"Jesus, those slimes were pretty tough." Neil and Klein were finally heading back to collect rewards from the Adventurers Guild.
Passing through the streets, the two were already tired from one of their many quests they had undertaken for coins. They had expected for things to run smoothly after applying as themselves, get their copper-rank medallions, and head out for quick cash.
But being an adventurer was both enjoyable as it was strenuous.
"I know right, these swords we got from Florence were definitely not worth the price."
Their legs dragged across the stone path, before dropping to the floor. They were exhausted, to say the least, one of their first requests taking longer than it really needed to. As Klein was already leaning onto the wall beside them, Neil was sitting by him on the path, still thinking about what to do next.
We're so out of shape, we should've prepared more potions... Neil brought out a bottle he brought from a nearby shop and began chugging down on the water inside. He had the worst of it compared to Klein, as unlike his older brother, Neil had pieces of hot armour strapped onto his body.
Hurriedly taking his chest-plate off, Neil fell to the ground with the water in-hand.
Of course, they had taken the water home and boiled it before-hand. Klein would not take the risk of diseases, nor did he share the same recklessness of his brother. At least that's what Klein had explained while half-asleep, almost making Neil tip a bit on Klein's d-
"Oh really? Then you wouldn't mind if I take them back?"
Oh no. Klein and Neil thought, startled as they hastily turned to see the alchemist herself, veins popping out of her forehead as she stared them down.
"Well, I um-"
"I was going to tell you boy's before, but I'm going to need those back."
W-What!? The boys could hardly contain their shocked expressions, easily noticeable to Florence as she took the swords from their hands. She looked to the blades in disgust as traces of dirt and slime still remained, before handing it back to them.
"After you clean them...Eugh..."
"But why? We bought these things with our hard-earned cash!"
"Because I've got a deal even better.... You see, I've got a theory about you two..."
Theory? Klein thought to himself, looking at the lady as she glanced up and down the two of them. Nothing seemed strange about the two, especially with their newly changed clothing, Klein made sure of that.
.....
Ever since their first encounter with her, the brothers and Amari have been going back and forth from their home to her shop, helping her out with daily chores in exchange for bronze coins. It wasn't too bad of a deal, especially since the brothers were still learning about Aloysius.
Magic, its history, they had to rely on Florence's books as she grew suspicious of their ignorance on the country they were staying in.
The country of Aloysius, founded by Suzuki Aloyisus centuries ago before the lands were split in three. Soon after his death, the other two countries rose and rebelled from the next-in-line to become king, and as time passed soon grew a kingdom of their own.
Slavery to demi-humans, slavery to humans, and one where there are strict laws behind them.
The thought disgusted Neil, to know that even in this world slavery was somehow prominent.
Then again, I can't expect these worlds to be completely clean... Maybe I could... No... Deciding to leave those thoughts for later, he found that even the king's middle name was just as confusing. Moving their chairs together with Amari squished between them, Klein looked at the book he was reading with wide eyes.
"Maybe Suzuki Matsura is a common name in this country?"
"You sure about that?"
It took a few seconds of a disappointed stare from Klein for his brother to check again, unsure of the point he was making. Seconds later it immediately clicked with him as he realised what he meant.
"OH! This name is so Japanese! Which could mean..."
Klein brought out a small journal from his pocket, putting it onto the table in between the three of them. Tapping Amari out of her stupor, he pointed towards the small book.
"Amari, I'm going to write down a bunch of names and I want you to tell me if you recognise them or not."
"Huh? Okay..."
He went through names off the top of his head, Michihiro, Masuto, Haruto, Isami and many more were named. All names one would assume could be a part of the nation in its entirety. But the reaction she got was all they needed to hear.
"I-I don't recognise these..."
"You know what this means Klein?"
"Yeah. It means someone else like us has already been here, and he's been pretty busy in the life he lived. Had an entire kingdom under his control."
The two sat there in awe, thinking how this guy was able to do so much in his own lifetime of being in this world. To know that someone else, from Earth, was able to take control of everything for a time and bring peace.
"That's unreal..."
"But not impossible. You'd be surprised how things work out for people. For all we know he could've been one of those who were reincarnated with special powers, dying by some freak accident which happened out-of-nowhere."
Klein made an example as he gestured with his hands, playing out a scene with a truck hitting an innocent girl heading to school.
"Then do you think there's anything special about us?"
