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Nathaniel POV
The room Elisha and I rented at the inn was surprisingly spacious—far more comfortable than the cramped motel back in Ardenfel. Not as grand as the inn we stayed in on our first days of travel, but clean, warm, and decent enough.
Downstairs, the first floor buzzed like a small festival. A restaurant filled the space, crowded with townsfolk drinking and laughing, travelers sharing stories, and even a few nobles seated near the windows. I spotted several Childe—those martial artists and scholars who traveled to test their skills—eating, drinking, or sharpening blades while flirting with the waitresses.
It was… normal. Comfortably normal. Something we never had in Astra.
Astra was a place full of raiders—men raised to die, to throw their bodies into battles they barely understood. And now we were chasing the heart of a goddess who once saved our starving land before vanishing. A heart supposedly sealed inside a tomb beneath the Temple.
I had asked my parents countless times where that rumor even came from—who first whispered that a goddess's heart lay there waiting. They never answered.
But after what the priestess told me… I wondered.
If that map had spread from place to place, maybe some priest had gotten it too. Maybe this whole thing wasn't a secret. Maybe this journey was a test—one we never realized we were taking.
My gaze drifted to Elisha.
A kid who hated the gods—even as a child.
Had they always disappointed him? Hurt him? Forgotten him?
Or was it something more personal?
I looked away before I could fall deeper into thoughts. A smile tugged at my lips.
Elisha was impossible—sharp-tongued, stubborn, reckless.
But maybe he had his reasons… even for joining a mission that looked like slow suicide.
I removed my cloak, folded it neatly, and tucked it into the wardrobe. My sword leaned against the wall beside the bed. My dagger slipped under my pillow. Boots came off and rested beside the bed.
The room grew oddly quiet.
Neither of us wanted to enter the bathroom first—and I did NOT want a repeat of what happened in Ardenfel. The memory made my cheeks flush. I shook my head violently.
Gods… he was a dog.
And yet—Elisha wasn't even planning to bathe. He just sat on a chair, poking at a fruit basket with a knife like he was interrogating the apples.
"What is his deal…" I muttered.
"Elisha," I called out, "if you're not going to bathe, I'm going in. And do NOT dare come into the bathroom."
He looked up, eyes unreadable.
"Do you really mean what you said back at that inn?"
I blinked. "What did I say?"
He sighed dramatically. "That you want to understand why I want to relive the past."
Relive the past? When did I ever say that?!
"Nope," I said immediately, rising to my feet. "I have zero interest in knowing why you'd want to relive your past. Like I said, it's pure idiocy."
He blinked—confused.
I ignored it and grabbed a towel.
"If you're not going to bathe, I'm going in. And don't come in."
I was halfway to the bathroom when he said quietly:
"Do you know that you're a complete bastard."
I paused, turning slightly—but he was already walking to the bed, dropping the knife with a soft clatter.
I scoffed under my breath and went inside the bathroom.
It shouldn't bother me.
Right?
Then why the hell did it hurt?
He'd called me worse before.
Every man should handle his own problems. His weren't my business.
I stripped and sank into the warm bathwater, letting silence settle over my skin. Eyes closed, breath steady…
But inside, something twisted.
Guilt.
Why in the world am I feeling guilty?
I groaned. Now I couldn't enjoy a simple bath because of him?
Ridiculous.
Absolutely ridiculous.
I forced the thoughts away and finished washing. After drying off, I put on only my inner shirt and pants, carrying my outer robe in my arms. I made a mental note to buy new clothes tomorrow—Six outfits weren't enough for a journey like this.
When I exited the bathroom, Elisha was on the bed already—lying on his side, hair damp and messy, soaking the pillow. He'd bathed somewhere else, apparently.
Not my problem.
I dried my hair in front of the mirror and combed it slowly. It was harder than I expected—I'd never combed my own hair before. Mother used to do it.
Then the maids.
Now… just me.
When I finally finished, I glanced back at the bed. Elisha lay there, face turned away, blanket not even covering him properly.
Unprofessional idiot.
One day he'll die of cold at this rate.
I got into bed, pulled the blanket over both of us, and faced away from him.
Something about this… felt familiar.
The night guards barging in. The memory of him being dragged away.
Were people looking for him again?
Why was I worried?
I pushed it down and fell asleep.
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THE NEXT MORNING
Cold droplets splashed on my face.
I jolted awake to see Elisha putting on his boots. His hair was—still damp.
I frowned. "Would you dry your hair? You look like a madman."
He paused, glanced at me, then said calmly:
"Everyone has their own problems. This one is mine. I'll handle it myself. It should be none of your concern."
That sentence hit me like a blade shoved straight into my chest.
A million tiny stabs.
Because I had said it.
To him.
He left the room, and suddenly the space felt too quiet, too empty… too painfully familiar.
I forced myself up, bathed quickly, and dressed in red—deep, elegant robes layered like the styles from Xianxia legends. A crimson inner garment, dark embroidered outer coat, silver clasps at the collar, and a sash tied at the waist.
Sword at my hip, I headed downstairs.
They were already at a table in the corner—Xavier, Paige, Darcelle… and Elisha, who didn't even spare me a single glance. Not even the annoyed one he always threw my way.
It felt worse than our first meeting.
And I didn't know why.
I sat beside Xavier, picked up my chopsticks, and began eating the sour rice and noodle soup with stewed pork.
The inn was quieter in the morning—less crowded. The street outside mirrored it: serene, calm. I realized the town was festive only in the evenings. Mornings were for work and classes. Evenings for rest.
"I think after we eat," I said quietly, "we should check the town out. Maybe buy a few things."
Paige brightened. "Yes! Darcy, we should check out the women's clothing and accessories—they're gorgeous here!"
Darcelle nodded eagerly.
Xavier nudged Elisha. "Hey, we can check out food vendors and jacket stores. Since you wear jackets all the time, let's get you a new one."
Elisha blinked, mid-chew. "But I don't have money."
Xavier laughed. "Nathan and I will cover it."
I blinked, glanced at Xavier—who winked.
I nodded slowly. I was planning to buy clothes today. So… this counted as helping, right?
I looked at Elisha again, but he just continued eating quietly.
I took a bite of my meat bun.
Maybe…
Maybe I did regret what I said to him.
Maybe that was the problem.
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