Chapter 161 – Journal Entry 11: Fizzy Juice

After the fiasco with the cultists, I dedicated myself in staying out of trouble. Elena, who was my ‘boss’ technically started a conversation with the elvens. I heard them discuss and what came out of their discussion was an agreement and at the same time a warning for what they did to Grom.

Despite her calling Grom a ‘hound dog’ with a bit of sneer, I found out that Elena cares for his uncle. Apparently, despite Grom’s appearance, he is what you call a gentle beast. The only reason that Elena is a bit scared of Grom is the fact she saw Grom ripped a bandit apart. The bile and gore apparently splashed on her face, making her remember that scene every time she sees Grom. It was not Grom’s fault. It was more of her fault, hence despite her calling Grom a hound dog she tries her best to forget.

I may have called it a lie straight on her face. But seeing her take care of Grom in the morning, calling him “Uncle” while applying some sort of magic on him that loosens the metal on his body made me feel like her concern was genuine. It made me think that there might be more to Grom than a committed beast of slaughter.

We still have long ways to before returning to Fernery Island. But knowing how troublesome it may be I decided to visit just two places. Either to the park where I could sit around and watch the pool of water, that has long legged birds flocking, or linger on the marketplace where I just eat two meat on sticks.

My days became as normal like that. Sometimes I would try to go visit the smithery where I met that Smith. He would talk to me, and told me how much of an interesting design my flimsy revolver was. At the same time, he asked me for any bullets, saying that they need to replicate it. I said yes, and told them to pay me again, which surprisingly the smith agreed without any complaints.

I got more money and with that money, I spent it more on food and some few clothes. While buying clothes though, seeing me about to replace my coat made me rather hesitant so I did not change my clothes at all. However, as I dig on my items, I saw a simple necklace, a peculiar silver metal in a form of a cross, there is a small writing on it but with how I could not use my mother tongue anymore, I wasn’t able to comprehend what was written.

I wore the necklace out of feeling. I have no memories about the necklace, but judging how I keep it in my pockets, it could be a memento from something, or a just some item I bought and forget. I am not wearing it, so maybe it isn’t really important? But even so, I guess might as well wear it.

...

Last day before we head to this place called Sardis. It is a harbor city that was built painstakingly at the wish of a certain someone. According to what I gathered about the city, it should suppose to be a merely a village but with the help of three figures that the village became a fine harbor city that is known in the world.

I am partly excited to see the city, in fact, going outside of the city walls makes me happy. Of course, although I hear that there are many warp gates that summon monsters in the city, I could not help but feel the wanting to see what lies beyond the walls.

I have no memories of my own. I have a borrowed name that I read from Memorial monolith located in a cemetery. The name seems to be foreign here, almost sad too. Miss Leone looked like she was quite sad hearing the name for some reason.

I could only wonder what that man written in monolith is. He might be a strong, blessed guy who was able to slay a beast out of luck. I mean other than that, I have no idea how can you kill something allows you to have a monolith in memorial to your achievements.

In any case, at the moment I am on a lone building lined street sitting near a bench outside a shop that sells carbonated drink, a fizzy juice that somehow I feel like I drank too much while sitting in front a glowing box, tapping my fingers on something that allows me to reproduce letters.

I have no idea what that thing is but it sure sounds nostalgic. Damn, I could not remember it all but maybe if I find more things like this then I might be able to remember. It is a long shot but if I do manage to remember then that would be awesome.

As I was wondering that, I saw a robed lady, with long ears, with a teenage girl. This elven lady, who was more ‘female’ than the elvens themselves, was being led on by this girl. The teenage girl that the elven lady was being led on, stared at me, wondering probably why this man with a coat is staring at her.

“Do you mind?”

“I am sorry. It was not my intention to stare.”

“Nell, don’t go looking for trouble okay?”

The sweet soft-spoken elven lady said. She was quite elegant, her blue eyes, her whitish blond hair that reaches up to her waist stand out.

“I am sorry madams, eh, are you an elven?”

“Half elven, I am sorry if my granddaughter has bothered you.”

I asked that out of blue, which somehow made the teenage girl that is with this mellowed lady irritated. She looked at me, with her eyes furrowed and said.

“But he was staring at us, who knows if he is some creep that wants to date grandma!”

“Nell, that is enough, I am too old already for that...”

The two was quite talkative as if I didn’t exist at all as they talked. It was a strange sight, a very strange yet some sort of sweet sight.

“Ah, pardon us, young man, Nell, please apologize.”

“But I didn’t do anything!”

“Come on, be a good girl.”

“Fine!”

The teenage girl looked at me furiously, but her grandma pinched her sides, making her look a bit sad. I kinda feel bad now.

“I am sorry. This Nell apologizes for being rude.”

“It’s okay. I was the one staring rudely in the first place.”

“See grandma, not my fault!”

The teenage girl who is named Nell smugly said to her grandma. I thought the half-elven lady would be mad but she was quite smug herself too, putting her hand in her mouth, she said.

“Oh my, it looks like we have to practice our hawkish perception, and seeking bolts harder than last time.”

“Grandma, how could you be so merciless!”

“Oh dear, you should be glad that I am not sending you to the dungeon continent for training. I just know the right mentor for you, she should be still alive.”

“Grandma...”

The two was quite cheery, almost as if they forgot to enter the store. It took them a while, but they finally entered, brought what they want and left the shop. While walking away, that teenage girl looked at me as if I was the one that put her into hell. Quite funny, almost made smile as I finish the fizzy juice on my hand.

It was time to go back to the Inn.