Daiki – Day 2
It had been exactly one day since I saw Eris, and she was still wearing her cape. I needed to explain the change to Cliff; knowing him, he might say, "Ha, the inferior do not appreciate gifts from their superiors," referring to the fact that I would stop using his cape. But, since it wasn't a gift, I had every right to do as I pleased. Even so, I needed to clear the air. I couldn't just leave it at a simple, "Here, I don't care about it anymore."
We had to dissolve the "Crimson Crest" party. Perhaps he would understand if I explained it correctly; however, he had been quite enthusiastic about it. Still, considering he is an A-Rank adventurer—and one capable of ascending to S-Rank—I was quite sure he would find a new group quickly.
The only major issue was my grandmother, Claire. I couldn't anticipate her decision, but I couldn't run away either; I had to inform her that I must go my own way to find my mother. If I told her everything instead of sneaking off, I was sure she would understand and let me depart. After all, she didn't want to make the same mistake again. If she allowed me to leave without obligations, there would be no hard feelings, and she could hope for my return someday.
My aunt Therese had left some time ago; she didn't tell me where, but she said goodbye as if it were the last time. Perhaps she anticipated that I would be leaving soon.
I let out a sigh and walked down the stairs toward the garden where Claire was.
"Grandmother Claire." I greeted her formally. "I came to inform you of something."
She looked up at me. She no longer looked at me like an anomaly; in fact, I could swear she now viewed me with a warmth she hadn't shown in a long time.
"Yes?" She invited me to sit.
I obliged and decided to tell her. "You see, Grandmother... Information has come to light; I might be able to find a person I hold very dear. I came to tell you because it would feel terribly wrong not to, considering our past troubles."
She furrowed her brow, remembering the past. Seeing her get lost in thought, I realized I had touched a sensitive nerve.
"Very well... Just take care of yourself. And promise to come see me again."
That... was not the answer I expected.
"I will, I'll take care... But I cannot promise you that, I'm sorry. The world is big and dangerous, but I can tell you with certainty that I want to return. That is better than a promise that isn't in my hands to keep."
Then she stood up, walking closer.
"I know this will be weird, but let me do this. Alright?"
"What are y—?"
She hugged me like never before, with a strength I didn't think possible. I didn't know how to react to this. My mind was spinning right now.
[Wow... you won over the strict grandmother. Omedetou, Shinji.]
'What are you talking about? My name is Daiki...'
[Rudy mentioned it once, I wanted to replicate it.]
"You proved to be better than I thought... Now go, before I regret it and put bars on your room... Ah, I almost forgot."
She took out a coin pouch. "I won't give you much, because I know you, and I know you wish to forge your own earnings. Take this as an advance for when you turn fifteen, please."
I took the bag. "Thank you very much, this will help a lot... I promise to honor the family name properly and not act like a scoundrel on my journey... Speaking of the journey, it is in six days, but I must distance myself from the nobility to get used to life in inns and such again. Is that alright?"
She nodded, letting me go and looking at me one last time. Then I crossed the garden and disappeared from her sight.
I went to my room to gather my things: Temphestalis, Cliff's cape which I had to return, the pouch the elves gave me, and... hmm... I need to give something to Eris... I can't just accept a gift just like that. Ah, yes, this would be fine. I closed the door for the last time and walked out.
I left the life of nobility behind to venture once again into the unpredictable and vast nature of the outside world.
Upon arriving at the guild, I noticed Cliff sitting at a table, eating.
"How strange, the great Cliff eating the guild's insignificant food?" I said, sitting down across from him.
"That cape... did you buy it?" he said bluntly, ignoring my previous comment.
"Yes, about that... I came to return the cape you gave me, and our group's logo."
He stood up abruptly, stopping his meal. "What do you mean by that?"
"My brother returned, Cliff. Now that I know he is okay and that I can start looking for our mother, I can't just stay here any longer. I'm sorry, but I will be withdrawing from Crimson Crest."
He crossed his arms and turned around. "Even if you leave, the group will continue to exist. So, if you decide to return, I will wait, and I will gladly let you back in. I'll admit it before I regret it: thank you, Daiki. Thank you for giving me a chance and not judging me like the others did. For looking past my status... I will always be grateful for that."
After that, he took the cape and left. I let out a heavy sigh and leaned back for a moment. This decision was difficult, but necessary.
