"Ah! We're back!" Aden stretches as we reach the village. In spite of their relaxation; I feel incredibly anxious from that encounter.
Red Order...
Don't worry about them here.
What?
Do you know why I even put up with you being in jail for three years?
... Why?
That's because the Red Order wouldn't reach us here. They NEVER attack in public. That's the offense that is punishable with complete and utter erasure by the regent.
...
It is in my interest that you do stay in public places, how else would you explain the reason why I haven't made my moves all over your village?
Wha?...
That's right, if it didn't benefit me at all, I would've turned that sorry village into living pandemonium. The same one you endured in your house.
!!!
~
"Haha... Of course it's useless to fight... It's useless to even think..."
~
"Sniff... Sob... Kh..."
"Sylvie..."
"... Don't touch me."
"S-Sylvie?... W-What's wrong?..."
"I SAID DON'T TOUCH ME!!!"
~
You...
Trust me, I would've kept her alive, but she really did get on my nerves. Being all so hopeful that she may rescue you one day, thinking that she'll come back stronger! But alas, I had to punish her accordingly.
Hopeful?
Slip of the tongue. But now she's dead! No one will ever rescue you anymore!--
"Oi, bud, you alright?"
"Ah! Uh... Y-Yeah. Just zoning out."
"... Sure. Anyway, let's go to the inn, shall we?"
All three of us book one night in the inn with our cash and we visit our room.
"Four beds! Nice!" Aden exclaims and he plops onto one of them "Ahh~, missed this bad boy."
I look at Émile, and I noticed that they look... A tad exhausted. They were breathing more heavily than usual and I decide to ask them about their health.
"Hey, Émile, you alright?"
"Y-Yeah... Just got some sharp punctures... That's all..." They smile, yet their breath is uneven. I offer that they sit down and surprisingly they oblige. Suddenly Aden looks genuinely concerned and he turns towards them.
"Hey man, be honest. I know you like to go all in, but please don't overexert yourself..."
"What's with Émile anyway? They have lots of crystals all over their body, and in spite of their "non-magician" status, they felt rather unique for that, with crystals blooming from strikes and all."
"..."
"Ah! Well! You know my pickaxes? Well those are made out of my bones, or more specifically my spine! See those crystals on my back? Yeah I have a special incision here!"
"...
Ew! What the hell?!"
"Tehehe~, so they are extremely special! They're malleable material incarnate! However it's kinda impure or something, so it has all the destructive capabilities, but it's not well - malleable!"
"Huuh... What about the crystals though?"
"That too, are bones and pus. They're breaking and spreading through my skin, crystallising my body."
"Eek!..."
"Soon I'll turn into a statue! But well, my bones will pierce my organs if I do that." How... How can this person be so chipper...
I look back at Aden and he looks absolutely distraught, as if I made him remember something he really wants to forget and I apologise. He snaps back to reality and strains a smile.
"I-It's okay, bud... You deserve to know that... And it's Émile who's talking..."
"Come on, cheer up, Aden! You know how I feel about it, you know?"
"... Right."
"Ah! By the way, you said something about your sight worsening, but you noticed the beast way before we could, how does that work?" I ask and they brighten up.
"Oh! Well, you've noticed my eyes, right? Technically, I have sight for magic traces, or well, had. It seems I've been getting quite dull; and well those pickaxes can get dull overtime due to oxidation or whatnot, so I need to extract my spine to have a new one---Ah right, eyes. I'm naturally farsighted, so I am still able to see things - just, well, not near me."
"I can see why you would be concerned." I say and Émile giggles and mutters "sees" as they do; don't know why they're laughing though...
"Anyhoo, I'll probably relax here, not too fond of sunlight, yanno? You guys go do guy things."
"Of course, Émile, take care." ???
--
"So, what do you want to do, bud? We have an entire day for ourselves, and while it's not exactly a rare occurrence per se; well, gotta cherish peace at all times."
"... Dunno."
"Hmm... Well, I'm beat from the previous commission, so let's choose something else. Ah! Right! You didn't see Bijou, right?! Let me introduce you to her, hopefully she isn't too far away: she's a bit of a party girl, and her crew is either trying to keep her from being loose or are loose themselves."
