"I see…so all three of you are from Shanford? Didn't we pass through there, Admiral?" Lady Sierra asked as she patted a cat. "A small town, huh?" Both me and Lilith told them where we were from and how we got here. I tried my best to keep Lilith from saying anything discreet. Best to avoid saying she was a hybrid dragon at all cost. If I recall, that was sort of a rule that Kale and Tera told us about. I also refrained from saying much about my own Peculiar issue, though I kept in that I could silently chant spells. None of the two seemed that intrigued by that, I guess they weren't really into magic as I thought they were.
Furor touched his moustache as he recounted his travel here. "Shanford…Shanford…"
"Nyah~" a cat meowed. A small cat had jumped onto Furor's head, laying down on the man's smooth head. But furor paid no mind as he concentrated on remembering.
"Ah! Yes, that little town that had one house with the very nice garden. Ah, I remember seeing the pregnant woman tending to it when we stayed in town for a night. It was a beautiful Garden."
Pregnant woman…Erm, it could be synthia. But then again, there could be other women there that were pregnant too.
"Then there was that brown haired man." Lady Sierra added in. "I recall he was there in the garden as well doing sword training? I remember you were quite interested in him?"
I thought Furor would've been embarrassed by that. But no, the man just nodded and blushed.
"Ah yes, that fine man. What, I'd say he was Intermediate or maybe perhaps king in Fire king style? He swung his sword with no shirt on, that I remember."
Ah. That's Gerald and Synthia.
"A-ah, wait a minute. Hold on." I sputtered. "I-I think you met my parents then." Furor raised his eyebrows when I said that, taken surprised by the coincidence.
"I see…" He pulled one side of his moustache. "Well apologies, but your father is quite a looker."
O-Old man?! What the hell?! I gawked at what he said. I heard an audible choke come from Sarah at her table.
"Ah? I think Kota looks better!" Lilith said in confusion. "He's got nice black hair like his mom!"
Furor let out a chuckle, amused by her words. The cat on top of his head stretching and massaging the man's head with its paws. "Ah…we will see what Kota looks like when he is older. I'm sure he would look fine as an adult if he was a part of that man."
Why's he giving me a look right now? Is he actually imagining me older?
"But you should be saying all that yourself, Lilith." Lady Sierra butted in.
"What do you mean?"
"You are your mother's daughter. And she is quite a beauty too. Maybe once you grow, you'll probably have all the boys running!"
Lilith blushed at her words and averted her eyes from everyone. But it's not like Lady sierra was lying.
"By the way, your father…" Furor began. Lilith looked back at him, quickly replacing her flustered look with a serious one. "I recall actually hearing someone similar to him some time ago. Back in Ithryll. I'm just curious about what he was like."
"There was a time when me and Emmit went to Ithryll to search for some treasures." Sarah answered. She had an arm on the table that held her head. "Specific equipment from dungeons and such."
"Equipment? For what?"
"I never really asked Emmit why, though I recall him talking about how they'd be of use in the future." Sarah then pointed at the shortsword that Lilith had. "Just like her sword."
"Hm, that was what made me curious." Lady Sierra eyed it. Something about it was particularly interesting as she held a hand out to Lilith. "May I take a look?"
Lilith nodded and took her blade out of its holster, flipping it around so the handle was facing Lady sierra.
Once she took it in her hands, she began to examine it. Furor took interest as well, leaning close to it as Lady sierra examined the handle.
As they examined the weapon, I felt a tug on my sleeve. It was Lilith.
"What do you think is so important about that sword?"
"I don't know. Maybe since it's from Ithryll, they probably want to validate it?"
"Hmm." Lilith scratched her chin, a cat walked by her but immediately ran off once she took notice of it.
"Why do the cats hate me?"
"Maybe you just have a mean face." I tried teasing her.
Lilith frowned and looked at the cat who ran off. The cat looked back at her with a glare. She then made a face that looked like the O^O face, causing the cat to hiss and jump onto the counter where Sura was cleaning.
"Aww!" Lilith pouted. She turned to me with teary eyes. "I just wanna pet one!"
Ok, well how do I help her with this? Wait, couldn't I just grab one of the cats and hold it for her?
