"Sorry we're late. We immediately dispatched our units as soon as Garnet reported. We know the gist of what happened. And don't worry, the kids are now sleeping in our base." Old Man Scar said as he went towards me after getting down from his mount. "Good job, Julius. Not only did you stop them from extorting the money from the kids, you also managed to capture them alive."
"I was just doing my job." I said as I accepted his help in getting up.
"Alright fellow hunters, bring them to the Central District. We'll deal with them there. Garnet, accompany Julius to the kids. We'll take it from here." Scar said as he ordered the men to take those 8 (the 6 men involved in the fighting, and the husband & wife who owns the inn) in custody.
After the people dispersed from the scene, Garnet lead me towards the Hunter's Guild. While on the way, I heard the same annoying voice again.
"How'd you like the power? Do you remember now?"
{…You made me lose control over my own body.}
"Did I? It was your emotion that lead you to that, mind you. However, it's quite saddening that you didn't kill them. It would have been easier for you if you were to kill them then and there."
{Shut up. You're not going to trick me into doing that again.}
"Oh, but you will. Do surprise me when the time comes, alright? See ya."
Garnet and I arrived at the Hunter's Guild and went to the 2nd floor where Scar's office was at. There, we saw the 2 kids sitting down on the sofa, where the short-haired kid was resting her head on the shoulders of the long-haired kid. As soon as we entered, they looked at us and the short-haired kid showed a relieved smile and spoke.
"Mister… Thank you so much for the help."
"No worries. I was just doing the right thing. Now then, let me introduce myself. My name is Julius von Bennett of the Bennett March which is to the east of this kingdom." I said as I bowed to them.
The two immediately stood up and introduced themselves.
"H-hello. My name is… Mia. I'm from the Beastman Kingdom but my parents are half." Mia, the short-hair kid said as she bowed sheepishly. "This is my younger sister, Shia." She said as she prompted the long-haired kid to bow. Shia bowed afterwards.
[UNRECOGNIZED ENTITY PRESENT]
[WOULD YOU LIKE TO USE IDENTIFY?]
[
{…? Identify? What is this for?}
As I pressed YES, a series of dialog boxes and 2 status boards appeared in front of me.
[LIFESTYLE MAGIC HAS CHANGED TO NEUTRAL MAGIC]
[NEUTRAL MAGIC AUTOMATICALLY LEVELED UP TO 10]
[NEW NEUTRAL MAGIC IDENTIFY LEARNED]
[NEUTRAL SPELL IDENTIFY AUTOMATICALLY LEVELED UP TO 5]
[Spell Description: Appraises the item targeted and/or identifies the entity present. Details of the item or entity depends on the level of the spell]
[IDENTIFYING... IDENTIFICATION COMPLETE]
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Uh… Julius? Are you alright there? You're kind of dozing off again." Garnet said as she waved her hand in front of my face.
"E-ehem… Don't worry, I was busy thinking about something. Anyway, Mia and Shia. What are your plans now?"
{They have the potential in becoming strong, but I can't seem to see their affinities or skills yet. Probably because of the level of Identify. I need to know their objectives, first.}
The two whispered to each other and glanced at me multiple times. I already have a grasp on what they're discussing. After a minute or so of talking to each other, they finally spoke in unison.
"We want to come along with you, mister!" Mia and Shia said as they begged to me, laying on the ground.
"O-oy. You don't have to do that. I can make you come with me as long as I get permission from my parents and after you explain why you're here and what you're doing here in this kingdom."
"Oh! That's easy! We were-"
Right before Mia was able to finish speaking, both Mia and Shia's stomach growled. They held their stomachs and looked down in embarrassment.
"…Garnet, please accompany them to take a bath first then come to the Happy Inn afterwards. Let's continue our discussion there while eating, alright?"
"Yes~" The 3 responded in unison and laughed. The friendly atmosphere stopped the shivering of the 2 kids.
The 2 kids took a bath in the Hunter's Guild (apparently there's a bathroom in Scar's office) who was assisted by Garnet. I grabbed the communication crystal that I had strapped to my clothes and contacted my father.
"Yo, Julius! What's up?" My father asked.
"I used the commu crystal because I wanted to ask permission for something."
"Ohya? Another favor? That's new. Alright, hit me with it."
"Could someone stay with us in the house from now on? I know you already know the gist of things."
