I never said that I was arrested, did I?
It wasn't for holding a knife to someone's throat or anything like that. Nor was it for making serious threats or doing anything too extreme. All I did was try to explain myself to a girl I once thought was my soulmate. And in the end, she called the police on me. Fortunately, she dropped the charges, but two days in that cell really made me rethink my life.
I wasn't harassed by the other criminals, thankfully. Maybe in their eyes, I was no different from a dead man walking. Or perhaps they did harass me, but I was too tired to even care.
I really don't know.
The only things playing on repeat in my head were that blonde girl's face.
And her voice, full of hatred.
"I hate you."
…
Did I just cry?
I don't know why just a few words from Eris could reduce me to this state. It's utterly ridiculous. Me—a man nearing 40, crying because a kid told me she hates me. Sounds pathetic, really.
If I'm not mistaken, this is the first time I've cried since being reincarnated into this new world. Who would have thought I'd use it up for an occasion like this?
I quickly rubbed my eyes and stood up. Then I slapped both hands against my face to snap out of it.
"Thank goodness no one saw that stupid sight."
I mumbled to myself and looked in the direction Eris had run off to.
At least she didn't run into the forest.
For a moment, I was worried Eris would run into the woods, encounter a magical beast, and we'd be in deep trouble. But fortunately, the young lady ran toward Paul's house.
But what now? I wondered. Given the current situation, Eris is 100% against having a tutor, and 500% that person cannot be Rudeus. Wait, my plan wasn't even to have Rudeus teach Eris, was it? But the problem is, even if I were to volunteer to teach, the young lady probably wouldn't accept. Or rather, if I don't solve the immediate issue, Eris might not even look at me from now on.
They say kids forget easily. But this kid, Eris Boreas Greyrat, is guaranteed to have a long memory, especially when it comes to grudges like this.
It's no coincidence that ever since I told her about the 'magical beast pig,' she demands I go and destroy it every day.
In short, I have to do something. But what should I do now? Fry her some chicken again? Or offer my face for her to punch until she calms down? Maybe I should try both first to see what works.
The result was that Paul's house seemed not to have enough oil for deep-frying chicken, and there were no potatoes either. I can understand; oil is an expensive ingredient in this world. Even a well-paid knight protecting a village couldn't afford to be wasteful with it.
So the food plan is useless.
By this time, the adults also noticed the problem.
Ghislaine, Paul, and Zenith looked over at us with a variety of expressions. In their eyes, Eris was just throwing a tantrum about having to travel far, like any normal child. Zenith looked the most worried, then she decided she would cook an extra delicious dinner tonight to coax Eris. Paul, though he had a quarrel with me, didn't seem gloating about the situation. He just stood with his arms crossed, watched, and followed Zenith inside, as if to say, 'let the kids handle it themselves.'
Ghislaine seemed the most complicated. She walked straight up to me and stared.
"What did you do to the young lady this time?"
"Ah, I..." Although Ghislaine showed no hostility, I was still intimidated by her body, which was twice my height and incredibly alluring. "I think I just made the young lady angry."
"Angry? What happened?"
So I had to tell her everything that had happened, trying not to miss any information.
"That's the situation, ma'am."
"I see. The young lady is angry because you were trying to protect that mage and hit her."
Urg... I only stopped Eris before she could severely injure a child, that's all. Based on the situation, Eris was likely to get badly hurt herself. Thinking about the wind orb in Sylphiette's palm, even I wasn't sure I could withstand it.
"It had to be done, ma'am. I think stopping Eris was the best way. I'd rather be hated for stopping her from hitting someone than seeing someone get hurt."
Because in that situation, there would be too many problems that I didn't think I could solve.
"It's not just about that."
"Huh?"
Ghislaine was about to say something else but stopped. "It's nothing." Instead, she looked toward the covered carriage - where Eris was hiding. "Do you want me to talk to her?"
Ghislaine's sudden offer surprised me a bit. The Ghislaine from when I first arrived would have just ignored it.
