: A Little Closer

After Frei left his office, Sebastian talked a bit with Rena.

"I'm sorry, Miss Serena."

"It's alright. I know he might get angry at me." She shook her head, telling him not to worry.

She went back to the kitchen and helped Jack finishing all the works for today. Her day ended with her taking a bath and returned to her room, ready to sleep.

"Ahh, I'm tired..." She said that with face tinted with rosy red color.

Rena lay sideways on her bed, staring at the view outside the window. The two crescent moons facing at the opposite direction, one facing right and the other facing left.

"How pretty, the moons have a shade of purple color."

Her mind wandered again.

She started to understand a little about a man called Frei from their little dispute to what happened in this evening. Deep inside, he was delicate, and that made him easily got hurt. Perhaps that's why he was afraid to show his true self.

"I'm not saying that I'm not afraid what he is going to do to me..." Rena talked to herself.

"But he really has a bad eating habit..." She talked to herself. "A healthy mind needs a healthy body after all. To repay his kindness, at least, I could help him gets a healthy body!"

Rena covered herself with blanket and closed her eyes, but after a few hours, she woke up and couldn't fall back to sleep. Her stomach felt uneasy because she ate late.

"Maybe fresh night air will help me sleep better..." She got up from the bed.

She closed the door slowly. Everyone had gone to sleep, leaving a few who had a night watch duty. Her steps in the corridor sounded louder than usual, and she went up to the deck.

An old man watching the rudder, if she's not mistaken, his name was Bango. He sat on the floor, leaning his back on the rudder with his head hung down, there was an empty bottle near his hand. She could hear a loud snore from him.

Rena went to the opposite direction, walking to the front deck. She could get a full view of the sky from here. On the side of the ship were the two crescent moons, and as she looked above her head, millions of stars were decorating the night sky, just like a fairy dust.

"Whaa, amazing! I've never seen the night sky as clear as this before!"

She was happy seeing beautiful scenery like this. Suddenly feeling a little silly, she walked to the bow of the ship, extending her hands, mimicking a famous scene of a certain movie, and said, "I'm flying!"

She giggled a little, enjoying this moment. Finally, she got a chance to do this!

"What are you doing?" A voice came from behind her.

Her body jolted, she turned around quickly. Frei was behind her, giving her a funny look. She quickly lowered her hands, hiding them behind her body.

"N-no-no-nothing!" Her face was beet red, being caught in an embarrassing act.

"I just want to remind you that's dangerous."

"Y-yeah!! I won't repeat it again!"

"Alright."

He turned around, walked to the side of the ship and leaned his arms on the rails.

(Why is he here?!)

Both of them were quiet. It was an awkward situation.

(I should go back, no, I should talk to him. How about if he is still angry? Isn't this a good time to talk about it? No, definitely should go back. Mayday, Mayday, Mayday!)

In the end, Rena was only standing there like a stick figure, with a silly expression on her face.

It was Frei who opened the conversation "Couldn't sleep?"

She startled. "Yeah. You too...?"

"Mmh." is

And another long silence, being replaced by the sound of the wind whispering in her ears.

"Eh, uh... I'll go back then."

"Wait." Frei stopped her.

She looked at his figure from behind. "Y-yes?"

Rena was standing still, feeling more and more awkward. Finally, she couldn't endure the suffocating silence between them.

"If... If you have something to say, just say it!"

"It would be a better view up there." He said, pointing at the highest mast on the ship.

"Eh?" For a second, she didn't understand what he's saying.

"The stars, you can have a better view from up there."

"Uh, that's a little..."

"If you want, I'll take you there."

"H-how? I don't see any way to go there besides climbing." She wasn't convinced. The mast ladder was made from thin wooden boards and ropes.

"Piggyback~"

"No, thanks. I can climb it myself." She quickly refused it, the way he said it annoyed her.

"You sure?" A slight grin appeared on his face.

After saying it, she couldn't back up. She thought she could do it, so she climbed the mast with vigor, step by step. Frei was following behind her. The higher she climbed, the more nervous she got, there wasn't any safety gear, she would get broken bones at least or die at worse.

(Uweeee!! It's so high!)

"Just keep looking up, don't look down."

"I know that already! It's easier to say than done!"

She estimated her current position was at least 20 meters above the deck.

(Just a bit more! You can do it! Why's the wind so strong? Wait, isn't he behind me?! How about my panties?! Eh, what am I thinking right now?!)

She tried to concentrate, repeating self-motivation words in her mind. Slowly but sure, she reached the platform up there.

"F-finally...."

Rena was mentally exhausted after reaching the top. Never in her life, had she done something like this. She still couldn't figure how she ended up taking up his offer to climb up here out. That reckless gut just spurt in a brief of moment.

The ship's rocking was more intense up here than on the deck, and the wind was strong. She clung to the railing with both hands, gripping it tightly. The deck couldn't be seen clearly because of the dark.

"This, this is definitely in the top 10 of the craziest thing I do in life! How am I supposed to get down after this..." Her eyes fixed to the deck below, she realized her legs were trembling.

Frei smoothly climbed to the lookout platform and stood next to her. When she saw the happy-looking guy which until just before looked down, she shot him with an angry look, realizing he must have planned something again. Her hands clenched the railing, resolving herself not to fall into his trap.

"Calm down, come on sit here." He said.

There was a rope near his feet, Frei moved it, so she could sit. She lowered her body carefully, and sat there, bending her knees. He quickly sat next to her.

"How is it? It's better right?" He pointed at the sky above their head.

Not effected by her mix of emotions; annoyed, nervous, and amazed, was the world full of stars. The lights from the moons which reflected on the sea gave a soft purple hue on its surface.

"Yeah..." She loosened a little as her eyes looked at the stars above their heads.

Frei lifted his hand, pointing at the group of stars. "That's Carina constellation."

"And that one is Draco, if you connected the dots, it looks like a dragon."

He seemed well-known about astronomy. She quietly listened to what he said. Even back on Earth, she didn't know anything about astronomy. She only knew twelve constellations which often appeared in the weekly horoscope. She watched his expression from the side, Frei's eyes gazing at the stars were more honest than what she had seen from him so far. He looked genuinely happy.

She was a little surprised when he turned his head, looking at her. "Do you like stars?"

"Not as much as you do. I just love how pretty they are." She answered honestly.

Rena moved her gaze up there, and then a familiar tune played in her mind.

"Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are..."

The song slipped from her mouth spontaneously. She stopped when she realized what she just did. It was a habit she was trying to control, singing lines from a song she knew, just because it matched with the situation. She wasn't aware of it until Jun mentioned it.

"Why do you stop?" He turned his head. "I've never heard that song before. Is that from your hometown?"

"Yeah..." She nodded, but she got nervous again. The talk about her identity was something she wanted to avoid.

"Tell me more about it. What kind of place do you live before this?" Frei's attention was completely focused on her now.

"Uhm, I'm not really good at telling a story..." Rena fixed her gaze on the far distance sea, but she wasn't particularly looking at anything.

"Just share as much as you are comfortable with. It's fine if you don't want to speak about it." He said.

When he wasn't teasing her, the way Frei spoke always had the effect to calm her. She actually liked listening to his voice, but it was her secret that she would never tell him. Compared to looking his striking physical features, she just wanted to close her eyes, and listening to him talking.

After giving some thoughts, she decided it wouldn't hurt talking a little about her world, telling him nothing too specific. She decided to talk about the seasons and what she did when the season changed. Like when spring came, the pink cherry blossoms bloomed and they gathered to watch the flowers. At the peak of summer, they gathered to watch fireworks. And when the leaves turned red in Autumn, they gathered the dry leaves, lit fire, and roasted sweet potatoes. And when the winter came, they made a lot of celebrations to spend time with family, friends, or lover.

"Heh, it does sound like a peaceful place." He commented after listening to what she said.

Perhaps because of the atmosphere that she felt more open about herself. Watching the deep dark sky full of stars, she remembered words from a long time ago, the night made people more honest. Somehow, she felt the truth now.

She looked at the guy sitting next to her. "You can also share as much as you are comfortable with?"

He didn't say anything for a while, only looking straight at the sky above.

"You are a weird girl. That's my honest impression of you."

"Huh?! Okay then?? Thanks for being honest." Her voice carried a little sarcastic tone, but she wasn't really mad.

He chuckled. "I couldn't figure where you came from, does the place you described truly exist? You behaved unlike others, you possessed mysterious power, and you never ceased to surprise me. Who are you really, Rena?"

"I..." She stopped her words, not able to answer him.

"Jean said you have amnesia, that's a lie, right? You are fully aware of your identity." His voice was still gentle, not trying to blame or judge her.

She bit her lips, looking down.

"Well, I don't really care what you are trying to hide. Everybody has some secrets they don't want to tell others."

"You too?" She peered into his eyes.

"Yeah." He smiled. A kind gentle smile, but carried a hint of sadness.

Rena couldn't ask anything about it, so she’s just waiting for him to continue his words. But when Frei spoke again, he had changed the topic.

"I'm sorry I didn't finish your dish earlier."

She snapped back from her thought. "It's, it's alright! Please, don't bother about it. It's my fault anyway, you've told me about it and I still gave you one!"

"You deceived me to eat one."

"I'm sorry!" She started panicking.

"Punishment~"

"I-it was Sebastian's idea!"

"But you did it." He said. "Close your eyes, Rena."

"W-why..." Her body moved back a little, trying to take some distance from Frei.

"Don't ask."

She closed her eyes, barely. Peeking with one eye slightly opened, she lowered her head to cover it. Her eyebrows knitted so close together, making her nose wrinkled. Her mind was racing at what he might do to her. She just hoped he wouldn't throw her from this lookout tower.

(He wouldn't do it, right? Right? His role is Mr. Gentleman, not a psychopath serial killer!)

Frei leaned toward her, she could feel he slowly getting closer. Then, something soft touched her forehead. She opened her eyes in surprise, not moving. Her heart stopped for a second.

"I just cast a spell on you." He slyly smiled at her.

"Stop teasing me!" She pouted, her cheeks slightly blushing realizing Frei just kissed her forehead.

He tilted his head. "You don't like me?"

"No, that's not it..." She avoided his gaze, started feeling the space around them was too cramped.

(Mayday, Mayday, Mayday!)

Frei moved, placing his face in her line of sight. "Rena, what do you think of me?"

"Eh, I... I think you are a good person... I owe you a lot..."

"Only that?"

"You seem popular with women..." She stole a glance at him, wanting to know his reaction.

"Well, that's true." He confidently stated his words. His eyes were looking directly at her, with a smirk on his face.

"T-then, then, then... Please, spare this one! This one is not worthy of your attention!"

(Why do you want me anyway?! That doesn't make any sense! There are tons of fish which are bigger and tastier than me ready to offer themselves for your dinner!)

She shut her eyes tightly, barricaded her eyes from the smile who could make Rapunzel jumped from the tower into his arms instead of lowering her hair.

*pffft*

"You make a funny face." He laughed a little.

Hearing his laugh, Rena opened her eyes.

(He teased me again...)

"I'm sorry, but if I have a say on this matter, please only do this with the person you love." She puckered her lips, looking sideways. "It isn't my business if you do this with other girls, but I'm not one of them, and I don't want to be treated like that."

Frei leaned his head to where her gaze directed, still wearing his alluring smile. "I like you though?"

"What's your definition of like?" She looked at him suspiciously, after all, this guy's approach was too frivolous.

"I want you on my bed." He said it in a way she couldn't decide whether it was serious or just teasing her, with that naughty smile on his face.

"Argh!! I knew it! Again, it has nothing to do with me if you act like this with other girls, but I don't want to be your toy!" She glared at him, and the next moment, she flicked his forehead that normally she wouldn't be able to touch.

"Ouch! What was that?" He said.

"I also cast a spell on you! You'll regret it if you keep messing with me!"

"Really? That sounds like a challenge to me." His eyes suddenly glow like a predator, showing a king of the night smile.

Sensing the danger, she curled up like an armadillo and shouted. "No, no, no! We have agreed on this! I won the bet!"

Looking at her funny state, he wanted to laughed, but he managed to hold it. Rena lifted her head a little, throwing a cautious look on him. One girl, one guy, looking at each other, surrounded by the sea of stars around them.

Frei broke the silence in the end. "Okay then. But I won't let go of you easily, no matter what your feeling. Like you said, you owe me a lot, Rena. I expect you to repay me someday."

She gulped. His daunting smile bud a lot of questions in her mind. She realized he could force her to do what he wanted, but he never did. He was always nice, even though he liked making her flustered.

(What exactly does he want to do with me?)

Frei withdrew his body, returned to his place earlier, and turning his head to look at the dark horizon glittered by the stars.

"Can you sing that song again?"

"Eh..."

"The stars song you sang earlier, I want to hear it once again."

Rena stared at him for a while, she always got confused every time she was with Frei. She couldn't understand him at all. A part of her wanted to know him better, but he kept himself shut tight, hiding behind his smile.

She inhaled a deep breath.

And then she opened her mouth, singing the song. The starry sky twinkling above their heads. When she felt the side of her body getting heavier and when she looked over her shoulder, she saw he had fallen asleep. She didn't wake him up.

Rena cast a simple protection shield, deflecting the wind around them. It would be bad if they both caught a cold the next morning. She gazed at the scenery above her head, humming the stars song until she joined him in the lull of the night.

---

 

Chapter 23

Spoiler

"Rena, wake up."

Someone pinched her nose.

"Uhmmm...!"

She wanted to sleep more but the uncomfortable sensation in her nose wouldn't let her. She was shaking her head trying to break free, but she still couldn't breathe properly.

"Fwaaah!"

Finally, she opened her mouth, annoyed, being forcefully woken up. Sensing his presence was close by, in her half-awaken state, she shoved her hand to his face.

"Stop it!"

"Ouch!" Frei shouted.

Rena squinted her eyes, trying to focus. Her vision was filled with the figure of a blonde guy rubbing his cheek after receiving her attack. The sky in the background was still colored with indigo although the shade slowly changed to yellow in the east.

"Good morning, Rena." He said with a light refreshing tone.

She recalled the memory from last night as why she ended up sleeping here. She moved, stretching her stiff body, the result of sleeping in an uncomfortable place all night long. Unfortunately, the space didn't allow much freedom to do that. Frei stood, offering his hand to help her stand.

Come on, it's sunrise. You don't want to miss it."

She grabbed the hand offered to her. Frei pulled her body, helping her to stand.

"Right, sun rises every day." She said, half-yawning. Her tone showed that she was still annoyed.

"Hehe, Rena has morning temper." He chuckled looking at her state.

"What do you mean by that?" She frowned.

"You are the type of person who wake up grumpy every morning."

"And whose fault is that? You fell asleep here last night and then you rudely woke me up!"

"Ok, I'll do it gently next time." He rubbed his nose on the side of her head.

She moved her head, trying to avoid him.

"That's not the point! And there's no next time!" Throwing him a sullen look.

"But I want to watch sunrise together with you." A carefree smile appeared on his fresh complexion.

That smile was as bright as the soft golden sun peeked over the horizon. She dazed for a moment before realizing the sun had risen and it ‘literally’ made him bright. His slightly wavy hair which had the color of the sun itself caught the light that shone upon him, made him seem glowing.

The light got brighter, slowly enveloping the world; touching the sky, the sea, and everything in sight with its warm presence.

"This was the first time in a while I could sleep that long." He made a confession.



Rena took a glance at him, remembering she met him last night on the deck.



(So, not only eating problem, he had sleeping problem as well…)



He definitely looked fresh and energetic right now. Also, that mischievous side of him had been refreshed.

"I want to see Sebastian's reaction hearing that his master likes sleeping in a crow's nest than a bed."

"Haha..." He gave a weak laugh and then said, "It's not where, but who."

"Here you go again." She made a wry smile, hearing that cheesy line.

"You've also put the barrier here, protecting us from the wind all night long. It's amazing how you improve this much in one week."

"Jean is a good teacher." She said. "This is also a good practice maintaining my barrier when I'm sleeping."

"Hee, then for the hard-working Rena, I'll give you present. Is there anything you want?"

"No, not really." She replied quickly.

"You should be more greedy."

She thought for a while, if any, she only wanted to get money. It would be hard for her to find a job in the city without troubling everyone around her, so she was thinking of this possibility for a while, and now was a good time to bring about it.



Frei definitely upped to something, she didn’t know whether it was good or bad, but she wanted to have option to refuse and run away. She must get back her freedom.

She gripped her clothes, mustering her courage. "Then, if I made something in the future, could I use your company to sell it?"

"Oh? What do you want to sell?"

"I don't know yet, but it would be easier for me to get money if you let me do that."

"You want to get away from me, huh?"

"Mmm..." She didn't deny it.

"Fine, I want to see what you can do too. I'll give you permission to sell whatever you made. So, how will we share the profit?"

"W-well, I want to get the royalty or whatever I deserve."

"You'll get taken advantage if you act like that. Be more decisive." A teasing smile appeared on his face.

"Say the one who wants to take advantage of me the most!" She shouted.

"Hahaha..." He burst into laughter.



It made Rena couldn’t move her gaze from him. She didn’t realize she was captivated by that carefree expression of him.

"Hey, what are you doing up there?!! It's not a place to play!!" Captain Fawkes shouted from below.

Because the sun had risen, people started waking up one by one. Captain Fawkes who just stepped on the deck, quickly noticed the non-crew members standing on the lookout platform. His words made everyone looking up, noticing the two figures.

"We're just enjoying scenery, Captain! Give us a sec!" Frei shouted back.

"Ah?! B-boss?!! Ne-nevermind what I said, please enjoy your time there!"

"Thank you captain." He threw his gentleman smile to the captain who quickly left them.

(Is it alright for a captain to act like that?)

She made a worried face, looking at the figure of the number one person in the ship, getting easily persuaded.

"Well, I think it's time for us to get down. Oh..."

Rena looked at him, when he stopped speaking. Frei was looking at the west direction.

"We're almost arrived at Valia." He said.

"Eh?" She turned her head to the west.

From the distance, she could see a solid dark shadow forming the shape of a land. The ship was heading to that direction.

"There are still some time before the ship entered the port. Let's get ready."

Frei took the grappling hook, attached it to the rail, and took his shirt off.

"What are you doing?!" She lowered her sight, couldn't help but blush a little.



His sly smile appeared, noticing her flustered face. Frei lowered his head and spoke closely to her. “You are afraid going down, right? Moreover, do you want people down there to see your panties?”



“Pervert! Y-you did see it last night!” Rena got even redder.



“It was flaunted on me. You should be the one who is more conscious about it.”



She couldn't reply back because what he said was true. She just remembered about it halfway to the top. But it was also dark… She thought he wouldn’t be able to see it.



(Men really made an extra effort for this thing…) She chewed her lips.



Satisfied with the expression she made, he spoke again. “Don’t worry, I won’t let others see it.”

He wrapped his shirt on one hand and then lifting her. She quickly wrapped her arms around his neck tightly, inhaling his familiar scent.

"Hold on, tight."

Frei grabbed the rope, put his legs around it, and the next moment, they descend down fast. Rena closed her eyes and when she heard the thump sound, they have landed on the deck.

"That was exciting, wasn't it?" He said.

"...A little." She avoided his gaze, looking sideways.



Her heart was beating fast, excited with the rollercoaster ride she just experienced.

Rena wasn't aware of the gaze of Captain Fawkes and the ship crews, looking at them like they saw a pair of lovey-dovey lover. For them, who had known him for a long time, Frei never showed any display of affection with particular women in public.



He put her down on the ground and she rushed back to her room. It was morning after all, and she must help Jack in the kitchen and prepared breakfast for Frei. When she brought him food, hearing she always ate with Jack, he told her to eat together with him from now on.



“Fine. If you promise me that you’ll learn not to be picky anymore.” She said.



“Then you should make a dish that I can’t refuse.” He replied



“…How about the meat?”



“I’ll try. As long as you’re the one making it.”



And that how she ended up spending more time with him.



After they’re done eating, Frei took her to wake Jean up. It turned out her teacher was a nocturnal type. He was pissed being woken up. But since they almost arrived at Valia Kingdom, he had no choice but to wake up.

They went outside again together. This time, Rena saw what was before only a silhouette from afar.

