After dinner, I returned to my room and settled onto my bed, reflecting on the events that had transpired today as I stared out of the large window, which provided a mesmerizing view of the city landscape that I had somehow grown accustomed to looking at.
Just as I was enjoying the view, a shadowy figure appeared and hovered near my window. A figure in a white cloak hovered near my window, with wings sprouting out of the sandals. Yup, it's Asfi. I thought, removed her hood, and knocked on the window.
I got up, making my way over and opening the window. Cold night air swept into the room, catching Asfi's cloak and making it billow.
"Asfi? Did something happen?" I asked, seeing her appear so secretly like this. But it seems she didn't appreciate my concern as a frown settled on her pretty face.
"What do you mean, 'did something happen?'" she asked, her cyan-colored eyes narrowing, "did you forget about the mission today?"
"Eh?" mission? What mission? I thought internally, trying hard not to give any hint that I had forgotten. "Of course I remember," I declared confidently. In return, Asfi sighed, shaking her head.
"So, you really forgot?" she said and entered the room, "looks like you were too busy with your little adventure to remember our promise…" Asfi spoke quietly, making me feel even more guilty and confused.
"W-wait, Asfi, I think there is some kind of misunderstanding. I don't think we talked about any mission." I tried to calm the situation down, arms flailing around, "Maybe there was some communication gap? Or maybe—"
"Pft! Hehe," before I could explain further, Asfi gave a small giggle, "Ah, sorry Arin, I was just joking," she said, making me annoyed, "but hehe, your expression was really something—kya!"
I stepped closer, pinching her side. Asfi jumped, yelping in pain as she grabbed her waist, glaring at me. This girl… did she really not understand how panicked I was, thinking I messed up?
"Kuu! What was that for?"
"That was your punishment," I said.
"But you tease me all the time, what's wrong with me playing a prank once in a while?" Asfi protested.
"That's that and this is this."
"That's not even logic."
"The kind that will earn you another pinch if you try something like that again." I was actually scared, you know.
Asfi gritted her teeth, glaring at me like I was a monster rex, "That's not fair…" she muttered.
"I don't care," I replied, my head held high in triumph, before shaking off the moment, "So was the talk about the mission a prank also?" I asked, since I knew Asfi was not the kind of person to come all the way here for just a prank, though I won't mind either way. And fair enough, Asfi shook her head.
"No, we do have a mission today," she said, "you should get ready, I will fill you in on the details as we make our way."
I nodded and grabbed my sword from the bedside, and put on my combat boots as well. Asfi grabbed the arm guards and the cloak we made together, putting them on for me. As I stood there staring at her focused expression, brightened by the moonlight. She tied the arm guard straps with practiced efficiency. For a moment, I felt like a knight being armed by his lady before battle.
Asfi looked up, tilting her head, staring at my face. "Hm? Why is your face getting red?" she asked.
"You are imagining it," I replied, Damn it. I'm embarrassing myself with my own imagination. But seriously, did she not register how close we are and how others might perceive a display like this? Before long, Asfi had tied my cloak as well.
"Here, all done," she said, her hands resting on my chest as she straightened the part of the cloak falling on my chest, and she looked up as if remembering how close we stood or what she had done till now. The realization of it came crashing down on her, as her face went red.
"Finally." I couldn't help the satisfied smile. Seeing her flustered after that prank felt like justice.
"What are you smiling about?" she asked, still red-faced.
"Nothing. Just... fair is fair."
I walked near the window and called out to her, a smile still playing on my lips. "Then should we leave?"
Asfi looked up towards me. For some reason, her face was even redder than before. She shook her head, making me confused, "Yes, let's go," she said. Both of us jumped out of the window.
We glided through Orario's nighttime streets, Asfi's winged sandals carrying her silently while I used my wind-created foothold to keep pace.
"The mission is outside the city," Asfi said, "the others are also waiting there."
____________________________________________________________________________
"So, mind telling me what this is about?" I asked, as we made our way towards the gates.
"We are asked to deliver something, but there's been a rumor of ex-adventurer thieves appearing recently, so we might have to investigate that as well," she answered.
"Hmm, I see," I replied simply. After all, it's just some delivery and thieves. No, wait, if there are thieves, that means there is a hideout, and if there is a hideout, then there is treasure as well. A smile unknowingly crept up on my face as I thought of that possibility. A low chuckle escaped me.
"H-Hey, Arin, what happened suddenly? Why are you laughing like a Villain?" Asfi asked.
