Chapter 103 - The Day Before the Departure
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Thus, the next day came without any problem. And to everyone's delight, it seems that the extreme pain that they felt before never returned. So, with a peaceful sleep, everyone woke-up in great joy. As a person who never experienced those misery, I can only give them a cheer. Yay!
Anyways, while I did say to have a day rest before our upcoming departure yesternight, there are still some few things needed to finally complete our long preparation. Although, I'll be the one doing all that work since I'm the only one who can do it after all. So, for that statement, their day worth of rest was still considered.
I immediately took all the materials and equipment needed beforehand. Some of those items are the things I assigned the girls to get from their mission: the [Twilight Shard] that Luna and Seia harvested from the Undersea, the [Crux of Equilibrium] an item that Lily and the others obtained from defeating the Demi-Twins, and along with some of the weapons that will be needed for an upgrade.
As soon as 6:00AM starts and I immediately went outside for a jog on my way to Mr. Fjell's place, carrying all the items currently stored inside my [Magic Pouch]. I'm still feeling a bit sleepy but still, someone's got to do it. Man, my passion is making me diligent, aren't I?
"Good morning, Mr. Fjell." Finally arrived at the place, I greeted the person... or more accurately, a middle-aged goblin wearing a leather apron currently on smithing.
"Oh? Oh, you're back, kiddo!" Mr. Fjell cheerfully replied. "Anyways, what did you came here for? Are you here for another commission?"
Mr. Fjell is a character that you'll often visit in the game for smithing and brewing. He is also one of the characters you can recruit on your party. Well, there's actually a reason for that. Anyways, compared to a regular goblin who acts based on their impulse, Mr. Fjell was the opposite. He was a smart goblin that's willing to learn the ways of the society. He might look like a crook, but he was kind at heart.
"Straight to the point, aren't we?" I quipped with a bitter laugh. "I actually came here to borrow your Crafting Station. Would you mind letting me?"
"Oh, you just borrowing? Of course, you can." Mr. Fjell replied. "Are you going to create something weird yourself? You're really a mysterious man, I tell you that."
"Mysterious? Me?" I asked.
"Yeah. You hold an exceptional knowledge that I'm doubting if you really were just a kid." Mr. Fjell replied. "I was shocked to see you create that equipment on my workshop, you know?"
"Ah, that's..." Hm? Ah, he must be referring to the equipment that I crafted after we return from the Jungle. Now that I've mentioned it, Lemuen still doesn't have Mobility Boots, isn't she?
"That's how it is." Mr. Fjell replied. "You can use the place however you like. I'll be doing my work here. Just call me if you need anything."
"Yes. Thank you."
Finally getting Mr. Fjell's permission, I began my work while Mr. Fjell also does his. Okay, final work and everything is done.
* * *
It actually didn't take long to craft the items as I'm using the crafting system from this weird HUD that's going around the corner of my eyes. After I finished everything, and I bid my farewell to Mr. Fjell then went back to return to the Villa.
By the time I arrived and entered the Villa, the girls were already awake when I saw them sitting idly on the living room. Man, they sure wake-up very early. Feels like were living in a rural place.
The girls were wearing their indoor clothes. From using a tank top combined with a short wore by our tomboy member, Astra and a sundress worn by Lily and Seia. Luna and Akari on the other hand, were wearing a combination of short skirt and a T-shirt. Geez, this sure is a pleasant to my eyes.
Oh! Rina-san is here as well. She was also wearing a sundress. Uh, is sundress a normal form of clothes on the Elven people? No? Okay.
Upon seeing my return, Luna and Akari hurriedly came to me like an adorable dog that's about to greet their owner in a cheerful manner. I meant it for their adorable attitude, okay?
"Good morning, Master." Luna greeted. Early morning and this girl were pretty energetic.
"Good morning, Aruji-sama." Akari greeted with her usual deadpan expression. Nevertheless, as her Master, I pretty much know well that despite her expressionless look, she was happy inside.
"Good morning, girls." I greeted as I pat their head heartily. "Man, you girls were pretty enthusiastic, aren't you?"
Did we do the deed last night, you say? Well, the girls became wary of Luna and Akari, so we didn't manage to do it last night. You can say were going to lie low for now. It'll also get pretty messy if Rina-san found out about it.
"Morning, Sai." Lily greeted.
"Ara? Good morning, Sai." Rina-san followed after.
"Good morning, Sai." Seia greeted.
"Mornin," Astra curtly greeted with a salute, sitting idly on a sofa.
"I'm back, girls." I replied. "I've finished everything. I'll be placing all the items here in the table so go get the items that's yours."
"Alright! I've been waiting for this since last night!" Lily shouted in delight. The rest went and sat to the sofa firmly. This form of joint activity became a habit for all of us, aren't they? Welp, I guess I'll start taking the items then.
* * *
Today was Sunday. I went from the Academy that should have been devoid of students. It was the day of weekend after all. After arriving at the certain place, I gently knocked on the door as if, expecting that there was someone present.
"Come in." A voice of a woman said so.
