Four days had passed since their escape from the collapsed dungeon. A cautious normalcy replaced the initial frenzy surrounding Alex's "return." With a freshly bandaged arm for appearances, Alex strolled alongside Frey through Elera Village. The warm afternoon sun cast dappled shadows on the cobblestone streets, and the air buzzed with lazy conversation.
They reached the village square, bustling with activity. Children laughed as they chased each other around the central fountain, its cool spray offering relief from the summer heat. Alex paused, gazing at the cascading water.
"It seems like everyone's settled back into their routines," he remarked quietly.
Frey, scanning the crowd with sharp eyes, replied curtly, "Except for us, apparently."
Their situation remained hidden. Alex played the role of a recuperating knight at the Rehabilitation Center, while Frey, disguised as a villager, stayed by his side.
Suddenly, a voice broke their silence. "Alex?"
They turned to see Amelia approaching, a hesitant smile on her lips. Her hand twitched nervously behind her back.
"Hey, Amelia," Alex greeted, surprised. "What brings you here?"
Amelia shuffled her feet, cheeks flushing slightly. "I… just wanted to check on you. Both of you, actually."
Frey seized the moment, dipping into an exaggerated curtsy. "Thank you, kind sir! You saved me from that dreadful dungeon!" she declared dramatically.
Alex blinked, caught off guard by her sudden performance. He glanced at Amelia, who seemed equally startled. Recovering quickly, he forced a smile. "You're welcome."
Amelia watched Frey disappear into the crowd, suspicion flickering in her eyes. I'm glad that woman got away, she thought, unease lingering.
With Frey gone, Amelia stepped closer to Alex. "So," she began hesitantly, "how are you really feeling?"
Alex shifted, his pristine bandage drawing subtle attention. "A bit stiff," he admitted lightly. "But the healers know what they're doing."
Silence hung between them. Amelia noticed a guarded look in his eyes—a distance she hadn't seen before. She decided to try a different approach.
Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a small wrapped package. "Actually," she said softly, "I brought you something."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "For me?"
Amelia nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Well, you did save the village from that Nightmare Goblin—and the dungeon." She added mockingly, "Some say it's because you're blessed by a god."
Alex chuckled genuinely this time. "Blessed, huh? Maybe I should start praying more often."
He unwrapped the package slowly, revealing a box of chocolates. Their rich aroma filled the air.
"Chocolate?" Alex's eyes widened slightly. "You didn't have to—"
"Think of it as a thank-you," Amelia interrupted, her gaze lingering on him a beat too long. "For everything."
A blush crept up Alex's cheeks. He opened the box and offered her a piece. "Would you like one?"
Amelia hesitated, then grinned playfully. "I suppose a hero deserves a reward."
Their fingers brushed briefly as she took the chocolate, sending a spark through her. As they both bit into the treat, a comfortable silence settled between them.
She stole a glance at Alex. His eyes were closed, savoring the taste, and for a fleeting moment, she saw vulnerability beneath his facade.
Unable to resist any longer, Amelia cleared her throat and sat down on the bench beside him.
"So," Amelia began, her voice barely above a whisper, "what did you do before… you know, the dungeon?"
Alex opened his eyes, surprised by the question. He met her gaze for a moment before a wry smile tugged at his lips.
"That's a long story, Amelia," he admitted. "But maybe, if you have time, I could tell you over dinner sometime."
Amelia felt a blush rise to her cheeks. Was he asking her out? The thought sent a thrill through her.
"I… I'd like that," she stammered, a smile spreading across her face.
As they sat there in the warm sunlight, an unspoken connection sparked between them. For a moment, the mystery surrounding Alex and Frey faded into the background.
The conversation shifted unexpectedly. Alex, chocolate halfway to his mouth, lowered his hand and tilted his head, a flicker of curiosity crossing his face.
"Where'd that guy go?" he asked, feigning casualness.
Amelia frowned, caught off guard. "That guy? You mean Sebastian?"
Alex chuckled, though it sounded forced. "Yeah, Sebastian. The one with the… uh…" He paused, searching for words. "The heavy sword, right?"
His attempt at appearing clueless felt transparent. Amelia's suspicion, momentarily dulled by the chocolate and their budding connection, reignited.
"Why are you asking about Sebastian?" she countered, her tone laced with skepticism.
Alex shrugged, trying too hard to seem nonchalant. "Just curious." His gaze darted away briefly before returning to her. Despite his efforts, his eyes betrayed something unreadable.
