The reason I am in this city is only to rest after witnessing the events in Geaz city about the massacre in that city.
I truly cannot forget the fear from a few days ago inside that mansion in Geaz city.
In fact, I even had nightmares while sleeping and was always haunted by those horrible things.
I also heard that this Cierliu city is a fairly prosperous city. Making it the right city to rest in.
However, upon arriving in this city, I never expected that I could meet him again. I never expected that I could see his face again.
I thought I would never see him again, after all that time had passed, after he suddenly disappeared just like that.
I was even convinced... maybe he was already gone.
Was it because he gave up on the harshness of this world, or because he was too brave in chasing something that could not be achieved.
But it turns out... I was wrong.
*Sniff. I quickly wiped the corner of my eyes, hoping Zert didn't see.
"Who is he?" My older brother's voice broke my daydream.
I turned to her, "Ah... That..." I didn't know what to say to her.
"J-Just an acquaintance!" I said hesitantly.
"Oh, is that so." Zert replied shortly.
But in the end, he also smiled a little.
I looked at her for a moment. That smile... what did it mean?
Did he not like it if I had a male acquaintance? Or was he actually relieved? I don't know.
"Let's go." My older brother said, stepping forward first.
I cut her off, "W-wait!" I shouted hurriedly.
he immediately turned around to look at me.
"C-Can I talk to him first?!" I asked softly, asking for permission.
"Yes." Zert turned her back to me again, "I'll rent an inn first." he added.
Since that incident, it seems like her attitude toward me has changed a little. You could say that he has softened a bit and allowed me to do this and that.
I immediately got excited, "Th-Thank you!" I shouted, quickly turning my back to her, heading toward the entrance gate of the city.
Maybe my brother wanted to atone for her mistake because at that time he could only remain silent and do nothing in the midst of a threatening situation.
Whatever it is, it doesn't matter. *Tup. Tup. Tup. I ran lightly toward the gate in front of me.
When I arrived here, I waited for the man to come out of the gate.
"I already told you, I don't have an ID!" Someone shouted at the gate guard.
"What's that?" I thought to myself when I heard that.
"If you don't have one, pay the entry fee." The gate guard sounded very angry. "If you don't pay, please leave." The gate guard added, "You're wasting the people's time behind you."
When I looked again, "That man doesn't have an ID?" I muttered to myself. I didn't know the man's name.
Just as I was about to pay his entry fee, he spoke, "Money, huh?" He asked.
"Does he not have any money either? How pitiful." I muttered to myself. I had to help him quickly.
"Ex-Excuse m—"
My words were immediately cut off by, "Silver coins, or gold coins?" The man asked as he took out two coin pouches containing silver coins and gold coins.
Making the guard immediately shocked, "W-Where did you get this much?!"
With a wide smile, he answered, "I found a lot of treasure in a cave!" *Khahaha.
"4 copper coins," The gate guard replied, taking 1 silver coin from the man's pouch.
The gate guard gave back 6 copper coins in change.
As far as I know, if you don't have an ID you really do have to pay four copper coins. One silver coin is worth ten copper.
"Keep your money, there are many kinds of people here." Maybe that's what the guard whispered to the man, because the distance between us was also quite far.
I was astonished, how could he get that much money in just a few weeks?
He said he got it from a cave, but which cave has treasure? Even if there was treasure, it surely would have been taken by others first, because that is how the Outer Slums are.
I smiled faintly, "Hm." Closing my eyes, "It's not good to interfere in that matter."
"Thank you." The man said, stepping out of the gate while hiding his coins behind his robe.
"Why are you still here?" He asked me.
I smiled at him, "Nothing," I stepped a few steps closer to him, "Want to eat together?" I asked him, while leaning my body forward.
The man replied with a smile, "Yes, where do you want to eat?" He asked.
"Before that, what is your name?" I asked him, while walking beside him.
I didn't yet know what his name was. Because even when he lived on the streets, people only described his appearance by saying a brown-haired man.
Even though I had met him over and over again when giving him bread and water, it would have felt very unethical to ask his identity in such a tragic situation.
"Reigh Asteion." A short answer came out of his mouth.
I looked ahead, "Reigh Asteion, huh?" I murmured, "A good name."
The man named Reigh suddenly stepped in front of me while slightly crouching, "What is your name, Miss?" He asked softly, "And thank you very much for your help all this time."
