“That is hecking sus, man.”

“Huh?” He blinked a couple of instances, seemingly confused by what I had simply mentioned.

“From the beginning? After I was solely a random stranger that appeared out of nowhere? Suspicious,” I pouted, “does that imply you wished to make use of me?”

“Frankly talking, sure I did,” he answered with out hesitation, after which regarded down, “no less than, that was the plan. Now I am not so positive myself.”

“Acceptable. It isn’t like I’ve by no means used somebody for my profit. I feel benefiting from individuals is one thing that everybody has carried out,” I shrugged, “I will be mad should you’re nonetheless considering of utilizing me now, although. I am not a stranger to you, proper?”

I glared at him, emitting an ‘I am going to-cut-your-dingadong-if-you-dare-use-me-now’ aura.

He set free a deep sigh, unexpectedly, after which mentioned, “that is why I am in a little bit of hassle proper now. I am not right here to make use of you anymore, little cub. And meaning I would like to vary my plan a bit.” He chuckled.

“You needn’t should you let me assist,” I mentioned as I took some alcohol pads and ointments to deal with his minor wounds that had been scattered right here and there, “however I can not assist you to if you don’t need me to.”

As I bent right down to deal with the injuries on the aspect of his abs, I glanced via my shoulders to see him gazing me, watching me silently transfer my palms right here and there with out saying a phrase.

“… You might have your personal issues to take care of,” he chuckled, his tone a bit off as if there was unhappiness blended in there, “so what do you intend to do relating to Elias?”

“Hmm, I am unsure but, to be sincere. Deep breath, it is gonna harm,” I warned him as I began making use of this and that on his wound. He did not even flinch, which made me jealous of his endurance, “I simply… Need to meet him and hearken to his story, identical to the way it has been for years. After that, I am unsure. It will be nice if he may bear in mind who I’m, although…”

‘Pat.’

“It is okay, you needn’t have all the pieces found out.” He mentioned as he patted my head.

Upon feeling the comfortable faucet of his tough hand on my head, I regarded as much as see him smirking confidently at me.

“We’ll meet him quickly.” He winked playfully at me.

“Ohhhh, so that you two have secretly agreed to satisfy up or one thing?” I exclaimed in shock.

“Hmm, I can not reply that in a sure or no trend, however we should always have the ability to meet him quickly,” he shrugged, “so within the meantime, let’s give attention to rescuing the chihuahua and Owen, okay?”

“Chihuahua?” I raised an eyebrow in confusion.

“Ah, it is common Enzo. You know the way he has this abdomen acid magic thingy that he needed to vomit to make use of it as bullets? Effectively, somebody I knew as soon as had a chihuahua, and that little monster puked like, twice a day. So I correlate puking with chihuahuas.”

“… Ah.”

——–

After we had completed patching up one another’s wounds and in addition common Emilio’s, we figured it was lastly time to go again and examine on Jeanne. We ended up spending like, an hour or two within the clinic, together with the time we spent getting misplaced simply in search of the clinic door.

Not lengthy after the chihuahua speak, Lia knocked on the door, reminding us that she was there to choose us up already. We did not speak a lot after that, and principally simply targeted on tending the injuries. I made positive to deliver some provides so we may deal with Jeanne’s wound as effectively once we bought there.

Unusually, although, I used to be kinda having fun with the silence. It wasn’t the awkward silence sort, however relatively, a snug silence sort. One thing that I did not count on I might have the ability to really feel round that eel. Effectively, I may rely the individuals whom I felt comfy with utilizing one hand, so it was fairly a shock for me, actually.

“Lia, are you guys carried out? So, which room did she select?” I requested, putting up a dialog with the shy elf maid whereas common Zhang walked beside me, carrying the unconscious common Emilio.

“Umm, she ended up selecting the one close to the again, the one with big home windows. It is presupposed to be a classroom, however…” Lia answered whereas twiddling with the hem of her skirt.

“Ohh, thanks for letting her keep there.” I nodded. I ponder why she selected that spot, most likely for a simple escape route simply in case issues go flawed? Believable.

“Hey, I additionally need a room~” Common Zhang pouted, “and this porcupine wants one, too.”

“Are you nuts? Common Emilio is unconscious. He is gotta stick with you!” I retaliated as we walked alongside the silent, crumbling hallway.

The unusual factor was, though I’ve at all times hated the sight of one thing breaking down, there was at all times one thing unusually engaging about them. Like this fort, for instance. Though it was barely holding itself up, the moonlight that shone among the many cracks and holes illuminated the dim inside, creating a pleasant environment.

Not solely that, however the comfortable midnight wind that danced via the cracks introduced together with them the nice scent of grasses and timber… With slightly trace of blood. And burnt scent, really, contemplating that we principally simply annihilated a humongous tree monster with fireplace. Alas, it was a scent that I loved filling up my lungs with.

