Chapter 55 – A Date
Chapter 55
A Date
Date: Day 1 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Hyoren waved his hands in a dismissing gesture. He accepted her apology easily. Then he turned to Elise, expecting her to do the same.
He was surprised by what he saw.
She looked genuinely annoyed. Her eyes had narrowed into sharp slits. Her lips pressed into a thin line. Then she mumbled something under her breath, barely audible.
"That damn Oria... I really should not have picked this quest."
She clicked her tongue.
"Tch. 'Deliver to me' my ass. Lazy bastard."
Hyoren blinked, confused. He hadn't quite caught what Elise had mumbled. He leaned toward her.
"Elise, what's wrong? Is there a problem with the quest?"
She snapped out of her thoughts. She turned to Hyoren, her expression smoothing over into something more neutral.
"Oh. Sorry. Umm. No problem, Hyoren."
She exhaled slowly.
"It's just... I hate the quest issuer. I was guarded when I saw the quest, but I thought we'd be fine since we wouldn't meet that bastard."
Her jaw tightened again.
"But now with the notes..."
She clicked her tongue again. Her pointed ears flattened slightly against her head.
But then she exhaled, long and deliberate. Her shoulders dropped as she released the tension.
"Oh well. There's no use crying over spilled milk. We can't really cancel the quest anymore."
She looked at Sherly. Her voice was firm, though not unkind.
"Please explain more carefully next time, okay? I know most notes aren't really a big deal. But for some people, it might be the difference between wanting to accept the quest or not."
Sherly shrank back. She nodded quickly.
"Okay, Elise. I'm truly sorry."
Elise sighed again. She turned around quickly and strode toward the exit without another word.
Hyoren followed her closely, still confused about what had just transpired. He glanced back once at Sherly, offering an apologetic shrug, before hurrying to catch up with Elise's rapid pace.
The suns had already set. The busy Adventurer's District street was now illuminated by magic lamps that glowed with a warm light.
Outside the guild, Elise stood still. Her arms were crossed, and her gaze was distant, fixed on something unseen.
Hyoren watched her for a moment before speaking.
"Do you really not want to meet the quest issuer? Oria of the Korian."
He paused.
"From the name... I guess she's an elf, right? Like you."
Elise exhaled deeply. Her breath came out in a long, slow stream.
"Yeah. She's the only elf residing in this town besides me."
Her voice carried a weight of old history.
"We come from different enclaves. She settled in this city before me. And whenever we meet..."
She shook her head.
"We always bicker. She hates me. And I hate her."
Elise started walking again. Her steps were brisk, almost aggressive. Hyoren followed her, matching her pace.
"I see."
He thought for a moment.
"If you truly don't want to meet her, just let me deliver the herbs later."
Elise shook her head. Her silver hair swayed, catching the light of the street lamps in streaks of pale gold.
"No... It's our quest. I can't be self-centered. I'll go with you."
Hyoren nodded.
"Okay then... if you insist. But whenever you feel like it's too hard, just tell me, okay?"
Elise's expression finally softened. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
"Thanks, Hyoren. But I'll be fine. Our weird relationship has already lasted for ten years anyway."
She shrugged lightly.
"It just makes me disheartened."
They walked in silence for a while. The sounds of the evening crowd filled the gaps between their footsteps. Merchants calling out final deals, the clatter of cart wheels on cobblestone, distant laughter from a tavern.
As they passed a general goods shop, a practical question formed in Hyoren's mind. He stopped and gently touched Elise's arm to get her attention.
"Elise, tomorrow we'll depart for the quest, right? Is there anything we should buy? Supplies?"
Elise snapped out of her thoughts. Her eyes widened slightly.
"Oh right. How could I forget?"
She shook her head. Her swaying silver hair reflecting the light of streetlamps.
"Good job reminding me. Fufu. What kind of mentor am I?"
Hyoren chuckled.
"That's what partners are supposed to do, right? Helping each other."
Elise smiled widely. The shadow of Oria finally seemed to lift from her mind.
She turned and entered the unassuming general goods store. The simple sign above the door read "Everyday Goods" in plain lettering. Hyoren followed close behind her.
The interior was modest but well-stocked. Shelves lined the walls, filled with various items for daily use. The smell of dried herbs and fresh fabric mingled in the air.
She approached the counter. A young human man stood behind it, his apron clean and his expression attentive.
