A busy marketplace at night—the crowds were thick, people all over the streets. Dahlia clung to Izz as they made their way through the crowd.
Dahlia and Izz were surrounded by a multitude of vendors selling their wares—from freshly baked bread to exotic fruits and handmade jewellery. The aroma of the cooking delicacies mixed with the scent of spices and incense, creating a heady and intoxicating atmosphere.
The flickering lights came from the colourful lanterns strung up between the stalls, casting a warm glow on the bustling scene. The occasional spark from the charcoal fires used for cooking added to the flickering effect, making the market feel even more alive.
Despite the lively atmosphere, Dahlia felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of people around her. The noise of the crowd was deafening, with vendors shouting out their wares and haggling with customers. People jostled past her, some carrying heavy baskets or pushing carts loaded with goods, making her feel hemmed in and vulnerable.
From afar their eyes were drawn to the glimmering lights of a nearby restaurant. The sign above the entrance read "Meralias Restaurant," and it was impossible to miss. The restaurant's elegant façade stood out amidst the surrounding buildings, with its glass windows and polished brass accents
Dahlia and Izz paused outside the restaurant, taking in the grandeur of the scene before them—it was renowned as the most luxurious dining establishment in the whole of Meral Town, serving only the finest cuisine and wines.
They could feel eyes gazing at them as they took their steps into the restaurant, Dahlia can feel her hair standing. The guests of the restaurant were dressed in the finest clothes Dahlia have ever seen. Dahlia's kemono ears glued their eyes on them as they walked to a table.
Immediately after they took their seats, a waiter, impeccably dressed in a black-and-white uniform, glided gracefully towards their table. His steps were silent, and his demeanour exuded an air of professionalism and expertise.
"Excuse me, sir," he catches their attention in a polite manner, "Pardon me, but slaves aren't allowed inside the restaurant," he informed Izz with a warm smile on his face.
"Slave? Who..? I don't see one."
The waiter, now visibly flustered, attempted to clarify the situation, "I'm sorry sir but she is not allowed in this restaurant."
"Ehh, we're a customer here."
Frightened, the waiter run back to the kitchen. "I'm sorry, I'll get the owner now."
Dahlia felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. She tightly gripped Izz's arm, her voice filled with remorse. "Izz, it's okay. Let's just go," she whispered, her guilt weighing heavily upon her.
As they were about to leave the owner come up to them.
"What seems to be a problem here."
"I was told that I'm not allowed to eat with my accompany here."
The owner's face momentarily registered arrogance "Sir, we do not allow slav- " but it quickly shifted to surprise as his eyes fell upon a rare, intricately crafted ice ring adorning Dahlia's finger. His voice faltered for a moment before he continued, his tone more restrained. "What is...?"
The owner of the restaurant had heard about this particular ice ring before. A queen from far away land had this specific ice ring on her and it used to be her favourite ring before she died from the terminal disease she suffered. Rumours said that the ice ring hold some power that magicians from all over the continent wanted to have their hands on. He does not believe that the ice ring on Dahlia was the real one but it still doesn't change the fact that the ring on Dahlia's finger is one of the kind that only royalty could get their hands on.
"What is it..?" Izz asked.
Realising their status, the owner responded. "Oh, my apology sir. I'm sorry for my waiter's impertinence."
Izz was familiar with this kind of behaviour before, he could sense dishonesty from the owner.
"Keep that, I will not be dining here."
"Sir, I'm sorry. Please sit, it will be on the house tonight."
Insisting to leave Izz and Dahlia walk out of the restaurant. The owner of the restaurant stood there powerlessly watching his potentially most valuable customer walk out of the door. He let out his anger at the waiter.
Izz ran after Dahlia who was on the verge of tears running back to their room as she felt as if she just embarrassed Izz in front of many people.
***
Dahlia lies down on the bed with her face down, "I'm sorry! You shouldn't have brought me with you, I'm just going to embarrass you!" she said with guilt behind her voice. The pillow was soaked with her tears, as she held it onto her face trying to conceal her voice.
He stood there smiling as he reminisced about similar situations in the past, the pain he felt back then when he failed to do what was necessary bothered him for decades. However, that's what teaches him to learn about emotions again.
He lying next to her with his face up. "You know what, even if the world lies between us, I will always be here to protect you without the slightest sign of embarrassment. Even so, someone will always be hating us, because that's just how the world works. At least, that is what was taught to me by someone."
Dahlia was moved by his heartfelt words, Dahlia felt a sense of relief wash over her. She had been carrying the weight of her perceived embarrassment, unsure of her place in Izz's life. But now, with his assurance, a glimmer of hope flickered within her. Dahlia was also confused by it, he said those words as if he just abandoned his cold persona.
"Really?" she asked, her voice filled with a mixture of hope and vulnerability. "You don't mind me being around you?"
Dahlia was in disbelief, she look at Izz as if he was someone else. He looked happy with a warm smile on his face, the emotions that were never present in his eyes before, appeared in an instant. Dahlia looked intrigued as she get closer to him.
"Are you still hungry? Let's go find another place to eat."
Her kemono ears flicked as she nods in excitement.
***
In the dark alleyway, there was a man who was walking alone, he had his cloak up covering his head, and the man have a tall figure with a large frame, though his skin are visibility rough, the shade covered his face his fang is visible, it looked as though he was not a human.
The man's eyes glowed yellow when he saw three men stop a woman and pulled her to a dead end. He followed them, the three men asked for her valuables but she kept refused to give them. As they struggles the situation escalate and those three men started to use force she resisted, her high-pitched voice screaming for help.
