[Mek-pendragon] Short chapter. Nevertheless, please let me know of any grammar errors and the like!

Chapter 29: Chat At Nighttime

The night chill shivered through my skin, yet, however dark it may seem, all I see was a room illuminated by balls of light. Careful not to wake the sleeping beauty on my side, I anxiously left the bed.

One, two, three, four…… with the exception of Roxis, Meles, Remi, and Meimei all sprawled on the ground, warming each other through the comfort of their heat.

It made me smile after thinking how close those three had become in such a short amount of time. Then again, they’re girls, but my main concern is why Roxis is still here. Now all that effort to appear like a jerk seems like it’s wasted.

I shook my head—my meeting with Tersa just now causes my vision to be somewhat groggy. I did say that hugs are on me, but that act of kindness didn’t saved me from being eaten alive.

No matter how normal it may appear to her, watching a cute little girl like her munching on my skin and drinking my warm blood sends shivers down my spine.

It’s not normal at all!!!

I left the room after tearing some of the bandages off my skin. It should’ve surprise me that my wounds have healed, but I just concluded it has something to do with this left eye.

While ambling through that tiny corridor, I walked pass two more doors, but I ignored them. I was concerned to the privacy of whoever’s living in that room, so I persisted on walking in silence, until I came across the wooden stairs that led me down a place I would describe as this house’s dining room.

“Hey there, kid.”

Rather than mentioning a word, I took a chair across this bulky old man. I blinked a few times to confirm, but my left eye really lost its ability to see. How can something that happened inside my thoughts affect me in reality?

“I know you have a lot of questions, so don’t hesitate to ask.”

Gordon snatched the wooden mug on this table and drank that foamy liquid in one gulp. He stood up from his chair and went around. When he came back, he has another mug ready on his hand.

“Come on, speak up.”

“………I, I don’t know. I don’t know where to start. Everything happened so quick I barely had time to digest everything.”

I answered after taking the mug which I deduced to be mine. The contents produces a distinct odor I couldn’t properly describe. Also, its foamy head dissipates quickly as it leaves a lace on top.

“Haha, I suggest not to worry too much, but your mind will drift about it in the end.”

“………Perhaps.”

“Let me ask you the question then. Are you him or are you his son?”

“By him, you mean…?”

“The Hero. You’re his striking resemblance in his youth after all.”

My looks? But even then, just going from my face alone isn’t enough to warrant that much trust on a stranger. There must be something else.

“But from the thousands of people in the central continent, there’s bound to be look alikes.”

“Can’t deny you. But you see, when you introduced yourself to me back there, I knew you were somehow connected to him.”

After chugging another mug, Gordon explained even further.

“Kansouke was his name after all. If having the same face wasn’t a coincidence, then what about your name, kid? Surely you can’t deny that?”

His words changed everything inside me. I’m even more confused now, like a child suddenly flooded with memories he doesn’t know. Does that mean that my parents are somewhat acquainted to all of these bullcrap?

But it make sense as to why he decided to trust me with that quest.

“I see…”

There’s so many things I wanted to say, to ask, but those words were all I could muster at the moment. Seeking confidence, I decided to take a sip on my mug.

“Heh, it’s the first time I’ve drank something like this.”

“Gahaha, go on, we have plenty.”

“Alright…”

Just like him, I went and chug it all in one go. This beer has this minimal bitterness and a slight carbonated flavor that left a warm sensation in my mouth. My chest, in particular, was filled with this adult feeling.

“I can see that you’re confused,” Gordon spoke with the tone of a worried parent.

“Indeed I am. I’m so confused I don’t even know how to properly identify myself.”

Whether it was due to the beer or not, I can feel my face wrinkling with these emotions.

“To be honest, these memories that I have no recollection of making had been haunting me since childhood.”

“Hmm, that’s interesting… How about me? Does my face remind you of something?”

“Haha, if it did, then I sure as hell would’ve recognize you when we first met. But alas, there’s nothing in regards to an old man named Gordon. Only fragments of the past…”

Gordon took my mug and got up again. He returned with another batch of beer in his hands, making me assume there’s no getting out of this now—until it’s daybreak.

