The day of Arthur and Aisha departure was rather uneventful.
You would think that the start of a new kingdom would be met with a crowd, a parade, at least an applause. Sadly nothing of the sorts, it was just another ordinary day.
Perhaps it was due to the teleportation circles that Rudy already established. It made it easier to travel around the world. You know, traveling continent from continent in about a blink of the eye.
I had to admit it was pretty convenient. But for some reason I found it ... distasteful. Not that I can't suck it up and enter one of them. Heck I have been hopping through them with Rudy on occasions in my youth.
My distaste for them was present there as well, but I kept it to myself.
I got to say, traveling around the world as Dead End was one of the happiest memories I have.
Maybe it's because I viewed it as a shortcut of traveling. Hmmm ... Maybe not.
Back then Rudy used them for emergencies at first, like with reaching Rapan to rescue his mother in a timely fashion so that he can be there for the birth of his kid or when he traveled to the demon continent again to get ingredients for Nanahoshi cure for her Drain Syndome but I still felt that distaste back then.
But now he made it his quest to legalize teleportation circles to the world ... Hence this little side project.
Hmmm ... How strange . . . . . Well anyway, where was I? Oh yes, our departure. It was like any day in the Greyrat house.
The family ate breakfast as usual and then we got our bags and we're out at the front yard, saying our goodbyes.
Aisha wore a simply traveling attire with a cloak on top as I was wearing the same old, same old
The most baggage Aisha had on was a satchel, while I was carrying the rest of our supplies on my back.
The plan was a simple one right now. We will walk to the Rude Mercenary Company HQ here in Sharia.
We will be informing the Mercenaries, well not all of them of course I had heard from the grapevine that they also work as a somewhat town watch for the city to keep crime at a minimum. So I'm guessing we can only take .... Hmmm maybe half since Aisha's family is here.
Oh that reminds me of the other branch locations. So maybe we would be stopping by those too.
Aisha will then begin to require about renting or maybe even buying one outright a ship that can carry people and materials alike.
When I asked her about hiring a talented mage and developing the teleportation circle on the island. She just chuckled and said they can establish it later. The first couple of trips will be by boat.
But wait isn't the whole point to use the teleportation network. Well I guess she wanted to mulit task since she would have to set up interviews with the mages so it will halt our production while we get one. Who am I to argue with the expert here.
Wait now that I think about it.
. . . . .
Does Aisha-chan even know what's she is doing. She did holed herself in her room for the days I stayed here so maybe she was cramming for a game plan for this country.
I did noticed that one time when I did catch her in eating a meal ... She did so while she was scribbling on some book. She must of been brainstorming on that.
When I tried to to sneak up and take a peek, she immediately slammed it shut and gave me a stare.
Eeekk ... I'm sorry I won't do that again. Please Aisha-chan stop looking at me like that.
Well at least this time she seemed to realize how she was acting when she afterward giggled and joked saying you shouldn't sneak up on a maiden, it will give them the wrong impression.
She had her usual playful smile when she said that but I could tell she was mad.
I'm sorry
Later, I tried to ask about what she had in mind but she would constantly dodged the question.
Aisha-chan ... What do I need to do to get in on the game plan. Sniff ... sniff.
Anyway, she would also have to send out letters to a few contacts regarding securing some lumber for construction.
After that was done we would then head to the Orsted Cooperation building at the edge of the city and converse with man himself about any extra info about the place and also to pick up the list of mages that Nanahoshi recommended for the task.
Apparently I heard from Rudy that apparently he wanted to give us something. Something that would help us a great deal.
Tsk ... Why did it have to be him ... Dammit
"Arty ... Hey, Arty!"
"Huh? ... Oh, yes Rudy"
We were currently out by the front door saying our goodbyes. Aisha just finished with explaining what the first steps of her plan was to Rudy here.
Based on how it was just Rudy with Slyphie and Eris ... It seems like it was just a standard thing here in this house.
