After telling the Foreman of his sudden decision of termination of his job, Roth received an answer he wasn't fully expecting. "You are? Oh that's wonderful to hear!" The look he gave to the Foreman was in complete confusion. "Oh where are my manners, don't take that as disrespect. I'm actual happy for you wanting to leave this place. A person with your talents shouldn't be wasted in a grueling labor job such as this." The Foreman stands up from his desk and faces them.
"Ah, and who's this little one?" He kneels down to meet her at eye level. Mina looks nervous but doesn't shy away. "Her name is Mina, and I'm actually taking her back to Galobethrogga." Explained Roth in a very exhausted tone. "Well isn't that nice. I guess he can't take care of you if he's gone majority of the time." As the Foreman puts a smile and chuckles.
"He's not taking care of me! He's helping me become stronger and I'll always help him no matter what!" The Foreman's comment made her a little frustrated, she's keeping her word to heart as she promised Roth. "Hahaha, I have no doubt little lady. If you're with this young man, there's no doubt that you will be as strong as he is one day." The foreman ruffles her hair. Mina's frustrated look turned into a smile hearing him reassure her. He stands up and shakes Roth's hand.
"Before you go just wait here in the cabin just a moment. I have to make a few preparations for you before letting you on your way." Roth agrees and waits for the Foreman to return. After nearly thirty minutes and Mina curiously poking around the cabin of all the trinkets on the wall, the Foreman finally returns. "Alright everything is in order you may leave when ready." He holds the door open for both of them and when they step outside, they are greeted with the entire work crew.
The crew surrounded the two and praised him for his services and selflessness he has done. "We're going to miss you kid!" said one worker. "Be safe and don't cause too much trouble ya hear?" Tearfully said another. "You're going to be great out there kid, good luck and thank you for giving me another chance." it was the worker with the injured leg. He embraced Roth and nearly teared up. Roth was astounded of how much the workers here cared for him. All he can do was give a small smile and thanked everyone.
"Hey kid, be safe out there okay and don't worry about Ditzy I think I can handle her." Proudly said Viccus. Viccus gave a firm goodbye handshake to Roth before parting ways. Ditzy was there too Roaring in the air as she senses that Roth was departing. He calmly walks up to her and rubs her snout. "Hey it's okay girl. Be safe and treat the others with same respect, okay?" The golden eyes looked backed into his eyes, and she playfully licked his face. Roth giggled a bit and Mina was amazed of the behemoth. Ditzy looked at Mina with such curiosity and realized she was with Roth and happily licked her face too.
The saliva made half her hair stand up on end and she burst out laughing rubbing her snout. The Foreman prepared them a horse for them to go back to Galobethrogga and return it to their personal stables of no charge. He waved a final goodbye and trotted away with Mina in front of him as she happily waves goodbye to his workers as well. The day went by fast as they steadily made their way to the town of Galobethrogga. The sun was nearly down but made it just in time to return the horse.
They made their way to The Sirens Inn and to check out a room. "Ah, how's it going Roth. You're back earlier than usual. Oh, who's this?" It was the Inn keep and was curious of Roths new companion.
" This is-"
"I'm Mina! He is my master training me." Flexing one of her arms with a cocky smile. Roth's face is burnt out with today's ordeal. The Inn keep looks at her with concern and back to Roth. Now Roth is feeling embarrassed but suddenly the Inn keep bursts out laughing. " That's a good one kid haha! Didn't know you had a sister, but I can see the similarities hahah!" They were both confused until he realized what he meant by. They both were in shambles of dirt and grime. As they both look like they haven't showered in days. Now Mina is blushing over the fact that someone called them siblings and she won't stop blushing.
"Oh boy that was a good chuckle hahah, so I guess a room with two beds then." Said the Inn keep as he slowly collects himself from his laughter. "That would be perfect thank you." Said Roth annoyingly. They made their way to the room on the second floor and Roth began to unpack his bag. He pulls a shirt out and tosses it to Mina. "There's a bath downstairs, wash up quickly, we have a big day tomorrow." She stares at the clean shirt and is lost in thought. "Hey did you hear what I said? Hurry up." He is beginning to be a bit impatient. "Oh I- yes sir."
After some time has passed, she comes up wearing his shirt. Her dirty mangey hair is now straight and can see her light black hair more clearly. His shirt was big for her that it made it almost look like a dress. She stops Immediately entering the room and turned around extremely embarrassed. Roth also finished taking a bath and only had wool trouser pants on. The amount of work he had in the job made him extremely fit. And did extra time to work on parts of his body he couldn't achieve at work.
