Six days until departure.
I had to explain the new cloak to Cliff.
I didn't know if he would take it personally, since the old one was about to tear anyway.
The Crimson Crest party also had to be disbanded. Considering how competent Cliff had become and that he was now an A-Rank adventurer, he will surely be able to find another party or, who knows, continue on his own.
As for Emilia, I had already spoken to her.
She assured me she would take care of Norn in my absence, look after the orphanage, and that she would find a job soon.
The only major issue wasn't saying goodbye to my friends, but to my grandmother Claire.
I didn't know if she would take it well or badly, but I couldn't stay either. I had to tell her that I needed to follow my own path, that if I stayed I would stagnate, and assure her that maybe someday I would return. I know that if I say goodbye instead of running away, she might understand and let me go.
My aunt Therese ran into trouble while escorting a Miko. It seems she failed to fulfill her duties properly and was held responsible for the incident.
As a consequence, she was demoted from her position and sent to another division under a new superior. I know she was transferred elsewhere, but I am not sure exactly where she is now.
I sighed, went down the stairs, and walked over to the garden where Claire was.
"Claire." I gave a polite greeting. "I came to inform you of something."
"Yes, Daiki?" she invited me to sit. "Sit down."
I listened to her and decided to tell her everything that had happened.
"I see," Claire finally spoke. "You want to leave to improve yourself? You know I could send you to the Ranoa Magic University. It is a much more suitable option."
"No. This is a path to mature, and besides, I found information about someone I want to look for. I came because I planned to tell you, not just leave. But the decision is already made. I will not stay."
"I understand..." she lowered her head slightly. "Do you know why I accepted you, Daiki?"
"No. Why?" I looked at her.
"Because you look nothing like Paul Greyrat. Not in personality, and not in appearance. That helped more than you realize," Claire answered.
"Well, I did get his talent with the sword..."
"You had to inherit something, I suppose."
...
"Daiki," Claire said. "I know what I am about to ask is strange, but stand up."
I obeyed. She also stood up.
"What th-"
I didn't finish the sentence.
She hugged me, pressing my face against her chest.
I didn't expect it.
From her? Never.
She held me like she had never done before, as if she had carried an invisible weight for years and, for a single instant, could finally let it go.
Maybe she couldn't do things right with her daughter. Maybe it was too late.
But with me, maybe she still had time to redeem herself a little.
Even so, she did many things wrong... But I also did wrong things in my past life, so I am in no position to judge her.
[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've proven yourself to be a loyal boy," Claire continued, "honest, intelligent, talented, honorable, respectful... and the list is long, so I will let you go. But leave quickly before I regret it and decide to put bars on your room," she said.
"I will. Do not worry," I replied.
"Ah, I almost forgot..." she took out a small bag of coins. "I won't give you much, because I know you and I know you want to earn your own way. Take it as an advance for when you turn fifteen, please."
"Thank you very much, it will be a huge help." I took the bag. "Ah, the trip is in six days, but I decided to step away from luxuries to get used to the inn life again. Is that a problem?"
"No, but leave quickly, please."
I nodded and left the Latreia mansion.
...
Leaving the mansion, I carried my things:
Temphestalis or Tempest, the sword Sauros gave me, capable of repairing itself.
The cloak Cliff gave me.
The bag the elves gave me and... something I still had to give to Eris.
When I arrived at the guild, I saw him eating at a table.
"How strange, my great friend eating the insignificant guild food?" I said, sitting next to him.
"That cloak, did you buy it?" he ignored what I said.
"Not exactly. Someone gave it to me and I appreciate it a lot. That is all."
"I see... You are leaving, aren't you?" Cliff asked suddenly.
"That's right. I wanted to know if you want me to return the cloak or if you prefer I take it with me. There's no problem either way," I answered, resting it on the back of the chair. "Ah, and I already left Crimson Crest," I added. "I came to hand the emblem over to you. It will be much better under your care."
He crossed his arms and looked away.
"Even if you leave, the party will continue to exist. So, if you decide to return, I will wait... and I will gladly allow you to join again. And... I will accept the cloak. Though I don't plan on using it, that thing is already outdated," Cliff concluded.
"Thank you, friend. I hope to see you again."
"Hmph."
He grabbed the cloak and left.
'I'm sorry, Cliff. Next time I won't leave so suddenly. '
I let out a heavy sigh and leaned back for a moment.
[I didn't like him at first. Not now either. But I admit he was a great companion for you]
'Why don't you like him? I know he was very egocentric at first, but he proved to be loyal and, above all, a competent person.'
[I couldn't tell you. I just don't like him... although I don't know exactly why]
"Tch..."
I heard some mumbling behind me.