Klein sat there in thought, looking to Amari then back to himself. He didn't feel any different, as Neil looked to him for some sort of assurance that he was right or wrong. Klein wouldn't lie, especially after everything that's happened.
"Nope, no isekai power-ups for us... At least from what I can see right now."
Was all he could say before rubbing Amari's head, much to her annoyance, as she quickly brushed her hair back to normal. She was listening in the entire time, taking in their reactions to her kingdom's history.
It was all so unusual to her, as Amari watched the two bicker about Aloysius' history and what it meant. The word isekai was said a lot as she wondered what that term meant, deciding to ask her new guardians about it.
"Um, Mister Neil. What does 'isekai' mean?"
The slightly worrying glances they gave each other made her feel a bit uneasy, the brothers moving their chair back to converse about something. When they were done, Klein moved close to whisper into her ear on their little secret.
"You know that we're not from around here, right?"
"Yes."
Oh boy, this is going to take some time... Klein adjusted his chair to face Amari, putting his hands together in a praying motion before leaning them forward towards her. It seemed to her that what he was about to say next might be very important.
Near the back door of the building, Florence stopped near the window outside and decided not to enter yet. Slowly leaning to the window, her ears open as she listened to what Klein was about to say next.
This might be interesting...
....
Amari's anxiousness was starting to get the better of her as she was standing behind Florence, watching the scene unfold from behind the alchemist. Her tail unwillingly fluttered around her back, hoping that Miss Florence wouldn't do anything to harm Mister Neil and Klein.
They helped her with the chores and even did small tasks for her.
That has to mean something, right?
"You two claim that your not from around here, right?"
"Right, we live in a village near the border between countries."
Klein remained straight with the alchemist, as they realised she had caught onto something. The honeyed tone only causing them to tense up even more, looking to Amari to see her just as anxious.
I got them... Her smile grew even bigger as she stared at Klein, before pulling out a small scroll with words written on it. Florence slowly opened it while facing it to them, as Neil moved closer to read the paragraphs that were on it.
"Southern Order of Aloysius, we require your assistance in tracking down a special individual. As we all decided we'd summon a chosen hero to fight the oncoming threat that looms over all of Aloysius."
Oh no... Neil felt his heart stop at that moment, sparing a quick glance at Florence who nodded for him to continue reading. This time, Klein stepped closer to read in silence beside him.
"But we have made a grave mistake, and our hero are trapped Gods know where... If you believe a suspicious individual stands amongst your community, please send a message to any of the leaders near your vicinity."
- Neto, Head Researcher of the Holy Order SD
Klein and Neil were dead quiet, realising that they might have been caught. Straightening back up, Neil was in utter shock that they had been discovered so easily. He glanced over to Amari to gauge her reaction, but she was just as surprised at the turn of events.
"Now, judging by your clothing you try to cover with that cloak. Would it be safe to assume your hiding from something? Or someone?" Florence put her finger on her chin in thought, curiously thinking what more she'll have to say to convince these two that she knows the truth.
To her, it was a new discovery of people from another world, but to the brothers, it was hardly as great of a day.
Neil was internally panicking, as based on what he read, the Holy Order was really vicious to those who opposed them.
Over 12 leaders spread throughout the entire kingdom, and each of them with high magic potential compared to your average mage. These high members were the best of the best, and that's not counting the many more who served under them.
So Florence knows? How? Klein was in the same boat, only not as obvious when it came to showing his panic. He began to knock down all the times that she could've possibly figured it out. It was then that he stumbled upon one possibility, as he glanced to Amari as she was still in the same state as before.
Did she tell Florence? It wouldn't be impossible...
Dammit... Things just got a whole lot worse, what am I supposed to do? Klein only straightened himself up, looking at Florence who looked to be in an extremely good mood. He had no idea why, but if things were to get bad he would take Neil and Amari and run away.
But where? Where would they go in a world they've only been learning about these past few weeks, and they still don't know enough?
Klein sweatdropped at the scenario, he definitely did not want to go on the run while they're doing well in this town. He stood beside his brother, glaring at the alchemist with a poker-faced expression.
"No, why would we hide?"
"Because you are both from a different world."
Say it louder and wake up the town why don't you?! Klein thought as she kept her smug gaze on the two of them. Amari couldn't stand being behind Florence anymore, rushing to their side as she pleaded to the alchemist of the Holy Order.
"P-Please Miss Florence, don't tell the Holy Order...!" She was practically begging, holding onto Klein's pants as she tried to hide her fear. Though her plea had only confirmed Florence's theory, as Klein's frustrations grew even further.
