As I plummeted towards an imminent and seemingly fatal fall, the Ice Bridge I had hastily created began to crumble under the powerful sound waves of that unknown beast's roar. I struggled to stay conscious, my vision blurring and fading as I braced for impact.
Just as I was about to crash into the unforgiving ground, a mysterious figure swooped down, catching me gently. My senses were dulled, and I couldn't make out the features of my rescuer. But a reassuring voice cut through the haze, "Your time of death has not yet come."
Laid down carefully on the frosty cavern floor, I felt my consciousness slipping away. I could barely register what was happening around me. The figure I couldn't properly see began to approach a massive four-legged ice creature, one I could hardly fathom.
As my eyelids drooped heavily, I witnessed the figure's actions. In an instant, the beast was laid low, lifeless on the cavern floor. I couldn't grasp what had occurred, and just as I blinked for what felt like the last time, I saw the figure vanish from sight.
Consciousness eluded me, and I was consumed by darkness.
From Aria and Kaori's perspective, the agonizing wait for my return had stretched on. Kaori's distress was evident as she wept and cried out for me. The clock's ticking was a constant reminder of my absence.
Kaori's cries pierced the air as she sobbed, "Where is Tatsuya?" Her anguish was heart-wrenching.
Aria did her best to console the distraught girl, offering reassurance amid the chaos. "Kaori, calm down, he'll be back soon. You're not alone; I'm here with you."
But Kaori's despair wouldn't subside. She shouted through her tears, "I don't care about you! I only want Tatsuya! Where is Tatsuya?"
Aria looked at the clock and, as time pressed on, her worry escalated. "Where are you, Tatsuya?" she thought, fearing the worst.
Suddenly, the door flung open, and I barged in, shouting a cheerful apology, "Sorry, guys, I'm back!" But Aria's pent-up frustration and worry couldn't be contained any longer, and she promptly met me with a fierce blow to the head. "Why did you do that?" she demanded.
Unfazed, I responded, "I was just saying I'm back." The room fell silent, except for Kaori, who had ceased her crying and was now in my embrace, as I hugged her gently. I whispered, "Sorry, Kaori."
Aria couldn't help but let a tear escape her eye, as the relief of my return washed over her. Kaori's cries had finally ceased, and she was now safe in my arms. The dark cloud of my absence had finally lifted, and we were reunited.
As I recounted my experience to Aria and Kaori, I couldn't help but gloss over some details of what had actually transpired. I had no intention of alarming them with the full extent of the dangers I had faced. Instead, I opted for a simplified version.
"I left home to take quests for money," I began, knowing that was a believable reason for my absence. "It was supposed to be an easy task, but things took an unexpected turn. I had to deal with some challenging situations, and at one point, I found myself falling down into a deep pit."
My two attentive listeners hung on to my every word, and I continued, "I managed to create an ice bridge just in time, but it couldn't hold my weight for long, and I ended up losing consciousness. I woke up later, feeling disoriented and weak. It took some time, but I eventually used my ice abilities to build a staircase to get back to the surface."
Seeing their concerned expressions, I concluded, "Don't worry, I made it back safely in the end. I just had a bit of an adventure while I was out." My explanation was met with mixed emotions of relief and lingering worry, but I wanted to spare them the more harrowing details of my journey.
As night began to fall, I asked Aria, "Aria, can you show me around the capital? Meaning, show me around the good side of the kingdom?" This was the part of the kingdom with walls that separated it from the less fortunate area.
Aria readily agreed, saying, "Sure, we can go now if you want." Excitement filled my thoughts, and I responded, "Really? Let's go then!"
I swiftly changed into my usual attire and even added a touch of cologne to conceal my vampire scent. I slung my scythe behind my back, ready for our adventure. Aria was equally prepared, but in our eagerness, we momentarily forgot about Kaori.
"We can't just leave her," I reminded Aria, concerned about leaving Kaori behind.
Aria thought for a moment and then suggested, "Take her with us. I'll carry her on my back, and she can sleep while we explore." I agreed to the plan, and Aria gently placed Kaori on her back.
With Kaori comfortably secured on Aria's back, we made our way outside the tavern. Our destination was the towering concrete wall that separated the wealthy from the less privileged in the kingdom. This social structure was a meritocracy, where the strong thrived and the weak were often left behind.
Upon reaching the wall, we found a bridge that spanned a moat surrounding the city's inner district. Five guards stood vigilant at the massive door leading inside.
One of the guards questioned us, "What is your purpose for entering the Capital?" Aria quickly responded, "I'm here to visit Euiko Michiko, my sister." The guards allowed us to pass instantly.
As we walked through the entrance, I was curious and couldn't help but ask, "Who is Euiko?" Aria's unexpected response that she and her sister were royals left me stunned.
