In a sector of Ranoa, under a leaden sky with snow covering the streets, four people were advancing: two in front, and two behind.
Mmmm, do you think we're close now? —Aisha asked, giving a little tap with her foot to shake the snow off her shoe.
Yes, I'm sure, —Norn replied, her chin held high. The two of them had taken charge of leading the way, determined to find their brother's house without help.
Do you think it was a good idea to let them lead? —Arthur asked Ruijerd in a low voice, unable to hide a tone of doubt.
Well, it's what they wanted, —Ruijerd replied, with his usual calm.
They followed the girls' steps from behind. The two sisters wore thick cloaks and scarves, well bundled up against the cold. Arthur and Ruijerd wore the same as always: practical and light clothing, as for them, as a swordsman and warrior, the freezing environment was barely a bother.
Hey, don't you think you should ask someone for directions?— Arthur said. —We've been walking around for over an hour.
The two stopped abruptly. Aisha turned her head with exaggerated slowness, as if the idea of asking someone offended her deeply.
Ask? — Aisha said, arching an eyebrow. "Why would we do that, Arthur? I'm sure we're... right in the correct area."
Norn, however, was concentrating on a piece of wrinkled paper she took from her pocket. Her eyes scanned the blurred lines with an intensity that was useless against the snow covering the streets.
—The map isn't clear, —Norn murmured, adjusting her gloves. "But according to my step count from the south entrance, we should have crossed the River Street."
There is no river, Norn,— Aisha pointed out, with a touch of mockery.
That means we crossed it half an hour ago,— Norn replied, folding the map in frustration.
Arthur approached them, placing his hands on the girls' shoulders to stop the argument. Behind him, Ruijerd stopped, observing the back-and-forth with unshakeable calm.
—If you can't find it," Arthur said with a tired smile. —Just ask.
The idea was to arrive under our own leadership, Arthur,— Aisha complained, puffing out her chest with wounded pride.
—A leadership that is leading us to walk in circles in the snow," Arthur countered.
Ruijerd allowed himself to speak for the first time during the entire walk, his deep voice resonating softly.
The effort is admirable. But sometimes you need help from others.
Upon hearing Ruijerd's support, the two sisters conceded. Norn put away the map and approached Arthur.
Alright. Who should we ask?
Arthur looked around. He saw a young man with glasses and robes from the Magic University, who seemed to be wrestling with a stack of books.
The guy with the glasses. He looks like a student; he should know where Rudeus lives.
Arthur stepped forward and motioned to the young man.
Excuse me. Could you tell us where Rudeus Greyrat lives?"
The student adjusted his glasses and frowned.
Rudeus? Sure, that guy. He's famous for being... a good student, he is. Are you relatives?"
We are his sisters,— Aisha replied.
The student pointed towards a dirt road that branched off from the main neighborhood, towards an area where the houses were more scattered, almost secluded.
Go down that road. His house is a two-story mansion, the one that's a bit far from the rest. In fact, I saw you walking around it earlier.
The faces of Aisha and Norn turned slightly red with embarrassment.
Thank you,— Arthur said, giving the girls a small push.
See, Aisha. Next time, we follow Arthur's advice, —Norn murmured, taking the opportunity to score points.
Shut up, Norn, —Aisha retorted, but she quickened her pace towards the dirt road.
They walked for about five more minutes, finding the house.
It's huge... Rudeus certainly knows what he wants,— Arthur said, a little surprised. It was not the house of an average student.
Ruijerd nodded, his calm face softening slightly.
I'm glad to know he's doing well.
Upon reaching the heavy wooden door, both girls knocked impatiently.
Brother! We've arrived!— Aisha shouted.
After that, no one came out. Silence reigned, only interrupted by the cold wind.
Then they continued knocking and knocking, with growing frustration.
It seems there's no one inside, Arthur spoke. —He might still be at the academy.
Mmmm,— Aisha crossed her arms and pointed at her sister. —This is your fault, Norn. You made us get lost, and that's why we arrived late!
But you also said it was that way, —Norn replied, ready to defend herself.
Before they could clash again, Arthur stepped between them. He raised his hands and gave both of them a soft tap on the forehead with his open palm.
Tock!
Tock!
A hollow sound echoed in the calm of the afternoon, and both touched their foreheads, momentarily stunned.
Fighting won't solve anything, — Arthur said. "As I see the situation, we'll have to wa—"
Before Arthur could finish, he sensed someone approaching, turning around immediately.
He saw a brown-haired boy walking slowly, wearing the same university uniform as the previous student. He was carrying a sleeping person with white hair on his back.
Rudeus looked up and stopped at the group.
He first saw the two young women, Aisha and Norn, who had grown up, standing at his front door. His expression transformed into pure joy upon recognizing his sisters.
But then, his gaze met Arthur's. Rudeus was visibly surprised. As he got a little closer, he recognized that it was Arthur. His expression wavered, going from joy to an unreadable mixture of surprise and caution.
This was not lost on Arthur, who raised an eyebrow, confused. "Now what's wrong with him?" He thought, puzzled by Rudeus's strange reaction to seeing an acquaintance.
Arthur approached to greet him, while Rudeus carefully helped the person he was carrying down.
It seems you're doing well,— Arthur said, his gaze fixed on the white-haired young woman, who was now standing next to Rudeus, slightly disheveled. Arthur immediately recognized her by her pointed ears and her aura: it was the mythical Sylphiette, the elf his mother had once told him about.
Sylphiette smiled a little, visibly embarrassed by the situation.
