With a fresh perspective, Riku had a newfound approach to enhancing his physique in this realm, all the while seeking a way back to the world he knew.
"Absolutely, I'll discuss this with Lady Arisu when the time is right."
__
The following day arrived, and Riku's plan involved allowing his body to recover through a day of rest. Yawning, he gradually opened his eyes and greeted the new day as he stretched his limbs and rose from his bed, observing his reflection in the mirror.
While the burns and wounds showed signs of healing, they were far from gone. "Ah... Another day in this unfamiliar world," he murmured, pushing himself to stand as he examined his reflection.
However, his optimism was somewhat dampened. "Sigh... I asked for food from a maid yesterday, but it never arrived. What did I do to deserve such treatment?"
Riku's frustration grew. He wasn't asking for gourmet meals; simple sustenance would suffice.
*Knock! Knock! Knock!*
His mood lifted as he recognized the knock of someone who might bring him food. "Coming," he responded cheerfully, promptly opening the door.
Click!
With an eager grin and his hands extended, he was ready to seize the offered food—or rather, to grab the food containers. Or perhaps it was more accurate to say he was clenching his fists.
However, as soon as his gaze fell upon the person at the door, his excitement was replaced by surprise, and he hurriedly concealed his hands behind his back, his cheeks reddening. He realized the situation could be misinterpreted, and he certainly didn't want to be seen as acting inappropriately.
"N-nothing, Lady Arisu. Just a minor muscle cramp," he stammered, hoping his explanation would defuse any potential misunderstanding.
Arisu, on the other hand, seemed to pause for an unusual moment, her gaze fixed on something specific.
If Arisu were a woman from Riku's world, she might easily assume he was attempting to grope her chest.
With a sigh that seemed to convey both exasperation and relief, Riku frowned, his brows knitting together. Arisu's scrutiny made him self-conscious, as if she had perceived something he didn't intend.
"Riku... Is that why you left the area yesterday?" she inquired, her tone carrying a weight of seriousness.
His focus shifted to where Arisu was looking, and his realization dawned upon him. He had been shirtless, inadvertently exposing his new injuries.
Swiftly, he moved to cover his torso and donned his shirt. "Please don't worry about it, Lady Arisu. It's just a minor injury; you needn't trouble yourself," he assured with a smile, giving a gentle rub to the affected area to demonstrate his lack of discomfort.
"Don't try to deceive me, Riku. I've already seen the survivors of the Garaga monster attack, and they've been in tears every night until their wounds heal," Arisu asserted, her gaze remaining fixed on his injuries.
When Arisu made a motion to lift his shirt, Riku's discomfort grew palpable. "What on earth are you doing, Lady Arisu? I can handle the pain, and if someone were to walk in right now, they'd probably assume you're trying to harass me," he protested with a feeble voice.
Stepping back, Arisu's face flushed as she recognized the impropriety of her actions. It was certainly not befitting of the king's daughter to behave in such a manner. Hastily, she closed the door, her mind racing with a fresh realization.
"Riku, please don't think I'm trying to take advantage of you. I just needed to find a hiding spot, and at the moment, no one knows where I am except you," Arisu confessed, her discomfort evident as she navigated the situation where a young woman and man found themselves alone in the same room.
Riku respectfully lowered his head before Arisu and then knelt down by the water's edge. "I comprehend, Lady Arisu. My admiration for you and King Luke extends beyond your positions as village leaders. It's rooted in the fair treatment you offer to outsiders like myself."
Arisu rubbed her chin contemplatively, her thoughts visible on her face. "You know, Riku, it's quite apparent that you're not particularly comfortable with bowing and kneeling. So, why do you keep attempting it?"
Indeed, Riku's lack of proficiency in these formalities was evident. Each time he did so, it appeared as though he was imitating scenes from novels or manga he had encountered.
"I apologize if my actions came across as offensive, Lady Arisu. I assure you, I'll be more cautious the next time I attempt such gestures," Riku replied.
Arisu's smile widened, and she shook her head. "No, that's not quite what I'm trying to convey. From my perspective, you have every right to decline participating in actions that make you uncomfortable."
