- Arthur's POV -
Looking at the girl being excited after showing such a saddened expression, at least he felt slightly better from doing something good, but that stopped here, he wouldn't go further, and following a demand like following her home for researches would be an immediate no as it wasn't even a grimoire in the first place.
" .. May I know where you discovered such an artefact ? "
The card book showing no kind of writing on top of it, just being white and smooth to the touch, she wouldn't be able to discover any of it's particularities just from slightly touching it like that, so she ended up turning her attention to him.
" It's an heritage, and I don't know where it's from. "
" .... I see.. "
Seemingly lost in thoughts, it was quite funny to see a small girl being able those complicated expressions on her face, maybe being a noble forced her to be more mature compared to other peers of her age.
" Is there anything else I can help you with ? "
Asking her about it, it was just a matter of good manners, as he intended to go back to his room or outside to explore the city, but maybe the little girl lacked such insights as she accepted his proposal instantly.
" There is ! Since you grabbed my curiosity, I want to know a lot more about you, and also your maid, you said that she had a few artefacts, right ? Can I see them as well ? "
" .... "
' At least, she's finally showing a side of her more appropriate as a child, but what should I do ? '
His silence held deeper meanings as he thought about what to say to her, and maybe the joke he prepared earlier would serve a good purpose if he could fluster her enough to run away from him, or at least, the inn.
" .. There's isn't much I can tell you about me, but if you really wish to know, then it won't hurt to tell you that I'm also a special ability holder. "
At his words, shock spreaded through the inn.
Of course, when he summoned his grimoire earlier, people would gasps and whisper very lowly to not be heard by the young miss of the Darianno family, and most already knew that the maid possessed artefacts from the events last night and the rumor quickly spread between the guests of the inn, so they weren't that shocked to that news.
But a special ability holder was another thing.
Finding an artefact could be done inside of a ruin, a dungeon, or even be possessed by wealthy families and given to deserving people on the inside.
Yet, being born with such an ability from the start was a matter of luck, no, it would be fate at this point.
Various abilities existed, but never one of them was identical to another one, though some may show some changes, like how one could see the futur inside his dreams, while another one would get possessed and start writing about an incoming danger.
" ... "
Feeling like the girl's mouth could fell to the ground from being that open, even Mariane behind him sent a glance mixed with emotions.
" Don't be that shocked, it's nothing much after all, I don't spit fire like a dragon or some incredible things like that. "
Receiving the stares of everyone inside the inn as he slowly explained, he just shrugged and ignored the curious or mocking stares.
People would feel good when someone incredulous would have a weakness after all, it would make them better about themselves, or just give a way to deal with that said someone, yet, his words took everyone by surprise.
" I called it ' Moonlight's charm ' , and it has only a single thing to it.. do you wish to try and guess it ? "
Giving a name to an ability wasn't uncommon, yet, the name itself didn't sounded grand, nor did it seemed to be made for battle.
Of course, others inside the inn tried to guess what it could be, although keeping their answers for themselves to not disturb the ongoing conversation, Arthur just stared at Vivianne which seemed to be in deep thoughts.
" Do you.. get more handsome when it's the night ? "
Her answer was what the majority thought about, after all, what else could it be ?
But shaking his head, Arthur made it clear that she couldn't guess correctly, and then, only a question remained, what was the ability ' Moonlight charm ' , about ?
" ' When sharing a bed, will the man show his prowess, the stronger the desire, the more he will please the woman by his side '.. Well, it's about activities that mainly happen in the night, but I can also use it during the day, how is it, do you like it ? "
In front of the overwhelming silence, where even a fly would be heard, he stared with a smile at the poor girl that suddenly blushed deeply, from her neck to her ears.
" .. H-.. Ho-... How rude.. ! You deserves to be inside of a red district, not here ! "
Throwing rash words at him, he couldn't say that he didn't searched for it, but seeing her leave, almost running out of the inn, he couldn't help but let out a small laugh when her figure disappeared.
Yet, he was the only one able to even produce a sound.
Still, since he was receiving many stares, he started looking around, and..
Many girls showed a reddish face while looking at him directly, others not being able to even lift their faces, the innkeeper was of the first type by the way, and Mariane the last.
Mens, on the other hand, showed regret, anger and bitterness, biting on their lips and probably thinking that bad things should happen to him.
' Is this world naturally innocent ? Nah, can't be, otherwise it wouldn't be an eroge in the first place. '
Remembering about how a girl wanted to give him a paper for him to play with her, they surely weren't innocent, maybe bashful as open relationships didn't seemed to be that much of a thing here.
Letting out a sigh after he calmed himself, he still wanted to laugh when he remembered her cute reaction, but kept him for himself as he spoke.
" Ah, that's too bad, seems like she's not mature enough to take a joke. "
" .. A... joke ? "
Luce words, that came from his side, made him turn his head to face her.
" Well yeah, pleasing a girl has nothing ' magical ' to it, though I'm good with it, it's not what's my ability is about, but that's not something I can disclose openly, right ? "
Answering her with a smile, it was obvious that his expression told her to not ask more about it, and she quickly took the hint as she nodded.
" It.. Doesn't change that you lied to her, maybe you should apologize. "
With people around that kept being surprised one after the other, especially as he said that he made such a joke to a noble, thinking that maybe he didn't had any special ability, but still had one in the end that he wouldn't talk about, curiosity quickly rose, only to be let down once again.
" Well, if she comes back to see me, maybe I'll do so, though I'm not sure that she still want to talk to a vulgar adventurer again. "
Keeping a light smile on his lips, he explained between the lines that he did it to not be bothered anymore, the smarter ones obviously understood it, while others would just call him reckless.
" ... I see, how unfunny. "
" Is that so. "
Answering her the same way he did in the late morning, he ended up by going back to his room, Mariane following him with her head lowered and a tinge of red on her face.
Sending a calculating glance behind him once he reached the second floor, maybe because there wasn't anyone around anymore to stare at them, but she was now holding tightly onto the hem of her skirt, almost pulling it down as if to hide something.
' Her thoughts might be running wild.. Should I play with her a bit more before dinner ? '
A sinister idea crossing his mind, he lead the way to their room, and decided that tonight, would be a good time to get her used to be on all four and a few spanks.
' After all, a good girl is only well raised through treats and punishments... '
Not willing to remember his past experiences, that couldn't be compared to a strand of the hair of Mariane, he still kept some of his ideas and habits, and was now willing to help her discover the things she liked but didn't knew.
' ... I'll clear the quest at the same time since it was reset earlier. '
And there were that as well.