I stayed silent for a moment, he is tall too, huh. Even though he had crouched a bit, his height was still equal.
"Sylzee," I slightly bowed my head. I hesitated whether I should tell my family name.
But, when I looked up, he instead smiled widely. "Sylzee, huh? A good name." He said cheerfully, straightening his body again.
"Eh? He doesn't mind the absence of a family name?" I thought to myself.
However, when he came closer earlier, I could see his face clearly.
"He... turns out he is really handsome." I muttered to myself.
Not only that, his facial muscles were really visible. Making him look like a completely different man compared to before.
"Y-You've changed a lot, huh." I asked nervously.
"Eh? Really?" He looked shy, and I… foolishly also became flustered.
Even though this is not the first time we've talked.
I was really curious. What did he do previously that caused such a significant change.
His body looked more upright and fuller even though it was covered by a black robe, his shoulders were broader, his face didn't look dull at all. Instead, it looked more cheerful.
"I-I trained in the forest for the past 2 weeks," He replied hesitantly.
Seriously? Training for 2 weeks could make someone look that different?
I wanted to deny it, but what I saw right now was real. "O-Oh, I see." I replied briefly. I chose not to discuss it any further.
I walked past him, "I-If that's the case, let's eat over there," I said while pointing toward an eatery. "I don't know if it will be good or not." I added.
He seemed to keep looking at me, while walking to follow my steps, "It will definitely be good," He said, "Because you're there."
"Damn it..." I quickly looked down, "Trying to tease me is useless!" I grumbled annoyed.
The two of them walked toward the eatery that Sylzee pointed at.
When they arrived outside, "This doesn't look like an eatery." Reigh muttered.
"Really?" Sylzee asked.
What they saw didn't look like an eatery, but more like a bar with several middle-aged men filling the entrance.
Reigh glanced at Sylzee, "Here?" He asked.
Sylzee immediately turned around, "Sorry, it really doesn't look like an eatery." She muttered softly.
Reigh didn't care about that, instead he walked to several men near the entrance, "Excuse me," he greeted, "Is food sold inside?"
"Hah?" One of the men snorted, stepping forward in front of Reigh, "Don't get too friend—"
"Y-Yes, food is sold inside." The man stammered. He immediately ran away, moving away from Reigh.
Reigh was confused by that, "H-Hey, Guiver... Is my face scary?!" Reigh asked Guiver.
"Don't know," Guiver replied shortly.
What the man saw was not Reigh's face, but what was behind him. "Move." Someone shouted from behind Reigh, immediately pushing Reigh's body to the side.
*A—. Reigh groaned, looking at the person who pushed him aside.
*Tap. Tap. Tap. Several people walked past him with heavy steps like someone who ruled that area.
Reigh immediately searched for Sylzee, "W-Where is Sylzee?!" He panicked because he couldn't see Sylzee due to other people's bodies in front of him.
"R-Reigh! Where are you?" Sylzee shouted, she was also looking for Reigh.
When Reigh heard Sylzee's shout, he immediately hurried to erase his presence so he could pass through the people blocking him.
"I'm here," Said Reigh, who was already behind Sylzee. Sylzee immediately turned around, "Let's just find another place." He pulled Sylzee's hand.
He didn't want to look for trouble with other people when he was with Sylzee. And on top of that, he was in the middle of a mission to take revenge on his target, it would really disturb things if everything was exposed from the start.
"O-Okay." Sylzee replied, her hand being pulled quickly by Reigh away from that crowded place.
"Rare to see you sane, kid." Guiver snapped.
"Shut up." Reigh replied annoyed, "Damn, that turned into a bad experience..." He grumbled in his heart, "If Sylzee wasn't here... I would've slaughtered them all..."
"Hahaha!" Guiver just chuckled.
*Dash. Dash. Walking quickly, Sylzee struggled to keep up with Reigh. "W-Wait! Too fast!" Sylzee shouted.
Reigh immediately realized, "AH, S-SORRY..." Releasing his grip on her hand.
I-It's okay." Sylzee replied.
Reigh panicked when he saw Sylzee's face, "W-Why is your face red?! A-Are you sick?!" He asked in a hurry, slightly crouching to see Sylzee's face that was looking down.
"N-No!" Sylzee walked faster, "L-Let's go to that eatery over there!" She shouted while pointing to an eatery.
