亚洲综合中美

“Out of the road!” shrieked a frantic carriage driver, a cold pair of hands grabbed and pulled Yui from the street, the commotion caused many heads to veer.

“My lady, are you okay?” inquired a muscular, very skimpily dressed warrior of the lizardmen tribe, the buffed arms and chest were loaded in symbology and tattoos.

“I’m alright,” she swooned – the distant carriage shuffled along the somewhat busy street.

“Good,” he smiled, “-off I go then,” he held her to a stand and casually turned towards his entourage of similarly muscular warriors.

‘Gladiators?” she wondered to as where they were headed.

“Come one come all,” shouted energetic children, “-the battle of the races starts in a few hours. Come get your tickets,” they ran along; people were dressed according to their status. Fair skin, as in no demi-human features, kept visibly higher quality clothes.

.....

‘The volcano,’ her seeking stare landed on a towering pillar of smoke, ‘-aren’t they afraid of eruption?’ now safely under cover of the sidewalk; smaller steps felt necessary. An unknown place, different atmosphere, and stranger behaviors, ‘-feels like Arda but doesn’t?’ shimmering lights took her focus, Yui found herself a few steps forward looking into a shop of various items, clothes, accessories, and precious stones. ‘-The price is in gold, copper, and silver. How far back is Marinda?’ Adrenaline rush of the near-death experience eased, the mind returned to its normal functions, ‘-bigger question,’ she looked around, ‘-where am I going to find a master?’ The crowds didn’t look so inviting – a level of doubt and reclusiveness kept the guard heightened.

‘When in doubt,’ she walked aided by the art of deduction and followed a trail of a drunkard, young men, and chatter, ‘-get to a tavern.’

Didn’t take long, a few minutes’ walks and thus presided lines of taverns, cottages, inns, and eateries – the various establishments varied in service and in who they served. ‘-Guess the none-Arda feel is the lack of trust between the races.’ She walked, peered through the ajar windows, and looked around suspiciously. Despite the obvious curiosity, bystanders paid no heed – her outfit, fair skin, and well-combed hair pointed to nobility. Yui even slipped on golden earrings, a pearly neckpiece, thin but vibrant bracelets, and finally, nicely fitted rings.

“My lady,” called a timid voice, she disrupted her spying and turned to a gathering of Celestials. Two women and a boy at the center, “-might I ask why a maiden’s out on the street?”

“The Devil,” she said, “-I need to see the devil.”

“The Devil?” they exchanged strange looks and fixed Yui once more, “-we’ll take you to the devil no problem,” added one of the ladies.

“Never mind,” she returned, “-thank you for the help.”

“Why not come with us,” shuffled the boy, “-we could be of great help. Celestials ought to help one another.”

The arms crossed, “-seriously?” she squinted, “-the pitiful attempt won’t work. What’s the plan, take me to the alley wherein my wares be stolen?” she smiled, “-if thee wishes to steal, ask of your comrades to not so bluntly look at us.”

Louds stomps rampaged onto the street, men in military outfits circled the trio, “-give up,” said the leader, “-we’ve trailed thy activities for the past few days. Did you really think we wouldn’t catch impersonators?”

“Damn,” they surrendered, “-another time,” the physical body swapped for a reptilian creature.

“There’s no other time,” added the guard, “-when the hammer of justice strikes, only the pious and righteous shall be left standing. A long stay at the dungeon should suffice.” Other guards rounded the charlatans; carriages arrived in stride; a big rectangular box served as a taste to the coming days of imprisonment.

The wolf-like figure rose a content gaze, “-I’m pleasantly surprised,” he commented, “-I’d have never guessed a noble lady to be street-smart.”

“I’m no one special,” she said, “-by the uniform, might I presume thy connections expand across town?”

He puffed his chest and nodded, “-good to hear,” she paused, “-I need to meet the Devil.”

“Lord Haggard,” he frowned.

“Yes, I need to see him immediately.”

Hesitation in his otherwise lightning-fast replies caused a few concerns, Yui’s warm gaze eventually melted the guard’s shield, “-you win my lady. Take the road here and head eastward, follow the sweet smell of fish and the warm passing of a lake, and thee’ll arrive at lord Haggard’s estate. It’s hard to miss – a mansion on a lake. No guarantee the lord will take visitors. The best bet would be his shop,” he pulled a pocket watch, “-lord Haggard should be getting dinner ready. I’ll hurry if I were you.”

“Understood,” she nodded, “-thank you very much.”

“Always here to help,” he shouted, “-ask for another guard if ever something bothers thee.”

“Will do,” she echoed and sprinted at a fairly inhumane pace.

‘Master,’ passed the clouded thoughts. The lord’s estate had a good ring; going by memory, expectation of a massive structure had her prowled the area for an expensive-looking construction.

‘The scent of fish and the flowing of water,’ closer she got, the farther grew the town’s center. Before much wait, walkways grew dirty, the smell of vegetables and raw meat potently kept the market square under a cloud of unpleasant scent. The light wasn’t much present either, a few passing guards rose their lanterns, spotted a nicely dressed lady, and continued their patrol.

