"Huh!? What's with that look!? You don't believe me, do you!?"
Seeing me looking to the side with a rather sad and worried visage, Golden asked that question.
"Look!"
He pointed to some group of knights who aren't in their uniforms.
"They're gonna go outside. For vacation most likely. That's why there's no need to waver! Come with us!"
"Eh...?"
'What, I don't even know your names yet.'
"I'll think about it."
"Well, if you say so. But there's not much time to wait. We'll go this afternoon. If you think you can go, see us at the gate. We'll be waiting until 5:00."
"Will do."
"By the way, my name's Dray. And that one is... "
"Arzi."
"Uh, Yui."
"Okay Yui, we will be waiting for you at the gate. If you made up your mind sooner just look for us in this castle."
"Yeah."
...
After several hours...
"Pant... Pant... Pant... Where the heck are they?"
After walking around the castle searching for the three, I was back at my post.
"Where are those three?"
Catching my breath both from fatigue and intense desire of wanting to see them, I was powerlessly holding onto my knees in exhaustion.
"Never have I thought that losing them would be this lonely. Pant... Pant... "
A smooth blow of wind has made its way through the large window and blessed me with its cool refreshing air.
Whoosh...
"Aaaah... Thank you... !"
As if got exhausted, emotionally, mainly, the arrival of the cool air couldn't just be as perfect! Truly, air is life!
I pull myself together.
When I finally got a clear view of my surroundings (since losing those three, especially Kiezy, who I can easily ask for reliable details, has made everything look murky.), I've noticed that the pink-haired girl is still around. She was still on the bench she had been on this morning.
If it's true that I can go out of this place for sometimes, it would be a very big help. I can stroll around the kingdom so that I can check unusual occurrences such as the happening just several days ago.
So for confirmation, I don't think it would be so bad if I ask her.
To my left side, about 100 meters away from me, was a gigantic door. It was where the knights were passing through if they were heading to the ground floor's roof. Yeah. The resting area where we clashed with that fiend and where Ms Rose intercepted the talking monster's rather unstoppable energy blast.
This was the resting area. The roof everyone was talking about. Well, there were also roofs on top of the castle, but when say roof, it was this place. The roof of the ground-floor building. This spot was really good for sightseeing. So it was no wonder many would come here to relax.
"Uhm... "
"Hmm?"
Uttering as to begin a conversation, Pink turned to me paying attention. After realising it was me...
"Huh!? Wh-What?"
"Ah, no. I just... "
'Wow. You didn't have to get that surprised.'
I thought to myself curious about her reaction.
"Just want to ask something."
"Uhm... Go ahead."
"Is it true we can go outside to explore in the dungeon or even go on a vacation?"
"Uhm... Yes. It is true. Probably."
"Probably?"
"Ah, no... It's just, it is not officially permitted. But the deed was fairly common so, maybe, it's fine. I guess...?"
"I-Is that so...?"
My mug twitching, I could just react to this information. So they're just doing it on the assumption that they won't get punished if caught? How risky.
"You're going to the dungeon, mister?"
"Yes, I think so?"
"..."
The girl looked down her complexion dimming in silence.
"Uhm... Will you go with them?" - She asked solemnly.
"Them? Ah! Those two? Well, maybe... I mean I have no companion if I go alone."
'After all, it would be trouble if I got caught alone. Better make those two face the consequences. Hehe.'
"Will you be... okay? You don't like being with people with bad hearts, right?"
"...!?"
What was she saying?
Her assumption was right. But why suddenly...
"I was hanging out here and for some reason the place is warm. So it became my relaxing spot. I like the atmosphere here. Mister, please don't go with people with bad hearts, okay? If you do... It would make me sad."
Why was she suddenly saying these things?
Well, it doesn't go against my own ideal though.
"Is that so? Then! If you're that concerned about me, why not come with me? You will be my refreshment."
"...!?"
...
Whoosh...
...
"I-Is it... Really okay? Can I really go with you, mister!?"
Exhilarated by the idea, the girl got up and asked me to clarify things.
"Y-Yeah. It's okay. You can come with us."
'What's the big deal? I just invited her. Did she even understand what I meant by refreshment?'
As her eyes sparkled with excitement, little by little, the girl's smile widened as she couldn't believe what was said.
"Haaa...! Thank you!"
With her pink hair enhancing the scene, her smile could just majestically shine at me.
'Well, whatever. It appears she's very happy about it.'
I thought to myself as I accepted the girl's rather unusual delight.
With her around, I won't be so insufficient in information. Also, it doesn't look like she's the type to pry on someone's business. Just like what I need.
If I have to say, she was like... Being driven by assumption?
I don't really know what to say, but...
Seeing that as if deprived of hope eyes, I concluded that she might have given up on the world and was just dwelling on certain assumption. Rather than assumption... Maybe sign?
Yeah. There was no doubt of it. Disregarding everything, she was just letting herself be guided by, most likely, sign. It's just...
"What is she seeing in me?" - I muttered.
Well, I'll just do my best not to betray her expectations.
Reaching out my hand to her...
"I am Yui. Pleased to have you."
...I opened myself up to her with a bright smile.
'Hehe... ' - I think we will get along just fine.
"Yes, it is a pleasure to be in your care! My name is Palma!"
The pink-haired girl who was now, Palma, took my hand with a pure delighted visage.
'Ah... Ahahaha... You were the one who was supposed to give me refreshment, though.'
This is what I could just think of as I felt the scene was getting rather interchanged.
...
Traversing towards the castle gate, along this wide tended with trees concreted area, accompanied by its cool silvery appearance, I and Palma were walking relaxedly.
The wideness of the place allows the presence of the wind to freely saunter around the area making the place always refreshing. With the pure green trees situated to provide shade for the knights or whoever may need them, one could say that the design of the place was really well thought out.
The area was cool and relaxing to the eye.
"Impressive." - I muttered, appreciating the grandeur visual to the depths of my heart.
"Ah!?"
As we were getting closer to the gate, Yellow cried out loudly in surprise.
I could just feel worn out about this.
"You!!? Why are you with her!? You do know you're not in a position to walk alongside a girl like her, right!?"
There goes our lost cause admirer. Also, even though he didn't care about it the last time, Golden was now stuttering in disbelief at what he was seeing.
"Y-Y-You...! Why...? How...? What...?"
There you go. Golden now seemed to have lost the ability to talk asking clarification for almost all of the questions.
Well, it was not like Palma was that big of a deal or anything. These two were just being all too dramatic because I had a girl with me. Talk about commoner perspective.
"Ahh... Hahaha... Don't mind them, Palma. They are just so excited to explore the dungeon."
"Hey! Don't change the topic!"
"Right, right! How come you brought such a beauty to our little fun-struggling vacation?"
"Ugh, shut up! It's nothing worth mentioning. We just agreed to come. That's all."
They could just get their mouth wobbling then get their teeth gritting as they couldn't find a reason to speak further.
"Oh... My pure little angel... You got yourself tainted by the world's twisted schemes, I see. Don't worry, I won't cast you away. You will still be my daily source of life."
"Seriously I could kick you right now." - is what I could just mutter.
Yellow was now in front of us emotionally lying on his knees as if giving us his departure blessing.
On the other hand, with his mug grimacing greatly at what he had witnessed, Gold could just accept the fact.
Letting out a deep breath, he let go of all the frustrations.
"Sigh... Well, we can just always pick at the guild for women of such beauty. Better not to let it ruin our plans."
'Seriously who would have their plans ruined over such trivial matters?'