It's been a long time since I last had this dream, was it 11 years. I guess it was.
Why the hell am I having such a dream? Why does it always hurt whenever I see these two people turn to ashes? Why is this bastard smiling when he's being burned to ashes?
Does he think his life was too wasteful? Why should he kill himself just because he lost his loved one? Why? Why does this hurt so much? He was betrayed by those he saved, I know he had enough power to destroy them all. Why did he choose to be a coward? Why? Why?
This shouldn't be a bother, right? I have no business with someone like him. He's a coward who can't face reality. Not like I'm one to talk. And that's the reason I don't want to see his smiling face. He shouldn't be smiling in the face of danger. He's dying, Goddammit! I'm sure it hurts. It hurts to be burned alive. Who would smile in such a situation? Who?
Why? Why does it hurt this way? I feel hurt, I feel betrayed, I feel... conflicted. Why? Why all these feelings? Why should I dream about his sorrow? Why can't I have a happy dream? Why?
"Argh..." I opened my eyes slowly as the Ray of the sun found its way into the room I laid in.
*What's going on?* I thought, trying to sit up.
"Ow." I said, holding my head.
My head hurt badly, and I wasn't able to sit up properly. I looked at the pillow my head rested on and saw it drenched with tears.
*Again?*
"Hey! He's awake!" Someone shouted as some other guys ran in.
*Who're these guys? What am I doing here?* I thought.
"Young boy, you finally decided to wake up." I man asked, walking towards me, his face stern.
*Who's this scary, man?*
"You boys, bring him something to eat right now." The man said as the guards ran off.
The man looked down at me with the corner of his eyes, filled with disdain.
*Natsuooo~*
*Tora!! Where have you been?*
*I'm glad you're okay. You were abducted by some slave traders, but thanks to you, the ones that didn't die were captured.*
*Those that didn't die? What's going on? I'm getting confused.*
*You can't remember anything?*
*No, I can't.*
"Little boy, here's your food." One of the guards said, setting aside the food.
The guard left immediately after he dropped the food.
*What's this? I remember being kidnapped, but...?* I thought looking at the food.
Just then, I remembered something that happened. I remember grabbing one of them.
*But how did I break out of that chair, and why was that fireball... a dark colour. It looked dark blue, no, purple...* I thought.
*Tora, what's going on?*
*You... seriously... don't know what happened?*
*No, I don't.*
*I'm also surprised that you were the one who pulled that off. I'm even more surprised that you're alive.*
*What's going on?* I thought, looking down.
"Hey kid, be fast with the food."
"O-okay."
A few days later, I'd already regained my strength, and I wasn't that confused anymore. The stern-looking man was the commander of the army of a Lord named Daigo, and I happened to be in his territory.
"Be fast about that. We can't afford to make the Lord wait." One of the guards said as I took my bath.
I was to make an appearance before the King, so I was made to have a serious bath in order to look presentable.
My hair had grown long and unkempt for the last how many years. I was told to trim it a little since I didn't want short hair.
"You are really lucky to be able to meet the Lord at such a young age." One of the guards said.
"Hmm? Why?"
"The Lord... he's a very good person, he's nice and strong in battle. He stopped leaving his mansion ever since the demons stopped attacking, so its kinda hard to see such an impeccable character." Another guard said, smiling.
*Heh? Then I can't wait to meet him.* I thought, trying my hair at the bottom part, making it look like a tail.
"Okay, I'm ready to move." I said as the others smiled at me.
*Hmm... thinking back, this is my first normal clothe since I came to this world.* I thought smiling at myself.
We got to the Lords mansion early. The place was really beautiful, adorned with different flowers.
"So beautiful..." I said as we walked past a group of people.
"Your highness." They called bowing respectfully after we walked in.
"Welcome back, my good people." He said, standing from his throne, I guess.
"Thank you my lord. Now, for our report."
Blah blah blah...
After giving a detailed explanation of everything that happened, the "Lord" looked over to me.
"Young man, where you the one who saved the children?" He asked.
*Young man? Haha.*
"Yes sir, its a pleasure to meet you." I said bowing.
"I give you my thanks, on behalf of those children and their parents." He said walking down.
*Parents? I thought they were orphans.*
"Name your wish, it shall be granted for you." He said standing infront of me.
*Wish? Oh, this is meant to be a reward for my actions.* I thought raising my head.
"I just need to find work, sir!" I said.
"Work?"
"Yes sir."
"Hmm, what are you good at?"
"I'm good at using a sword, sir!" I said smiling.
"Ugh... what else, like something basic?" He asked, trying to brush it off.
"I know how to cook my lord, and I'm also good at cleaning."
"Ho...? Ann-san." He called as a woman walked forward.
"Yes, my lord." She answered, bowing.
"He'll be joining you and your crew jn the kitchen, let's test him for now, if he fails there we can find somewhere else for him."
"Yes, my lord."
*Haha, and I landed myself a job!!*
"Is that all you seek?"
"Yes sir." I said smiling.
"I won't be giving you any special treatments if you've decided to work for me." He said before turning around and walking back to his seat.
"Yes! Your highness."
And I landed a job, one with a good pay😁.