Old as it was, I still clearly remembered it like it was yesterday.
The girl who changed my life.
One month after having been abandoned and treated as a criminal by everyone, I was a real mess.
I've never felt happy since then, just as the sight of a person repulse me. I took out my anger at anything monsters, bandits and anyone who tried to mess with me.
I couldn't even get a decent job since I was treated as a criminal, because of my stupid job, I can't even level up properly.
It's already becoming frustrating.
At my last battle, the poorly crafted sword I made finally snapped, now I have to get new materials to forge another sword.
Because I was treated as a criminal, I've lived deep in the mountains, on a transmutated hole on the side of the mountain, I've built my own base of operation. Basically, I've become Bear Grylls surviving in the wild with nothing but my wits and skills.
Thankfully, I'm a sciencer myself, I know my way around the biology, chemistry, botany and many other branches of science, call me a Senku 2.0.
I grew crops in the mountain, I've built my own house, hunt for food and tried to get by as I got stronger.
One day, on my way back after a gruesome fight with a Minotaur, which I've slaughtered brilliantly, it was already dusk, and I might get lost if I lose any more light in the mountains.
Then as if it was some scenario from a manga. I noticed something falling out of the sky.
"Wait… is that a person falling?!"
I rushed over and tried to catch the person, it was almost irony, I hate the people of this world, and yet, I just saved a person.
My own contradictions don't do me justice.
Turns out the person was a young girl, she was about my age, she had a long flowing silver hair, her clothes were tattered with blood and ripped up. She's still unconscious.
Her vitals were fine and doesn't seem to have any serious injury, but what could this girl be doing that made her fall from the sky?
Still, leaving her here would just leave a bad taste in my mouth.
Therefore, deciding that I brought her back on a whim.
The next day.
She laid on the bed peacefully, yeah, I made a soft mattress, wasn't that hard to make, I just collected a bunch of wool and crammed them up, it works as a makeshift mattress. Then after settling her in the bed, I went to the hearth and started prepping food, I was worried that she might be hungry after she wakes up.
I sat on the chair beside the bed while observing her.
But judging from her clothes, she should be someone from the Castle, maybe she's a knight, but that won't explain things… she didn't have a decent plate armor or any protective gear either.
"…" the girl finally opened her eyes "This is…"
"you're awake," I said "That's good. I found you injured in the woods yesterday and brought you home."
The girl observed the surroundings as she tried to process what was actually happening.
"you haven't eaten anything, if you're hungry, have some of this"
I handed her a bowl full of hot meat stew.
"Thank… thank you… Mr."
She grabbed the bowl and sipped it, and seemed delighted by the taste. Still, she surprised me, she ate food from a stranger without hesitation, I could've put poison in it…
But it's good thing it was just regularly cooked food. I swore to myself never to do something underhanded as betraying or tricking anyone. I'm not gonna stoop that low unlike that bitch.
"Don't call me mister, if my guess is right, we're just about in the same age. If it's not too much to ask, would you mind telling me what happened to you yesterday?"
"Last night…" she had a conflicted expression "Sorry, I can't tell you what happened last night… that's right!"
Her eyes widen as she remembered something.
"There were two other girls with me last night, have you seen them?"
Two others?! Gweh! Just thinking about it makes me want to go ballistic now.
"I only found you, sorry."
"Is that so…" she seemed down about it, maybe she cared for those other two…
What am I saying! No, no! don't be swayed! People in this world are greedy just like anyone in my world, they'll do anything to get their way, even if they have to trample others for it!
"I just hope they're safe…"
"It's alright, I won't push for answers" I said "I hated being involved with other people's business, anyway. It's safe here, just rest up and take care of your injuries"
"No…" she pushed herself out of the bed "I can't. I still have a mission and I need to hurry back to HQ"
A mission more important than your life…? That's funny, humans are vile creatures, once things got dicey, they'll abandon everything and just to cling to life. Just whisper them some words of appreciation and praise, they get over their heads and get cocky. Humans only look out for themselves that was their basic and natural form.
And I hate myself for being a human.
But this girl, injured as she was, she's trying to fulfill a mission that was more important than her life. It ticks me off!
I sighed "I hate things like that. Oi, I changed my mind!"
Turning back to her, I raised my finger. "If you're in a hurry. Then I can help escort you back."
What am I saying? I'm starting to contradict myself here!