I inquired further, "Why, if you're a royal, do you take on adventurous quests?" Aria offered a playful response, her mischievous smile conveying her adventurous spirit, "Because I'm not boring!"
Our journey into the inner workings of the kingdom had just begun, and I looked forward to discovering more about this place and its fascinating inhabitants.
As Aria led me around the kingdom, I couldn't help but be captivated by the stark contrast between the affluent district within the walls and the less fortunate area outside. The prosperous side featured a myriad of colorful houses, bustling shops, and modern conveniences such as malls and a train system connecting to other kingdom capitals.
Aria's guidance revealed a world that was foreign to me but filled with intrigue. The kingdom's vibrant and bustling atmosphere left a deep impression on me. After our extensive tour, Aria made an offer that took me by surprise.
She asked, "Tatsuya, do you want to meet my sister? She lives alone, and sometimes we hang out." Concerned that it might be a burden, I hesitated. I suggested that we could plan the meeting for the next day, considering the lateness of the hour. Aria reassured me, saying, "Sounds good, but you're not a burden."
The following day, I awoke to the realization that it was the day we'd embark on a quest together. Aria had mentioned that we'd be tackling a challenging quest. My eyes scanned the room to find that Aria was absent from her bed. I couldn't help but wonder if she was up to her usual tricks.
Resolving to get ready, I carefully moved Kaori aside to ensure she continued her peaceful slumber. As I made my way to prepare for the day, I pondered Aria's penchant for disappearing acts. Eventually, I woke Kaori, and together we made our way to the Adventurer's Guild. There, I discovered Aria engrossed in conversation with Yamane. Aria playfully greeted me, noting my tardiness.
As I approached the counter, I returned Aria's greeting and extended a polite nod to Yamane. I then made a request to Yamane, "Yamane, could you take care of Kaori for today, please?" Yamane accepted with enthusiasm, saying, "Of course! I will take care of this little angel."
Turning my attention to Kaori, I offered her some reassuring words, "You will be fine, okay? Follow what I say and stay with Yamane, got it?" Kaori acknowledged my words with a nod, and she took her place beside Yamane, holding onto her leg.
Yamane's cheerful demeanor made it clear that she was pleased to care for Kaori. I felt relieved as I turned my focus back to the impending quest. Yamane's mention of the quest's difficulty surprised me, as it was classified as an S-rank mission. This left me exclaiming, "S RANK?? ARE YOU TRYING TO GET ME KILLED!?"
Aria responded with hearty laughter, "HAHAHAHA! Don't worry, Tatsuya. I'm an Ex-S Rank." Her reassurance still didn't alleviate all my concerns, and I sighed in response.
We accepted the quest, which involved defeating ten Lava Ryots. My curiosity led me to ask, "What is a Lava Ryot?" Aria shared her knowledge, describing them as creatures with formidable strength, combining features of bats, lions, and golems. She offered to assist me in battling them, helping weaken the creatures so that I could deliver the final blow. Grateful for her support, I exclaimed, "That would be amazing!" As we headed out to undertake the challenging S-rank quest, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation.
As we ventured outside the kingdom in pursuit of the challenging S-rank quest, Aria suggested that I hop onto her back. Her intention was to expedite our journey due to the long distance we needed to cover. I responded with a degree of overconfidence, stating, "I'm not going to get tired, thanks for worrying about me." However, Aria had different plans in mind. She clarified, "Silly, we are going to go running, and you can't keep up!"
Before I could react, Aria effortlessly hoisted me onto her back. With remarkable speed, she assumed a running stance, and in the blink of an eye, we were off. Trees appeared and vanished in an instant, and I felt utterly incapable of keeping up with Aria's incredible pace. She navigated through the landscape with apparent ease, scaling mountains and leaping from great heights without suffering any fall damage. The brisk breeze whistling past us was not only exhilarating but also deeply soothing.
As we approached a zone with volcanic characteristics, it became clear why Aria had emphasized the need for swiftness. The landscape was rocky, and streams of flowing lava cut through the terrain. In the center of it all, a towering structure resembling a volcano stood as the likely lair of the Lava Ryots we sought to vanquish.
The creatures themselves were intimidating, bearing a striking combination of features. Lava Ryots had wings reminiscent of bats, the powerful legs and arms of lions, and a formidable golem-like stature. The size and composition of these beings made it abundantly clear that they were a force to be reckoned with.
Sensing my anxiety, Aria offered a comforting reassurance, saying, "Everything is going to be all right." Her words provided some solace, but the challenge that lay ahead was palpable. As we drew closer to the volcanic area and the awaiting Lava Ryots, I prepared myself mentally for the impending battle, grateful to have Aria as my companion.