‘Prime spot for getting mugged,’ she thought at a reasonable pace, the drainage system headed towards the lake, she followed and arrived at a pit of darkness, ‘-a lake?’ she scanned and spotted a few lights at the center lain on a bridge that headed towards the shore. Yui circled the lake and eventually arrived at the mouth of the bridge, adjacent laid a modest building named, ‘-Twin Jelly Shop,’ lights inside were amber, the silence pensive, and the breeze cold. Her leather boots stepped at the door and tapped. A familiar voice echoed, “-closed for the night.”

She tapped again; “-dinner isn’t ready yet. Come around in a few minutes.”

Once more, “-must I spell out the words?”

*Tap,* a volley of loud steps threw the door open, “-by Intherna’s ire, must I drill the words in thy head?” Hazel-colored pupils fluttered; dark-brown bangs led to a high bun and a rounded little nose, flushed cheeks, and lightly done makeup gasped at him, “-hello.”

“Hello?” her mouth opened, “-Is that all?” the pitch shot, “-hello... MASTER!”

“There’s no need to pop a blood vessel,” he threw his shoulder at the door and returned inside,” -come along.”

“Seriously?” she followed with louder stomps, “-I expected a more, ‘-Yui, I’m glad to see you,’ type of response.”

“I’m glad to see you,” he replied without much effort, “-look at my expression, I’m seriously pleased to see someone of recognition. Don’t mind the sarcastic tone, been a while since I spoke to someone.”

Looking at King Igna’s place of work struck deeply, ‘-how has he been living?’

“Why the concerned look?” back behind a hot stove, “-don’t I look kingly?”

“No, I mean, not really? I never imagined the King of Hidros would be here cooking out of all the profession...”

“Cooking was the reason I got my name and gained my memory. Goes without saying, a person cannot forget where he came from, no matter where he ends.”

“...”

“Confused how to address me?” he smiled, “-Igna’s fine, there’s no need for formality. I mean, look where we are; the freshly born Kingdom of Marinda.”

“Speaking of the kingdom, what about Hidros, Alrosia?”

“Thing’s happened,” he side-glanced, “-you were the one who killed me, remember?”

“I had to,” she said, “-forced to else the kingdom would have been destroyed.”

“I never said it was a bad decision, to be honest, I’m proud. My comrades acted without bias and chose the safety of the people instead of mine. What’s the death of an immortal?” he laughed and coughed, “-damn the smoke.”

“What’s the death of an immortal?” she took a seat and glared, “-everything,” she shouted, “-the guilt I felt, the guilt éclair felt, we were devastated after sending the rocket. I can’t begin to describe the scar it left, I wanted to run and forget about it all, still, éclair fought on, so I followed and endured whatever came our way. Is that why you left, huh, character fucking building?”

“Calm down,” he threw a warm plate on her lap, “-take a bite, I’m sure you haven’t had a good meal in a while.”

A table and chair summoned, “-how about dinner to catch up?”

“...”

“Why are you stumped now?”

“The table, the chair, you summoned it from out of nowhere...”

“Right, I didn’t sit around and do nothing. The Devil’s been busy,” he stared her in the eyes and smirked, a dazzle of purple lightning flashed across the bicolored pupils, “-long story short, I’m more powerful than before.” Other sets of taps interrupted the conversation, “-a moment,” he excused from the table and carried a few baskets to the door. Curious Yui peeped through a window giving into the shop’s main area. A sister dressed in a religious outfit graciously accepted the basket, her entourage was compromised of kids and teenagers, “-thank you again, lord Haggard.”

“Don’t mention it, sister Ehter. Don’t cause her much trouble,” he joyously cautioned the little troublemakers.

“Yes, Lord Haggard,” they replied and jumped onto the street, Igna threw a knowing gaze at an escort of warriors who patiently stood in the shadows.

“Let’s go, children,” said Ehter. The door clicked and Igna returned to the table.

“Excuse me once again,” he said and grabbed his fork.

“Can I ask?”

“It’s food for the orphanage,” he said, “-rations for the many who were left alone after the war. Since they’re demi-humans, long as they reach a certain level of experience and skill, the body instantly grows into adulthood. Said sudden spurt is a reason why they were alienated centuries ago.” Another bite, more taps echoed, “-pardon me again,” he rose and met the visitors. Same baskets but to housewives, they passed and a few starved homeless people came in turn, he graciously gave them food and finally locked the door.

No baskets or rations in sight, the devil took his throne, a stool, and ate.

“Again?”

“Food for the poverty-stricken families. I give warm meals for the many who cannot afford said basic necessity. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t give out charity without a purpose. Condition on obtaining said meal is the motivation for them to go find work at the guild on a full stomach. Desperation causes death, those who take the meals are usually housewives unable to feed the many mouths they ought to care about. I don’t much pay attention to their situation – the devil’s here to guide and help, not to spoon-feed. As for the homeless, well, nothing can be done, either they’re too weakened to work or are doomed by some illness. Considering how the outside world is, Marinda’s so much better – notice how the homeless were but two. Stick around till tomorrow, they won’t show up and instead will be on their feet ready to take on the world,” he summoned a flask, “-medicine that cures all. The booster against distress and hardship. Tis fascinating, given the opportunity, many will strive to get out of a harsh situation; we need to grant them a chance, such is the Devil’s creed. To give and take when the time demands.”

“You’ve changed,” she blinked.

“So have you, tell me,” he smiled warmly, “-how was the adventure of surviving Marinda,” her face lit in excitement of retelling her story – Igna sat and enjoyed her many tales.