Chapter 32: A Short Stop

Another night, six days after we left the city of Bilford, we arrived at a small farming village. I have no qualms sleeping outside, but because of me, Reimuz considered this idea. He's so sweet.

After talking to the village chief and some convincing, the chief decided to rent us two small rooms for the very reasonable price of one silver coin each. It came with dinner as well, so we made sure to thank them about it.

“Fuu, that was a good bath.”

I come out of the bath with my nightgown on. Excited to hear his opinion, I look for Reimuz. He sits on the floor along with some various tools, holding his chin with one hand. He’s clearly musing about something complicated again. Running his fingers across the air, as if he’s pushing something I can’t see, he starts to mumble.

“Hmm, from the looks of it, I gained another four levels playing with my raw mana these past few days. So to gain a level in this status-screen means I need to receive another blessing? No, no… That’s not exactly right. I’m sure it’s either that or I have to use my other skills until I had fully exhaust them. However, what comes as a surprise is that raising my level doesn’t really strengthen my body in any way.”

I cross my arms and smile wryly. Reimuz continues to mumble, totally unaware that I’m watching him.

“So, what does leveling actually do? If I’m not mistaken, it didn’t do anything other than to increase the current usage of my skills. So if those usages are what I call Mp in games and Magic power is said to base from a person’s soul, does this mean that leveling strengthens my soul? Hmm, if this theory is correct then it explains the levels I gained while playing with raw magic. Quite an interesting concept. This fantasy world never fail to amaze me.”

He always talks to himself out loud whenever he’s lost in thought. Although it doesn’t seem like he realize it himself when he does it on those instances.

I relax on the bed, fold my legs on top of the other, and flick my hair. But it had no effect. No reaction. Not even a glance or a single praise. Hmph.

“If we continue this pace, we’ll reach Portia in three to four days,” I say, my voice pulling him out of his deep thought. He glances up to me, and I raise an eyebrow with a wry smile.

Time stills for us both as he battles my stare. A moment later and I win. He shakes his head and return his focus to the items he’s gathered on the floor with him.

“Won’t your sisters worry if you suddenly disappear like this?” he asks.

“No doubt they will, but it’s fine. I’ll send them a letter before we get on the ship.”

“Good. Wouldn’t want them to think that something bad happened to you.”

“Hehe, maybe I’ll include in the letter how you kidnapped me,” I say in a playful tone.

“Oh please, don’t joke like that.”

Reimuz smiles me a boyish toothed smile, and something inside me unfurls. My hearts starts its joyous rhythm and I can't help but blush. He picks up his sword and begins to wipe its dark blade with a piece of cloth. But once again he’s exuding an aura that made him seem so far away.

“Doing your regular maintenance?”

“Yes. I forged the blade with sharpness in mind, therefore limiting its durability, but with proper care, this Gladius should serve me for a good, long time.” He smiles.

While he’s lost in his own world, I sit beside him.

“Can I help?” I ask.

He made a small pause then murmurs, “Oh… sure, I don’t mind,” while leveling the blade to his eye level. So he was aware of my presence after all?

“Let me show you how to disassemble the parts first…”

He explains, displaying his enthusiasm like a little boy. He clasps the hilt, then I hear a small click, and the blade detaches from the handle. I inquire about the materials he used, and he answers me so wholeheartedly. The cycle repeats, and somewhere along his long explanation, I let a yawn slip.

“You tired?”

I nod, allowing him to lift me up from the floor. “A little.”

“Well, you’re off to sleep then.”

He pulls the bed cover and lays me down gently. He closes down and nips my lips tenderly. I close my eyes, tantalizing the warm sensation of his lips on mine. Another kiss, light and teasing, and he's back on the floor to tinker with his items.

"Let's sleep together," I plead, wanting to embrace him. I want to keep him only for me to cuddle. And I don't want to share. Especially not to that girl that left you alone to rot. Oh, my poor, poor Reimuz.

"In a little bit. I just have to finish some adjustments, okay?" he murmurs.

Hmph, do as you like. I pout my lips and shift so I’m facing the other way. Time passes with me pretending to be asleep. I hear him yawn. And again. I battled my drowsiness, and a minute later, my patience bears fruit.

He slips in with me and the bed slopes when he adds his weight in. His fingers reach to my upper arms, gingerly pulling me inside his comfortable space.

“Damn, why do you have to smell so good?” he breaths and nuzzles behind my ear. Then something sharp pokes my behind, like he’s knocking on my doorstep.

In this deliciousness, I moan. Oh, how careless of me. Now he’ll know I’m awake. But he doesn’t confront me playing asleep. Rather his fingers reach further down to massage me and starts to rub my sensitive area.

I moan again, my hips flex backwards to meet his hungry thrusts. He goes on and on until I writhe and trembled, my legs numbing from the delicious pleasure. Oh, I released too early, but I know he's not done yet.

I manage to shift, and his hands moves to cup my butt.

"Always so quick to climax, Miss Emily," he murmurs.

I smile and return his teasing. "I blame your skillful fingers, Sir Reimuz."

My lips lift to take his. Sampling, then tasting, then wallowing in his addicting taste. His tongue is so hot and so skilled. When our kiss ends, I nudge him on his neck. I slip my hands on his back and dove him closer, drinking his masculine smell.

After that, he cuddles me silently and rests a leg on top of my own. My desires satisfied, I drift into sleep with a sweet smile.

The next morning, after I had fully prepared myself to leave, I found the trio outside. Their breathing is rough and their sweating large amounts with their swords drawn. Putting their swords overhead, the three repeatedly brandish their weapons up and down.

Smiling, I watch the three flick their wrist and sweat even more. However, even though I never understood its purpose, I still find it beautiful in all those repetitions. Either it’s because of the intense atmosphere that they’re emitting, or something else, there’s something about it that fascinated me. So even he can make such a serious face, huh?

When Reimuz catches my curious gaze, he stops and points his sword upward.

“Well, it’s time to go!”

August follows. “Beautiful sea dwellers, wait for us!”

Okay, I take my praise back. Except for one, the two are just a bunch of idiots after all.