I finished the broth, sopping up the last of it with the bread. The warm food settled in my stomach, a small, solid comfort against the lingering emptiness in my chest. I pushed the tray away and stood up. The room spun for a moment, then settled. I was still weak, but I was steady.
"Alright," I said, my voice firm. "Let's go."
"Go? But... the sun's barely up! And the shops aren't open! We haven't even had second breakfast!" Angus protested, fluttering around the room in a panic. [This is a terrible plan! A plan with zero foresight and a high probability of grumpiness! (╥﹏╥)]
"We can't stay," I said, my tone leaving no room for argument. I pulled on the boots the innkeeper had left for me—they were a little too big, but they were dry and sturdy. "Every second we're here is a risk. To them. And to us."
I looked around, frowning.
Where had the man gotten to?
I suppose it doesn't matter.
Apparently he'll be forced to follow me if I leave. The thought was supposed to be a comfort, but it only made the knot in my stomach tighten. I wasn't just leading myself out of town. I was leading a monster.
I rub my face in my hands and then shake my head.
No. no. I can't think like that.
It's true, but I can't think like that.
Those bindings keep me safe - relatively. It's the others around me that I have to protect until I get stronger. And now I know, very much so, what's at stake.
I grab the small leather pouch of coins the Demon King had tossed to the innkeeper, which the innkeeper had insisted I take back with a great deal of insistence and confusion. He may be a monster, but he had at least paid for my room.
I take in a breath and let it out.
I'm not built for this. I'm a hikkikomori. I'm a shut-in. My idea of a good day was no people, no obligations, and an endless supply of instant noodles.
I open the door and start walking down the stairs, Angus fluttering nervously behind me. The inn was quiet, the morning light just beginning to filter through the grimy windows. I could see the innkeeper's wife in the kitchen, her back to me, humming a cheerful tune as she stirred a large pot over the fire. The sight sent a fresh wave of guilt through me. She had no idea she'd been feeding and sheltering a monster and the fool who held his leash.
I walked toward the door, my steps quick and light. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I didn't want to say goodbye. I just wanted to disappear.
"Leaving so soon?" A low, drawling voice stopped me in my tracks.
He was standing by the door, a dark silhouette against the morning light. He was leaning against the wall, one arm crossed over his chest.
"Why, did you want to stay here?"
I retort, my hands on my hips. "You seemed not to like this place when we got here."
He scoffed. "I don't care for any of this miserable world. You least of all." He pushed himself off the wall, and I flinched before I could stop myself. He noticed, of course. "But your haste is commendable. It is a rare flicker of intelligence in the vast, empty void of your mind."
I'm not going to rise to that. I'm not going to rise to that. I am not. I take a breath.
"Then we're leaving." I try to shoulder past him.
He didn't move. He just stood there, a solid, immovable wall of muscle and contempt. "And where shall we go, oh brilliant strategist? Back into the wilderness to be mauled by some other witless beast? Does it so thrill you to have this Demon King protect you? Your pride must be truly nonexistent." He tilted his head, a gesture that was both elegant and deeply unnerving. "I have a better idea."
"Does it involve clothing?" I ask, gesturing to the loincloth. "Because that's an idea I could get behind."
His eyes narrowed. "Do not presume to find humor in your pathetic state. There is a city." He said the word with the same disdain he used for everything else. "Sylverhaven. It lies to the east. A week's travel. A festering hive of mortals, but it will have what you need."
I crossed my arms. "You've been doing reconnaissance?"
"Eventually, I will break these bonds and kill you." He said, looking toward the door. "If it is more expedient to kill the demon king and be free of these bonds that way, then so be it. Consider it your only hope." His gaze returned to me. "Or would you like to choose a place to die?" He asked.
I glared at him. "I'll go to Sylverhaven. I'm not going to die."
"Wise. A rare sight on you." His lips quirked into a slight, mocking smirk. "Truly. I did not believe. With how willing you were to listen to your gluttonous angel, I'd begun to believe I'd have to pretend to want to stay in this stinking bog to get your little feet moving." He leaned in closer. "Try to keep up."
He turned then and strode through the door, leaving me to follow.
I stared after him for a second. Sylverhaven.
I don't really know what it is that Sylverhaven will have that I 'need'.
I probably should have asked that.
But...it's a week.
A week's journey with just him and Angus. I can't help but dread it. Even if it means being away from any potential victims. A week to figure out how to grow that warmth in my chest enough to control him if he tries to attack someone else.
The thought of him hurting another innocent person made my stomach turn.
Angus fluttered up to me, his wings beating nervously. "Sylverhaven! The City of Spires! I've read about it! It's supposed to be beautiful! And they have the best sweet buns! So many sweet buns!" [Violet! We have to go! For the sweet buns! And also, you know, to get stronger and stuff! (´｡• ᵕ •｡`) ♡]
...I'm traveling with a sadistic psychopath and a gourmet.
A NEET, a psychopath and a glutton walk into a swamp.
It sounded like the beginning of a very bad joke.
I couldn't even think of a way to make it funny.
I shook my head.
Maybe the punchline is just me.