INTERLUDE: UNSPOKEN GOODBYE

Ah, finally, some peace at last.

A few days later, I took the Orphans—together with the other guys from Cherwind—on a tour around the town of Arles. There, they got to experience the various amenities and entertainment reserved only for Chersea’s elite, as it was now a developed resort town. I did that just for them to enjoy the peace every one of us worked to achieve.

And, I guess Salis will know what she would invent next…

“…”

I also got the opportunity to have my beard and moustache shaved. Next time, I’ll have my hair cut as well…

While in town, I dropped a visit to all my friends there: Mister Ricardo of the Holy Frills Diner, Misha, and…Sir Osmond, who was incarcerated at the prison of Arles’ militia. Apparently, he was involved in the plot about my disappearance, so he was thrown into that cell. He was awaiting the final judgment of the Duke of Savoy.

I don’t know, but if I’m going to have my way, I’d rather pardon these guys and be done with it. However, this is another world; and of course, another set of customs and rules…

Well, so much for that issue. For me, since I already came back safe to Chersea, it was a closed matter. We came back to the Holy Palatial Gardens just before the hour of the ‘long sleep’ started. The Orphans and our other guests were led to their respective rooms by the Human Saint’s maidservants, with their dinner to be served at their bedside, should they choose to eat.

“…”

Before they left, I heard Rumia excitedly talking to Sir Loin…

“Hey, Sir Chief! Want to come back tomorrow in Arles? There’s a doll I wanted to get there.”

The parka guy, however, was silent as he got a small stuffed toy trinket from his pocket and gave it to the dog-girl.

“Eh?! You got it already for me? Thanks!”

He only smiled and nodded. Then, for some strange reason, I saw him pat her shoulders, as if gently pushing her away from him.

“See you tomorrow!” Rumia waved her hand as she went to her room with a maidservant.

I could still remember Sir Loin’s silhouette, standing alone in that hallway, looking poignantly at the bright, blue sky outside as the dog-girl happily walked away.

----------

Returning to my old room at the Holy Palatial Gardens, it felt so weird for me. Well, maybe because, I got so used to sleeping in other ‘less appealing’ places that it was like a ‘new world’ to me when I entered my bedroom. However, Maddie made sure that my things were left as they were the day I disappeared from Chersea.

“…”

Man, this sure brings back memories…

I let myself fall on the bed and felt the soft sensation overwhelm my tired body. Then, slowly, my consciousness started to drift into Dreamland. However…

“!!!”

My sleep was interrupted when I heard soft knocks in my door. A bit irritated, I got up to open it, only to find Sir Loin standing outside.

“What, you’re trying to sneak in?” I joked.

“Heh, what, you want me to?”

“Fuck off.”

The parka guy only laughed. And then, I let him in the room and offered him a seat. “So,” I asked, “what’s up? You’re not comfortable with your room?”

“Ah, no! It’s not that,” he answered. “Actually, Her Holiness’ accommodations are top-notch! I’m really glad to have met you and your friends, Kuro mah boy.”

“Heh, alright. So why are you here at this time?” I looked at a nearby hourglass, “It’s an hour after the start of the long sleep! You’re not sleepy?”

The parka guy shook his head. Then he fished for something inside the pockets of his parka, and after a few moments, produced a parchment that he handed to me.

“What’s this?” I opened the letter and read its contents, “You’re resigning from your duties as the chief of the army of our kingdom?”

Sir Loin nodded. “Well, I guess the time for me has come. You know, I’ll be back to wandering once again.”

“Oh? Are you sure you don’t want to stay?” I immediately remembered Rumia. That dog-girl would surely be sad once she learned he would be leaving, “Aside from me, there’s someone else who doesn’t want you to go.”

“Tell Rumia that I cannot stay; it’s for her own good too,” somehow, there was a bittersweet smile on Sir Loin’s face.

“If you’re sad, then you should stay with her, you know?” I just couldn’t say it, but deep inside, I’m with Rumia. I mean, we’ve gone through a lot of shitty situations together. It’s kind of heavy if he suddenly decided to go away…

“Hey, Kuro, I really enjoyed my time with you guys. I realized a lot of things while I was here, and now, I can say I can face my future with no regrets. Thank you!”

“Sounds like you’re really going to disappear, eh? Well, I hate saying goodbyes, so I won’t do it.”

“Heh, it’s fine. As for disappearing, what if I tell you it will happen?”

“If it’s going to happen, then first,” I went to a nearby drawer to get a paper and pencil, “I need you to tell me your real name—?”

When I turned around to give Sir Loin the pencil, the chair he was supposed to be seated was empty. The door remained closed, though, and never did I hear it open. And, much to my further shock, Maddie and Ruro teleported to my room.

“Kuro!” they told me, “Are you alright?”

“H-Huh? Why, what’s happening?”

“We felt a powerful magic surge coming from your room,” Ruro explained. “So we rushed here thinking that someone’s with you.”

“Well…” I set aside the pen and paper, and smiled, though sadness was filling my chest. “…yeah, someone’s with me. And that bastard didn’t even say goodbye!”

Author's Note:  Hello! I hope you liked this chapter. Honestly, Sir Loin is a fun character to write, and I'm kind of sad of his departure from my story.

Yep, my story. Sir Loin is actually 'crossover' character from my brother's work, which he is about to release soon in the future. The title is 'Cloudburst', and please support him as well! Thank you so much!

And yes, I confirm that's not his real name.