"You're wounded and penniless. Just by yourself you'll take a long time to get anywhere"
"No. I can't give you any more trouble"
Still, I just can't live this girl alone. I want to witness her, see if she's actually really gonna risk her life as something silly as a mission.
"no need to worry, providing escort is easy for me. More importantly, after you get back to headquarters."
I put my hand over her shoulder, yes, there's one thing I'll be demanding after this whole farce. One thing that is more important in any world.
"I'll be demanding payment"
Her face went blank as confusion cross over her face.
"Payment?"
"Yeah! Might be a bit expensive, since I'll be providing an express, even though I live in the mountains I still need to make a living, there are things I can't get here in the mountains after all. Treatment cost, boarding and the soup you just drank. Sums up to 500 gold"
I'm just basically ripping her off, but who cares, I do what I want, I'm gonna provide her with escort, on the other hand, I'll witness if she can really see her duty to the end.
She was unable to utter a word until now; it seemed my little help for her left her confused.
"I'm not going to release you until I get my payment. Understood"
Well, if I was going to escort her, I can't have her running around everywhere with tattered clothes. I made a quick run in the village nearby to threaten the clothing shop to let me buy some clothes. Well, I still know they're trying to make a living, I'm not some bandit, I may be branded as a criminal, but I'm not shameless enough to commit actual crime, but I guess threatening people is also considered a violation of human rights, if there was such law in this world.
I gave it over to the girl, I remembered that up till now, I still haven't asked her name.
Providing escort and bringing the girl to her HQ would probably take days, but in the months that I spent in the mountains, I didn't waste it on just trying to get by.
I walked over the workshop and pulled the cloth over it, yeah, this will probably the first time, I'll make it run.
A dual wheeled vehicle, in other words, I made a motorcycle, the design was similar to the 1000cc motorcycles in my world, it was a pain in the ass to make since, I can only use transmutation on the metal, the circuitry was still faulty since I still haven't polished it up yet, I've barely finished the engine that by the way, runs on alcohol. Meaning even wine can make this run.
I packed up the stuff that we'll need, I brought some rations that we'd need, money, a sword, and the newly made break action revolver that I crafted and all the bullets I've made.
Without much resources at my disposal, crafting gun powder was hard to top it off, I'll have to smelt the bullet casings, so, I can barely use the gun at this point because of the limited bullets that I have.
I pushed out the motorcycle out of the cave and wait for the girl to come.
"my apologies for making you wait!"
The girl finally came, she wore a simple beige dress and some boots, she also wore the jacket that I lent to her, but the most noticing feature was her hair, it was cut short.
"!? Oi, what happened to your hair?!"
"My hair was too long. It's also too visible. I don't want to cause you any more trouble so I cut it short"
What's with this girl? If it's the hair, yeah sure, it's long, but she doesn't have to cut it short, but… well, I guess, she looked cute at shorter hair.
"I guess it looks… strange…"
She had a bashful expression, even though, my emotions were distorted at this point, that cute gesture tugged my heartstrings.
"No, no, nope!" I said in panic "I think, it's adorable."
I pulled her hand and walked over to the bike. "Anyhow, we need to get going, it's a long way to go from here to the border"
"Um…"
"Yeah?"
"Could I ask for your name?"
Ah, yeah, even I haven't given her name either.
"It's Asher"
"My name is Cecilia; I'd like to thank you for helping me in crossing the border once more"
"Don't worry about it" I said and gave her a helmet. It wasn't like the helmets in my world, but it's enough to be comfortable and give enough protection in the case of an accident.
"Wh-what's this?"
"Wear it" I helped put hers on
"Um… are we going to walk while wearing this?"
"Huh? No, we're riding this"
"What's that?"
"Well it's some form of transportation that I made, it's much faster than riding a horse."
Reluctant as she is, she got on the bike and we rode through the country.
We stopped by at a town on the west, the bike was almost out of gas, so, I'll need to refill it for now.
I bought a wine and was refilling the gas tank of the bike, Cecilia on the other hand looked over the town as she had expectant eyes over everything.
"It's so lively…" she said "There are so many things I've never seen before…"
She pointed over a pub. "Asher, what does that shop sell? The one with that spoon and fork on the plaque."
"That's a pub, it's just a regular pub"
"I've never left headquarters before." She said, I could feel excitement in her voice "I've never seen such interesting town."
Interesting? This town was pretty much like any other town, though. But if she said she never left headquarters, I guess that means, she's seeing the world for the first time.