It seemed Roxy had to head out earlier to the University of Magic for some faculty meeting or the such. So she was currently not present.
It also seems that Miss Lilia went out for a early morning stroll with Miss Zenith. I didn't know if this was a regular occurrence but I could go for not being in the same room as Miss Zenith again ... Phew
Aisha was getting some last minute info about some stuff ... Such as when the next time Nanahoshi would be up so if she wanted to talk and consult with her like she usually does, it would be about two weeks from now.
Rudy then asked an interesting question that slipped my mind.
"So are you planning to establish some kind of culture at this place or what?"
"Oh ... Ummm. That's a secret. I have something in mind but it gonna be a surprise Big Bro~"
Huh ... Aisha-chan already was planning that far ahead, amazing. But I didnt hear anything about this. I've been left out of the loop all over again ... Sigh.
It also seems like some of the kids went to see Aisha off too.
Lucy, Seig, and Chris.
We seem to missing three children.
Lucy came up to me to say good bye. As she gave me a thumbs up and a wink.
"Uncle ... You got this"
"Y-yea"
"Don't mess this up Uncle. I won't be here for a while when you come back. I'll be dorming in the Asuran Royal Academy by the time of your next visit"
"Hmm ... I see" I did here about that from Rudy. How he has a whole school program set for his children. From what I read he has them in the Magic University as young as the age of seven. Which made sense I suppose since he said that the younger you start training you magic, the more mana capacity you can achieve.
Well anyway Magic University last for about 7 years as well. So when they graduate at the age of 14, since Rudy has connections with Ariel, the current Queen of Asura. They then spend 3 years in the Asuran Royal Academy to learn .... Hmmm what do they learn there exactly ... How to be a noble?
I couldn't help scratching my head there. Maybe because it was so far out of reach for me. Well me being a demon and all ... Sigh.
Seig was the next to approach.
"Hey Uncle ... When you come and visit, can you tell me any cool stories about the Seafolk or maybe any strong monsters you might have face"
He had sparkles in his eyes as he was talking to me. To be honest, I'm not sure if I'm gonna miss this or not.
"Umm sure Seig ... Why not"
"Woof woof woof"
Leo came up and gave me a lick and bark, saying 'Lara says goodbye too but see was also too lazy to get out of bed'
"Bye Uncle, I'll keep your mask safe so make sure you keep Big Sis Aisha safe" She gave a proud smile on her face almost like she was giving us permission to go out and about.
"Um ... Yea, sure. I'm counting on ya, Chris"
Chris was currently on Eris arm as she waved to me. She currently had on the fox mask I gave her for safekeeping. Let just say it contrasted with the elegant dress she had on at the moment.
Lily seems to be not present as well. Ever since I gave her that blueprint for my 'Shooting Star Guanlet' she was hold up in her room studying it. Is the kid really 6 right now. I didn't expect her to take that job I gave her so seriously.
Throughout my stay she, like Chris and my fox mask, was trying to get my guanlet to study it. After the 10th time I relented and I gave her my blueprint for the said magic tool.
Well blueprint is a farcry from what it was. It was just a bunch of sketches I drew while editing my guanlet throughout the years.
If anything I was just copying Rudy's design to a extent.
I got a feeling she might be a expert magic crafter so I decided I would be her first client and ask her to see what she can do for my guanlet and handed her the blueprints since I will be using the real I think in field.
Heck maybe she can add some neat new features as well ... Heh heh heh.
She took it and shut herself in her room. Rudy was beginning to get a bit worried for some reason.
"Where's Ars?" Aisha was in the middle of getting the final stuff from Rudy when she noticed another child missing.
Seig was the one to answer her.
"Oh ... he's hold up in his room for some reason. He looked a bit depressed about something"
Aisha gave a slight pained expression for a moment as she simply said "I see"
It was missed by most of her family but I caught it. Could something have happened between those two. I wasn't entirely sure and I wasn't sure if it was my business to begin with.