"No need, ma'am." I shook my head. "Since this is my fault, I have to solve it myself."
"If you say so."
Thinking back, the relationship between Ghislaine and Eris wasn't quite like bodyguard-mistress. I mean, they *are* bodyguard and mistress. But the way they behave and care for each other goes far beyond that level. They look more like sisters, even though they have no blood relation. To be honest, I feel a little jealous because I don't have any relationship like that myself.
Or rather, not anymore.
I once thought Eris and I might have a relationship like that someday, but it seems I still don't truly understand her.
"The young lady demanded to go back to Roa earlier, but if we leave now, we won't arrive until dark. Since Zenith is already cooking dinner, I persuaded the young lady to stay for one night," Ghislaine said. "If the young lady doesn't change her mind tomorrow morning, we'll be forced to turn back."
"Understood, ma'am."
Seeing me nod, Ghislaine left. She leaned against Paul's house wall and kept her eyes on the carriage where Eris was hiding.
What to do now?
After that, I tried everything. Sweet talk, pleading, promising to do all sorts of things, but Eris wasn't moved at all. As soon as I got close, her killing intent flared up, making it impossible for me to enter.
Even at dinner time, Eris refused to leave the carriage and stayed hidden inside.
She only finally crept into the house with Ghislaine at bedtime. They walked straight to the guest room without saying a word. Out of options, I could only sigh.
And me? I was assigned to sleep in Rudeus's bedroom.
If this were me this morning, I would have been overjoyed, but now I had no energy, only sitting on the floor and sighing. Perhaps seeing the problem wasn't getting solved, Rudeus—who was sitting at a table reading—finally spoke up.
"Hey, are you okay?"
"No, I'm not okay at all."
I've been on the receiving end of Eris's anger many times before. But never to this extent, and never lasting this long. Now my mind was imagining the scene where the young lady hates me so much that she'll cut me out of her life forever. Meanwhile, Rudeus—who was likely to lose the job—didn't seem to care much. He's probably thinking that if he doesn't teach this young lady, he'll teach someone else, but the miserable truth is, I only have one Eris, haha...
"Um, sorry. It's probably because of me that you and Lady Eris ended up like this."
"No need," I sighed. "This isn't your fault at all."
Based on my 'Reading' skill, I could tell Rudeus was only apologizing out of obligation; the thought 'it's not my fault anyway' was clearly visible on his face. I don't blame him for thinking that. After all, from what I know, Rudeus is a smart and polite child.
But is this my fault?
Yes, it is my fault. I was too naive to know Eris had been annoyed ever since I showed excitement about arriving at Buena Village yesterday. The incident with Rudeus was just the last straw.
"I wish I were old enough to drink Shouchuu... I miss Satsuma Shuzo so much..." I sighed again.
At times like this, I need a drink. Even though I know it won't help, at least it would numb me for a while so I could get a good night's sleep and clear my head. Sometimes, it even clears my mind afterward; I've gotten myself out of tight spots many times by drinking until I threw up.
But I can't now. I'm only a little over seven years old, who would let me drink? Even the liquor I made myself I'm not allowed to taste more than a sip of.
"What did you just say?"
I don't know what my face looked like when I said that, but Rudeus seemed genuinely afraid I was about to jump off a cliff. But I'm not the type to give up my life that easily. I just don't have the face to confront someone who hates me.
No, wait, Rudeus's face didn't look like fear.
He was staring at me as if I had just said something heretical.
Ah, right, I just spoke Japanese, didn't I?
I still do that sometimes, even though I haven't needed to use it for a few years. It must be a habit. Back when I was in the US, I would sometimes use Japanese to curse without worrying about being judged. Or sometimes when drunk, I'd rattle off Japanese prose. Or, like now, when I'm frustrated, I speak Japanese.
At first, I thought it was a bad habit I should drop. But people didn't seem to mind much, so I've kept it until now.