Reigh was confused for a moment, "Yeah." But he decided not to question it further.
"Ah, youth." Guiver muttered.
When Guiver said that, Reigh only replied sharply, "Shut up, old bachelor." He followed Sylzee's steps toward the eatery.
"I'm not old!" Guiver shouted, but Reigh ignored it and continued walking.
When they arrived in front of the eatery, "This one?" Reigh asked, "It looks normal." He added.
"Maybe," Sylzee replied.
Reigh stepped forward first, *Creaaak. Opening the double door. "Hm. This is indeed an eatery." Reigh muttered, "Come in." He said, inviting Sylzee behind him.
Sylzee went inside, while Reigh walked first to an empty seat. "Excuse me, the menu please!" Reigh called to the waiter.
"Yes! Coming!" The waiter replied, approaching Reigh while bringing the menu.
Guiver praised Reigh, "Hooo... You understand how to order food, kid."
"Even though you've never been to an eatery before," That was also an insult.
Reigh snorted in annoyance, "I'm not a shut-in like you who never leaves the room!"
*Tsk. Guiver clicked his tongue.
Because Guiver's memories could also be seen by Reigh, making him able to know how the world works.
Even though Reigh had never been to an eatery, as long as he had those memories from Guiver, things like that weren't a problem.
"I'll order this, and this," Reigh said while pointing at the menu, grilled meat and some kind of juice.
"Alright." The waiter replied.
"What are you ordering?" He asked, handing the menu to Sylzee.
"I'll order the same as you," Sylzee said, she covered her face with her hood so other people wouldn't see it.
Reigh smiled, "Please bring what I ordered earlier, for two people, okay." He said to the waiter.
After noting it, "Alright, please wait." The waiter headed to the kitchen area to submit their order.
After the waiter left, Reigh felt confused by Sylzee's behavior, "Hey, Guiver."
"Yeah?"
"Why has Sylzee been covering her face this whole time?"
"She's a famous person, it'll be hard to do anything if her face is seen." Guiver replied.
"Oh..." Reigh understood, "It's not because she hates me, right?" He added.
"That too." Guiver replied flatly.
The atmosphere turned awkward again, silent for a moment.
Reigh started a conversation with Sylzee, "W-Where have you been?" He asked awkwardly, "How did you end up in this city." He added.
Guiver chuckled when Reigh became shy, "Hahaha! So lame!" He shouted.
Holding back his irritation, Reigh tried not to listen to Guiver's teasing. *Grip. Clenching his fists.
"F-From Geaz city," Sylzee replied, "We came here to rest." She added.
Silence for a moment.
"After the massacre there, right?" Reigh asked again, half muttering.
Sylzee, still looking down, felt confused, "How do you know?!" She asked, quickly lifting her head to look at Reigh. "T-That news hasn't even spread yet!" She added.
"Huh?"
"Huh?" Sylzee became even more confused when Reigh instead replied with 'Huh?'.
"Haduh," Guiver snorted. "Just say you heard it on the way.
Reigh quickly nodded, "T-That's right!" He shouted, "I-I heard it on the way!" Sweat slowly came out from his temples. He quickly looked in another direction, not wanting to look at Sylzee.
"On the way?" Sylzee asked in confusion, "Even though the carriage from Geaz city was only our carriage." She muttered.
"Huh?" Guiver also felt stuck, he had to immediately help Reigh so he wouldn't get exposed.
"This became a dead end, damn it, Guiver..." Reigh grumbled, directed at Guiver. *Grip. His fist clenched even tighter.
"The order in coming!" The waiter shouted from afar, bringing their order.
Reigh immediately changed the subject, "T-The order is here! Let's eat first!" He said stuttering.
Sylzee quickly got distracted, "Yes."
*Thud. The waiter placed the food on the table, "Please enjoy." The waiter said, leaving them again.
"P-Please eat," Reigh said awkwardly. "It looks good."
Instantly, Sylzee's face brightened when she saw the tempting food. "Yes, it looks good." She said, picking up the utensils, "Enjoy the meal." She immediately began cutting the meat on her plate.
Seeing Sylzee being distracted, *Fyuuhh... "Th-Thank goodness." He muttered to himself.
With a warm smile, "Enjoy your meal." Reigh said, joining in eating.
Sylzee occasionally glanced at Reigh. She smiled faintly, relieved to see that someone in front of her was able to eat properly.