I looked around and noticed one of the cats rubbing against Edward. Edward seemed to not mind any of this considering that he was part of the beast race, even more specific that he was a canine. He had his eyes closed as he seemed to be meditating. So, I went and grabbed the cat rubbing against him and held it up.
Holding the cat now, I held it towards Lilith who looked quite happy at what I did.
The cat was not happy. In fact, it was terrified as it tried to worm its way out of my grip. As Lilith got closer to it, it became more frantic.
"Kitty!" Lilith said as she finally put her hand onto its head. She gently rubbed its head, but the cat freaked out.
"Meow!" I tried to hold onto the cat, but it quickly jerked itself out of my hands, scampering off. Leaving Lilith in dismay.
Leaning towards her, I whispered. "Lilith, I think the cats know your half dragon. Do any other animals react like that to you?"
"Most of them? Except dogs…Edward counts as a dog, right?"
"I mean…huh, why isn't he scared of you? Maybe it's because he's smarter than animals?"
"I want a dog."
"You are asking the wrong person for that. Plus, you got me."
Lilith clicked her tongue and looked at Lady sierra and Furor, looking quite annoyed with my answer. I took notice of Sarah smirking at us, but she turned away once I looked at her.
Then, Lady Sierra began to speak. She seemed quite interested by the tone of her voice.
"This sword is from the dungeon near Azul, a smaller abandoned city near the coast. From what Furor says, That was one of few areas with the last known sighting of dragons or…Dragon people. It has a unique magic aura that isn't quite usual." She held the sword and continued to examine it as she talked. "Its usage seems to be a sort of negation…Lilith, has this sword stopped anything from doing any sort of magic of sorts?"
Lilith thought for a moment. "Er…Oh! Remember that Demon bird we killed, kota?"
"Yep."
"Didn't Chris say that it grabbed a bunch of people and made them disappear?"
"…oh yeah, he did!" Now that I recalled it, he did say that some adventure suddenly disappeared when fighting the bird. Thinking even more about it…why didn't it do anything to make us disappear when we fought it?
"Judging by your story of this beast, I assume it is one of lady marika's commanders?" Furor asked. Me and Lilith nodded and he plucked at his moustache.
"I see. Then I assume it might've used a magic spell of sorts. Perhaps a…Demon magic? I don't know much about magic. But that's what I'm thinking."
"So…Lilith shortsword can negate magic then?" But lady sierra shook her head.
"No, Rather it stops Mana flow in the body if it makes contact with the body. Meaning it stops magic casting all together. I wouldn't say with one slice or jab would do a lot, but a couple would probably do the trick. But its material is rather unique too. It's made from Dragons scales, meaning it can penetrate Dragons."
We got ourselves a Shortsword to counter magic? Well that might explain why the bird thing couldn't do much. It couldn't cast any spells. Plus it can hurt dragons? I don't really see a use in it…Well I mean, Lilith might.
"Here." Lady sierra handed the sword to Lilith. "That's a very rare piece of equipment. I wonder what your father was planning on doing with it? There's no indication that dragons would be back."
Just then, I saw Sarah frown. Without the knowledge, Lady sierra and Furor have no idea that Sarah had married a dragon hybrid.
"You never know, Lady sierra." Furor jumped in. "As much as I can recall, there is a very small chance of the possibility. Hell, There might be a chance that some of them are still alive."
"I suppose so."
Lilith awkwardly looked at me. She seemed to be doing nice with keeping that secret zipped, but her facial expression told me that she was about to burst with eagerness to say something. But before she could say anything, I jumped in to switch the topic.
"Uh, Speaking of finding things in Ithryll. What is Ithryll like?" I asked.
Furor crossed his arms, the cat above his head now curled up and fast asleep. "Ah, you want to know about our homeland? Well, it's dry. Not to say that it's bad, rather it's a much drier environment than what is seen here."
"Our land is filled with dry lands, Occasionally there would be marks of water that sustains itself. There is also the border to our land, which does have your land's forestry. There is also our capital, Estabon." Lady Sierra added. "Our capital is built mostly with clay and dry grass, but it works exceptionally in our condition."
The two went on to explain many other things about the land. Talking of large crab like creatures and worms that dug through the ground. Their religion there almost reminded me of Buddhism, contrasting this place's Christian-like one. I never really dwelled on those parts since I myself never dwelled on them in my past life.