The waves crashing on the giant cliff carved with hundreds man-made holes, functioning as windows and gun ports, rows of metal cannons lining up in the cliff, ready to shoot down any invader coming from the sea. The ivory-color cliff, as high as seven story building, stretched out as far as a river, had several watch towers built on top of it. Basked in the morning light, made the visage of this invincible giant fortress even grandeur. In the past, people who lived in this area had dug the rock for many many years, changing the giant rock into a natural fortress. Now, the place had served to become the naval base of Valia Kingdom's Marine Force. All the ships went to Valia Kingdom from the East Continent would be greeted by this spectacular yet intimidating view.

"Whoa... Amazing! How many cannons are there?" Her eyes widened looking at the scenery in front of her.

"In total there are 1211 cannons installed, with 756 normal cannons, 158 giant cannons, and 299 magic cannons, ready to shoot at any given time." Jean replied.

"Haha... What a terrifyingly precise information." She laughed weakly.

Frei chuckled looking at her.

The sea starting to narrow, now the ship entering a small strait, on the right was the fortress island, Fort Forenza, and on the left was the cliff from the mainland.

"So Rena, this place is called Fort Forenza. One of the pillars of Valia Kingdom's military power, from here on, we're entering Valia's territory." He smiled.

"Welcome to the West Continent."

 

Title is 'Welcome to the West Continent'?

 

Eh? The chapter title is on the first page. Sorry, I forgot to put it inside the chapter! Ch23: Dawn.

 

Chapter 24

Spoiler

Chapter24: The Value of Her Debt

"That's a Unicorn, isn't it?"

Her fascinated gaze was following the carriage that just passed them.

"Correct, Rena. Finally, something you know."

"Stop teasing me." She pouted.

Rather than a horse carriage, it would be better to call it a unicorn carriage.

The ship just docked a moment ago at Fort Forenza, Valia Kingdom. After preparing his breakfast, Rena went to the town with Frei and Mirra. She had told him earlier that she wanted to go to the town. So, Frei who had a few things to do there brought along the girls with him.

"Hmm, it's very different from Tawarr." Mirra said.

"Yeah, people in the East Continent like using Cuckoobo as a means of transportation, while here, they prefer to use Unicorn, the creature has a gentle temperament, the stability of four legs animal, and elegance."

The city was neat and organized, not only the roads, the area was also divided into separate sections, the commerce area and the private housing area. Frei who was their guide, patiently explaining stuff the girls found interesting.

Their first destination was the Merchant Guild.

They walked to the main plaza, where important buildings were located. The merchant guild's building was next to the city hall, easily spot with its flashy appearance. The signboard on top of the entrance was made of iron plate painted with gold, encasing wealth which associated with this occupation.

{ Valia Kingdom Merchant Guild }
-Fort Forenza Branch-

When they entered the building, they were welcomed by a refreshing citrus scent and a person offering assistance. They were guided inside the lobby and be seated in one of the sofas there. The merchant guild was busy, at least ten other merchants were there, but instead waiting in line in front of receptionist desk, they sat on the sofa, waiting to be called.

The atmosphere was calm and relaxed, the lobby was bright and clean. The floor was made of white marble, and expensive carpets placed on it. The large crystal chandelier hung in the center of the room was reflecting the sunlight that penetrated the room from the windows above. Fresh flowers were put on each of the tables there.

When Rena and Mirra were shocked looking at such luxury, the person who greeted them at the entrance returned, carrying welcome drinks for them. Assessing her surrounding and the treatment they received, there was one place she could associate with.

(Isn't this like a five-star hotel?)

Mirra grabbed her drink and gulped it right away. “Yumm! Refreshing!”

Watching Mirra’s reaction made her wanted to try it as well.

“Go ahead, just drink it.” Frei said.

“You are not drinking it?” She asked.

“Hmm, alright. I’ll drink it first.”

He took the glasses in front of him and gave one to her. She held it with both hands while watching him drinking the liquid, even the way he held his glass and drank it looked elegant. Rena lifted the fancy glass which had the blue color liquid, the edge of the glass touched her lips and she sipped it.

(Ohh… It tastes like orange juice!)

Even a simple taste of orange juice made her happy, reminiscence of her life on earth where she drank orange juice every morning. She smiled looking at the drink on her palms. Only Mirra who noticed the change in Frei's expression when looking at her friend who was drinking the blue color liquid excitedly.

Finally, it was Frei's turned to be called. He stood from the sofa, and with a long stride, walking toward the mature beauty behind the desk. Rena and Mirra were following him.

The receptionist lady with wavy auburn hair spoke, "Frei, I have a bad news for you. An official request from the kingdom had come to detain your ship. You can't leave Valia until the problem is solved."

Rena frowned, but Frei didn’t seem to be surprised by the news.

"Ok, I understand, Theresa. Is there anything more?" He said.

"No, not really." Theresa replied.

"Then this is the list of goods I brought from Tawarr.” He placed a sheet of parchment on the desk. “Also, can I meet with the Guild Master?"

"Yes, let me talk to the Guild Master first. Please, wait a moment."

Theresa went inside the door behind the desk.

"What's wrong?" Rena said, after hearing their conversation.

"Just an expected problem. I need to stay here for a few days, taking care of this." He said.

When the door behind the desk was opened again, Theresa returned to her desk.

"The Guild Master said he is available tomorrow after 2 pm. Please come back tomorrow, Frei."

"Ok, thank you for your help, Theresa."

"I'm glad I can help you, please come here more often." Theresa twirled her hair, her cherry color lips formed a flirtatious smile.

"I'll be here for a few days." Frei returned her smile and then turned around, talking to Rena and Mirra. "Let's go, I'm done here for today."

They quit the Merchant Guild walking toward the busiest place in fort Forenza, the shopping district.

The town had many two stories houses with slanted rooftops with similar characteristics, but painted in many different colors, giving them a more distinctive feature. The round grey cobblestones, making nice clip-clop sounds when carriages passed by. Many of the passersby were wearing armors and carrying swords.

“Do you come here often?” Rena asked. Frei seemed familiar with the place already.

“Yeah, I come here a few times a year. The air here is cooler than where I come from, so I like to walk around here. I’ll show you some of the good spots later.”

“Hmm… What kind of place is Ardia Kingdom? Or the city you live in?”

Last night made her realized, she didn’t know anything about him at all. She never had a chance to chat with him. By his description, Ardia Kingdom seemed more humid than this place.

“You’ll see it when you arrive there.” He smiled a little.

They arrived at the shop that was filled with lines of jars, she peered the inside of the shop which reminded her of a confectionary shop. The bronze bell hung on top of the door made a ding ding sound when they entered.

"Welcome!" A dark hair guy wearing glasses greeted them.

Frei went to the counter, while the girls looking around the shop. Jars of fruit and vegetable pickles, cookies, and hard candies were placed neatly in rows and lines. Rena approached one of the racks. In front of her, a row of mason jars in the size of her palm had labeled on it, Golden Carica 5 bronzes/jar. Other rows were labeled Blue Apple Pickles 5 bronzes/jar, Crescent Pickles 3 bronzes/jar, Croc Tongues 5 bronzes/jar, Naga Truffles 4 bronzes/jar.

(Hmm, a jar is 4-5 bronzes each.)

She was calculating the price in her mind, converting the value to the price of a jar in her original world. She could hear Frei talked with the shopkeeper from this distance.

"Oh, is Cordelia not here?"

"Madam went to the capital yesterday. Do you have any business with her?"

"Not really, we're just acquaintances. I'm looking for some Slime Jelly.

"I'm sorry, we don't sell it this year. The harvest season this time is close to the Silver Blade Tournament, so all the supplies go to Ladylake. Do you want something else?"

"Right, I forgot, it's tournament year. It would be hard to find one then.”

He turned around, “Mirra, Rena, do you want something?"

"Yeah! I'll buy this then!" Mirra replied right away, snatching a star-shaped confetti jar, and ran to the counter.

“How about you, Rena?” He asked.

She shook her head. “Thanks, but I’m fine.”

After buying the sweets, they quit the shop.

"You're not buying any?" Rena who knew Frei had serious sweet tooth was interested why he didn’t buy any.

"Nah.”

They turned left, and about 200 meters from the crossroad section, they arrived at a wide three stories building with a big red sign, Marcie's. Rena had specifically request for them to go to a regular clothing store, even went through such length by asking Jean, relying on his detailed knowledge. She really just wanted normal clothes.

Inside the store, they were greeted by a woman who soon recommended some choices for them. Honestly, she was relieved since there were hundreds of clothes on display here, all in the form of gowns and dresses.

"Purple sis, which one is better? The blue one or the yellow one?"

Mirra was having more fun picking outfits than her, saying this was her first time to do this. Since she wasn't sure which one she wanted, Rena suggested they both helped each other selecting clothes, giving their honest opinions about the items.

"I think the yellow one matches the color of your eyes, Mirra."

This was a little activity she missed, shopping with friends. She was happy Mirra was also enjoying this activity.

Frei was sitting on the couch near the entrance, talking with the owner of the place. Sometimes, he took a glance at the girls who smiled happily, fitting their outfits.

She bought seven pieces of clothes with decent quality and it all cost her 2 silvers and fifty coppers. She insisted to buy them herself but severely rejected by Frei. He reasoned that it wouldn't be fair since he also bought some for Mirra. In the end, she was forced to comply. They quit the shop with both hands carrying bags.

"What's wrong, Rena?" Frei noticed Rena who was busy with her own thoughts.

Rena looked at him, wondering whether it was alright to ask him the question that had been bothering her mind. She knew they used bronze, silver, and gold as currencies here. Earlier at the sweets shop and the clothing store, she surveyed the price of the goods there. If one jar about 4-5 bronzes and she compared it to the price of the same jar in the earth, it would probably be 4-5 dollars.

1 bronze, 1 dollar. Her seven pieces of clothes of 2 silvers and 50 bronzes, probably cost around 250 dollars. So, 1 silver was the same as 100 bronzes which were around 100 dollars. She didn't know the value of gold yet.

"Uhm, it's nothing. The people here seem to have better living than the ones in Tawarr, I just wondered about how much they earned."

If she wanted to know the value of the gold currency, their personal incomes could give her a hint.

"Hmm, I paid 1 gold coin per month for a regular worker. It's good enough for their monthly necessities.”

"How many confetti jars you can buy with 1 gold coin?" Rena asked.

Frei stared at her curiously for a while and then said, "500 jars."

(That confetti jar is 5 bronze. So... 1 gold coin is 2500 bronzes? 2500 dollars?)

(Wait, how much is it the price he bought me at the auction house?)

She tried to recall the memory from back then and her face turned ashen.

"Rena?" Frei stared at her.

Mirra who walked beside her also tilting her head, puzzled. "Purple sis, are you sick?"

She didn't care about both of them now, their voices sounded very far. Right now, she only wanted to dig a well and jumped into it, never coming out again.

(Asdasdasd TWO AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS?!! Are you kidding me?!!)

(How am I going to get that much money?! Selling myself?! Wait, I’m sold already!
It would be easier to seduce him than collecting that much money... Wait, what am I thinking?!)

"Rena!"

Frei pinched her cheek, but she still didn't budge.

"Hmmmph!!"

He pinched her nose, and her survival instinct distracted her thought, looking for air.

"What are you doing?! Stop it! I don't like it!"

She tried to push Frei's hand that pinching her nose with both of her hands.

"Are you alright, sis?"

Frei and Mirra looked at her with a concerned look on their face.

"No, ah, yeah, I'm alright." She forced a smile.

(No, how can I be alright after realizing 2,5 million dollars is the value I owe to this guy!)

"...Let's find a place to rest first."

Frei seemed to decide that she wasn't alright.

"No, it's okay, I told you I'm alright." Rena pulled his sleeve.

"I want to rest, there's a fountain park nearby."

He grabbed the shopping bags she carried.

"C'mon, purple sis, let's rest a little." Mirra said, holding her hand.

Rena smiled at her and they both following Frei who led them to a nice spot in the town. It was a small fountain park at the side of the road, the shade from the buildings surrounding the park protected them from the sun, flower bushes and trees were surrounding the park. Rena sat at the edge of the fountain with Mirra, eating the star shaped confetti they bought earlier.

After some time had passed, she finally spoke to Frei, "A lot of guys are wearing armors and carrying weapons here, I didn't see any at Tawarr."

Frei was standing nearby, leaning his back on the tree.

"Yeah, this is Valia Kingdom, the country of knights and warriors. It was normal to carry a weapon everywhere. But generally, the weapon regulation is easier in West Continent. Normal citizens could easily buy weapons without a permit. They could work as mercenaries, bounty hunters, or adventurers."

"Adventurers, eh..."

That word was familiar to her ears.

"What does an adventurer do?" She asked, wanted to match her knowledge from earth with the real situation here.

"They do any work depending on requests, like hunting pests, such as goblins or cockrorcs, collecting materials, or you could hire them as bodyguards as well. Basically, they are hired laborers. Sometimes, I also outsourced them."

"Oh... Can anyone become an adventurer?"

"Well, the job has low requirements, so yeah, almost anyone can become an adventurer. Actually, a lot of mercenaries and bounty hunters are also adventurers. The system was originally created to reduce unemployment, so people who couldn't secure a permanent job can make a living."

"I see...”

She thought that was a good system, instead of becoming a burden to the government, they could work for themselves.

“Then… Can an adventurer make a good living?"

"Ehm." Frei thought for a while. "You probably need to sweat blood to make a good living out of it, it was rare for people to solely depend on their income from being an adventurer."

He looked at her as he continued speaking, "As I said, the job has low requirements, it means low payments as well. Sometimes, there are good requests which pay well, but to get such a request, you need to accumulate experiences; your track record of completing requests, but even with all those experiences, it didn't guarantee you to get the work. Whoever faster gets the work. It is common for adventurers to fight over a request in the back alley."

"...You make it sound less interesting."

"And you sound like you are interested. I'm not letting you become one."

"Who said I want to become one?" Rena raised her tone.

"You are thinking about it already." He quickly replied.

(Well, if they could get a lot of money then maybe.)

"It doesn't mean I want to become one. I just want to know what they do.” She threw him a sour look.

“Purple sis! Do you like the confetti?”Mirra meddled in, realizing the two people started to get heat up.

“Yeah, I like it. Thank you for sharing it with me, Mirra.”

“It’s nothing. You always give me food too. I think the sweets you made are still better though.”

“Hehe, I'll make more later then." Rena smiled.

“The cookies last time were especially good, right?” Mirra nudged Frei with her elbow.

“Yeah, it’s good.” Frei said awkwardly.

(Wait, is this the first time he praised my food?)

She didn’t know why she got embarrassed by this, her cheeks turned pink.
Because he never praised her cooking before, the impact of saying it was much bigger. She glanced down looking at her shoes, the tip slightly moving, showing her nervousness.

Only Mirra who realized the two’s awkwardness, but she was still too green to understand the atmosphere. She was glad this move was effective. This was the trick she learned when her parents were quarreling. She hummed when chewing her confetti.

Their awkward silence was broken when Frei spoke again, "I think we have enough rest, shall we go now?”

"Uhm, right! I want to go to a bookstore! I want to buy some books!" Rena stood up abruptly.

When he looked at her unnatural behavior, he wanted to tease her, but Frei was holding himself so far because of Mirra. So he casually asked Rena, "What book do you want to buy?”

"Magic book." Rena answered right away.

"You know, Rena. They don't sell that kind of books in the bookstore. If you just want to read a regular book that’s a different matter. I have many of them, you don't need to buy it."

Since Frei was taller, she looked up to see his face. "Is it alright if I borrow it?"

"Sure, I don't mind."

Rena was satisfied to be able to read books soon. She sincerely replied with a smile, "Thank you. I'll borrow it later."

Frei stopped blinking when that smile was directed at him. Rena never genuinely smiled at him. The corner of his lips raised up reflexively, mimicking her expression.


---

Note: To simplify thing, I just used USD, not JPY as a comparison. >.>

Extra: Frei's Interview

Spoiler

A-san: Ok, Detective Rena, how's the result of the investigation?

Rena: A-san! Why do I need to do this?!

A-san: For money, right? Come on, give me his body type, height and sizes first.

Rena: Umm... I think Frei has slender built, he didn't look muscular at first sight. His height around 185 cm, 96-75-90. Geez, it was so embarrassing asking this! He kept trying to give me his size down there too! Arrrghh!

A-san: Hahaha. How about his physical characteristics?

Rena: His golden hair had a slightly wavy texture. I'm not sure about hairstyles, I think he had a long fringe... A grown out layers style? He has hair that looks good when the wind blow it... He had a deep set of eyes with sea green color. And surprisingly, long eyelashes when you look at him from a close distance. Hmm, straight nose and...*ummmph!!*

Frei: So, this is what are you doing sneaking behind my back?

A-san: Oh, is it Frei? I'm sorry I am the one who made her gathering your personal information. Don't blame her, please.

Frei: A-san, is it? You can ask me directly about this. I can give you more details information than Rena. *whisper whisper* Rena's voice in the background: umpphhh!

A-san: (I wonder what are they doing there...) So, Frei... Since you're here already, do you mind to answer some questions?

Frei: I don't mind at all. It's better to ask me directly than sneaking around like this.

A-san: I'm sorry, I thought you're the secretive type. I tried to contact you last time and the line was hung.

Frei: Oh, really? That must be because the connection is bad.

A-san: (Nah, the connection is fine.) So, can we start by introducing yourself?

Frei: Sure. I'm Frei, owner of Almsteinn Trading Company. Nearly ten years ago I, succeeded the business from my father, Almsteinn. Since then, I successfully grow the company and made it as one of the biggest businesses in Ardia Kingdom.

A-san: That's wonderful... So young so successful. Btw, how old are you?

Frei: I was born in early spring 24 years ago in Ardia Kingdom.

A-san: Are you married yet?

Frei: No, I'm not.

A-san: People marry early there, right? Why are you still single?

Frei: Too many choices~

A-san: Heeh, there's no one special for you?

Frei: No.

A-san: What's your type of girl?

Frei: Pretty.

A-san: Eh, that's so generic. Then what do you think of Rena?

Frei: My precious~ Rena's voice in the BG: Ummpph!!*

A-san: (Where did I hear that line before...) Your precious, eh?

Frei: Indeed.

A-san: Ok, this is a question from Ikaze. You seem oddly possessive toward Rena from the get go (love at first sight?). Are you like this to all girls or is there any other reason?

Frei: Oddly possessive? She's my possession. Who are you anyway?

A-san: Eh, eh, calm down!

Frei: I'm always calm.

A-san: Oh, yeah... You're right. (It suddenly becomes chill...). He's a fan who's just worried about Rena.

Frei: Just for your knowledge, she is living a life that would make girls, commoners or not, jealous. She works because she wants to, not because she must. I provide all her basic necessities and more. She didn't need to worry about being forced into marriage, and I never forced her against her will. Let me ask you back, what do you think will happen to her if other men bought her?

A-san: Ok, ok. I understand. So, how about the other question? Are you always like this to all the girls?

Frei: No, I don't act like that with other girls. You see, Rena is fun to tease, she is very animated. It's fun looking the change in her expressions. Usually, girls only care how they look around me. Their reaction is template just like those fantasy series.

A-san: Fantasy series?! How do you know about that?

Frei: I read many books.

A-san: But still... That kind of books isn't supposed to be there.

Frei: Heh, we also have people who love writing fantasy stories.

A-san: I see, so you like reading this kind of stories as well. Mind to tell us your favorite series?

Frei: My favorite series is C'est La Vie.

A-san: What's the story about?

Frei: It's about a noble who went to another world gathering harem, but he ended up working everyday only for his money being used to pay child support and legal charges. Interesting, right?

A-san: .......Ok, thanks for answering the questions.

Frei: You're welcome. Ok, Rena, punishment time. *yadaaa!!*

 

Chapter 25

Spoiler

Chapter 25: Finding A Potion Book

Senka, can you go to the capital tomorrow and get me some Slime Jelly? It was a request from Angelo."

No answer coming from the other person, but then Frei said, "Thank you."

Rena was just about to knock the door when she heard their conversation. The door was half opened.

"Excuse me, I bring your lunch." She said, making her presence known.

They returned to the ship just a while ago after they went to the town. Rena quickly made something for Mr. Picky Eater and came to his office.