"…? How could you say that?"
"I already know Old Man Scar contacted you. Garnet left while we were in a predicament to inform him but he was too fast in coming. It's impossible to know about that that quick unless someone else alerted him. Which explains the next thing attached to my clothes – the danger crystal."
"Hahaha! Can't escape from ya, huh? Just as you deduced, I was the one who informed Scar about your problem and location after seeing the crystal here in the house which is paired to the crystal attached to your clothes shine. That shine meant that there was a sudden surge of Ki and Magic near Julius or on Julius himself. Anyway, sure. I'll ask your mothers, too. We have to talk about the future plan, too."
"Thank you very much." I said as I bowed my head.
"Is that all?"
"I have bought a Spatial Bag and all the available Ability Scrolls for sale. I am left with a couple of gold, silver and copper coins."
"Do you need more?"
"No, I'm just reporting it."
"Oh, don't worry about it next time. Whatever I or your mothers give you, you can use it as you like. We know you won't use it for stupid things."
"Thank you. That is all for now."
"Alright, see you soon. It's a little bit past lunch time. Use that money to buy food now. Invite Garnet, too."
"I already was planning to do so, Father. Goodbye and take care, too."
As soon as our talk was over, I heard noises coming from the bathroom and the door slammed open.
"Hey! You haven't properly dried yet!" Garnet said as she chased the two naked girls running towards me. She was wearing nothing but a towel.
"Mister! We're all clean now! Look!" Mia said as she jumped on me and hugged me. Shia hesitantly joined in.
"Where's your clothes?" I asked them as I saw Garnet still running over here.
{I have a bad feeling about this…}
"Stop! That's inde- Woah!" Garnet shouted as she slipped towards me. I pushed the kids away right on time but I was not able to leave afterwards. Her momentum swept both of us off our feet, rolling towards the wall. Her towel got removed and her butt was facing my face.
"…Nice butt."
"…!" Garnet immediately stood up and equipped her gauntlets.
"Oy… Stop! That wasn't my fault…!"
"Forget. It…" she said as she tried punching my head multiple times. I avoided the attacks launched to me and escaped the room, directly going to the first floor and waited for them there.
After sometime, the 3 finally finished their businesses and went near me. As I was about to speak, Garnet said something.
"Not. One. Word." Garnet said as she glared at me.
"…It was a cute and clean." I said hesitantly.
"…" She ignored and faced away, pouting.
"Mister, please stop flirting with Sister Garnet and give us some attention, too." Mia said as she tugged at the sleeve of my clothes.
"W-we're not flirting!"
We laughed and decided to make our way to the Happy Inn, the best inn in the business district who serves good food. We ordered 2 kiddie meals for the girls, each consisting of a small bowl of potato-like food, a medium-sized sandwich which had sliced tomatoes, lettuce and beef, and a glass of milk. We then ordered 2 Lunch-standard Food Set which consisted of a beef steak with salad as a side, a bowl of bread and a glass of beer.
{Oh…? These food sets are quite nostalgic… I wonder how they'll taste.}
"Everyone, please follow me to your seats. Thank you." The server Tess said as she guided us to a table for four.
As soon as we've taken our seats, Tess bowed and left to serve the next customer.
"I like the system of business here. The atmosphere is soothing and everyone's enjoying the food." I commented while looking all over the inn.
The inn was spacious. The area of the first floor where the customers order/eat food and check in for a room was approximately 50 square feet. The center was where the stairs to the 2nd floor and basement, and the receptionist area were located. Surrounding these were tables of varying sizes. To the left and right were the restrooms, and to the south was the kitchen and other rooms for personnel only. The 2nd floor was full of rooms for the tenants.
"I'm glad that you're contented with the place I've recommended. I've been here many times with Wilmer before, and this place never ceases to amaze me – great customer service, freshly-cooked and diverse food, to-go is also an option and best of all, there're bathrooms here." Garnet said as she pumped her chest.
"Oh-ho… You go on dates with Wilmer, eh? That's cute." I said while grinning at Garnet.
"Huh…? Oh, yeah. We've been to many friendly dates before. I guess this is why we can't have our own romance." Garnet said while sighing.
"What? You mean you two aren't a thing?"
"Of course not. We're childhood friends who had been getting love advice from each other. We have our own likes and interests. We're basically like family."
