The old man signed. "you better behave and listen to Amalia or else don't blame me for scolding, you little brat"
What's going on? And how the heck did he agree to send me on a trip? It's not like I was complaining but this is unbelievable.
"Yes!" I replied.
He nodded. "good and miss mage don't forget to cast highly protective magic around my grandson. You see he is weak but his heart is brave"
-_-
Amalia laughed and then spoke. "rest assured, I will cast one of the best protective spells around him as I promised. You do not have to worry, he is in good hands"
She glanced at me.
"Good then I won't have to cancel my trip with Udan" the old man replied then suspiciously avoided my gaze.
"Haha, then please excuse me and Noah meet me outside when you are done." Her hand rested on my shoulder softly for a moment then she left.
Fuck, was she always like that? Who knows but It felt great.
I turned at Oldman. "What trip and where?"
"Oh, my ale is finished, I'll be back"
"sit back here old man and tell me where you are going?"
His eyes turned left and right but no excuses came.
"I bet you're going to meet ladies, don't you?"
"How did you find out? That Shameless Udan. What vulgar things he is teaching you. I must kick his ass"
"..."
Seriously, I was speechless again.
I just wanted to tease him but it ended up being the actuality. Was this old man planning to plow the fields?
"details," I asked shamelessly.
He went into silent mode and then raised his head imagining something, inwardly I hoped it was not something too tiresome to hear.
"We are visiting the next village. It's South of the Stormfront," he replied. "Lukefarm"
Luck farm? Was that the farm of the guy named Luke? I pondered.
"There was a girl I and Udan deeply loved, of course, she is now old and has a family" He gave a sad smile. "It's history but this heart refuses to let it go even after we grow old"
I listened to him silently. Wow this is something new, the love story of an old man. I want to hear it. Tell me everything you want to share.
"Those days are gone forever and at this moment all we want is to see her, to see if she is doing fine. It's not our first visit, we go there every year this time around. Only for this stupid reason." He laughed at himself as if it was foolishness.
I smiled at his reaction.
Was it truly foolishness?
Who knows but him, how did his life unfold and take strange turns? How did he get separated and how did they know each other? How the best friends fell for the same girl and both ended up marrying someone else yet dared to visit their lover's village only to take a glimpse at her.
I had no idea the life inside the game would be this deep and unexpected but was this a mere game? Maybe not... Maybe it's a living world, a breathing and growing World.
The World Of Britannia.
I walked outside thinking about the fact of love. The fucking love, will I be able to love someone like that old man?
I shook my head dismissing the thought. It's impossible, I never loved someone, and neither has anyone loved me.
I saw Amalia near the small garden by the Inn. There was a red flower in her hand.
"you are fourteen," she said softly probably feeling my presence. "You should have told me beforehand"
Her tone was strict as if a teacher asked something from her student. Did you complete your homework? That type of pressure came all over my skin.
"Ah I am sorry"
She peered at me as if trying to see my thoughts. Wait she is a mage, do mages in Britannia have the powers to read the thoughts of someone else?
"What are you thinking? Do you not fear danger?" She asked, intently as if looking forward to my answer.
I guess not, but I have to take this opportunity to make my plan work. I need her by my side to take care of those bandits and for that, she had to know I am someone she can trust. I know it's going to be hard but I have to try it anyway.
"Dangers?" I said indifferently, "How long do you think my gramps can protect me?"
She swallowed her upcoming phrases after hearing my reasoning, yes Noah keep talking... it seems working, I motivated myself. This girl is more logical than anyone so you must use logic against her.
"If I do not face any dangers or try to get stronger how long do you think I can survive? How will I be able to live? How can I protect the people I love?" I continued. "it's not like I do not know dangers yet... I encountered dangerous situations and was barely able to come out alive"
The scenario of Ice Troll played in my mind. Damn, the feeling was terrifying but again to fulfill my plan I have to pull everything inside me so that when I tell something regarding bandits she will not ignore it. She needs to believe me. I have to paint myself as a guy who saw a lot of things in the world.
"but to survive in this world everyone has to face dangers like you do Amalia. I want to be like you and all those who face dangers as if they are made for it" I spoke slowly and did not forget to occasionally glance at her. Her facial presentation was loosening up.
Good now I have to hammer the hot iron to see how much it can bend at my will.
"But I can understand if you do not want me at your group, I am weak and you might think I'll probably drag your party so if you-"
"I never said I did not want you at my party. If I intended to do that why would I have gone to these lengths to convince your grandfather to send you with us?" She replied. "I knew you were younger than me and did think you were not even an adult."
"is it a problem?"
"What do you mean, of course it is. Now I have to look after you since you are a kid" She retorted but did not show any spitefulness, "But you certainly don't sound like one"
I laughed and she followed with a giggle.
"you owe me a big one since I had to convince your grandfather" she winked at me, playfully. "Remember you cannot say no when I ask something from you in the future"
She pressed her index finger against my chest biting her lips.
"Good night" She then left, waving her hand.
Half the work is done. A magician is with me and now I have to carefully execute my plan and make sure they will fight each other.
I hope all the trouble will be worth it or else I would have to do extra labor to take these fuckers out.
Oh shit, I forgot to ask her how she was wearing clothes like that in the winter. Did she not feel cold?
I decided to head to the silent spot, alone with my thoughts but little did I know Jamia was already there...