She told her mother about what happened after she was hesitating for about a minute.
She told carefully word by word without leaving any single detail, she would curse and clench her fist because of anger, and her mother would scowl at her every time.
Solana was silent and sighed then said, "I see... I heard that some noble would come here in this village, I never thought that."
"Do you know who they are, Mom?" she tilted her head.
"No, not exactly, but the village chief does... You shouldn't get involved with them, there would be trouble."
("There's trouble already though...")
"Yes.." she nodded.
"But this eighteen-year-old girl of mine is fighting? Hm, you're just like me back then, hehe," Solana said and chuckled.
Ramy was baffled and asks, "Um, what exactly do you mean?"
"Well, off we go... You should get out of your room and eat. Your father and I cooked your favorite food, and you should bring some upstairs to apologize. It will help you get it off your chest."
"Mom, you're avoiding the question."
"Hoho, it's just the old days," her mother said waving her hand as she exited the door.
Ramy stood and goes out of her room, heading upstairs to see Della but she was unsure if it was alright or not to come to see her, she was afraid they would despise her, but she braced herself and went up.
Once she arrive at the door she was at a standstill, hesitating to knock at the door, Roswald notices her presence and opened the door for her. "What is it?" he asks.
Ramy was startled when the door opens, "I-I-I b-brought some cookies I baked?" she stutters.
"She hasn't woken up yet, come back tomorrow," he said calmly, receiving the tray of cookies she brought. He then shut the door.
"I-I yes, I wi..." She said unable to finish her speech, dejected, she headed downstairs in a dazed, running straight towards her father.
Balder saw her stupefy face and says, "Did he scold you that badly?"
When she heard her father's voice she come to her senses and replied, "Dad... sorry, and no he didn't get angry... rather he was calm that I was at a lost."
"Oh, isn't that great then? what's wrong with that?" Balder said, scratching his head baffled.
Della woke up in the middle of the night dazed looking up at the ceiling with a blank expression.
"Are you awake?" She was startled awake by his voice.
"Yes, is it morning?" she asks, her eyes rubbing and yawning, getting up in bed.
Rising from his chair he approaches her, picks up the tray of cookies on the table, and hands it over to her saying, "It's midnight, here is some food it's not warm now but still makes you full."
"Thank you," she said, sitting right up in front of the small table laid out and eating.
Roswald stood up and goes out of the room, she follow after. The inn was closed because it was past midnight.
Downstairs, the owner of the inn was preparing all of the necessary ingredients for tomorrow.
They came down the stairs, saw the innkeeper, and says,
"Your still awake, can you cook her some porridge?"
"Oh, the young lad has already awoken? Sure but how about some light meals? It appears that the young lad dislikes porridge." he said and smiles warmly.
Roswald looked at her, flummoxed, and she said as she stumbled a little,
"No, porridge will suffice..."
"What would you like to eat?" He inquired.
"Uh-um, I-I want the one mister said," she says timidly.
Roswald and the innkeeper thought her antics were amusing and that they can't help but smile.
The innkeeper was in the clouds and remember when Ramy was a child, whereas Roswald remained calm and unwavering.
"*cough* inn owner, egg and porridge will do."
"R-right,"
"Roswald, you keep calling me innkeeper... will I be one, but can you call me by my name? You've been here for almost a year now... My name is Balder, and everyone calls me Bal."
"I'm sorry... I forgot to ask." He said with an unchanging expression.
"Well, now that you know, you must refer to me as such from now on."
Balder began preparing food after their conversation.
While waiting Della look around and came across a seascape artwork.
She was enthralled and filled with nostalgia. Her attention was drawn to the painting.
She stared at it for a long time, until her eyes shone and her thoughts drifted away.
Roswald noticed something strange about her behavior.
He approached her and placed his hand on her shoulder.
She was taken by surprise by the sudden touch that brought her back to reality.
"Are you okay?" Roswald inquired after she'd been gone for a while.
"Yes, I'm fine..." She stuttered, smiling faintly.
Roswald was staring at her glowing eyes, she had no idea why he was staring at her for so long, which made her uncomfortable.
"Mr. Roswald?" She said with a troubled expression.
He regains his composure and removes his hand from her shoulder, pausing for a moment, then returns to his chair as if nothing had happened.
