Chapter 105 - For What Reason You Seek Strength
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We have arrived at the innermost center of the Capital where the Otherworld Portal is located. The next thing we did was go to the small building into buying our tickets, but...
"Apologies, sir. But the place you wanted to proceed into is currently out of commission."
"...Eh?"
I can't help but react in surprise. I stood at the front of the female receptionist along with the group behind me. I already had my hard-earned (lie) 70 Gold Coins in my hand that I was about to hand to the receptionist until I heard her utter such terrifying reply. Also, Lemuen, control yourself. I can feel your 'such wasteful' pressure coming towards me, you know? I mean, 70 [Gold Coins] can make you live a luxury life for many years, so I understand where you're coming from, but still...
"Um, can you tell us what happened?" Said Luna who came behind me to ask the Female Receptionist.
"Yes. It was recently but it seems that both the Mayor and the Guild Master of the Wintervale City were the one to deactivate their connection through our Portal. The reason was still unknown to us, but many assumed that the higher-ups and their mayor had a dispute."
Hm, I see. It's that, huh...
[Wintervale City] is the City nearest to the Artic biome and the place where we were supposed to go into. It is one of the Cities that's currently thriving in plan of going toe-to-toe with a kingdom like the [Alcrux Empire] and the [Elven Kingdom]. It was thanks to the great governance of their current Mayor along with the help of Guild Master that their city was booming with success. Their place was also of a lucky find as they also possess an Otherworld Portal.
She said it's just recently... Hm, we didn't make it, huh. Such a waste.
"Master, what do we do?" After hearing the hopeless explanation, Luna turned to me worriedly. The others followed suit and also looked at me concernedly. Oh, boy...
"We're in a bind, aren't we?" I replied. I mean, we grinded our way to prepare for this moment just for it to go down the hill... But don't worry. "I know a way we can get there."
Their anxious face disappeared at my remarks. Oh boy, I hope you're ready for this.
"I can see you girl's eagerness in this. Hm, I'm relieve." I said while I give them a beaming smile, but I know. I can feel it. My eyes were not looking in any way delight at all.
"Uh, Master..."
"Ugh..."
"Ah..."
"....."
Luna, Lily, Seia, and Akari whom I have already ventured with seemed to have finally guessed what I was trying to say. Oh, they're frowning. I know how you feel, but we have no choice, aren't we?
"We're being left out, aren't we?"
"That seems to be the case..."
Astra and Lemuen both tilted their heads in confusion. Well, it's their first time after all. But guess what? They were about to experience it as well so have fun, you guys. We're going at it together.
"Well, it's not really of a reassuring answer but in short, we'll be going our way there manually." I explained to the pair who was looking at me in bewilderment.
"Manually?" Lemuen asked.
"That's right, we'll go there in a hard way." I continued. "Riding a Carriage and waiting and waiting and waiting until we get there. Exciting, isn't it?"
"What part of that is exciting to you...?" Astra let out an exasperated sigh after she said so. "No choice. We should start walking then. If you think about it, I think it's better if we don't rush our way to get there. Might ruin the fun after all."
"Ugh, a week of idling, I guess..." Lily said. Her eyes were practically dead...
"Good. Then, we'll leave now Ma'am." I bid as we leave the building, waving my hands.
"Yes. We really apologize, Sir."
I already have the Map to the Artic so all we need to do was busy ourselves finding a Carriage. We hope we find one, though. After all, just like the female receptionist said, the Artic was currently in a state of alert level. So, I expected the riders to be reluctant on going there, profitable or not.
By the way, I also tried to invite Rina-san with the possibility of her joining us but as expected, she doesn't have any free time anymore. I guess she was busying herself since she was a noble herself... and also about the Higher-ups who had tried to kill them.
She's done so much to us so when the opportunity comes, I won't hesitate to help her in any way I can. I'm on my way on making myself stronger, Rina-san. So, please take care of the Miniature Pets in the meantime...