On the outside, Aisha gave her typical cheerful smile. But it was odd, it felt like she was just giving off a fake smile for her family.
She wasn't flickering this time, she was grey ... Again
As she said goodbye to everyone she would give hollow responses. She was still giving off that cheerful smile but it seemed to lack something.
. . . . .
After our goodbyes we began to set off on our grand adventure to start a country ... Whohoo
* * * * *
Arthur's travel log ... Ughhhhh day one.
The sun is shining on this wonderful day as we made our way towards the city to the Rude Mercenary Company HQ.
Like the sun, opmtism is on a all time high on this glorious first day.
Of course it's joyous cause it's the start of our Grand Adventure.
I stuck a pose letting the sun's rays fully hit me as the figure right next to me just simply walked past me without so much as an acknowledgement.
No response
Cough cough ... Of course, it's a joyous cause. It's ... It's the start of our Grand adventure.
I was still met with silence.
Ummm ... Who knows what new places and people we will met. I'm getting ... excited just thinking about it ...
. . . . .
That's what I would like to say!!! But ...
I turned to sneak a peak at Aisha profile. I can tell just from her side she seems bummed out about something right now and is in deep thought.
Something must have happened last night that has her like this ... What should I do? Should I ask whats got her so down in the dumps?
"Ummm ... Nice weather we are having today ... Right"
"Yes, that it is" She answers almost as if she was on autopilot.
And then silence fell on us ... Again.
. . . . .
Ahhhh ... This is so awkward
Of course she waits to be out of sight to show her true colors right now. Rudy why didn't you see this when we were heading out, I don't know what to do.
Wait ... She is showing me this side of her right now, doesn't that mean she can trust me with her true emotions ... Maybe this is a good-
Wait ... No maybe she just views me like part of the background and it's like she is walking all by herself ... Nnoooo
No at times like this, it's time to pull out the cheat sheet that Lucy made for me.
I fall two steps behind, after I checked she wasn't looking I pull out a piece of paper and began reading.
Hello Uncle
So you want to ask for my advice on how to be on friendier terms with Big Sis Aisha. Well lucky for you, I know all her likes and dislikes and have come with some methods so you guys can bridge the gap.
These can work whenever such as when you two are eating a meal together, on the road and you need a conversation to strike up, etc.
So here is the first method to give a try.
Try playing a Question Game.
A Question game. What the hell is that?
Heh heh heh ... It something we play when we get new recruits in the student council in the Magic University.
You just simply go back and forth with questions. So you ask one question and she answers and vice versa.
It helps us get to know each other and ease the tension among the members. I think it would work pretty well for you Uncle.
Make sure you be completely honest with your answers though. Big Sis Aisha can find out if your lying or not.
You can also share with her something you cherish ... Let her know this is very important to you and your showing it to her.
Big Sis Aisha also likes cute things so maybe you can give her cute gifts she would like.
Oh and Big Sis Aisha is a huge fan of sweats. If she is mad at you or is a bit depressed about something. That always cheers her up.
Show her the sceneary. She loovvveeesss witnessing beautiful scenery.
I remembered when we went to the Blue Dragon Mountains for a hot spring trip. Big Sis Aisha was joining us kids at the waterfalls around the pools ... It was amazing.
Big Sis Aisha was also very excited to reveal her design for the swim wear in the spring. It was very comfortable.
I must of looked so cute because I noticed how Clive kept on staring at me and was trying not to be seen ... Heh heh heh
What is this? Is she just showing off about her family vacation. Lucy Sensei you getting off track here. Please get back to the main topic at hand.
Though she did seem a bit upset for moment that she couldn't get it just right how Papa envisioned it.
Ah here we go.
BIg Sis Aisha can be a perfectionist at such time so be careful.
I hope this helps Uncle
Yours truly
Lucy Greyrat
Ummmm what am I suppose to do with this?
Lucy Sensei please explain.
You began to ramble on at around the middle part. It was also like reading one of ....