"Oh, nothing, I was just mumbling some idioms from the Fighting God Tongue," I replied, even though I didn't know half a word of the Fighting God Tongue.
But wait, what if Rudeus *knows* the Fighting God Tongue? He's a genius after all...
Damn it, that look on his face clearly shows he doesn't believe me.
But why do I need him to believe me anyway? After all...
"Do you... understand what I said?"
I shivered, looking at Rudeus—who had just spoken the phrase above in my *actual* 'mother tongue'—Japanese.
Rudeus was staring back at me.
My brain stopped working for a few seconds.
...
Imagine you go to Japan—no, let's assume you go to some backwater country. Actually, picking a country might be insulting. Instead, let's assume you fall into the Amazon rainforest. Yes, you get lost there, encounter a tribe of natives, and have to learn their language from scratch. You gradually get used to their way of life for about seven years. Life is pretty good.
Well, not great; sometimes they have some bullshit you—a modern person—can't accept. But you accept it and live with it.
And boom.
You meet another person in the tribe who knows your language.
Like, you're sitting around discussing the weather and suddenly the guy says 'Fuck You.'
I don't know how you would react, but as a Japanese person, I reacted like this.
...
I looked at Rudeus, trying to breathe calmly, then replied:
"Se no~"
"..."
Rudeus stared at me.
Three seconds later, he answered:
"Demo... sonnan ja dame."
"Mou sonnan ja hora." I replied, my voice starting to steady.
Finally, as if catching a rhythm, we both spoke in unison:
"Kokoro wa shinka suru yo. Motto motto!" Then the two of us high-fived. "Brother!"
And that, kid, is how I met Rudeus Greyrat—another reincarnated person.
...
I should probably have been a little worried about the existence of another reincarnated person.
Why? Because I don't know who they were in their previous life. What if they were an executed criminal? Like Joji Obara, Takayuki Fukuda or something.
But after meeting Rudeus and our unique 'greeting,' I figured he was just an otaku like me. Although there *are* criminal otaku in the world, of course. But most of us just want to close the door and play with our 2D waifus, okay! Please don't put all the world's crimes on the heads of Otaku! Even if the country's birth rate is declining because of us, we're all model citizens!
If I had to talk about my experience with my own community, it was only good. I've had friends (even if I've never met them in person) and could share everything under the sun, even the most private things.
So the fact that Rudeus was a 'fellow kind' made me feel quite lucky.
After the excitement passed, we let go of our high-five. I was the first to speak, "Uh, um, are you really Japanese?"
"Yeah." Rudeus nodded, replying in Japanese. He looked quite happy. "I never expected to meet another 'reincarnated' person like me."
"Believe me, I didn't either." I smiled back and offered a hand again. "My name is Ryuji Satou, and yours?"
"Ah..."
Suddenly Rudeus's expression changed. He didn't seem to want to talk about his previous life, maybe? If so, I didn't want to force him.
"It's okay, I understand." I patted Rudeus's shoulder. "Truthfully, I don't really want to talk about my previous life either."
Hearing that, his eyes widened. I think he was happy that someone could truly 'empathize' with him. Anyway, I think my past life was pretty bad, so even Rudeus's story would be hard to compare, I guess. If it really could be worse, I swear I'd use more 'empathy' to make up for it.
"So, have you been in this village all these years? Did you keep your memories right from birth, or did they come back later?" I asked, deliberately steering the conversation in a more relaxed direction.
"I had them from birth. It seems it happened immediately after I died. What about you?"
"Exactly the same."
Which means if anyone else were to be reincarnated, it would be the same way.
The conversation continued, and we exchanged stories about what had happened to us over the past years. Before long, we were talking like best friends. Perhaps this is the sign of having the same 'brainwave.'
"You have a magic tutor? I'm so jealous." I glared at Rudeus.
"Hehe, not just a normal magic tutor, you know. She's a legal loli magic user! She's a goddess!"
"Oh, oh! Legal loli!"
I immediately pictured the image: a small mage with an oversized hat and staff. Both cool and adorable!
