Price of Freedom (1)

Stepped into the bustling tavern, and the sound of beer glasses clinking together filled my ears. I was immediately greeted by the joyful shouts and energetic dances of adventurers from all around the world. The confident musicians played a lively tune that stirred my soul and made my heart beat faster.

"Wow, this place sure is popular," I said, trying to keep my balance as a group of dwarves stumbled past me, singing a rowdy drinking song.

Arthur and I sat at the corner of the tavern, yet the liveliness was still palpable there. The energetic rabbit wenches scurried around, carrying trays overflowing with mouth-watering delicacies and a dozen frothy beer glasses. The customers, unable to contain their excitement, impatiently shouted for their orders to be fulfilled.

Arthur, on the other hand, looked right at home in the noisy crowd, clapping along to the music and cheering on the dancers. But I was already starting to regret coming to the tavern. "Umm, can we go somewhere a little quieter?" I shouted back, barely audible over the noise.

"W-What? I can't hear you!" he shouted.

"I said, can we—"

Before Arthur could respond, a buxom bunny girl appeared at our table, balancing a tray of steaming hot orc meat in one hand and a pitcher of ale in the other. "Here ya go, loves!" she chirped, setting the tray down in front of us and pouring us each a mug of frothy ale.

"Hiii—!" I jolted in fear, feeling like my heart just jumped out of my rib cage. Even after hundred years had passed, I still couldn't enjoy the bustling atmosphere of a tavern or a party. Maybe, I was just genetically allergic to commotion?

The bunny girl laughed, unfazed by my clumsiness. "Oh, you're a scaredy-cat, aren't ya?" she said, plopping down in the empty seat next to me. "Name's Ayunda, by the way. Nice to meet ya, Princess!"

"U-Uh, nice to meet you too, I guess? Hey, wait—"

"How did she know about my name? Well, of course, I know you. Everyone does. After all, you kick the Order ass in front of so many people. Right now, everyone in Pariyastra called you Iron Rakshasa, the girl who defeated The Giga Anguish in one blow!" the girl laughed and smack my back strongly.

W-What? I-Iron Rakhasa? What an embarrassing name. It sounded like I'm a wrestler or something. But, it was better than Giga Anguish. Yikes, what a cringe name. I never knew that Denova carried an imposing name.

"..I'm just lucky, t-that's all," I replied awkwardly.

Ayunda grinned widely, her smile charmed every adventurer in the tavern, making them look at me jealously. Now that I looked at her, as a Daemon Usagi (Bunny tribe), Ayunda was gorgeous. Her wavy hair was like a wave of fiery flame, captivating people with its gleam. She also smells kind of sweet, yet addicting, partly because of floral perfume in deadly combination with her natural pheromone. Even a girl liked me, if not careful enough, could be enchanted by her gaze.

"Oh by the way, what brought you here, dear Witch? Could it be you are Master Arthur's new girlfriend? Ohh, so he finally moved on from Lady Kiara, I'm so happy!" Ayunda cheerfully in the front, but she mocked Arthur at the same time.

Ayunda's words caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but sputter in disbelief, "W-What? No, no, no! I'm not his girlfriend! We're just... uh, actually I'm practically his slave."

Ayunda's eyes widened with mischief, and she leaned in closer, her voice low and conspiratorial, "Eh? That's scandalous! Geez, Master Arthur, aren't ya naughty? But girl, you're quite a catch. Never seen someone so cute like ya around here," She winked at me, and I felt my face flush with embarrassment.

"N-No, that's not what I meant at all!" I stammered.

Ayunda laughed and patted my shoulder, "Relax, honey. I'm just messing with you. But seriously, you two would make a cute couple," She looked over at Arthur, who was still engrossed in the music, "Too bad he's still hung up on Lady Kiara. That girl has him wrapped around her little finger. Sadly, he is friend-zoned, hahaha!"

Uh-oh, I don't know what happened between the two, but it was as clear as day they got beef at each other. But really, was Arthur that hopeless? Even the tavern maid knew he was friend-zoned. Hmm, it might be worse. Because Kiara lived in Arthur's home, right? So… living under one roof, but friend zoned… Oh, my, I couldn't imagine how awkward it was for Arthur!

"Hey, I'm talking to you, young master," the girl shouted at Arthur.

Finally, Arthur turned to us and sighed, "So, finished with the bullshit?"