Heh heh heh ... I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
I tucked the cheat sheet back in my pocket for future reference.
Well it seems I'm dealing with scenario B here but I don't have a sweat treat in sight. I do have some jerky for the road but I don't think she will appreciate that.
Buy cute things, I've never done that ... I think I'm a bad reference for knowing what's cute.
Ummm what's this Question Game she was talking about. I'm pretty sure this is just a interrogation but with a friendly bow on top.
Ahh screw it ... At least it's better than doing nothing here.
I then went back to Aisha side as she was still lost in thought about something.
Ok Arthur you got this
"Cough cough ... Ummm Aisha-chan?"
". . . . ."
"Umm Aisha-chan?"
"Hmmm?" I got a response but judging how she was looking into space I can tell it was a empty one.
"Aisha-chan?"
"Hmmm ... Oh. I'm sorry, what is it?"
I began to play with my fingers like I always done when I was a kid.
"Umm I was wondering ... W-would you like to play a game with me?"
She gave me a look as if to say 'Huh?'
"T-to pass the time of course! ... We still have a ways to the Mercenary Company. It's getting a bit awkward with all this silence and all"
She gave a quick thought to herself as she answered me.
"Well I suppose it would be a good distraction from ... some of my thoughts right now" after that her grim expression seem to fade away showing the cheerful Aisha I remembered when we were growing up.
"What did you have in mind?"
She took the bait ... Yes yes yes ... Ok calm down Arthur.
I then began to explain to her the question game I just heard from Lucy.
"... I was thinking well since we will be traveling together for a while ... We might as well get to know each other again"
"Hmmm?" She thought for a moment and then she turned to me. "Why not, at this pace we have some time before reaching the HQ building."
"Yes! ... I mean cough cough very well. Who should go first?"
"Well I suppose you can go first since you suggested this little game of yours "
"S-sure"
Ok things are going smoothly right now. Thank you Lucy Sensei for this opportunity.
I crossed my arms as I thought for a moment.
Hmmm now that I got this far ... What should I ask? ... Maybe I should start with something simple.
"Do you have any hobbies?"
Ah ... Wait was that a stupid question. Dammit. When it came to hobbies I noticed that she didn't have much of them, but the first thing that came to mind was ...
"I suppose if I had to name one it would beeeee ... Gardening"
Yup I figured. Whenever I'd visit when Aisha was not doing maid work, she would be in her garden tending to the plants.
I would know since I spent must of my time on that tree next to the garden and just stare off into the sky and let me sink in my ...thoughts
"Any particular reason why you like it"
Wait ... Can Aisha be troubled by something right now. Should I ask if she would like me to lend a ear.
Ah ... That's new now that I think about it. I noticed that people tend to rant and let out there thoughts onto me.
I wouldn't have to have to try. I remembered when I visited for a while and Norn came by and ranted to me about her speech at school. How she tripped and embarrassed herself while she was getting on stage. How it was because Rudy came by and made a scene with his presence alone.
I would just listen in as I tended to my sword or other equipment.
I also remembered how Isolte a while back was ranting about me about her marriage prospects. How all the nobles were just trying to hitch a ride on her title and such. Something along the lines of that.
Hmm she did had a few drinks that night as she ended up suggesting that she should just marry me.
I immediately shut that down by reminding her that I was a demon. And that she would regret her decision later down the line.
It's not that I didn't find her beautiful. No no nothing like that. It just that ... My kid would come out as a monster.
A chill ran down my spine as the image of a woman from my memories came into view but instead it was Isolte. She had a knife with a disgusted look on her face.
. . . . .
No! ... it is for the best after all.
"But if I had to name another one. It would beeee ..."
Aisha had her finger to her cheek as she voiced her thoughts. Jolted me out of my dark thoughts that crepted up every now and again.