"Can I help you with something, dear customer?"
Elise thought for a moment. She turned to Hyoren for confirmation.
"Because of our storage bags, we can afford to bring a lot of things. Let's buy many necessities to improve our journey."
Hyoren nodded in agreement.
Elise turned back to the shopkeeper and began listing what she wanted. The shopkeeper noted everything on a piece of paper.
"Okay, firstly. A small pan, around fifteen centimeters in diameter for cooking, with a complete set of cookware like a knife and such."
She counted on her fingers.
"Then a small kettle to make hot water. Three mugs. Three pairs of bowls and spoons."
Elise paused, thinking.
"Then condiments. A bottle of salt and pepper."
Hyoren suddenly remembered something. He wanted a taste of home. And he recalled that Elise had liked the taste as well.
"Elise, please buy soy sauce and miso sauce too. Those two condiments will improve our meals."
Elise nodded happily.
"That's right. Add those, please."
She tapped her chin, still thinking.
"Then what else... oh right. A waterproof tarp and a folded mattress. And one big sleeping bag that can fit both of us. Also easy to carry soap and shampoo."
Elise nodded to herself.
"I think that's all. We still have enough potions for us."
Hyoren nodded. He tapped his chin, trying to think if anything was missing. Then he felt the rough stubble beneath his fingers. He remembered.
"Oh. Please give me a shaver. I want to shave this stubble."
Elise smiled.
"Okay. Add that, shopkeeper. And that's all."
The man nodded.
"Okay. Give me a few minutes."
He disappeared into the back room, presumably a storage area, to gather the items they had requested.
Hyoren and Elise waited in comfortable silence. The shop was quiet compared to the bustling street outside. After a while, the shopkeeper returned. He placed everything on the counter with care.
"Here, dear customer. Please check them to see if anything is missing."
Elise examined each item. She opened the cookware set, inspected the kettle, checked the fabric of the sleeping bag. Finally, she nodded.
"That's all. Now, how much for all of this?"
The shopkeeper calculated on his paper, his lips moving slightly as he added the numbers.
"Okay. The total cost is 243,000 Kres."
He handed her a small slip of paper.
"Here's the receipt for the details."
Elise took the receipt and looked it over. She nodded. The prices seemed reasonable.
She retrieved her Guild Card from her pocket and handed it to the shopkeeper.
"As you're buying in bulk, I'll give you a discount. You only need to pay 240,000 Kres."
Elise smiled. The discount wasn't large, but every Kres counted.
The shopkeeper quickly processed the transaction using the magic tool on the counter. The device glowed briefly, confirming the transfer. He returned the card to Elise.
"Okay. Payment received. Thanks for the purchase!"
Hyoren helped Elise put everything into her storage bag, except for the shaver. He watched as the pile of items disappeared into the warped space above the bag's opening. Even after seeing it multiple times, the sight still amazed him.
He tucked the shaver into his own storage bag, securing it at his belt.
Both of them thanked the shopkeeper and exited the store. The cool evening air greeted them as they stepped back onto the busy street of the Adventurer's District.
Hyoren looked up. The three moons were nestled in the sky, their pale light filtering through scattered clouds. He turned to face Elise.
"We got everything, right, Elise?"
Elise nodded.
"Yes. Now all that's left is fresh produce. We'll buy it tomorrow morning before we depart."
She walked a bit faster, her earlier gloom forgotten.
"Okay, Hyoren. Time to go back to the inn. We eat, take a bath, and rest early."
Hyoren nodded. Both of them hurried toward their inn, their footsteps quickening as the night deepened around them.
***
They arrived at their inn, The Wanderer's Rest. The warm glow of magic lamps spilled through the windows onto the darkening street. They pushed through the door and entered the busy communal room. Adventurers and inn-goers crowded the tables, eating, drinking, and chatting loudly.
They approached the counter, which was empty for the moment.
Martha looked up and greeted them with a warm smile.
"Welcome back, dears."
Her voice was motherly, filled with genuine affection.
"Going to eat dinner? Here or in your room?"
Elise glanced at Hyoren. He nodded, leaving the decision to her.
Elise settled onto a stool. Hyoren followed, taking the seat beside her.
"Just here, Martha. We'll be quick."
