Chapter 33

“So, how has Rain been doing since then? Is he continuing studying those alchemic shenanigans with Sarete?”

As they were walking towards Sarete’s workshop, suddenly Zarda turned towards her companion; Lafetti with a faint smile of amusement. She seemed to have known what was going on in the Tribe, despite being very busy cleaning the surrounding regions from monsters that might cause a problem to the tribe. Due to the sudden rise in monster appearance more than usual, Zada was unable to focus her attention on other matters and was rarely seen on the Tribe these past few days.

But it seems like; she had never averted her eyes from Rain despite her busy schedule.

Thinking like this, Lafetti didn’t know if she should feel alright with it or be worried instead.

“Yes. Though, when I think he’s sitting in Sarete’s den, studying those strange symbols and words, suddenly I find him hammering metals in Miyabila’s forge, playing and tinkering around metals, and then come home covered in dirt and grease. Though, I was not complaining about it or anything.”

“Well, rather than complaining of what took his time these past few days, it’s more to me that you are just rather jealous, not only to the things that interest him but also to the two that spent the most time with him,” remarked Zarda whose expression turned into a mischievous grin.

She relished on Lafetti’s glaring expression and couldn’t help but feel amused as to what she was feeling. After all, even if Sarete and Miyabila’s time combined, it would still be less compared to the time spent with Rain and Lafetti together.

“And to whose fault it is that I’m feeling somewhat violent all the time? Now, I fear not only with Miyabila, but also with Elder Sister Sarete, as well. And worst, I can’t even get angry!” Lafetti muttered with a sharp edge on her tone.

“You know our laws, Lafetti. Although I somewhat sympathize with you, at the same time, I also felt somewhat jealous as well…” started Zarda, as she smiled at her vehemence. “From what I know, indeed, although he started to get swayed by the others, which, actually I wanted to be the cause as well. But you, yourself know that he was still trying to act defiantly in the name of you, as his only lover. Wasn’t he quite praiseworthy?”

“Of course, he will be…” Lafetti’s expression lighted up upon hearing her words. Then, she looks at Zarda and with a smirk that was owed to punch, she muttered; “Rain is mine. And will always be, Elder Sister. I accepted the law, as it is, and even acknowledge his role on ours. Since I wouldn’t be able to do anything against it. However, his heart can only be mine, along with his very own person. You can have a share, but that is which, can only be obtained is nothing but a matter of small moments. His heart, on the other hand, will give me a forever feeling of vanity and happiness,”

"Betchula!" Zarda glared at her, annoyed by the expression of victory and superiority the Lamian in love was wearing. “Sometimes, I really wish to lock you up, and obtain him by myself only,” she said, raising her eyebrows. “…as a matter of fact, you and Rain’s encounter, is but a coincidence, Lafetti. You better not take him for granted, as any man cannot have the heart of steel,”

“… …”

“Anyone in your position, which would have the first to have found him will be the one who would have received such passionate emotions. It doesn’t mean you are the only one, Lafetti. That you are different. That you are unique. Just that you are in the right place, at the right time, and at the right moment.” Zarda warned with an obvious annoyance.

“I rather call it as fate,” Lafetti scowled in retort.

“Perhaps, but you don’t know that fate itself is something not engraved in steel or rocks, Lafetti. It’s like the wind around, ever-changing. If you don’t know how to treasure it, it will be lost forever…” said Zarda as she shook her head sadly.

“…??!”

“… you have started to take him for granted, to take his feeling as a matter of fact… which, I found rather unpleasant. I don’t have any say to it, but let me give you a heads-up, first. Take it as a piece of friendly advice from your Elder Sister." Zarda gave her younger sister, which was always stubborn and aloof, a wry look.

"Rain’s existence is like a character out of a fairytale for us, an embodiment of our dreams, longings, desires, and hope. His personality, his character, he was not like a person in a real-world, at least, not in ours. Maybe, because you had gotten used to his company, that you have already forgotten the true nature of humanity… he’s unique and unparalleled in kindness and goodness of heart, that no man in this world can ever be compared—I admit. Not in the past, not in the future either. Perhaps, this is only the manifestation of his true nature—but doesn’t it occur to you, that perhaps—there’s also another reason as well?”