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[Aedan Yellowpage POV]
I was walking somewhere in the Capital, holding a note that's telling me a certain place where right now, is I'm currently following. It was very early in the morning, as the sun was about to rise at the horizon. I see, Sai and the others should be on their way into the Artic. I met Sai by coincidence at the Capital yesterday, so I was informed. Well, I hope they get there safely, though.
I'll be lying if I said I wasn't jealous about Sai. After all, adventuring was one of the dreams a man could do. I'm a guy who was immerse in fantasy stories after all. Sai tried to invite me to join him, but I refused. I really want to but if I did that, I'd have to leave my mom for how many days when.
Anyhow, Sai did find it unfortunate so instead, he gave me a piece of paper regarding a note that is for me. Sai said that if I'm willing to change myself then I should follow the notes that he gave me.
I hate myself. very much so. That's why I'm willing to take any sacrifice to change myself no matter what hardships I'm to experience. That's why I'm currently following the notes Sai gave me.
It might just be a phony note, but still. I'm already used to being deceived. After all, there was nothing for me to lose here. Moreover, it's Sai were talking about.
We might have been friends just recently, but my first impression of Sai is that: he was reliable. He was also the type to know everything. I don't know why but he doesn't emanate an air of a natural teenager student. It was...oddly weird.
"Let's see... Uh, here...?"
I was led by the note in an unfamiliar pathway somewhere in the Capital. What took my attention was a small shop? encompassed by the back of large buildings. I was getting skeptical but I'm sure I followed the note as detailed as I can so no doubt this is the place.
"But why is it so secluded, though..." I can't help but asked myself. If you're going to open a shop, won't it be preferable to a place often passed by people?
I set aside such unnecessary thoughts and proceed to knock at the shop. It's open, right? It's still quite early in the morning so I was not sure, though. Perhaps I should have come here later?
"Come in." My knocked was answered by someone on the inside. It was a voice of a Middle-Aged Man. Nonetheless, I'm so glad there was someone.
I open the door as I was permissioned to do so. The moment I entered the place, I was blown by a scorching hotness of the place that I can't help but scrunch my face in response. Ugh, so hot! Is this a smithing shop by any chance?
"Hn? You're a new face, kiddo." The person—or rather, a goblin who was probably the owner of this shop said so. "Are you lost, kiddo? This is not a place for someone like you."
Just as I suspected, he was a Middle-aged Guy. He was wearing a leather apron and is currently on his workshop smithing. But never mind all that, this is the first time I saw a Goblin whom I could communicate with. Aren't goblins supposed to be a monster who act based on their impulse? Sai, just what place did you take me...
"Eh? I... Um, a friend of mine asked to come here." I explained and handed him a letter separated from what Sai gave me... I didn't read the components, though.
"—?!" As he began reading the letter, his face reacted in a surprise manner. I wonder what Sai write on the letter for him to react like that. It's making me nervous somehow...
"You... Who is this friend who gave this letter to you?" After reading the letter, the man asked me in a very stern voice. Scary!
"—?! Um, his name is Sai Crimsonheart. H-He told me to give that letter to you." I nervously replied.
"I see. Geez, I can't really tell what that guy is thinking." The man mused as he scratches his head. I didn't say 'hair' since he's bald. "Look, I see you're very eager with this but unfortunately, I'll have to refuse this."
"Eh? Um, I don't follow... What are you refusing to?"
"Huh? The letter asked me to train you. You didn't know it?"
I shook my head to answer his question. In response, the man let out an exasperated sigh. I see, it was a flop again, huh.
"I'm really sorry, kiddo. But I just want to live a peaceful life now, doing whatever I want. If I was the old me back in my day, then I would have accepted this but right now, I—"
"It's okay, sir." I interrupted with a smile. "It was unfortunate, but we can't really force each other to the things they don't want to do."
It was unfortunate. Really, really unfortunate...
