Just by looking at Invictus' clothes, the liquor owner was able to tell that the man in front of him was not from there. Also, living in the Virval Highlands must have made him memorize every face that went in his store.
And since Invictus was wearing a mask, only his voice brought back a memory of someone from before.
"Are you perhaps Semper Invictus?"
Invictus actually knew who the owner was. He had been to Virval before, several times, spending his time on occasions here with Uria.
"No, my name's Meliora, although I am also from the Semper family."
"Hmm... Now I'm amazed to encounter another Semper because
everyone thought Invictus is the only last member of the family. Anyway, do you have any news about Invictus?"
He shook his head and pulled out his pouch of Plata. He loosened the knot, dug his fingers in, and took 20 Plata.
Invictus then put the silver coins on the counter, knowing the exact price
of rice wine he just ordered.
The liquor owner's name is Zeb, who was originally living in the capital about 40 years ago when King Estaroth began the clearing of monsters in the mountain after they discovered how sustainable the mountain is.
He moved to the town right after the creation of the town and began his liquor business there 35 years ago.
Zeb put the bottle of rice wine in a paper bag, then smilingly picked up the exact price of 20 Plata.
"I guess you two are close enough to share the rice wine's price, eh?"
"Not really. Never even saw him in my life. It's my intuition that tells me the amount I needed. Think nothing of it."
Invictus would always drop by Zeb's store whenever he goes to the town. They would talk about several trivial matters and share a drink. He grew fond of the old man to the point that he thinks of Zeb as a father figure to him.
So, thinking of Zeb's death and his store burning down puts an ache in his chest. This threw Invictus into a dilemma whether to continue his plan or
just spare the town.
"I must stay focused. Even if there are kind souls in this kingdom, I must purify them. This nation needs to be purged."
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
"Oh, okay. Thank you for coming, though."
Invictus just raised his right arm with his back turned on Zeb, walking towards the door. Once again, the chimes rang boisterously, and a cold breeze sneaked in right before the door closed.
Tiredly, Zeb sighed in frustration. He loved the town and the people in it.
And in the town resides Vinyl's family and relatives.
"You pick the wrong opponent this time, Estaroth. This town is done for. It's such a shame."
Zeb looked around his store, reminiscing about the joyful memories he has for almost 36 years. He is old and has enough money to live the rest of his life in peace. Plus, he did not need to sell the remaining bottles, so he decided he would now move out.
"I've been seeing nothing but land. It would be nice to live by the seaside."
By the time Invictus arrived back at the inn they were staying in, it was past dinner time, around 10 PM. He came back with the rice wine still in his hands, placed inside a paper bag.
Invictus saw Aeriel sleeping on her bed with their dinner covered with a wooden lid on top of a small table provided by the innkeeper.
"I'm famished. Let's see what Aeriel cooked for dinner."
Aeriel borrowed the innkeeper's kitchen, cooking their own food. The owner of the inn was kind enough to let her use the kitchen for free.
"Hmm, gratin. This looks incredibly delicious. As expected of Aeriel."
Lightly, Invictus patted her shoulder, aiming to wake Aeriel up. When she did not arouse, Invictus gently shook her, calling Aeriel.
"Mmm...? Lord Invictus, you're back."
Whilst brushing her eyes, Aeriel got up from her bed and abruptly hugged Invictus.
He was flustered for a fleeting moment, then carefully pushed Aeriel on her shoulders, but she did not let go. Instead, she just looked up to Invictus.
His gaze fell down on her face, and her eyes were slightly puffed.
"Were you crying?"
"It's because I thought... Lord Invictus left me," she replied, breaking again into tears, lowering her face to hide her expression.
"I told you I was just going out for a bit."
"A bit, yeah. But I have been waiting for five hours to the point that I fell asleep without knowing."
"You know me, Aeriel. A bit has never been a little every time I say it."
She wiped her tears off, "no, Lord Invictus. Honestly, I know little things about you. I've known you for years, but you've never told me anything about yourself. I only know the stories I heard from people; your past and your achievements."
One single emotion was enough to let out of the words Aeriel has been meaning to say. She always wanted to know more about Invictus. Aeriel wished to hear the stories of Invictus himself, his hardships, sufferings, great feats, and success.
And when the worst happened to Invictus, lost his family, and everything, and was thrown into the Oubliette, then escaping, Aeriel actually thought that the days she would spend with Invictus would be the time he opened up to her.
"What was there to know when you've already heard everything from everyone? Their stories pretty much sum up my whole life, so I find it pointless because it will nevertheless be the same."
"Rumors and gossips are never accurate. People like to add details to their story when it's plain and like to curtail the information when it's too good."
"Even I would exaggerate my stories if I'm to tell my story and would also cut the unimportant parts."
Their conversation was cut there when both of their tummies growled at two of them.
Aeriel seemed to be embarrassed about it, and then there was Invictus
who just laughed it off.
They sat down on a small chair, facing each other, preparing the plates they would use.
The two of them ate dinner in silence and spent the rest of the night resting. Not too long after Invictus finished his food, he fell asleep. Ariel, on the other hand, could not fall into a slumber.
~