"Daiki..." it was Eris. "Hello... good morning..."
She sat down next to me, still sleepy, and leaned her head on my shoulder.
"Ah, good morning... And about this, young Eris, I don't think I am a bed," I said, though I made no move to push her away.
"Comfortable..." she murmured.
She opened her eyes wide suddenly.
"...Ah?" she looked at me, then at my shoulder, and repeated the process several times over a few seconds. "I-I... was tired, that's all."
"Uh-huh, tired... and what kind of excuse is that?" Rudeus chimed in.
Eris didn't move.
"Good morning, Rudy. It seems I am comfortable," I joked, patting Eris's head, who was already on the verge of falling back asleep.
"Well, I'm sure she just likes your muscles."
That was enough for Eris to jump to her feet.
"T-that's not why! You smell good... I mean... it's peaceful. It's like... like wanting to sleep in the ocean without sinking."
Rudeus smirked.
"Sure, sure..." Rudeus said, crossing his arms. "The calm sea and the endless storm? That sounds a bit too much like a cheap novel to me."
"Rudeus, if you don't shut up..." Eris threatened, though she yawned again halfway through. "You're goooing to regret it..."
Rudeus smiled again and, for his own good, decided not to add anything else.
"Alright, alright..." I said. "Young Eris, I wanted to give you something."
I took the opportunity to pull out what I had in my pocket.
A red gem, crimson in color, with so many intricate layers inside that you could make out an abstract but functional figure within it.
"Here." I placed it in her hands. "I couldn't accept your gift without giving you something in return."
Eris stayed silent, observing the gem while turning it between her fingers.
"It's... the color of your eyes," she murmured. "Not red like mine. Deeper..."
"Did you say something?" I asked.
"N-nothing!" she answered immediately, shoving the gem in her pocket as if terrified I would take it back. "I was just saying that... it's fine. I will accept it. But don't think this means anything."
Rudeus coughed exaggeratedly.
"Get a room..."
"RUDEUS!" Eris yelled, jumping up.
I used the commotion to stand up as well.
"I already spoke with Claire and Cliff. I am ready to leave in six days with you guys."
Eris opened her mouth, but closed it right away.
"What's wrong, young Eris?" I asked.
"I thought maybe you didn't want to... umm... well... come with us," she admitted, avoiding my gaze.
"Did you really think I would refuse to go with you?" I leaned slightly toward her. "I've been looking for information about my mother. I was also looking for you. I cannot allow you to leave again."
She kept looking away.
"Besides..." I added, lowering my voice a little, "there are people I want to protect on this trip."
"P-protect? I don't need protection! I am stronger than before!" she protested.
"I know," I replied with a faint smile. "I noticed that when we crossed swords. But that doesn't change what I said. Allow me this whim."
"W-whim? What kind of...? Why do you say it like that?" she frowned.
"Because it is one," I answered calmly. "I know you are strong. I know you don't need anyone to take care of you. But wanting to do it anyway... is a whim of mine. Will you let me?"
"...Do whatever you want," she murmured finally. "But if you get in my way during a fight, I will hit you."
"I expected nothing less."
Rudeus approached, eyeing me with curiosity.
"Brother, were you always this smooth with your words? I don't remember that..."
"I've had time to practice."
"Practice?" they both raised an eyebrow. "With whom, exactly?"
Before I could answer, Eris intervened.
"That doesn't matter right now!" she declared, grabbing my arm and starting to drag me towards the exit. "You said you would train. Let's go!"
"Sorry, little brother..." I managed to say, letting myself be dragged away while Rudeus stayed behind, smiling with obvious amusement.
...
The next day, I decided to take on one last guild mission, accompanied by Eris and a very tired Rudeus who had stayed up late crafting figures. The task was simple: hunt down some goblins and bring back their ears as proof. Nothing more than that.
"Rudy, if you can't stay awake, hang 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 glared at him. "What kind of motivation do you need to kill goblins?"
"The kind that involves sleeping eight full hours..." Rudeus grumbled.
I ignored his complaining 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 even give the order, she had already dashed forward. I sighed.
"Cover her," I told Rudeus.
"What about you?"
"I'll handle the ones that try to escape."
...
Every morning, before dawn, we met in the backyard.
Norn watched in awe as usual, and Emilia seemed to write down everything I did in her book, as if she were writing a novel.
As for Eris, she had improved considerably. Her speed was impressive, but she still lacked control during her finishing moves.
"You leave yourself too wide open after the third strike."
"Then don't give me time for a third one!" she grunted.
I smiled. That attitude was very typical of her.
After an hour, we sat on the ground to catch our breath.
"Daiki," she said without looking at me.