"Hm..."
Aden reaches the carriages and asks around. I see Leonid taking a nap in ours... Wait.
Is it even comfortable to sleep in armour?
"Bijou isn't here. Then she's likely in the pub, drinking her money away."
"... Oh..."
Not again.
"Hm? Ah, don't worry too much, bud; Bijou is just more loud when she's wasted. She can't even harm a fly in this state."
"That didn't help at all!"
...
"Woot! Woot!! Woooooot!!! Cul sec!! Cul sec!! Cul sec!!"
"Gwuh..."
"Typical Bijou. She's technically the leader of her pack of bandits called "White Crows (Corneille Blanche)", which were the subsidiaries of a larger group called "Night Corvids (Corvidé Nocturne)"; from what I've heard it was a rather hard departure, so that's she's... Like this."
"Hweeeeeeeeh!!! Give me more!!! Give me more!!!"
"Believe me when I say it, but she is still a very capable fighter. She just really doesn't want to get her hands dirty."
"Glug-glug-glug~!!! PWAAAAAAAHHHHHH---!!!
...
Oh??? Hey Aden!!! How ya doin'??? Who's that cute little kid???"
"Eek!" I quickly hide behind Aden's back and he gets surprised
"H-Hey bud! Um... That's our new recruit. He seems to be very uncomfortable with you being like... That."
"Aw man~, auntie Bijou is scaring kids again~~~" She muses in her drunken state, ew...
"Anyhoo~, where's Virgie?"
"She's in the pasture, taking care of the survivors, you know the usual."
"Uh-huh... Well, she's always been a large softie - but that's what I really like about her, hehehe~"
What's that all talk about Virgilia being kind and gentle? She doesn't seem like that at all to me...
"Well, that means more for me~, she won't be reprimanding me~"
"Can we leave?"
"Sure bud."
...
"That was horrible. It stank so bad!"
"Ow... Damn, didn't know you had such a dislike of alcohol. Well, while we don't necessarily drink, we'll note it down."
"Just... You know, there were rather unfortunate circumstances."
"Sorry bud. I wonder how I can make it up to you..."
"Well, I would like to know you guys better. I still feel like a stranger amidst weirdos."
"Still think that we're the weird ones, huh? Well, I guess we can entertain you; though before that, let's buy some nourishments for Émile. In spite of what you saw, they have a rather weak body, they're just stupidly reckless."
"Alright. Say, why do you care about them so much, like it seems you don't get along too much, yet at the same time..."
"... Well we ARE friends; so that's what friends do, you know?" His response is oddly weak compared to his usual casual confidence.
We go to the general store and he picks the berry buns and a flask of herbal water. "Bud, you can also pick out anything for yourself; I'll pay it for you."
"Wow... You're way too kind." I mumble and he laughs "Ah, it's nothing. Guess I really missed being a big brother."
"Big brother?"
"I used to have siblings, two baby sisters in fact. They were the sweetest thing in the world, but alas - fate went in the way."
"Did they die?"
"Wha?! No!! I hope not!! It's just--um, things happened."
"What kind of?"
"Eh, let's not talk about it in the store. Right now let's focus on sweets."
I pick apple buns and some apple juice and Aden notices it
"Hm? Liking apples?"
"... Well, I didn't get to enjoy many sweets besides basic candy, but there was a nice couple that had a preference for apples, so I guess I adopted that."
"Couple???"
"Ah, well, it was father and daughter. They were visiting our village for a vacation and I became friends with them."
"... Hopefully I'm just assuming the worst. The way you phrased it sounded like..."
"NO!!!"
...
"Oh, back already?" Émile asks, still sitting on the bed.
"Yup, couldn't find anything to do; Bijou's wasted and Leonid's probably investigating again."
"Investigating? I thought he was sleeping?"
"Pfft--Did you really think that was him? No, of course he removes his armour; he might be a bit of an oddball, but not that much. The reason he joined our party was because he was searching for any possible cure for the illness that swept his village; and he and Virgilia are working together in that sense. She is not a healer; the most she can do are healing spores, but they're rather weak at it, they're more suited for small cuts and inflammations - but she CAN make medicine. Late at night you can even witness her studying."
