Chapter 37: Fears gone
"Thanks for sharing your knowledge with me." Leon stood up and put his chair in his inventory.
He spent some time in silence, thinking about The Human Emperor and them sharing the same class. He'd learned already that it was mainly about his blessed body, but following that man's path rubbed Leon wrong. Of course, their paths would only sometimes cross, yet Leon didn't like it.
He felt heavier and more uncertain about his future.
William was also a good buddy to talk to. He'd sensed Leon's mood and didn't ask any questions. Instead, he'd been enjoying fishing, the smell of the river, and snacks.
Hearing him, William wheeled to Leon. "It's common stuff. You would have learned it sooner or later."
"Yeah." Leon agreed.
Thinking about this man and how he kept fishing in the low-level village, Leon asked about William's quotas. Perhaps, the knights were similar to police from Earth, and their superiors required quotas to satisfy the higher-ups.
At first, William blinked, then shook his head. "No. I believe more skeletons wander and plan something in those areas, so I'm staying on standby, rooted to the village by my sense of responsibility. A knight ought to protect those who can't fight. My teacher often says that the world needs more knights."
Leon looked deeply at the knight, then fished out a black skull from his inventory, tossing it up in his right hand. "You should go to the lands that need knights, then."
Upon seeing that item, William knitted his eyebrows, seriously scrutinizing it. He found traces of the undead mana, confirming its state. It was the real deal.
A black skeleton had died recently.
Leon killed him.
William picked up his stuff, then faced the otherworlder. "Going south soon?"
"…I don't know." Leon sighed.
That one step toward the south wouldn't end up with him just developing his blacksmith class and starting a new business to utilize the shop system. He'd join the ranks of the otherworlders whose presences move the world.
Leon had a feeling he'd shake the world too much.
It was not arrogance, for Leon knew about his potential.
William patted his shoulder and looked directly into Leon's eyes. "You wield tremendous power. I've learned that from the clues we gathered about you. It doesn't matter what path you take as long as you treasure your and others' lives."
Leon faintly smiled. "Monsters and humans are the same. What do you think about it?"
"Isn't that how it is?" William flashed his white teeth.
-
-
-
-
Louise woke up.
She hadn't slept too much, and her thoughts turned her head heavy again. She couldn't stop thinking about a possible change and cold memories hurting her and those who supported her from the start. It was just Leon for now that kept supporting her, and he was like a whole world to Louise.
It'd hurt her if she were to lose herself against other memories only to get back to herself and learn that Leon was not by her side.
"Ah…"
Recording an unexpected moan, Louise's upper body shot up, and she wheeled to the source of it. The fox girl instantly located the vampire woman sitting by the table, pouring liquor for herself.
She kept taking shots and enjoying the bitter taste.
"Where is the master? Have you two reached an agreement?" Louise carefully asked, turning around to properly face the new friend.
Celes filled two glasses and took one for herself. "He's an oddball. But we've reached a good conclusion, so you can rely on me, too, Louise."
Louise nodded. It was great to have a new friend with whom she could share some secrets since both of them had been imprisoned by the same man. In fact, Louise had a few questions she'd love to get an answer for.
Celes appeared like a woman with her own flow, but since she became her friend, Louise straightforwardly asked, "Aren't you worried about your freedom?"
Finding the black-haired girl's confused gaze, Louise became flustered and quickly explained her situation. She talked about her first day with Leon, what had happened during it, and how they slowly developed their relationship.
She had asked herself many questions back then.
"It's because of your shattered memories," Celes replied, letting go of the glass and liquor and crossing her arms. "My memories are intact. You could say that Master has fabricated them and forced me to believe that I've lost against The Human Emperor."
Those words sounded legit, but Louise wholeheartedly believed in Leon, so she kept her eyes on Celes' gorgeous face, listening attentively.
Celes continued, "But can I confirm it? Can I confirm that those memories are actually fake and that I have lived a different life until losing nearly all of my strength? If I cannot achieve something or prove it, what's the point of dwelling on it? It feels good to have freedom and free will.
"But too much freedom can turn into a curse, too. If you become too paranoid, you will become a slave to your own thoughts. Just live. If you're fated to be yourself, you will. Besides, I don't think my love for drinking can be fabricated. My heart leaps in joy each time I recall the first taste of alcohol. I wasn't alone, and we went against the rules… That moment can't be faked."
Celes closed her eyes and mused over those fond memories.
Louise hovered her eyes on the vampiress with slight jealousy. But more than that prickling emotion, Louise felt grateful for those words. Because of her, Louise understood that her body would always remember yesterday's event.
She'd always recall her master's warm embrace, his relief, and her rocking heart.
That day would always kindle her heart!
Louise's cheeks turned redder upon thinking like that. Her chest seemed on fire! Fortunately, that part of her body was endowed with flesh, so she could keep all of her fire here.
And enjoying that feeling, Louise's mood became much better. She no longer feared the adventure and what was ahead of them.
"What skill will Master learn from you?" Louise left the bed and sat down next to the vampiress. "Master has received the legendary skill from me!"
As though Louise was flaunting her blessed body, she pushed her boiling chest forward.
Celes was also a voluptuous girl, so she didn't pay any attention to Louise's unconscious acts. "I'll give him the ability to suck blood. I'll bring him closer to the monster side."
It sounded like some evil plan, so Louise squinted her eyes. "Why?"
"Why not?" Celes gulped down another shot. "Though I prefer good liquor over blood, I wouldn't mind tasting exquisite blood once a month. Blood is tasty if you're a vampire. Your blood might turn him crazy."
Louise's ears flapped, her blue eyes shining. "Really?"
"My blood, too. His self-control is what I fear, but that ought to give him a good goal to pursue." Celes explained her reasoning ambiguously.
She didn't plan anything wrong for Leon, but she's seen through his problem. Of course, Celes couldn't tell the roots of his problem, but it was already surprising for a man with a peak humanity body to not have any grand ambition.
It was inevitable for him to find a greater goal.
But the world never waited for others. If too late, Leon would only regret it.
Celes wanted to lend him a hand.
She was fine with a slow life because of her past experiences, but no man should stop his progress. There was always something to learn in this vast and crazy world.
On the other hand, Louise tilted her head. "Master's goal…"
From that day onward, Louise would keep a close eye on her master.
Author's note: Hi, the village arc will soon end. Book will go premium for next volumes, so thanks for reading and your support until now. Have a nice day.