Chapter 7: Mortal lives
A town of humans lives just outside the forest, just beyond the border where the Garden of Promise once stood. Despite being close, I never set foot near a human. This experience may be a good mirage of an unfulfilled dream for the vain wish of living among them. Humans walk in circles, circling each other. Didn't they have orders to fulfill or training to improve their strength?
Music can be heard from the water fountain, and humans are dressed in ridiculous, extravagant, and clumsy costumes. They're dancing around in brimmed hats and satin cloaks, singing about past heroes and powerful beings like gods. Such stature is reminiscent of the book's primordial angels. They appear to be drawn to pa and ma because they are the only ones whose legend is widely known.
Pa and ma successfully keep their brothers and sisters legacy alive by using those heroes as "sons" and "daughters." I was told that I had the ability to lead like Lord Micheal. How tragic that those who stand above all must serve as their lowest servant first.
"Can you hear me, Mikhail?" Blood Claw screams into my ear, his obnoxious voice rousing me from the entrancing tales those humans spin. How terrifying to be so absorbed in oneself, especially in our current state. One mistake will cost us both our lives.
"I took my eyes from the road to find a suitable inn for us, and here you wander off." "What drew you in so deeply?" Blood Claw approaches the water fountain. "I used to believe that the stories told by the bards were true. But seeing you like this, as opposed to the heartless one in those stories. Such rational fallacies capable of weaving onto fear of the unknown," he considers.
"All lies," I said monotonously, such rage must be contained at all costs. If I use such emotion right now, it will...undo me. As they once said, I must compose myself. Even if those lessons were not memorized, there is some truth in them. Mustn't be so trusting, and mustn't cause too much trouble.
"Lies, indeed." Blood Claw hasn't noticed my emotion before; should he ask if I've confessed or if I've been taught, it would be unpleasant. I follow him to the inn closest to the town's entrance/exit. The structure is a typical stone and straw house.
"This may be the only inn that accepts non-humans." I tried to use "illusio," but the best I could come up with was dragon-like. I apologize if this causes you discomfort." I was irritated by Blood Claw's apologetic demeanor. As if I am someone who is bothered by my living situation.
"Keep in mind that the first night we spent was in an empty cave with no sleep." So, Blood Claw, if I hadn't been concerned about our living situation, I would have abandoned you as soon as we left the Garden of Promise." I scold angrily at him to stop apologizing. "And it's just heartbreaking you know when you decide to treat me like I'm someone demanding things."
"I wouldn't be surprised if someone turned their gaze solely on my power at this point." I end the conversation as I walk into the inn, leaving Blood Claw alone. He arrives shortly after, but without unnecessary comments, the silence engulfing us both before the innkeeper appears at the front oak table.
The receptionist is an elderly female human being. Her eyes are ruined by the passage of time, but her voice is kind as she asks, "A guest? "Please allow me to make you some tea." Her eyes scan us as if we were special guests, and the raucous outside noise distracts us from her integral gaze.
"No need ma'am, we've already eaten at the dinner next door," I respond quickly, my gaze softening. It appears that putting on a harmless front makes us less of a target for the locals.
"What a courteous young man!" "How do you want this old lady to behave?" The innkeeper inquires politely. Her gaze shifted to me as if she had decided to make money off of this foolish lamb.
"Please, a room with two beds," I say. Blood Claw has no objections as he follows me silently.
"I'm so sorry, dear, but we're all out." There is only one bed left in the room." "It appears that both of you gentlemen will have to share a bed." As if she asks for more to come with a better treatment of us, this could be a character test from Blood Claw to see if I am greedy or needy in some way. According to his rage, he did not choose the inn he mentioned before on purpose.
"Could I have some straw to sleep on?" "I'll sleep on the floor, but you should take the bed because dragons don't get cold easily." Blood Claw is about to object, but remembering the previous argument, he decides to withdraw. Blood Claw made an excellent choice. Will you still be as laid-back after this?
"Seven copper per night, please." I give her one sliver without hesitation; a few coppers can change her treatment. As the key is handed over to us in a second, she quickly grabs it. The key led to room 202, a small room with a bookshelf and a small window leading to the outside. I decide to take a bath after this because the bathhouse is in the backyard. The hot water heating melts away my stress and tiredness from thinking about what has happened all day. Gabriel could come and find me tonight or tomorrow morning.
Wouldn't it be better to just kill him and save yourself the trouble? When did I start thinking about this cold-hearted side of mine? One day, I'll have to make a choice between my own damnation and the breakdown of paradise. But I can only hope for one thing: that I will be able to save my brother from his folly. Fighting for his faith in someone who is merely playing with his life will be futile.
As the conversation with Blood Claw and his prince begins, I am on my way back to my room to rest. This is what I overheard while listening in on a conversation.
"Where have you two gone?" "I'm tired of sitting around like this." The voice growls from the crystal ball, and Blood Claw assumes it's none other than the prince. Blood Claw's massive shoulder obscures his prince's appearance.
'The town near the east mountain range is difficult, but with 11th protection, my prince, we have escaped the pursuit." What about the eleventh? Must he mention Lambert, the only giant among the twelve? It makes sense that he was the only one who retained his previous name after becoming an archangel. He is one of three stories I can't find in the garden's library. Unlike my outburst, his silence helps to explain why betrayal occurs. I might have to pay him a visit once I've settled in Blood Claw's homeland.
"Was the town small and eerie?" "Isn't our little friend getting tired of it?" His tone appears to be playful without malice, and the prince may simply want to move the process of this recruitment of mine forward. That's fine with me, as long as he doesn't interfere with my future plans. His laid-back demeanor may come in handy while serving under him.
"No, Mikhail has stated that the bard singing songs fascinates him. If only such things enchant Mikhail, I think the little angel may come more genuine than you thought, my prince," Blood Claw always brings up the scenes at the water fountain. Although it's unavoidable because this is his prince's question, I wish Blood Claw hadn't said much about my involvement in such an embarrassing incident.
"Is it Bards?" He might end up being like me. And I haven't seen you be this friendly to anyone, not even me, have you, my friend?" The prince jokes about seeing me as a potential love interest. Given how awkward our relationship was and how frequently he referred to me as his savior, I believe this is not even platonic, let alone romantic.
"May I speak freely, my prince?" I'm afraid any of my rages will break this communication device." Blood Claw squeezes the crystal ball so hard that cracks appear. He despises referring to me as a relationship, doesn't he? I'll stop teasing him because it causes such an unpleasant reaction. If I make teasing advances, he may resent me, and I don't want to lose our partnership.
"Will you hold it, Eugen?" There aren't many gadgets like this left in my parents' treasure room. So just say something in public." The princes emphasize how important this device is to them both. Is that Eugen? The name does not appear to have the omens that Blood Claw describes; could it be that his injustice action caused his hatred for the name?
"I request that you refrain from using that name, Kryos." You understand why I no longer use it. I prefer the name Blood Claw. And I'd appreciate it if you used it as well." Blood Claw sighs and shakes his head. As if both me and the prince are capable of failing. This is a golden opportunity for the future of this partnership.
"All right, 'Blood Claw.'" A fair maiden appears to have been waiting outside the door for quite some time for your response." Blood Claw peers out the door, where I am standing. He forcibly removes the door from my hiding place.
"Is she a maiden?" Blood Claw then looks down and says, "Mikhail!" He rushes back to the crystal ball, saying, "We'll talk later, my prince." Afterward, he shovels it into the sub-space. I've never seen him so agitated before. Oh, this is going to be a long conversation.
The end