Chapter 30: Start of a Journey

Due to Emily’s abrupt request, I was held into leaving at my desired schedule. In the meantime Poppie helps her pack up while Lepust and I wait outside. Now that I have more time to observe, this inn really is for rich people. Just from the earthen pots and its floral decorations, everything seems like it’ll sell for a reasonable price.

I sit on the fancy sofa, right across the hallway to Emily’s room, and Lepust does the same, leaning on his elbow. I just finished giving him a good tongue lashing for leaving his job unattended yesterday and now he’s sulking.

“Lepust, if you want to be treated as an adult, you have to show it in your actions,” I preach.

“But Master, all I’ve been doing is work and work. Every single day is the same,” he complains sullenly.

If his problem is as simple as being bored then finding a solution would’ve been a piece of cake, especially for his young age, however his situation variates from mere boredom. It’s as if he lacks the patience or he just haven’t found what he truly wants.

“Then tell me; what is it that want to do?” I ask, keeping my gaze in front.

“Me? I want to see the world in my own two eyes,” he answers right away.

Oh shit. Last time he dreamed to be the greatest gambler and now he wants to travel the world? It makes me wonder what sparked this idea in his head.

“Lepust, do you remember what is our oath as a man of the Bethrold household?” I ask.

Living with the old man, the three of us learned various things. Like how to properly swoon a lady. Thinking about those times, if he’s as half enthusiastic as he was back then, I wouldn’t be having this problem.

“If a man hasn’t found a lady he’s worth dying for, then he isn’t fit to live,” he murmurs using his lackluster tone.

I stroke my chin. “Good. Maybe you need to find some inspiration somewhere?”

I hear him sigh. I tilt my head to look at him, and he looks troubled. His expression tells me he has some love problems of his own too. Damn this is turning out more interesting than I thought.

“That’s precisely why I want to travel,” he blows a sigh again, a much more troubled sigh than normal. “I promised Poppie I’ll look for her mom.”

“Ah.” I can’t say anything else. If the old man hears this he’ll most probably slap him on the back until he’s down hunching on the floor. I can’t let that happen, or it might destroy his motivation. He’s barely twelve, but it feels like he’s matured a few years over the course of a single night. Although I wish this reasoning will last until he’s fulfilled his goal. He gets sidetracked way too easily.

“Well, since you’re coming with me, I’m sure we can use some of our free time to look for Poppie’s mom.”

“Really?” That seems to have lightened him up.

“Yes, but do you know what she looks like?”

“No.” And his fire dies down as quick as it lit.

Placing my palm on his head, I ruffle his hair without his consent. He looks up to me, blinking, and I see my clear reflection in his eyes. Maybe it’s my weird imagination, but I see a shadow. Lost and confused, as if something is missing in his life, I was the same until I met Celes.

“No worries, we’ll figure it out on the way,” I reassure him.

A moment later, Emily emerges on my vision, followed by Poppie, dragging a big luggage. And here I was ready to leave about a minute ago, telling myself that if she wasn’t done in the next five minutes or so, I would have no choice but to abandon her.

“Is that all?” I ask.

“Yes, that’s all,” Emily replies, smiling.

Going with a more casual wear, she showcased her pale-white thighs with her fitted shorts, matching her light dress with its white accent. She’s wearing some cute anklets that couples her leather sandals and a small leather bag can also be seen belted around her hips. All in all, she looks like she’s ready for adventure. Much more than me.

“You look good,” I murmur, my jaw dropping. After studying her profile for the quickest instant, I can’t help but throw a compliment. She deserves a much higher praise though.

“Yeah, yeah, very pretty,” Poppie adds a compliment.

But there’s something wrong. Emily’s twiddling with her fingers, and when a woman does that, they want to mention something their embarrassed self cannot. Some odd reason it may be, observation does helps out a great deal.

Carrying her luggage I ask, “Something wrong?”

She nods and whisper back, “I’m hungry.”

Ah, I should’ve expected this.

I chuckle upon seeing her reaction. “Are you now, Miss Emily?”

“Yes,” she answer with a faint blush.

“Well, we can’t have you getting hungry on the way then. Let’s go back to the shop and eat.”

The four of us left her inn and head straight back to the smithy.

First thing I notice is my Master’s girlfriend dusting the weapons inside the shop. They are quick to appear now that his apprentices are leaving. It looks like it’s Ms. Brunette this time. Since I find it rude to delve into the old man’s love life, I had never bother knowing the names of his ladies. This is also due to their sheer amount I guess. I greet her like I always do and exchange some pleasantries. Poppie scurries inside to prepare our food.

Passing through the spear section, I look back at Emily.

“You’re more comfortable with a spear, or do you want a sword?”

Emily shakes her head. “Something like this would be fine.”