"Ok, Senka, that's all I ask. You can go now." Frei said.

It was only Frei and Senka in the room. Two figures of good-looking guys with contrasting personality were looking at her now. Senka was standing in front of the desk, while Frei was sitting behind it. In her heart, she was admiring the view in front of her right now.

Rena smiled at Senka who was leaving the room, but he quickly avoided her gaze. When he walked past her, she turned her head a little, stealing a glance at him. He was wearing a cold expression and his gaze fixed on the door. The way he walked reminded her of a soldier, discipline was ingrained in every bit of his movement. She only saw Senka a couple of times and never interacted with him, but had heard from Mirra that he was teaching her some skills.

After Senka left, with only Frei and Rena in the room, Rena started feeling awkward. Usually, Sebastian always accompanied Frei, but he wasn't here this afternoon. She waited until Frei sat on his usual place and put the dish she made.

"Today is fried rice. It's a simple dish since I don't have much time to prepare for another food."

"It's okay, simple doesn't mean bad. Often times, the simple things are the best."

His reply made her smiled a little.

But, Frei didn't touch his food. When she kept standing there, waiting for him to eat the dish, he spoke, "Rena... Do you remember what I said this morning?"

"Y-yeah..." She looked down, moving her toes that were hidden inside the shoes. There was no Sebastian this time, eating together with just the two of them…

"Then why don't you sit here?" He ignored her nervousness. "Please? It's dull eating alone."

He really knew how to get his way, there was no way she could refuse when he said the magic word combined with alone. And at that moment, her stomach growled.

"See, your stomach is more honest than you." He tried to hold his laugh.

She puffed her cheeks, pouting. Frei couldn't hide his smile looking that pouting face.

"Come one, eat your food. Earlier you weren't feeling well, right?"

"I said I was okay."

"Stubborn girl."

It was a quiet and peaceful afternoon, they chatted a little, and then Rena brought the topic that she was waiting to say. She wanted to borrow some books from him.

"What kind of books are you interested in?" He asked.

She wanted to know a lot of things about this world, but first and foremost was about that famous wizard who had always been mentioned every time people saw her.

"Do you have any book about The Amethyst Wizard?"

"A few. He was a famous wizard and a ruler once, his name was recorded in the History of Kingdoms."

"Can I borrow that book then? And some other books?"

"Sure, although they are boring books without any relation to magic."

"I don't mind, it will still help me a lot."

He got up from his chair, walked to the shelves, pulling the book she wanted.
Judging from the way he moved smoothly when picking the books, he must have remembered all the contents of these books. He gave the books to Rena who received them with both hands.

"You never ceased to surprise me, Rena. It's harder to find someone who doesn't know about him than finding an adamantine."

"Umm..." She didn't know what to say, Frei had found out that she didn't have amnesia.

"Rest easy, I won't pressure you to talk. Like I said last night, just share as much as you're comfortable with."

She smiled a little, grateful for his understanding. If it was Jean, he definitely would chase her to the end of the world just for knowing the truth.




*knock* *knock*

"Boss, there are guards outside asking to check the ship."

Captain Fawkes's voice came from behind the door. It sounded urgent from the way he spoke.

Frei sighed a little. "Excuse me, Rena, I need to go for a moment. Help yourself with the books. If you find something interesting, I don't mind you to take it."

"Okay, thank you." She nodded.

He smiled at her before leaving the room.


After Frei closed the door, Rena had more freedom looking at his book collections. She scanned the bookshelves, pulling titles she took interest on, checked the contents and stacked them on the pile of books she was going to borrow if she found them useful.

And then, she pulled a dark blue cover book titled Deimos Almanack.

She furrowed her eyebrows after flipping the pages.

"Hmm??"

She looked at the book cover again, trying to match the content with the title. She had no idea what Deimos Almanack was about. But she knew an almanac was some sort of calendar. The content though, seemed more like a magic book, with runes and series of ingredients. All the books in this world were handwritten books, but this particular one had a lot of scribbles in it.

And then she noticed one of the contents there.

Skin Regeneration Potion
Ingredients:
- Saliva of fire salamander (haven't shed its skin yet )
- Plum Cherry (soaked overnight under the moonlight)
- ....

(This is a potion book!)

She would never forget what Jean had forced her to drink that night.

Rena grabbed the book, and hastily left the room carrying a pile of books. Because of her excitement, she rushed back to her cabin and dropped the books she carried a few times on the way there.

*Bam!*

She closed the door in the room, placed the books on the bed, and opened the potion book. The more she read the book, the more she realized, it was like a cooking recipes book. The first notable difference was brewing potions required infusing a spell in the liquid. Second, some ingredients were using parts of magic plants or magic beasts, unlike normal cooking.

Trying to find something she could try, she spent hours reading the book.

and then decided she was going to make a Small Recovery Potion. The ingredients were simple and she had seen them in the pantry.

and later that night when everyone was sleeping, she sneaked into the kitchen. She moved quietly as she opened the creaking pantry door.

"Ok, the rootberry roots checked, clovis checked, what else? Ah, pomegrenade."

After collecting all the ingredients, she followed the instructions on the potion book. Boiling hot water, squeezing the juice, mixing the ingredients in the pot, and finally, stirring while chanting the spell, pouring her magic power. It took her quite a while and she started feeling sleepy, but soon the liquid started glowing red. When the glowing stopped, the liquid also stopped bubbling.

Now, there was only one problem. Testing the effect.

Rena took one sip of the liquid and tasted it. The moment she gulped it she felt her body was brimming with energy.

"Oh... It tasted better than the recovery potion I drank before. The fruits still tasted like an expired product but there isn't chili flavor mixed here! Hmm.... I wonder if I can add other ingredients here? I want to improve the taste. Will it change the effect of the potion?"

"Hmm, since I feel energized after drinking just a sip... Let's test it then."

Rena thought that it was just like cooking, balance the flavor the way she liked.

She took another pot and repeated the process, adding ingredients she thought would improve the taste, honey was her first selection. She tasted the liquid first before chanting. And after another hour, Rena's version of small recovery potion was done.

The color was slightly different than the first pot, the red was deeper in her version.

She took another sip and...

"Uwah!!"

A burst of over flowing energy surged through her entire body.

"The taste did improve, it's like grape juice now. But the effect was also enhanced!"

She looked at the second pot she made, a little troubled. Rena only wanted to improve the taste, but the effect was also improved. "Did I just make something amazing?"

She didn't know that she had made a premium grade Large Recovery Potion.

Perhaps because of her accumulated experience in cooking that she had acquired a good sense of balancing ingredients, perhaps she just unlocked a cheat skill, or perhaps it was just a pure luck. The only certain thing was she wouldn't escape from her teacher's devil claw when he learned that she made a potion without supervision and altered a recipe.

---

Note: I was planning to tell some details on Rena's daily life and exploring her world between the previous arc and the next arc. But I didn't think it would be this long... D:
I don't want to drag it any longer so... I'll begin writing the second arc next chapter.

 

Chapter 26

Spoiler

Chapter 26: Lions Push Their Cubs Off A Cliff

Between the road connecting Ladylake, the capital of Valia Kingdom, and Fort Forenza, there was a grassy plain famous for its breeding ground of monster called Valiant Bull. Conquering this monster often be used as a symbol of courage in the coming of age ceremony of Valian men. But once a year, this plain got a sudden increase of human visitors, searching not a glory, but a delicacy.

There was another monster that lived in symbiosis with the Valiant Bull.

This weak monster had been hunted for centuries by the human, almost left to extinction, because of its unique texture and flavor. Many attempts to breed them had failed. In the end, only a small portion of them which were living on this plain managed to survive.

To avoid excessive hunting that would lead to its extinction, strict regulations have been implemented by the Valia Kingdom. People would be severely punished if they were found out hunting this monster outside the harvest time that only lasted for ten days.

And today was the last day.

Three youths, a young guy with dark skin and white silvery hair, a girl with jet black hair and purple eyes, and a petite girl with brown hair and hazel eyes, had walked around the place for half a day, trying to find this creature.

"Ahh, Purple sis! There is one there!"

"Where?! I don't see it!"

"It's hiding behind the Valiant Bull's mane! Oh no, run! The bull spot us!"

The silver hair guy pulled his sword and accelerated. He fastened his grip on the sword before swinging it, turning his body 180 degrees, and killed the bull with a slash. The blood splattered everywhere, inviting smaller monsters nearby.

"Hyaa! Gory!" The purple eyes girl closed her eyes, to avoid seeing such scene.

It was the third time she had seen this today, but she wasn't used to it yet. The girl, whose biggest achievement on killing until now was smacking a cockroach while screaming, still had a long way to go.

"Don't close your eyes! The Slime Jelly is escaping!" Said the other girl.

The older girl forced herself to open her eyes.

"Watch out, Mirra, a Caterpillar Snake behind you!"

"Gyaaaaa!"

The black hair girl lifted her hand and shouted, "Ice breath!"

A freezing wind blew enveloping the Caterpillar Snake, and shortly after, it froze on the spot.

"Thank you, purple sis! That snake is really disgusting! I can't stand looking its hairy body."

"Haha..."

Rena gave a weak laugh before realizing that Senka had dashed, chasing the escaping Slime Jelly, leaving the two there.

"Senka! Wait!"

She followed Senka, Mirra tailing behind her. The girls couldn't keep up with Senka's speed and he got further away.

Back to two days ago, Frei must stay in Fort Forenza for a few days to settle the problem with the Merchant Guild. The Kingdom had issued that he couldn't leave Valia until he was proven clear, although the guards who inspected the ship, the documents, and the permits couldn't find any problem with him.

The morning after Rena finished making the recovery potion, she learned Jean was going to return to the capital. He took her with Frei's permission, teaching her new magic spells on the way to the capital. The trip took one and a half day by carriage.

At first, Mirra and Senka were surprised learning that Rena could do magic, especially Mirra, but soon they accepted it. They swore not to leak the secret to outsiders under Jean's binding magic.

After learning that Senka was looking for Slime Jelly, Jean told him to catch the monster around the area. He doubted he could buy them in the capital. The price would be inflated because the harvest time this year came at the same time when they held a tournament. Many nobles would demand a lot of supplies. Jean thought it would be a good opportunity for her practicing the spells and dropped her and Senka around the area, with Mirra following them.

Right now, the trio was looking for the Slime Jelly and killing other monsters that were approaching them. So far, they only managed to catch one Slime Jelly.

"I never thought catching a Slime Jelly would be this hard! They are so slippery!" Mirra said while running.

They ran to the area which had less tall grass and spot Senka had slain another bull there.

"Where's that wobbly wobbly go?!"

Senka shook his head, telling them that he lost it.

"Aarrrgh! It's so frustrating!" Mirra kicked a small rock on the ground, it launched into the air making a curve trajectory. And it hit something dull.

The next second, a monster's howl filling the air. "Moooooo!!"

[Challenger!]

Rena flinched when she heard a voice inside her head. She had heard these voices inside her head several times today. Honestly, it creeped her out. She wanted to leave this grassy plain soon.

From behind the tall grass, another bull came. Compared to the bulls on earth, Valiant Bulls were slightly bigger. Their notable characteristics were the males had a mane like a lion, and both males and females had a pair of horns on their head. However, the bull that just appeared was the biggest they had seen so far. It was as big as an elephant with its horn curved outward, ready to stab its enemy.

"Crap, it's an alpha! It's biggg!" Mirra shouted.

Its brown skin turning red, another characteristic of the Valiant Bull when it got provoked. The rock she kicked before perfectly landed on the alpha's head.

"Oh, no, we're surrounded!" Rena shouted.

Since it was an alpha, there was the herd nearby, at least thirty angry Valiant Bulls appeared and started surrounding them. Seeing the alpha pawed the ground, Senka blocked its path toward the girls. He made a low stance, ready to strike.

The bull charged. With a swift movement, he dodged the bull, and at the same time, using the momentum, counterattacking. The edge of his sword touched its neck and with a single slash, the bull's head flying.

And the grass, once again, dyed in red.

But it wasn't done yet, a Valiant Bull was an aggressive monster when it was provoked, it never ran away. Seeing the alpha was defeated, the herds didn't escape, they charged toward the party.

"Fireball!" Rena shouted.

A ball of fire as big as a basketball hit one of the bulls. The bull's body thrown backward receiving such force and stopped moving.

Mirra jumped high, her body leaped in the air and she threw several knives to the bulls that ran in her direction. She landed on the ground next to Rena.

"Tch, I can't kill them with only knives."

"That's amazing, Mirra. How could you jump that high?"

"It's all thanks to the bracelet I got from Erme. But, really, who would have expected that you can do magic if you could do this that night..." Her tone carrying a hint of regret.

"I wish I could too. Mirra, let's run!"

Rena pulled Mirra's hand avoiding a Valiant Bull that was coming to them, running as fast as she could.

"Sis, can you cast a bigger Fireball?!"

"I'm still practicing! I don't want us to be victims of my spell!"

An image of a long hair guy flashed in her mind.

(That guy is truly devil incarnation, how could he call this practicing?!)

Because of the bulls, they couldn't get close to Senka who was in the middle of all the attacks.

"What should we do?"

Rena watched Senka moved like a lightning, killing each of them with just a single slash. Senka's moves were precise and sharp, combined with the strength and speed he had, his movement was like a deadly dance.

"Leave that guy alone, he can handle it just fine. Just think about us right now! Geez, that sneaky wobbly wobbly, it lured us to a horde of bulls!"

Three red Valiant Bulls were chasing Rena and Mirra.

"Fireball!" She cast the spell while running, it missed the target.

Mirra threw a knife and hit the Valiant Bull's eye, but it left no impact. The three bulls were only getting closer to them. Right at that moment, a shadow passed them. Rena heard the swooshing sound of a sword being swung and a crashing sound right after that. She turned her head.

Behind her back, the three bulls had been defeated with only a single swing of a sword, their bodies crashed on the big rock nearby. The girls stopped running.

A big muscular man stood there, almost two meters tall with a flaring red hair, carrying a giant sword.

He turned around, facing Rena and Mirra. He looked somewhat in his late 40s, with visible scars lurking on the skin which not covered by his clothes. The only armor to shield his body was a breastplate, to protect his chest.

"Are you alright, girls?" His voice was deep and strong.

"Yea-Yeah, thank you, mister." Rena thanked him.

"It's my job to protect ladies." He gave her a wide smile.

The guy guarded the girls from the charging bulls while Senka kept slaying the horde of bulls in the area. After a few minutes, there was only a picture of a massacre with one man stood on the pile of dead Valiant Bulls.

They must quickly move from this place before a parade of smaller monsters came, being attracted by the smell of blood. They needed to find Slime Jelly again later.

Decided it was time to take a break, the trio walked around the area trying to find a good resting place.

The big man approached Senka, talking to him. "Lad, you're pretty good! I've never seen you around here, are you new?"

Senka stepped backward and gave him a suspicious look.

Looking at his expression, Rena spoke up. "Uhm, sorry. Senka can't talk..."

"Heh... Oh, well." He brushed it off lightly.

Ignoring Senka's reluctance, he approached Senka and tapped his back multiple times. "It's been quite a while I saw a young lad who could kill a horde of Valiant Bulls with a single slash! Are you an adventurer?"

He put his hand on Senka's shoulder, like they were familiar to each other. The latter started getting annoyed.

"No, he is not. We're just on our way to the capital."

"If you aren't adventurers, mind to tell me what are you doing here?"

"Well, we're trying to catch Slime Jelly by request of someone..."

"I see, I see." He nodded, rubbing his chin.

And then he turned to Senka. "You shouldn't let two young girls who can't fight walk around this area."

Senka glared at the man, clenching his fists. Not only he was overfamiliar to him, he started lecturing him as well.

"What a temper." The man grinned, throwing him a challenging look.

Before two guys who could easily kill Valiant Bulls fought with each other, Rena meddled with the situation.

"Once again, thank you for your help! As you said, we're going to leave this place soon!"

"Wait, my name is Baudric, an adventurer. May I know your name?"

"I'm Serena... He is Senka, and she is Mirra."

Senka ignored the guy completely, while Mirra only nodded.

"Alright, we're friends now! Let me show you a good place to rest around here!"

"Huh?"

---

 

Chapter 27

Spoiler

Chapter 27: The Adventurer Baudric

Sitting beneath a big tree that grew in higher elevation, four people enjoying their lunch with the wide grassy plain as their background. Somehow, they ended up befriending Baudric. At least, Rena did.

She shared the cookies she made with him.

"Whoa, your cookies are very well made! I looovee it!"

"Thank you. I'm glad you like it." She made a formal smile, like dealing with an important client. Right now, the situation was rather uncomfortable since it was only her who was talking to Baudric.

"Say, Miss. Are you interested working in the palace?"

"Eh, why?" She was taken aback by the unexpected question.

"Why you said? You have talent here, the kingdom can use your talent."

He made a big friendly smile while crunching happily at Rena's cookies.

"I'm sorry, I can't do that. We are actually on our way to the Ardia Kingdom right now, our ship caught into a problem."

"Ooh... Are you a traveler?"

She shook her head. "No, I'm not. We're..."

She paused for a while, thinking what to say here. She was a slave, Mirra was an orphan Frei picked up, and she didn't know what Senka's doing. What an odd party.

"Uhm, we're working for a merchant named Frei."

Baudric licked his finger, eating the crumbs that stuck on it. "I see, I see. And you are collecting the Slime Jelly for him?"

"Yes..." She nodded.

"What a guy, making pretty girls fighting with dangerous monsters." He shook his head.

"Eh, no no! He didn't tell us to do this! Uhm, my... my teacher said it would be a good practice for me."

"Oh? You have a teacher? What are you learning?"

"Surviving skill!"

"Well, you managed to survive then."

"Y-Yes!"

"Talking about surviving, I think the young lad, uhm, Senka, is it? He had a good chance in this year Silver Blade Tournament. Are you participating?" He looked at Senka.

"Uhm, no, he isn't... What is The Silver Blade Tournament?"

"It's a sword tournament for youth that we hold every two years. It's a great way to spot future heroes, many great warriors and knights have come from this tournament in the past." He grinned. "You can give it a shot!"

Senka ignored him, like he was just a wriggling Caterpillar Snake.

After finishing half of the cookies Rena brought, Baudric peered at Rena's bag, hoping to get more food. "Say, miss, do you carry a drink as well?"

She looked at her bag, the red recovery potion she made could be seen from the half-opened bag. She put it inside an empty beer bottle from the kitchen since she didn't have a container for it.

"Oh, this... I'm sorry, but this isn't a drink. It's a potion."

Baudric looked interested. Hearing this, Mirra and Senka took interest as well.

"Hooh, what kind of potion is that?"

"A small recovery potion..."

"Ooooh. Can I have some, please? I'm a little tired." He showed her a pleasant wide smile.

She didn't mind to give him actually, but what would happen after that? She glanced at Senka and Mirra, both of them also looking at her direction. Chasing the Slime Jelly and killing a herd of Valiant Bulls, they must be tired as well.

"Just a sip, okay?"

She brought the second potion she made that night, so she knew the effect, with only a little drop it would recover their stamina. She opened the cap and gave the bottle to Baudric who took a sip of it.

As expected, he opened his eyes wide in surprise.

He bent his back and shouted facing the sky. "Whoooooooo!!! I feel like thirty years younger!!!"

His loud voice scared the smaller monsters nearby, a flock of birds in surrounding area escaped to the sky. His voice could even scare the mighty Valiant Bulls.

"Did you make this?!" He grabbed Serena's shoulders. "This is the best recovery potion I've ever drink in my life! They usually taste like a Goblin's sweat had been mixed into the wine!"

(I knew it! I shouldn't give it to him!)

"No, no, err... It was my teacher who made it!"

"Who is your teacher's name?!"

"J-J-JJean!" Her shoulders being pressured and shook hard, she stuttered trying to make a word.

Baudric blinked. "Oh?"

"Jean Jaunice?"

Rena's heart stopped for a second.

"No, no, it's different Jean! A-anyway, it hurts! Could you let go of me?!"

Baudric quickly let go of Rena when he realized what he did, he kneeled and hit his head on the ground.

"I'm really sorry! I hurt a lady, this old man is truly worthless!"

