Chapter 29 : Questions Left for Them
“…A half-torn map?” Aspen asked.
“It must be a treasure map!” Ryl declared, already imagining himself swimming through pools of gold coins.
“Aspen, hurry! We should find it before anyone else does!!”
Aspen let out a long sigh.
“Ryl, look at it properly.” He handed the paper back.
“This is a route map to a footwear store nearby.”
Ryl blinked. Stared. Blinked again.
Then his face slowly turned red.
“Where did you g—”
“STUPID ICEBERG!!” Ryl burst out.
“YOU DARED TO TRICK ME?!”
He spun on his heel and dashed off.
Aspen shook his head.
“At least they’re getting along…”
Chirp!
Flick landed neatly on Aspen’s head.
Aspen smiled, gently lifting it into his hands and patting it.
“Any other missions, Flick?”
“No, Master! All nearby beasts were cleared by Miss Neilo!”
Aspen froze.
“Cleared…?”
Flick chirped as a yes.
A chill ran down Aspen’s spine.
“…She might actually be dangerous.”
He was about to close the door, then a voice called,
“Good evening!”
Aspen looked up.
It was Elucia Neilo, smiling softly.
“Oh! G-good evening, Miss Neilo,” Aspen greeted, his smile stiff.
“You’re still here? Are there… other missions?”
“Shut up! What am I even asking?!
What if she thinks I’m telling her to leave?!”
Elucia’s smile reached her eyes, gentle and warm.
“I stayed to confirm everything was truly settled, and it seems it is. There weren’t...”
Aspen swayed slightly, eyelids drooping.
“…many beasts. Everything’s fine.”
Aspen stared blanky, eyes half lidded.
Elucia waved a hand in front of his face.
“Hello? Are you alright? You look sleepy.”
Aspen jolted. “O-Oh! Sorry! I was just distracted!”
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
She chuckled softly.
“I thought you were still dazed from yesterday.”
“Of course not! I’m completely fine!” he said far too quickly.
She smiled again.
“You’re different from the others.”
Aspen blinked.
She looked away.
“Most people are afraid of me. They don’t dare speak freely.”
Then she looked back at him.
“But you treat me normally. I like that.”
Aspen opened his mouth—
“Well,” she said, stepping back, “it was nice talking to you. See you later.”
She waved and disappeared into her room.
Aspen closed the door slowly.
“…People fear her?” he murmured.
“I think she’s kind of cute… and beautiful…”
He walked to the window. The breeze was gentle.
“…And her voice is calming. It could make anyone sleepy.”
He yawned and stretched.
“Since I’m free, let's take a look around the village.”
_ _ _
The village was far livelier than before.
Vendors shouted. Customers laughed and bargained. Children ran through the streets.
“It’s so bright,” Aspen said, glancing around.
He bought a few snacks, planning to share them with Ryl and Dior.
Then—
His eyes drifted towards nearby bushes.
Someone was hiding.
Aspen approached and noticed it was…
Ryl.
He placed his hand on his shoulder.
“I’M TERRIBLY SORRY!! I WON’T DO IT AGAIN!!” Ryl panicked, his eyes squeezed shut and flailing his hands wildly.
“Ryl, calm down! It’s me!” Aspen said, holding him steady.
Ryl opened one eye.
“…Oh. It’s you.” Then he yelled.
“MAKE SOME NOISE WHEN YOU WALK!! YOU ALMOST KILLED ME!”
“I’m sorry, but why are you hiding? And…” he paused, looking at his cheek.
“...why is your cheek swollen?”
“It’s nothing!”
“Don’t lie.”
“I just fell!”
Aspen squinted at him.
“Alright, Fine!”
Ryl explained everything.
Aspen burst out laughing, clutching his stomach.
“DON’T LAUGH!” Ryl shouted.
“It’s your fault,” Aspen said between laughs.
“Who told you to flirt with that receptionist again?”
“Flirt?! I was just chatting!” He hesitated.
“…I didn’t know she was married and her husband was the guild master! And she looked young…”
Aspen continued dramatically.
“Then what about: ‘My beautiful lady, destiny itself brought me to meet you. Care to grab a lunch with me?’”
“Y-yes! I did!” Ryl sputtered.
“But I didn’t know the guild master was right behind me! He punched me in the face and chased me away…”
“You paid for it.” Aspen sighed.
“And where’s Dior?”
“Isn’t he behind you?”
“…Behind me?”
Aspen turned.
Dior stood there. Motionless. Almost like a standing corpse.
“Were you here the whole time?!” Aspen hissed.
Dior nodded. Once.
“He was,” Ryl said.
“You could’ve said something to announce your presence!”
“Ugh… I was so excited listening to the story that I fell asleep.”
“With your eyes open…?”
“…Were they open?” Dior tilted his head.