"I find cooking rather enjoyable"
"Huh, cooking?" I gave her a look as if to ask 'explain'
"Well not cooking in general I suppose. But when Big brother comes with one of his odd requests for a dish ... I find it fun to recreate the dish he has in his mind"
"Oh is she referring to those weird dishes he would go on about and test out"
I remembered he talked about something like that when we were traveling in the Dragon King Realm. Actually his creative juices really exploded when we reached the Central Continent for some reason.
Stuff like dishes with rice and with that strange drink that's native to the Beheiril Kingdom. It seemed Rudy uses it as a make shift sauce for his dishes. What did Rudy call it again ... Soy sauce I believe.
I remember when he placed that raw egg on the rice he made. Hmmm, and Rudy gave me that whole lecture that I shouldn't eat raw food back when we were on the Demon Continent. That it could get me sick. But here he was placing a raw egg on rice. Ok, Rudy.
Well I guess I couldn't complain. It was delicious. So I guess he knew what he was doing.
Wow I didn't know Rudy was still trying with that project. I guess he got Aisha involved on it and she seems to be enjoying it ... Good for her.
"Really now ... How is it going with that"
"I think I got the white rice pretty down pack but I noticed that Big brother would make a face every now and then ... Miss Nanahoshi seemed really pleased with my work"
Aisha actually brought her fist to bump into her chest in pride at her accomplishment. That she was able to satisfy the palate of the picky eater Rudy and I suppose Nanahoshi as well.
"Hmm hmm I see" This is nice she is beginning to open up to me. Thank you Lucy Sensei. I won't doubt your cheat sheet again.
"Ok ... I believe that it's my turn now"
"Hmm hmm yup go ahead"
"Sooo ... How exactly do you know my brother?"
Her cheerful face turn somewhat dark as she wore her professional deamor, the same she would wear when dealing with clients.
"Huh?" I was stunned. I couldn't believe it.
But Aisha eyes were studying me for any weakness. Her eyes as if saying 'got nothing to say'
I - I - I couldn't believe it.
She did forget about me!!!
"Wha?! ... Aisha-chan you did forget about me?"
I pointed to myself as her professional face crack a bit from my reaction.
"It's me. We meet all the way back in Shirone. We helped rescued your mother from that prince."
She raised a brow as she doesn't remember anyone looking like what Arthur did in her memories.
"Uggghh ... I was that dragon like monster. You know, in the cloaks and skull mask. Look, look"
I went into my backpack to take out my chess board that Rudy made for me way back when.
He didn't like it when I would help myself to explore alone whenever I got bored at the inn. Saying a child shouldnt wondered about in the city alone.
It seemed Ruijerd was desensitized to me doing my own thing as he said I would be fine as long as I stayed within the limits of his third eye.
So to keep me occupied he made a bunch of board games out of Earth magic that he could thing off.
Eris and Ruijerd was impressed that he could just think of all these games on the fly. But none of them stuck to me all except ...
"Oh ...Ryuu, this game is called chess ... I didn't think you'd be a fan"
Chess ... So that was what that game was called. Eris found it very confusing. But Ruijerd seemed a bit surprised. He recalled this game a few hundred years back but thought it was lost to the sands of time
I handed the box over to Aisha. In which she looked down on it and then at me as I pointed to myself with a 'hmm hmm'.
I could've sworn I saw the gears on her head turn as she finally remembers me.
"Ah!? Wha?!?" Now it was her turn to be surprised.
"You ... you, your Mr. Ryuu from back then?"
I comedically fell to my knees.
Dammit, I'm I cursed? First it was Rudy, then Eris, and now even Aisha didn't recognize me .... Ruijerd you were the only one who didn't forget me. I'm in your debt.
Wait a minute ... Mr. Ryuu?
That was the name that Rudy gave me so that I can put it on my adventure card. After which I picked the name Arthur.
Actually it was after that prince paid that mercenary to go and recaptured Aisha while Rudy, Ruijerd, and Eris went to go confront the prince. I had to fight him off but I later decided on the name Arthur after which.