"But you are not that bad, are you? You have a tsundere young lady." Rudeus smirked maliciously.
"What do you mean 'have'? I'm just her sparring partner and her head tutor."
"Oh really? Then how about you let me have her?"
"Do you want to die?"
"Hahaha! Look at your face! You're jealous and you're denying it."
Honestly, I wasn't jealous. I was just protecting Eris. Because, well... how should I put it? Rudeus is clearly a lecher. I'm a lecher myself, no denial there, but Rudeus is clearly on another level.
Is this genetic from Paul or from his past life? I don't know, but I shouldn't dig into that. Anyway, I felt that Rudeus wasn't the type who would actually cross the line; at most, he'd just look (like me).
"Anyway, your life over there sounds terrible, doesn't it?" Rudeus suddenly turned serious again. "I didn't expect 'Uncle' Pilemon to be like that. Paul never mentioned him, so I didn't even know I had an uncle who was the 'head' of a noble family."
"Yeah, and a 'major' family too," I added. "If Paul hadn't run away, you might have been a nobleman yourself."
"I don't want to live a life like yours."
I can understand why Rudeus reacted that way. After all, my memories of Milbotts and the nobility weren't exactly pleasant. And I haven't even told him about the esteemed Prime Minister yet.
"So how are you going to solve that problem?"
"What problem?" I asked back.
"The one with your young lady."
Ah, that problem.
"To be honest, I don't know either. Maybe I'll go back to Roa with her tomorrow," I replied nonchalantly. "I wasn't planning on coming here to hire you to teach the young lady anyway."
Rudeus paused for a few seconds, then glared at me again.
"Do you really think I would steal your young lady?"
"No, it's for a different reason."
So I told Rudeus about Paul's visit the other day.
"I see, so you want to protect the 'childhood friendship' between me and Sylphy," Rudeus concluded.
"And now that you say that, it makes me worry that you're 'grooming' Sylphiette to be your future wife." Should I follow Paul's plan to separate this guy from the Elf girl?
"Yeah." He didn't even try to hide it. "You're doing the same thing."
"Hell no." I flipped him the middle finger.
"But that young lady is clearly head over heels for you."
What is in this guy's head? He sees a love route everywhere. Has he played too many Eroge games?
Honestly, I'm quite confident in my 'Reading' skill. With all the girls I've ever interacted with in this world (and my past life), unfortunately, no girl has truly 'fallen' for me yet. At most, maybe only Veronica was truly serious about viewing me as a romantic partner.
But since that girl is Henry's sister, I won't 'sully' her with my wicked desires and will wait until she's old enough to decide. Who knows, maybe when she grows up, Veronica will realize I'm just a lucky kid who stumbled into a few achievements and has a slightly handsome appearance but no real talent, and then she'll marry some truly rich and capable nobleman.
I've had too much experience with being NTR'd by life, so I won't think about dating until I'm old enough. I promised myself I absolutely wouldn't fall in love before turning 13! (Japan's legal age before 2023).
Alright, self-convincing session complete. Now back to Eris's problem.
"Putting that aside, I've decided: to make Eris less angry and to ensure you and Sylphiette aren't separated, I won't accept you as a tutor."
"Hey, I know you mean well, but you really don't have to do that, do you? There are still other ways."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you said that Roa isn't that far from here. At worst, I can sneak back to meet Sylphy sometimes."
He has a point there. However...
"I think Paul would have thought of that already. Your father might set a condition like 'if you go back to the village, your legs will be broken' or something." I speculated.
"Not everyone has a master or father like yours, Atur."
"Yeah, maybe so."
I suddenly forgot that not everyone in the world has a terrifying master like Reida.
"But even so, I still have to solve the young lady's problem." I sighed.
"I believe you'll reconquer her. Tsundere is always the easiest and best route. Good luck!"
I suddenly felt the urge to punch this guy.