Lafetti’s red slit eyes narrowed and she glared at Zarda in anger, for she was incensed by what she was trying to convey. However, as she knows that Zarda’s words had a reason, she could not even release her pent up emotions as it would only mean that she had lost this conversation.

“If I’m not mistaken, he claimed he has lost his memory. And from what I can see, and observe thus far, no knowledge of this world, though, sometimes he appeared excellent in some strange areas. But the zero knowledge of this world is indeed quite difficult to pretend. Hence, the claim has been proven, at least in my own opinion. He has lost his memory, his mindset, perception, views, all that there is to it in his head, in regards to emotions, impressions, customs, world views…and many more, all of them are white as snow in the winter season. Untainted by anything, and hence, no malice, no evil, not even covered by rumors and hearsays…”

“You are just making a guess without basis!” Lafetti exclaimed in anger.

“Perhaps, but you cannot eliminate the fact, that my worries are reasonable, do you Lafetti…?” remarked by Zarda, giggling at her fierce expression. She continued walking towards Sarete’s home with a playful smile, but her eyes had earnest solemnity.

After all, such worries had plagued her heart as well these past few days.

What would happen if Rain had recovered his memories, and his views on this world, changed into what was once before? Would they still be able to retain the Rain they loved, and gotten fond off, without a hint of any rejection coming from him?

If that happens, what kind of despair would they feel?

This love is a wind fleeting, like an illusion that could be uncovered at any time. And reality would strike them like hammers from the heavens.

The reality that they had finally thought existed, crumbling like a sandcastle would be the worst nightmare they could ever have.

Lafetti stared at the back of Zarda and couldn’t help but feel a strange kind of anxiety that had bubbled within her due to words of Zarda that struck a chord in her heart.

However, would Rain be like one of them?

Would Rain forget his love because something called Memory appeared inside him?

Impossible!

She denied such a notion without an ounce of hesitation.

The Rain she knew was not like that.

Despite such belief, Lafetti felt her heart throbbed just by thinking about it.

Zarda and Lafetti walked towards Sarete’s home with a solemn tension around them. Zarda didn’t want to say anything, if necessary. However, she was somewhat ticked off, with Lafetti’s attitude and also somewhat jealous of her rather good fate. In addition, she felt a strange kind of anxiety building within her every day, looking and observing how perfect and ideal of an existence Rain was for them. And she was falling for it as well.

And now, she wanted for it to never stop, and that Rain would always be in the Tribe, with them…

“…I think using helmwood flower and staltargic weeds could also be used as neutralizer, don’t you think?”

As they were about to arrive, at this moment, two figures came out from the house with great timing—their faces somewhat dirty with dirt and smoke, but beaming in excitement as they converse with each other over some things they couldn’t somewhat understand.

“Hm, well, although I don’t know what you meant by being a neutralizer, Helmwood Flower is one of the most dangerous medicinal plants to mess with. I don’t propose the idea of messing with that kind of plant, with and without magic in your disposal Rain. Especially, without—the toxicity of the Helmwood Flower, a 4th level Medicinal Herb has truth in its reputation. The difficulty of taming such a wild beast is second to none.” Sarete admonished with a frown. “Don’t think of even using the Helmwood Flower, I won’t let you. If you really want to use it, then you must ask for my help, understood?”

Rain smiled bitterly; “I know, I know…geez, you’re making me look like a kid,”

“You’re a kid, Rain… a kid I could never take my eyes off,” remarked by Sarete with a playful, but gentle smile; “In more ways than one,”

“… …”

Rain rolled his eyes; suddenly his eyes caught two familiar figures walking over, with somewhat strange expressions.

“How do you do, my ladies?”

“Rain,” Lafetti called out with a faint smile, that it somehow gave Rain Goosebumps.

What? This is not the reaction he was hoping for. Although it seemed normal nonetheless, Rain felt something amiss. But he just can’t point out what was strange. Hence, he just smiled and walked over, as Lafetti did. Then, Lafetti’s arms opened and pulled him into her embrace.

“Once again, you left so early,” she scolded softly.

“But I did ask for your permission, though. Didn’t we take breakfast together?” Rain smiled wryly.