"If that's the case, then how about we spend the night here and rest for the day. I can take you around the town and show you some things"
As my suggestion, it was weird, maybe it was the reason why I couldn't leave the girl alone, she's still inexperienced in the workings of the world, that's why she had such naïve thoughts as fulfilling a life-threatening mission.
But she shook her head, sadness was on her eyes. "No. I still have my mission. I need to get back to headquarters quickly"
She's like a bird that had never been let out of its cage.
Even if this is her only chance to fly freely.
"Ah! Damn! This is bad!"
"?" Cecilia turned back to me.
"I… uhhh. I didn't notice," I scratched my head as I apologized to her "the fuel line broke. That's why we ran out of gas quick. It'll take a day for me to repair it. Sorry for wasting your time"
Cecilia had a blank look, I don't know if it's shock or confusion, but I don't think she caught on my intentions.
She shook her head and smiled "No… it's alright"
"Too bad. Looks like we'll really have to stop in this town for the night" I said to her "That's right, are there any shops you want to go?"
I might have been sounding like a hypocrite at this point.
I treated Cecilia into some crepes and a coffee afterwards as an apology for her.
"Well, I'll work on it overnight, sorry for delaying your mission. We'll rest in the town for today. A day off is hard to come by, do you have any place that you want to go? If not…"
I don't know, but she seemed happy that we got delayed either way, I'll have a day to show her around.
"Sorry for troubling you, actually… there are a few shops I would like to see."
Afterwards, Cecilia dragged me to places; bookstore, clothing stores, flower shops and a bunch of other places. She had a bright smile during the whole time as she experienced new things in her life, it was refreshing to see a girl among the people.
And at the end of the day, even if I claim to hate people… this girl… this girl in the only exception….
"I've been to such fun places. Thank you for accompanying me, Asher" she said "It was fun"
"Well, as long as you enjoyed it"
I kinda wished that there were arcades in this world, I'll open this girl's eyes in the horizons of gaming. But sadly, there aren't any.
Later that night, I took her to the best pub in town.
"food's here. Bon Appetit"
Cecilia ate the food; her expression was one of delight.
"Wow"
"It's good, right?" I asked "This town's specialty was sausages. They use the finest ingredients to make this Sausage. They don't make them like this anywhere else"
"Thank you, Asher" she finished her food "I've experienced so many new things today. Food with flavors, I've never tasted before, shops with things I've never seen..."
Her eyes were longing for something like this, I don't know what her situation really is, but she was just like me back then, confined with expectations and the responsibility, unable to express herself.
"Today was one of the happiest days in my life. I will greatly treasure the memory of this day"
I wiped off the food on her cheek, honestly seeing her go sentimental with a food on her cheeks, reminds me of a kid.
That's why I couldn't hate her
"If you liked today. I can bring you to see more things in the future"
Once she noticed that she had food on her face the whole time, she touched her cheek in embarrassment.
"No… I can't…"
"Hey, hey, hey. I don't know how it works for you in your HQ but I know that occasionally they'd loosen up" I said "I wasn't raised in a strict environment but I often ran away a couple of times, I'm not bragging. But I have a lot of experience with running away from home."
I suddenly got cocky and bragged to her now.
"If you want, I can help you escape from Headquarters too."
"Huh?!"
"Like I'm telling you, I'll help you sneak away. I've been to many, many places, I've seen sakura blooms in my country. Fought off a large dragon by myself, raid a dungeon with some friends and gone to an adventure towards a flying island"
Half of it was true, the other half was something I've experienced in RPGs. Point is…
"The world is full of interesting things. Don't you think being locked up in a tiny room all the time. Is a damn shame?"
I reached out to the moon as if grabbing it, hearing my own words, somehow, made me realize, this world is too vast for me to be contained hatred. Sure, I can't forget it, but I can't let it imprison me.
"We can continue finding interesting places to visit"
The light in her eyes were full of expectations, but sadness and regret still clouds her.
I want to go, I want to go on an adventure, I want to free Cecilia from her shackles, I want her to see the world.
"What do you say?" I reached out my hand to her.
She was about to reach my hand but hesitated for a bit. She pulled back her hand and grabbed her chest.
"Hey, everything okay?" I asked in concern.
I think she's having an anxiety attack
"I'm sorry!" She said "Asher, I can't… I can't accept."