"YOU LITTLE-"
"See? Even little Amari knows. I can't believe you two." Neil had realised this too, her act of trying to protect them only causing even more suspicion. He watched his brother frustratingly grip his hair as Neil decided to spill the beans.
"Fine, I'll admit it. We're from another world, but why does that matter-"
"So you admit it... Then I'll need you two for something..." Florence had approached Klein, putting her hand out and gestured to his own. Klein begrudginly complied, reaching his hand out as she took his own.
"Hm... A bit rough..."
Wouldn't you like know... Klein thought in his head, watching as she inspected his hand personally. Bending each finger, he was starting to feel uncomfortable as she kept looking back and forth from Klein.
"I need you for a few experiments." Amari and the brothers winced at the mention of 'a few', watching as she put the message back into the pocket of her jacket.
"It's not every day that I meet two men who supposedly came from another world," Florence took a step back, releasing his arm as Klein wiped off whatever she might've put on it. "-at first I thought it was ludicrous... That is until I got the letter..."
Taking out a small scroll, she handed it to Neil who read it intentely. His eyes widened when he realised what was said below.
OTHER-WORLDERS BEWARE!
PLEASE REPORT TO SCOUTS AS SOON AS YOU CAN
OR WHEN THEY REACH YOUR TOWN
- Head of South, Neto Arden
"She'll be fine, as long as you two agree to my proposition." She pointed at Amari with her joyous expression changing back to normal.
"And if we don't comply..."
"I'll immediately go straight to the authorities, and you'll be in an even worse situation than before. Especially with Amari." Florence confidently reached out her right hand, looking for one of the brothers to take it. Klein stared at it for a moment, weighing his options. Neil took her hand immediately, he already knew they had no choice.
"We'll do it."
"Thank you for your cooperation, you better not skip town before tonight." It went through Neil's mind as he watched the mysteriously kind alchemist turn to walk away. Her face momentarily shifted to one of surprise before quickly turning back to the three, taking a small pouch of coins and throwing it to Neil.
"Ah- What's this?"
"Your money back for those swords, I can take those back if you really don't have a use for them." Neil pondered on her request for a refund, a chance at possibly getting his brother's silver coins back from Florence.
Originally the silver coins were given from Florence herself, she was their only source of income as the brothers constantly traded 'gold coins' with her. No doubt a huge mistake on their part, but Neil was glad she wasn't heartless.
"Of course, here." Neil took the sword from Klein's hand as he passed both to the alchemist, gently letting her grip the handles so she won't touch the slime dripping from the blade. Visibly cringing at the sight of it, Florence kept it at arm's length as she brought it to her belts before taking her leave.
"Well then, I'll see you tonight!" She called out as she was already running away with the swords, leaving the three of them to reflect on what had just happened.
Neil walked back to Klein and Amari to find his older brother tense, turned away from the two as he tried to approach. Neil touched his shoulder only to get shrugged off, he had a good idea of what was probably running through his brother's mind.
"Klein..."
"Just go, Neil... I don't blame Amari for this, but I need some space." The street grew silent between the three of them, with Neil quietly nodding before helping Amari up.
Turning to Klein, she saw him nod the both of them away, as they turned to head back to their apartment. Along the way, Amari thought back to what Mister Klein had said.
"- I don't blame Amari for this."
It... It was my fault?. Everything began to click in her head, the events that played out as Florence kept accusing the brothers of being people from another world. Her expression worsened as she felt her heart ache in pain, she had hurt others again, just like back then.
Neil looked down to Amari and found her clutching his arm even more, as he went in to rub her head.
She seems stressed... Neil saw that look again on her face, one reminding him of another time while she was with them. The day they met her, as both of them surrounded her in the nearby forest. Gripped and at their mercy, she was scared for her life, but the face she wore was anything but.
She was depressed, and the scars on her body gave the brothers a good reason why.
"Amari? You feeling okay?"
"I'm okay..."
So she won't tell me... Maybe I was a bit too forward... Neil felt something might've been bothering Amari, all that had happened with Florence would've been pretty hard on her. Especially since they became her new caretakers, the poor thing probably doesn't want to lose another set of parents.
It's a good thing they weren't neglectful.
I'll try pushing later, this whole ordeal after the slime mission has left me extremely tired... He couldn't help but let a yawn come out, covering his hand in front of his mouth as another was heard from beside him.
"Getting tired too?"