"Come take a seat, Balder is almost finished..."
"Y-yes,"
She sat in the chair, lost in thought, recalling the scenery she had seen, which felt like a dream but was almost real.
She was out of it when she looked in the painting's direction.
Balder calls her name several times, but she didn't respond.
She only responded after a while, and as she regained consciousness, she noticed that there was food in front of her.
"I-I'm sorry..." She said apologetically.
"What's the matter, lad?" Balder inquired as he lay forward with a warm smile and a faint worry in his eyes.
"U-um..." she stammered, glancing back and forth at the painting on the wall.
"Hm? Do you like that painting? You see, that painting is from my parents' hometown on the western continent, and I brought it with me because my grandparents begged me to, Haha," Balder said cheerfully.
"Y-yes,"
"I believe Roswald had been there, you should ask him about it."
"Mr. Roswald?"
"Hn, I heard he was traveling before settling here in this village."
She looked at him with a curious expression on her face.
Despite the dazzling eyes staring at him, he maintains his calm and compose demeanor.
He remain unaffected for a brief moment, but he couldn't go any further.
He started talking about his trip to the Western continent slowly.
The west continent, which is known as the home of the moon goddess worshippers, is where Selene's empire is located.
The empire is like something out of a fairytale; the capital is surrounded by water, and their farms are well-kept.
It is also known for its rich ingredients, such as seafood, fruits, and vegetables, however, unlike other countries, its religion is strict.
Unlike two hundred years ago, the western continent is now divided into three nations due to religious strife.
The divided country is known as the Tartarus Forest the lair of monsters, the Selene Empire, and the small country of Pontus where humans and half-species lived in harmony.
The Forest of Tartarus, whose name means "abyss," is home to many kinds of powerful beasts and demons.
Pontus, a small country surrounded by seawater, is rich in seafood resources and is said to be the only country blessed by the goddess of water.
The people there are open and friendly, but there are some ground rules to follow.
"I don't know any further than that."
"Did you go to all of them?" Balder inquired curiously.
"No, the place I've gone is the country of Pontus, and after that, I traveled again to another continent."
"Can you tell me more about your travels?" she inquired, her eyes wide with interest.
"Next time, finish your meal and go back to sleep," he said coldly.
"Y-yes," she said, her face with disappointment.
Morning arrives in the village, and the guild master becomes restless, walking back and forth.
"Has Roswald not arrived yet?" He asked.
"No, guild master, he hasn't yet arrived," said receptionist A.
"Notify me if he arrives."
"Yes, guild master," receptionist A replied, bowing.
Geld then returns to his office to go over some paperwork.
Roswald awoke and prepared to leave, while Della slept soundly.
On his way down the stairs, he spoke with the innkeeper.
"I'll be leaving, and I'd like to ask you to look after her." The innkeeper's wife said.
"Heading out already? Don't worry, we'll look after her for you, here, bring this," the innkeeper's wife said, handing the wooden lunch boxes filled with food inside.
"Yeah, we will take care of her..." Balder said.
"I appreciate it."
"Be careful on your way now." The innkeeper's wife said.
Roswald nodded and exited the inn.
After walking for a while he arrives at the door of the guild and comes in,
"Is the guild master here?" He inquired.
"Sir Roswald, you've arrived, the guild master is in his office right now, waiting for you, should I take you there?"
"There's no need..."
He stands at the guild office's door and knocks.
"Come in..." He comes in and Geld said right away, "I thought you'd never come."
"I was on a job quest." He said.
"I know my people told me."
"More than that, the village chief and I revised a plan while you were out, you should go look at his mansion's training ground," Geld said.
Following their brief conversation, they proceeded to the village chief's mansion, where the butler greeted them as they walk in and directed them to the training grounds.
Mario stood on the sidelines, watching every soldier's actions and behaviors.
The soldiers' yelling and sword clashing could be heard throughout the whole training ground,
"I see that they're doing well," Geld said.
"Your back... and Roswald where have you been all this while?" Mario ask,
"The day we're done with the discussion he goes out on a quest," Geld said, holding Roswald's shoulder.
Roswald was silently looking at the soldiers training and was lost in thought.
To be continued...