At first Rudy went out to the castle thinking that his master was there already. Leaving Aisha with me, Eris, and Ruijerd. But as time past, Ruijerd noticed it was taking too long. When he was about to go check on him, some of the knights ask Ruijerd and Eris for help with rescue their families. He ended up taking Eris to go handle it, leaving Aisha in my care.
To say she was distant with me was a understatement. Of course, she was awe struck with her Kennel Master and she was struck with the pup.
Actually when Rudy introduced us at first, when I revealed myself she hid behind Rudy for a while. Which caused me to keep my cloak on.
It was awkward just like now. I just stood there as she was pacing nervously wondering if it will be ok.
"Game? ..."
"Huh?"
"Play ... Game ... With me?"
To ease the tension I offered to teach her and play chess with her.
It didn't take her long for her to outplay me, of course.
Heh ... I believe I had a fond memory of that time, now that I think back to that
But wait ... I went by Arthur after which and I visited the house on occasions.
You mean to tell me ... She never even bothered to learn my name?!?
Sniff ... Rudy, maybe I'm not cut out for this after all ... Sniff ... Why! Oh Why ... Lucy Sensei please give me your girly wisdom.
She seems so friendly to other people so why do I get all the spice wahhhhhh.
"Hmmmm ... So you go by Arthur now"
She looked me over in a somewhat new light.
"Sorry I didn't realize ... Now that explains why I have seen you somewhere before."
Seen me? ... I stayed at your home for a few years every now and again. How can you forget? I am curse aren't I?
I covered my mouth in an attempt to hide my whimpers.
"But I gotta say ... Ryuu suits you much better than Arthur if you ask me"
"Sigh ... You too huh"
I looked away as I kicked a pebble off the dirt road.
So that's how it was then. She saw Ryuu and Arthur as too different people. Ryuu as that little creature in a cloak and mask. And then Arthur who looked more like your typical demon being a letter from Geese telling Mr. Paul was asking for help.
Sniff ... I'm not crying ... Sniff
Ok think positive right now, this is a stepping stone. I simple misunderstanding Hmmm hmm. It was probably my fault for assuming that she recognized me from that time.
Cough ...I'm gonna have to confirm with Norn about this as well.
What a double edge sword I have here. I should of seen this coming.
It was like that time with that bandit person Rudy needed to get on her side to help out Queen Ariel. What was her name again ... Tina something.
Well whatever the point was she knew all about Rudy, or better yet his nickname Quagmire or about Eris's nickname the Mad Sword King.
But when it came to me, she didn't know me. I was under her radar and she was in a job where information was critical.
Curse my biology. Why was I born into this clan? ... Sniff
Sigh ... Ok, it's my turn again.
I guess this is working out pretty well. What should I ask now?
We went back and forth like this. Getting into the grove of this.
I asked her what her favorite color was and in which she said it was red.
Oh what a coincidence so was mine.
I guess you can call it basis because of Nyla but I always thought it was cool.
I remembered I was always jealous of Eris's red hair. It was much nicer than my black plain hair.
And then it was her turn.
She would ask me questions like why I would use her Big Brother's nickname that seemed reserved for very close people.
Like with Slyphie and Roxy. Come to think of it I believe Mr. Paul called him that too.
. . . . .
Well it was a rather simple explanation.
Rudy during our travels was teaching me and Eris the Demon God Tongue. Well I was the one that stuck with his lessons, Eris gave up half way through when she got the simple jest of it.
To make it easy for for me to remember and pronounce their names. Rudy decided to give us all nicknames.
Eris turned to Eri
Ruijerd turned to Rui
And then his name turned to Rudy.
He actually used this opportunity to give me a name since Ruijerd never got it out of me.
He named me Ryuu. He said it meant dragon in a ancient language from a distant land.
When I asked where, he simply gave a stunned 'ack' and dodged the question.
Hmmm, come to think of it, do I even have a name. I don't recall ... No I have a name. It's Arthur, yea no doubt about that.
Where was I?
