After that...WTF moment, we continue our journey like nothing happen. We....did not say a word after what happen and it was very clear the situation becomes very awkward.
We walk for a long time and the sun is already set. The three of us find a place to set a camp, and now we're simply resting.
I take off my leather armor, revealing the clothes underneath it. I turn around and saw Liza looks at me in bafflement.
"Where did you get your clothes?! I'm pretty sure you didn't wore one before!" I don't blame her for asking since the leather armor covers my entire body. including the clothes.
"I stole it...from the bandits...." I said while shrugging. "It's surprising...how clean they are....." I said while removing my leg armors.
"Ummm....." I turn to see Eric looking away awkwardly. "D-do you....?" Ah, yeah. I don't blame him for asking.
"I got.....one your size...." I said while tossing him a new set of clothes, a sleeveless shirt and a long trousers. Eric grabs ths clothes and looks a bit surprise.
"....how did a mere group of bandits manage to possess a clothes with such high-quality silk?" Eric mutters incredulously.
"Maybe it wasn't bandits, but a group of warriors from noble family disguise as one?" We look at Liza. "I mean, Thunderfall isn't just a random high-ranking spell that can be learn by normal bandits."
"So.....we got another clue. An unknown group, possibly from high class families, disguise as bandits to try and kill Ms. Elizabeth." Eric mutters. "But, why?"
"Maybe to...not made anyone think...they're the culprit?" I suggested, making both agreed. "But then again...they're not bandits...we simply think.....they're ones."
"Right, mercenaries." Eric said as Liza nodded. "This is getting us nowhere."
"One question answered, another pops out." Liza said while putting her hand on her forehead in frustration. "And Darren...." I look at Liza who seems a bit embarrassed.
"...." I simply give her another set of clothes, which is too small for Eric and I to wore. Liza shyly mumbles a thank you before she went behind a tree.
".....Sir Darren, what is your goal?" I look at Eric while tilting my head in confusion. "You could reject Miss Liza's offer to join. But, instead, you accept. What is your goal?"
"You....don't trust me....do you?" I asked as Eric simply nodded.
"Miss Elizabeth may be mature and smart, but she was naive. Being a part of royal family, she doesn't have too many friends. Her loneliness made her desperate for socializing, which is a double edge sword because her desperation made her ignore everything." Eric said before looking away, gripping the handle of his sword.
".....she got....tricked before, did she?" Thsi causes Eric to flinch a bit. "....I simply want.....to see outside world." Eric looks a bit confused by my answers, so I continue.
"For a long time.....I was stuck in....that forest....I can't go out....because monsters won't stop...chasing me...because I'm an easy prey..." I said while rubbing my head. "I was weak.....and I realizes...outside world....might be dangerous...so I get stronger....."
"....that doesn't explain everything." Eric said.
"And while I get stronger....one thing always...in my mind....." I said while looking at Eric. "Seeing monsters always.....in their pack...made me...feels like wanting...someone on my side.....a companion.....a pack...."
"....." Eric seems to loosen up as he stares at me.
"So when Liza.....want me to.....be her companion.....I just accept...." I said. "That's all...."
"...I'm sorry." Eric mutters before looking away. "I shouldn't be distrustful towards you, after you save us...."
"I don't blame you...after you got attack...you got wary...." I said as Eric nodded.
"But, still. I would like to apologize." I simply nodded at Eric.
"So...how long do.....you know Liza?" I asked Eric.
"I meet her since she was 7 and I was only 10." I held back my surprise. That long? No wonder they're close. "I meet her when I was accepted as the junior royal knight. You sure know what a knight is, right?"
"Saw.....few of them....pass the forest...." I lied to him as he nods.
"Okay, then. I was tasked to protect her since that day, and I have been on her side since that day." Eric said as I nodded.
"You're.....a loyal companion..." I said as Eric simply nodded.
"Thank you.....and you're a very.....peculiar Kobold." I simply snort at his hesitance. I guess he was a bit socially awkward, which isn't strange especially when his only friend is Liza.
Huh...I never realize that the three of us are all socially awkward. What an irony.
"H-hey, guys. Sorry that I take a while." I turn to see Liza walking towards us. She looks completely normal compare to her exaggerated witch outfit she wore before.
"No need to apologize, milady." Eric said as Liza groan.
"Come on, Eric. You got to loosen up! And besides, if you continue to call me milady, we'll going to gain our attacker's attentions." Liza stated as I can't help but deadpan.
"Liza.....your previous outfit.....also attract attention." This gain a snort from Eric and a look of bafflement from Liza.
"W-wha-!? Darren!? When did you get close to Sir Eric!?" Liza asked in disbelief.
"I just.....stated the obvious." I sais while shrugging, which made Eric snort once again and Liza gapes at me.
"Okay, seriously, what happen with you two while I was changing?" Eric and I simply look at each other before smiling.
"Nothing happen, Liza/milady." We both answer in unison. Liza pouted before sigh.
"Whatever. Now, go change your clothes, Sir Eric." As she said that, a wild boar walks out of the bush.
The three of us stare at the boar as the boar snort and charges at us. I pull a dagger and Eric pulls his blade as the two of us sliced the boar down, instantly kills it.
".....Okay seriously, what kind of mysterious adventure you guys go while I was gone!?" The two of us stare at each other before we laugh or in Eric's case, chuckles. "Come on, guys! Don't tease me!!"
Yeah, I already start to like them even more.
To be continued