They went on to talk about slavery work there and how they do utilize it to their own means. Rather than picking people off via kidnapping, they'd tried to use criminals for labor work or force them into missions that were quite dangerous. Though, there was still the case of illegal slavery. Their talk reminded me of how me and Lilith fought off some kidnappers on the way here. I do recall them wanting to sell us off, but obviously that didn't happen. But if we did get sold, we'd most likely ended up in Ithryll illegally.
Lastly, they talked of their king.
"Sir Issac is a very sweet man." Furor explained. "When I first saw him, he was rather incompetent though. Even with his studying of his father, I'd say in his early days he was quite naive and he went at things with excessive force. Nowadays, he's more laidback on things and handles it quite well."
"So how do Issac and Lucian know each other?" I asked.
"Well, through their fathers. I'd say they were quite good friends as they grew, it's why they are able to make visits to each other when they can. Sir Issac doesn't make many visits to other kingdoms."
"Uh huh…" I nodded as I listened. It'd be best if I started to actually learn of this world instead of passively just living in it. The more I know of this world, the less trouble I will probably get into. Though right now, I just did it to move the topic to something else.
Admiral Furor and Lady Sierra kept on looking at me, seeing if I had any more questions. Once I didn't, lady sierra stood up. She took this time to stretch and move her way to Edward.
"Well if you don't have any question, I suppose I'd go back to what I intended to do. Have quality time with this man." Placing a hand on him, Edward immediately awoke from what I assumed was a nap, he awkwardly looked around sleepily until he saw Lady sierra. She immediately pulled him to his feet and looked at Furor. "I will be at our Inn, Admiral…Do not open my door." Before any of us could respond, she hastily walked out of the cafe. Giving a bag of Rubees to Sura before leaving.
Furor scratched his moustache, looking at me and Lilith. "Well…I suppose you three know that Edward is in Ithryll care right now."
"Hmph, now we must find Tera and Kale." Sarah said.
"But I like relaxing here!" Lilith said, laying on the ground now. "Why don't we just stay and enjoy the cats!"
"The cats don't like you, Lilith."
"Yeah!…But I like them!"
Sarah rolled her eyes before she looked at Furor. The old man was still with us, humming to himself as he scratched the cat on top of his head. He seemed at peace at the moment.
"Admiral? Aren't you going to take your leave?" Sarah awkwardly asked. "I'll most likely stay with the kids until nightfall. Don't you have better things to do?"
"Haha, it is a festival. Our people are here to celebrate, and I wish to do it in my way. With these cats! And it's quite nice to hang with the little ones!"
"Aha…I suppose so." Sarah then laid her head on the table, bored. "I guess we'll have your company then."
"Yes!"
And so, the next few hours we stayed at this cafe. Sura and Griffin decided to pop in every now and then to chat with us, mostly talking about what we've been up to the past few days. It was all small talk that made the time pass quickly. Admiral Furo spent most of the time meditating as cats swarmed him. I recall Griffin saying that the man's calmness was making him quite the 'Cat magnet'.
Lilith and I just sat around and cuddled, even though our clothes were dirty. I kept in mind where I was touching since Sarah was watching us. Watching us very closely… It was an awkward cuddle session. Me and Lilith talked about tomorrow and the coming days. Mainly about The day of dance since Tera did teach us to dance. Lilith was eager to have us dance, but somehow my mind was tracing back to Arael's task. Since that day would be when everyone was in the university, that meant Sir Issac and King Lucian would be there. How would I even find a chance to talk with sir Issac?
Actually, what was the point of this damn task? What am I even doing? I'm just going to talk to one of them, is that it? This seems too vague for me…Yet, I feel like I need to do it. I've always been cautious of Arael, but somehow she's always gotten her way in some form.
Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my rib. It was like someone jabbed me or something…wait someone did actually jab me. I turned to look at Lilith who looked concerned. Her right hand raised for another jab.
"Alright, alright! What!!"
"You spaced out."
"Ah…Does that allow you to punch me?"
"You don't seem to mind when I do. Plus, I tried to get your attention. We're heading back to kales." Lilith frowned, upset that I wasn't paying attention. Her other hand clutched around mine as she hauled me up to stand.
