Chapter 125 – Ain’t Gauche

Ramiel took a whiff of air outside his house for once. He sat on the end of the docks, staring at the blue endless sea, gazing upon the horizon’s end. He could see clouds of silver, the sun brandishing its light as if melting the clouds all over.

His capelet along with his tied hair fluttered behind his back. The warm feeling of the sun, the cool wind coming from the sea, and glassy water below him that are filled with a school of fishes made Ramiel comfortable. He stared at the fishes as they wagged their scaly tails, making a bit of disturbance in the water.

Ramiel didn’t smoke nor took a drink he left his gourd of ale in his abode. He wasn’t feeling pain, his wounds are a bit better but it's just wounds he can grit his teeth with. His body was feeling well, he wasn’t in agony and there was no burning feeling on him.

Although he should have gone and look for the others, even so, he was enamored by the docks that he barely moved at all. His eye reflects the various odd birds that could not be seen in his world. The creatures under the sea were rather eccentric looking it made Ramiel wondered how such creature evolved.

Ramiel stayed idle as if the recent feeling of being alive changed him. There was no gloomy mood around him he was tranquil and somehow peaceful. This is his time of peace and for all the suffering he has in the past three years. Ramiel felt like being alive was the greatest.

He didn’t have any anchor to hold on to this world at first. But discovering a ray of hope that even he could not resist made Ramiel want to continue living on. In this world, he didn’t have that many attachments to anyone. But somehow a smug wisecracking maiden made him want to stay alive.

He wonders if have truly fallen, but for now, he just wants to enjoy this feeling for a while longer. Such feeling and mood rarely come to him so right now he just wants to savor it while it lasts. There was no pain, no tragedy, and no threat at the moment for Ramiel.

He is merely a normal human being enjoying the comfortable spot he found. His body as if floating, Ramiel closed his eyes as he then opens it. His abyss-like eyes reflected the beautiful world. There may be no light in his eyes but the world he sees is enough to make him happy inside.

A smile form on his lips, his eyes that are always sleepy fully open as he tries to imprint this image in his mind. Only the wind hushing, the waves moving, and the birds crying can only be heard. Ramiel absorbs them all as if he was a sponge, doing this made his stressed heart slowly beat normally. His rusty body slowly got oiled, as Ramiel feels like he can move freely now.

...

Peronell walks down the hill with her thoughts in the clouds. As she takes casual steps, she remembered the words that Ramiel spoke to her back in the den of cultists. Although Ramiel speaking that way made him a bit charming, his appearance was slightly rough. She could remember that merely because despite his appearance that day, there was something in his expression that made Peronell feel like he was bright.

Her heart stirred just as she tries to figure out what to say to him. It was obvious that Ramiel adored her. And even though as a woman it makes her glad that someone is attracted to her charms. She was still feeling a bit awkward on how to deal with Ramiel.

Peronell continued walking as she slowly approaches her former house. As she steps near the window, she peeks a bit only to see no one inside. She felt quite odd since Ramiel usually either sit near his table or stare at the fireplace. It was weird for him to not do that, and somehow it became a usual sight for her.

So when she couldn’t see Ramiel, she swayed her head from left to right. She looked around the village and only until she went to the docks that he saw Ramiel’s back. He was wearing a tunic, a capelet and since was just in front of him she couldn’t make out his head.

She approached him uneasily planning on what she is about to say. Peronell was quite a fool when it comes to love. She was someone who would accompany the one she fell for into the dungeon continent despite the dangers. It took her years just to give up on Reynauld, her childhood friend. To her Reynauld was a bit of a stud, he was quite charismatic, gathering a harem worth of girls.

It took her for a while to realize she didn’t have a chance, after all, how could she compete when most of her rivals were leagues above her. It was painful for her to do so, but giving up made her a bit happy. So now that someone adores her, it made her feel quite weird.

Peronell arrived just three feet away from Ramiel. She was fumbling and was just speechless on what to say. She tried to find her words but it would get stuck in her throat.

“Oh.”Ramiel noticed Peronell.

“H-hey Ramiel, what are you doing here?”

“Sitting around? What’s with you?”

“Eh?”

“Don’t ‘eh’ me, what’s wrong?”

Peronell’s head stopped working for a while. She couldn’t understand why he was speaking this casually to her despite all those embarrassing words he spoke. Also, she was quite stunned to see Ramiel shaving his rough beard, it didn’t sit well with him and seeing Ramiel’s face, which was quite normal compared to his gloomy, bitter one made her heart stir.

“Hello? Are you there?”

“I am...I am shocked that you can be this casual despite saying those words.”

“Oh, that...” Ramiel scratches the back of his head.

“That was quite bold of me probably a spur of the moment...but it wasn’t really a lie. Don’t tell me that you are bothered by that? Wow, you are pretty shy.”Ramiel smugly said.

“Gah...” Peronell felt a vein popped. “You know that being a prick won’t get you my favor! Just so you know I have my own taste in men too!”

“Well, I did remember that the only reason you came back is that you failed on your love. How sad. But do not fret this Ramiel will cheer you up.”

“You sure are confident.”

“Not really, I am literally shaking inside now my nervousness just makes me say things bluntly,” Ramiel explained himself.

“Oh really...” Peronell suddenly changed her expression, and clasp both of her hands near her cheeks. “As you are courting me, how about you give me a gift? Like for example MY house that YOU took from me? Maybe that would show me your sincerity?”

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHA...just no, I ain’t giving that house.”

Peronell frowned at Ramiel’s reply. What was she being uneasy for when Ramiel was still acting blunt and uncaring to her?

“Wow...” she lifelessly said as she sits beside Ramiel, hanging her legs at the edge of the dock. “Did I just misunderstand?”

“Misunderstand what?”

“That well, that you adore me.”

“Of course you didn’t, you are my reason to live at the moment,” Ramiel said it bluntly.

“Gah...” Peronell puffs her cheeks as she looks away. “You really are...uh I hate you.”

“Maybe I can change that?”

“Whatever...”

Peronell embraces her legs as she mutters continuously under her breath.

“I don’t really understand you.”

“I can change that.”

Ramie answered, still keeping his eye at the sea, not daring to look at Peronell. At the moment, he was just speaking what is inside his head. Not caring on what will happen.