Despite that, I still believe that it would be good for the young lady if Eris were taught by Rudeus how to write, read, do math, or even magic. Because Rudeus is already proficient in all those things, and he even has experience teaching Sylphiette. From what I know, he's only been teaching the Elf girl for about two years, and she can already use Intermediate-level magic (maybe even Advanced by now), and can read and write fluently. If Eris were taught just as well, she might have enough life skills before her 10th birthday.
A young lady who is good at swordsmanship, can read, write, do math, magic, and etiquette. With Rudeus, we could turn Eris into a girl everyone would look up to.
But first, I have to figure out how to convince her to stay.
"I'm going to talk to the young lady now." I stood up.
"Then I'll also-"
"Stay put. If the young lady sees your face, everything will be for nothing."
"Fine then."
So I successfully 'ditched' Rudeus. I didn't want him to follow not just because of Eris, but also because he'd definitely comment on how I handled the problem. I'm most afraid of that 'if you had done ABC, then XYZ would have happened' type of comment. I'm not sure Rudeus is that type, but better safe than sorry.
...
So I went to Eris's room. Ghislaine was sitting guard outside, but was actually asleep. When she heard my footsteps, the Sword King immediately woke up.
"What's wrong?" Ghislaine asked, her eyes still closed. If it weren't for me being a Water God Style swordsman, I wouldn't be able to tell if she was sleeping or awake.
"I plan to see the young lady for a moment."
Ghislaine didn't reply immediately. She must have talked to Eris already, I guessed. If Eris was determined not to see me...
"Go in. The young lady is waiting for you."
Ghislaine said, then went back to sleep. I was surprised by her ability to fall asleep so quickly. Is that a Beastman skill? It always takes me a few hours of tossing and turning before I can sleep.
Wait, Eris is *waiting* for me?
Suddenly I felt less worried. Because if the young lady was 'waiting,' she must have prepared herself to talk. This is much better than this afternoon.
"Excuse me."
I opened the door and walked in without knocking. Ghislaine said Eris was waiting anyway, right? So I shouldn't be too formal, or it might backfire.
Inside the room, contrary to my imagination that Eris would be sitting in a chair, arms crossed, waiting to interrogate me. The young lady was lying on the single bed, the kind that was clearly nothing compared to the mansion in Roa, but Eris looked quite comfortable on it. Her right leg was propped up on the bent knee of her left leg, creating a clear gap under her skirt that anyone could look into. It's a good thing it was dark in here and I quickly looked away, or I'd have added +1 sin to the list of charges Eris was putting on my head.
"Young Lady." I immediately knelt right beside Eris. "About what happened earlier-"
"Get out." Eris cut me off irritably, of course not forgetting to kick at me, and missed.
Oh crap, I shouldn't have dodged that kick.
"Go play with that mage of yours," Eris said without even looking at my face.
"Come on, my lady." I smiled wryly. "Don't be angry anymore. If you want, I'm willing to let you punch my face until you're no longer mad. Back in Roa, I'll deep-fry you chicken or whatever you like."
Eris glanced at me for a moment. I saw a little flicker of change, then she turned away again. "Hmph, even if I punch you, you'll still keep going on and on about magic. And you'll put that mage on a pedestal like a god."
So that's it? She really thinks I value Rudeus that highly.
"If we're talking about putting someone on a pedestal like a god, the person I truly see that way is actually a swordsman."
I confessed honestly. The two people I respect the most are Isolde and Henry; both of them are talented swordsmen who don't have any magic skills. To me, they are nothing less than the true embodiment of the rare good things I've found in this harsh world. Without them, I probably wouldn't have had enough confidence or motivation to push myself this far.
As for Rudeus...
"The way I see Rudeus is not worship. It's more because I'm jealous." I sighed.
"Jealous?" Eris asked back. She kicked a leg toward me, but missed again this time. "What do you have to be jealous of? Someone like you could beat him black and blue!"
"Don't compliment me that much. The guy is a Saint-rank mage, and even if I could win, that's not what I'm jealous of about Rudeus."