Martha giggled, a soft, knowing sound. She disappeared into the kitchen to prepare their dinner. Not long after, she returned carrying two plates piled high with fried noodles. The serving was generous, and grilled squirrel meat was heaped on top, glistening with savory oils. She also set down two mugs of ale.
"Here. Enjoy your food."
She lingered for a moment, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
"What's the rush, dears?"
Elise smiled as she looked at the generous portion. She picked up her chopsticks, slurped the noodles, chewed, and swallowed.
"Mmm. Delicious..."
She set down her chopsticks briefly.
"And to answer your question, Martha, tomorrow we'll depart on a quest. So tonight will be our last day at the inn until we return."
Martha's smile softened.
"I see. Promise me you two will come back safely, okay?"
Hyoren nodded. He answered for Elise, who had already resumed stuffing her mouth with noodles.
"We promise, Martha. We'll come back. We've already come to love your cooking and the inn."
Martha giggled again.
"Okay, good. Now enjoy your meal and let me tend to other customers."
Hyoren smiled.
"Thank you, Martha."
He picked up his own chopsticks and slurped the noodles.
The taste exploded on his tongue. Martha was truly a skilled cook. But it wasn't just that. He recognized the distinct flavor of soy sauce, used generously. It reminded him of yakisoba. Many different flavors mingled together, but the generous amount of soy sauce made him feel a strange sense of home.
Both of them ate quickly, focused on their meals. They enjoyed the delicious food in comfortable silence.
After the plates were emptied, they drank their ale. Satisfied.
Elise exhaled, leaning back slightly to free up space in her stomach.
"Ahh. I can never get bored of eating squirrel. And the noodles are tasty too. I'm satisfied."
Hyoren drank the last of his ale and set the empty mug down.
"Couldn't agree more, Elise. After we're done with the quest, we'll come back here, right?"
Elise nodded.
"Of course! Fufu."
She stood from her stool and tugged at Hyoren's arm, pulling him to his feet as well.
"Let's go, Hyoren."
Hyoren nodded. Both of them climbed the stairs to their room. Elise retrieved the brass key from her pocket and unlocked the door.
The door swung open, revealing the familiar space that had become theirs over the past two days.
Hyoren stepped inside after Elise and closed the door behind them. The latch clicked softly, and suddenly the noise of the inn below faded to a distant murmur. They were alone.
Elise moved to the wardrobe and placed her storage bag inside. She stretched her arms above her head. She let out a soft groan of relief.
"Finally. A proper bed after a long day."
Hyoren placed his own storage bag next to hers. He watched her for a moment, the way she rolled her shoulders to work out the tension, the way her silver hair caught the lamplight.
"Let's quickly take a bath and sleep," Elise said, turning to face him.
Hyoren nodded.
"Okay, Elise. You go first."
Elise smiled. She opened her storage bag. She put her hands on the warped space for a while. A moment later, she pulled out the new clothes she had bought earlier. A long green nightgown appeared in her hands. She held it against her body for a moment, checking the length.
"I'll go first then. Wait a bit, okay?"
She gathered a small towel and headed toward the bathroom. At the door, she paused and glanced back at him over her shoulder. The lamplight caught her eyes, making them shimmer like polished emeralds.
"Don't fall asleep before I'm done, Hyoren."
She grinned, before disappearing into the bathroom.
"I won't."
Hyoren settled onto the chair near the window. He listened to the sounds of the shower. Then came her humming, a soft melody that drifted through the wooden door. It was a tune he was beginning to recognize. She had hummed it often.
He leaned back and closed his eyes. The events of the day played through his mind. The storage bags. The clothes. The armor. The weapon. The quest. It had been a full day, and tomorrow would bring new challenges.
His first quest as a newbie adventurer. His first official work in this new world. And it was also Elise’s first quest with him. Their first quest after they formed the party.
But for now, in this quiet room, there was only peace.
After some time, the sound of water stopped. The humming faded into silence. Then the bathroom door creaked open.
Elise emerged in a cloud of warm steam. The long green nightgown hugged her form loosely, the fabric draping over her curves. The color brought out the green in her eyes. Her wet hair was gathered loosely on her head, wrapped in a towel, with a few stray strands escaping to frame her face. Droplets of water clung to the exposed skin of her neck and collarbone.
Her cheeks were flushed pink from the heat of the bath.
"Okay, Hyoren. I'm done."