"Please, get up, Baudric. And I'm not a lady..."

She pulled Baudric so he stopped kneeling.

"I won't stand until you forgive me!"

"I forgive you, I forgive you!"

"Oh, thank you, Miss! Hahahaha!" He lifted his head, laughing. And then sat on the ground like nothing happened. His mood changed so fast.

"Uhm, could you give the bottle back, please? I want to give Senka and Mirra a little."

Baudric looked at the bottle that he put on the ground, examined it for a while, and gave it back to Rena.

"Here you go, Missy."

Rena gave the bottle to Mirra and carefully warned her to only drink a sip of it. This was the first time she tried a potion, so she was excited. As soon as she gulped it down, she gave a shocking reaction.

"I... I could throw a thousand knives without feeling tired with this!"

When she gave it to Senka, he looked dubious, but he sipped the potion and his expression changed... A little. He returned the bottle to Rena without commenting on it.

Well, he couldn't.

Rena secured the bottle again, but before she could put it back to her bag, Baudric made a proposal.

"Miss Serena! Could you give that bottle to me? I don't bring any money right now and this is not enough, but..." He pulled something from his waist pocket.

"Eh, is that..."

"Yes, I have some Slime Jelly here."

At least five slime jelly secured on that semi-transparent pouch. The monster which only as big as baby's hand and as transparent as a glass was moving violently inside the pouch, trying to escape from it.

Rena thought on Baudric's offer. If she gave the potion she made, that surely saved them time, they didn't need to spend a night on this grassy plain full of monsters. She looked at her friends.

"What do you think?" She asked Mirra and Senka.

"Ummm, I don't want to spend a night in this place if I could. But your potion worth much more than those Slime Jelly." Mirra said.

Rena then looked at Senka, he shrugged his shoulders. She took it as he was fine with either way.

They needed those Slime Jelly right now and she could always more of that potion.

"Hmm, okay. Let's trade this potion with those Slime Jelly." She said.

"What a nice young lady you are! Thank you very much!"

"Well... I just don't want to spend a night in this place. And those Slime Jelly are just what I need right now."

"Hahahaha! I like that honesty!" Baudric laughed so hard, scaring another flock of birds.

She traded her potion with Baudric's Slime Jelly. Rena was satisfied. Now, they could go to Ladylake after this. She smiled happily and gave the pouch to Senka.

"I shall return your kindness someday, Miss Serena. Whenever you need my help, just come to the Adventurer Guild and ask for Ignus Baudric."

He placed a large gold pin with a symbol on her palm, a shield of sun and bird encircled with a laurel wreath.

Rena looked at the pin on her palm and smiled. "Thank you."

She wasn't aware that it was the same symbol tattooed on Jean's nape.

After done resting and their stamina more than fully recovered, the man wanted to stay there to test his overflowing energy and they wanted to arrive at the capital before dark. The trio separated with Baudric after that.

They went west, trying to find the road that led them to the capital. Fighting with small monsters in between.

"We're lucky to meet Baudric, aren't we?" Rena was still happy they could get Slime Jelly because of the potion she made.

"Mm, I think so." Mirra replied.

"But it was unusual for Mirra to be quiet like that. I didn't think you would be as shy as Senka when meeting a new person hehehe." She teased Mirra.

"Aw, c'mon, sis, don't be mean. I don't have the gift of all languages like you."

"Huh, what does that mean?"

"You seriously don't know? East Continent and West Continent have different languages. For me, I could only speak Phoebes language."

A sudden realization hit Rena. She froze on the spot for a while. The gift of all languages... All the voices she heard on this plain. She knew about the existence of this skill but never thought about it up to this extent.

Mirra continued speaking, "Argh, I'm so jealous of you! Sebastian will teach me the main language of West Continent, but I'm not good at studying!"

Rena wasn't listening to what Mirra said anymore. Now that she realized about this skill, she focused on the sounds she tried to ignore since they came to this plain.

"Chirp, chirp."

[Hungry], [Hungry].

If she concentrated, she could understand what the birds saying.

"Sssshhh...."

Or what the snake saying. [Prey].

All of them were just basic words conveying their instincts.

[Hungry], [Hungry], [Mating], [Hungry], [Hungry], ...

[Help! Please help me!]

Rena startled hearing the voice in her head. Her head automatically turned around trying to find the source of that voice. But of course, she couldn't find any.

"What's wrong, purple sis?"

"Eh, uhm, it's nothing." She tried to calm down, trying to reassure her.

[Help me!]

Now that she had caught this particular voice in her mind, she couldn't ignore it. But she didn't know what to do either.

[Help me!]

The voice resounding in her mind made her think of a little boy.

[Save me, I'm trapped inside a cage...]

[Help...]

She remembered the story about a haunting spirit, she was weak with that kind of stories.

(Please, not that scary thing!!)

She shook her head a little while saying those words in her mind.

The voice stopped suddenly.

And then... [Can you hear me?]

(Eh? W-what is this? Did you hear my thought?)

[I can hear you clearly. Can you help me, please?]

(Help? But I can't see you? Where are you?)

[I'm inside a wagon, I'm moving.]

(I don't see any wagon around here.)

[.....]

(Sorry.)

[Help! Please help! Please! Please! Please! ...]

The voice kept shouting tormenting her. (Stoopppp!!!)

(I'm really sorry, but I can't help you. Please rest in peace!)

[I'm not...]

The voice stopped talking in the middle of the sentence and didn't return again.

They came out from the grassy plain and walked on the straight road that would lead them to the capital.

When the sun almost set, they finally saw the white city wall from the distance. They ran, so they could be inside the city before the gate was closed. Senka probably would have arrived sooner, but he slowed down to wait for Mirra. As for Rena...

She got a piggyback treatment.


On her defense, she had the weakest stamina among the three, and the only one who didn't drink the potion earlier. When they started running, she couldn't keep up with Senka's superb physical ability and Mirra who wore a magic bracelet that could manipulate her weight. She pushed herself, not trying to be a burden, but before her bone started to break, Senka decided it was faster to carry her than waiting for her.

And so the trio arrived at the capital of Valia Kingdom right at dusk.

---

 

Chapter 28

Spoiler

Chapter 28: The Mysterious Voice

A line of people and wagons were waiting in front of the giant gate, trying to enter the city. Most of them were merchants' wagons of many sizes, mixed with adventurers carrying their weapons and hunts, and commoners carrying different variety of stuff.

Senka, Mirra, and Rena were the last to join the line.

"Senka, can you let me down now?"

Some people were looking in their direction.

Senka kneeled, so she could get down, Rena felt slightly embarrassed. "Thank you."

He shook his head a little. Telling her not to mind it.

Rena got a glimpse of his personality today, even though his demeanor was as cold as a Buddha statue, but he actually wasn't as cold as he look. He was awkward when he offered her to ride on her back, but it made her easier to tell his sincere intention.

"Ahh, I'm so glad we don't need to sleep on that plain tonight!" Mirra said. "It's all thanks to you, sis!"

"Yeah, I'm glad as well. And thanks to Senka that we made it on time to arrive on the gate before they closed it hehe."

When they arrived at the entrance, a little problem arose when the gatekeepers asked for their identifications. Mirra and Rena couldn't proof their identities and Senka couldn't talk. Initially, they supposed to enter the city in a carriage with Jean.

"You are saying your guarantor is Jean Jaunice?"

The look of the old gatekeeper was skeptical. He whispered to the other gatekeepers there, discussing something. Apparently, they thought it was only their prank, three suspicious youngsters claiming to have a connection with the most famous wizard in their country.

"I'm sorry, but we can't call an important person like him just to prove your identities. Except that mute guy, we can't let you enter the city."

Rena was frustrated at her teacher. She let out a heavy sigh.

(After throwing us in the middle of nowhere with a horde of monsters chasing us, now they think he is too important to be our guarantor...)

She knew that Jean didn't mean to trouble them here. She was sure the thought that they would be stopped at the city gate never crossed his magic-oriented mind.

"Hah... What should we do now?" She slumped her shoulders.

Behind the soldiers who were standing on the gate, she saw a banner. A red flag waving with gold symbol of shield and laurel wreath.

(Hmm? That symbol looks what Baudric gave me.)

She remembered what Baudric said earlier, if she ever needed help, she could ask him. She got an idea. She knew he wasn't inside the city, but that guy was strong and a veteran adventurer, he might have some sort of influence.

She dig her bag, trying to find the pin he gave her.

"Then... How about Ignus Baudric? I know he is not inside the city right now, but we got this from him." Betting for this chance, she showed the gold pin to the old gatekeeper.

"T-t-that....!!"

His behavior changed drastically after seeing the pin. Without further ado, he allowed them to enter the city, giving them a salute before they left.

Rena was relieved that Baudric's influence was great.

"Huff, I must thank him when we meet him again." Squeezing the gold pin on her palm.

They walked further away from the city gate, their shadows couldn't be seen anymore on the road that at least twice as big as the one in Fort Forenza, relying on the dim lightning from the oil lamps inside the houses near the street.

"Senka, what should we do now? Do we need to stay at an inn or... ugh, finding Jean's residence?"

It was already late so the better option was the first one. Senka agreed to this, he found an inn in the alleyway. So they went there.

The inn was small but neat, a middle age man greeted them soon. "Welcome!"

"Ehm, how much a room per night?" She asked.

"It would be one silver per night with dinner, miss."

She had some silvers fortunately, so she gave him three silvers for three rooms. The innkeeper said they would deliver their foods, so they went straight to their room.
Mirra's room was in front of Rena's, and Senka's room was next to her. After saying good night to her friends, Rena went inside her room. It wasn't big, but still a decent room for them to stay.

Tired from all the exhausting activities today, she lay on the bed as soon as the door was closed. She didn't have appetite to eat dinner but a free dinner wasn't something she wanted to refuse, so she ate a little.

Rena tore the bread into two and bite it.

[Help!]

She almost got choked. The voice returned. And it sounded closer this time.

Her body froze, her fingers left a mark on the bread she gripped tightly. Since she was alone this time, the voice clearly resounding in her mind.

(Please, obake-san, leave me alone. Om maha yakcha tsa soha, om, om, namu amitabha...)

[Rude... I'm not a ghost!]

Probably because they talked telepathically, he understood what she meant.

(Then what are you? Why are you following me?)

[I'm a selkie. My name is Neel. I've been caught by humans. Please, help me!]

(What's a selkie? How am I suppose to help you? I don't even know where you are.)

[You don't know what a selkie is? Selkie is... uhm, selkie is a great creature! No problem, I can feel your energy, I can guide you to where I am.]

(I don't really want to...) This was her honest thought, she didn't try to communicate it.

But, of course, he could hear it.

[Help me, please! Please! Please! ...x times]

He started pleading and crying in her mind.

(Alright!! Alright!! Alright!! Stop screaming in my mind!!)

She got dizzy because of this mental torment, she couldn't finish her bread either. A kid throwing tantrum in your head would make one went insane soon enough.

Leaving with no choice but to help the mysterious voice, she grabbed her bag and quit the room.

(Even though I can do magic now, I still don't want to go outside during the dark...
Should I tell Mirra and Senka? They are going to think I'm crazy.)

[Hurry!]

(Can you be quiet? Let me think!)

She really didn't want to go alone, the situation was too suspicious.

She knocked the door in front of her and Mirra opened it. "What's up, purple sis?"

"Uhm... Can you accompany me outside, Mirra? I want to walk around a little."

She furrowed her eyebrows. "We can walk around the town tomorrow. It's already dark outside."

Mirra was completely right, but Rena couldn't say it. If she didn't go, the little ghost would haunt her all night long.

"Please, Mirra? Just for a while?"

Mirra sighed. "Purple sis, do you want to get into trouble again?"

(I'm already in one...)

Rena put a troubled expression.

"I'm sorry but I'm really tired today. Let's go tomorrow morning."

"Okay, then. Sorry, Mirra. Good night, I hope you sleep well." She smiled with a resigned look.

"You too, purple sis. Please, don't do anything careless, okay?" Mirra was watching Rena's expression, checking if she upped to something.

Rena nodded and turned around, walking to the direction of her room. When she heard the door behind her was closed, she changed her direction, walking toward the entrance they came earlier.

She left the inn and dived to the night streets.

(Where should I go now, Obake-san?)

[I'm Neel! I told you I'm not a ghost! I'm sending a telepathic message and you are the only one who hear it.]

(Why did I have this ability... Ok, ok, Neel, where should I go? ...Ah, I want to return quickly to the inn.)

Her thoughts were mixed in when she was talking to Neel.

[Go north from your current position...]

(I don't know which one is north. I can't read the stars.)

[Whaa- How useless...]

(Shut up! You are the one who forced me to do this.)

[Then just walked around, I'll tell you if you go to the right direction!]

Rena told herself she would finished this little problem soon and went back to the inn.

She walked around in circle for a while, following Neel's guidance, at some crossroads, her footsteps were halted, finding the correct direction to the owner of the voice. Sometimes she went straight, in other times, she turned around. She carefully avoiding people on the streets, and not walking too close to the alleyways, where she could get dragged the slight moment she got careless. Some men trying to follow her, but she used earth magic to trap their feet on the ground, and then running away. Slowly, she was getting closer to where he was.

(Is this where you are?)

[Yes! I can feel you close by.]

When she turned to the corner, the street in front of her was the brightest she'd walked so far. Everything was colorful, like they were having a festival night here. Decorations were placed in front of the buildings and the lamps had magic stones quality, just like the one she saw in the Bath house. A thick incense smell permeating in the air.

She looked around left and right when she noticed something. The women here were dressed attractively and excessively, with a full make up on their face and a lot of skin showing. Groups of men walking nearby and a lot of couples passed by.

"Isn't this a night district...?"

A sweat drop from her forehead. This was the absolute worst place for women. In every place, no matter where, a prostitution quarter always exist, and Valia Kingdom with their high value of chivalry and nobleness were no exception to this rule.

(Hey, Neel, where should I go from here?)

[Move forward, only a few hundred meters more.]

"Hyaa!!"

A hand grabbed her shoulder. When she turned around, a burly man was standing behind her.

"Missy, do you want to accompany me for a while? Oh? That's an interesting eye color, is that real?"

Rena tried to shove his hand, but he held her arm now. "Let go of me."

She whispered shield and the barrier knocked the man out.

"H-hey, you...!"

The man shouted but Rena had run away.

(You better pay me for all these troubles.)

[I will, I will! Just two hundred meters more, a little bit to the right. Yes, that direction.]

Soon, she saw a big estate with three meters fence surrounding the place. From the outside, it looked like they were having a party inside the mansion. The light was bright and many carriages parked in line.

Two guards were guarding the gate. They moved when a carriage leaving the place.

"How am I suppose to enter here?" She talked to herself.

She couldn't climb the fence and going through the gate was impossible. For a moment, she walked in circle trying to figure it out what she could do.

*tap* *tap*

Rena reacted when someone tapped her shoulder. "Shield!"

But the man stepped backward as fast as she said the word, dodging her magic. She caught a silver glow from the corner of her eyes when she turned around.

"Eh, Senka?! What are you doing here?"

He frowned at her, giving her a questioning look.

Rena realized the same question could be asked back to her. It seemed Senka had been following her since she left the inn.

"I have a reason for this, you may not believe me but earlier at the plain I heard a voice asking for help. And it seems he is inside this building."

He gazed at the building in front of them before looking at her again, and to Rena surprised, he lowered his body, telling her to get on his back.

"Thank you for believing me!" She said, a relieved expression spread on her face.

She felt a little awkward clinging to a man's back. This was the second time for today. His lean body didn't seem to get effected by her body weight. He just got up, and walked to the opposite direction of the fence, taking some distance for acceleration.

Normally, it would be impossible for someone to jump that high. But when Senka started running, slammed his right foot to the ground, and leaped into the air, the physics rules had been broken.

And he landed on the other side of the fence safely.

If Rena didn't witness Senka's capability with her own eyes, it's hard to believe that he just jumped over three meters fence carrying her on his back. But again, this was the guy who slaughtered a herd of Valiant Bulls alone, unscathed.

She thought it was normal that people in this world could be that strong.

Senka didn't put Rena on the ground right away. After they entered the property, he quickly ran to the mansion before someone noticing them.

"Uhm, Senka, can you put me down now? I think it's fine now, I can walk by myself." Rena said after they arrived at the outer wall of the building.

She started wondering if Senka might actually enjoy this. It reminded her of wife carrying race which guys ran as fast as they could, each carrying a woman on his back.

He put her down just as her wish and they peeked inside the nearby window, checking what was inside. A scene that was expected from a prostitution quarter, which these two people had no experience of.

"......"

Luckily, it was dark outside so both of their face who changed color couldn't be seen.

It may look like a noble's mansion but they were still in a night district. The mansion Rena tried to infiltrate was actually a high-class prostitution quarter.

She started panicking. (Neel, are you sure you're here?)

[Yes, I am. Go to the room on the northernmost of the building, the fireplace there will lead you underground.]

(Underground?!)

The situation became more and more undesirable for her. An image of a dark, damped place flashed in her mind. She couldn't shake the possibility of a trap off her head.

(Ugh, what should I do...)

[Please, believe me, this is not a trap. I really need your help. These people have killed my parents and separated me from my sister. Please save me before...]

Rena couldn't just go back after coming this far.

(Fine. If you're lying, I won't let you go easily.)

Telling Senka what they should do, they walked cautiously to the northern side of the mansion.

---

Note: *Buddhist chant

 

Chapter 29

Spoiler

Chapter 29: An Unexpected Occurence

Two servants with strained expressions on their face opened the French style door of the mansion, letting a man with a black spiky hair strode out from the entrance, a long sword hung on his waist, and his black cape waved as he walked. He had a sharp feature combined with his eagle-like obsidian eyes.

It was a long journey for Luxus, he was hired to guard the item that was now safely be kept in the secret passage under this mansion. His job was done. Seeing who was his guest, the owner of the mansion quickly offered him the most beautiful flower in his garden, but tonight he just didn't have any interest to do it. He wanted to go to that place, the place where he stood victorious two years ago, he missed the feeling of clashing swords against a strong opponent like back then. Lately, he was bored, he couldn't find anyone strong enough to pair with him. He rode the carriage and left the place.

He wouldn't have guessed that if he didn't leave the mansion tonight, he would get his wish granted.

---

Moving carefully behind the flower bushes and trees, avoiding the patrolling guards were Senka and Rena. They were waiting until the guards had passed before coming out from behind the bushes. Attempting to sneak into the mansion, Senka skillfully opened the locked window and helped Rena to enter the empty room.

She quickly noticed the clean unused fireplace, but she didn't know what to do about it. A secret switch must be hidden somewhere in the room.

(Neel, we're inside, I see the fireplace. What should we do right now?)

Silence.

(Neel?)

She kept calling him, but the boy didn't answer him. Rena frowned, something was not right. She looked at Senka, who was waiting for her instruction.

"Umm, can you help me to find a hidden switch in the room?"

Senka nodded and started moving, examining the fireplace. He made soft knocks on the wall while placing the side of his face on the wall. His hand traced the wall, sometimes making small knocks. He kept moving further to the right, away from the fireplace. Then he stopped when the bookshelf blocked his path.

Senka stepped back. He turned his head, looking at Rena, pointing his finger at the bookshelf.

"I see... The switch is there."

She moved forward, examining the bookshelf. The switch probably was hidden behind these rows of books. She started pulling the books, one by one. Senka also helped, checking the upper rows. When she started checking the second row from the bottom, she pulled a black book which had a chain connected to the bookshelf, the book was a trigger to open the secret door. She pulled the chain until it's maximum length, a creaking sound of a door was heard and the place that a minute ago was a fireplace had turned into a dark passage leading to underground.

Rena gulped, she was scared and wary. Secretly, she was relieved Senka was here. At the same time, she didn't want Senka to get into trouble with her if this was indeed a trap. The safer option was for one of them to stay on the ground while the other went inside the passage.

"Senka, I don't know what's going to happen there, it could be a trap. I'll enter the passage, can you wait here?

He shook his head and then his hand moved, his finger pointing his chest before pointing the passage. Telling her that he should be the one to go there.

"I think I could rely you more than you rely on me when an emergency situation does happen..."