Strength has never been something I valued that much. Just like how I respect both Isolde and Henry for their character. The real reason I've been having trouble sleeping for the past two days thinking about the friend I just discovered is also a reincarnated person is...
"Because he has what I've always dreamed of having."
The first thing is probably talent in magic.
During my deepest depression from my past life's events, how many times did I pray to be able to use magic? I wanted to be able to turn back time to fix my mistakes, I wanted summoning magic to create a zombie army to conquer the world, I wanted time-stop and invisibility magic to... well, everyone knows this one. I even tried casting spells and incantations of all kinds on my 30th birthday when I was still a virgin.
I believed that magic could solve all problems.
I know that's a misconception. The way to solve problems always lies in a person's effort and determination. I've been able to overcome a ton of my troubles in this world with those two things.
However, the reason I'm still so passionate about magic lies in a past that's deeper than that.
"I guess I never told you why I left my family, did I?"
Actually, it wasn't just in this world. Even in my previous life, I wasn't very close to my family. Perhaps it was some kind of joke of fate that even in my past life, my family wasn't harmonious. My parents divorced when I was only one year old, and I stayed with my father. And not unlike Pilemon, he was the kind of father people would use for the backstory of manga villains.
Meanwhile, my 'mother' in my past life wasn't much better. She didn't care about me at all; to her, I was the reason she lost her value. When I was little, I didn't understand what that meant, but as I grew up, I learned it was a form of postpartum depression. But even so, I couldn't accept being abandoned and didn't seek her out until the day I could only visit her grave.
Perhaps that's why I wasn't too shocked by the way Pilemon treated me. And perhaps that's why I had such a strong bond with Mia. After all, things weren't much different from what I had already experienced.
So I told Eris about Pilemon, about Mia, but also about my feelings toward my own biological parents in my past life without telling her about the fact that I'm a reincarnator.
It was the first time Eris had listened so attentively to something not related to adventures or conquering labyrinths.
But I wasn't there to complain about my fate; those were just introductions to the main story.
"When I was locked in that room, I wished I had magic to fly in the sky. To be able to make all my dreams come true."
That was my dream when I was a genuine three-year-old child. Even as a man of science, I was once a child, and every child wants to fly. My dream of magic at that time was simple and pure. All I wanted was joy, something I had perhaps lost long ago.
Eris seemed to find it hard to believe that a boy Ghislaine once said 'had been through a life-or-death experience' could have such thoughts. But what can you do? I once thought that simply.
"I'm jealous because he has a choice." I spoke the reason, a simple yet truly heavy thing. "He chose his path of magic when he was only two and is truly good at it. While for me, swordsmanship was a way to survive."
To me, swordsmanship was always a way to keep myself strong enough to stand on my own, and it was never something I loved from the start.
"And most importantly, he has a truly happy family and a real friend. While I didn't have those things."
Although I don't like Paul or the way he treats Rudeus. I can feel a father's genuine concern. I'm mature enough to recognize the difference between a shitty father and a father who doesn't know how to love correctly. Paul is the second type, the kind who tries his best but uses slightly extreme methods.
Meanwhile, my fathers in both lives...
"Hmm..."
Looking back at Eris, she seemed to have listened to all my cheesy words. I don't think Eris fully understood everything I said. After all, my story is quite difficult for a child to grasp completely. The reason I told it was no longer to make Eris forgive me; I told it because I wanted to. Perhaps it's been a long time since I could express my true feelings.
And why Eris?
"But that's just what I thought." I shook my head as I bowed, a self-mocking smile on my face. "I was too busy focusing on what I didn't have, what others had, without realizing the important thing, what I *do* have."
The answer is actually very simple.
"I have a friend, and that's you." I lifted my face, meeting the young lady's eyes. "I understand that you're acting this way because you were worried about me."
I thought Eris was acting this way because she needed attention. But thinking about it carefully, I could realize something else.
"You're worried that I'll spend my time pursuing magic, which you believe is weak, and then I won't be able to surpass Ghislaine as I originally intended. You're worried that I won't be strong enough for you to chase after anymore."