Gordons looks pleased. “Do you remember anything about Regulus at all?”

I smiled while staring at the mug he reached out to me. “Regulus? As in the capital city, right?”

“Indeed. If you ever remember Philippe, he’s the King now.”

“Philippe? That name does sound familiar.”

“You know, good ol’ Philippe, the little kid who injured himself before our counter offensive started. Didn’t you have a relationship with his older sister?”

“Old man, you’re making it sound like I’m the Hero.”

He scratched his head. “My bad, my bad… I really can’t help thinking you’re him after all that, you know.”

“I don’t really mind, it’s just that………it feels a little weird?”

He crosses his muscular arms and looks at me with a wide grin. “Gah, it must be. But having this small talk with you really gives me the impression that I’m reminiscing about the past with an old friend.”

“I guess so, since you really seem delighted, old man.”

“Do I?”

He smiled even more after seeing me relaxed and chugged my drink like a man. His gaze somehow reminds me of my bumpkin of a father, in a certain way.

However………

“Gordon, what would you do to prevent a war from starting? Would you kill in the name of love?”

Probably bothered by the serious tone I just spoke in, Goron’s carefree atmosphere disappeared and was replaced by a stern look.

“I see… So war is brewing again?”

“………I’m not sure. It’s merely a speculation on my part. On our side, who do you think will instigate the war first?”

He started scratching his chin, but he didn’t avert his gaze from mine.

“Hmm… As long as I could remember, the Church had always wanted to exterminate all of the demons for a long, long time now. Saying they’re the followers of some evil God and whatnot. Bunch of senile old fools if you ask me. Then again, Agriasen is deeply rooted with “Wuxeria”, our supposedly Goddess of Creation.”

“……Don’t joke about some Goddess, old man. It wouldn’t be good if she hears you and decides to smite us both with her holy judgement. Although I wouldn’t mind if it’s just you.”

“Meh, the only thing that scares me is either Ceci’s cooking or my daughter, Celica, leaving me one day to get married.”

He emptied his mug and I followed.

“Pua…”

I think this beer’s bitterness showed on my face.

“She’s a little ditzy, but Cecillia seems like a very caring wife.”

“Right? Even I wonder if I deserve a woman like her sometimes.”

“I’m sure you do. Do tell me how to reach the promised land of the elves though,” I said in an attempt to lighten our mood.

“Gahaha! It’s a long story.”

“I don’t mind. Anything for my elven ears.”

Although it was quite late, we managed to enjoy our conversation for a long while. Our main topic was about elves, then it turned to his love story, and then to Celica, and back to how great his wife is.

“That’s why Kansouke, never lose sight of your goals, no matter what.”

“I will and never will. Thank you for sharing a wonderful story, Gordon. It’s very inspiring.”

We were so focused in our conversation we didn’t notice the time. If I would have to make a guess, it would be way past midnight. Gordon strongly reeks of alcohol and he is wobbling to where he sat, so I took that opportunity to guide him to his room and cleaned up our mess afterwards.

“What a funny old guy.”

I can’t believe such a romantic story is possible. This world does somehow reward endeavor if you persevere. Other than that, you’re better off getting lost in eternity. But what I can’t believe is how I defeated that monster of an old man and I only feel tipsy at most.

While thinking that I could be a monster myself, I went back in my room to sleep again. Just after opening the door, I could already smell the sweet fragrance coming from within. It could be describe as a floral scent that is cool and refreshing.

“Perfume?”

This scent seems to be originating from this guy. And when I said this guy, I meant Roxis. How I didn’t notice before is an even bigger mystery. This bed was reserved for me, yet I still felt uncomfortable laying beside this guy. He didn’t violated my behind while I was asleep, right?

Oh well, trying my hardest not to wallow about it any further, I climbed on top of the bed. Maybe it was due to the coldness of the night that I was looking to snuggle, and this guy’s the only one available, I ended up wrapping my arms around him instead.

He made a little sound like a laugh, but it got lost into a fit of wheezing.

Thanks to that cute little noise, finding myself to sleep wasn’t such a struggle at all.