"Yes?" I turned to face her.
"...Nothing. Forget it."
I didn't press the issue.
That same day, Ruijerd approached me.
"Is something wrong?" I looked at him.
"Yes. I would like to spar with you," he answered.
"Oh, alright. With pleasure."
Eris sat on the ground, suddenly very interested. Rudeus leaned against a pillar with his arms crossed, and Paul watched in awe with Norn sitting on his shoulders.
"You can do it, little brother!" Norn cheered, pumping her fist in the air.
I lunged first.
I didn't have the upper hand in raw strength, but perhaps I did in agility and movement speed. Even so, he didn't budge from his spot and effortlessly intercepted my attacks from every angle.
"Whoaa, Daiki-niisan is amazing!" Norn yelled.
I tried targeting his shoulders. Nothing.
Attacking his legs. Also nothing.
No matter what I did, I couldn't break his guard.
However, as the match went on, I began to analyze his fighting style and, based on that, tried to formulate a strategy....
THUD!
He struck me with the blunt end of his spear directly in the stomach, sending me flying into one of the walls. I pushed off of it, jumped toward a pillar, and used that change in trajectory to try and surprise him, but he simply spun his spear and disarmed me in a flash.
Ruijerd looked slightly winded, but satisfied.
"That was very good. I know that wasn't everything you have, right?"
"No," I answered, "but I don't think I could beat you anyway. You weren't going all out either."
"You are strong," Ruijerd nodded. "Stronger than I expected for someone your age. Your reaction speed and how you utilize your surroundings are exceptional, but your ability to think during combat is what truly makes you stand out. Your brother..." he added, "mentioned that you were very analytical in these situations."
[My analysis indicates that his analysis is correct.]
"I suppose that's just how I am," I concluded.
Eris stood up and marched over to me, looking me up and down.
"Are you hurt? Does your stoma...?" She stopped mid-sentence upon realizing she was touching my abdomen.
"Only my pride," I replied, ignoring what she had just done so she wouldn't feel embarrassed.
She scoffed, yanked her hand back, and spun around.
"Fine... then tomorrow we will train twice as hard."
...
I spent the following day preparing provisions and checking our gear.
Ruijerd joined me in the task.
"You take good care of her," he said out of nowhere.
"Who are you talking about?" I asked.
He looked at me with those eyes that seemed to pierce through everything, which, to be fair, was partly true.
"You know who," Ruijerd said.
I didn't reply. I just focused on cleaning my sword.
Do I take good care of her? Yes, I do... and I like doing it.
"She is a skilled warrior," Ruijerd continued, "but she is still young. Impulsive."
"I know," I replied.
"Will you protect her?" Ruijerd asked bluntly.
I looked up at him.
"With my life, if necessary," I replied, sheathing my sword.
He nodded, satisfied with my answer.
"Good. Then I have no objections to you coming with us."
...
The night before leaving, I found Eris up on the roof of the inn, staring at the stars.
I had told her about her grandfather Sauros. I couldn't keep it a secret, so she just sat there gazing upward.
"Can't sleep?" I asked, sitting down next to her.
"...No," she hugged her knees tightly.
"Do you remember the conversation we had that night at the mansion? Especially when we were looking up at this exact same sky."
"Tch... Yeah, you said we were dust or something like that, floating up to the sky without feeling pain," she said, never taking her eyes off her knees.
"Right... So, are you scared?" I asked.
"Of course not! I just... I don't want to lose anyone else."
"You won't," I said.
"You can't promise me that," she shot back.
"You're right. I can't." I leaned back, looking up at the sky. "But I can promise you that I will fight to the bitter end to make sure it doesn't happen."
She stayed quiet for a long time.
"Grandpa... he was always so loud," she finally said. "He yelled about everything. He laughed way too loud. He was really annoying sometimes..."
"I know. I remember it well."
"But also..." she squeezed her knees tighter. "He was the one who let me be myself. He never told me to be a lady. He never forced me to change."
Tears started rolling down her cheeks, even though she tried her best to hide them.
"It's unfair," she whispered. "He didn't deserve that."
I didn't say anything.
I just shifted a little closer and, gently, draped my cloak over her shoulders.
The exact same cloak she had gifted me.
And I pulled her into a hug.
"W-what are you doing...?"
"You're cold."
"I'm not..."
"Young Eris."
She went quiet, accepting the gesture. We sat like that for several minutes, in complete silence, just watching the stars.
"Daiki," her voice was barely a whisper.
"Yes?"
"...Thank you. For being here."
"Always, young Eris."
She rested her head against my shoulder, just like she had done that morning at the guild.
"...Idiot," she murmured, but I could feel a tiny smile pressing against my shoulder.