Chapter 274 Cup of Hot Coffee

After concluding her business with Valerius at his secluded estate, Suzuka made her way through the winding streets of the city towards Walter's workshop. The early hour meant that most of the city still slumbered, but Suzuka was eager to check on her order.

Though it was a bit premature to expect completion, Suzuka couldn't resist the urge to check, harboring a faint hope that perhaps Walter had worked his magic ahead of schedule. With a slow stride, she made her way through the bustling streets.

As she approached Walter's workshop, the familiar sight of the quaint storefront filled her with a sense of nostalgia. The smell of sawdust and metal hung heavy in the air as she pushed open the door, the tinkling of bells announcing her arrival.

"Hello? Walter? Are you here?" she called out. 

Almost immediately, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the back room, and moments later, Walter emerged, his face lighting up with a smile as he caught sight of her.

"Helen! What a pleasant surprise! I didn't expect to see you so early. Come in, come in! What brings you here so early? Looking for anything to buy? I can offer you some good deals!"

"No, no deals, Walter. I just couldn't wait to see how my order is coming along, I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."

Walter chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.

 "Oh no, not interrupting, not at all. But good timing, come, let me show you what I've got so far," he assured her, gesturing for her to follow him through the storehouse doors.

Inside the storehouse, Walter beckoned Suzuka forward with a wave of his hand, his eyes gleaming with pride as he gestured toward a neat pile of cloth fabrics stacked against one wall.

"Take a look at these," he gestured toward the pile.

"The tents for the goblins and the goblin-sized clothes are all ready for you to take. Give them a feel and see if they suit your needs, all ready and waiting for you to inspect. As for the rest of your order, I'll have it finished in the next few days." 

Suzuka approached the pile of fabrics, her eyes scanning the assortment of tents and garments with keen interest. The tents were simple and modest, crafted from sturdy canvas and reinforced with sturdy wooden poles. Though lacking in luxury, they appeared to be well-made and durable, capable of providing shelter from the elements for the goblins under her care.

Turning her attention to the goblin clothes, Suzuka found herself pleasantly surprised by their simplicity and practicality. The tunics were fashioned from crude, durable cloth, their drab colors, and rough-hewn stitching speaking to their humble origins. Paired with matching pants and tiny leather boots, they were humble in appearance but undoubtedly functional, perfectly suited for dressing the naked goblins rescued from the breeding farms.

Satisfied with the quality, Suzuka gathered up the tents and clothes, storing them securely in her item storage for safekeeping. Though they may have lacked in elegance or refinement, she knew that they would serve their purpose well, providing comfort and dignity to those who had known nothing but torture and suffering. 

 "They're perfect, just what I was looking for, thank you, Walter. You've outdone yourself once again."

Walter beamed with pride at her words, his chest swelling with satisfaction. 

"It was my pleasure! I'm just glad I could be of service. Now, if there's anything else you need, you know where to find me."

With a grateful smile, Suzuka gathered up her belongings and prepared to leave the workshop. As she stepped back out into the cool morning air, she decided to go get some rest back at Mystic Oasis Inn. 

After returning to her room, Suzuka wasted no time in shedding her armor, the heavy metal clanking against the chair as she tossed it aside. Draping herself in a soft towel, she hurriedly made her way to the hot spring bath, the steam rising invitingly from the water's surface.

Slipping into the soothing warmth of the hot spring, Suzuka let out a contented sigh as the tension melted away from her muscles. Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to relax, the gentle lull of the water lulling her into a state of blissful tranquility. Before long, a short nap overtook her, the gentle sound of bubbling water providing the perfect backdrop for her dreams.

Emerging from the hot spring refreshed and rejuvenated, Suzuka returned to her room and settled into bed, the soft embrace of her blankets a welcome comfort after a long journey. As the hours ticked by, she drifted into a peaceful slumber, the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest the only sound in the quiet room.

It was not until the rumbling of her tummy stirred her from her sleep. With a yawn, she dressed herself in her casual clothing, slipping into a stylish black leather jacket with red accents and matching pants, paired with a sleek black tube top that hugged her curves in all the right places.

Making her way to town, Suzuka headed towards the usual cafe where she was a regular. She walked to the counter, placing her order with a smile before settling into a nearby table to wait for her food to arrive.