Ayunda grinned annoyedly, "Annoying brat, you want to brawl, huh?"

I quickly mediated the two, "U-uh… sorry, but can you two stop fighting? ... fighting is bad. "

But then Ayunda laughed out loud that she squished me so hard while nudging her cheek to mine.

"Awww, you're so cute! I wish I have a cute little sister like you. That's right girl, an asshole like him doesn't deserve a good girl like you," she said.

"N-No touching," I pushed her away but it didn't work.

Arthur got annoyed and sighed, "Satisfied? Now, listen to me. There is nothing between us. Lady Megistus just sent this newbie under my care, that's all," the man drank his ale and continued,

"Anyway, I'm here for business, not to chitchat."

Ayunda squinted her eyes and grunted, "Hrrh, what a boring guy. That's why Kiara never sees you more than her friend, you know. Whatever, follow me."

Oh, it's only Arthur, right? Then I could enjoy this orc meat for a while longer, hehe.

Suddenly, Arthur flicked my forehead, "You're coming too, Princess," he said.

Ayunda looked surprised, but Arthur nodded to her saying, "Don't worry, she's with me."

The two stood up and walked toward the backdoor, while I frantically brought the food with me. We stopped at the staff room, where Ayunda locked the door and put sealing magic on it. Wait, why did she do that?

"So, what business you have with me, traitor?" Ayunda leaned on the wall, crossing her arm annoyedly.

Traitor…? Hidden between the cleavage on her breast, I could see a crystal shine after she used magic. Yet, after the magic subsided, it was hidden beneath the skin. A Magicore! Dammit, this girl with the Order!

I readied myself for a fight but Arthur stopped me. He nodded at me as if saying to leave the matter to him. "Where is Bianca?" Arthur asked while tossing a bag full of gold coins.

Ayunda laughed, "Seriously? You want me to sell my comrades? Oh, Master, you're amusing. But, no, I have to decline. After everything you have done to us, I'm not going to trust you anymore."

The girl looked at me with pity, "You know, you have bad luck, girl. You see, girl, Arthur here is not to be trusted. He'll do whatever it takes to achieve his goals, even if it means sacrificing his comrades."

I looked at Arthur, but his expression remained stoic. Was Ayunda telling the truth? I couldn't help but wonder.

"What do you mean, Ayunda?" I asked.

Ayunda chuckled, "You don't know, huh? Before joining the Black Company, Arthur is a Lector in The Order. Divine Punisher, his true name is. I was part of his team for securing provision and occasionally acquired relics for The Order," the girl touch her heart with a melancholic expression.

"Yet a year ago, he lured us right to the Black Company trap."

"It was a necessary sacrifice," Arthur argued.

Ayunda's eyes narrowed in anger as she shot back, "Necessary sacrifice? You betrayed your comrades, your fellow members of The Order, just for your gain. You sold us out like we were mere pawns in your game."

I could feel the tension in the air, the weight of their history heavy between them. Ayunda's voice shook with emotion as she continued,

"You have no idea what we went through. Most of us were captured by the Black Company. The one who managed to escape got an even worst fate. We were turned into Homunculus. Do you know what it's like to have your heart ripped out and replaced with a fake one? We're not human anymore, we're The Order's sacrificial puppet!"

Ayunda grabs Arthur's collar, "While you live blissfully with a Princess, even becoming one of The Black Company. You must be truly happy, huh, Master?"

Arthur's face remained stoic, but I could see the guilt flicker in his eyes. "I had no choice," he said quietly. "I had to do what was necessary to free most of us from The Order."

"Are you saying being imprisoned in Hexagon is freedom?" Ayunda let go of Arthur with conflicting feelings. She turned herself to the desk, slamming it once to vent her frustration while saying,

"After becoming a Homunculus myself… part of me understand what you mean. Losing our identity, and living day to day according to someone's will, this fate might be worst than death. But, after hearing what they did to the prisoners… I don't think it is any better than me."

Arthur sighed, "You can hate me all you want. But my promise to you is the same. I will free every one of us from The Order. For that, I need information about Kiara's whereabouts."

Ayunda shrugged, "Heh, you still believe that girl could save us, huh..."

Ayunda took a long silence, she was reluctant. Perhaps helping Arthur would have dire consequences for her, maybe she was scared of being betrayed again, or a combination of the two. But it took incredible courage for her to finally said,

"... Alright, but I have one condition."