Chapter 9 - You put me at Ease

I awake to the aroma of chicken poop. Long as it dried but leaves its stagnate smell.

It does fare better than the horse manure I’ve endured the last week or so living in the stables. But the bed, as badly crafted as it is, is an upgrade the haybales I’ve slept on.

I plop my feet onto the cold ground. I begin my morning with a nice stretch, the freedom of having to do no work fills me with excitement.

Making my way to the high window I momentarily bask in the morning sun light. Going onto my tippy toes, I hold onto the metal bars, at least this time I don’t have pain from broken ribs holding me back.

I watched as the town is in an uproar.

People were rushing to straddle their belonging. There was high traffic of wagons and those carrying suitcases.

Was there a suitcase maker here? It’d be cool to get a chest instead but modern conveniences makes optimization preferable. Even the clothing being more akin to cosplay rather than medieval accuracy is a great demonstration of goals.

I spotted the scout leading the nerd and brolic guy out, wonder where Layla is.

“You seem really relaxed despite the mess you made.”

I felt an irk in my chest, annoyed by that out of shape voice.

“Mess? I’m unsure what you mean?” I turn brightly smiling at Lard.

“Don’t act so smug!” Lard demanded. “Your ploy has the town up in arms!”

Up in arms? I think more of wanting to leave.

“It appears your challenge has gotten some of the residents riled up.”

“Hi Layla.” I gave a wave as I spotted her in her work uniform. She waved back.

“You certainly raised some interesting points.” Discordia’s usual neutrality was more engaged today, from her cracked smile to her eyes. I no longer saw pity reflect but now one of intrigue. They scare me.

“Why the hell did you tell Gideon about the Goddess?” Lard interrogated.

“Huh? He was going to figure it out anyways.” I stated bluntly.

“There’s no way he would have!” Lard argued. “We had her hidden away, no one would have known.”

Huh?

“You can’t hide her away. Do you not see her magic acting like a beacon?” I asked.

“Huh?” Lard and Layla vocally were confused, Discordia’s eyes glared.

“Her magic... Do you... Do you guys not see it?” I was genuinely confused.

“We’re sorry God- Toshiro. It seems we do not have that blessing.” Layla bowed in apology as Lard let his brows furrow.

I felt kinda stupid now. I peered to where the church would be, staring into a wall that caged me. A golden light was small but present, giving that same light from my endless fall into the void when I came here.

I decided to keep this to myself.

“Layla.” I shifted topics. “With the town evacuating shouldn’t you be going too. I see your adventurer friends leaving.”

“Don’t ignore me!” Lard interrupted, seems he’s been talking to me this whole time.

“S- Sorry Toshiro. But I would rather be where the Goddess is, if I’m not overstepping.” She bowed in apology.

“You’re fine.” I gave the crafted smile, appealing to Layla’s mind.

“Hey! What are you going to do about this fight!?” Lard yelled, I want to shut him up permanently.

I sighed.

“We have time, just find someone to fight Gideon and your good.” I crossed my arms in annoyance.

“Uh- Yes- Well. That would be the answer. IF WE HAD SOMEONE WHO COULD FIGHT!!!”

“Huh?” I zoned out, his yell snapped me back in.

“What priest Lard is trying to say is...” Discordia stepped in, giving him pity eyes. “Our town split off to work as support for the front lines. Giving a point for rest and resource management. Anyone here capable of fighting would be a front liner, aligned to Gideon's cause and-”

Ah...

Discordia kept her to the explanations, but I knew what was happening.

The town is a safe haven.

Considering the marketplace goods and lack of real adventures, I’m seeing this town as a place to stop by and relax from the Goddess’s mission. Those who live here are dropouts, escaping the battle and using this as a second attempt for a new life.

Sadly, you never make it far before old habits come back. Citizens reverting to the modern earth of luxury and entertainment, not able to even commit to the harsh realities that medieval times bring.

I’m also able to see Layla’s situation from this. Her adventure friends leave while she stays must mean she helps on missions rather than being a prominent member. Also, that explains why she has a good reputation as being the receptionist at a guild would make you known with the locals.

“Hellooo!” Lard snapped his fingers, frustrated with my uncaring nature to his questions. “How are you going to make this up to us!? I can’t be our champion now that you exposed my power to Gideon.”

That is fair, I did use that secret knowledge to execute my plan. But...

“I consider this a fair trade.” I stated bluntly.

“Huh!? You ruined our town! There’s nothing fair here!” Lard argued.

“I have no personal interest in this town. If anything I was terribly injured due to your fragile ego, I commited no crimes other then calling out your wieght-”

Lard’s face went red.

“And! I did free manual labor after being jailed, and I received no medical attention and still have broken ribs.” I lied.

Lard felt pressure as Layla judged him with her disgust filled eyes.

“To top it all off, you claim total possession of my fellow god. Seems like my actions to delay Gideons inevitable attack are being punished, rather then rewarded.” I gestured to my prison bars.

“T- There was no guarantee Gideon would have attacked us!” Lard defended.

“Would you have given up the Goddess?”

Lard went silent.

“Exactly... So...” I calmed my composure, trying not to get ahead of myself. “What do you say to me?”

Lard bit his lip. “T- Thank you~”

“Louder!” I demanded, scaring him.

“T- Thank you Mister Toshiro.” Lard lowered his head, but I could feel his anger linger.

I kept my composure calm, but damn do I want to rub this in his face right now.

“I accept.” I chose to hold off gloating and stick with my plan. “We still have till tomorrow to find someone. So, for now, I’ll try to train someone with potential, while you Lard find our strongest contender.”

“Okay... But who do you think has the potential?” Lard was very confused but intrigued.

My wandering eyes caused tension.