"Oh, he went back to the kingdom with his partner," Amelia explained, her voice tinged with suspicion. "Do you know him?"
The question hung heavy in the air. Alex hesitated, torn between maintaining his act and revealing too much.
"Oh, no-no…" he stammered, his voice faltering. "Well, maybe… but not really."
Amelia pressed on, intrigued by his discomfort. "Not really? What does that mean?"
Alex forced a nervous laugh. "Haha, nothing. Forget I said anything."
His behavior only deepened her suspicion. Here was a man who claimed to know nothing about Sebastian yet seemed oddly interested in his whereabouts. It didn't add up.
"Anyway…" Amelia started, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a small piece of paper. She glanced between Alex and the note briefly.
"What…?" Alex stammered, a flicker of unease crossing his face.
Amelia handed him the note. "Speaking of Sebastian, he left this for you."
"A note?" Alex whispered, hesitating before taking it.
He unfolded it, scanning the childish scrawl:
[Hey Alex,
I'm Sebastian, one of the top ten strongest in this world. I heard about your story killing the Nightmare Goblin—that's some serious power! I'd like to teach you better skills and make you stronger.
-Sebastian]
The note crinkled in Alex's hand as the weight of his deception pressed down on him. A bead of sweat formed on his temple.
"The top ten strongest in this world…" he muttered under his breath, glancing at Amelia. Her expression was a mix of curiosity and concern.
"That's what it says," Amelia confirmed, her voice firm but gentle. "Care to explain?"
Panic flickered in Alex's eyes, breaking through his practiced calm. His mind raced for an explanation. A memory surfaced—a past encounter with Sebastian during a training mission from The Old Quest . A nostalgic smile tugged at his lips, genuine this time.
He chuckled, sounding slightly more convincing. "Sounds like typical Sebastian boasting. Top seven strongest, huh? Figures."
Amelia studied him, her brow furrowed. The memory seemed real, but the note still cast doubt.
"Enthusiastic adventurer, huh?" she echoed skeptically. "And what about the note?"
"He wants to train me."
"Train you!? Huh… well, he says you're blessed…"
"Oh, so that's what you mentioned earlier?"
Amelia nodded.
Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken questions. Alex knew he couldn't keep up the charade forever. He needed to explain the note—explain himself—without revealing the truth about the collapsed dungeon or the real Alex. But how?
"Amelia," he began cautiously, "did Sebastian say anything else? About the dungeon, maybe?"
Amelia shook her head, her gaze flickering away. "No, nothing about the dungeon. He seemed more interested in… well, you." Her voice trailed off, leaving the implication hanging in the air.
A wave of relief quickly gave way to renewed dread for Alex. Sebastian's interest in him—especially after the Nightmare Goblin incident—was unsettling. Could he have recognized me? The thought sent a shiver down his spine.
"Just me, huh?" Alex echoed, trying to sound casual. "That's… odd."
"Indeed," Amelia agreed, her tone skeptical. "The whole situation is odd, wouldn't you say?"
Alex forced a smile. "Maybe a little. But adventurers always end up in strange situations, right?" He tried to lighten the mood, but Amelia wasn't convinced.
"Perhaps," she conceded softly. "But some situations are stranger than others."
Her words hung heavy between them. The comfortable silence from earlier had shifted into tense awareness. Just as Alex was about to respond, a booming voice shattered the tension.
"Alex! There you are! I've been looking all over for you!"
A burly figure rounded the corner—Baldor, the blacksmith. His voice echoed across the square as he lumbered toward them, relief etched on his face.
"Baldor?" Alex raised an eyebrow, surprised. "What's wrong?"
"Hahh... hahh..." Baldor panted, catching his breath.
"Relax," Alex soothed, concern creeping into his voice. "What happened?"
Baldor straightened, beaming proudly. "Good job, kid! You actually came back alive. I knew you had it in you!"
Alex managed a hesitant smile. "Thanks."
"And also…" Baldor continued, rummaging through a worn leather satchel at his hip. He pulled out a small, wrapped package and unwrapped it. Both Amelia and Alex recoiled in disgust.
"W-What!?" Amelia shrieked, horrified.
"Is that…" Alex stammered, unable to finish.
Baldor, oblivious to their reaction, grinned. "Yep! That's the Sage Box you ordered!"
The "Sage Box" wasn't what they expected. Instead of wood and herbs, it was a crudely stitched pouch made of green, leathery hide covered in bumpy scales.