"Huuuuuh... Those adults are sure rather bizarre..."
"Eh, could've been worse. Could've been Bijou."
"Nevermind."
"Anyway, here's your food, Émile. Don't forget to drink up as well."
"Thank-you!"
Émile happily munches on the bun and I take a seat on my bed. Those two are seemingly quite close... I feel myself kind of warming up to them. Not Virgilia though.
"Anyhoo, Aden, you promised that you'll tell me about your sisters."
"Right. Well, to tell it simply - we got separated. Now I can't see them anymore."
"Why?"
"Eh, it's a hard story. What about you though? Why did you automatically assume that I had them dead?"
"... Because mine did."
"Oh... Shit, I'm sorry. Didn't expect that as an answer. Damn, now I feel bad for mocking you about your lack of games."
"..."
"... I know it's rather hypocritical of me to ask this now, but could you tell us the details. I feel like we're missing something that we don't know about."
I began telling them about my life. How I was born into a low income family. How I witnessed my family being abused by my father. How my sister was forced into being the sole breadwinner of the family. How she was then later found dead in the forest. How my mother later gave birth to a baby sister and later committed suicide, taking her with it. And how my life in general was a living nightmare.
"I was then given a chance to finally free myself... But it ultimately gave me a curse and landed me in prison. I didn't even want to go out, but hearing that Virgilia did it because of a promise she made; I've ultimately obliged."
"... Dude, that's terrible! God I'm so sorry! I knew you probably went through some stuff, but this... Damn it almost makes what Émile went through pale in comparison. Almost. Anyway, now I know why Virgilia took interest in you."
"Huh? She did it because of a promise. Because someone called her here. Because she knew of me already."
"Well, even if she didn't make it, I'm sure sooner or later she would've come here on her own accord. Just saying - you two aren't that different overall. I would say you have very similar circumstances to one another; so I hope you guys manage to find common ground."
"..."
"I would've hugged you if I could, Fortie; but I guess I can settle for a headpat, c'mere." Émile beckons me and I reluctantly come to their side. Their hand feels extremely rough and they smile "There-there. Now we're here. Sooner or later, you'll get your life back together. Ehehe~"
"... Thanks."
"While Aden might claim otherwise, I'm very touched by your circumstances. I've always dreamed of the family, but having a family that hates you... Probably worse than not having it at all. I don't blame you if you hated humanity after that."
The way they looked at me is unnerving, while it's full of sympathy, there's a rather disturbing tone under it. What do you mean "hated humanity"?... Why are they talking about a family?...
Of course this abomination wasn't born naturally. It had to be incubated.
Huh?...
Slip of tongue. Sharing consciousness is proving to be rather inconvenient--
"Argh! Let me hug you too, bud!"
Aden hugged me from behind and his much more lean build makes itself known. His embrace is tender, as if he understands me more than most. It's... Almost a familiar embrace in that regard. Émile's hands slide down my face to grab it and stroke my cheeks absentmindedly, in spite of the roughness of their hands and their detached nature - their touch too... isn't unkind.
I...
I kind of like those guys... Even if they're a handful.
"Alright, Fortune; I'll be watching over Émile - they kind of need my assistance right now, so if you want - you can go take a walk outside, just don't go too far away, alright?"
"Of course. Also Émile needs assistance?"
"Their energy is fluctuating, so I gotta keep them in check. Sometimes you gotta help them to lay down on their back."
"Oh, okay. Do you guys need anything?"
"Nah we're fine. Besides, don't you have a bill to pay or something?"
"Bail, yeah."
Exiting the inn with my snacks, I'm greeted with a golden evening sky, with sun setting on the horizon. It's a breathtaking view. People are starting to return back to their homes and various facilities become closed. I see a large old man walking around and I decided to use this chance to get to know him better.
"Excuse me? Are you Leonid?"
"Mhm."
"Can I... Talk to you?"
"About what?"
"You know... Getting to know the crew better and so forth..."
"Ah, that. I'll oblige. Would you like to have a seat here? The evening air is rather pleasant." Leonid points towards the bench and I nod.
"Y-Yeah."
We sit down, facing the clearing. The atmosphere is rather serene; it was extremely rare for me to clear skies, so seeing them feels... Special. And in spite of Leonid's imposing appearance, I feel at peace...