"Uh, sorry."
"It's fine." She said in an annoyed tone. "I'll just punch you harder next time."
"I don't mind." I shrugged, that made Lilith pause for a moment.
"…do you like it when I punch you?" She asked, confused.
"Long as it isn't my face or my groin. Ah- wait, no I don't like being hit!" Once I realized what I was saying, Lilith backed away from me. The look of uncertainty on her face looked right back at me.
"Are you sure? If I punch you right now, you won't get weird, will you?" Lilith held a fist up, still looking uncertain.
"You know what? Sure! Alright, give me a pu-opf!" Lilith gave me a swift punch to my chest, which sent me flying to the ground near Furor. That Bald man watched with interest as I laid sprawled on the floor.
"Did you enjoy that?" She asked, was there a hint of sarcasm in that? She then walked to me, going into a crouch. "Kota?"
"Ah well…I didn't enjoy that. I'm in pain. A-are you enjoying this?" I asked, heavily breathing. Lilith thought for a moment, swaying as she thought.
"Hmm…I don't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I mean, it's kinda funny seeing you fly."
"Not funny."
Lilith let out a snicker as she continued to think about it, it was nice seeing her laugh. There was a smugness to it that gave it some charm.
"Lilith, stop punching him. We need to head back now. I'm getting quite bored as of right now." Sarah interrupted us. She was already ready to leave, hanging by the front door.
I managed to get up and clean myself off as Lilith turned around to head for the door.
"Ah, you three are off. I suppose we'll meet each other at the dance then?" Furor spoke out.
"Assuming we manage to find each other. Yes." Sarah answered.
"Mmm, it would be nice to see you all. Especially that Kale fellow." Furor then held his hand out to me. "Let us shake!"
As I got close to him to shake his hand. He spoke again in a Lower tone. "Keep an eye on that for me, will ya? I wanna chat with him, alone."
Old man hitting on kale?! I tried to avoid contact with him as we shook hands, only looking at the cat above his head. Surprisingly, he had a gentleness to his grip. Furor took his time to sit back and immediately began to meditate again.
Once I was finished with that, I began to walk to the front door before being stopped again by Griffin and Sura. The two were hanging at the front counter.
"Hey, wait! Kota!" Griffin shouted.
"Yeah?" I saw Griffin lurching over the counter, staring.
"The day of dance, let the four of us go together!"
Sura smacked him in the head immediately, looking flustered. Griffin's cat ears flying off to the ground as he recovered from the smack, he still continued.
"Sura already said yes to me to dance, and I'm pretty sure that Lilith and you are going together! It'll be like a double date!" Griffin said cheerfully. He was still rubbing the back of his head where he was smacked.
"Hey, don't tell him that!" Sura exclaimed. She was blushing furiously as her lips quivered.
Hm, tempting. I haven't spent much time hanging with those two. So much happened between those two that I'm a little curious. Plus it'd be fun for Lilith too…Ah, I'll take it.
"Yeah, we'll tag along. Right, Lilith?" I turned to Lilith.
Oddly enough, she too looked flustered as she stared at me. Which made me confused. " Lilith?" I asked again.
"Double date?!" Lilith blurted out, a hand trying to cover her face. "Like, the four of us on a date? In love?"
She's got the wrong idea.
"No, no. Like…Griffin, me and You and sura."
"Two guys and two girls?" Lilith's confusion was worse now that she was assuming that.
Huh…now that I think of it, I don't think she really knows what she's saying there.
"I'd go on a date with Kota." Griffin chirped in. Which rewarded him with another smack to his back by Sura.
I shook my head. I'll need to tell Lilith what she was really saying. otherwise if she told it to others, it'd be weird. This is getting too weird for me. This whole day was weird from sparring to entering a cat cafe.
"Ok, I'll tell you about it once we get home!" I quickly made haste to the front door, grabbing Lilith by the hand.
"Make sure to remember about us!" Griffin called out to me, to which I waved my hand to him and acknowledged and said goodbye.
Now we head home and eagerly wait for the day of Dance. Where I'll finish Arael's task.
A/N: We are heading into the final part of this Volume! Only a couple more chapters! Hope you enjoy this one!