Chapter 27: The old man
Tetsuya followed Karola for around ten minutes. It meant that the old man's house wasn't so far away, but it was actually his mistake. He didn't comment on that, but Tetsuya's eyes told Karola that he sought an answer.
That was why she just answered what she was doing, "This house is empty. Those who have good connections with the old man can use this house to find him outside the city. I am sure you don't know what I have done. But the old man's knowledge is valuable, so don't get offended, please."
"The world doesn't want-" Before Tetsuya could end his sentence, the eroge system assaulted him with the choices.
[A. Rather than offended, I am getting more curious about you and this old man. Both of you seem special.]
[B. This world doesn't want me to see through the old man's scheme, but it has allowed me to have your accompany. I like it.]
[C. You just looked at the door, didn't you? I truly could see nothing, so I am impressed.]
The choices annoyed Tetsuya, but there was one he genuinely could say, "A! A! A!" But Ashley wanted him to say the first option, the one that was… acceptable at most. He would surely argue with her for a good while if she were to choose C.
However, Ashley also knew her partner! She wouldn't allow for any disputes now as it would make the mercenary woman look at Tetsuya like he was more than just a man with a few loose screws…
"Rather than offended, I am getting more curious about you and this old man. Both of you seem special." Tetsuya followed his partner's guidance…
This made the blue haired mercenary giggle, "I was more lucky than special. But thanks." It seemed like the lady enjoyed not so direct engages. This made Ashley inhale deeply within the game master's mind, "I am doing fine, right?" She followed the eroge game's purpose well, so Ashley was doing a great job indeed.
Karola was thinking that Tetsuya was just funny weirdo right now… A good progress that wasn't exactly known by the game masters.
Then, Karola turned around and took out Tetsuya outside the city.
"It's not far away. It should be just two hours of walk. Do you see this mountain?" She carefully spoke, her finger pointing at the mountain. It was a good place for the old man to be if he wanted to hide.
"So what's the old man's case?" Tetsuya threw the question that Karola found no clear answer to. Only the time would decide whether both of them would learn about the old man's circumstances.
Nonetheless, Karola was sure that the old man's knowledge would be useful for Tetsuya. The duo stomped on the ground for two hours straight while talking about mercenary life. The time flew faster and even Ashley asked some questions, through the eroge system. It ended up with Tetsuya being ambiguous, but it was the eroge minu rune's fault!
Soon, the small hut hidden amidst the trees appeared before Tetsuya's eyes.
"Old man!" Karola shouted and the door opened slightly. This was the old man accepting her being here. She smiled at Tetsuya, then led the way inside. Once inside, Tetsuya got assaulted by many flowers that exuded sharp and mild fragrances. This combination could truly play tricks for people's senses!
Tetsuya withstood everything and looked at the old man.
He had a short white beard and hair of the similar color. The old man's body looked fragile and with wrinkles plastered all around him, he looked like sage! Though the way he shook his head told Tetsuya that the old man was far from being weak.
"I told you to not bring any outsiders here, Karola." The old man was yet again disappointed. It was not the first time Karola took the outsider here, but she developed dependence on the old man's knowledge.
If one mercenary failed many tasks or refused the job from the clients in a row, then she would lose her fame and status. People wouldn't really bother talking with her about missions and others wouldn't call her too. For example, the waitress wouldn't even bother talking with Karola if she had a bad record. It would be a waste of time after all…
"It's okay. I can tell that Tetsuya is true to himself and has just a genuine desire to learn about the world! Please, help us." She wasn't the only mercenary that relied on other people.
Those mercenaries had many connections throughout the world and they were using those for their own benefit at every step. It was bothering, but the old man understood.
"I will ask you for some flowers later, Karola." The old man glanced at the blue-haired woman who just nodded with a big smile, then his eyes shifted to Tetsuya.
He carefully looked at the new visitor, then before he could just ask 'What is it?' Tetsuya spoke on his own, "Flowers. I might get those for you too if you are truly knowledgeable."
"Oh, you are that hungry?" The old man laughed.
This made Tetsuya raise his chin slightly, "I am. But I also won't give up on the beautiful woman next to me so easily. A journey without a woman by my side doesn't feel like a journey at all." Tetsuya then sat down.
The old man looked at him with misunderstanding. He imagined that Tetsuya was a big shot that thought every woman belonged to him, but every man sought as many exciting events as possible. The thrill of battle, the woman's warmth and breakthrough of one's strength were just addictive.
"If you are that good, then you should share a part of your strength." The old man casually said while taking out the chess board. He then glanced at Tetsuya, "This part would be a pawn and what is the pawn's strongest feature?"
"Promotion." Tetsuya laughed, then he played the game with the old man before asking him the question. However, an unexpected happened.
Tetsuya thoroughly destroyed the old man in the chess game.
"One more…" He uttered with shock.
"One more…" Karola's eyes went wide as she never saw the old man in such a state.
"One more…" At this point, it seemed like Tetsuya was the only one who could react. His soft laughing filled the house as he showed off his strength!