"What's the matter? I'm Just putting on something to sleep in."
"Oh, don't mind me, I'm just letting you finish changing is all." Nervously stuttered Mina. He ignored her and went to reach for a shirt. While she was turned, she notices a mirror on the wall and see his reflection. Roth's back is turned but it made Mina shocked to see in the reflection. Roth's back is covered in deep jagged scars and gashes. Almost his entire back is covered as if he was mauled by an animal hungry for blood.
"Is that- Is that why you gave up on adventuring?" She sadly questioned him. "That's a little bit personal don't you think?" He stares down at Mina. "I know... but talking helps. If you are okay with that. You can vent to me if you ever need too..." She shyly tries to help him. He lets out a very disgruntled sigh, " Yeah, it was part of it...and it was actually my first adventure with a party." He sat on the floor leaning against the bed. " They were good people. People I come to even admire, especially this one girl in the party."
"What was her name?" she slowly sat next to Roth holding her knees.
"Fila, she was so sweet and gentle and kind. She even consoled me when I told her the reason why I wanted to become an adventurer." Mina is attentive to his words.
"We were on a quest to clear an unknown monster that was terrorizing this village. We found out that it was an ogre nesting in a cave nearby. We thought we had it, but it overpowered my friend, and I stepped in to defend him. Soon the beast kicked up so much dust I couldn't see and hit me with a stone across the room of the cave onto the jagged rocks. I thought I was going to die. But Fila...she saved me. You can probably guess what happened next."
Mina looks down in sorrow. "So if were exchanging stories. What about you, how did a little girl like you ended up in a slave trade?" She made herself into a fetal position trying her hardest to explain. "Well I was originally an orphan and I thought I was going to a new home but instead was put to work." Her eyes are closed trying not to cry explaining her story. " The only reason they wanted me was because of this." She holds out her palm and glows a goldish green color. Roth was surprised finding out she had that power.
"You're able to use light magic?" He curiously asked her. She nods slowly, "As far as what I am told I can use light magic very easily as other casters who are adults can. It's pretty strong for my age and they used me to heal the slaves. Since light magic is seen as a blessing, a lot of people who have it are either in a church or they are adventurers. At least, that's what I was told." She huddled up even more. "They used to beat me and told me I was more of a pest since they couldn't just sell me off. I would be so beaten to the point I couldn't stomach anything down. I was so used to healing myself I would always expect a beating no matter what. But the other night they were talking about selling the slaves off, especially Katsumi to someplace in the east and they were going to show me off to more people. I couldn't take it anymore, so I ran for help when they all were asleep. And that's how I met you." She looks up at Roth with a smile but doesn't hide her tears from him.
He looks down at her with more respect and feels a bit guilty for treating her harshly before but remembers that she's only an NPC. It doesn't help, in fact, it made the situation worse. As he was lost in thought Mina grabs his sleeve and doesn't let go, "Can I... can I make... a selfish request?" She doesn't look at Roth, only continues to stare towards the floor. "May I... call you...big brother." She blushes and her cheeks are flushed. Roth was surprised by her questioned, "Big brother? Why do you want to call me that?"
"I never really had any siblings or anyone to look up too, I was always the one taking care of people. I had Katsumi but I was always the one taking care of her. So I thought, It would be nice for once, to look at someone I really am thankful for having in my life. And it made me really happy hearing the person at the desk called us siblings. If it's not too much, will you let me call you that...?" Roth is trying his might to remember that she's only an NPC but to no avail. Her sweet wholesome voice warms Roth's heart for just a moment. "Sure...you can call me that... little sis." He gently pats her on the head.
She is startled for a moment but slowly smiles and closes her eyes and embraces her head pats. Her tears of sorrow are now tears of joy. "Thank you, again big brother, for what you did for me and the others." He doesn't respond and is only lost in thought. "Well umm, ahem, we best get to sleep. We have a big day tomorrow and you're going to need all the energy you need for tomorrow." He composures himself quickly not to let his emotions flood in. She smiles and heads to her bed, "Right then, goodnight big brother." He makes himself cozy in his bed and reaches for the lantern on the nightstand to blow the light out. "Goodnight Mina... rest easy now okay." She smiles at him and slowly drifts to sleep.