"A Nightmare Goblin skin…?" Amelia choked, disbelief coloring her tone.
"Yup!" Baldor confirmed, still missing their revulsion. "Strongest part of the beast—perfect for storing sage. Keeps it fresh for ages! Best deal in Elera."
"Where did you even find that skin…?" Alex asked, grimacing.
Baldor scratched his beard thoughtfully. "Well, it's a bit of a story…"
Alex leaned in, momentarily distracted by curiosity. "Do tell."
Baldor chuckled, his voice vibrating through the square. "You see, after you dealt with that Nightmare Goblin, I was stuck fixing a leaky sage box. Deadline was looming, and I was losing my mind. Then who walks in but that big green brute—the same goblin you fought—dragging a horse he'd bought at the market."
Amelia's eyes widened. "The Nightmare Goblin?"
"The very same," Baldor confirmed, oblivious to her unease. "Apparently, he wanted a proper weapon after his run-in with you. Said he needed something 'strong enough to smash heroes.'"
"So there I was," Baldor continued, "staring at this monstrosity when inspiration hit! I convinced him to 'donate' a piece of his former self for the cause. Promised it'd make his new axe extra powerful. Didn't mention it'd be a pouch, though—he seemed happy enough."
Alex stared at the grotesque pouch, grimacing. It was functional, sure, but the idea of storing sage in Nightmare Goblin skin turned his stomach.
"Well," he finally said, forcing a tight smile, "this is… certainly unique, Baldor. Thanks for the effort."
Amelia, still nauseated, muttered under her breath, "Unique is one way to put it."
Baldor, blissfully unaware, beamed. "No problem, lad! You saved the village—the least I could do was provide a proper container for your… uh…" He trailed off, forgetting the purpose.
"Sage," Alex supplied.
"Right, sage!" Baldor boomed, slapping his forehead. "It'll stay fresh for years, mark my words!"
Alex chuckled weakly. "Years, huh? Well, I suppose I'll keep it as a… memento."
He couldn't bring himself to use it, but discarding Baldor's gift felt rude.
"A memento, huh?" Amelia echoed, amused. "An unconventional one, wouldn't you say?"
Alex shrugged, offering a weak smile. "Unconventional times call for unconventional measures, right?"
Just then, the village bell tolled, signaling dusk. The playful banter faded, replaced by a serious air. Long shadows stretched across the square, casting a warm yet melancholic glow.
Alex broke the silence, resolve hardening his features. "I think I should go to the kingdom," he announced, surprising Amelia and Baldor.
"Right away!?" Amelia exclaimed, shocked. "But Alex, you just got back! Don't you need time to recover?"
"What's this about?" Baldor asked, frowning.
Amelia intervened quickly. "Actually, Alex just received an invitation. He's been chosen as one of Sebastian's students!"
Baldor's face lit up. "A student of Sebastian? Fantastic news, lad! Told you you were special! Make sure you put that sage box to good use—it'll bring you luck!"
"Thanks," Alex said. "And before it gets dark, I should head to the kingdom."
"D-Don't you want to stay longer?" Amelia stammered, blushing. Their earlier banter had sparked something unexpected, and the thought of him leaving so soon disappointed her.
"Well," Alex admitted, running a hand through his hair, "I don't really know where to go in the kingdom. I don't have a house here."
A hesitant smile played on Amelia's lips. "W-Well," she began, blushing harder, "you could always stay… like you did before."
"In your house?" Alex asked, surprised—and perhaps hopeful.
Before anything else could happen, Baldor cut in, grinning mischievously. "Make the most of it, lad! But remember, a hero's work is never done!" With that, he slapped Alex's back and walked off, chuckling.
Alex winced, rubbing his sore back. Amelia, now a deep shade of crimson, muttered, "Ignore him."
The awkwardness lingered, but Alex smiled warmly. "Lead the way," he said.
Amelia nodded, relief and excitement flickering within her as she led him toward her home.
Unseen, Frey watched from the shadows of a hallway. She had changed back into her maid attire, her face a mask of conflicting emotions. Jealousy burned in her eyes, warring with the cold logic of her role.
Master… you're going to sleep with that woman...? she thought bitterly.
But Frey knew her place. She was his companion, not a lover. Clenching her fists, she watched as Alex and Amelia disappeared around the corner, the weight of her loyalty pressing heavily on her chest.
< Chapter 13 > Fin.