A Late-Night Apology
That evening, after reporting the afternoon's incident to the foundation head, "Knock... knock... knock" on Adrian's apartment door. Adrian, who was sitting with Elsa on the sofa, looked at the door. It turned out to be a married couple and Vero. Of course, Adrian knew the couple. He walked over and opened the door.
"Adrian, right? Sorry to bother you so late," Davin said.
"It's okay, Uncle. Please, come in," Adrian replied, opening the door wide.
They came inside. Adrian noticed Vero walking past him with her head down and fists clenched. He closed the door and followed them. Once everyone was seated, Adrian and Elsa sat on either side of them, then turned off the TV. Adrian placed the thug's smartphone on the table, and Vero looked at it with a terrified expression.
"Adrian, Elsa, we apologize for Vero's behavior towards you, but what's the actual problem? Please explain," Grace said.
"Go on, you apologize too," Davin added.
"S-sorry," Vero mumbled.
"Seriously, what's your problem with me that you'd go to such extremes?" Elsa asked.
"She's asking, answer her," Grace prompted.
"What are you talking about, Mom? This is all your fault, you know? You could buy her an apartment, but why not me, your own daughter?" Vero yelled.
"What are you talking about? Your mother only helped them as a witness for the deed of gift. We didn't buy them an apartment; they inherited it. You apologize to your mother," Davin snapped.
"Huh, easy for you to say. Mom bought Adrian something last time too, didn't she? Get real," Vero said, crossing her arms.
"You really are something. We explain, and you still argue," Davin said.
"Hmm, looks like there's a misunderstanding here. Hold on," Adrian said, standing up and going into his room.
Adrian came out carrying the deed of gift that the apartment manager had given him. He opened the last page and showed it to Vero.
"Elsa and I are grateful to your mom and dad because they signed as witnesses on this deed of gift. They didn't buy Elsa and me an apartment at all. We both received it as a gift. Do you understand now?" Adrian asked.
"But I saw it myself, Mom gave her money!" Vero yelled, pointing at Elsa.
"Oh, Vero, at that time, Mom helped her withdraw money from her ATM because she couldn't use the ATM yet, right, Elsa?" Grace asked.
"Yes, Auntie, that's right. (She turned to Vero) That was my own money, Vero," Elsa replied.
"You get it now, right? Don't drag this out any further. If you want to continue, I'm ready to deal with it. Elsa and I almost got into trouble earlier," Adrian added.
"Where's the proof that everything earlier was my doing? Quickly, prove it! Where is it? Don't just accuse me!" Vero yelled.
Adrian picked up the thug's smartphone from the table and opened his messages. He showed everything to Davin and Grace. Slap! Grace, whose face was red with anger, immediately slapped Vero because Vero's instruction to the thug to strip Elsa and take clear photos was right there in the message the thug received.
"You ungrateful child! You're really embarrassing your mother and father, you know!" Grace yelled, instantly furious.
"M-mom... sorry, Mom," Vero mumbled.
"Don't apologize to me! You really went looking for trouble!" Grace yelled.
"Go on, apologize properly," Davin said.
"Adrian... Elsa, I'm sorry," Vero said, sobbing and looking down, holding her cheek where Grace had slapped her.
"Hmph, fine," Adrian replied.
"That thug was so stupid. He didn't lock his smartphone, so anyone could open it," Elsa commented.
"I know that thug. He's unemployed and always extorting money from shops. He often bothered us too. Where is he now?" Davin asked.
"He's been 'swallowed,' Uncle. The point is, he won't bother your shop again. And keep an eye on your shop employees, Uncle. How can they hang out with thugs like that? One of the thugs earlier claimed to be a friend of a shop employee," Adrian said.
"That's good then. Yes, Uncle will be careful, but Uncle just asks that don't make this matter escalated, okay? Uncle's willing to pay you for the damages," Davin replied.
"Don't worry about it, Uncle. We won't escalate it, but don't let it happen again, Uncle. This time, we understand because Vero has misunderstood all this time and hasn't understood. It's normal for Vero not to understand because perhaps we're the only high schoolers who get this kind of stuff. It's just that her actions were too daring, and next time, we won't tolerate it," Elsa said.
"Thank you, Adrian, Elsa. Auntie truly apologizes to you both," Grace replied.
"It's okay, Auntie," Adrian replied.
"If everything's settled, we'll head home now, Adrian, Elsa," Davin said.
"Yes, Uncle. Thank you, Uncle," Adrian replied.
After that, Davin, Grace, and Vero stood up to say goodbye. Then they walked out, escorted by Adrian. Vero kept her head down and was sobbing; she didn't dare to look at Adrian and Elsa, then calmly left the unit. "Click!" Adrian closed the door. Then he went back to the living room.
"Dri, what if they had insisted on defending Vero earlier?" Elsa asked.
"Well, it's been a day already, hasn't it? Galvin must be hungry again," Adrian replied.
"Hehe, true, very true," Elsa replied.
"Let's jump to another world," Adrian suggested.
"Not ordering food?" Elsa asked.
"Just pick some vegetables quickly and come back," Adrian answered.
"Okay then, let's go," Elsa replied.
******
A New World, A Royal Welcome
They opened a portal and entered, holding hands. As soon as they arrived, they immediately opened the door, but both their eyes widened because there were many knights and soldiers in front of their yard. The soldiers wore uniform armor, and it wasn't just humans; there were several elves, beastmen, and dwarves.
"Who are they?" Elsa asked.
"I don't know. Let's just ask," Adrian replied.
"But be careful. My intuition tells me we're about to get into trouble," Elsa said.
"Don't worry. Let's try asking first. If we're cornered, call Galvin," Adrian replied.
"Okay, let's go," Elsa replied.
They both stepped out of the house. "Rustle!" The soldiers immediately turned to look at them. They were a bit surprised because the soldiers' faces looked scared seeing them. A fully armored knight stepped forward. He drew his sword and put it on the ground, then he raised his hand and opened his helmet. A middle-aged man with blue eyes and blonde hair was visible beneath his helmet.
"[] () [] ()," the knight said something in a strange language.
"I don't understand... oh, wait," Adrian said.
He pressed a button on his wristwatch, then raised his hand towards the knight.
"Could you repeat that?" Adrian said.
"Oh, apologies. We are soldiers from the Fredonia Kingdom. We are here following the trail of the Calamity Dragon Galvineel. Are you Javis and Irisphilia?" the knight asked.
"There's no way we can tell them their hearts are inside us," Elsa whispered.
"Hmm... maybe so," Adrian answered Horace's question.
"I-is that so?" Horace said, turning pale.
Thud! All the soldiers in front of the fence immediately knelt on one knee, including Horace, the commander. Adrian and Elsa could see a large ship in the middle and several boats on their beach.
"Greetings, Great Hero Javis and Great Sage Irisphilia!" all the soldiers yelled.
"Okay...?" Adrian and Elsa looked at each other, confused.