Chapter 19: Debt Collectors Arc End - Goodbye and Future

His heart went haywire at the sight of a beauty under the moon. The simple long white dress she was wearing. The frilly sleeves that flutter along with her golden hair made Arden's heart feels like electricity was shocking it. He even forgot to wear his mask.

What was that, Arden thought. He wore his black-jester-drawn-mask back to his face. He took a deep breath and drags his weary legs away from the noble district in a hurry. His cloak fluttered as he power walks out of the noble district and climbing down the pathway that leads down to the commoner’s district. The noble district is located on a small hill-like mountain so the climb down was quite exhausting.

He arrived in the dimly lit district. Unlike the noble district where there were magic lamp posts powered by mana stones. The lowly-like districts of the city are just lit up with lamp posts fueled by oil. The orange-like flame inside the lampposts made the street lit up.

Arden’s foster father, when taking Arden out would describe the city as a ‘Victorian-Georgian-Medieval Europe’ like world that hasn’t develop any firearms or the age of knights did not come to an end. His frock tail coat wearing foster explained it as ‘with magic accessible why would they bother to make such arms?’ and ended the explanation with a shrug saying ‘a peasant with a flintlock is nothing. But give them rifles and they are a force that could overwhelm most army. Not to mention that the ‘peacemaker’ can stop a war.

Arden knew that his foster father had different world knowledge. It left an imprint on him so knowing the world of his foster father made him a bit drowned on things he could never imagine. A metal bird flying in the sky and giant steel bottles that could reach the moon was a strange thought.

His boots tap the brick paved road. While thinking he arrives at the Inn. Still wearing his mask, Arden went to the back door, removes his mask and reconstructed it into a wooden ring. While the tattered cloak he wore turned into a simple cloth wristband.

He could get any cloak within the market but the thought of wanting to masked himself made a note on Arden’s head. So with the mask and cloak turned into a ring and a wristband. Entering the back door of the Inn Arden could hear the horse’s tied on poles neigh. Climbing up to his room he saw the ever studious foster sister of his, Susan carrying her books.

“Good evening?”She sniffed.” You smell of petals and something else.”

“Ah, I was helping Bell and Syr on something.”

“So one of your escapades eh, and a sigil of the Bank of Brewrael on your chest, is that yours now?”

“They gave it to me as a ‘gift’. Maybe they will give you some to?”

“Speaking of them, will you two give me?”

Susan looked past Arden. He turned around and saw the two standing.

“Good evening you two, ah, do you want some Sigil to Susan?”

“I could use it.”

“Here then.”

Syr threw the same insignia that Arden has. The same cross with a coin on a center sigil.

“Thank you, with this maybe I could make those pesky instructors away and have a good future on the Medical’s Army of Healers.”

“So that’s where are you going after you graduate?” said Syr, looking at Arden. “So are you going there to Arden?”

“No, I don’t think I will follow Susan. I am heading straight to the front lines.” Arden shook his head while then looking at Susan. “We choose different paths after all.”

“I see...”

Syr said with her blank face.

“Well with that done can we come in and have some ale?”

Bell intruded the conversation. He then made a playful smile as he rubs his hands together. Arden, Susan, and Syr looked at him before lowering their shoulders in exasperation. Bell wondered what’s up with their treatment which made the three laughed together, making things quite jolly.

Arden then led the two to the bar where they took a pint of ale. Susan for once joined in with their drinking and the four drank and eat until the night was deep. It was already midnight when Arden arrived at the Inn. So when they were done drinking it was already 3-in the night.

With the two drunk to boot, Arden made them go to their rooms. Susan was quite unsteady so Arden took her to her own room. She had a flushed face and seeing his foster enjoying herself made Arden smile a bit. He derives joy in seeing other people happy.

And seeing someone he cares for happy is enough to make him happy too.

“Goodnight Susan.”

Arden said softly. With that, he left Susan’s room and went to his own room. Removing his overcoat, the cape on his waist, and keeping the shark saw dagger on his drawers. Arden sat on his bed. A bit drunk, Arden thought of the woman he saw in that high garden. The image of that woman got embedded on his head. Although he could only see her golden hair, golden eyes and that long sleeve frilly white dress that matches her pale skin. Arden felt like he saw a princess.

It was the first time in his life that someone actually made his heart beat like that. It was a good memory under the moonlight. He felt that he would hold on to this memory as keepsake. After all, he knows that woman should be a noble and with the rules of the world simple. A helpless lowly peasant like him could never have the right to talk with such high-class lady.

Besides that, Arden plans to enact the unachieved dream of his foster father. He wanted to help people and at the same time fulfill redemption by surviving. The guilt of surviving and being saved lies inside Arden’s heart. And even though he made a nice memory under the moonlight, he could never forsake his borrowed dreams.

...

Arden woke up. He sees the sun up in the sky. He could hear the outside bustling. Wearing his clothes and reconstructing his saw shark dagger into mana. Arden left the room and went down to the kitchen. He greeted Susan’s parents and decided to eat by the window in the bar. While eating he was greeted by Bell and Syr who seems to be leaving.

They had a few words saying that they need to return back. Arden thought, where that guy was. And he was surprised with the guy appearing not-leashed on the inn’s door. Seeing this, Arden thought, is he a thrall now? Which the two nodded as if they know what was on Arden’s mind, knowing this Arden can only nod his head in acceptance.

The two sat on the same table. They let Tuyon the Thrall outside while they ordered some food. While they were waiting for the food to come to, Susan descended down the stairs with her uniform on. Seeing the three sitting together, she smiled, went to the kitchen and a have a bit of conversation. Taking the tray of food with her, she put it on the table and the four started eating together as friends.

Bell and Syr told that they were leaving. This made Susan flash a sad smile. Friends leaving always make Susan sad. She treats the two as childhood friends and despite Syr being a noble. Susan and she were good friends. That is why they made this a precious moment.

People die suddenly.

The world isn’t kind and the continent of old is filled with dangers.

From barbarians to magical creatures and Demi-Humans waging war.

The heartlessness outside of the walls of Mesh City was the reality.

Within the walls of Mesh is despair.

Bell and Syr had stepped on the overworld and fought with their teeth clenched.

Bandits may not attack them for their sigils.

But monsters who think nothing of the Bank of Brewrael are their greatest threats.

That is as Bell and Syr ate their food and drank their ale slowly. They could not help but flashed lonely smiles in the thought of leaving their friends.

For Bell and Syr, the two that are in front of them was their greatest friends. They see Susan as a kind-hearted woman that would surely become someone that would help the Medical Army of Healers heal the poor injured sods carried from the front lines.

As for Arden, they see his future rather grim.

Arden would suffer.

Arden would screech and rage at his impossible dream.

The two knew how it was easy for Arden to help.

They knew he is capable and willing.

But the road he takes will only end him with anguished.

They wanted to say things to Arden.

Prevent such good friend from damnation and condemnation.

But knowing Arden, all their advice would not penetrate his dulled heart.

Arden’s purpose was to only help. A borrowed purpose that allows him to derive joy and addiction to seeing people who he saves smile as they get saved.

That is why they can only smile sadly at Arden’s future.

It is a bleak one.