Walking nearby Izz and Dahlia heard the lady's scream echoing through the narrow alley. Dahlia was hesitant at first but Izz reassured her, "It's okay," he touches Dahlia's head holding onto his sleeve.
She gather her courage before they rushed to that scream. However, when they arrived at the scene they were shocked to see a man with glowing yellow eyes, clutching a bloodstained sword tightly in his grip. Surrounding him lay three motionless bodies, rendered unconscious by the swift and decisive strikes. The woman had saved herself and was nowhere to be seen.
The same man who defeated Elfives and his party at the bar right now stood before them. Quickly Izz draw his katana, he lunged forward, unleashing a flurry of precise strikes towards the enigmatic man. However, to his surprise, the man displayed remarkable agility and skill, swiftly parrying Izz's onslaught with calculated precision. The clash of steel reverberated through the alley, the clash of wills echoing in the air.
With no time to explain the man quickly countered Izz's attacks. Amidst the intense exchange, a flicker of admiration crossed Izz's eyes. Recognizing the man's prowess, he made a split-second decision. Sheathing his katana with a fluid motion, Izz skillfully manoeuvred, seizing the opportunity to catch the man's right hand with a firm grip. Overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events, the enigmatic figure lost his footing, collapsing to the unforgiving ground below.
With the immediate threat neutralized, a momentary pause settled over the scene as Izz and Dahlia exchanged a glance filled with a mix of astonishment and relief.
The man momentarily thought that Izz is going to finish him off and accepted his death. "What a pathetic way to die."
In a startling twist of events, Izz found himself trembling, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. Overwhelmed by a rush of emotions, his voice faltered as he struggled to articulate his disbelief. He could barely get a word out, "You... Is that really you, Shin?"
The wind blew hard as its cold breeze shivers those who it made contact with. The leave rustles as they gaze at each other.
His eyes widened as he slowly raised his view, his vision blurred, and he could hardly see what was in front of him. Trembling lips as he was in a state of shock.
"Ch-chief… Is that you!?"
He held his hat as the wind blew his cape, "It's been a long time Shin, I did not expect to meet you here."
The man is someone Izz know before as his comrade. Shin kneels before Izz, showing his unwavering loyalty toward his former superior. Shin talks in a formal manner.
"Padon my impertinence! Report, after the war ended, I dedicate my life to exploring the world, saving lives and helping the poor."
The guilt weight upon Izz's shoulder about his former comrade, adds to the fact that he just attacked him.
"Enough formality, get up on your feet. Let's settle this somewhere else."
"Copy that."
***
The small ramen store near the edge of Meral Town, there were barely any people walking in the street in that area, and the sidewalk was poorly lit by the street light, the ramen store was empty of costumer. Shin was invited to eat with them and also have a proper talk. The owner has a warm smile as they enter his store.
"Welcome!"
"We'll take 3 bowls of ramen."
"Coming right up!"
Izz take a sip of the tea before he broke the silence, with an innocent question. "Shin, how's your life been?"
Shin replied formally. "It's never been better before chief!"
Izz looked proud as he smile, looking at how Shin had changed a lot after the last time they see each other. "That's great."
Shin turns toward Dahlia and with a friendly smile, asks. "And who is this young lady with you?"
She timidly looked down before responding, but her voice is faint. "My name is Dahlia Kemono."
"I beg your pardon?"
Izz moved closer to Dahlia and with a clear voice compared to Dahlia he replied. "Her name is Dahlia Kemono, she is my company."
"Is that so, how did you meet each other?"
"It was when I was on the journey to the Nigati Kingdom, I met her there."
Dahlia was curious seeing Shin keep referring to Izz as "Chief", Dahlia turns to him. "Izz, who is Shin to you? Why he keeps calling you chief?"
"Shin is one of my generals back in the day."
"General?" She looked confused.
"Yeah, back in the war days, I was the leader of Spasitel and Shin was my General."
Dahlia was shocked to know that Izz and Shin were once a Spasitel. This is because Spasitel was once the strongest military back in the war days 100 years ago. They once conquered half of the world because of how powerful they are. They were formed to take down the demon empire. Naturally, average people would just wipe it off and take it as a joke, but since Dahlia was isolated from the outside world for more than a decade she was gullible enough to believe him. Her fingertip was shaking, Izz noticed that Dahlia was uncomfortable after she heard the news.
"Don't worry, it was over 100 years ago."
Dahlia has her trust in him, "Thanks, I feel better now."
Shin looked happy as he watched the way Izz treat Dahlia, he believe that Izz had found someone to protect. Recalling the hope they once fought for. Izz may have been happy about the changes Shin went through, but he failed to realise that Shin see more changes in him instead.
***
After they enjoyed the meal have a lot of conversation, Shin thanked Izz for everything he had done, and before he leaves, Shin asks.
"Chief, where are you going to go after this?"
"We'll be staying here for a few weeks then we'll head to Naga Town."
Coincidently Shin also planned to go to Naga Town, "Really? I'm going to Naga Town tomorrow morning."
"You will leave tomorrow?" Izz looked disappointed as he didn't want Shin to leave so soon.
"I'm sorry, but maybe we will meet there."
"It's ok, you don't have to wait for me"
Shin smiled as he recognised Izz hasn't changed this particular habit to prioritise others than himself. "Time will tell, this may be the last time we met in years."
After they had their final goodbye to each other; with a smile on everyone's faces, they parted away. Leaving with memories for a lifetime.
***