"What you want to talk about, er..."
"Fortune, just Fortune. I've heard that you're technically a guest party member or something, and well, Aden told me about your objective so..."
"Hah; Aden is a rather keen person indeed. In spite of the hardship he had faced; he's still going on strong. Yes, I'm searching for the cure of "Yersin's Plight"; it is a curse that takes the form of an illness that permeates the body, and my village is one of its many victims. This curse cannot be dispelled, it can only be survived; so I'm searching far and wide for the cure."
"That must be terrible..."
"It is terrible. I saw my own family be contracted with it. First it was our youngest son. Then my wife. Eventually everyone but me and my eldest son were confined to beds. My son wasn't a fighter at heart, so I embarked on the journey, leaving him to take care of the family in my stead."
"..."
"I've heard that you bear a curse of your own, is that true?"
"Ye-ah, but I really don't want to talk about it."
"I understand."
In spite of what he said, there's still an aura of detachment present in Leonid. While others felt plainly uncomfortable about opening up, this guy... It's not unkind, yet it isn't warm either.
"... Do you often talk with others, I've noticed you're quite silent."
"... Not really. I'm only here because of Virgilia. It's nice to see youth live and learn, but that's about it."
"But why Virgilia?"
"... We've just stumbled across each other. That's all."
"Really?"
"Really."
"And you just decided to help each other like that."
"We both benefit from that partnership. It's... Important to have companionship; as the world will eat you up if you are alone."
"..."
"I will say that she reached out first. Back then she only had Aden under her sleeve."
"... Everyone says how kind Virgilia is, yet I can't see it. For me she just seems bitter and angry."
"Virgilia is... Vulnerable. In spite of her looks, she still has that naivety in her heart that she can't let go of. Sure, it's the naivety that drives all the greatest heroes; but that naivety also leads to great suffering."
"Naivety..."
"That is what I call it personally. I would be a hypocrite if I didn't say that it didn't drive me too, but the problem of Virgilia's is that her kindness is far reaching - and that leads to vulnerabilities. And I'm afraid those children are going to take an example out of her."
"..."
"But I'm not saying that she should stop it - just be careful and not let her pity blind her."
"... Why don't you tell her to her face."
"I did. But simply telling is obviously not enough, especially from a stranger like me."
"So you want me to tell her this?"
"No. I just want you to know what you're dealing with. By the way, where is she? I haven't seen her anywhere."
"She's at the pasture. We've managed to rescue a woman tapped inside a daemon; but her state required Virgilia's maintenance."
"... Of course. Ever since that incident, she has tried to be more caring."
"She has failed?"
"Believe me, she has failed a lot. Yet it seems she never gives up, she refuses to do so."
"..."
"Say, why don't you go back to the inn? It is getting late."
"S-Sure! Also, um, did you sleep in that carriage. Aden said you were investigating, but I swear I thought you were sleeping in the armour!"
"... Yeah, is there something wrong with how I lay down my armour?"
"Uh..."
---
Hm. It seems that this criminal isn't alone. It travels with a group.
And it's full of innocent people.
This is bad.
If they ever stumble upon the Red Order; they will surely be killed.
I suppose I have two objectives.
First is to make myself a higher priority target.
And second is to isolate the criminal from the group and deal with it myself.
Guess I have to climb up ranks after all.
---
"Op, another Daemon has fallen."
"Hm, I haven't seen THAT one before. Can I interview it for a moment before you do... Your thing."
"Of course. It is a surface dwelling Daemon after all - and with your condition - going to the surface will prove itself rather troublesome."
"Yeah, it seems rather weak. May I get their descriptor?"
"It is a DAEMON of SHROUD. In spite of their name, it seems rather premature; whoever expelled them only did everyone a favour. Let me check their history...
...
Say, why don't you get Justicia for me; it seems I may have let her go this easily. I've already done so much for you, so you ought to do something for me once in a while."
"Of course. I'll come get her."
"Before you go, how's your body of work going?"
"Great, thanks for asking."
"Don't forget to give it to me, I might do some slight corrections here and there - I am your editor so to speak after all. After I'm done with Justicia that is."
"I won't forget it."