“I didn't see that.”
Aspen and Ryl exchanged a look—then sighed together.
“I forgot something…” Ryl muttered.
He grabbed Dior’s collar.
“WHY DID YOU LIE TO ME ABOUT THE MAP?!”
“Huh?”
Aspen rushed over. “Ryl! What are you doing?!”
“Why did you say it was a treasure map?!” Ryl shouted.
“Oh.” Dior calmly freed himself. “You didn’t listen properly.”
“You’re lying!”
“I’m not,” Dior replied, exhaling.
“You are!”
“I said it looked like a treasure map,” Dior said flatly.
“Not ‘this is a treasure map.’ There’s a difference.”
“What…?”
“You were in a hurry, snatched the notice as it tore it in half.”
Dior showed the other half of the map.
It was a footwear store route map.
Ryl froze.
“…So you didn’t lie?”
Dior nodded. Again only once.
Ryl covered his face and bolted away, shouting,
“I WILL REMEMBER THIS!!!”
Aspen just shook his head, watching him disappear.
_ _ _
The next day…
After breakfast, they left the village of Remeral.
The path crunched beneath the feet of the four as they walked.
Ryl lagged behind Elucia, staring shamelessly.
“She’s beautiful… even from behind… even a cloak covered…”
Aspen cleared his throat and started a conversation.
“So, Miss Neilo… What are your plans next?”
“Plans…” Elucia tilted her head, thinking.
“…For now, I don’t really have any.”
Ryl shot to her side and clasped her hand with both of his eyes sparkling.
“Then why don’t we go sightseeing?! We can go boating together, talk together, eat together and even gaze at the stars together! Please say yes!!”
Bonk!
Aspen smacked his head and yanked him back, whispering sharply, “Ryl! She’s an elite wielder! Behave yourself!”
“Sightseeing…?” Elucia tilted her head again.
“I think that’s a good idea!”
Ryl lit up and shoved Aspen aside. Literally he punished him by making him stumble.
“Then where should we start from?!”
Elucia thought for a moment, head tilted once more,
“How about the River Garla? There are monstrous beasts living in the water. It would be fun!”
“…What?” Ryl blinked. “Monstrous beasts… in water?”
“You mean inside the river?” Aspen asked.
Elucia nodded. Slowly.
“How can you even breathe underwater?!” Ryl gasped.
“And you’re talking about killing beasts for sightseeing?!”
Her soft smile deepened.
“I can hold my breath for up to an hour. I’ve been there several times.”
Ryl and Aspen stared at her, mouths hanging open.
“It’s not that hard,” she continued calmly.
“…We just need to chop them up. It’s more fun if we don’t kill them right away.”
“…Not right away?”
“We can pull them out of the water and let them suffocate to death.”
As she spoke, a shadow slipped over her eyes.
“It’s entertaining.”
A chill crawled down both Aspen’s and Ryl’s spines.
KRAAAA!
A green parrot swooped down. Elucia raised her hand, and it landed neatly on it.
“New mission! New mission! New mission!” it squawked repeatedly.
“Alright, Piko.” She turned to them with a gentle smile.
“I’m sorry. We’ll have to go another time when we meet again.”
The parrot took off.
“See you!”
Swish!
In a blink of light, she sprinted without a sound.
“She’s fast!” Ryl sputtered. “Like—really fast! I didn’t even see her move!”
Aspen nodded.
“Now I understand…” he said quietly.
“Why is everyone afraid of her.”
“You’re right,” Ryl muttered. “She’s seriously creepy…”
"Did you notice that her parrot didn't wear the ring which helps to talk?" Aspen asked.
"Is it?" Ryl said, arms crossed thinking.
"I didn't notice.”
They walked on in silence.
Dior hadn’t said a word the entire time.
He simply walked behind them, deep in thought.
Aspen looked at him.
“He has been quiet since yesterday… I don't know why…”
“Dior, is everything alright? You seem… lost.”
“Did you forget he’s made up of ice and he's frozen.” Ryl muttered.
“Don't say that!” Aspen hissed.
Both waited for him to talk.
“Did you notice that Vesra controlled leaves and branches?” Dior asked, walking.
“So what?” Ryl scoffed.
“That was her skill.”
“No. She’s a beast tamer, right?” Aspen asked.
“Then why did she possess the power of nature?”
“There must be only one reason.” Dior paused.
“She should have gained a new skill after being cursed.”
“But I didn't hear that being cursed gives you new skills.” Ryl said.
“It's only a guess.” Dior continued.
Then they walked ahead silently for some time again.
“Anyway…” Ryl started.
“...She was tough.”
Aspen nodded.
But Dior was still unsettled.
As he looked at Aspen.
“There’s something more I want to know. Aren or should I call Aspen?”
*****
Chapter 30: The Road Ahead