"Oh… I guessed wrong, then. I was pretty sure there was something going on, but I guess it is like family?"
"Yep. We're basically stuck with each other. At least he has a business of his own. Anyway, that's enough about me. How about we talk with the kids about their future plans?" Garnet said as she patted Shia.
The current seating arrangement was Mia and I were on the same side, while Shia and Garnet were on the other side of the table. Facing Mia was Shia and facing me was Garnet. Shia and Mia were fidgeting and looking around aimlessly.
"Calm down. No one will think indifferently towards the two of you sitting down here. If there will be, I'll take care of it." I said as I patted Mia's head and smiled at Shia.
Mia and Shia looked at each other, then glanced at us. Afterwards, they nodded at each other and took deep breaths. They sat properly, then Mia spoke.
"I-I want to become stronger together with Shia…" Mia said as she looked at me expectantly and pitifully.
"Y-yes… We want to stay with mister, if it is alright." Shia insisted.
"Alright. What's your goal?" I asked them.
"Goal?" Shia asked.
"How strong do you guys plan on becoming?"
"Strong enough to protect who's important to me – to us." Mia said with determined eyes.
"Alright. Once you're done becoming stronger, what's your next plan?"
"Uhh…" Mia and Shia looked at themselves, looking unsure.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
The two took deep breaths yet again, then they looked at each other, nodded, and spoke in unison.
"We want to take back what is rightfully ours. We want to avenge our parents…" they said, looking very serious.
"Alright, you pass. Being honest like that means that you're trustworthy. Congratulations."
"…Huh?" Mia said as she, Shia and Garnet tilted their heads.
I casted identify on Mia and a small status board popped up which contained the same information before. I tried pressing all that I could press in my own status board (I could press my title, skills, job, buffs, party, guild and merc group) in order to see the details better, but I couldn't.
"Since you've told me a secret, I shall also tell you a secret of mine. I have learned the Identify skill which allows me to see the status of a person. Right now, it's still low level so I can't see all of the information or details, but I can definitely see something important from both of you… princess."
The two twitched as I said princess. Then, their gazes felt weird – a combination of both awe and fear.
"Don't worry. Your identities are safe with us. If you did lie, however, I wouldn't have agreed on teaching you two. I just want to know which princess you two are – an Elven one or a Beastman one."
Mia and Shia communicated with each other with their movements, and Mia breathed in and out, and started talking.
"I'll tell you everything…We were the princesses of the Beastman Central Kingdom. We were captured by some humans after we got separated from our guards in the Capital of the Beastman Continent 2 years ago. We got sold off to the guards of the Human Kingdom, and when we were thrown into the prison, we saw many remains of our fellow men. We stayed there for a little over a year, given enough food to get by every day. Last month, we got released. They told us that our capture was just a misunderstanding on their part, saying that those humans that caught us were lying about who we are and what we've done. Since we can't really walk to the Beastman Continent nor could we travel there on our own, we just tried our best getting enough money to get by. And… that's all. Everything else are unnecessary or things that aren't important."
"Hm… Cliché, but understandable. So, you two want to become stronger through learning from me. I want to ask then. What's in it for me?"
"…!? J-Julius!? What are you trying to ask from these children?" Garnet exclaimed.
"You would understand if you are in this situation. I can offer help to people, but this is a different matter. They are basically laying their life on my hands. I would be assisting them, but how would I know that they won't bite the hand that feeds them? I am still a child – they will become part of my responsibility if they were to do this. I don't earn yet, so I have to ask my father for a favor of having them to stay in our place and raise them like they are my sisters."
Garnet wanted to say something, but couldn't and just grumbled. Then, both of the girls faced me and said something.
"We… offer our lives. If Julius were to see anything out of place, you may take our lives. We will serve you in the house to the best of our capabilities. And…"
They squirmed a bit and Shia turned red. Mia was smirking, trying so hard not to smile. Garnet was drinking water from a cup when Mia then spoke out.
"Uh… what was it again? Till death do us apart…?"
Garnet spat out her water directly onto me.
"Oh sh- I'm sorry!" Garnet said as she got a cloth from her pocket and started wiping my face to my chest.
"I knew this would happen, and I still wasn't able to dodge it… Anyway, it's okay now. You guys can relax, it was another test. I wanted to see how loyal you guys were. Although this doesn't prove much, you're still children after all. I have already informed my father about it. Starting today, you will be a part of the Bennett household."
