Chapter 14 - Love Marks

On the days that Leader has to attend his academy classes, or when Omine is struck with a small fever during her last stretch of recovery, or when the Silas Family can’t risk bringing Leader and me along on their deep Labyrinth excursions, I occasionally find myself back on Central Street. Merchants hawking wares, the scent of fried skewers, footsteps scuffing against cobblestone. I give newspapers to open hands, shouting the latest headlines. It’s not glamorous, but it pays the bills and keeps me acute.

A familiar pulse of energy catches me mid-call. I don’t even have to look.

“Brawler!”

I shoot Leviathan a grin as she walks over. “Levee! You’re looking radiant today. Here for the latest edition?”

“Yup, like always.” She hands me a Gold coin -- way more than it’s worth, but that’s Levee for you.

“Here you are.”

She scans the front page. Her smile falters, and it doesn’t go unobserved. “The ink’s not smudged, is it? Happens sometimes.”

“Oh. No, it’s that… I’m a little surprised by how different the news is compared to Burrya. It makes me think that things aren’t always as they seem.”

“Ah, I see what you mean. You’re talking about propaganda?”

She looks at me with surprise. “H-How did you know?”

“Well, I’ve been selling these forever. You learn to spot the fake stuff. The coverage on the east side of Rosebell is always a little off, and the Labyrinth? Don’t get me started. Information’s locked down tight. Recently, I’ve heard about how bad the news outlets can be. Nothing too bad, though… right?”

“Yeah…” Leviathan doesn’t seem all thrilled, but she nods.

Before I can say anything else, my tomboyish lady friend calls out to me. “Yo, Brawler! Gimme the latest!”

I catch the Bronze that Rovena tossed at me with a grin. “You got it, Rovena.”

Rovena, the noblewoman, grabs the issue and starts skipping off, but not before exchanging a weird glance with Leviathan. I don’t miss it, and Leviathan quickly turns back to me, her eyes narrowed as she looks me over. “You really are popular?”

“Well, I try to have a certain charm about me. But hey, it could be the paper people like.”

“Hahaha~. That’s one way to put it.”

“In any case, how about I take the chance to show you around the city?”

Leviathan’s playful smile returns, tears growing. “Treat your customers right and earn more? How cruel… I can’t believe you’d stoop so low.”

“It’s not like that! Yeah, I try to keep good relationships with my customers, but you’re different.”

“Different?”

“I want to know about you. Plus, I was about to switch up locations anyway. Come on, let’s go! I wouldn’t miss a chance to hear crazy stories of your adventure from Burrya.”

…So we spend time together, just like that -- casual, easy. Every week, Leviathan shows up to buy her paper, and afterward, we hang out.

As I keep training in swordsmanship, I can’t help but notice how much stronger I’ve gotten each time we meet. My muscles are starting to show the work I’ve been putting in, and Leviathan pokes at my arm with that smile of hers, I can tell she’s impressed. The way she unconsciously checks her own after mine is so cute.

At first, she’s a little unsure of me, probably because of the way we met. But as we walk side by side, I can feel the friendship between us slowly taking root. Before I know it, we’re casually strolling through the capital like we’ve known each other for months. It isn’t exactly how I thought things would go, but hey, I like it this way.

One afternoon, after showing Leviathan parts of the city, we end up at a cozy outdoor diner. The kind of place where the food’s delicious but doesn’t break the bank -- the perfect spot for two people to relax. Leviathan always buys her own meals when we go out, but today I figure I’ll treat her. Call it a common courtesy… or call it me being a charming man.

The soft whirr of voices, the clink of silverware, and the warm sunlight makes it feel like a safe little bubble, close yet far from the hectic rush of the capital.

Leviathan gazes down at her plate, her golden hair catching the light. The meal in front of her is simple but perfect -- two buttery croissants, a steaming bowl of pottage, and a cup of fragrant tea that seems to promise comfort with every sip.

“Wow, you sure know how to treat a lady,” she says, her voice light and teasing.

“Of course. I rarely spend this much on one person’s meal. Pretty impressive, huh?” I lean back in my chair, smirking as I take a leisurely sip of my tea.

Her laugh bubbles up, light and airy. “You’re poor, aren’t you?”

“Geez, do you have to rub it in? I’m actually upper middle -class, believe it or not. Even if I was broke, it doesn’t matter. One day, I’ll have riches beyond a king’s wildest dreams. That’s a promise!”

“You say it with so much confidence. Guess I’d be a fool not to believe you.”

“Just wait until I’m handing out Gold to everyone who helped me get there.”

Leviathan picks up her fork. “So, that kid we met a few weeks ago… Could it be you spent more on him than on me?”

“You noticed. Don’t get the wrong idea. I didn’t mean to imply you’re worthless or anything. Unless, of course, you like being treated that way. Like the way we met!”

“What the heck is that? Sounds kinky!” Her usual aura falters for a second, and I lean in, catching her mood shift. “I don’t know… I’m honestly a little jealous. My full title as a Deity is ‘Leviathan of Envy’. But I don’t respect jealousy as an emotion in the slightest. The reason I blessed the one I did, Finley, is because he overcame so many trials of it.”

“You blessed a guy?” Finley?

“Yes.” Leviathan flushes. “I mean, --Ah! Not my point!”

Her voice softens as she looks away, clearly struggling to get the words out. “More than jealous, I think I’m… kind of happy that you gave so much to that kid.”

“Really? So you don’t like eating much?”