"Y-Yeah..." Amari was mumbling to herself, covering the scar on her ear as the two entered the inn. Neil waved to the innkeeper as they walked by her, heading up the stairs on the left to the hallway ahead.
If Neil had checked Amari at the time, he would've seen her hands clutch into a fist. Amari's expression turned to one filled with a mix of determination and desperation, as she followed Neil into the apartment.
....
"Glad you could make it... Where is your brother?"
"About that..." It was already sunset as Klein stood at the door of the apothecary, watching as Florence began to pick up potions and needles. Her cheerful attitude only made him even more uncomfortable, following her upstairs to where her supposed 'experiments' would take place.
Heading the second floor gave him good reason not to be there.
"I had just finished setting it up not too long ago, now where is your brother?"
"...I've decided not to bring him tonight." Sitting on the bed at the end of the room, he leaned back onto the bed as a grunt could be heard from the other end. She wasn't happy, and Klein knew that he was already treading on thin ice. But from the time they had spent together, Klein had learned something very important from the alchemist.
Deep down, she was a good person.. Right?
"Why? You know that I could report you immediately for disobeying my order?"
"I'm not saying that I just want to make sure this is safe. If something happens to us, then what? Think of Ama-" Klein jumped as the alchemist slammed her hands onto the table, causing the room to go silent for a moment. Slowly turning around, she approached Klein with what looked to be a very dangerous potion. It was still in a glass flask, her hands safely covered in gloves and her purple hair tied back.
"Using that little demi-human, your little girl, to guilt-trip me into letting you go? How cowardly of you."
Cowardly? He grew sour at that last comment, before urging himself to not lose his temper as she approached him. She brought out a small knife from her pocket, it's thin blade unnerving to him, before motioning for Klein to bring his arm out. Complying, Klein soon found a part of his arm in sharp pain as a cut was dealt on the inside of his forearm.
The lingering pain only grew worse as blood leaked from his left forearm, dropping from its wound and into the flask in Florence's hands. Klein's eyes were closed, not needing to see himself bleed out as she brought a chair from behind her. Sitting on the chair, she closely observed as the liquid inside began to change to a different colour.
"You know I care about her a lot, right?"
"That remains to be seen." Klein couldn't believe what he was hearing, refusing to open his eyes as he felt his body tense up.
"What do you mean?"
"What'll happen when you both find a way back?" Klein let himself think on that for a moment, he opened his eyes to look back at the alchemist.
She was squeezing his hand with her own, while the other was below his wound with the flask. Florence's expression was different from before, her burgundy eyes piercing into his own. Klein's annoyance faded as she held his hand tighter, fixated on his reaction as he turned away before he could feel more attacked by her eyes.
"We'll obviously take her with us..."
"Hm. And what if you can't?" Klein turned back to find her eyes still focusing on him, not letting up as he began to process what she meant.
"What if I can't?" The possibility of that wasn't impossible, but to think about a situation where we'd have to leave Amari. These past few weeks with her was like raising a child, only with Neil and himself being both parents and tutors.
The day they arrived, and when they brought Amari to Florence started to run through Klein's mind once again. His recollection opening his eyes, as his face turned dim.
That first week when the brothers were struggling to make income for her, Florence was there to help the two of them by working for her. They managed to learn so much from her, the history of the kingdom, the basics of magic, even this world's currency.
They had been too dependant on Florence, what if they couldn't take Amari with them?
Klein started to open his mouth before stopping, his head tilting away. He knew that Florence was a decent person, who went out of her way to help two foreigners despite their sketchy background. All because of the demi-human they brought with them, the one who stayed by their side despite everything.
Florence watched as her test subject sat in silence, his grip getting weaker.
"Klein, I've been with you two since you arrived. She's been in your care for almost a month now," Injecting more as she observed Klein, she finshed her question "-what if you just up and leave her the moment a chance appears?"
"Florence..." She clutched Klein's hand tighter, causing him to wince as her expression changed to one of distress.
Klein wouldn't lie, he considered the alchemist of Graela a friend after everything she's done for her. But that could've also been because of the gold coins they gave her, causing her to do all that for them. Money can buy a lot of things.
But her actions before, letting them work for her during those few days, was uncharacteristically appealing to him. Graela's Alchemist was a woman who was both intelligent in her craft of potions, and was just as fair.
"Listen, Klein, I know you want to leave... But what about her?" Why couldn't he trust her? Perhaps it was Neil's paranoia rubbing off on him, something he's held onto because of his insistent reminders.