She picks up a pike and handles it gracefully, spinning it a few times overhead. The last time I remember her handling one, I wasn’t very impressed, but that’s also because I have Cliona with me. However right now, I feel slightly secure knowing she’ll be traveling with us. Once she’s done picking out her weapon I leave her to Lepust and I trudge straight to the smithy to meet the old man.

For some reason, he isn’t working in the forge when I got there. I find him outside our backyard, staring at the blue sky so solemnly.

“Ah, Reimuz, you’re leaving?”

“Yes.”

“Alright. Do what you must. Just remember, if you ever lose your way, you can always come back right here.”

The old man pats my head. It feels weird getting pat at this age, but who I am to complain?

“Old man, I feel like I haven’t done much to repay you.”

He laughs. “Reimuz, do you still remember the story when I told you about my son?”

“Yes?”

Wondering what he meant, I look up. He must be talking about the young prince in his story. The one who left to travel the world to test his might and abilities.

“You remind me of him. And to a Father growing old, nothing is dearer to see his son grow up. Don’t lose track of yourself, Reimuz.”

With a slap on my back the old man heads back inside the smithy, resuming his work by the furnace.

I wonder, at these times, the old man exudes an aura of mystery. Not that I don’t find him respectable - maybe because of his frivolous behavior - but he sounds so wise when he wants to. It even makes me question what makes him so damn popular with the ladies, but now I found the answer.

Returning to grab my hammer in the forge, I join the others for breakfast. It makes me teary that I’ll be parting with my favorite eggs starting from today. Ah, I can’t help but show a blistering face as I savor its sensational taste. It really is an egg of its a kind.

“The cuckoos will miss you, Mister,” Poppie says, extending her hand to offer me a cup of tea.

“Of course they will.” I smile and accept, drinking the tea in one gulp.

I glance at Lepust, and he points his chin to the quiet girl on my side. I snort. Is she feeling uncomfortable? I take Emily’s hand on the table and run my thumb a small circle over her knuckles. She flinches, like a jolt of electricity went through her, and blinks at me.

“Stop staring into space silly,” I say.

“Hey, they’re watching,” she complain in a tone I can barely hear.

Poppie stares at our joined hands. Eyes twinkling, she has that innocent expression on her face.

“Come on, Emily. Eat up,“ I continue. “Unless you want me to—”

She grabs her fork immediately and proceeds to eat. I was about to ask if she wants me to feed her, but this result is good enough. I smile and watch them finish their food. It’s not like for me to gawk, but I hate wasted food. Maybe it’s because everyone in the orphanage knows this habit of mine that they’re not surprised, but Sister Amelia once told me to limit this behavior to my close acquaintances.

Like my energy doubled after such a pleasant meal, I head back to my room quickly, leaving the clean up to the girls. The small luggage I prepared for this journey is gone. First thought that comes in my head is August. Perhaps he already brought it with him when he went out?

Nonetheless I grab “The Sword of Promise.” The sword that started all of this.

Even now I still can’t understand the problems that lies in this sword, and I do not know if this upcoming journey will turn out to be fruitful at all. But I will try. Regardless of what results I get in the end, I will do my utmost to find a way.

Yes, that is my promise.

Once everything is all set and done, we all head out to the gate.

“Master, right here!”

I glance around and search for August. Not too long after, I find him waving a hand to us on top of a large merchant’s wagon. Seems like the goods we’ll be delivering are already prepared inside. Good. I give him a thumbs up and hop on the driver’s seat. Emily follows beside me. Inching closer, she points to the two kids bidding each other farewell.

“Poppie, take care of yourself. Don’t worry about your Mom, okay? Master and I will find her.”

Poppie nods to Lepust, snot and tears running down like a waterfall.

“Okay, take care of yourself too.”

“I will. Here, this is for you.”

Lepust hands her a small knife with a leather sheath. Albeit clumsily made, it was the first weapon he managed to forge with me. I remember doing most of the work, but not without him persisting on the blade’s shape. To think that he plans to give it to a young girl as a present, the old man will be disappointed at his choice.

“Even though I’m not here, that knife will protect you in my stead, so keep it with you at all times, okay?”

Ah, so that’s his reason? He can be quite romantic. Good job.

Poppie nods once more and Lepust scratches his cheek, as if he’s waiting for something.

“Master, what happened to Lepust?” August ask.

“Dunno. I don’t think it’s the results of punishment level B, but let’s not ruin his moment.”

Emily giggles. “They’re so cute.”

The two stares at each other for what seems like an eternity. I’m at the edge of my seat here. Come on Poppie, give him a kiss on the cheek!

“I’ll see you later, Poppie.”

“Mhm.”

But it never came. Poor Lepust got a quick a hug instead. The moment he steps inside the wagon, August and I burst into laughter while pointing at his pouting expression. Emily swiftly silence us two with her glare, and she sits beside him to give him some comfortable space, away from us imps.

Oh well, I can’t get enough of this life.

Focusing my gaze ahead I beat the two horses into motion. Thus our long awaited adventure starts.