Chapter 40: A Calm Before

“You weren’t the one that moved, but instead, it was due to the cart that you decided to rest on? And that’s why you disappeared from the spot I told you not to move from? Is that your best excuse, Albel?”
“Aha. Well, yes, that sounds about right...”

Eru now sat across from me at our table as the intensity in her eyes was striking a newly found fear in me. I could feel droplets of sweat forming at my brows. Her expression held a mixed variation of a disappointed mother and a very, very annoyed sister. I honestly didn’t expect her to find me in a tavern of all places though. I could at least gather at what she may have seemingly been angry about.

Listen. I denied Euler’s invitation for a drink, you know! I haven’t done a single thing wrong here yet—is what I’d like to tell her, but I feel as if she’d simply dismiss any argument I could throw out currently. Meaning, there is only one way to handle this.

I stood from my seat as I deeply bowed until my lips had almost met the table itself. Pride? Arguing? There was no room for any of that here.

“I am completely at fault, and I am truly sorry!”
“Do you even understand what you should be apologizing for in the first place?”
“Yes...? I think so...?”

Do I actually? It should be because I moved after she told me not to and being found in a tavern after that hellish dance with a hangover, right? Am I not covering all of my grounds here? Did I forget about something else?!

I began sifting through possible reasons toward what else she could be referring to, and nearby, I could hear the rowdiness of two others. They apparently didn’t even know each other at first, but now they seemed like the best of friends.

“You weren’t kidding, Eul! This is some pretty good stuff you’ve got here~”
“Ain’t it?! I’m glad you can appreciate the taste, Ms. Astrid! Albel wouldn’t trust me at all when I said it was at least worth a sip...”
“That priest? Ahaha! He probably lacks the backbone for drinking then. It’s definitely his loss, and better yet, that means more for us!”

What exactly do you mean by not having a backbone in this case?! What does a backbone have to do with drinking? Also, sorry that not everyone has a bottomless pit for alcohol consumption and sleeps with a bottle like you!

I glared her way, watching as the two of them were clinking mugs and laughing heartily.

“Albel.”

Ah. I was distracted!

“I’d rather you didn’t apologize without knowing the why in the first place. I will now explain to you what it is exactly that you should be apologizing for. Listen closely!”

An unshrinking earful, and one that held a variety of complaints—from old to new—came flooding outward like a broken dam of unfiltered waters. There were two major reasons I hadn’t taken into consideration. Evidently, the first was that she was still angered by Cruubi’s trip, and especially since we arrived in Nefra without it.

Well, I can understand the why in that regard to an extent. While I agree that we could have avoided being separated for the entire day, it’s not as if I sent Cruubi on a vacation or anything. It has an important job, you know? I do admit this; I expected it to be back by now though.

The second reason was due to the fact that I didn’t immediately return to the main gate after being able to move. That, and not searching for her afterwards also lost me several points. In which I agreed there too, since she would have been left to roam the city by herself if not for those two with her.

Guess I’ll have to make sure to properly thank that guy, Lukos, when I get the chance. The other one, not so much. I have a feeling she didn’t do much to begin with.

I had also already given Eru the rundown of my involuntary arena debut. She had an idea of what Euler and Alisa were currently experiencing as well. And once her complaints had finally come to an end, a small moment of relief from her barrage of words greeted me. She then popped a question shortly after.

“That aside, what exactly are you going to do about that, Albel...?”

Eru’s worrying eyes shifted toward Euler and Alisa, who were sitting across from the prior two that accompanied her to the tavern. A glimpse toward Euler depicted a now differing mood from way earlier during the tournament. A joyous expression that contrasted with his previous desperate plea.

“P-please enter the tournament in my place! We cannot afford to lose here, not in the first round! If we do... If we do lose here, then it won’t only affect the two of us, but also our... Please! I beg of you! You will receive payment; I swear on that!”

A rather simple favor, but one that came along with a not-so-simple implication. And now that I knew more to their story, I was amid a bit of unease.

“I can’t say for sure right now, honestly. I’m still wondering about it all myself...”

❖

Sometime earlier, in Baal’s Tavern.

