Chapter 9 - Old Master

With the sun setting, Eric followed Misor through the gate. Guards stepped back in either fear or reverence. They headed further into the town, walking the cobbled road. Eric noticed buildings on both sides with large signs picturing various things carved into them. He scanned the signs, noticing some words as they passed by. Some signs however made little sense to him, like a sign that read “....Wearings…..” but seeing the image of a needle and thread enabled him to comprehend it was a sign for “Clothing” or “Tailor”. Ahh, I hope Amiy can figure this language stuff out soon.

A cute voice with an arrogant tone chimed in Eric’s mind. *Of course I can, I’m a genius :P*

Eric shook his head at the arrogant girl. Girl??? Hmm, no AI??? Oh, I don’t care anymore. This town is so cool. He was in awe at the town; it looked like something straight from a fantasy novel or game. To his disappointment, nothing other than humans walked around. He really wanted to see an elf, or at least a goblin. People continued to stare at the duo walking down the cobbled road, Eric wasn’t sure if they were staring at him or Misor. The man still wore a hooded cloak concealing his identity. Maybe he’s a part of some thieves’ guild. Eric smiled internally at the thought of joining a guild and becoming an adventure, like the old games he used to play.

The strange duo continued on the road until coming to an inn. The inn was a large three-storey building made of wood and stone. Outside, a small fenced area enclosed the front. When they reached the front door, Eric could hear loud crashes and angry shouts coming from inside. Maybe this isn’t the best place to stay. Before Eric could suggest anything, Misor stepped in with no hesitation. Eric gulped down his fear of being involved in a bar brawl and entered after Misor.

The smell of sweat, alcohol and blood entered Eric’s nose as he entered. The large room was in chaos, tables flipped, chairs broken and glass smashed on the floor. Three guards lay on the floor unconscious, while five men dressed in steel plate armour stood with swords in hand, menacing looks on their faces. A small fat man walked out from behind the bar with his hands up in surrender. The five men approached him, weapons still drawn, and surrounded him. They started screaming words Eric didn’t understand. Shit….Shit...Shit...Are they robbing him… Fuck!! Those swords are big.

Eric’s eyes widened in shock. He wanted to turn and run away. He backed off carefully, thinking to escape, trying not to get seen by the big men with swords. A sudden hand stopped him from moving back, turning around he saw Misor there pushing him forward. What!!! How did he get behind me!!

Eric had no choice but to advance on the group, with Misors hand guiding him forward. He walked forward, his head hung low, trying to conceal himself from the intimidating men. Misor suddenly jerked him to a stop, Eric looked back at Misor to see what was wrong. Misor shook his head, raising Eric’s own with his hand under his chin.

“Head………... up, …….. Arkslapo Siror,”

“I….. no….. Arksalpo Siror, I …...Eric,”

The group noticed the commotion, and all turned to stare at the newcomers. Eric was being pushed forward again. Seeing the death glares from the sword welding men, he dropped his head again, not daring to look. A hard slap hit him in his head, followed by Misors voice.

“.........Head…….Up,”

Eric lifted his head and intended to keep it there, for fear of another slap. They advanced slowly as Eric averted his eyes from those ahead, but still keeping his chin up. Misor continued ushering Eric forward until they walked past and went to the bar. It surprised Eric that they didn’t attack when walking past, they just stood, eyes wide open, shock displayed on their faces. After reaching the bar, Eric shakingly took a seat on a wooden stool beside Misor.

“........inn…….drink….” Called out Misor.

After hearing Misor, the chubby man rose to his feet after shaking the shock away. Before he could move to the bar, the leader of the five stepped forward, anger replacing the shock on his face he had moments ago. He shouted at Misor with spit flying from his mouth before pointing at the fat man with his sword. Eric did not know what the man was saying, but guessed the man was angry with Misor for spoiling his robbery. Misor rose from his seat and turned to look at the man. Eric felt the mana surrounding him rush towards Misor.

The energy surrounding Misor was gentle, flowing around him like water, until a sudden burst of mana spiked violently causing the five men to drop to their knees gasping for breath. Misor moved his wrist slightly and the weapons that lay on the ground rose high before coming down with speed, slicing through their necks. Blood sprayed violently out, causing a lake of red to pool on the floor.

Eric stared in horror at the brutality, his face drained of colour. He looked over at Misor, who returned to sit facing the bar like nothing ever happened. He glanced back over at the blood before vomiting over the bar.

“Why……..kill…..” said Eric in between coughs, still tasting his vomit.

Misor just shrugged before shouting for the fat man to come over. The innkeeper walked over, his legs shaking. Misor spoke to him about something before he scurried off, returning with two drinks. Eric didn’t care enough to listen to what Misor and the fat man talked about. He was still thinking of the way five pairs of living eyes turned lifeless after their heads fell to the ground. Eric hyperventilated; he had seen men die before, but never in such brutal manor. What made it worse for him was Misor’s demeanor. Misor looked over to Eric his face was white and his clothes covered in vomit. He gave Eric a pat on the shoulder, made him flinch.

“.....Calm…..Drink….” Misor said, pointing at the drink.

