Chapter 49 - Companion
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"Mhn..."
When I woke-up, there was someone on top of my vision. My mind and my sight are still a bit blurry but little by little, it started to clear, and all the things happened finally came inside my thoughts.
"I see... I passed out huh..." I muttered.
I tried to get up slowly enduring the sore body of mine, I sat crossing my legs in front of a girl who used her lap as a pillow for me to rest comfortably.
In front of me is a fully naked girl who looked like she's about to passed out any minute now.
"Man... this is worse than Luna..." I muttered in concern.
This girl has a black long straight hair mixed with red inside it. Her eyes look so beautiful with her iris that resembles the color of blood moon. She also had a gorgeous black wings behind her shoulder that made me think that she is a fallen angel. But what most concerns to me beside her being naked in front of me, is her body whose bones are sticking out due to how malnourished she was...
But well... I'm a guy too so I can't help but look at her beauty but what's this feeling of DeJa'Vu right now... I'm actually enjoying the change of the girls, but I wonder if I was fated to meet these maidens.
Well, enough about the introduction. I already know her, so I'll just introduce myself first.
"Um... For the introduction, my name is Sai Crimsonheart. Thanks for staying with me while I'm passed out. You even took the hassle of using a lap pillow for me..." I spoke.
"That's a normal thing to do for my benefactor. It's me who wants to thank you for saving me"
I already know her name but let's ask just in case.
"Ah, by the way, I haven't heard your name yet. And you are?" I asked.
"Yes, I apologize. My name is Akari. And I exist for the sole reason of serving you as your companion. I can do anything you wish as long as it's within my ability to do it" Akari said in a monotone voice.
"Eh? I don't want to meddle into your past but are you okay with just that? Serving someone you didn't know" I asked in concern.
Well, well, a lore that was never mentioned in the game. Man, the developers of this game sure likes these types of depressing trope.
"..."
No response huh...
"Well, never mind that. We need to get out of here" I said and took some clothes inside my "Magic Pouch". "Here, put this on. I would get accused of something if I let you come with me fully naked"
"Yes"
After responding in a monotone voice, Akari started wearing the long sleeve and trousers I gave to her. Since she's very slim, the oversized clothes made her appearance very awkward but that's the least we need to concern ourselves right now.
After she wore the clothes, we stated to walk towards the magic circle to get out of this place. While we we're walking, Akari called me as if concerned about something.
"M-Master, aren't you going to make a contract with me...?"
"Eh? Ah!"
Akari displayed a forlorn expression. I guess she wants to for a contract right away. I was planning on doing it after we manage to get out of this place, but I guess it wouldn't be bad to do it right now.
I took the 『Aegis Shell』 and gave it to Akari. Akari cut herself using her nails and put a drop of blood inside it. I took the 『Aegis Shell』 and pour some mana into it. After a moment, a symbol started appearing at the back of our hands. The 『Aegis Shell』 also turned black indicating that Akari is the companion that I picked.
"I guess the contract is complete huh?" I said and took a glance to Akari.
"Yes, Master" Akari answered, displaying a face of relief.
I guess it's done right? But well... for Akari to display such expression like that, I guess she's scared of something?
After the contract, we stepped out of the blue magic circle at the ground teleporting us both on the 3rd floor of the cathedral.
"Ah! Did they drop this?"
I was very surprised when I saw the 『Monster Bags』 scattered around the place. I guess I'm lucky that they also drop 『Monster Bags』 despite being spawned by a magic circle.
I cheerfully took the 10 『Monster Bags』 scattered around the area and left the place together with Akari who's silent for the whole time.
While we head towards the portal, to my concern, I asked Akari a question.
"Akari, is something bothering you?"
"Hm? Not at all Master" Akari replied. "Is something the problem?"
"No. It's just that, you've been silent for the whole time, so I thought you were concerned about something"
"I apologize Master. I just don't have anything to talk about..."
Ugh... There's two persons calling me Master now...
"Akari, can I ask you to change how you call me?" I asked.
"Is there something wrong of how I call you, Master?"
"It's just that... There's already someone calling me that. Having called master by two people would be kind of.... Awkward..."
"Hm... what about Aruji-sama?"
Isn't that still the same? Well, whatever... I'm still kind of too tired to think of alternatives.
"I guess it's fine...."
"I see. Aruji-sama it is" Akari said, nodding to herself.
We continued to walk towards the portal while I asked her some question about herself trying to know about herself more. In summary, she was told that she is a defect since her race is a mixture of a fallen angel and a vampire.
"Now that I've realized it, you have two fangs sticking out in your mouth"
"Yes" Akari nodded.
I don't know what happened but that's a rare race that even I only just heard until now. The reason Akari is desperate to make a contract with me earlier is that she is scared that she might get abandoned again because of her race.
Little by little, she is starting to get comfortable to me now and is calmly answering my questions. Since, she'll be with me from now on, I want her natural reserve to disappear so that our relationship gets closer.
Finally reaching our destination, we both stand in the front of the portal. Well then... how do I explain this to the girls...
