"We're leaving tomorrow."
Rudy spoke in a quiet voice as he looked at the scenery in front of him. Although it wasn't something unexpected, Ale still didn't like hearing those words.
"So it seems.. Where's your next destination?"
Ale asked, wondering what great things the hero's party was going to achieve next.
"Umm.. There's this village in the north.. We're supposed to meet an old friend there."
"North.. I see. I'll take you guys shopping tomorrow then. The North is cold."
"Okay.. Thank you. And thank you for everything you've done for us till now."
Rudy finally moved his gaze, and then his whole body as he turned towards Ale. He gave Ale a small bow as a show of gratitude as he uttered those words.
"Hey hey! No need for all that! And I haven't done much either."
Ale felt a little flustered, but then again, he knew how sincere of a person Rudy was. Too sincere for his own good sometimes.
"That's not true. You've been helping us unconditionally from the first time we met. Please don't belittle your kindness."
"Uh.. okay.. Is this the reason you wanted to speak alone?"
"Well.. Part of it, yes."
"You really didn't need to."
Ale replied sheepishly as he scratched the back of his head.
'It feels like a goodbye.'
Ale didn't like it. He didn't like how Rudy was behaving so formally. He also didn't like being thanked, being fully aware how he was just intentionally and selfishly tagging along and making a connection with these people for his own benefit.
And more than anything, he didn't like how it felt like they were saying goodbye. If it weren't for the messed up future he had coming for him, Ale would've gone down on his knees if needed and begged Rudy to take him with them on their journey.
"Wait.. Part of it..? Is there anything else you'd like to tell me?"
Ale suddenly remembered Rudy's last words and inquired.
"That.. I wanted to.. umm.. I know you're a noble but.."
Rudy kept changing his words as if he couldn't find the right ones no matter how hard he thought. Ale waited patiently for him to finish as he leaned back on the railings.
"I'm not trying to disrespect you or anything, and there really isn't any hidden intentions or meaning behind my words.. so."
"So..?"
Ale wondered what made Rudy overthink and explain stuff so much as he raised an eyebrow.
"Will you join our party?"
"Sorry?"
"Join us.. as a teammate."
"Umm.. what?"
"You know, on our future adventures."
"... Are you serious?"
"Yes. We'd really love it if you became one of us."
"Wow.. this is crazy."
As far as Ale could remember, Rudy only had a few handpicked members on his original party. He was really picky, and his standards weren't clear to the others even after years of research.
For Ale to receive invitation directly from that person, while he rejects countless talented people in the future, it was truly an honor. He was so happy he felt like he was floating on clouds.
A grin automatically appeared on his face, showing his elated feelings clearly. With all the time he spent together with Rudy and his friends, including all the extra information he knew about Rudy from the future, that guy was already a huge part of Ale's life. A very important part.
The next day.
Ale took everyone out for breakfast and then some shopping. The people at the restaurant were excited to serve their young master and his guests.
Rudy and his friends were surprised when they saw people from other tribe serve as chefs, waiter and waitresses in the restaurant. The mixing of humans and other tribes were really a scene to behold.
"Unbelievable."
"Right? Hey look! That one's from the cat tribe."
A red-haired young boy was seen carrying foods on both arms and easily maneuvering through the crowd to get his work done.
Cat tribes were one of the rarest ones since they liked living in solitude and didn't come out much. The world knew very few details about them.
But here they were, working happily in a restaurant full of humans and other beings. It was like a miracle.
"Young master! Here's your food. The chef added a little extra of the special ingredient just for you!"
The red-haired boy eventually came to their seats and served them their food. He greeted Ale enthusiastically, almost no fear in his eyes or heart.
Ale ruffled the kid's hair as he praised him for doing a great job and the others could literally see his tails wagging in excitement.
"Tell him I said thanks. And that the food is delicious as always."
"But you haven't tried any yet."
"I can tell just from the smell. They smell heavenly."
"Hehe.. okay! I'll go back then! Call me if you need anything!"
The boy hopped back to the kitchen soon after. After they finished their breakfast, Ale took them to a nearby market. It was one of the best in town and had all the rare and expensive yet comfortable materials.
They shopped for a few hours till they had everything they needed for their next journey. When it was time to pay, Ale stopped them saying it was a gift from his father.
"We can't possibly accept this-!"
"But it's a gift from my father."
Rudy noticed how Ale used the word father instead of Duke. There was a clear difference in Ale's tone between when he mentioned his father and the Duke.
"Even then, it's too much Ale."
"It's not. You don't understand. This is the first time he gets to spoil his son's friends."
"But... um..."
The way Ale addressed them as his friends was already a critical hit to Rudy. Even the rest of them were a little surprised.
"He was so excited as well. Do you really want to refuse his affection?"
"That... I didn't mean that-"
"He'll be so heartbroken... He might not even eat properly for a week."
"Alright, that's enough. We'll accept the gifts. Please tell your father we said thanks."
Rudy accepted the gifts willingly in the end. It was rare, him accepting gifts. He'd normally refuse any and all types of gifts very firmly. It was the first time his friends saw him go weak like that.
After that, Ale dragged them to a few more stores, like the weapon shop and the mana equipment shop where they sold materials designed by Ale himself.
Temperature controlling necklace, cleaning tools, and even dining items, he kept filling their bags although they refused multiple times. These were his gifts for them.
When Ale was finally done, their luggage had increased thrice in size compared to their initial stage. Ale called for the carriages, and it was finally time for departure. Kevin and the two knights also came to bid their goodbyes since they also had some great memories they shared with these people.
"So you're really not coming with us, huh.."
Ron finally spoke the words that everyone had in mind but couldn't bring up to their lips.
Ale wasn't going with them. Although shocking, but he did indeed refuse Rudy's invitation to join their party the night before. Ale couldn't leave the duchy, not yet.
"Yes.. I still have some unfinished business here."
Ale spoke those words with a slightly sad smile on his face. His soul wanted to leave with them, but his duties bound his body to this place.
'Not yet.'
He couldn't leave, not yet. It still wasn't time.
"Let's keep in touch then! And once you're done with your work here, you can join us then!"
Ron patted him on the back a few times and went inside the carriage.
'That's right! This isn't the end. I still have plenty of time!'
"He's right. We'll be waiting for you, Ale."
Rudy uttered those words as if he was making a promise. Ale could tell how this guy meant every single word of that sentence. It made his heart beat faster again. He was happy.
"Don't worry! I'll catch up to you guys soon!"
With those words, their short yet adventurous journey together came to a bittersweet end. Although it was just for a few days, the memories created by their time spent together would warm their heart for years whenever they think back to this time.