The sad and dejected faces of the two suddenly turned upside down. They were glad that their plea was answered, and suddenly they burst into tears. Garnet continued wiping me and started going down.
"…Hey. I can handle wiping that place, thank you very much." I said to Garnet, with a poker face.
"O-oh… Alright, haha." She twitched as she placed the cloth in her pocket again, drying it with fire magic before putting it back.
After a few more minutes of idle talk, our order finally came.
"Sorry for the wait. Here are your orders. Please enjoy."
The waitress placed down two trays – one with the kiddie meals and one with the Lunch-standard Food Set. The glass of milk of the kiddie meal was chilled, making it great to drink after eating the hot beef of the sandwich. The beer was also chilled and had ice cubes in it. The smell of the salad and steak overpowered the other food – the salad smelling fresh and the beef steak that was sizzling with its sauce (kind of like a gravy).
"Interesting… This is quite similar to the food I had in the west…" I mumbled to myself.
"The west…? What do you mean?" Garnet asked as she tilted her head.
"It's nothing…"
{Hm… The food here is definitely influenced by my previous world's culinary palette. Although the culture here is more western than eastern, I know for a fact that this is American food. I still haven't found any rice though. Weird that we're in the eastern part of this world, but there are no rice meals or rice fields at all.}
"Anyhow, let's eat. Itadakimasu." I said as I placed my hands on each other, and slightly bowed my head.
"Itadakimasu? What's that?" Mia asked.
"That's what we say every time we will eat. At least, I do. It's kind of like saying thank you for the meal, but shortened."
"Yeah. I heard that most fallen would say that before a meal. Some would even say amen." Garnet said.
"…Fallen? What is that?" I asked.
"The people who are called fallen are individuals who came from the other world. All of them had been summoned into this world through ancient magic or divine intervention. They were responsible for the advancement in many fields such as agriculture, food management, and technology. This was how status boards became a thing."
"Wait… I haven't read anything related to that at all. Do you know-"
Right before I finished, Mia and Shia's stomachs growled. It was strong enough for both me and Garnet to hear.
"Hahaha! Let's continue this next time. I want to ask more about that."
"Don't worry. I will give you the books about the fallen before you go back. Right now, let's eat!"
"Thank you."
Garnet and I started eating. I started with my bread. It was a bit crispy on the outside, but soft in the inside. Garnet started with her steak. She cut it up into several pieces, scooped up the sauce and drizzled it all over the severed meat, and started eating it. Mia and Shia were looking at us, not touching their food at all.
"…What's the matter? You guys are hungry, right? Eat up. It's more delicious when it's hot." I said.
"…Can we really eat together with you? Slaves aren't supposed to-"
"I already told you, didn't I? Julius is not like that. C'mon, eat. Or else I'll be taking that away from you two." Garnet said as she eyed on the sandwiches of the two.
The two looked at each other and started eating. After some time of eating and chatting, we finally finished our wonderful meal. Since my funds for today are low, I held off in buying for equipment. Also, I knew that my parents would have some spare equipment for me to use. Instead, we hung out with each other, exploring the whole kingdom.
Right before sunset, we went to the Hunter's Guild. She made us wait outside as she went to grab the books in her room. Judging from her expression, she's embarrassed to let us in her room. She probably has clothes lying all over the place or maybe her roommate was in. After a few minutes, she left through the doors of the Hunter's Guild breathless, holding 2 books titled "Otherworlders" and "The Effect of the Fallen." After that, we finally said our goodbyes to Garnet, Jade, Tama and Scar.
I traversed the distance between the two places quickly by carrying both Mia and Shia on my shoulders and using my speed and magic. Upon reaching the gates of the Bennett Marsh, I was already greeted by my mothers. Father was still at home in the forge, finishing up with a masterpiece he was making for quite some time. My mothers immediately doted on the two girls and everyone was happy. My daily routine was still put on hold and is to be updated in order to accommodate the girls' training too. After eating our dinner together, my mothers took a bath with the two girls and chatted. I used my time in studying and performing the arts that I've learned from the scrolls I bought. Father also immediately went back to the forge. It was a busy night, but everyone was so engrossed in what they were doing that they never noticed that it was already midnight. Soon after that, everyone went to their rooms and slept soundly and peacefully.