"Aruji-sama?" Akari looks at me in puzzlement.
"Ah nothing. Shall we go then?"
"Yes"
We both took our step to the portal finally teleporting us to the Academy.
"Eh?"
"..."
It was already afternoon right now and the sun was about to set. People either an adventurer or a student of the academy looking at us displaying a bewilderment expression.
Their reaction was normal, I probably look like some mysterious eerie person who went into an adventure and fought against a strong opponent then came back carrying the bruises of the battle. Together with a girl wearing goofy ass oversized clothes amidst their adventure.
"Man, I want to take a shower..."
"..."
We left the place together with Akari without minding the people glaring at us. I tried to ask for a ride into a carriage, but now one wants to stick their nose with us, so we have no choice but to walk our way to the Villa.
The sun has already set until we finally reach the Villa. The place was beaming with beauty thanks to the superb architecture of this place added with the beauty of lighting surrounding the area.
I knock at the door and wait for someone to opened it. After a moment, someone finally responded, it was a half-elf woman who hurriedly opened it while displaying a worried look on her face.
"Heya Lily. I'm ba— GUH!!"
Suddenly, I was tackled in my stomach which made me stumble and fall. Split into surprised and bewilderment, I asked Lily the problem?
"Ouch Lily. What the hell was that for" I said scratching my head.
Lily didn't answer. But after a moment, she started to talk while her face was buried into my chest.
"Idiot... Where did you go..." Lily said timidly.
"Haha... I'm sorry for worrying you..." I hugged her back and starts caressing her head.
Not after long when the rest of the girls hurriedly went to see the situation. When they saw me, they also hastily went to us displaying a worried expression.
"M-master! What happened to you?! We were worried sick when you didn't come back for a long time... Are you okay?!"
"That's right Sai. Everyone's becoming paranoid, you know. Look at you now... you're covered in blood..."
Lily and Seia started bombarding me with words expressing their outmost concern for me.
"I'm sorry everyone. I didn't think it would take this long..."
"Sai, you finally came back. The girls were so worried you know"
Lastly, Rina-san who's the last to check the situation. When she saw me in front of her door, her tense expression started to disappear and was changed into relief.
"Yes, yes, I'm here. Come on, let's go inside first" I said, slowly removing Lily from her tight hug from me.
"I'd also suggest you all went inside and let Sai clean himself first but..." Rina-san pointed her fingers to Akari. "Mind telling us who's this girl with you?"
"Ah... Yes. I'll tell it later. But please let me clean myself first"
After freeing myself from Lily, I head to the bathroom and took a shower. Cleaning myself who's covered in blood from nook and cranny. I head towards the living room after I change my clothes for me to tell everyone the story.
On the sofa, Lily, Luna, and Seia were looking at Akari with a frowned look on their face. Akari on the other hand is just staring at them silently.
"I'm done everyone. Did something happen while I'm taking a bath?" I asked.
"Sai... taking home a stranger is a bit..." Seia timidly said.
"Right. And what's with those clothes? Is that yours? I mean it's a bit..."
"Ah yeah. I was just about to tell everyone that" I said and sat beside Akari.
I told everyone the full detail of what happened with me during the time I was in the 『Ebonland』. From fighting the 10 『Real Abomination』 to finding Akari at the outmost top of the tower.
"Great story overall but... what the hell happened to being careful?"
Lily raised her eyebrow while crossing her arms in displeasure. I have no words about that... What I really did was reckless, so her anger is normal. I just went and dropped my head in apology.
"Master, I know it's very presumptuous of me as your maid, but I also don't like what you did. I know you aim to be the strongest but there must be another way to attain it without being reckless like you did just now. When we saw you covered in blood, I thought my heart was about to burst out"
"Yes... I'm reflecting..." I said timidly.
"Sai, I'm sorry for saying this even though I owe you many, but I hope this won't happen again. It might be better if you start thinking that there are people who cares about you" Seia spoke.
"As for the girl beside you. Akari was it? I would appreciate if you don't just take other people with you casually. Do you have some reason why you took her to you?" Lily said.
"Well yeah... I have already planned some contingency plan for this so if ever that she can't stay here, I'll have to stay on some hotel so that she will have someone with her"
"Wait! Wait! Wait! I never said that we won't let her stay here at the Villa. But are you sure that she won't cause some problem at this place?"
"Of course, I assure you. I apologize to the bad timing I had to introduce her" I change my attention to Akari who was silent on the whole session. "Akari, mind introducing yourself to them?"
"Yes, Aruji-sama"
"Aruji-sama?!" Luna displayed a shocked expression.
"Yes, my name is Akari and I am Aruji-sama's companion from today onwards"
Akari introduce herself the worst way possible with her monotone way of speaking. Everyone including me was stunned to her words while Akari just displaying her blank expression.
"You—?! That's a misunderstanding! No, I mean what she said is true but there is more meaning to it!!" I flustery said.
Everyone just gave me a look of disbelief. Ah... what do I do with this...
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Aruji-sama = Master