I heard some mumbling behind me; it was Eris, shuffling her feet across the floor.
"Daiki... hey, good morning," she said, sitting next to me with her eyes closed, tired and yawning, leaning against my shoulder.
"I don't think I'm your bed, young Eris..." I said smiling, though I didn't move her either.
"Comfy..." she said, but then realized what she was doing.
"...Huh?" She opened her eyes and looked at me, then at my shoulder, freezing like that for four seconds straight. "I-I... was tired, that's all."
"Uh-huh, tired... and what's that excuse?" said Rudeus, entering the scene as well. Even so, Eris didn't move from where she was.
"Good morning, Rudy. It seems I'm comfortable," I joked, patting Eris's head as she seemed to be drifting off to sleep.
"Well, surely she likes your muscles..."
That was enough for Eris to jump up and finally wake up completely.
"It-It's not because of that... he smells good... I mean, it's peaceful, it's like wanting to sleep in the ocean without sinking."
He smiled. "So... the calm sea and the ceaseless storm. What a good duo."
"Well, well... ah, young Eris, I wanted to give you something." I pulled a red gem from my pocket, one that reminded me of my eyes, with so many layers that a figure could form inside, abstract but functional. It wasn't an expensive material, but it was unique, small, and practical.
"Here." I placed it in her hands. "I couldn't just accept your gift without giving you something in return. It's nothing expensive, but I thought it would match your hair and eyes."
Eris looked at the gem in silence, turning it between her fingers.
"It's... the color of your eyes... Not red like mine, deeper..." she murmured.
"Did you say something?"
"N-Nothing!" She quickly shoved the gem into her pocket, as if fearing I would take it back. "I was just saying that... it's fine. I'll accept it. But don't think this means anything."
Rudeus coughed exaggeratedly. "Get a room..."
"RUDEUS!" Eris shot up.
I took the opportunity to stand up as well.
"Young Eris, brother... I've already spoken with Claire and Cliff. Emilia is waiting for me at the inn. I am ready to leave in 6 days with you."
She was about to say something but kept it to herself.
"Hmm?"
"I mean, maybe you didn't want to come with us... but you accepted very quickly," she said while looking away and playing with her lips, thinking I wasn't watching her.
"Did you think I would refuse to go with you?" I asked, leaning toward her. "I've been looking for information on Mother. I was looking for you two as well; I can't let you leave again."
She still wouldn't look at me.
"Besides..." I continued, lowering my voice a little. "There are people I want to protect on this journey."
Eris finally turned her head toward me.
"P-Protect? I don't need protection! I'm stronger than before!"
"I know. I noticed when we crossed swords." I smiled slightly. "But that doesn't change what I said. Allow me this whim."
"W-Whim? What kind of... why do you say it like that?"
"Because it is," I replied calmly. "I know you are strong. I know you don't need anyone to take care of you. But wanting to do it anyway... that is a whim of mine. Will you allow it?"
"...Do whatever you want," she muttered. "But if you get in my way during a fight, I'll beat you up."
"I expected nothing less."
Rudeus approached.
"Brother, were you always this smooth with words? I don't remember that..."
"I've had time to practice."
"Practice? With whom exactly?"
Before I could answer, Eris intervened.
"That doesn't matter now!" She grabbed my arm and started pulling me toward the exit. "You said you would train. Let's go!"
"Sorry, little brother..." I said as I let myself be dragged away.
-
Day 3
On the third day, I decided to do one last guild mission accompanied by Eris and a Rudeus who was exhausted because he had stayed up late making some figurines. The mission was to face some Goblins and bring back ears as proof, nothing more. It seems the infestation has increased since Eris attacked.
"Rudy, if you can't stay awake, stay back," I said as we walked through the forest.
"I'm fine, I'm fine..." he yawned, dragging his feet. "I just need a little motivation."
"Motivation?" Eris looked at him. "What kind of motivation do you need to kill goblins?"
"The kind that involves sleeping eight hours..."
I ignored his complaint and raised my hand, signaling them to stop. There was movement in the bushes.
"Twelve... no, fifteen," I whispered.
Eris smiled, unsheathing her sword. "Perfect."
Before I could give the order, she had already lunged forward. I sighed.
"Cover her," I told Rudeus.
"And you?"
"I'll clean up the ones that escape."