Hearing the woman's permission, I entered without saying a word. The place was very familiar as I can see. The interior was large but formally modest. The most iconic thing in this place, however, was the very long table placed into the center.
You've guessed it right. I was in the Student Council Room.
Inside stood a black short-haired mature woman who was looking at me with a fierce eye. However, right now, she was looking at me with her eyebrow slightly raised. Perhaps surprised at my sudden visit.
"Sai. You..." Bellatrix—the School Council President of the Imperial Academy said so.
"Eh? Sai?!" Other than Bellatrix, Lemuen was also present, looking at me in surprise.
You might be wondering why they're here. Well, I don't know either. But the moment I enter, I felt a tense atmosphere raging from the background. Hm, I immediately understood what's going on.
"Ah, Did I barge at the wrong time?" I asked.
"Quite." Bellatrix sternly replied. That's cold! Lemuen was also looking slumped down, dejected. Yep. They were in a middle of a fight, aren't they? "So? What did you came here today?"
"To end your sisterly fight." I replied as I went and sat into the center chair, facing Bellatrix. "Just so were clear: right now, I'm the type who will engage solely if I'm sure I'm guaranteed to win."
Maybe... No, surely. They were arguing about Lemuen joining us in going to the Artic, a place that's currently considered one of the places that's embodiment of danger. Even though we had already talked about it... I guess she was being skeptical.
"You're full of yourself for a guy who just lost the Tournament." Bellatrix harshly said.
"Geh!" I can't help but cringe. Come on, man. You don't have to put salt into an old wound. You might be right but that's dirty, you know?
Upon seeing my bitter reaction, Bellatrix let out a sigh. "I'm sorry for saying those harsh words but that's just how it is. I've been thinking about this since our talk."
With a bitter look, Bellatrix slowly went towards behind Lemuen, interlocking her arms at Lemuen's neck as to hug her. Yep. They're sisters, alright.
"I know you're smart, Sai. Remarkably so." Bellatrix continued. "I know you understand me. This girl, Lemuen is the only family I have..."
That was heavy one. I understand her, though. After all, as a person who got transmigrated in this world, I was alone. But as my story continues, I began to have someone whom now I considered my family.
"Does Lemuen had a say in this?" I asked. "Trapping someone in a cage. Lemuen might be safe in your hands but what about her feelings?"
"That's..." Unable to come up with an answer, Bellatrix paused as she bit her lips.
"Wait!" I interrupted. "You're just worried about Lemuen safety, right? Is that why you're against her decision into joining us?"
"Well, yes." Bellatrix nodded. Uh, the intimidating feeling I felt for her has now gone. "She's my sister so it's just normal for me to get worried about her."
"But I did promise to protect her." I replied.
"You think I can just fully trust someone if I pledge them with a promise?" Bellatrix replied. Lemuen was still keeping silent. "You heard the news, right? The frontliners who was considered as the strongest battalion was forced to surrender to the overwhelming strength of the monsters. And you expect me to just accept your sorry promise while you plan on heading to that place?"
"I see. In other words, I just have to show you that I can keep my promise, right?" I stood up into my seat and took out a large Battle Axe and pierced it on the ground. But upon closer look, is actually a large Trident.
""—?!"" Both Lemuen and Bellatrix widened their eye in shock.
"Pretty cool, right?" I said with a grin. "This weapon can demolish a Pre-Chaos Mode Boss with ease. Additionally, it can pass through walls which means I can still attack them while we hide safely."
Although it was unnecessary since I can demolish everything monster that comes to us. But still, I have to show her that I'm not the old person who lost to Davis. An overwhelming reason for her to change her mind.
"That weapon...! The Serpent's Tide!" Bellatrix said with a shock on her face. "A weapon that often mistaken as a Battle Axe... An item that was given to the 『Hero』 after she defeated one of the Deity in this world. How did you get that? You'll go so far as to steal a weapon for the kingdom just so you can force Lemuen to the Artic? I'm so disappointed in you."
"Eh?" Lemuen turned her face into Bellatrix, showing a face of bewilderment. "Steal? Sai didn't steal that, though? After all—"
"That's right!" Again, I slam the point of the Serpent's Tide. The metallic sound echoes beautifully to the room. "I killed the Vaconawa, the so-called Mighty Serpent."
"Nonsense!" Bellatrix exclaimed.
"Big sister, he is not kidding, I promise." Lemuen who was looking at her sister said so. "After all, I was with him when he fought it."
There was no room for a lie. Both of us bombed Bellatrix with unbelievable truth. Well, even if she was still skeptical about it, I can show her the rest of the items. But looking at her face, who was currently in shock, I doubt I'll need to do it.
"Lemuen." I called, which Lemuen turned into me. "Tomorrow at 6:00 o'clock in the morning, we'll begin our way to the Artic, make sure you come early."
"Yes!" Lemuen firmly nodded.
I gave both of them a smile and left the place. I don't need to stay there longer. Lemuen can handle the rest. If not, I'm going to slap her butt if that still didn't work out.
"Alright," I stretched as I left the Academy. "I guess I'll take a long rest for tomorrow."
And thus,
The last day before the departure has ended.