She refused to meet my eyes, this girl… maybe there's not enough time, huh. Her shackles are pretty tight, she couldn't let go of her duties either.
"After we reach Headquarters. I'll pay you all the money I owe." she said "And afterwards… We'll… We'll never see each other again."
"Is that so…"
Regrettable as it is, this girl… Well, I'm known for being stubborn too either way, if it takes years, then it takes years, I'm not gonna give up on this girl.
"I'm not going to give up so easily. it's not only about the money now." I said while scratching my cheek. "I've decided to show you the world. I'm not going to give up until then"
"But…"
Wait? What time is it?
"Good heavens! It's almost time!"
I stood up and offered my hand to her "Let's go, Cecilia. I still have to bring you to a play. The night is still young after all"
I took her to the one night only play in the amphitheater, I don't know what the play was about, but I think it was about a king who built a country upon the wishes of his people.
It sounded interesting so, I decided to bring Cecilia here.
If this was her supposed last night of freedom, I'll have to make sure it's unforgettable.
I look over the clock tower, it seems that there's still twenty minutes before the play starts.
Cecilia suddenly ran off
"Wha!? Hey!"
"Asher, I have to go back for something! Wait here, I'll definitely be back before the play starts"
"What thing?"
There she just left before I could even catch up to her. She did say she'll be back, I guess I'll just have to wait here.
Five minutes later.
Why isn't she back yet! Did something happen?
No, no, no. she's only been gone for Five minutes. I'm thinking too much.
And impatient. I kept pacing back and forth on the street like an idiot.
She just left, but why do I have a bad feeling about this…
Okay, fuck it!
I ran after her, I turned over the street and at the end. A man stood there holding a crossbow pointed at me.
"Halt." He commanded "You'll go no further."
Who is he? Wait! Is it possible that they're after Cecilia!
"That girl isn't a normal person. Pretend you never met her." He said "It's for your own good"
For my own good? Since when do people decide what's good for me?
"True, that she isn't normal, but that's exactly why I have to protect her!"
I ran towards him in a dash "Don't think that crossbow could scare me!"
Maybe I got on a high horse, or I was just plain dumb to risk my life for the girl I barely knew.
Spears of light stopped me from advancing any further. A foolish try, I dare to advance but light spears rained down barely missing me but locking me in a position.
"Stop, any more attempt would just endanger your life" the man warned.
But I'm not someone who'll listen just because they said so.
"Maybe. But this is the only way!" I said, strength pulled me up and tore down the light spears and walked towards the man.
He was shocked of how I managed to break the light spears
"I can't forgive those cold blooded, trampler of other people's dreams… that's why I'll beat you to a pulp!!"
As I raised my arm and punched him, a strong impact came in from my solar plexus. All the strength in my body left as I collapse into the ground.
"Looks like that's the best you can do. Hot-Headed Youth"
The man leaned me to the wall as he stared on my face, my consciousness is fading quick.
"Master, I've retrieved Ms. Cecilia. Shall we get moving?"
"Wait, Cecilia and this boy have an unfulfilled promise. I have no right to trample on their hopes and dreams."
"Asher!"
Cecilia ran over and place my head on her lap.
"Thank goodness, you're alive… I'm sorry… Asher"
Why is she apologizing…? She didn't do anything wrong. It's my fault for being weak, I couldn't even take her by force.
"Cecilia… it's time"
"But… I…"
"We have our duties…"
No, wait… she's leaving! Despite trying to fight my hazy consciousness, I managed to utter words…
"You can't leave… I haven't show you the world."
She placed both her hands on my cheek as she drew her face closer.
"No. you already have, Asher. You already shown me"
It was the last words, that I heard from her as a tear fell on my face as my consciousness faded.
When I woke up, Cecilia was already gone. I was still on the street where I fell.
Nobody remembered that her was here. Her smile, her tears, her appearance, her words. It was like she never existed.
The people told me. I must have been dreaming.
I went back to the places that went with her.
But, of those familiar places. Only scattered memories remain.
I couldn't find anything, to fill the gaping hole in my chest.
I always thought that I hated people. I discarded everything all the bonds that I have with people, I cut it all off. But why does that teardrop she left on my face burn to this day, like a mark on the soul.
And my heart tells me. I can't bear to be away from her.
So, I'm going to see her!
Two months later.
In the heart of the lonely girl. Time seems to have lost its meaning. Memories flashed before her eyes whenever she closed them.
In the two months since, I've relived those two days countless times.