“N-No! You’re not listening! Ahh! That’s my croissant! Give it back!”

Before I can react, Leviathan shoots out like a blur. Her fingers wrap around the croissant in a seamless motion. One second, the croissant is on my plate; the next, it’s already halfway to her mouth.

“Hey! That’s mine!” I reach for it, but she pulls it back with a sly grin, almost too fast for me to follow.

“Nooooo! You can’t take it back now!”

Her reflexes are unreal, way too quick for a normal person. It blows her Milady noblesse persona out of the water. So this is a Deity, huh? Yet something tells me it’s only her. There’s something about it that feels… dangerous. Maybe it’s the way her eyes sharpen for a split second before she pulls back, or the grace in her every action, as if she could strike without a second thought.

I lunge for the croissant again, but Leviathan is already one step ahead, dancing around me with a fluidity that seems almost playful.

“Hand it over, or I’ll--”

“Noooo! You’ve got to catch me first!”

The back-and-forth continues, each of us laughing and teasing. It’s fun, and underneath it all, there’s this silent understanding. Leviathan isn’t just some goddess with a pretty face and a crybaby attitude. There’s an edge to her, and as much as I love our banter, I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to see that side of her in action.

…

Omine: “She sounds like a wonderful Deity. Together with the Conqueror Finley, undoubtedly.”

“After learning that Armament Users tend to target each other, Leader recommended I keep from talking of her to the Silas Family. But that was some time ago. I shouldn’t stop myself from doing so anymore. We trust them a lot. That man used to roll with the Nation Elite.”

My mind goes back to our held hands. “You know, when I recount it like this, I was just thinking -- maybe I’m meant to meet a lot of people. Ariadne said I have lots of people I’m destined to run into. I mean, I met Levee and even though it was through the Leader, I met the Silas Family. I’m probably looking too deep. But before that, I ran into Leader and I ran into you guys. Of course, I don’t want to attribute the fruits of my own labors to something as frivolous as destiny but… Soulmates she had called it.” Warmth spreads throughout the room, every color more vivid. “I find that pretty amazing. Out of aaall the annoying things Ariadne said, this is probably the only one I care about. Soulmates. Likely the best way to describe how I feel about a lot of you.”

Her hand shifts slightly in mine, her thumb brushing over the back of my knuckles. It’s a small gesture, but it sets my pulse racing. “If you see these many people as soulmates, I wonder how many you have. Isn’t one enough?”

“One is more than enough. But I have many. So I just need to have the most love out of anyone else to give them what they deserve.”

“It’s true. Your hands are sturdier. Is that how it works? You just keep giving yourself away, piece by piece?”

“Ever heard of me? I’m Brawler the Conqueror. The man proud enough to get in a room with a future Nation Elite without backup! Besides, who says anything about pieces? Everything. I give everything. And it’s easier with the ones I absolutely love.”

“Is that why you look at me like that? Because you love me? Or because you can’t help yourself? Sometimes I wish you’d keep something for yourself.”

“Why? Would it make you feel better?”

Our gazes drift, momentarily catching on the stack of manuals nearby. She exhales slowly, the tension in the air thickening, her eyes flickering back to mine. “When I finish my preliminary studies, I’m supposed to arrest men like you, aren’t I? The Conqueror type… willing to give me everything.”

“Wouldn’t you put Leader in jail first? Or is he still at the academy, giving us alone time?”

“Your faith is weak. If you believe in Leader, you should believe in me who Leader believes in. And if you believe in the me who Leader believes in. Then there is absolutely nothing wrong with being like this. I guess I’m saying… It depends if you request me to. Depends on my interrogation.”

“Well, did my story clear up your fever? Did you even have one to begin with? Or… maybe I caught it from you. I try to do things I won’t regret later. But I’m the reckless type, aren’t I? I think… the soulmate who makes me this way -- the woman who makes me this way -- should take some responsibility. In other words, please collect your own water pale next time plus one for me?”

“Eh?”

“No, I… actually think I have a slight fever. Must’ve been from one of my customers. Hold my hand again too?”

“Geez. It was in this room, you know. You remember, don’t you? That would have been my first kiss with him. You stopped us that time… The only time he might’ve had the courage to try.”

“Huuuuh.”

“Don’t act like you don’t know what you’ve done, Brawler. You’ve been so bad, haven’t you?”

“I love seeing you like this. So frustrated. Next time, I’ll give you a real reason to misbehave.”

“I know what you’re thinking, and it’s so naughty. You think your big sis is yours to take, don’t you? You’d love that, wouldn’t you? To make me yours completely? Well, if you’re this bad, I’ll just have to become an even better Nation Elite.”

“Please do.”

“You’ve been bad for so long, haven’t you? Maybe I’ve been too soft on you. Letting you get away with your little stares, those wandering hands… But now? I think it’s time I showed you what happens when you cross the line. I don’t let you get away with half-measures.”

“If it comes to something more, it’s because you can’t help yourself either.”

Omine suddenly straddles me. “You really can’t help yourself with me, can you.”

“I-I never said that, idiot.”

“You did and have. I can’t begin to imagine how frustrated you are. All heated, all worked up… just for me. Now lay down and think about what you’ve done, and not just congratulating yourself.”

“You’re so--”

“I’ll go get the pail.”

“I’ll go get it when there’s more reason to.”

“What about your fever? I was about to thank you for being caring for once. I like this side of you too.”

“Well, now I want you thanking me for more love marks.”