So, despite his disapproval, Rena entered the passage. Step by step, her feet walked down the stone stairs, moving further from the ground. The sound of her echoing footsteps was the only one that accompanied her. When her surrounding had become completely dark, she cast fire. The small light filling up the passage.

(Neel, I'm coming.)

Only silence answering her thought.

Deep inside her heart she was scared, and her mind kept telling her something was wrong. It was only a small faith she had that made her keep moving forward, that Neel really needed help.

She was stronger this time compared to the time when she was kidnapped, she could fight if there were bad guys down there.

So, she continued going down. After spending fifteen minutes, she reached the bottom of the passage.

In front of her was a semi-natural cave. Stalactites were visible on the surface above, but some of the structures had been altered or expanded, the cave floor was smoothened for a human to walk on. Magic stones were planted on the cave wall, illuminating the place. An iron cage hanging from the ceiling, a little boy no older than seven years old was there.

She cast off her fire magic.

"Neel, is that you?"

She walked approaching him. His shoulder-length aqua blue hair moved when he nodded, it had a slight glow in it, which reminded her Senka's hair. Rena squinted her eyes, his eyes, which was as blue as sapphire, was terrified, alerting her to danger. She stopped. And the next second, she heard a soft slithered behind her back. Her survival instinct reacted quickly.

"Shield!" She shouted before she could turn her head to what was behind her.

The moment she activated the shield, a dull sound hit her protective magic. A thumping sound echoed in the cave when it hit the floor.

Rena fell, her elbow bled when her skin scrapped on the hard cave floor.

"Argh..."

She tried to get up while directing her face to the source of the sound. Her hands turned cold and her complexion went pale. Her body shuddered at the rush of chill. In front of her was a woman, more intimidating than the Valiant Bulls she faced today.

She licked her contrasting red lips, her cold yellow eyes expressing the primal instinct of a beast. Her long ashen gray hair covering her naked breast. She was an enchantress, a creature that would seduce any man with her upper-half.

Rena froze as she looked at that woman's lower half. The part that was supposed to be legs was replaced by a snake tail. The diamond black scales covering its tail, while the abdomen was white. That creature could strangle her to death with her lower half.

A creature that Rena saw only in a game, a Lamia.

(It's a trap! A Trap! Why am I coming here?!) She screamed in her mind.

[I'm sorry! I'm sorry!]

She shut her mind, nothing was more important than what was standing in front of her right now. She got up quickly, her eyes focused on the magical beast. Her legs were trembling badly, she couldn't run even if she wanted to, her heart beat so fast like it was going to explode, a cold sweat dripped from her forehead. She knew she was cornered.

So, the only option was fighting back.

The lamia contracted her muscle, thrusting her body forward, trying to attack Rena, but her shield magic still working. As long as her shield magic activated, the lamia couldn't harm her, but she couldn't attack her either. She started panicking, she couldn't escape. The monster blocked her path to escape, and she couldn't just stay here forever.

Rena heard from Jean that some magicians could cast multiple spells at once, right now, she needed that skill. She wished she had that skill.

She deactivated her shield, it was the only way she could cast an attacking spell. The half-snake woman charging forward again, Rena tried to dodge her, but with her beast reflex, she swept Rena's legs with her tail.

"Aah!" She lost balance.

The Lamia coiled her body, wrapping Rena's. She felt the monster's cold scales rubbing her skin.

"Fireb... Ugh!"

Before she could cast Fireball, that monster choked her neck with her hands. Her long sharp nails piercing her skin. Blood trickled from the place where the snake woman pierced her skin.

The Lamia licked her lips with her forked tongue. "Sssh... Strong magikk... Vonderfuul..."

She could sense the overflowing magic flower coming from Rena. The monster showed her greedy smile, showing off her fangs to her. Rena tried to fight back. She dug her nails on the hands grabbing her neck, but the Lamia's skin was thicker than human's skin, Rena couldn't harm her, she couldn't breathe either.

Rena struggled, suffocating from the lack of air, but she didn't want to give up until the end. She kept pushing the monster's hands so she could speak, casting a spell. But the difference in strength was big. She was just a normal human, without her magic power, she was useless against a monster.

(At least, one shot... Just one shot...)

Right before the Lamia was about to stab Rena with her poisonous fangs, Rena saw a white flash behind the monster's back.

And the next second, blood dancing in the air. The half-woman's head was split from her body, tumbling through the air before landing on the hard surface of the cave floor. Rena felt the Lamia's tail which squeezing her body loosened and she fell to the floor.

Behind the Lamia's dead body, Senka was standing there, blue blood dripped from the tip of his double edge sword.

*cough* *cough* *cough*

Rena coughed, removing the uncomfortable pressure that just left her neck, now she could breathe again.

Senka approached her, he extended his hand to her.

"Thank you." She grabbed his hand.

Senka pulled her, helping her to get up. Perhaps because he pulled her too fast or because her knees were still weak, Rena lost her balance, falling forward. But Senka caught her fast, her body was wrapped around his arms.

He held one of her hand, because of the sudden fall, he grabbed it tightly now. His other hand was supporting her body, wrapping around her waist.

Her head was so close to his chest that she could hear his loud heartbeat.

*badump badump badump*

At that time, she only thought one thing; he's warm.

"S-sorry! T-thank you...!"

She tried to get up once again, with a red face.

However, she didn't have luxury thinking about such a thing. The Lamia, even though her head was severed, her body was still moving, especially the lower part; the black tail was wriggling, coiling. A bizarre creepy view for Rena who just escaped from death.

"Uwee... Is... Is it still alive...?" She was still shocked, her body shivering, and her heart still beating fast.

Senka shook his head.

Rena kept looking to the Lamia's dead body. She thought she would be fine because of magic, but if her opponent was a monster and she was alone... If Senka wasn't there, she would have died already.

[Can you free me now?]

She looked above, Neel speaking to her again. Disregarding that she almost died and not even giving her time to calm down.

"Not until you tell me what happened!" She shouted angrily.

"I'm sorry... I thought she was gone, but she caught me sending a telepathic message." The boy was speaking with his real voice now, his eyes were moist, holding his tears so it wouldn't spill.

"I can explain later, can you free me now? Before that guy returns..."

"Who?" She asked.

"The guy who caught me! He's strong and I don't know if we could escape if he comes back."

She didn't want to get into anymore fight, so she spoke to Senka, "He is the one asking for my help earlier. I don't know what happened yet but I'm going to free him. If he is attempting to do something suspicious or trying to escape, I'll let you decide what will you do to him."

"H-hey, I swear I won't escape..." Neel glanced at Senka timidly. "Even I don't want to fight with half---"

Senka glared at him, his intimidating aura came out, giving Neel a warning. So, he shut his mouth up.

Rena looked at the rope connected to the cage, it was a pulley. A lever must have existed somewhere in the cave, but it was a hassle to find it.

There was another spell Rena hadn't tried, it didn't have explosive power like Fireball but it gave a nice cut like a sword. She tried it. "Windblade."

"Whaaa!!" Neel screamed.

*crash!*

The cage fell when the rope was cut, but the cage itself wasn't damage.

"Don't you have any better way to do it?!" Neel shouted.

"Well, sorry..." Rena said.

(Not really.)

[I heard you!]

(Considering I almost died, this is nothing, right?)

[What a bad personality, taking revenge on a weak little boy.]

(But you are not human.)

Senka broke the lock with his sword, opening the cage. The tiny boy crawled from his cage, he had an innocent look and a skinny body. His pale skin clearly spoke that he was an indoor type. Now that he was free, and Rena could see him from the close distance, she noticed he had a beauty mole under his left eye.

"Ok, Neel, you are free now. Let's escape before someone found us here. I don't want any more trouble."

"Wait... Can you give me your hand?" Neel said.

"Why?" She frowned.

"It will make you escape faster than carrying me."

With both palms up, extending his arms forward, as if he's asking for a candy, the little boy waited for her to take his hands.

Rena didn't understand how it would make them escape faster but she placed her hand on Neel's hands. He covered her hand with his two little hands. "I haven't asked you your name."

"...Serena." She said.

And he bit her finger.

"Ouch!! What are you doing?!"

Rena tried to pull her hand, but he held her hand tightly. He licked a drop of blood coming from her finger.

"I'm Neel of the Orkney clan swear to serve Serena as my contractor. From now on, I shall heed her calls and never let her life be in danger."

Just as soon as Neel finished his words, a translucent blue glow enveloping Rena and Neel.

With his innocence face, he smiled brightly, and then cheerfully said, "Please take care of me!"

"What did you do...?"

"A reward that I promise you. We just make a summoner contract!"

She put both hands on her face, like trying to scratch herself. Looked like she just added an unnecessary problem. What kind of problem she would get into this time.

Senka nudged her, reminding her they should get away as soon as possible.

"That's right, we must get away from here." Rena said, and then she looked at Neel. "How will you make us escape faster now?"

"I'll be hiding in your shadow. Just call my name if you need me." He was smiling like a sweetheart boy.

And he went inside Rena's shadow and gone.

She slumped her shoulders, didn't have any energy left to retort. That capability of deceiving a person with a smile and an innocent look...

She just got herself Frei Jr.

---

Luxus jumped from rooftop to rooftop. This method was faster than riding a carriage since it was an urgent matter. He was in front of the Colosseum when he felt someone broke the magical barrier he put on the cage.

Someone was strong enough to defeat a Lamia.

When he arrived at the mansion's underground cave, nobody was there anymore, the Lamia was defeated with just a single clear-cut. Just from the wound, he knew that this person was strong. His blood boiled, thinking what he just missed, he wanted to fight this guy.

Luxus approached the Lamia's severed head. Not many people knew this, but a Lamia, having a similar characteristic as a snake, still had a consciousness for at least an hour even after her head was severed.

"Tell me who killed you, and I'll let you rest in peace."

The severed head talked. "Sssh... vurvel eyesss... girr..."

Luxus' twitched. "What did you say?"

"Vonderfurr mearr, vurvel eyesss..."

Luxus didn't move for a long time, comprehending what he just heard, while the Lamia kept repeating the same words. When he heard footsteps coming from above, he snapped back from his thought.

He lifted his hand. "Fire."

A flame appeared, burning the Lamia's head. This time, she was truly finished.

---

 

Chapter 30

Spoiler

Chapter 30 - Moonless Night

In the dark silent night, his light footsteps didn't make any sound, even when he carried someone in his arms. He was running fast like he could see in the dark. The girl in his arms held him tightly, circling her arms around his neck. This was the third time the man carried her today, she just hoped she didn't get used to it.

They escaped from the mansion smoothly, without anyone noticing their presence. Rena felt a little odd, but she wasn't going to protest when she could get away problem free.

She glanced at the guy carrying her. His silvery hair was still noticeable in the moonless night, it was like fireflies that had its own source of light. She was quiet the entire time until they arrived in front of the inn.

After he put her down, Rena spoke, "Senka, can we make tonight's event as a secret? I don't want to worry everybody."

Excluding the fact that he was unable to talk, he didn't seem to be the type who would tell unnecessary stuff to someone. Still, she wanted to make sure that he didn't tell anyone about what happened tonight. There were three reasons.

One, she ran around in the city alone at night. Two, She just made a contract with a suspicious being without her consent. Three, she almost died tonight.

One, Frei would be angry at her. Two, Jean would be angry at her. Three, Mirra would definitely be angry at her.

Also, she wanted to know more about this creature she made a contract with, before explaining stuff to everyone.

It was difficult to see his expression because it was dark, so Rena continued, "Please? I'll them once I know what I would do with Neel."

Then she saw Senka nodded. A smile spread across her face. "Thank you!"

As he turned to leave, walking straight to the inn's entrance, Rena called him again.

"Senka! Once again, for believing me, for saving my life, and for listening to my selfish request... Thank you for everything!" She bowed deeply.

She didn't know what kind of expression Senka made, or what he was thinking. But from the short time she interacted with him, she was certain of one thing, he had a kind soul.

---

“Mind to tell me what happened now?”

With a small amount of light that came from the oil lamp, Rena was sitting on the bed with her arms and legs crossed, looking sharply at the boy who was sitting in front of her.

He blinked a few times, looking at her from the low angle, making his eyes looked bigger and innocence.

She tilted her eyebrows. “I’ll kick you out if you lie to me.”

“Well… To start with, I came from the far northwest of Memoria Ocean.”

Rena didn’t make any change of expression because she had no clue where it was.

Neel sighed, “It was surrounding north and west part of the human land.”

He explained that his clan had been living on an island undisturbed by human for centuries. But a few months ago, a group of humans came to their territory and attacked them, slaughtering his kinfolk. His parents fought and died, and he got captured.

She knitted her eyebrows, as she remembered the burning village when she first woke up in this world. His situation was similar to hers.

“My sister, Coral… She managed to escape before they put her in a cage and dived into the ocean.” He clenched his fist before continued speaking, “I don’t know where she is right now. My telepathic message can’t reach her. But, if there is one thing I’m sure, she is looking for me in the human land.”

“My... my body is weak, I can’t stay in the human land, far away from the sea without having a human contractor that could provide me with magic energy, that’s why I need your cooperation.”

"So… You are using me as a battery?” A vein popped in her head. Rena felt that she had said a similar line before.

“Please! I must find my sister before they caught her. And I promise I’ll be useful for you.” Neel raised his voice.

“Useful for what?” She tilted her head.

“You see… We, Selkie, are master in the arts of love and seduction. You can always rely on me in love problems.” He said that confidently.

“I don’t need that!” Rena shouted reflexively, she forgot that everyone was still sleeping.

"But I see in your mind…”

“You are way too young to know about the arts of love and seduction!”

“I may look young but I have lived longer than you. I’m 49 years old this year.” His light blue hair swayed a little when he moved his head, smiling innocently at her.

"49?!" She dropped her head and put her hands on the bed, her fatigues accumulating and she started feeling tired. "What a deceiving look..."

“Well, I'm a magical beast. We live longer than human. So, can I stay with you?”

“Alright, alright…”

She didn't want to argue anymore, the bed was calling her. And as soon as she laid her head on the pillow, she fell asleep.


For a while, Neel, who was still sitting at the opposite end of the bed, was only watching her with his blue sapphire eyes, and then he approached her, patting her head.

"Thank you for coming to save me, Otherworlder. From now on, I'll chase away your nightmares. Good night, may you have a peaceful sleep." He whispered sweetly in her ears.



---

Note: Just a short chapter.

 

Chapter 31

Spoiler

Chapter 31: Boundless Sky

*knock!* *knock!* *knock!* *knock!* *knock!*

Her eyelids were heavy when she heard someone kept knocking on her door. Rena was tired, very tired. Her muscles hurt too.

"Purple sis! Wake up! How long are you going to sleep?"

"Purple sis!"

She heard Mirra's voice outside the door. She forced herself to wake up, wishing that she left some drops of red potions. "Alright... I'm comin'..."

Dragging her body off the bed, she finally opened the door.

"Good morning! It took me ten minutes just to wake you up!"

"Are you okay?" Mirra observed her.

"Yeah, I'm alright. I'm just still tired. Good morning, Mirra." Rena answered her, still rubbing her sleepy eyes.

When she lowered her hands from her eyes, she saw not only Mirra, but Senka who was standing behind her. She lifted her face a little, moving her gaze to focus on his face.

"Good morning, Senka." She greeted him as well.

He nodded a little, awkwardly, and looked away.

"Purple sis, didn't you say you want to walk around the city last night? Go get change already. Let's go!" Mirra said enthusiastically, looking at her with a cheerful expression.

"Eh? Ah, that's right... Ok, I'll change my clothes. Can you both wait for a little but then?"

"No worry!" Mirra answered firmly.

Before Rena closed the door, she took a clear look at the brown hair girl. She tied her hair in ponytails lately. The style matched her, making the high cheekbone on her tiny face visible. She was a little short compared to the girls around her age, probably because of her poor livelihood, but it made her cute. After Rena interacted with Mirra often, she learned the girl was, in reality, motherly. Behind that small stature that stored abundance energy, short temperament, and a loud mouth, she was protective toward the people she cared.

(She would definitely be mad if she knew...)



After they left the inn, they were strolling the big capital roads looking for the market square the innkeeper told them. He said the market was a perfect place for them to find anything they liked.

decided to get something to eat first before looking for Jean's house. They were strolling around the big roads looking for the market square that the innkeeper told them. At least a hundred food stalls lined up neatly on the square, with many different kinds of foods, fresh or cooked, baked or grilled. Many different smells mixed in the area. A lot of people were crowding the market square.

(This is like a food bazaar...)

[Fish, fish! Give me fish!]

She frowned. The little selkie from last night casually invaded her mind.

(Alright, alright. I'll give you some fish later. Be quiet, okay?)

Her mind is her sanctuary, she didn't want someone entering her mind just like they went to a convenient store. Rena thought that she must put strict rules to Neel before he made her crazy.


They joined the mass walking on the crowded street. Mirra pointed at one of the food stalls that had foods she recognized. They went there and found that the owner was a merchant from Tawarr. From him, they learned this unusually crowded market was because the tournament event that would be held soon in the Valia Kingdom. A lot of merchants from different kingdoms came here to sell their goods.

They ordered three pieces of kebabs from him.

"Can you give me one more piece?" Rena asked.

"Oh, sure. Here, miss!" The nice kebab merchant gave another stick to Rena.

"Thank you!" She gave him thirty bronze coins for all those kebabs.

She gave one to Mirra and two to Senka. Senka held the two kebabs with both hands, confused.

"Well, I thought you'd be hungry with only one. Men usually eat more, right?" She explained it to him.

He tried to return the money, but Rena refused. This was her little thanks of what happened last night.

She bit her stick. "Mmm, juicy meat and it's still warm... I love it! The taste isn't too strong, it's perfect for breakfast."

"I bet you can make it better than this, Purple sis. How about making kebab next time?" Mirra

"I can't make everything, Mirra, but I guess I could try. It's just..."

She thought a full meat dish was impossible for now since Frei had a problem eating this source of protein. She looked at the kebab on her hand and wondered if he was eating well.

A question popped into her mind, (Why did he send me here?)

She was glad that she could practice more spells on the way with Jean, but there wasn't any particular reason why she must be in the capital.

Rena shook her head, trying to stop her pointless thought. There was no way for her to know what he was thinking.

"Right, I want to buy fish. Do you see any stall that sell fish?" Rena said.

"I saw some dried fish there." Mirra replied, pointing in a certain direction.

(Neel, dry fish is okay, right?)

[I guess... For now.]

(Can you eat any other food than fish?)

[Yeah, I can eat normal human foods. But my favorite is fish!]

Mirra was really good at spotting a certain thing in the crowds. When Rena mentioned it to her about this, Mirra casually replied, "Yeah, I used to be a thief. They recruited me because of these eyes of mine and my nimble body."

After Rena bought ten bronze coins worth of small dried fish, she secretly dropped half of the contents on the ground. But before she could pay, Senka already paid it.

"Eh, why... Thank you."

She looked at Senka's light blue eyes that were avoiding hers.

(Neel, can you send a telepathic message to him?)

[Yeah, I can send my thought to him. What do you want me to say?]

(Thank him. He just bought your food.)

She saw him flinched, wearing a surprised expression. She knew Neel was talking to him right now.

[Ok, I told him thanks. He said it was just a payback for the kebabs. He said thank you too.]

Their gazes met, but Senka quickly looked away again.

Rena slightly tilted her head and frowned. This man loved to look away way too much. He had a cold face that made him seem hard to approach, but his behavior was easy to read. In short, he was just a shy guy.

"Hmm? If we're done here, shall we find that guy's house?" Mirra said.

"Yes, let's go." Rena said.


They quit the market square and they approached an elderly woman who had a flower shop nearby, asking the direction of Jean's house. It turned out finding his residence was easy, every local knew who he was and where he lived. Once they started losing way, they asked a local and they would give them direction. The reality struck them that he really was a famous person in this kingdom.

"So... How can we enter this place...?" Mirra left her mouth hung open after saying that line.

Or because there were only four entrances which separated the commoner district and the noble district that finding the direction of his house was easy.

A giant arch gate stood tall ten meters from where they were standing, with a stone wall separating the area inside the gate and the one outside. Two soldiers in their prime stood with a straight posture, each holding a lance, guarding the place.