I can understand why that assessment came up. I've heard so much about how magic is weaker than swordsmanship in this world. From Ken to Master Reida, or even Ghislaine herself, they don't rate magic highly. What Eris is doing is similar to the three masters I've had and currently have: trying to keep me from going astray.
"I truly appreciate that."
And more than anything, I feel ashamed for disappointing my friend, for making her angry because of me.
I remember the 'friends' I had at the research institute and Sarah. I disappointed them in the same way. I made a mistake, and I had to pay the price; that's what truly had to happen.
But I didn't do one thing that I should have done.
"And I'm sorry for making you worry."
That was saying the word 'sorry.'
I never realized that my failures were partly due to myself until today. And I apologize for that.
I also couldn't face my mistake with Sarah, couldn't tell her the truth about what I was thinking, which made things worse. And I apologize for that.
I didn't realize Eris considered me a friend while I was only focused on completing my task for money. And I apologize for that, especially that.
I once thought an apology was useless, and action was the most important thing. But now I understand, if I can't even say sorry, what courage do I have to do anything else?
"Hmph, you think a simple apology will fix everything?"
Eris tossed her head away, one of her feet kicked toward me, but it was clearly not meant to hit, so I put my face in the way to take the kick. But it didn't hurt. It didn't hurt at all.
"I never said that," I smiled. "If you want, you can hit me as much as you want, or anything you ask, I'll comply."
"Take me to register as an adventurer."
"We'll do that after your 10th birthday." That one is a no-go.
"Hmph." Eris glanced at me again. "And you said you'd comply with anything."
"Well, let's just take it slow and think about it when we get back to Roa tomorrow, okay?"
Then we were silent for a moment. I had said everything I needed to say. I thought Eris had calmed down. We'll go back to Roa tomorrow morning, and that should be the end of it.
Although it's a pity I can't take Rudeus with me, I care more about Eris's feelings. With the mind of a reincarnated person and a magic genius, I think Rudeus will figure things out. If I can, I'll find a way to help him too. Let's see, hmm... if the problem is money to get to Ranoa, then...
"No need to wait until we get home." Suddenly Eris turned her whole body to face the wall, leaving her back up as a layer of defense. "Just like the original plan, stay for three days and prove to me that magic isn't useless."
"Huh? Didn't you-"
"Shut up and obey my command, you E-ranker. My orders here are absolute," Eris grumbled. "Now get out so I can sleep."
I didn't know what to say, I could only chuckle and stand up. My legs were completely numb from kneeling for a while, but thankfully I could still walk.
"Good night, Young Lady." I bowed and walked backward to keep to the etiquette.
As I reached the door, about to open it, Eris spoke up again.
"It's Eris." The young lady said, her voice much softer than her usual loudness. "I will allow you to call me Eris from now on."
I was surprised for a moment. Ah, right, I'd never called Eris by her name when talking to her before, had I? I hadn't paid much attention, but this is good.
"Then good night, Eris."
I said it again, this time without bowing.
Although I couldn't see Eris's face or any movement from her, I could feel that the young lady was happy.
And so was I. Finally, I could remove the question mark from my relationship with the young lady.
Thank you for being my friend.
...
NAME: "Eris B. Greyrat"
OCCUPATION: Granddaughter of Fittoa's liege lord
PERSONALITY: A little violent
DOESN'T: Mind listening to what people have to say
READING/WRITING: Can write her own name
ARITHMETIC: Can add single digit numbers
MAGIC: Starting to be curious
FENCING: Sword God Style/North God Style – Beginner-tier
ETIQUETTE: Can do a normal greeting and fighting-like dance
PEOPLE SHE LIKES: Grandfather, Ghislaine
PEOPLE SHE CONSIDER AS A FRIEND: Atur
WANT: Becoming an S rank adventurer with Atur
LIKE: Deep Fried Chicken KFC Style and listen to adventure tale