"Thank you, I hope I can be one of those people," I said, and then backed away too, giving a small bow. Then I turned around and started walking back into the town.
As I left, I heard Kya whisper under her breath, "Good luck Azriel."
I smiled to myself, happy with the short exchange. It felt natural being around her, and I hoped that she would talk to me again when I came to visit.
The river was right next to the town, and it ran up and beside the castle wall and then off into the barren distance. The river itself was over 50 feet wide, but everything on the other side was a barren wasteland. Even from my castle, I had not seen a green thing around. It made me wonder how people even survived here.
I could always ask them, but even now, as I re-entered the town, people were already whispering. I wanted to check things out, maybe even shop for something for the girls, but it was hard. I was the one that felt like a human surrounded by monsters that didn't know me but didn't like me.
But I had to try. I was here for a reason, and for better or worse, these were my people, and I was their King. Taking a few deep breaths in an attempt to relax, I tried to act as if I belonged there and soon found myself walking around the market. Some people were more accepting than others, but it seemed like they would rather ignore me than talk to me.
Eventually, I had some luck and found a vendor with some interesting items. They even offered custom blades that could be enchanted at an additional cost. Considering that I was supposed to be making my own weapon, I only browsed the weapons, but the trinkets in the place caught my eye.
I grabbed a few of the more interesting items, but I was careful not to break my budget. Then I thanked the vendor and headed back to the castle, but I didn't get far.
"So, fraternizing with another monster now?" Lachlan asked from beside me, and I stopped, turning to him in the middle of the street.
"Do you not have anything better to do with your time?" I asked, and Lachlan's smile vanished.
"No, I do not. In fact, you are the only reason that I am here. I am sure the others told you about the massive debt they have acquired in your name. I plan to get that money back, even if I have to train you. I have had plenty of patience, but I was never told that you would come out as a brainless idiot that barely knows his asshole from his eyeball!" Lachlan sneered, and I rolled my eyes.
"Completely my fault. Let me just get a hold of whoever is in charge of everything... oh wait, that's right!" I said and sucked in the air. "I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY I AM HERE OR WHO SENT ME!"
I was done with this guy. While I got that I owed him money, and I was thankful for the training, this constant insulting me, and the people I cared about was getting really old.
"I am trying to figure things out. I am trying to get a weapon. I am trying to get myself ready to go hunt monsters. What are you doing besides... being a cunt?!" I growled, and Lachlan crossed his arms. The streets were almost completely clear now, save a few people peeking around corners.
"I just want the money, monster. So start getting it," he replied before turning and walking away.
I watched him leave with a sigh before continuing my journey back to the castle. This guy was literally the worst person that I have met so far in this world. I just pushed him out of my head and kept going.
The sun had already set, even though it felt like I had only been gone for an hour or so. As I walked through the front gate, Melodious was at the entrance waiting for me.
"Welcome back. How did everything go?" She asked, and I handed her the bag of items that I had purchased.
"Well enough. It is strange how everyone looks at me as if I were some sort of monster, but it is just as you both said. I did have a chance to talk shortly with Kya, but I think Lachlan is trying to make my life harder with my subjects in the town," I said with frustration in my voice. "I just don't get what his problem is. Yet, I kind of feel like this is going to be a going thing with humans."
"We can not be any less than what we are, and humans are weak. Even the strong ones hate us, but that is because they only see the violence that some cause and mark them as normal for the rest of us. Even when hiding our presence, humans can still feel us. They have no magic nor superhuman abilities; they are nothing more than feed to most monsters. They rely on weapons to hunt us, but nothing is truly effective against a strong monster that a human can throw at them. It takes a special kind of monster to stand up for them and for the other monsters. Remember that when people give you dirty looks or other monsters judge you for looking human," Melodious explained, and I nodded with a sigh.
"On the bright side, I made it through the day. That has to count for something, right?" I asked, and Melodious gave me a warm smile back as I looked into her burning eyes.
"Each day with you is worth every day that I spent waiting," She said, offering me her hand. "You are doing wonderful, and I know that you are going to do amazing things."
I smiled and took her hand as I saw Fiona standing with the castle door open, waiting for us. "We better get back inside before it gets too late," I said, and we made our way back into the castle as the sun disappeared for the night.