Actually, there was no custom of breakfast here. In fact, Lamians only ate twice a day—lunch and dinner. However, Rain was accustomed to eating three times a day; Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. And if possible, there could be snacks in between, especially after work. Hence, he still tried to maintain the normal routine, which Lafetti started to follow as well.

Fruits for breakfast, meat for lunch and meat for dinner. It’s surely not a nourishing meal for everyday life. But sadly, Lamian’s disposition was just too different from Humans, as meat was their most favored diet. And with [Predation] Rain didn’t have any problem or issues on it as well. He can still get the proper nutrition of what he eats, no matter how unpalatable they are.

“But I still think that you absorbed yourself too much in Alchemy, leading you to stay inside a room for almost half a day… that’s not a good habit,” admonished Lafetti with her beautiful face displaying a frown. Though, it only lasts for a moment as her expression softened. She bends her face to his and dusted her lips to his forehead.

Rain smiled at the unusual gentle kisses. Before he could even react, Lafetti once again presses a soft kiss to one eyelid then the other, as if trying to kiss every part of his face.

Something must have happened…Rain thought. He knows that Lafetti seeks the closest intimacy between them if ever something weighs her mind as if trying to console her worries.

But what is it, I wonder?

“I’ll try—but what are you two doing here? Even the Chief is here… did something happened?” asked Rain, turning towards Zarda, as he was certain he would never be able to get an answer from Lafetti. She was not one who will tell him her worries, and rather, endure it herself.

“A trouble came in, though I don’t think it’s something you should worry about.”

Zarda walked over and patted Rain’s head with a smile. Her expression was like an elder sister spoiling her little brother. Even Rain’s somewhat dissatisfied feelings from being turned into a slave for the Tribe slowly faded. He couldn’t help but feel a liking to Zarda’s manner.

“Well, if it’s trouble then, of course, it’s something I should also get involved in. Don’t you think, Chief?”

“You speak like you are one of us,” remarked by Zarda with great amusement. “Oh, don’t be offended; after all, if you really do feel that you are now one, it’s something I would welcome with open arms. It’s something I could even exchange everything in this world, to receive you. But do you, Rain…? Do you truly feel like becoming one of us? Staying with us forever?” she asked a bit hopeful.

“Why do I feel that you are trying to say something, which is quite unpleasant?” Rain said brusquely. “Well, as my answer, honestly don’t you think it’s already too late for that question? After all, you have turned me, against my will, by the way, to become your slave. Whether I like it or not, I am now one of you—much less, I have Lafetti with me. I can’t possibly leave this place, which I don’t have any place to go, by the way,”

“… …”

“So, yes, the Tribe’s matters are also my matter. Though, it would be a different matter, if you feel otherwise…”

“I would be much elated if you do stay with us, Rain…and I’m truly happy that you feel a sense of belonging within us,”

Rain chuckled in amusement; “Well, as the first step on our long-lasting relationship, I would like it if you took away the slave status. Even though it doesn’t really mean anything to me right now but that title still hanging above my head was quite uncomfortable, to say the least.”

Zarda smiled. “No, sadly, that is something I cannot do… think it of it as a precaution, for if worse matters will suddenly happen,”

“Having a precaution is not necessarily bad. However, I don’t think that is necessary for this kind of thing,”

“It’s just a peace of mind, so do best not to worry about it. As a matter of fact, no matter what you do, sadly, nothing would change your present status. Or if you really wanted it to disappear, then you can settle with me, and your present status will be, of course, gone like the wind. And you will be the forefather of the entire Tribe, instead. What do you say?” said Zarda with mischievous amusement.

A strange glint flashed across her eyes.

In an instant, Rain felt a gruesome hellhound appearing beside him, and his body shook. Just the aura alone makes his blood freezes, though, in that matter, Zarda is truly incredible as she was able to ignore the hellfire that had been ignited because of her words.

Rain felt that she was probably joking but he doesn’t want to push buttons and might push a detonator by mistake… so he refused.

“That’s a very tempting proposal. However, please let me refuse,” Rain smiled wryly.

“Just tell me if you change your mind, I will surely receive you without any hesitation,”

Zarda giggled as she stared at Rain like a predator eyeing a prey. As usual, she grins from ear to ear, flashing her white teeth. Rain can’t help but think of the Big Bad Wolf when he came for the Three Little Pigs. She always smiles like she knows something that you don’t.