[Current Balance: 374,939,763 scudi, 5 baiocchi]
---
Another week slipped by at the Villa Auditore. Alaric had settled into a comfortable routine, observing the Assassins, occasionally sparring lightly, never repeating the courtyard incident, and spending time exploring the villa's library and grounds.
Alaric finished cleaning himself up in his room using a combination of "Suiton: Full Bathing Jutsu" and "Suiton: Laundry Jutsu". Refreshed, he opened the System interface. He searched for [Hyuga Clan Secret Ointment] and mentally pressed [Buy].
[Hyuga Clan Secret Ointment - 20 baiocchi.]
[Total Deduction: (100x) - 40 scudi.]
[Current Balance: 374,939,723 scudi, 5 baiocchi]
One hundred small vials appeared into existence, neatly arranged on his bed. Alaric nodded slightly. 'I guess this is enough for now. Should cover any injuries for a while, I mean they have at least fifty people living here...'.
He headed out towards the dining hall for breakfast. He found Reuben already there, eating alone at one of the long tables. Alaric mentally accessed the System again before approaching.
[Sage's Herbal Infusion Tea (Brewed) - 5 baiocchi.]
[Total Deduction: (2x) - 10 baiocchi.]
[Current Balance: 374,939,722 scudi, 95 baiocchi]
Two steaming ceramic cups appeared silently in Alaric's hands. He walked over to Reuben's table and sat down opposite him, placing one cup near Reuben and keeping the other for himself.
Reuben looked up from his plate. "G'mornin'," he muttered around a mouthful of bread.
Alaric nodded a greeting, pulling out his cigar case. It was his last one from the pack he'd bought in Rome. He lit it with his finger, taking a slow puff. "So... Reuben," he began, getting straight to the point, "I'll repeat the question I asked back at the Albergo dell'Orso in Rome..."
"What's next for you?"
Reuben stopped eating, staring down at his plate, his previous good mood evaporating. Seeing his friend's hesitation, Alaric added gently, "There's no right or wrong answer, baldie."
Again, Reuben didn't reply immediately. He took a slow sip from the cup of Celestial Tea Alaric had placed before him. Finally, he spoke with his quiet voice. "I... I thought about it, 'Laric."
He looked up, meeting Alaric's gaze. "You said you were going to... Thera, right?"
Alaric nodded, taking a drag from his cigar.
Reuben took another breath. "I... I want to stay here," he admitted, glancing instinctively towards the villa entrance, as if expecting Flavia to appear. "With Flavia."
Alaric nodded again, his expression unreadable. He could see the conflict in Reuben's eyes, the guilt warring with his newfound feelings. "It's all good," Alaric said simply. "Which means, I have a mission for you here, if you're up for it."
Reuben looked surprised but focused, the guilt momentarily replaced by purpose. "A mission? What is it?"
"Get stronger," Alaric stated plainly. "Keep training. And..." he paused, leaning forward slightly, "become known. Make a name for yourself. Become famous throughout Tuscany, maybe even Italy. But," he added firmly, "don't be formally under any organization, not even the Assassins here. Help them, yes. Work with them. But maintain your independence."
"But if things get too crazy, if it's out of control... save yourselves. You and Flavia, if so be it, the entire brotherhood in this villa. Get out, move back to England if you have to. Don't wait for me."
Reuben absorbed this, nodding slowly. "Getting stronger is a given," he agreed. "And helping the Assassins... I can do that. But... being known? Famous? Why, 'Laric?"
Alaric took a slow drag from his cigar, then replied with a teasing smirk. "Why not? Don't you want the recognition? Think about it... Reuben, the Demon of Monteriggioni! Reuben, the Slaughterer of Corsairs! Reuben... the Baldie Who Stole the Maestro's Daughter!"
Reuben's eyes twitched violently at the last nickname. He sighed, running a hand over his hair.
Alaric chuckled. "Seriously though... just 'cause," he said vaguely. "I have plans for the future, Reuben. Long-term plans. Having allies with renown, independent allies... it could be useful."
Reuben could only sigh again, recognizing the familiar pattern of Alaric having grand, unexplained schemes.
"Okay," he conceded finally. "Okay, fine. I'll do it." He took another long drink of his tea.
---
The sun was starting to climb higher in the sky, burning off the last remnants of the fog that was lingering in the morning.
Outside the main gates of the impressive Auditore Villa, a small group had gathered. Alaric stood facing Matteo, Flavia, Reuben, and a handful of the senior Assassins who hadn't yet departed on missions.
"Well, Maestro, Flavia," Alaric began, offering a polite nod to the father and daughter, "thank you for your hospitality. It's been... illuminating."
Matteo returned the nod, his expression still holding a measure of awe and respect after the events of the past week. "The Villa Auditore is always open to friends, Alaric Kenway. You are welcome here anytime."
Flavia stepped forward, giving Alaric a warm smile. "Be safe on your travels, Alaric. And thank you... for everything."
Alaric smiled back. "Likewise." He turned to Reuben. "After Thera... I'm not sure where the winds will take me next. Could be the Ottoman lands, could be further east. It might be a couple of years before I pass this way again."
Reuben stepped forward, his usual reserved expression replaced with open emotion.
Before Alaric could react, Reuben pulled him into a firm, brotherly hug. Alaric stiffened in surprise for a fraction of a second before relaxing and returning the embrace, clapping his friend on the back. It wasn't often Reuben initiated such contact.
"Thank you, 'Laric," Reuben murmured as his voice was thick with emotion. "For... for everything. All these years... the training, the opportunities... this life… and for pulling me out of thievery," He pulled back slightly, meeting Alaric's eyes. "You made it possible for me to live without worrying about where my next meal came from, or who might be hunting me down. You gave me a real life."
Alaric just offered a small, genuine smile. "It's a given, Reuben. We're friends." As they held the hug, Alaric leaned in and whispered so only Reuben could hear, "Tell Matteo that I left the Celestial Salves on my bed... and as for you, check under your bed when you get back to your room. Left a little something for you and Flavia. Five thousand scudi. Should last you a while."
Reuben's eyes widened in shock, but before he could protest, Alaric pulled away fully. A slow chuckle escaped Reuben as he shook his head. "Thank you, 'Laric," he said sincerely.
Matteo, observing the farewell, cleared his throat. "I notice there is no carriage waiting, Alaric. How do you intend to travel back to Livorno?"
Alaric shrugged nonchalantly. "Ah, don't worry about me, Maestro." He started walking away from the group, heading down the path towards the main road. "I'll walk from here on out. Enjoy the Tuscan air."
Matteo and the others watched him go, puzzled by his casual departure for what should be a multi-day journey on foot.
Once Alaric had rounded a bend in the path and sensed he was out of sight and range of the Assassins' heightened senses, he paused.
'I wonder how whitebeard's doing with the ship repairs and selling off those goods?' He chuckled to himself, shaking his head slightly.
He closed his eyes, focusing his chakra, manipulating the energy within his body according to the principles of the Swift Release technique. A faint shimmer of chakra surrounded him.
He opened his eyes, as a smirk formed on his mouth, and pushed off.
All that remained where he stood a moment before was a faint, afterimage that quickly dissipated. He was already miles away, streaking across the Tuscan countryside towards the coast at impossible speed.
[Money Withdrawal: -5,000 scudi.]
[Current Balance: 374,934,722 scudi, 95 baiocchi]
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