Eric held the drink in his shaky hand before emptying it. Misor signalled for another after finishing his. A few minutes of sitting in silence, the three guards woke up demanding to know what happened. With a few words from Misor, they respectfully left with the bodies and the innkeeper called for a maid who was hiding in the back to clean the floor.

Eric sat in silence, focused on his drinks while all this happened, not paying any attention. He just focused on each drink, that made him feel better with each one. Thirty minutes and ten drinks later he entered a drink induced slumber, his head leaning on the bar drooling.

Eric woke up with a pounding headache, every heartbeat making it worse. He looked around, finding himself lying on an old wooden bed, in a small room with light pouring in from the window. Eric stood up, wincing at his headache as he looked out the window, seeing the town down below.

*Good Morning!! Eric*

Shhh.. stop shouting my head is going to explode.

*Aww!! Well you shouldn’t drink so much then*

I needed something after seeing that last night.. Remembering the ordeal from last night, a shiver ran down his spine.

*Yaa that was pretty gross, the way the blood spurted out like a fountain. Oh, oh and the heads rolling away, yuck!!*

Alright alright!! I don’t want to think of it again. They stayed silent for a while Eric just stared at the people below busying themselves with their daily tasks. Amiy suddenly started laughing, making Eric’s head pound worse.

It’s not funny, it was disgusting!!!

*I’m not laughing at that dummy, I was just thinking of what you have been calling the hooded man all this time*

What do you mean, I have been calling him his name; he told me his name, remember?

*I told you I would run the algorithm again when you were sleeping, and with the recent information we gathered during the day, I upgraded your vocabulary :)*

Before Eric could ask anymore the door to the room swung open, revealing Misor’s concealed figure.

“Good morning…..Old” Eric said without thinking.

Wait, why did I call him old.

*I told you it was funny, Misor means old, and Arksalpo means Master*

“You speak better today,” said the old master, surprised.

“Yea, I learn fast,”

Then Eric burst out laughing, thinking of all the times he had just been calling him old. After a few minutes of laughing, calming himself down, he suddenly remembered being called Arksalpo Siror, meaning young master.

“Why did you call me young master before?”

“You will find out soon. Maybe I’m wrong. You are weak and complain too much. We will find the truth soon.”

Young master hmm…. I hope he doesn’t kill me when he finds out I’m not.

“And if im not this young master??”

“We will see the truth soon,” he said with a wink.

*Yes, I can call you, young master now, I knew I was right!!!*

You’re not right about anything because I’m not a young master of anyone, just an ordinary boy from earth, lost in this fantasy world.

Eric ignored amiy, who was constantly calling him a young master repeatedly.

“Why is your face covered?”

“Oh, this is just so I don’t attract attention,”

Hmm, concealing himself like that will draw more attention, right?? Eric thought with his face scrunched up in confusion.

“So what is your name, I can’t keep calling you old master,”

“I am K… erm, my name is Ardor II,” Ardor said quickly correcting himself.

Ardor then his pulled down his hood and dispelled the mana that masked his face, revealing a middle-aged man with ashen hair and sky-blue eyes. Eric stared at the slightly wrinkled man in front of him. Despite his young appearance, when Eric stared into his eyes he felt he was peering at an ancient being hundreds of years old causing an icy shiver to run down his spine.

“Stop staring I’m not that ugly,” Ardon said with a smile.

“Im sorry, how old are you really,”

Ardon just ignored him and pulled his hood up, re-applying mana to hide his face.

“Ok lets go you need clothes,”

With that said, Eric left the inn following Ardon, Outside the inn the streets were littered with people doing their daily business. Ardon led Eric down a side road leading to a large square, crossing the square they entered a tailor. The bell on the door chimed when they entered and a young woman stepped out from the back with a bright smile on her face.

“Greetings…. Err…lord” she said with a bow, while looking at Eric, completely ignoring Ardor who stood off to the side. First young master, now lord urgh!

Before Eric could respond to the pretty woman, Ardor spoke.

“Outfit the young man in the latest Landton kingdom styles. Add five more extra outfits as well,”

“Err.. yes lord, right away,”

After Eric got all measured up for his outfits, Ardon then ordered her to deliver it to the bathhouse nearby. Then they left the woman to get the outfits ready and went to get cleaned up. Eric lay in the bath relaxed, his eyes closing, enjoying the peace. The door opened suddenly, startling Eric. He turned around to see a pretty lady dressed like a maid smiling sweetly at him.

“I’m here to help you lord” she said walking over to him.

Maybe being called a lord and receiving “help” by good-looking women isn’t so bad. Eric’s face flushed red as she walked over, imagining the ‘help’ he would receive. When she was next to him and noticing his red face, she smiled, blushing. After ten minutes of awkwardness as she washed him, he was then forced to feel more embarrassment as three women entered with his new clothes and dressed him. They dressed him in a red shirt with black trousers and comfortable leather boots. To finish the outfit they put a long dark blue hooded cloak on that reached to his knees. The blue cloak felt amazing to eric, and it kept him warm but also cool.

Eric left the bathhouse feeling nice and refreshed. He saw Ardon waiting for him outside. Ardon gave Eric a once over inspecting his new attire.

“Good enough” he said nodding his head in approval.

“So. Now what,”

“Now young master, we go home.”

“Im not your young master,” said Eric, his face twisting.

“We will see soon.”