Day 4
Training with Eris had become routine. Every morning, before dawn, we would meet in the backyard.
Norn watched in awe, as always, and Emilia seemed to be noting down my every move in her book, as if she were writing a story... Ah, that is surely the case.
As for Eris, she had improved considerably. Her speed was impressive, but she still lacked control in her finishing moves. Simply put, she had improved quite a lot in the nearly two years since the incident.
"You leave yourself too open after the third strike."
"Then don't give me time for a third!" she growled.
I smiled. That attitude was so like her.
After an hour, we sat on the ground, catching our breath.
"Daiki," she said without looking at me.
"Yeah?"
"...Nothing. Forget it."
I didn't press. I knew she would speak when she was ready.
That same day, Ruijerd approached me.
"Is something wrong?" I looked at him.
"Yes, I would like to have a spar with you."
"Oh, well. With pleasure."
Eris sat on the ground, Rudeus leaned against a pillar with his arms crossed, and Father watched in amazement while Norn sat on his shoulders.
"You can do it, big brother!"
I made the first move. I knew I wasn't his superior in strength, so I needed to use my smaller size and agility to my advantage. However, he didn't seem to move from his spot, so I had to intensify my movements... but nothing worked. Whenever I tried to hit him, he had already anticipated it and countered. The only thing I beat him in is reaction speed, but being fast is useless if you can't actually do anything to him.
"Good..." Ruijerd finally got serious. We exchanged so many blows that the very ground began to rumble, until he finally spotted my weak point and disarmed me. The Superd was breathing heavily.
"You are strong," Ruijerd said, catching his breath. "More than I expected for your age. Your reaction speed is exceptional, but your analytical ability in combat is what makes you special."
"Analytical?" I asked.
"Yes, your brother said you were very 'analytical' regarding the situation. I didn't know that word, but it is interesting."
[My analysis indicates that his analysis is correct]
Eris stood up and walked over to me, looking me up and down.
"Are you hurt?"
"Only my pride, Young Eris."
She scoffed. "Good. Then tomorrow we train twice as hard."
Day 5
I spent the day preparing provisions and checking equipment. Ruijerd joined me in this task.
"You look after her a lot," he said suddenly.
"Who are you talking about?"
He looked at me with those eyes that seemed to see through everything—which was true.
"You know who."
I didn't answer, focusing on cleaning my sword.
"She is a good warrior," Ruijerd continued. "But still young. Impulsive."
"I know."
"Will you protect her?"
I looked up at him.
"With my life, if necessary."
He nodded, apparently satisfied with my answer.
"Good. Then I have no objections to you coming with us."
Day 6
The night before we left, I found Eris on the roof of the inn, looking at the stars. I had told her about her grandfather Sauros, so she was devastated.
"Can't sleep?" I asked, sitting down next to her.
"...No." She hugged her knees.
"Do you remember the conversation we had that night at the mansion? Especially looking up at this same sky."
She chuckled slightly. "Tch... Yeah, you said we were dust or something like that, going to the sky without pain."
"Right... So, are you scared?"
"Of course not! I just... I don't want to lose anyone else."
I understood that feeling better than she imagined.
"You won't," I said.
"You can't promise me that."
"You're right. I can't." I lay back, looking at the sky. "But I can promise you that I'll fight until the very end to make sure it doesn't happen."
She remained silent for a long moment.
"Grandfather... he was always loud," she said finally. "He yelled about everything. He laughed too loudly. He was annoying sometimes..."
"I know. I remember it well."
"But also..." She gripped her knees tighter. "He was the one who let me be me. He never asked me to be a 'lady.' He never forced me to change."
Tears began to fall down her cheeks, though she tried to hide them.
"It-It's unfair," she whispered. "He didn't deserve that."
I didn't say anything. I just moved a little closer and, carefully, placed my cloak over her shoulders. The same cloak she had given me.
"W-what are you doing...?"
"You're cold."
"Daiki..."
"Young Eris."
She fell silent, accepting the gesture. We stayed like that for several minutes, in silence, watching the stars.
"Daiki," her voice came out barely audible.
"Yeah?"
"...Thank you. For being here."
"Always, Young Eris."
She rested her head on my shoulder, just as she had done that morning at the guild. This time, neither of us said anything about it.
"...Idiot," she murmured, but I felt a small smile against my shoulder.