I coughed, "Sorry about that, it was nothing. And I am changing the subject here, but how is your level-up progressing, Asfi?"
Asfi stared at me for some time, suspicious lingering at the sudden change of subject, but she answered nonetheless. "It's progressing smoothly. I had already accumulated enough Excelia to level up. But Lydia and Hermes said to wait for some more time and accumulate it even more, which I agree with."
Asfi finished speaking, her eyes still fixated on me as if trying to gauge my reaction to her words. And I knew she was suspecting that I, or rather a skill of mine, was helping her in that regard, and it wasn't just Asfi either, but Ryuu and even Ais had brought that up before. And while I also don't like hiding it from them, it's just too embarrassing to talk about.
But I also know I can't hide it forever, that's why I am thinking of telling them soon, not just about the skill but about my feelings as well. Soon. Not tonight, but soon. I owe them honesty. I oweher honesty.
"Ah, I see them," I said, as the members of hermes familia came into my view. Along with an extravagant carriage. Lydia was also present, though she had a strangely excited expression on her face, as her eyes lit up the moment we landed near them.
"Oh, everyone, look who it is!" she screamed, "Shadow! The masked hero sidekick—!"
"Can you scream any louder!" I said, grabbing her face in a strong grip.
"Ow, ow! Okay, I am sorry, I will be quiet now!" she said, trying to free herself from the grip. After hearing her apology, I decided to release her. Lydia sat down, rubbing her face.
"Yo, Arin, been a while?" said Lulune, waving her hands.
"Yes, been a while, Lulune, Falgar, Tane, and Meryl." I greeted the Chienhrope, Weretiger, the male Elf, and the female Prum in sequence.
I looked around to observe the surroundings. We were standing at the edge of the forest, dense trees standing in the path as the moonlight shone through the gap of tree branches. Except for us, it was very quiet around the forest as the cold night wind blew past us.
"So, why were we called for this job?" It appeared they were not briefed about the mission yet.
"Is it… something dangerous?" asked Meryl, "We are obviously… working as guards…"
"It was our god's order. We just need to follow it," Thane answered with conviction.
"But… carrying it in a cavern this extravagant… isn't it telling thieves to attack us?" Falgar again questioned.
"Don't be nosy, 'Keep promises', 'don't be nosy about the client', and 'never open whatever was asked to be delivered.' Common sense for carriers," Lulune spoke.
"How would I know. We specialize in the dungeon," said Falgar.
"And you should all know, there have been rumors about ex-adventurers working as thieves around here." Asfi conveyed, letting everyone know about the situation.
"What…? Really?" Meryl asked.
"Relax, we are high-class adventurers, and besides, we also have Shadow on our side!" Lydia jumped back on her feet, encouraging her fellow members.
"Can you stop calling me that?" I asked, but Lydia seemed adamant as she paid my words no heed.
"Right, besides, it's just a rumor," said Hermes, "Even if they did appear, we can take care of adventurers who've become thieves."
"I hope so…" Asfi muttered.
"You worry too much, Asfi." Lydia reassured, "It's most likely a trading company or someone who spread the rumor to get compensation for lost luggage."
"Well, I can't deny that theory." Asfi agreed, "But having core members of the familia become carriers… I have a feeling that something is going on."
"Oh, that's because…" Hermes spoke, "I want to be with you all for once."
"Stop lying," I said. As the rest followed.
"You're lying," said Asfi.
"Definitely a lie," said Lydia.
"That's a lie," Falgar added.
"You're lying, right?" spoke Thane.
"Yup, a lie," said Lulune.
"I am sorry… I don't think I can believe you…" Even the soft-spoken Meryl called out.
"Wow. That makes even me want to cry." Hermes pressed a hand to his chest dramatically. "My own familia, doubting their beloved god! The betrayal! The heartbreak!"
"Save it," Asfi said dryly.
"So, what's the real reason?" I asked, looking at the carriage.
"There's no big reason. The cargo was pretty big, I thought it'd be a pretty good diversion." He answered.
"A diversion…?" I asked, "For what?"
"GRAAAA!" Just then, several growls rang through the forest.
"Looks like our guests are here," said Hermes, "Monsters are scarier than mediocre thieves."
"Yeah… monsters are more in our area of specialty," Falgar answered, drawing his weapon.
"Yes, I suppose they are," said Lulune.
And so the battle begins. Shadows moved between the trees, large, hulking forms with glowing eyes emerging from the darkness. The forest came alive with movement, branches snapping, heavy footfalls shaking the ground.