He chuckled at her suggestion, finding it practically impossible for someone like himself. "I'm afraid that's a tough one, Lady Arisu. Being an outsider here, I can't afford to give the villagers any reason to think I'm disrespecting you. Moreover, you're certainly deserving of respect; after all, you're the first person who extended friendship to me in this realm." His lips curved into a warm smile, and he proceeded to wrap his body in the torn white blanket.
His words struck Arisu with surprise. It was a rarity for anyone to refer to her as a friend. Her upbringing had exposed her to a world of monsters, swords, and magic from a tender age of five. She spent her childhood training with various weapons and, by the time she turned twelve, had already transformed into a warrior whose abilities could be considered on par with an average person by the age of eighteen. But finding a true companion who would stand by her side had eluded her.
In a different light, her isolated existence could be attributed to the life she had led. As the king's daughter, it was ingrained in the villagers to instill respect for her in their children, reminding them that they were not in a position to interact casually with someone of her stature.
"Riku, did you truly refer to me as a friend?" Her gaze dipped slightly, and she spoke with a sincere tone.
'Oh no, what have I done? How can I just blurt out that she's my friend?' Riku's eyes darted around in a moment of panic. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"
"You don't have to apologize so often, especially when you've done nothing wrong," she interjected, lifting her head and offering him a gentle smile, her eyes glistening with the hint of tears. "I appreciate it, Riku. I'm glad we can call each other good friends."
"Why?" Riku struggled to encapsulate the emotions coursing through him at this moment. The surroundings seemed to shift into slow motion, and his racing heart added to his confusion.
Gently, he shook his head. "No, back in my world, I plan to marry Yui; a real man stays committed to one woman," he mused, his voice almost a whisper.
"Mad? Not at all, Lady Arisu," he inquired politely, his expression open.
"Absolutely not, Riku. I truly appreciate it—" She paused abruptly, her attention drawn to the sight of Riku's shirt drenched in his blood.
Riku's pallor didn't escape Arisu's notice, and concern immediately etched across her features. "Has he lost so much blood?" she wondered aloud, moving swiftly to his side just as Riku collapsed. "Hey, Riku, are you okay?"
"I haven't lost liters of blood; it's just that I haven't eaten for two days," Riku explained, his voice quivering.
"Why on earth haven't you eaten? There's an abundance of food available here, isn't there?"
His deduction seemed to be on point. It appeared the maid had intentionally been withholding food from him.
__
After fifteen minutes, Riku found himself enjoying a meal consisting of beef, curry, vegetables, and fruits on his bed. In the background, the sounds of Arisu reprimanding the maids reached his ears.
"Do you have any idea what you're doing? Are you attempting to harm him? Were you unaware that this man is destined to become the next inventor of Arzotoc village?" Arisu's voice carried a mix of frustration and concern.
Two rows of maids bowed low, their foreheads coming to rest against the cool surface of the marble floor.
"We offer our sincerest apologies, Lady Arisu! We are committed to preventing such oversights in the future!"
Their words came in unison, fully cognizant that even a single misplaced statement could lead to their expulsion from the village.
With a gesture of authority, Arisu extended her index finger, pointing at each of them in turn. "Remember this well; should any harm befall him, you will bear the responsibility. Now, return to your duties."
__
Returning to her room, Arisu wore the same contemplative expression she had exhibited outside. "Those maids might not dare to speak with you, yet they're providing you with food? Clearly, their behavior is disrespectful."
Riku shook his head gently. "It's all right, Lady Arisu; you see, I've learned how to endure for up to six days without eating."
With a heavy sigh, Arisu continued, "Sigh... How can they fail to recognize what a genuinely good person you are?"
"I'll adjust, and it's not within our power to force them to accept me."
The path to earning the villagers' respect lay in showcasing his capabilities through a notable accomplishment. It was a straightforward notion that had struck him. However, before delving into that, Riku needed to review the application for the position of village guard.
"Lady Arisu, if you'd permit, I'm interested in joining the ranks of the village guards to help protect Arzotoc," Riku stated courteously, stepping closer to her.
Arisu responded with a regretful shake of her head. "I'm afraid, Riku, that becoming a guard in this village is not an option for you."