“So, someone entered your name into the tournament without your consent?”
“Indeed. Alisa here only joined because she didn’t think it was fair for me to attempt this all alone. I agreed to her suggestion, since she’s even stronger than myself, but... I didn’t think she would end up being hurt to that extent...”
“That was my fault, Euler! Neither of us knew that there would be so many strong participants. And regardless, I should have been more cautious.”

The two of them sat across from me at our table, with mirrored looks of dejection. They definitely didn’t fit the description for being suited for fighting when compared to other contestants like Zaeh.

If someone forcibly entered them into the tournament, couldn’t they have forfeited their place? Wait, no. About what he said earlier...

“Is the reason why you still went along with being forced into this tournament despite that, and how Alisa was involved too, both connected with what you said earlier? About how this doesn’t only affect the two of you?”
“That’s...”

Euler remained silent for a short while with his hands locked together on the table. He was seemingly lingering on the idea of how much of an answer he should give. His resolve to answer then came forward as Alisa placed her own hand over his. A bitter smile adorned her face as she nodded in response to his glance. He then continued.

“Yes, but it’s quite the long story...”

From there, he went on to explain the reasons and what led the two of them to where they were now. Euler and Alisa had eloped, holding an unofficial marriage far from Nefra and already had a child. That marriage status wasn’t officially recognized by Crethian tradition—thus their child was labeled ‘illegitimate’. Across Cretho, marriage was a sanctity to those who held a noble status, and that held especially true to the members of the Triskeles. This wouldn’t mean much to those outside of that upper faction, but according to Euler, Alisa herself was a noble.

“...Alisa has long since thrown away her family’s name. We lived a quiet few years, as a family on the east coast of Cretho. Hidden away, free from the eyes and ways of that insufferable lifestyle. But... Somehow in the end, they still found us...”

Living on the outskirts of the port city, Lindes, he claimed it was in attempt to ‘hide a leaf within a forest’ as his next statement slowly gave meaning to that idea.

“It was my mistake to think like that! The eastern territory is controlled by the Phyron family after all, since they dictate foreign affairs, holding control over every port. I had assumed they would stick to searching—if at all—elsewhere, far from their own territory. I was an idiot to think that...”

So, that’s why...

It slowly dawned on me the moment he said that. It meant that Alisa was once a member of the Phyron family, a family belonging to the Triskeles. They couldn’t simply just forfeit their forced spot in the tournament, not if it were at the Phyron’s behest. Worst of all, he had said that they had a child. One that I hadn’t seen all day. That was a thought that unsettled me.

“Euler, about your child...”
“It seems you already understand where this might be going, huh, Albel?”

Unfortunately, I was. He then explained further. As their child was of an ‘illegitimate’ birth, their son was taken away by representatives from that family. Without their consent, and regardless of their struggle against it. Before they could figure out a way to get him back, a letter then arrived. One claiming that they would get their son back, but only if Euler could make it beyond the first round of the Tournament of Trials that was soon to be taking place in Nefra. And that his name was already submitted, and he could even use a substitute if he wanted to. It didn’t make any sense to Euler nor Alisa on the why, but they decided to take that chance nonetheless.

“If that’s the case, why didn’t you choose someone to take your place before the tournament began?”
“There are two reasons for that. One, like Alisa stated earlier, the strength of the current combatants is unreal compared to what we originally assumed. Alisa has participated in smaller tournaments after all.”
“I have, and years ago, there wasn’t anything like how it was today. It’s eerie just how strong some of them were...”
“For the second reason, we wouldn’t have the funds to properly pay off anyone either. We lived a very modest lifestyle, one where all of our coin was spent on simply surviving.”

Then why exactly did he choose me at that last moment? Because I was at his side? He also said he had a payment ready back then, didn’t he? He doesn’t seem like the kind of person that would lie about that.

As I began thinking this, he then pulled out a small ring, one whose golden glimmer was dulled and seemingly ancient. Placing it on the table, he continued speaking.

“Speaking of pay, I originally had no intention on using this—as it was supposed to be a gift for our son when he was old enough. You see, I have the ability to use a skill called [Investigate], a skill that can inspect both people and items. This item here is called, [Ring of Protection]. It apparently can take the place, as a substitute, of a single lethal attack toward the wielder. It’s also your payment.”