His nicknamed simply stuck with me for some reason and he never corrected me.
When I got the hang of Demon and then Human tongue I stopped using Eris and Ruijerd nicknames.
The mood began to get a bit lighter ... but I couldn't help that the way Aisha worded her questions, made it seem like she was interrogating me.
The contrast was just too great between my small talk and her personal questions.
My questions included stuff like:
"What's your favorite color?"
"What's your favorite food?"
"What do you like about the city the most?"
While her's, though I was able to get her to lighten up a bit from her first question, had a bit of coldness to it.
Her's were like:
"Are you an adventurer? What rank are you?"
"What is your rank or ranks in swordsmanship?"
"How about magic, what level is each category?
"Can you do anything else?"
"Can you list any other skills you might have?"
. . . . . .
I answered honestly as per Lucy Sensei instruction.
But I am beginning to think she is taking this as some job interview.
After every answer I gave I could see in her eyes that she was making a mental note saying she would have to confirm later.
W-well I guess that makes sense. I was to be her bodyguard on this task so its obvious she wanted to get a feel for where I was at ... Heh heh heh ... Sigh ...heh
We went back and forth like this for a while when a thought popped into my head.
I wasn't sure why I wanted to know. Maybe chock it up to basic curiosity.
. . . . .
"Say Aisha-chan ..."
I looked to the sky as I thought about how to word this.
"Did you ... Did you always wanted to be a maid ...?"
It always threw me for a loop. Aisha was so smart yet she limited herself to just being a maid.
I remembered when she made the Mercenary Company under Rudy's request. She genuinely found it fun to kick start. Heck from what I heard she went into her own salary to fulfill some goals so it can start off without a hitch.
But being a maid. Like I know organizing can be fulfilling. Heck I make it habit to keep my safe houses up and up.
I have one in Millis where I keep all my loot from my dungeon crawling.
I have one in the King Dragon Realm were I keep all my equipment.
And I have one in Beh-
Wait .... We were talking about Aisha and her goals ... Cough cough.
Being a maid.
Did she find it fun? Was it just that she had no goals in her life?
As someone who had to fight and crawl to get to where I was today ... I was generously curious.
Did she had any childhood dreams she had way back when?
All children have childhood dreams when growing up.
Some wanted to be adventurers when hearing the heroic tales of old.
Some wanted to be bards and travel the world.
Some of the boys wanted to be the strongest on the world and defeat a demon king.
A good example would be Norn. I believe she told me one time that she wanted to be an adventurer when we were kids.
But what about Aisha?
If it's something like that maybe I can help fulfill some childhood wish. Yea that could get us on friendlier terms. Hmmm hmmm.
"... You know like was it something you set your sights on when you were a ..."
I was in contemplating my question as I continued my walk. Not noticing that Aisha suddenly stop at my question.
" . . . . ."
"Aisha-chan?"
Ok ... What gives? It's not that hard of a ... Huh?
When I turned I was met with a face I have never seen out of her.
She just looked at me ... with disgust? No maybe not but the way she was looking at me felt conflicting for some reason.
Made me stop in my tracks. What was going on? Was it something I said?
". . . . ."
"Ah ... Em"
Her mouth opened and closed, as of trying to come up with some answer. We just stayed like this to what felt like hours.
Aisha, please say something. Say what I said wrong. Call me an idiot like you use to ... Anything would be good right now.
"P-perhaps that would be enough of ... That"
She looked down as she continued her walk towards the Mercenary Company.
This wasn't looking good.
Literally what took the span of walking to the City, my relationship with Aisha started out bad. It got a bit better, almost to the terms of friendly. And then by the end of it ended up worse.
"Um ... Aisha-chan, if it's something I said"
". . . . ."
She ignored me. Yup definitely not good. Lucy Sensei ... I think I'd gone and mess this up. What should I do?
Help me!!!
And so that was how the this journey of ours began. With their relationship worse than what it was.
This wasn't looking too good