Then, I thought about when he reached out his hand to me.
At that moment, if I had taken his hand.
Would the outcome have been different?
Such question popped up in Cecilia's mind every time. However, it's alright. Because the she'd made memories that she'll never forget. Because she can still remember his smile.
"Master Cecilia! Please come to the front gate immediately! We are being attacked!"
The Silver haired maid requested her aid.
Out of nowhere, the Headquarters we're suddenly attacked by someone and it seemed to be one powerful foe since almost all of the operators were wiped out.
Cecilia quickly headed to suppress the assailant, but when she saw him.
She stopped on her tracks.
"What? Shocked to see me?"
Cecilia had still remembered it, that crappy forced smile he'd put up every time, His lightning blue eyes were as gorgeous as she remembered. His dark hair was swept to one side, like he'd just come from a walk on the beach. He looked even better than he had two months ago—tanner and taller, leaner and more muscular.
In his hands was an unfamiliar weapon which was smoking on the end point.
"Long time no see, Cecilia."
"Asher, why are you…"
"I made a promise." He stretched out his hand towards her "I won't let you go until I've shown you the world. So, let's go"
Asher stormed the headquarters only for this stupid promise, but, to Cecilia, that kind of stupidity was beyond reason, Asher was prepared to lose his life just so he could see her again.
Unable to contain the joy she's feeling in her heart, she dropped her weapon and ran towards Asher giving him a hug, and for a moment nothing else mattered. An asteroid could have hit the planet and wiped out all life, and Cecilia wouldn't have cared.
Asher smelled like burnt cloth and oil, but it was something that she missed about him.
"What's the meaning of this?"
Their moment of happiness was abruptly ended by the sudden appearance of William landing down from the air.
"You do realize what you've done?"
William wasn't an ordinary person; Asher wouldn't stand a chance if he tried to fight him.
But Asher simply meet his glare unfazed.
"Yes, I know"
"Asher, you can't beat him," Cecilia warned "You have to run!"
However, despite her warning, Ashe held Cecilia's hand and smiled reassuringly at her.
"It's going to be fine"
He stepped forward until just a few meters apart from William
"My name is Asher Guren, and I am here to offer my services to you"
"Wha!?"
Cecilia was unable to believed what she just heard, but Asher had said clearly, in the past two months, Asher trained and crafted dozens of weapons just for this moment.
"What are you planning"
"I'm here to take Cecilia away"
William closed his eyes "Sorry, but I can't let you take away my strongest operator. So, you'll have to die for this!"
William summoned a sword of light and was about to cut off Asher's head.
"Are you sure?"
"What?"
His sword stopped by a hair's breadth on Asher's neck.
"Are you sure you don't want my services?"
"What can you possibly offer aside from annoying me?"
Asher simply shrugged, that foolish braveness somehow made Cecilia happy but she feared that one misstep and his life will end here and now.
"Aside from beating your guys to a pulp? A lot more, I'm a Synergist, I can offer you weapons, tools, anything"
"We have all that, if that's all you can offer"
"Otherworldly knowledge…"
The final offer, William stopped talking after hearing that.
"I think you know it by now, or guessed it, but I am a summoned hero in this world. The weapons I pulled out? Not even a quarter of my arsenal, I can offer it to you, just let me join"
That much powerful weaponry could destroy the very essence of war in this world. If what Asher is telling was true, that much firepower would prove to hurt the Houkai.
"I don't get it… you could've sold it for profit, but here you are, making it an offer, all because of Cecilia"
"It's because of her, that I've changed. I don't care about these weapons or this world. All I care about now, is protecting Cecilia."
His words resonated in Cecilia's heart, she was happy that Asher would give anything to be with her, but if he comes here, he'd also be bound by duty, he won't have the freedom he has…
William looked at his eyes then at Cecilia and sighed.
"Fine, you're in"
William turned back and walked off
Cecilia hesitated for a bit but grabbed Asher's hand.
"Why…? Why would you do something like that?"
Asher turned back and embraced Cecilia
"You gave me a reason to fight, so, I want to be there with you, I want to protect you"
For Cecilia to hear those words, the lonely girl was alone no more, she'd found someone willing to throw away everything just to be beside her.
Just thinking about it made her chest feel tight. Tears of joy streamed down from her cheeks as she returned Asher's embrace.
Until the end and one year later, Cecilia was the only girl Asher couldn't bring to hate.