He then slid the small ring my way. I gave it a quick glance as my eyes then shifted back toward a slightly smiling Euler. It was a seemingly bittersweet expression, from one in whom didn’t wish to actually part ways with something that was precious to them. I didn’t reach out for it all, but instead, I asked a separate question.

“Is that why you decided to ask me for the favor? Did you possibly use [Investigate] on me while we were in the arena?”
“I’ve been found out. Yes, I did. When you used that summoning to help assist Alisa, I had never seen a spell like it. I became curious. That being said, I still couldn’t see all too much. Only your name. It was due to that unknown status that I believed you could possibly make it through the trial.”

A wave of tension then came over his face, as his hands shook slightly on the table.

“Not to mention, I was afraid... After what had happened to Alisa, I knew I didn’t have any chance myself...”

I see. I don’t blame him then. Though, he only has a lesser [Investigate] skill, huh? For a second, I thought he may have seen everything. Still, this is my first-time meeting someone other than myself with it in this world. Marna was definitely right about it being rare. Now, that aside...

“I’ll have to decline on the payment then.”
“Huh?! Is it not enough, Albel...? We don’t have—”

I shook my head as I stopped him from continuing with a hand gesture.

“That’s not it. You said it yourself, right? According to that letter, you were only required to make it through the first trial. I don’t need any payment for just doing that one round then. If anything, we could just forfeit the next round too.”

I met his eyes as they seemed to hold a bit of skepticism still.

“Are you sure? It doesn’t feel right not paying for your assistance...”
“Don’t worry too much about it. Sure, it was a bit of a pain, but I enjoyed myself in the end.”
“If you really mean that, then...”

Euler began looking through a bag near him as he then immediately pulled out a large bottle—slamming it on the table—just strong enough to see the liquid shift inside. Compared to the ring, it seemed like the real prize with how expensive it looked.

“Drink this with me, Albel! This is my personal treasure, a drink that will have your mouth salivating after a single drip—a small sip will become a desired swig to quench a further thirst!”
“I’ll have to pass on that—wait, hey! Didn’t you just say that you lived a modest lifestyle?! That bottle looks like it could sell for quite the coin!”
“It’s part of his own work, Mr. Albel. It’s how we made a living in Lindes.”
“And this is the last bottle I have, one that I’m willing to share with our hero for today! Here, hold this mug in steady hand as I pour you some, Albel!”
“Like I said, I’ll pass!”

❖

By tomorrow morning, Euler stated that he would most likely receive another letter in response to his victory during the first round. For tonight though, we would celebrate said victory for a bit longer in Baal’s Tavern.

Yet, something still feels wrong. Why would they forcibly take their son away, only to then send a letter about getting him back by competing in a tournament of all things? It doesn’t make any sense at all.

When I told Eru the story, she agreed immediately. Her concern was simple; would they even give the child back at all? And that was a question I had no answer to as of right now.

Well, we can only hope for the best and wait for tomorrow.

Our festive night began to come to an end, while Euler and Alisa then invited the two of us to stay in the house they currently resided in—at the Phyron’s behest. A small boarding home in the Common Quarters, apparently given to them for the duration of the tournament. They stated that, due to the tournament and festival, it would be rather difficult to get a room if we didn’t have one already booked. We agreed and joined them, but not before Astrid and Lukos had a quick chat with Eru. She then told me that they were planning on meeting with her once more at Euler’s place in the morning.

They’re already quite the friendly group, aren’t they? I kind of feel a bit left out...

On our way to toward the Common Quarters, I began to reflect on the hectic day once more. I was also intending on joining along with Eru and her group in the morning, since I wasn’t obligated to take any further action in the tournament. That being said, I would still be on the lookout for what the Phyron family’s response would be.

Geez. No doubt about it, huh? It’ll be another hectic day tomorrow—?!

A sudden and strange feeling the rippled over me as I felt something in the distance. A distance that stretched far and beyond Nefra, seemingly to the edges of Cretho at that. I could easily gather just where it was exactly coming from too.

“Dormou again...? This feeling. Could it be that vision and Cruubi...”
“Albel! We’re going to leave you behind if you just stand around like that. I don’t want you to end up lost again!”
“Ah, sorry. I was spaced out. Coming...”

That feeling lingered upon me like an unshakable and ghost-like pressure as it only added to my current worries. My distracted gaze then met the sky as we continued walking under the starless and cloudy night sky.