Ah, yes, hehehe,— Rudeus replied, scratching the back of his neck, trying to sound casual. "I didn't think you'd come so soon. I introduce you to Sylphiette; Arthur, this is Sylphie."
The two nodded, exchanging a brief "a pleasure."
Looks like I will have the chance to ask him, —he thought, his gaze still subtly analyzing Arthur from head to toe. "I asked Nanahoshi about the name 'Arthur,' but she told me she didn't know any Arthur, and Orsted has never mentioned him..." Rudeus sighed internally. —"The truth is, I don't know if I should believe everything Hitogami says.". He had no choice but to find out the truth for himself.
Aisha wasted no time on formalities. She ran up to her brother and hugged him, separating almost immediately with a frown.
—You smell like alcohol,— she declared.
Yeah, I was celebrating something,— Rudeus replied, forcing a smile.
Rudeus looked at Norn. She looked at him with a reluctant expression, her arms crossed in a gesture of judgment.
Were you drinking? —Norn asked, disapproval palpable in her tone.
Well, a lot happened, —Rudeus replied, feeling a twinge of awkwardness.—"She doesn't seem to like me," he thought, feeling that the gap between them was still as wide as the day he left.
Suddenly, Ruijerd, who had remained calm in the background, stepped out from the nearby pillar where he was waiting.
Rudeus, it's been so long since we last saw each other.
True, Ruijerd! Long time no see!— Rudeus said, his face genuinely lighting up at the sight of his old travel companion.
By the way, Rudeus, I've heard rumors about your marriage in the Guild... although it doesn't look like it was with Eris — Ruijerd said, bluntly, his gaze shifting to Sylphiette.
Sylphiette, being observed by him, could only bow her head, a noticeable blush rising on her neck.
Um, Rudeus... why don't we talk inside?— she suggested in a quiet voice.
Ah! Yes, yes, it slipped my mind, —Rudeus said, quickly regaining his composure. He opened the mansion door wide, making way for everyone. —Please, come in. Make yourselves at home.
Arthur saw the quick exchange and the way Rudeus had dodged Ruijerd's question. He smiled a little.
Rudeus stepped aside, giving way to the small group that had traveled weeks.
Arthur was the first to enter, following the girls and closely followed by Ruijerd.
***
Once inside, Sylphiette took Aisha and Norn away to help them warm up, taking them to the bathroom.
Arthur was sitting on the sofa, Ruijerd was a little further off, and Rudeus was sitting across from him.
The blond-haired young man listened as Ruijerd and Rudeus calmly recalled their past, including moments about Rudeus's relationship with Eris, until the topic became more serious.
..That's why I decided to stay on the Central Continent,— Ruijerd explained. "It's possible that some Superd are hiding around, and I must investigate any trace.
I understand, —Rudeus nodded.
Rudeus directed his attention to Arthur.
By the way, Arthur, I heard you've been teaching magic to Norn and Aisha," Rudeus asked, his interest genuine. "How did they do?"
Well... With Aisha it was a bit easier because of her natural talent, but with Norn, it got a bit complicated at first due to her initial distrust. However, we managed to overcome that problem with hard work," Arthur explained, a tone of pride in his voice. "In fact, both of them are already Saint-Rank mages in their respective specialties.
Rudeus blinked.
"Saint-Rank...? That's incredible." "This makes me doubt what Hitogami said even more. If he were evil, he wouldn't have done so much for them," he thought.
By the way, thank you both very much for bringing my sisters, —Rudeus said, suddenly standing up and bowing deeply.
You don't have to thank us; we are comrades, —Ruijerd said, making a gesture for Rudeus to straighten up.
Arthur smiled at the word "comrades" and nodded.
Rudeus also smiled. —So, Ruijerd, how long do you plan to stay in Ranoa?
I'll leave tomorrow, —Ruijerd replied, concisely.
Tomorrow? Don't you think you're going too fast? —Arthur intervened, surprised by the haste.
Rudeus nodded, agreeing with Arthur.
It's just that I have information about a demon who lived in a forest area, and I want to go investigate it.
"Ah, I understand, —Arthur and Rudeus said in unison.
"Rudeus," Ruijerd said, seeing his friend's expression. —Don't look like that. I promise I'll be back.
Shortly after, Sylphiette returned to the room. Behind her came Norn and Aisha, who could barely stand. The journey and the warmth of the fire had taken their toll. They couldn't help it; they collapsed.
Aisha leaned against Arthur's right shoulder, and Norn snuggled against his left, both instantly falling asleep. "If they were so sleepy, why didn't they ask Sylphiette to take them to a room?" Arthur thought, feeling the weight of the two girls.
"They seem to get along very well, —Rudeus said with a smile that was undeniably rigid.
—Ah, well, we get along, —Arthur said.
Rudeus turned to Sylphiette. "Thank you very much for helping my sisters."
Don't worry. By the way, it seems Aisha did manage to recognize me... unlike a certain person who failed to recognize me for a year, —Sylphiette said with a playful, scolding tone.
Arthur, who was watching the small couple's drama, just limited himself to smiling. Seeing that they were finishing, he intervened:
By the way, I think I should take them somewhere better to sleep.
—Yes, you're right, —Rudeus accepted.
Sylphiette hurried to help carry Norn, and Arthur lifted Aisha, carefully carrying her.
After leaving the girls in one of the guest rooms, Arthur also decided it was time to rest. He asked Sylphiette where he could settle down.
Once located in a comfortable room, Arthur simply lay down. The fatigue of the journey and the emotions of the day took over, and he drifted off to sleep.
End of Chapter.