Mirra and Rena stared at each other, a silent understanding conveyed between them. Just yesterday, they were having trouble entering the city. How were they supposed to enter the area where the nobles lived?

"Let's just try it. There is nothing to lose here." Rena walked toward the guards who were standing in front of the gate.

"Halt! Name yourself! What's your business here?!" The guard on the left said in a loud voice.

"My name is Serena. Can you tell Jean Jaunice that we're here please?"

"What's your relation with him?"

The matter of Rena's learning magic from him was kept as a secret, so she couldn't tell them that she was his pupil.

"We're working for a merchant named Frei, he was Jean's acquaintance. We promised to meet him once we arrived in Ladylake."

The guard on the right seemed to recognize Frei’s name. He spoke to the other guy, "I heard about him from my girlfriend who is working in the Jaunice household. They're..."

He whispered close to the other guy's ear.

"Ohh... I see, I see." The other guard nodded a few times, listening to his friend.

Rena wondered what those two were talking because they made a perverted expression.

*cough* *cough*

The guard on the left cleared his throat before speaking, "I will send someone to inform Jaunice household about you. Please, wait here."

Ten minutes passed..., twenty minutes passed..., thirty minutes passed... .

"Argh! How long do we need to wait?!" Mirra lost her composure. She threw her bag on the ground.

Rena only watched Mirra venting her frustration on the wall that separated the city, she didn't have that much energy to express her frustration like Mirra, still tired and sleepy, she just wanted to see the bed in Jean's house. Nobles must have good beds.

But then, she was aware of her position again. Jean who lived beyond this wall was part of the elites, even then he was willing to teach her who was nothing, just a slave. It could be considered a miracle.

Then her eyes moved further above. The sky above her head had no border. Everyone, every living thing was the same under the sky.

[That's a deep stuff you're thinking.]

(Neel, why can you see what I am thinking? Why can't I see yours? And stop invading my mind whenever you like!)

Rena hadn't yet to know, that it was actually Neel's ability that made him able to read her mind.

[Isn't it obvious? It's because I'm better than you! By the way, he wondered if you are fine after last night.]

Her eyes moved, taking a glance at Senka. He was looking at her direction but turned his head away awkwardly when their gazes met, scratching the back of his head.

[Since you don't want to talk to me, I was talking to him earlier.]

(Oh... I guess this method of communication can be useful for him. Neel, why don't you make a contract with him?)

[Hey... I can't make a contract with just anybody, okay? First, they must have a required amount of magic power to form a contract with me. Second, we must be in the same wavelength.]

(The same wavelength?)

[Just like when I was sending my s.o.s. message, you are the only one who can hear me.]

(I see... How troublesome.)

She hoped there was a spell that could create Firewall in her mind. To protect her mind from the Selkie who treated it like 7-Eleven.

"Hah..." She sighed, her body and mind were exhausted at this point.

She only talked with Neel for a few minutes but it seemed like an hour had passed when she returned to her reality. Mirra now was sitting on top of her bag, tapping her foot on the ground rhythmically.

"Uhm, Senka..." She called him who stood next to her. "I’m sorry if Neel bothering you.”

He shook his head multiple times telling her that it's alright. She watched his eyes that were as blue as the boundless sky, thinking if Senka could talk, they might become good friends. His personality and thoughtfulness made her remembered about her best friend, Jun.

"Well, I'm glad if he doesn't bother you. I'm actually a little jealous, I also want to talk with you." Rena laughed a little. She wanted to befriend him, even if he couldn't talk.

But his face changed a beet red the moment she said that.

"Oh..." She blinked, forgot to close her mouth.

A sudden realization popped into her mind, and she lowered her head, sweeping the cobblestone street with her gaze. She was afraid that if she lifted her head, her noticeable rosy tint would tell her state of mind.

(Could he be possibly.....?)

[Ding dong! You're correct.]

(Neel!! Stop barging in!!)

And after that the situation became awkward. Rena didn’t know what to say anymore and Senka was standing like a statue. Mirra who watched them raised one of her eyebrows, wondering why both of them acting weird. In the end, they waited for an hour before the guards gave them permission to enter.

---

 

Chapter 32

Spoiler

Chapter 32: Half A Cookie

When their foots stepped out from the gate, in front of them was a different world compared to the one they just left. A massive french style garden laid in front of them, as far as their eyes could see. But on closer inspection, it was actually a collection of smaller gardens, and each had a beautiful mansion stood in the center of the garden. The atmosphere was peaceful and quiet, the sound of the birds chirping happily was in the air, and a line of perfectly trimmed trees was planted on each side of the road that would lead them to the white palace in the far distance. No, they weren't in heaven.

Rena, Mirra, and Senka just entered the district where the nobles lived. It was a different contrast to the buzzing commoner district. To think such a peaceful area existed in the most populated place in Valia Kingdom, Ladylake.

Not a single person was spotted walking on the side road, and only several carriages drawn by the most gorgeous Unicorns passing by. According to the guards, the Jaunice's mansion was located just before the road ended. However, they couldn't see the end of the road.

"I'm starting to feel hungry again. We've been walking for an hour but we still can't see his house..."

"Yeah, the distance between each building also getting farther and farther." Rena nodded, agreeing to Mirra's words.

Mirra and Rena were walking next to each other while Senka was following behind them. Now that there was a road ahead of them without any crowd obstructing their path, they walked at a fast pace.

Rena was making an uncomfortable expression since a while ago, her feet hurt. The blisters on the back of her ankles tore, and the skin scraped against the shoes. She got the blisters from walking and running around all day long yesterday.

"Hmm, what's up?" Mirra turned around, Senka tapped her shoulder.

He signaled her to stop, pointing to the spot that was covered by a tree shade.

"Taking a break?"

Wearing his flat expression, he nodded.

Mirra frowned. "I'm not tired already. I want to get to his house before lunchtime and steal all his food."

They stared at each other for a while and then he just walked away, going to the direction he was pointing earlier.

"H-hey!" Mirra shouted. "Where are you going?!"

He sat down and leaned his back against the tree.

"Oh god, he's at it again!" Mirra was pissed, thinking that Senka did things of his own will without considering other people's opinion.

She tried to pull him or drag him, but the guy refused to budge.

In the end, Mirra gave up, and the three of them took a break under the tree.

"See, Purple sis, he always decides everything by himself!" Mirra threw him an annoyed look with a puffy cheek. "Ahh, I wish Sebastian is the one who teaches me..."

Senka pretended he didn't hear that, doodling on the ground with a stick.

During their time on the ship, Mirra had told Rena, often grumpily, how she must keep chasing Senka to teach her or that he refused to teach her certain techniques.

Rena never interacted with Senka back then, so she just listened quietly whenever Mirra released her frustration. But now, that she had time to interact with both of them, she thought they were just misunderstood each other a lot. Mirra, the outspoken and Senka, the bashful. It was unlikely for him to feel tired with only walking this much, his physical capability was higher than average people.

She looked at her own feet and a thought crossed her mind. (Did he notice...?)

And without a care that she would be angry at him, the peeping selkie boy answered, [He did, he did.]

(Neel!!! Go away, shoo shoo!)

Her face turned red and she got flustered. She felt so weird when each of her guesses got a confirmation but not from the person in question. She wasn't aware that he was paying attention to her. Rena didn't understand why and when Senka was interested in her. She didn't know how to take it right now, it was all too sudden for her. But she was happy, receiving his attention. She bit her lips, to hide herself making a silly grin, looking at Senka who was drawing something on the ground.

[Oho~]

(Go away! Shoo shoo!)

She opened her bag, distracting herself. Before she started acting weirder and weirder because of Neel. "Mirra, I still have some cookies and dried fish, do you want it?"

"I'll take the cookies then, I don't like dried fish." Mirra said.

Rena checked the cookies pouch and saw there were only two pieces of them left, Baudric ate most of them yesterday.

"Here, Mirra." She gave her one.

"And here's for you, Senka." She gave the last cookie for him.

He took the pouch and when he saw the inside, he returned the small pocket bag to her.

"Eh, it's alright. I'm not hungry." She refused it, pushing it back to Senka.

And he pushed it back to her.

"If both of you don't want it, give it to me." Mirra said.

Senka frowned a little and then he took the cookie and split it into two, giving half to Rena. When she received it, their fingers touched, he flinched and quickly withdrew his hand.

"Thank you." She said.

He stole a glance at her and stopped when their eyes met, he didn't avoid his gaze this time. A little shy, a little awkward, but he looked at her directly. She reflexively lowered her gaze, and her petal-like lips spread making a shy smile. His eyes were so honest, he didn't try to hide his feeling. And when she was confronted with that sincere affection, she didn't know how to react.

She lifted her hands and nibbled the cookie she held. She chewed it slowly as she was, once again, remembered about her current situation, and Frei's face flashed on her mind.

Rena sighed.


They continued their walk after they had enough rest. Rena stepped the back of her shoes, so the blisters wouldn't hurt her. It was rather uncomfortable walking like this, but it wouldn't hurt her feet. That's why, she slowed down a little, walking nearby Senka now. Watching Mirra's energetic figure in front of her, which sometimes turned around and waved, telling them to be quick.

"Isn't she amazing?" Rena said. "Just a couple of weeks ago she had a misfortune, but she quickly recovered her spirit."

He nodded, agreeing with what she said.

"She told me that both of you quarrel a lot, that you often refuse her this and that." Rena glanced at Senka, he was making an uncomfortable expression. "There must be some reasons behind it, right?"

His didn't deny nor agree with her words, only lowering his gaze.

However, during this short time, Rena had summarized her impression about Senka, he wasn't someone who would mistreat a person. It was easy to misunderstand him with his cold expression, shy personality, and the fact that he couldn't communicate verbally. Regarding her noticing his feeling, she would just keep it to herself until the person was ready to convey it.

And reprimanded the boy who didn't understand the word privacy later.

For now, she was happy that she could befriend Mirra and Senka. Rena really liked both of them, so she said, "These few days had been fun, I really enjoy it. If there's a chance again in the future, let's the three of us go together again!" Showing a wide smile to him.

Tearing the usually cold expressionless face was a faint sincere smile that was directed at her. Rena was taken aback for a moment when she saw it. Since he never smiled, that one little smile left a great impact on her.

And when Mirra called them again, and Rena turned her head to her. Without her noticing, his lips moving, speaking silent words.

You're amazing too.

---

 

Chapter 33

Spoiler

Chapter 33: The Jaunice House

As they kept walking, the tallest building in the capital was getting more and more visible. A small man-made island surrounded by a tranquil blue lake. A white castle stood mighty on top of it, encircled by flower bushes. A white bridge was the only path which connected the dream-like castle to the world outside.

Before they reached the end of the road, which was the royal palace, they saw someone was waiting for them in front of the nearby estate. A plump young man, with freckles on his face and caramel brown hair, greeted them.

"Are you Miss Serena?" He asked.

"Yes." Rena nodded.

"My name is Ian, a servant of this house. Young Master Jean instructed me to pick you up." He gave them a warm welcoming smile.

Ian opened the gate and let them in.

All the houses encircling the palace had a history as old as the royal palace itself. And the Jaunice House was one of the closest estates surrounding the lake, proving their significant influence in the Valia Kingdom.

Although it had hundreds of years of history, it was still well taken care of. The garden was freshly pruned and the plants were placed orderly in a geometric shape, displaying an intricate knot garden. The line of lavenders grew on both sides of the pathway that led to the building. A marble fountain in front of the mansion was glimmering with water, its sound was adding a peaceful atmosphere to its surrounding. The mansion Rena visited with Senka last night felt insignificant compared to this one. Jaunice's mansion looked older but three times bigger and far more grandiose, exuding elegance and grace.

So far, the Jaunice House was truly the depiction of a high aristocratic family, an estate closed to the royal palace with a large garden and a huge mansion. When they arrived in front of the mansion, Ian opened the double door that had the Jaunice family's symbol on it.

"Welcome to the Jaunice House." He said.

Rena frowned looking at the letters carved under the symbol, True Man Embraces Pink. She thought it was an unusual family motto... Not until she directed her gaze inside the building.

She was stunned.

(What are all these pink colors?!)

The maids who greeted them wore flamingo pink maid outfits, the carpets laid on the floor were shocking pink, the curtains were rosy pink, the flowers on the vase were pink, all the pictures of the previous heads of the house had them wearing many different shades of pink, and of course, they had pink hair color. Rena wouldn't be surprised if her eyes starting to bleed pink blood.

She looked at her side, to see Mirra's reaction; her eyebrows knitted. It was her first time entering a noble house, just like Rena, she shouldn't have any idea what a noble house supposed to be, but her face clearly showed that something was off with the view in front of her. Rena looked at Senka too, but he was calm. He might have come here before.

A little girl no older than five years old peeked behind one of the maids, her curly pigtails swayed when she tilted her head, looking at the visitors with curious eyes. It was obvious that she was Jean’s relative, she had pink hair and ruby red eyes like him.

Rena smiled at her and the little girl hid behind the maid again.

“Lady Luna, don’t act like that. You must greet them.” The flamingo maid pushed the girl’s back.

Having no place to hide anymore, the little girl stared at them suspiciously, and then she shouted, “I-I’m not letting you taking Uncle Jean!”

When she turned around, she tripped on her strawberry pink dress and fell. She cried and the maids quickly tried to help her get up.

Rena tried to approach her, but one of the maids blocked her path. “Please, don’t worry about this. We can handle it."

The maid signaled Ian to continue his job, so he did. "Please, Young Master is waiting inside his study room. I'll guide you there."

Rena, Mirra, and Senka followed Ian to the left side corridor. The pink carpet swallowed the sound of their footsteps, not allowing them to disturb the peaceful atmosphere.

When they arrived at Jean's study room, the door was slightly opened. Ian pushed the door and went inside. "Young Master, your guests are here."

Ian opened the door for them, allowing them to enter. Rena stepped inside the room quickly noticed the difference between this particular place and the rest of the house. The walls were made of books... No, to be exact, the wall was covered with hundreds of books, reaching up to the high ceiling. There were still more books, stacking on the floor, on the sofa, on the table. Not a single trace of pink in the room, except the silky soft hair of the man who was sitting behind the desk. His hand was busy moving on top of the parchment, just like he usually did.

Jean stopped writing and lifted his head, looking at the three who just came.

"Excuse me, I'll leave you here." Ian said.

"Thanks for your help, Ian." Rena smiled at him.

Rena wasn't aware that the young man blushed slightly receiving her smile.

"You came here faster than what I expected."

That was the first words he said after they separated for a few days. Those words made the two girls' vein popped on their face, but Mirra reacted faster than Rena.

"You! Don't you know how much trouble you cause us?! We were almost die being surrounded by Valiant Bulls, denied access to enter the city, and wasted a lot of time just to be able to meet you!" Mirra's angry voice reverberated in the room.

"You followed them on your own account. I never told you to do that." Jean's sharp tongue didn't show any sign of rust in the time being.

"Really? I never told you to do that? Is that all you can say, Pinky?” Mirra’s replied wasn’t losing to Jean.

Jean's face twitched, hearing the nickname he was given. "I swear I’ll make you regret if you dare to call me that again.”

Rena broke into a sweat hearing Jean's words, this man would truly make someone regret having to know him, he didn't know middle ground. Her hands moved, trying to cover Mirra's mouth in panic, but Mirra had launched her provocation. "Oh, yeah? Pinky?”

Mirra never interacted with Jean during their time on the ship. Actually, Frei and Rena were the only ones who interacted with him since Jean always holed up in his cabin, just like a hikikomori. Mirra had no idea Jean was not someone to be provoked.

If there was one thing everyone around Jean must know was that he hated being associated with his family color. The forbidden color was the easiest way to provoke a sleeping lion. Even the mighty Valia King must be careful when talking with him.

The moment she said that word, Mirra’s lips clamped shut. Jean cast a spell on her.

“Mmmmm!!!” She stared at Jean with a glowering look. Mirra tried to hit him, but he dodged. Surprisingly, he had a good reflex.

“If you don’t want me to turn you into a statue, don’t approach me.” He warned her.

“Jean, stop! She is half your age! Be more of an adult!” Rena shouted angrily.

“Teaching kids how to behave is the job of an adult.” Jean replied Rena while his eyes fixed on Mirra.

Mirra clenched her fists tight, but she stopped approaching Jean. When she calmed down, Jean released his spell. But, the angry Mirra continued ignoring him for the rest of their talk.

Jean, ignoring Mirra as well, and then he gave them surprising news.

“Senka, I have registered you to participate in The Silver Blade Tournament. Also, Frei will be coming this evening."

He explained all the problems on the port were just to make him returned to the capital. They tried to delay him to go to Ardia Kingdom.

"The Magician Guild had informed the palace about my transfer, and after some disputes, they agreed to let me go under certain conditions. One of them is Frei must win The Silver Blade Tournament."

"I don't understand. What does it have to do anything with Senka? And why The Silver Blade Tournament???" Rena was very confused.

"I told you before, we, Valians, prefer to settle a conflict with swords, remember? It's just that my sudden transfer happened right before The Silver Blade Tournament. His Majesty thought it was a good idea to include me as a winning prize."

"W-winning prize..." A bead of sweat fell from her forehead. She saw Jean's expression turned into disgust.

(The King seems to be an easy going person...) Rena didn't dare to mutter the words.

Jean continued speaking, "As for why Senka is selected, Frei could pick any champion for him, the only requirement to participate in the tournament is the contestant must be under 20 before summer ends."

"Oh..." She took a glance at Senka. He did look younger than Jean or Frei.

As she was starting to understand the situation, she became concerned.

This matter involved her. She was studying magic under Jean, and it was because of her that Jean came to Ardia Kingdom.

"What if Senka lose?" She asked.

"Then I'll work for whoever won the tournament. And you, I'll take you wherever I go." Jean replied.

"What?! No, no, no!" She shouted the moment he said that. It sounded like an invitation to hell.

(Am I 2-in-1 package with Jean now?!!)

"Then how are you going to study magic?" His sharp upturn eyes were looking at her.

"Err, err... I can study from magic books?" She looked around her surrounding that was filled with books. Since it was Jean, all of them must be related to magic.

"You are still a beginner, don't think of magic lightly."

"I'm sure Frei won't let me go with you!"

"Then he must win the tournament. Period."

"That sounds easier to say than done..." Rena spoke in a small voice so nobody heard her.

Jean looked at Senka. “Do you have any objection?”

Senka shook his head.

Rena took a glance at Senka. She sensed a fighting spirit in his gaze. Perhaps, he actually wanted to participate in the tournament.


After the issue about participating in the tournament was dealt, Jean asked Rena about her progress with her magic. She explained to Jean about her progress and what she found lacking.

"I can cast Fireball fast enough now, although the accuracy is bad when I am moving. I can't freeze a big monster like the Valiant Bull with Icebreath but I managed to do it with smaller monsters. As for Windblade, I only tried it once."

"I see. You still need a lot of practice. Next time, don't return until you master the spells."

"Next time?!" She shouted. As expected of her teacher, Jean would not hesitate to drop her into another den of monsters.

“Oh, by the way, I have something for you.” Jean took out a box from under his desk.

Rena flinched suspecting it might be another potion. But, it wasn't. He gave her a round ruby in the size of a gumball.

"What is this?" She frowned.

"That's my communication gem. Use that to contact me next time. Place your finger on it and call my name, the gem I have will receive your call."

She observed the red stone on her palm; the function reminded her of a cell phone. Her curiosity was picked, she wanted to know how he made this, but there was another thing that she wanted to know more. "Why didn't you give it to me sooner?"

"I forgot." He said it lightly, like it was a third-rate problem.

Rena gripped the ruby stone tightly like she wanted to crush it. "Jeannn!!!"

---

 

Chapter 34

Spoiler

Chapter 34: A Wake Up Call

"Nobles are so haughty! And that guy is no exception!" Mirra said it loudly when there were only three of them in the garden.

"Haha..." Rena laughed wryly. "He is rather extreme but when you knew him, he isn't all that bad..."

"Oh, Purple sis is defending him." Mirra jeered.

"Well, he is my teacher after all hehe..." Rena gave an apologetic smile to Mirra.

Currently, Rena and Mirra were eating their lunch in the Jaunice House's garden. They were given some bread and slices of bacon from the kitchen. As commoners, it made them uncomfortable eating food inside the house. So, they left the pink ambiance mansion to enjoy the green refreshing garden.