“We’re right here.” Lia introduced as we stepped in entrance of a small door with some writing in orc language on it. After strolling for fairly a very long time, we had lastly arrived in entrance of Jeanne and Firiell’s room.

“Thanks, Lia. Do you’ve one other room close to right here that they will use?” I requested as I pointed in direction of common Zhang who was selecting his nostril with out care.

“The room beside this one is accessible, nevertheless it’s…”

“Nice! Hey eel, go to your room.” I exclaimed in pleasure as I clapped my palms collectively. Ah, lastly, I bought to sleep on an precise mattress quickly.

“… It is a storage room.” Lia completed timidly.

“… Oh,” I checked out common Zhang, who gave me a ‘pls-no’ look. To which I returned with an enormous, huge grin, “hey, no less than you possibly can loot whilst you relaxation.”

“Little cub… So imply…” He pouted, however complied regardless, by strolling in direction of the room with an analogous door proper subsequent to Jeanne’s.

“Aww, do not be too unhappy. It is just for one evening. Keep in mind, we’re heading out tomorrow whatever the crest’s final result.” I giggled.

“Tremendous, little cub. In alternate, subsequent time I am going to resolve the room association.” He smirked as he twisted the doorknob and pushed it open, producing a creaking sound that reverberated all through the hallway.

“Certain, positive~” I accepted with out considering a lot, that sounded truthful, “hnggh—” Ahh, that was a goooood stretch earlier than mattress.

“Subsequent time we’ll sleep collectively.” He mentioned with a wink.

“Wha–!”

“See yaaa~!”

‘BAM!’

“B-but… Wha…” I froze as I watched them disappear behind the storage door, leaving me with my flushed face, confused within the hallway.

Wait, did Lia see that?

I shortly rotated to see her, taking a look at me with awestruck eyes, like slightly lady who had simply seen one thing magical taking place in entrance of her.

“… What are you taking a look at?” I requested hesitantly.

“N-nothing, esteemed visitor. It is simply… It is like seeing a fairytale unfold in entrance of me…” She defined with a cheerful blush on her face.

“Huh? You positive you were not studying horror tales, as an alternative?” I frowned upon listening to her reasoning, “anyway, I am going to come inside. See you tomorrow morning.” I mentioned with a sigh.

“R-right, sorry. Have a nice evening, esteemed visitor.” She shortly saluted and rotated to go away me.

“Wait, you do have a room, proper?” I requested, earlier than turning the iron doorknob in my hand.

“Sure, we now have a servant room.” She smiled and nodded.

“Nice. Meet us on the fort’s entrance door tomorrow morning at, uh… I do not know. Simply be prepared, I assume.” I returned her smile and opened the door.

‘Creaaak.’

“Chae! You are again!” Jeanne beamed with happiness as soon as she noticed me opening the door. She was surprisingly already wearing a pajama, however she nonetheless stored her shoulder plates together with her. So cautious, even on this state of affairs.

“I am right here! Jean-jeannnn, we are able to lastly sleep! Quickly!” I threw my palms up in happiness, and hopped in direction of her.

Firiell was laid down on the makeshift mattress that was laid in the midst of the room. Lia was proper, this room had an enormous window searching in direction of the gorgeous forest behind the fort, surrounded by loads of bookshelves. There was additionally an immaculate desk, full with a bunch of papers, information, and pen scattered on prime of it.

For a room that was presupposed to be a classroom, it was fairly comfy. Heck, if I had the time, I might absolutely try the books right here. Wait, wait, wait. I may simply retailer a few of them in my stock and browse them later, proper? Or like, hand them to Elena so she may learn them for me as a result of I bought the mind of a malnourished rat.

The one downside can be get these books with out them noticing… Eh, I might work out a manner. There was loads of time, anyway. For now, although…

“Right here, Chae, you need to change to one thing extra comfy, too,” Jeanne smiled as she handed me a set of pajamas, a bucket of water, and a towel, “I bought you some heat water, you should utilize this to clean your face. Sadly, we will not have the luxurious of bathing right here. Their loos are all destroyed. I bought this from their kitchen.”

“Thanks quite a bit, Jean-jean! You are such an angel~” I grabbed each of her palms and teared up, completely happy that somebody would look out for my consolation.

“No downside, let’s get some relaxation for in the present day, we have carried out quite a bit. Let’s focus on issues tomorrow morning. What do you suppose?” Jeanne tilted her head, nonetheless beaming with happiness. I assume she was additionally wanting ahead to this relaxation.

“Good! However earlier than that, let’s get some blankets, clothes, and stuff for common Zhang and common Emilio. They’re staying within the room simply subsequent to us.” I clapped my palms collectively.

“Oh, you are proper. Let me get some from the—”

“Hnng… The place is that this…?”

“Huh?”

“Hmm… Large sis Chae? Large sis Jeanne? What occurred?”

My mouth gaped after I noticed the little lady who was simply laying down immobile a couple of seconds in the past, all of a sudden sat up, awake.

“You are… Awake already!?”