"We aren't going to just ditch her, were not that heartless... I'm just...J...ust...." Klein had fainted, causing a slightly worried look from Florence before she continued into phase two.
Florence was scanning both Klein and the wound, as the flask was just about full. The alchemist watched the violet liquid inside disperse before forming into a shade of red.
"So serious, yet you easily fade into unconsciousness at the first sign of blood..." She reached into her coat, bringing a green potion out from her belt before tipping it onto the boy's arm, carefully sealing the wound.
Glancing back to Klein she found him still unconscious, his head resting back on the pillow behind him. She sighed, getting up from her chair before moving back to the other end of the room.
"I'm going to be terribly honest if you Klein, I dont think your worth giving up..."
It wasn't as if she hated the brothers, they've been nothing but kind to her since they arrived that day. But something else had begun to bother the alchemist. Bringing out a needle, she began to siphon out a sample of Klein's blood.
"You're both some of the most honest people I've ever met," Patting Klein's head as he was asleep, she smiled for a moment "- maybe even cute... But I'm far too old for you."
To Florence, the only thing she had ever cared about was her research. To do anything to get the results she was searching for, passion thrown into her alchemy. Yet after pouring her heart and soul into her career, she found her business taking her near the outskirts of the kingdom.
It irked the alchemist how she ended up out here in Graela. Just another town near the borders between Aloysius and its neighbors.
"I haven't done this in a while...Here we go..!" Taking the needle, she sat beside Klein before carefully aiming it to a vein near her inner elbow. Finding the right spot, Florence pulled back her coat and administered the needle.
Klein opened his eyes just in time to see Florence injecting herself with an unknown substance. His eyes widened as she winced in pain, the veins now very visible to the both of them.
"Florence, what the hell are you d-"
"J-Just wait! Let me see this through..." The two watched as her inner elbow changed colour from blue to purple, the veins in her body lighting up as she quietly waited for her expectant results. After a minute of quiet observation, the veins flickered before returning to normal, leaving the two astounded at what happened.
"Did my blood do that...?" She poured the green potion over her left arm, sealing the wound and healing her of any other injuries in that area. Klein watched on as she turned to the drawers next to the bed, beginning to write something down in a small journal.
"Why would you do that!?" Klein was bug-eyed at her lack of alarm, pointing to her arm as he continued, "You do realise you can get an infection right?"
"Don't worry, I've done this before..."
What?! Klein didn't notice the slight grin on her face as he turned to his side, observing Florence as she finished off her documenting. Closing the journal, she brought out a small box from one of the drawers as she moved her chair closer to Klein.
She beckoned with her finger for the older brother to come closer, who reluctantly leaned closer to Florence as she inspected him closely. He didn't seem too fazed by the close contact if it wasn't for the fact that she started touching his entire facial structure with her bloody gloves.
"Ga-h-y a-hrg-ya t-rg t- h-ng h-iss."
"I'm sorry, could you say that again?"
"Ga-n Y-a ta-e-e t- h-ng h-iss." Florence smiled as she let go of his mouth, letting him speak his mind as she reached back into her box and took out more of her utensils.
"Why're you even experimenting on us anyways? I'm pretty sure we're nothing special..."
"That's for me to know, and for you to find out in time." She winked as she saw Klein's face frown showed, crossing his arms again before turning away.
Of course we will... He obviously wasn't happy at her answer, groaning tiredly before going to touch his inner elbow. She easily intercepted, grabbing his arm before he could do anything, startling Klein.
"I'm not finished." Her grip as surprisingly hard, crushing his muscles as he gasped at the very strength she held.
"R-Right! Sorry..." Klein sat back down, quietly disturbed. He would have to think twice before doing anything that could piss her off. Taking out another needle and thin tool, she glanced at Klein before administering it into his inner elbow.
"Doc, I'm starting to feel..." The sharp prick slid through the skin of his arm, watching as the purple liquid was injected. Klein began to worry as his vision started to blur, the area around him starting to buzz and ring.
"Ssssshhh... If you're dazed then that means its working..."
What's working...? Klein fell back onto the bed, about to pass out before Florence took the needle out. This time, however, she sprayed his small cut with some sort of blue substance, before covering it with a tissue.
"When you wake up you'll be free to go..." Klein wasn't sure why she'd warrant to use that instead of the usual potions, but he didn't care. He was about to pass out, left at the mercy of the alchemist experimenting on him. His last thoughts were of Neil as he wondered where he'd go after taking Amari home.