“W... Why are you looking at me?” Layla was concerned.

###

I stared up towards the fantasy sky, embracing the light once more out of that jail cell. I noticed the birds were flying in a M pattern today, very weird ecosystem indeed.

“Uh... God sir.”

I ignored Layla's voice, trying to give thought. I looked to the empty stands of the colosseum, I guess the evacuation means we’ll be left alone for today.

“Uh... Tosh?”

I sighed.

“It’s Toshiro.”

“Toshiro... Sir... Can I stand now?” Layla pleaded.

I made my attention back down onto her. She was sitting in a meditative pose.

“Did you do the breathing exercises.”

“Y- Yes sir!” She exclaimed.

I sighed.

Looks like this won’t work.

“You may stand.”

“T- Thank you!” She got up, dusting her knees off.

Layla was in her normal archer's outfit with her entrusted bow and arrow. I had hoped there would be some kind of indicator of magic if she had calmed, her mind.

“I want you to think about using your ability without unleashing it. Do not expose your power to me so keep it on a thin line.” I instructed.

“Uh...” She muttered. “So, would it be like drawing my bow without firing my arrow?”

“Yes.” I liked her comparison.

“Okay.” She drew her arrow back without firing. “What now?”

I thought the bow was an analogy.

I wanted to use this time to see if there could be a hint to someone's power before using it. I can see the flow of magic in the air, it is small but noticeable.

I studied her technique with the bow, her eyes darting around as if tracking her prey.

I could see concentrations of magic, bundling at the opposite side of the arena.

“Do you...See something? Something floating in the air or something hidden?” I asked trying to fit this into a hypothesis.

“No. I’m just concentrating.” She was confident in her response.

I think she misunderstood my question because of her sharp gaze. Trying to keep to her perspective and my own is challenging but needed.

The fact that it appears I’m the only one who can see the Goddess’s light confirms my vision is being influenced. These blobs of concentrated magic maybe a part of my unique talent.

Is this a cheat?

I’m asking too many questions and getting wrapped up, I’ll put these thoughts aside.

“Layla, can you shift you gaze elsewhere?”

“I- I’m sorry, am I too distracting?” She apologized.

“I don’t mean anything by it. I’m putting something to the test. Turn your attention elsewhere.”

Layla nodded, confused, but trusted me.

The blobs disappeared as she broke concentration. She turned her attention towards the sky. The blobs reappeared after her bow was drawn and her sights were set.

“You’re focused on the center bird in that M pattern, aren’t you?”

Layla froze. Slowly she loosened her bows tension.

“How... How did you know?” She was flabbergasted.

“A God’s secret.” I also don’t know why this is.

Layla’s eyes sparkled, impressed by my observation.

“Is your ability by chance accuracy related?” I guessed.

Layla stood confused. “No.”

Hm.

The fact I saw magic appear with her concentration as she aimed may have been a coincidence.

“Can you pre-draw your power again, this time without your bow?”

“S- Sure?” She questioned it herself but continued to trust me.

She holstered her bow and proceeded to gesture an imaginary one.

It’s still bow related!?

Same case, the blobs appeared as her sights were set, now just staring at the walls of the colosseum. My mind is itching to know.

“Keep concentration but let your eyes wander, move your “bow” once your eyes have drifted.

“Uh... Okay.” It took a few tries, but she managed to follow my instructions.

The blobs drifted with her eyes, even with her “bow” aimed away.

“Point your power at me.” I stated.

“W- What God sir?” She was nervous.

“It’s fine. Do it.”

“O- Okay.”

She faced me, letting her sights track me.

I couldn’t see nor feel the concentration of magic. I expected some form of shift or feeling but nothing. She’s perfectly doing as she was earlier with no difference, but I felt at ease.

“Try it with your bow now.”

“W- With my bow? Okay...” She unholstered, I noticed her intent.

“With an arrow.”

She stopped, questioning things.

“There is no wrong with you pointing a weapon at me. It’s to my request.” I assured. “You have already pointed this weapon once before, and no harm came of it.”

“I- I truly am sorry for that!”

“Then make it up here. Point your weapon.”

Layla trembled. The bow shook when she drew an arrow. Her technique was scary now, as if she would let the arrow fly at any moment. This was even more terrifying then when I first met her at the cave.

Wait, more terrifying?

Back then I did have a weird boost of energy. But I know myself to be logical in the sense that an arrow would really hurt. So why was my demeanor so laxing when she had full intention to shoot me.

Was it adrenaline for the boar fight? No, I was afraid of the boar in that state. Too angry? No, I did recognize the service of them saving my life, so I was in a composed state. So why? Why was I not afraid compared to now...

I looked to Layla’s eyes, noticing something was off.

“I want you to look at me.”

“I- I am looking at you!” She squirmed.

“No. I mean look at me. Look at me as a threat, as if you need to hunt me down.”

“W- Why sir. If I may ask?” Her grip scarred me. I watched as she struggled to keep a strong hold of the string.

“Just do it.” I demanded.

Layla contemplated. After a moment, she calmed, taking a deep long breath.

Her gaze pierced.

On the flip of a dime, I was composed. My fear of her loose grip was gone, no sense of distrust in her ability remained. Being honest, I can’t even register the fact she’s aiming at me. She could fire that bow and I would have no issues with it.

Wait. Fire her bow...

My mind flashed the very moment she nearly cut my cheek on our first encounter.

“Layla. Your ability puts your targets at ease.”

Layla’s eyes widen, her face expressed bewilderment.

“H- How?”

I smirked.

“I’m a God, remember?” I lied. “But this maybe a great ability to win tomorrows battle.”

“How?” She questioned.

I felt a mischievous grin grow across my face.