"I wish I could say the same with Senka." Mirra said with a loud sigh, she stole a glance at Senka who was sitting a little bit further from them.

"This is just my own opinion, but Senka must have his own reason not wanting to teach you. Right, Senka?"

Senka was like trying to bury his face with the bread he was eating, he lowered his head so much that Rena couldn't see his expression.

"Hmmmm...." Rena looked at Senka feeling dissatisfied, thinking that super shy personality needed to be fixed a little. An idea crossed her mind. "Senka, can you write?"

Senka nodded a little without looking at her.

Rena stood up from the bench, broke a small branch and gave it to Senka. He gave her a questioning look, didn't understand what she wanted to do. She smiled a little, and grabbed her hand, she pulled him to a small area where soil could be spotted.

"Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?" She told him to write on the ground.

But he wasn't moving. She didn't realize her hand holding his wrist was the cause.

"No need to be shy. After these past few days, we're friends now."

If Senka could communicate better, he wouldn't be fighting so much with Mirra. That's what she thought.

Rena tried to move his hand, but couldn't. "Come on, Senka! Anything is fine! Like your hobby or favorite foods!"

After a battle of strength, which Rena had no hope to win, she finally let go of his hand. "You... I don't know that you are stubborn..."

Rather than being a stubborn, being told to speak his mind made the super shy guy more anxious. Also, she actually made it worse by grabbing his arm. When Rena let go of his arm, he escaped quickly.

"Senka, wait!" Rena chased Senka, but he was gone like the wind.

"Never mind him. He's always like that." Mirra waved her hand in shooing motion at the direction Senka left.

Rena sighed. She wanted to improve Mirra and Senka’s relationship, she wanted to know Senka better, and she wanted the three of them to be friends. But it wasn't as easy as she thought.

When Rena and Mirra had finished their lunch, they wandered around in the big backyard garden. A big tower that gave a mysterious feeling stood on the opposite side of the garden. The maid had warned them not to approach that tower. So, they went in the other direction.

What they found in this part of the garden was a dovecote. The small tower was surrounded by cypress and rose shrubs, and oor oor sound of pigeons coming from the holes. It exuded a fairytale-like feeling.

Rena smiled looking at that structure. In her mind, she imagined a little fairy came out from one of the holes. Her attention diverted when she noticed a shadow behind the tower. She squinted at the small figure crouching near the shrubs. She recognized the pink curly hair of her.

"Hello?" Rena approached her.

The girl jolted and turned her head to Rena, her pigtails swayed as she moved her head. "You...! Go away!"

Rena didn’t want to make the girl felt threatened, so she stepped back. "I’m sorry if I surprised you, I’m just looking for my friend. Did you see him?"

The little girl showed an angry look but she still shook her head.

“Okay, thank you then. Let’s go, Mirra.” She turned around and walked away.

After a few steps, the little girl called her, "W-wait!"

This trick always worked with small children when they were throwing tantrum. You chased them, they would run. You turned your back and they would follow you.

"Yes?" She turned her body a little.

"Go away! Don’t take Uncle Jean away!" She shouted.

"We're not. We never force him to go with us." Rena spoke carefully. "Why don’t you want Uncle Jean to go?"

The girl lowered her gaze, her little hands gripped her dress, making it wrinkly. "Because… Luna will be lonely."

"Luna? What a lovely name." Rena said. "How about your parents?"

"Father and Mother are always busy in the palace! Grandfather too! And the maids, they don’t want to play with me! Only Uncle Jean…”

"Oh..." Rena discovered an interesting thing about Jean. He, who never showed any interest except for things related to magic, actually spent his time to play with his niece.

"By the way, my name is Serena. And she is Mirra."

"Nice to meet you... Yes, my name is Luna. Luna Eleonore Jaunice, daughter of Clovis and Eleonore Jaunice…”

Even in this kind of situation, she was being polite.

"Is it fine if I call you Luna?" Rena wasn't sure how to address her since the little girl was a noble.

"Yes, I don’t mind." Luna nodded, her curly pigtails swayed every time she moved her head.

"Thank you, Luna." Rena smiled. The little girl made her wanted to hug her.

Next, Rena told Mirra what the girl was saying. Mirra clapped her hands when Rena finished her story.

"Then how about we play together?" Mirra asked her. "She doesn't have anyone to play with her, except Grumpy."

She had found another nickname for Jean.

"Won't she be even more lonely later on?" Rena said to Mirra while her eyes stealing ga lance at Luna.

"Then, should we just leave her here like this?" Mirra frowned.

Luna looked at Rena with her big ruby red eyes, the color and the shape were similar of Jean's. Rena felt guilty because it was because of her all these current problems stemmed from. Playing with the little girl wouldn't solve the problem, but she wanted to make up for it even just a little.

"Luna, do you want to play with us?" Rena asked her.

Luna lifted her head, and her expression turned bright. "Yeah!"

They returned to the mansion to inform one of the maids, as she thought, they were looking for Luna. Then they asked a permission to play with her from the maid who took care of Luna. Because Luna's persistence, they won. So, Rena and Mirra started playing together with Luna.

---

"Hmm... Where should I hide next?"

Rena walked fast, her head moving left and right trying to find a spot to hide. They were currently playing Hide and Seek.

It was Mirra's turn to search and Rena and Luna tried to hide. Mirra was really good at this game, her eyes were good at spotting details and she had a good sense where they would hide. But Rena who didn't want to be found easily, trying her best finding a good hiding spot. It was their last game since the sun almost set.

She found a good hiding spot when it was her turn to search, a freshly trimmed giant shrub in the knot garden. The bush was thick, but there was an empty space under the bush, unnoticeable because it was covered by the leaves. She went there to hide.

She opened the bush carefully, not wanting to destroy the plant. She entered the bush and sat down, her body was well hidden under the bush. It was like being inside a small tent.

While she was waiting she got nostalgic, her childhood memories returned. She didn't remember when exactly she stopped playing this game.

As the days progressed and she was adapting in this world, a feeling of doubt sprouted in her heart; the mismatch between her current reality and her memories. She started thinking that her memories were all but a dream and she just woke up from a long slumber.

Rena lowered her head, putting it on top of her knees. She hugged her knees with both hands and slowly closed her eyes. Mirra took a long time to find her.

The most important thing for her right now was about her future. She thought what she was going to do with Neel, what would become her magic training if Jean went away, what she would do if one day Senka confessed to her, what she would do with Frei...

As she thought about Frei, another feeling of doubt sprout in her mind. What she would do if she could never be free from him...

Her eyes felt heavy, she didn't get enough rest these past few days; the trip to the capital, fighting and running away from monsters, and last night she barely slept after escaping death. She helplessly fell asleep under the dark shade of the plants surrounding her.


Her body swayed a little, somebody held her in their arms. She recognized this warm and this familiar scent, she didn't know any other guy who carried a hint of rose.

Rena slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes focusing what was in front of her, a pair of aquamarines in those deep-set eyes that she hadn't seen in a while.

"You wake up, Rena?" His sweet gentle voice greeted her. He held her in princess carry.

"I just arrived here and you've already given me a trouble. They were trying hard to find you earlier."

The garden path was illuminated by magic stone lamps and the sound of his footsteps was the only one that accompanied them.

"How did you find me then?" Although she knew the answer, she still asked that question.

"'Cause you can't hide from me." He said, showing her his perfect smile.

Rena smiled a little knowing that at least he was predictable in this area.

"So Rena, what happened to your neck?" Frei asked in a serious tone.

"Eh?" She had a confused look before realizing the meaning of his question. The memory of last night when the Lamia strangled her returned. That monster left a bruise and scratch mark on her skin, but she had tried covering it by using a high collar dress this morning.

(I guess it's useless to hide it with this person...)

"Well, I fought with monsters these past few days..."

She did fight with a lot of monsters these past few days. It wasn't surprising if she got hurt a little, but she wouldn't tell him this was from fighting a half-human half-snake monster last night.

"Tsk... What did Senka do after I told him to protect you."

She touched her neck. "This was my fault... I was careless." She didn't want Senka to get into trouble with Frei because of her, so in a softer tone she pleaded, "Please, don't trouble him."

"Your safety is an unnecessary problem?" He didn't smile when saying it, a look of dissatisfaction appear on his face.

Rena frowned. She didn't understand why he was angry.

"Then why do you send me here?" She asked.

His expression froze for a second.

"Fine, it's my fault. From now on, you'll be with me wherever I go."

"Whaaat....?" Her mouth made a silly O shape before her thoughts returned to her.

"I refuse! I refuse! I'm not a 2-in-1 package with you!" She shook her head like she wanted to break it.

(Just give me an explanation, will you?!)

"What are you talking about?" He chuckled. "Then should I punish you for not taking care of yourself?"

Her body tensed up, she didn't want to wear that embarrassing thing again, just like what she did at Saola's Garment Shop. Rena looked at him and said, "You're not making any sense. I was hurt and you are punishing me because of that?"

"Because you make me worry." Frei tilted his head.

"Oh, so you care about me." She said it sarcastically.

"I do."

"Eh..." When she heard his reply, her heart stopped for a second. Even though she knew it didn't carry any particular meaning. It spilled from his mouth too easily.

"Then if you don't want to be punished, give me a little reward. I found you in this big garden."

"What kind of reward...?" She looked at him suspiciously.

"A kiss." He was smiling when answering her question.

"Why does it always become like this with you?!" She shouted in frustration.

(It's the same as a punishment!)

Frei smiled even wider, looking at her frustrated face.

Looking at his triumphant expression, she got annoyed. And before her mind could process what she was doing, she cupped her hands on his face, and pressed her lips... just barely missed his lips.

He froze and stopped blinking because of the sudden attack.

"A kiss is a kiss. That's your reward, Mr. Gentleman. Thank you for finding me."

She made a sly smile, an expression she usually didn't show. Rena didn't really understand what made her do this. Probably, after a near-death experience., she found a new kind of courage.



---

 

I have returned!!!!
Aaaaggghhhhh I lurve Renaaaaa
Whooboii I just get frustrated that she gets pushed around tho huhuhu

 

Yeah.. I knew it's been 30ch+ but I still need to push her around a little bit more before she could bite him back!

Tbh, I've never thought it would be this long. D:

 

Chapter 35

Spoiler

Chapter 35 - A Peaceful Night

Thankfully Mirra, Sebastian, Luna, and some maids came to their side soon after what she did to him. She quickly asked Frei to put her down and pretended nothing happened.

After explaining what happened, she apologized for falling asleep.

"I'm deeply sorry for inconveniencing you." Frei also apologized to the maids.

All of them blushed and quickly shook their heads, telling him they didn't mind it. One of them dared enough to say that he should inconvenience her more, which Frei replied with his gentleman smile. That maid got struck by a cupid's arrow and fell weak to her knees.

He also successfully charmed little Luna.

"Hello, Luna. Last time we met, you were still learning to talk. Here's the present I promised you before."

He gracefully bowed and placed his fingers on his lips, doing a Valian salute like the one Jean gave to Rena before. His elegant movement wasn't lost to Jean. Only, when Frei did the bow, it was followed by a background sound of girls' screaming. Behind the wall, the rest of the maids were peeking, wanting to see him.

Frei gave Luna a present, a doll which had similar characteristics to Luna; curly pigtails and pink hair strands, ruby red eyes and rosy cheeks.

His sincere smile and gentle tone he said to Luna made the other two maids got struck by a cupid's arrow and fell weak to their knees.
I
Rena tilted her eyebrows.

(He just arrived a moment ago and three women had been his victims already?)

Frei wasn't even flirt with them.

(Geez, women in this world are so defenseless!)

The rest of Jean's family members had come home when Rena fell asleep in the garden. And they were invited to eat dinner together. Rena was honestly surprised learning that these people were affiliated to Jean. Excluding their hair color, nothing else was similar to Jean.

"Frei, Jean can be hard to deal sometimes, but I'm sure you are aware of this already. Are you really sure of this?" The man who sat at the end of the long table said.

"Yes, for the tenth time I said it." Frei was speaking politely, but nothing in his words was polite. It could be misunderstood for sarcasm if it's not for the fact that his expression and tone of voice showed that he was happy.

The dish in front of him was different compared to the rest.

The specifically made food for Frei and their easy-going interaction also proved he was closed not only to Jean but to Jean's relatives as well.

"But, we still need to win The Silver Blade Tournament to get permission from the King." Frei said.

"I knew this day would come! My Jean would finally be taken away!" He didn't listen to Frei's last sentence since he was busy wiping the tears in his eyes, just like a father who soon walked his daughter to the aisle.

"Shut up, Father." Jean stabbed his fork to the steak on the plate.

Jean's father, Marquis Jaunice, was the head of the house and a famous general in the Valia Kingdom. A man with flamboyant hairstyles like he was following the latest trend, full of vigor and virility, and had a good smile with shiny teeth.

"Our little Jeanie is just being shy. Older brother will miss you so much." Another guy who looked sad as if his beloved pet would be taken away.

"I'm not." Jean sliced the steak with his knife repeatedly like he was in trance.

The man who sat in the same row with Jean and had a short hair, neat stubble, and muscular built was Clovis Jaunice. He worked as the head of royal guard in the palace. Despite his manly appearance, he was a soft-hearted guy who had a bit of brother complex.

"Hahaha! Don't worry, Jean Bean! I will take care of your father and brother while you're gone!" She punched her chest with her fist while saying those words.

And the manliest of them all, with her laughter and voice filling the dining hall, was Eleonore Jaunice. She was a knight who worked as the queen's private bodyguard. She had a marigold hair as she was entering this house as Clovis' wife.

Rena only watched in dumbstruck how this family combination reminded her of the ugly duckling. A bunch of happy go lucky individuals who exuded the aura of manliness and Jean was a complete opposite of them. She looked at Luna who was so far the normal 'normal', she wondered if Luna would grow like one of them someday.

"Luna doesn't want Uncle Jean to get married!" Luna stood up from her chair.

"Who is marrying who?!" Jean finally lost his patience. His plate broke because he kept slicing it with force.

"Listen, Luna, I'll just be working with Frei for a while. I'm NOT marrying him."

It was unusual for Jean to speak loudly and emphasizing the word he said.

"Uncle Jean is a strong wizard and our family is prosperous. Why do you need to work for a merchant?!" Luna didn't back down. "It must be because you love him, just like what Cissy and Abigail said!"

"Cissy, Abigail!" Jean glared at the maids who were standing in the corner of the room. Thunderbolts was raging behind Jean.

"Hieeeee!!!" The two maids screamed.

"It's okay, Jean. You don't need to hide it." Frei smiled meaningfully at Jean.

"You are only worsening the misunderstanding!" Jean threw a water orb which Frei dodged quickly.

(Are they a sitcom family or what?) Rena looked at them, speechless.

Mirra who sat next to Rena was trying so hard to hide her laugh.

Rena's image of a noble family shattered. Furthermore, Jean's family didn't differentiate status, commoners or not, they sat at the same table. Just looking at a glance like this, they were warm individuals who treasured their family a lot.

She smiled, looking at Jean who was sitting in front of her with a vein appeared on his forehead, thinking what a fortunate guy he was.

"Serena, is it?" Marquis Jaunice called her.

Rena nodded, looking at Marquis Jaunice nervously.

"I have a feeling that Jean's sudden decision has anything to do with you." He said it with a big shiny smile confidently, making that straightforward assumption he just spoke was as innocent as a baby laughing after shooting his pee to his parent.

Rena didn't know what to say because it was true. Her impression of Marquis Jaunice was despite looking like a doting father and an easy going person, he was a sharp person who couldn't be underestimated.

"Hmm..." Sitting behind the table, Eleonore leaned her body forward excessively, just to examine her. "I wish you have more muscle, but I understand Jean Bean has his own preference. Say, is it possible that you can do magic? That purple eyes of yours..."

Rena forced a smile, looking as calmly as possible, but cold sweat starting to appear on her face when their innocent guesses were getting closer and closer to the truth.

"Stop bothering her. She has nothing to do with this." Jean spoke.

"Oooo..." His family uttered the sound in unison like they were singing in choirs.

Another big vein popped in his forehead, but Jean managed to hold himself.

"Whoever you choose, Big Brother will support you. Just allow me to sing the ballad for your first dance." Clovis said sincerely. "Actually, since I heard Jeanie is going away, I have made ten songs for you. I don't know which one is the best for you..."

The chandelier and the windows in the room started shaking, reacting to a certain vibration from the man known as the strongest wizard in the Valia Kingdom.

But none of them seemed to care, except Rena.

(Isn't this dangerous?!) She stared at the shaking chandelier above her head, concerned that it might fall anytime soon.

She didn't know that this family loved stepping on landmines, especially the landmines called Jean. This had become their habits ever since Jean started holing up in the room all day to focus on his magic research and study. The servants of this house called it the test of courage. And when Jean finally exploded, that's how they ended their dinner.

The dinner ended up more entertaining than fulfilling for Rena.

---

After the dinner was done, the maid led them to the guest room. Rena and Mirra walked to the opposite direction of where the men staying. Rena glanced at Frei and Sebastian before leaving, she hadn't seen Senka after he left the garden.

When she entered the guest room provided for her, she went to the bed right away to feel the mattress. She closed her eyes feeling the softness of the bed, and also to protect her eyes from everything in the room was also decorated in pink, just like inside a dollhouse.

As her body finally able to relax in a comfortable bed, Neel appeared from her shadow.

"Rena... Be careful with that man."

"Who?" She frowned as she sensed Neel's wariness.

"The man you called Frei. He is every magician's nightmare. No... Not just magician, but every creature that has magic power."

She opened her eyes again, she was alert again. "I don't understand?"

"He can nullify magic. Magic is useless against him."

"It doesn't mean that he is bad or dangerous..."

"I lost contact with you when he touched you. Just a warning from me, I can't save you if you get involved with him."

Neel paused for a while before continued speaking, "Never in my wildest dream that I imagined I would make a contract with otherworlder. I guess it's expected that people around you are unusual too."

Rena stared at the empty ceiling, blinking a few times. But her mind wasn't with Neel anymore. She thought about Frei's secret. She just found a thing about him, but it only added more question marks.

After her mind was quiet once again, her thought returned to what happened before dinner. She woke up abruptly and held her head. "Gyaaa!!!"

She sprang out of the bed and banged her head on the nearest wall.

"Owwie, owwie..." She rubbed her forehead.

"What a daring move I did! I kissed him! This must be a curse! I've been possessed! Oh, right! I do get possessed!" She kept moving in a circle when she spoke those words, sometimes looking above, sometimes looking down. As if she had reached conclusion by the last words, Rena calmed down.

"Hah... What a helpless contractor..." Neel shook his head. "Stop blaming for what you did."

Rena was restless that night, but mentally and physically, she had reached her limit. The feather bed was soft and comfy and she had a long deep in sleep that night.

---

"This is more than I expected. Thank you, Senka." Frei said.

Senka shook his head, her gaze was wandering a little.

"What's the matter Senka?" Sebastian noticed he seemed like wanting to say something.

Senka pulled a small notebook and wrote something on it. He tore the paper and gave it to Sebastian.

"He said it's all thanks to Miss Serena. She made a high-class potion and trade it with the slime jelly from an adventurer they met."

"Oh? She made a potion?" Frei couldn't hide his surprise.

He frowned a little. "Where did..."

But, his words stopped as if he realized something. "Ok, thanks for telling me this, Senka."

Senka nodded.

After Senka and Sebastian left the room. Being left alone in the room, Frei took a glass of champagne and sat on the sofa.

During these few days, his days were dull. After the Fort Forenza's Guild Master announced the conditions from the Valia Kingdom to contract Jean. He went out with Theresa for a casual fling that night. It's been a month since the last time he went out with any woman.

But something amiss, he kept thinking about her. He didn't understand why. So, the next morning, he quickly rushed to go to Ladylake.

After arriving, tired after a long trip in the carriage, he heard she was missing. At that moment, his heart felt like being squeezed tight. He remembered a terrible illness called heart attack, he was afraid that he was sick. He's scared, he couldn't die yet, not now.

In a panic, he quickly told Sebastian to traced her contract. They found out that she was still in the garden. He ran to where she was, finding out she was sleeping under the bush. Then the suffocating feeling that grip his heart was gone. Never in his life, he felt something weird like that.