"I'll be heading out then, sir. Sorry for wasting your time." I replied and gave the man a smile. He looks quite dejected. Hm, maybe I am too...
I ceased such negative thoughts and head towards the door. Letting these negative thoughts will discourage me after all. But just as I was about to leave...
Bam! Someone slammed the door open.
""—?!"" Both the owner of the shop and I twitched in shock to the sudden surprise of the way the door was forcefully opened.
"Good morning, Fjell!"
A Middle-Aged Guy greeted the owner of this place with a nonchalant demeanor. His action made me quite upset because I was just rejected just a second ago, but I'll take that back, for there was a valid reason.
This Middle-Aged guy had a black hair with fine cut, and he doesn't look old at all. In fact, he was outrageously handsome. I'll assume that all his acquainted woman all had a crush on him. But what took my attention and the reason I took my words back, is that this guy was ripped! a unit himself! His body was lean but still packing those muscle of his under his clothes that I can't help but left dumbfounded.
"Goddammit! How many times do I have to tell you to enter normally? Do you want me to have a heart attack, you bastard?!"
The owner, or rather, Mr. Fjell can't help but shout his anger towards the guy who was laughing in response with him. Quite the lively morning, alright.
"GAHAHAHA!! My bad. Sorry," The nonchalant guy apologized, making a chop gesture. "I came here a commission— Oh? This is the first time I saw someone came here beside me."
The nonchalant guy turned into me as he said that. You just notice me now? I've been here for quite a while now, you know?
"Yeah," Mr. Fjell replied. "Although this lad here came for a different reason."
"Oh, yeah? Continue."
Hey! I'm still here, you know?! How can you guys talk casually about someone right in their face...
"The kid is asking to be trained. Although, it was actually someone who requested me to train him."
"To be trained, huh..." The nonchalant guy strokes his chin as he began to ponder. Shortly after, he turned to me as he opens his mouth. "For what reason do you train, young guy?"
"Eh? Um, I-I wanted to be stronger so that..."
"So that...?"
I was embarrassed. Not to mention the pressure from his question. Ugh, but why do I need to tell him this, though?
"Come on, young guy. You can do it." Suddenly, the guy began to give me a moral support. It really doesn't fit to a middle-aged man like him but for some reason, it's making me calm down.
"Ugh, I don't care anymore!" I shouted. "I want to be strong so that I can be like the person I read in my book who likes to help others despite the world against him. And also, for my mom who was working so hard for the sake of me!"
Ah— I just uttered something so shameful. Perhaps the rejection made me depress that I can't help but let those feelings out of my heart... Ugh, I wanted to die!
Ugh, I don't care anymore... You guy can laugh whatever you please...
"What a great and valiant reasoning, young man." Suddenly, the nonchalant guy who was listening said so and gave me a sincere smile. "It was sincere. I can feel it. I know you still have many reasons you could answer but let's leave it all for today."
"...Eh?" I was surprised. Since he had the demeanor of a laidback man, I had thought that he was going to laugh at my remarks. But he...
Stroking his chin, the guy looked at me and spoke. "Hey, young man. I like you. If you're still interested in training, how about I train you instead?"
"...Eh?"
"Come on! Don't just eh eh me. So, what do you want?" the nonchalant guy said, then turned into Mr. Fjell. "Hey, since you rejected him, I can train him instead, right?"
"Yeah," Mr. Fjell replied. "Although don't force him if he doesn't want to, alright?"
"You heard him. So, what do you say?"
Ever since I saw him, I never felt any malicious intent coming from him. In fact, he was emanating a feeling of relief. More than that, right now, there was an opportunity in front of me.
"C-Can I really?" I timidly asked.
"Oh? Nervous, aren't we?" The guy replied. "Don't worry, I don't go back to my words. I promise you that."
If so, then my answer should be obvious, right?
"Then, please, make me your disciple!" I replied as enthusiastic as I can. If it's really the real deal, then this time, I'm going to be better.