Her voice was lighter now, relaxed. She padded barefoot across the wooden floor, the hem of her nightgown brushing against her ankles.
Hyoren stood from the chair. He tried to keep his gaze steady as he passed her, but the scent of her reached him first. Clean soap and something floral, something that was just her. His heart stuttered in his chest.
"Okay, Elise. I'll take a shower."
He quickly went to his storage bag and pulled out his sleepwear, a simple white tunic. He made his way to the bathroom, acutely aware of her presence behind him.
Elise sat on the edge of the bed. She began unwrapping the towel from her hair, letting the damp silver strands fall over her shoulders.
"Take your time..."
Inside the bathroom, Hyoren leaned against the closed door. He exhaled slowly.
The room was still warm from her bath. The air held traces of her fragrance.
He undressed quickly and stepped into the shower. He poured the Aethell on the magic tools. Set it to cold water first, and cold water rushed over him. He gasped at the shock of it, but welcomed the clarity it brought.
Elise's image still lingered in his mind.
"Hold it," he muttered under his breath.
"I need to hold it."
The cold water continued to cascade over him. Slowly, the heat in his body began to fade. His thoughts cleared.
"Don't betray her trust."
He exhaled and finally turned the shower to hot. The warmth washed over him, soothing tired muscles. He allowed himself a moment of peace, letting the water carry away the fatigue of the day.
He dried himself quickly and pulled on the white tunic. He ran a hand through his damp hair and opened the bathroom door.
Elise was already settled in bed. She sat with her back against the headboard, her hair now loose and falling in damp waves around her shoulders. Her eyes were heavy with sleepiness, half-lidded as she watched him emerge.
She smiled. She patted the space beside her on the bed.
"Let's sleep early, Hyoren. The whole day shopping trip really tired me out. And we'll depart on the quest tomorrow."
Hyoren crossed the room and slid into the bed beside her. The mattress dipped under his weight. The linens were cool against his skin, and they smelled faintly of lavender and her.
"Okay, Elise. Truth be told, I'm sleepy too."
Elise shifted closer. She settled against him, finding her favorite position. Her head came to rest on his shoulder. Her arm draped across his torso. The long hem of her nightgown shifted with her movement, the soft fabric brushing against his legs beneath the covers.
Hyoren reached for the comforter and pulled it over them both. He tucked it around her shoulders.
Elise tilted her head back to look at him.
"Today was a really good and fun day. We went on a shopping date. Bought a lot of things. Fufu."
Date. The word surprised him. His neck warmed. He coughed, trying to force down the sudden rush of embarrassment.
"Right... we bought a lot of things... that was fun."
He kept his voice even, trying not to dwell on the word.
Elise's lips curved into a small smile.
"Fufu. Then let's sleep. Night, Hyoren. Sleep well."
She nestled closer, her breath warm against his neck.
"Good night, Elise. Sleep well too."
She closed her eyes. Her body relaxed against his. Her breathing slowed, becoming deep and even. Within moments, she fell asleep.
Hyoren lay still, listening to the rhythm of her breath. The steady rise and fall of her chest against his side. The warmth of her body seeping into his.
He lowered his voice to a barely audible whisper.
"Date, she says... did she really mean that... or was she just joking..."
His hand moved almost of its own accord. He brushed his fingers through her silver hair, gentle enough not to wake her. It was soft. He let the strands slip through his fingers, again and again, a soothing motion that calmed his racing thoughts.
"I'm glad she bought a nightgown like this. It helps me not be so conscious of her..."
He exhaled softly.
"I can't imagine if she picked a more... risky one. I doubt I could really hold back my inner beast if it were like that."
The thought of her in that kind of sleepwear lingered. He shook his head slightly, trying to dispel it.
"She still smells so good, though."
He closed his eyes. He tried to focus on anything else. The distant sound of the inn below. The softness of the pillow beneath his head. The steady rhythm of Elise's breathing.
But she was everywhere. Her warmth. Her scent. The gentle weight of her body against his. The soft tickle of her hair on his skin.
He forced his breathing to slow. In and out. In and out.
Slowly, exhaustion began to win. The long day of shopping, the walking, the decisions, all of it weighed on him. His muscles grew heavy. His thoughts blurred at the edges.
And then, finally, sleep claimed him too. He drifted into darkness, still cradling the woman who had come to mean so much to him in such a short time.