He touched her cheek, pinching it a little, but she didn't wake up. Then she mumbled unclear words which made him smile. Not wanting to wake her up anymore, he carefully slipped his arms under her body to lift her up.

When he placed her head on his chest, he noticed the bruise and scratch on her neck. Somebody tried to kill her. A surging wave of rage like that night filling him. He left her for a few days and looked what had happened to her.

"Why did you send me here?"

Rena's words resounded in his mind.

It was fun playing and teasing her, however, he wanted more from a woman. She was still innocent, and foremost, unwilling to give it to him.

A good opportunity as Jean returned to the capital, so he sent her away. He just didn't want her to know. He thought everything would be okay with Senka and Jean with her, those two had the power he could never have, yet this girl who loved stepping on danger still managed to get hurt.

He felt bitter, it was all his fault.

Frei gulped his champagne in one go. He held the glasses tightly, blaming himself. After all these years, he finally found his strongest chess piece. And, this was how he treated her. Not only once, but twice, she almost died. He swore in his heart, he wouldn't let her go anymore, not only as his chess piece but also, as his woman.

That half-hearted kiss she did had removed all his doubts. He had kissed many women, but this was the first time a kiss gave him a warm fluttering feeling. He didn't know what that was, it wasn't magic certainly, magic didn't have any effect on him. The only thing he knew, he wanted more of that feeling.

"Really, you couldn't underestimate her..." The corner of his lips curved upward as his finger touched the place Rena planted her kiss.

---

 

Chapter 36

Spoiler

Chapter 36: Before The Match Began

"Good luck, Senka! I'm cheering for you!" Rena shouted as Senka left to enter the participant area while they went to the audience seat.

He didn't look back or else everyone would see his face was red.

"I hope he win." Mirra said.

"Yeah, me too," Rena replied to her.

"Well, then let's go. Sebastian had booked the seat for us."' Frei said.

Blending with the crowd, the three of them walked to the entrance gate, not far from them a carriage passed by. Inside the carriage, a black haired man with obsidian eyes sat calmly, accompanied by a short middle age man who kept biting his nails.

"Luxus, have you find any clue about that selkie?" The nervous man asked.

"No, not yet, Mr. Rodemack," Luxus answered him.

"It's all your fault! I thought your barrier would be hard to break that's why I didn't put any guard in that place!" Rodemack blamed him.

"Even if you placed guards there, that Lamia would eat them all," Luxus replied, staring at Rodemack coldly. He knew it was one of Rodemack's hobby to collect monsters that resembled a human, and that Lamia was his favorite. That day, Rodemack insisted to use the monster to guard another monster.

The weak mentality Rodemack shrunk being glared by Luxus, but even scarier than Luxus was the client who was supposed to receive that item. Just thinking about what he must say to that man made his organs felt like being churned out and he couldn't sleep. He, who owned the most prestigious prostitution place in Ladylake and had a lot of backings in the underworld, was only a speck of dust in front of this man.

That's why he brought Luxus today, he would blame it all on Luxus.


---

The giant amphitheater Rena currently inside had stood since the ancient times. The structure could fit a thousand of people and was one of the symbols of pride of Valia Kingdom. This place, where mighty warriors clashed their swords to proof who were stronger, was called Colosseum.

"It's still the first day and its already been this crowded..." Rena talked to herself, her eyes scanning her surroundings. Men and women, young and old, were filling up the area. Some people she saw were wearing unusual attires, telling them that they came from faraway places. A group of men who just passed drew her attention, their hats and clothes were made of animal furs, moreover, they had black hair. It was her first time seeing a group of black hair people since the day those pirates kidnapped her.

"They came from Xi La," Frei said, watching her inquisitive look. "The Jin people and Xi La people have similar characteristics, but you can easily tell them apart from the clothes they are wearing."

"Oh, I see..." Rena replied without looking at Frei.

Rena was still awkward after kissing him last night. She woke up screaming, dreaming of what she did. Flustered, she fell from the bed and bumped her forehead on the floor. Because of that, there was a small bump on her forehead. But she pretended it was nothing for her, so he wouldn’t think that what she did to him affect her greatly.

"Didn't you say you come from Xi La before?" One of the corners of his lips curved up. Frei was still remembered what she said the day they first met.

She didn't answer his question. Frei had said that he wouldn't pressure her to tell her secret, so she kept her mouth shut, looking at the back of two men who were sitting in front of her.

"Hey, have you check the participants? Who do you think is going to win this year?"

"That's too early to tell. There are many promising candidates this year as well. I heard Jade Dragon Li from Xi La is strong."

"Is he stronger than Crusher Grimus?"

"I don't know. We'll see!"

"You know, I heard Black Gale Luxus came here to watch this year tournament."

These men were talking excitedly about the participants. She felt like she was coming to a live match that had so many people watching it, just like watching a big soccer game at the stadium.

"Do you think Senka could win?" Mirra asked Sebastian.

"I sincerely hope so," Sebastian answered her.

The two people chatted leisurely, not knowing the conflict that happened in Rena's mind.

"Rena," Frei called her. "Have you read any book from my library?"

She furrowed her eyebrows, thinking. "Yeah... Just one, I haven't had a chance to read them."

"What did you read?" He asked again.

Rena turned her head to look at him. Rather than a casual talk to waste time, it sounded like a probing question.

"I found a potion book in your library. Is it bad if I borrow it? I can return it to you right now...?"

Now that she thought about it, Frei said that he didn’t own any magic book. The potion book might not something he wanted to lend to someone else.

He shook his head slowly, answering with his gentle tone. "It's alright, that book is more useful for you than for me anyway."

"Thank you..." She said, thinking that Frei really was a nice guy when he didn’t tease her so much.

He suddenly touched the small bump on her forehead with his finger, she flinched.

“What is this?” He said.

“Nothing, I fell this morning," Rena answered while avoiding her gaze, she would never tell him that it was because she was dreaming about him that she fell from the bed.

His lips spread thin into a smile, but before he said any teasing words to her, the announcer declared the opening of the tournament.

"Citizens of Valia and others who have traveled far to watch this year tournament, I have special news for you! The Silver Blade Tournament's winner is not only going to receive the reward directly from the king, another prize has been added!"

The crowd made a different kind of noise, the announcer waited for a couple of seconds before announcing the surprise.

"The strongest magician in our kingdom, Jean Roze Jaunice, agreed to serve anyone who wins this tournament!"

The spectators inside the Colosseum buzzed like thousands of bees. The two guys who were chatting about the participants earlier shouted in disbelief.

"No way! Are they going to give our most graceful flower to a random stranger?!"

A bead of sweat fell from her forehead, Rena made a difficult expression, knowing that Jean being compared to a flower.

"Valia Kingdom's Knights better win this tournament!"

"Argh! I want to enter this tournament!"

"Shut up, pervert old man!"

The talk about Jean didn't subdue until the announcer requested them to be calm. As soon as the announcer finished speaking, they were greeted by a spectacular opening ceremony.

Not for Rena. She was horrified when she witnessed what these crowds enjoyed.

It was a gladiator battle where prisoners and slaves, one by one, being thrown into the arena, facing a three-headed monster. At first, because of shock and her mind, her eyes wide opened staring blankly at the ground below, she saw the first person tried to escape from the monster's deadly jaws. And when one of the heads sank its teeth to that man’s neck, she closed her eyes as his scream pierced the air.

(This is entertainment?! This is cruelty! These people are so excited like they are watching a soccer game!) She shouted in her mind.

But it didn’t end yet, another man came out. Then the next turn, and the next, again and again. They kept going.

She kept looking down at the screams of those people torn her soul. But she couldn't do anything for them. She buried her nails on her thighs, enduring the situation before Frei grabbed her hand, pulling her.

"Let's go take some fresh air." He stood up.

She wanted to leave this place, so she quietly followed him outside, leaving Mirra and Sebastian who looked at them, but they didn’t say anything when Frei took her out.

"Here." He gave her a handkerchief.

"Thank you..."

She was sitting in front of the pillars, wiping her wet eyes and nose.

"I shouldn't have brought you here. I’m sorry.” He sincerely apologizing.

"No… It’s not your fault. I want to watch Senka's fight. It's just that I never expected that kind of thing..." She said with a grim expression.

That inhuman treatment, not even animals were treated like that in her world. Well, there were still some practices in some other countries, but she’d never seen one.

"Is that normal here...?" She asked him.

Frei was silent, pondering what her definition of normal was. Then he answered ambiguously, "Mmm."

"I see…" Her voice was calm but hollow. There was no trace of emotion as if she was accepting the fact by detaching her feeling.

"The weak can't choose." Frei shrugged his shoulders, answering her in a matter of fact way.

The words he just muttered wasn’t spoken out of superiority, or ignorance, she could feel a bitter resentment in his tone. She lifted her face, looking up at the man standing in front of her. Frei’s expression was inexplicable and his gaze was cold.

Rena wanted to be strong, strong enough to live a life like what she wanted. Then self-doubt
appeared in her mind. She wasn't the class-president type who was full of achievements, or a kick-ass girl who would make men bent down. By her definition, she was a nail among nails that didn't stick out.

Frei moved, sitting next to her. His gaze was watching the people who were walking nearby.

"It's okay, most people are weak. You don't need to be strong all alone. Don't be afraid to use me to survive. In return, I'll use you to survive as well."

His bluish green eyes, like the color of seawater being penetrated by the light, were fixed on something in the distance, something that wasn't visible to others. At that moment, it finally struck on her mind that Frei wasn’t a normal merchant, what Neel said last night about him, and what Frei kept saying to her. She remembered about their conversation at the lookout tower that night, and she couldn't hold the question any longer.

"What exactly do you want to do with me?" She asked. "Please, don't say you just want to save me like a prince in a white horse."

He turned to look at her, laughing a little. "A prince in the white horse? That sounds good to me."

She kept sticking her gaze at him, waiting for his answer. For a moment, Frei was quiet.

"Well..." Finally, he opened his mouth.

"If you really want to know the answer come to my room tonight, I'll tell you." He said, attaching a naughty smirk on his face.

Her eyes wide opened and her entire body froze. Rena wanted to know, but Frei surely didn't make it easy for her to know the truth!


"Do you want to walk around a little?" He asked her, after watching her became a statue for a few minutes. The result of her mind being thrown into a mess.

She managed to reply. "But Senka's fight..."

"He's in the last block, his fight won't be much later in the day."

"Will he get hurt too?" She was worried, after realizing the brutality of this tournament, she was afraid Senka might be severely wounded or died. It would be her fault if that happened.

"I doubt it. He is strong after all." Frei assured her. "And even if he gets hurt, he can be healed with magic or potions. Maybe Rena can treat him."

"Eh... I'm still learning. That might be dangerous to give him mine." She said, shaking her head. But she thought a simple potion like that red potion probably would be okay.

"So... Do you like Senka?" Frei threw the question just like a bolt in the blue, he noticed Rena's worried expression toward the man and couldn't help asking that question.

She stood up abruptly, shouted so loud that passersby turning their head. "What are you talking about suddenly?! I don't get it!"

With his gaze peering at her and a smile on his face, Frei said, "Which one do you like more? Me or him?"

Rena glared at him fiercely. She was at lost determining his behavior. He was like a light that kept changing color. One moment, he was serious, the next moment, he was mischievous, and then he turned gentle again.

"Neither!" She turned her body away and left him on the spot.


---

 

Chapter 37

Spoiler

Chapter 37: Meeting Baudric Again

The area surrounding the Colosseum was as crowded as the one inside the building. A temporary market was opened, as the merchants spotted an opportunity to sell their goods to the spectators. Erected tents, some belonged to merchants and some belonged to the supporters who came to cheer the participants from other kingdoms, were mixing together. And among these crowds of people, ignoring the cheerful shouts of merchants offering their goods, swiftly avoiding people who walked from the opposite direction, were two young people.

Some passersby turned their head when they passed, the pretty girl with a short black hair walked fast while the handsome young man followed her. With his long legs, he could catch the girl anytime if it's not because the girl kept zigzagging, trying to give him a bit of trouble. They quickly assumed they were a young couple having a quarrel.

"Really, I left you for a few days, and your eyes went to another guy..." He said it rather loud because of the crowds.

"I tell you, that's not it!" Rena denied it out loud, feeling the gazes that were directed at her.

Because her flustered state, her shoulder bumped into a man, and she swayed to the side. At that moment, Frei caught her hand and closed their distance.

"And after you raise my hope yesterday with... a kiss~" He whispered the last word in her ear.

"Stoppp!" She closed his mouth with her hands, but quickly let go of her hands when she realized she touched his lips.

Getting even more flustered by doing this.

Not knowing what she must do to stop him from teasing her. She sulked, ignoring him. She kept walking a few steps in front of him.

"Aw, come on, Rena."

"Hmph!"

"At least you're not sad anymore..." She heard Frei said those words behind her.

Her feet stopped and she was about to turn around when her back bumped into him. He was right behind her. Frei's hands extended forward, holding something that took her interest.

"W-what is this?"

"It's a candy. I bought it from the stall we just passed. It's for you."

The glistening red candy in front of her was a blooming rose, its petals were made of candy and the green leaves were also made of similar way. It reminded her of amezaiku, sculpted candy arts from Japan. The candy maker crafted the candy into beautiful shapes that made her felt bad to eat it.

"Thank you..." She said while holding the rose candy with both hands. She twirled the stick, or in this case, the stem, blinking a few times admiring the details.

"You really know how to impress women, huh..." She said in a half-amused half-sneered way.

"Doesn't mean I want to impress all women." The voice that was coming from behind her made her got goosebumps. It would be a lie if she wasn't happy to be treated in a romantic way. At the very least, she wasn't angry at him anymore.

From passersby's view, they were definitely a couple. Everyone was looking at their direction, some obviously stopped to look at the romantic scene. Rena thought it was only Frei who attracted attention, but she also attracted attention as well. Her short hair made her stood out compared to other girls. Furthermore, once they focused on her, the eye color of that doll-like face would make them never forget her.

"We're attracting attention here, let's go." Fully aware of those stares directing at them, Frei grabbed Rena's hand and pulled her away from the crowds.

They walked a little further from the main road when a loud voice called her.

"Hey, Missy!! Cookies Maiden!"

Rena turned her head at the direction of that voice, she recognized the voice who could make a tiger ran away. It came from the second floor of the tavern on the side of the road. She looked up and from the window, a rugged man with scarlet hair was waving at her.

"Baudric!" She waved back at him.

"I was wondering who was that shameless couple over there and it turned out it was you." A naughty grin appeared on his face.

"No! We're not!" She said it as loudly as she could.

"Hahaha, no need to be shy. Youngblood should be like that!"

"As I said..." Rena tried to speak again, but Baudric's voice swallowed what she wanted to say. "Come here, come here! I'll treat you for a drink!"

Rena sighed. And then she looked at Frei, wanting to ask his approval, but for a reason unknown to her, he had an odd expression.

"Umm, Frei? Do you mind if we go there a little? That guy... umm, I met him when we tried to find Slime Jelly. I want to say thanks to him."

"Sure." He smiled at her with his calm composed face. It felt like Frei who teased her a minute ago was a different person.

Baudric already came outside from the tavern and dragged them inside. And that's how they enter a tavern called Crimson Beak.

The place was still half open. There weren't many people here, except the two waitress who was busy cleaning the wooden tables. Big barrels and bottles were placed behind the counter. It was a nice cozy place and had a warm welcoming feeling as soon as you entered the place.

"Don't worry, the owner is my friend." He said, waving at the bushy mustache man who was standing behind the counter, dressed like a bartender. The old man smiled and nodded at them.

They sat on one of the tables on the first floor. The waitress gave each of them a big glass of ale. Rena was staring at the drink, she had a mixed feeling of wanting to drink it but not wanting to get drunk. She sipped it once.

Baudric looked at Frei and then moved his gaze on her. "Who is this guy? Where are your two friends?"

"My name is Frei, I'm a merchant from Ardia Kingdom. I heard that you helped us before, I'm thankful for that." Frei spoke formally, showing his business smile to Baudric.

After Frei introduced himself, Rena explained that Senka was currently participating in the tournament.

"Oh, really? I'm looking forward to it!" Baudric said happily.

She remembered Baudric recommended Senka to join the tournament, she didn't know that time that it really did come true. She asked him, "Do you think he can win, Baudric?"

He grinned. "I'm sure he can, but it will depend on how to determine he is to win. There are also many strong people who want to win. All you need to do is give him your best cheer!"

"Yeah..." Rena smiled weakly. She was a little relieved after hearing Senka had a good chance to win from Baudric, the veteran adventurer.

And then, she remembered about wanting to thank Baudric.

"Baudric, I was having trouble at the gate when entering the city, but showing your pin helped me there. Thank you!"

"Hahaha! I'm glad this old man is useful to you." His laugh reverberated in the tavern. Baudric really was a man whose presence couldn't be ignored. "Your potion helps my old bone greatly too!"

Rena smiled, getting pulled into Baudric's upbeat spirit.

He observed Rena and Frei while rubbing his stubble beard.

"By the way, are you this?" He showed his pinky finger.

"No, no, no!" Rena was shaking her head vehemently with a peach colored face. She knew what's that gesture meant if it were the same as the one in her previous world.

But, her persistence denial meant nothing when Baudric had seen them on the road being lovey-dovey. Also, Rena's red face and Frei sticking close to her didn't help to support her claim.

"Hahaha, looking at both of you reminded me the romance of my youth. Ahh... Time goes so fast..." He shook his head weakly, showing a nostalgic smile. "Anyway, since I'm in the mood, can you listen to it?"

"Eh?!" Rena shouted spontaneously.

"Ahh... When I was young I went to many places. Then I met her, whether it was coincidence or fate I never knew." Baudric started telling the story without waiting for Rena's approval. "She was my first love... I fell in love at the first sight when I saw her. Hair as gentle as the morning sun, skin as white as porcelain, and bright beautiful eyes like water at the edge of the shore, it gave me refreshing feeling whenever I looked at her. Her dainty lips spread thin whenever she smiled, just like a smile of an angel..."

He was busy describing every detail of her; her appearance, her personality, even her small quirks, for the first half of the story, like he was still vividly remembered her. This most beautiful woman for Baudric was named Astrid. For years, he was trying to win her love. However, his love ended unrequited. Her father thought the rough Baudric wasn't suitable for his most precious treasure. And she was married to another suitor, his friend. They lived happily until a tragedy happened to them.

"...to this day, I still regret not able to save those two." He said with a pensive mood, drinking his fifth ale since they met him.

"I'm sorry for your lost..." Rena didn't know what else to say except offering her condolences. Obviously, Baudric was still hurt by the loss of those of two even after many years had passed.

Frei who sat next to her slightly leaned his body toward her and whispered to her ear. "I think it's time we go. We've been here long enough."

"Okay..." She nodded weakly.

Baudric noticed the two whispering to each other and said, "Are you going now?"

"I'm sorry, Baudric. But I don't want to miss Senka's match." Rena told him.

"I understand. Thank you for listening to my story. It made me feel better after a long time." His usual cheerful grin had a trace of sadness.

"I'm glad if lending my ears could ease you." She stood up from the chair. "Hope we can meet again."

"Thanks for the drink and sharing your story." Frei nodded a little.

"Let's meet again someday!" Baudric said.

Rena glanced up at Frei and pulled his sleeve. "Let's go."

He looked at her and a faint smile appeared on his face. He grabbed her hand and held it gently, Rena's expression froze a second realizing what he was doing. But, she didn't shake that hand. They walked to the exit with his hand holding hers.

As they reached the exit, Frei lifted his hand to push the door. However, before he could push it, Baudric shouted from behind their back, "René, come to me anytime you need my help!"

Rena turned around, surprised, being suddenly called by her name. "Eh?"

Baudric waved goodbye at her with a smile.

She returned a smile to him and waved him a goodbye.

(Did I hear that correctly?)

They quit the tavern with Frei holding her hand tight. Frei was quiet and she was quiet as well. Walking one step behind him, she stared at his broad shoulder, noticing his golden hair that was a little longer compared to the first time they met. Although Rena felt there was an invisible wall separating them, their hands that linked together, giving her a warm gentle feeling.


---