When the girls were done, they cleaned their bodies with towels while Richard took his bath.
The bathroom was different to the ones he had seen in human territory a thousand years ago.
Back then, only the nobility could really afford to take daily baths. But now, even moderately earning families could afford daily baths.
He then looked at his body in the mirror. 'Quite impressive.' He thought to himself.
His body was moderately muscular now. His height was slightly above average. Right now, he looked more like a sixteen year old than fourteen.
'Oh right, I wonder how...' His eyes wondered down at that thought and seeing it he pumped his fists in excitement.
'Yes. At least the nightlife will be awesome now.' He thought, while looking at his junk.
He then decided to continue with his bath so they can proceed to leaving.
***********
After the bath, he walked out of the bathroom wearing only a towel below, his chest open.
He saw that Beatrice and Alice had already worn their clothes. The ones they saw in the apartment's wardrobe.
Alice wore a brown jean trouser, a white top and a brown jacket, which complemented her brown hair and eyes.
Beatrice wore a black jean trouser with a white T-shirt and an orange jacket, that seemed to fit her quite well.
They seemed to be munching on the food displaying just how hungry they were.
"Haaa." Richard just sighed as he couldn't really blame them. After all their injuries, they were more than tired and hungry.
He then went to the wardrobe and took the clothes he had already picked out. A white T-shirt and black trousers.
Once he finished dressing, he walked up to th counter where Beatrice was stuffing an entire candy bar down her mouth and Alice was swallowing, yes, swallowing cookie after cookie.
Richard then cleared his throat and coughed lightly.
"Ahem."
The sound was just loud enough to cut through the soft rustling of wrappers and the low crunch of cookies being decimated at high speeds.
Both girls turned their heads towards him with bulging cheeks, their mouths stuffed like squirrels preparing for winter.
Beatrice, who was still chewing the candy bar she hadn't even bitten properly, raised a brow.
Alice, who was caught mid-chew with crumbs clinging to the corners of her lips, froze.
Richard then reached into the black bag sitting on the counter, pulling out a small box of biscuits.
He tossed it slightly into the air before setting it down with a soft thunk, his face becoming visibly serious.
"...We need to talk about what comes next."
The playfulness in the air died instantly as he said that.
Alice and Beatrice exchanged glances before nodding slowly.
With muffled groans of protest from their stomachs, they each finished the food in their mouths, wiping their fingers and brushing crumbs from their clothes.
The night outside filtered through the cracked blinds, casting shadows on the walls of the dusty apartment.
The only light came from the hanging bulb overhead, flickering faintly as if struggling with stay alive.
Richard leaned against the edge if the counter, crossing his arms.
"I'm heading to the neighbouring city," he began, his voice low and direct.
"Once I'm done here, I'll move north through the east road out of town and make my way there."
Beatrice furrowed her brow, a slight twitch forming near her eye.
"What... you're just going to leave?" she asked, her tone already edging toward disbelief. "Just like that?"
Richard sighed deeply, his shoulders sinking a little as he met her gaze. "That's why I'm saying this now. I wanted to hear your plans too. In case I can help."
Her eyes narrowed. "We grew up here, Richard. Are you seriously just abandoning the town?"
He didn't respond immediately. The silence stretched for a few moments. Even the bulb above seemed to quiet down it's flicker.
"...It's beyond saving," he finally said, his voice soft but unwavering. "The town guards, the ones strong enough to actually fight,, they're all either dead or holed up at the mayor's mansion.
Same with the hunters. The strong ones at least. As for the crusaders, they were likely wiped out by now... and the Cult? Guess what? They've encircled the entire place.No one's gotten out. Which means..."
"...No one on the outside knows," Alice finished quietly.
Richard nodded. "Exactly. We're trapped in a cage. And I don't know how long until the outside world figures that out."
Beatrice's fists clenched tightly on the table. "There had to be something we can do–"
"The best we can do," Richard interrupted gently but firmly, "is kill the cultists guarding the roads. But the town itself? It's already done. It's not salvageable."
A heavy silence settled. Even the wind outside sounded hushed.
Then–
Tap.
Alice's fingers tapped once on the table. Then twice more.
"I want to find my mom," she said, her voice quiet but resolute. "She's the only family I have left."
"And she stays in..."
"The eastern part of the town." Alice replied.
Richard looked at her for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Alright. We'll head east after we're done in the south."
Beatrice blinked. "The south?"
Richard nodded again. "The orphanage. We need to check on the kids first."
Beatrice's expression softened. "The kids..."
She looked down, eyes misting ever so slightly. "Yeah. We have to save them. At least we can save the children."
She lifted her head and locked eyes with Richard. "Let's do it. Let's save who we can."
Richard's lips curved into a small smile. "Now that's something we can all agree on."
The tension in the room eased slightly. Richard looked to Alice.
"Now then," he said, pushing himself off the counter and walking toward her. "It's time to heal you."
Alice looked confused for a second before wincing and clutching her side, the pain reminding her of her still-wounded ribs. "R-Right. That'd be great..."
Then Richard turned to Beatrice and gave her a cheeky grin.
"And as for you..."
He pointed.
"It's time to get you powered up."
Beatrice blinked, looking from his grin to his finger pointed right at her face. "Huh?"
Before she could protest, Richard took a step closer and tapped her lightly on the forehead with his finger. Boop.
"Training time." Gotta make sure you don't go flying from a single slap next time."
"Hey! I was injured!" She shouted, her face turning red in both offense and embarrassment.
Alice laughed softly in the background, holding her ribs while doing so.
"Jerk!" Beatrice growled.
"I know," Richard smirked.
"Super jerk!"
"I'll take it as a compliment."
"You cocky, smug, overpowered, white-haired demon child–!"
"Now you're just being specific."
"I should be! You're–!" She stepped forward like she was about to pounce again, but winced mid-motion and hissed through her teeth.
"Ow–ow ow ow..."
Richard chuckled. "Let's take care of that, shall we?"
He gently placed a hand on Alice's shoulder, who nodded, half-smiling.
Beatrice crossed her arms and huffed, cheeks puffed out as she muttered, "...still a jerk."
**********
Outside, the wind blew softly against the cracked windowpane, carrying the scent of distant smoke and scorched wood.
The cult's presence still loomed over the town like a shadow, but for a moment–just a moment–it felt like they could breathe.
They had a plan.
And now, it was time to begin.