But as she sat there, idly twirling a strand of her hair between her fingers, her gaze wandered across the room and fell upon a familiar face sitting a few tables apart. It was Silvia, she sat hunched over, her shoulders slumped as if bearing the weight of the world upon them. A large suitcase sat beside her, almost half her size. She leaned her head against her hands, her troubled expression mirrored in the depths of her eyes as she stared vacantly at the cup of coffee before her, its contents untouched and growing cold.

Intrigued by the sight of her old classmate in distress, she rose from her seat and made her way to Silvia's table.

"Hey there, Silvia!" Suzuka greeted cheerfully, "You look like you could use a friend. Mind if I join you?" she asked as she pulled out a chair and settled herself opposite her troubled friend.

Silvia's slim form stiffened as Suzuka approached, her troubled mind momentarily jolted from its somber daze. Her eyes, dull and hollow, widened with surprise at the unexpected intrusion into her solitude, her lips parting in a feeble attempt to form words.

"O-oh, h-hello," she stammered weakly, "Helen... I-I didn't... I mean, sure, you can..."

Her words trailed off into an awkward silence, her gaze dropping to the table as a flush of embarrassment colored her pale cheeks. Silvia's troubled expression softened ever so slightly as she stole a furtive glance at Suzuka. With trembling hands, she reached for her cup of coffee, the warmth of the ceramic mug offering a fleeting sense of comfort in her turmoil. But even as she lifted it to her lips, her movements were hesitant, her grip unsteady as if afraid to drink it.

"What's wrong, sweetheart? You look like you've lost your favorite treasure map! What's got you looking so down in the dumps? Did Sterling rear his ugly face again? Or maybe your cat learned how to play the piano and you're just overwhelmed by his newfound talent? Or maybe it's something else? Come on, spill the beans! You can trust me with anything."

Her words tumbled out in a playful torrent, each question more absurd than the last as she sought to lighten the mood with humor.

Silvia's response was hesitant and shy, her movements slow and labored as if each word required effort to articulate. She appeared pale and drawn, the shadows beneath her eyes betraying the restless nights she had endured.

"Oh, um... no, not Sterling... or cat, It's... it's nothing, really. Just... just a rough day, you know?" she murmured weakly as she struggled to find the right words.

Her gaze flickered away from Suzuka's probing eyes, her fingers fidgeting nervously with the rim of her coffee cup. Her words caught in her throat, a tangled knot of fear and uncertainty.

Suzuka's carefree demeanor took on a more serious tone as she addressed Silvia, her eyes softening with genuine concern. With a gentle yet direct approach, she cut through the facade of small talk, "Alright, Silvia. Let's cut the crap. It's obvious something's bothering you, and I'm not one to beat around the bush. You can tell me, you know. I won't judge you or shower you with pity or any of that sentimental nonsense. I want to know what's going on, that's all. Maybe I can help."

Silvia's response was timid and hesitant, her voice barely a whisper as she forced herself to confront the weight of her troubles. With each word, she seemed to shrink in size, her fragile form huddled in upon itself as if seeking refuge from the storm raging within her troubled mind.

"Helen, I... I don't know how to say this, but... I've been having a really tough time lately." With a shuddering breath, she hugged herself tightly, her arms wrapped around her slender frame in a feeble attempt to find solace in her embrace.

Gathering her courage, Silvia recounted the events that had led her to this moment of despair, her words tumbling out in anguish and frustration.

 "I... I had an arrangement for a job after graduating from Magic Box University. It... it was supposed to come with employment and housing, everything I needed to start a new chapter in my life. But... but at the last moment, they... they gave the position to someone else, someone with more experience. Even though we had an agreement, they didn't want me. They didn't care that I graduated top of my class, that I earned my scholarship with my hard work and tears, with top grades in all subjects..."

Silvia took a deep breath to steady her voice and continued, "With no funds to survive, and no place to spend the night. I... I've been stumbling across the town, looking for any small job I can find. But... but there's nothing, Helen. Nothing at the moment. Nowhere for me to go, no one willing to give me a chance."

With a heavy sigh, she gestured toward her suitcase, the only possession she had left in the world. 

"All I have are the clothes on my back and no coins in my pocket. I... I don't even have enough to pay for this coffee let alone buy food. I... I don't know how to face the waitress, to tell her that I can't pay."

Silvia's gaze dropped to the cup clutched in her trembling hands, her heart constricted with guilt at the thought of facing the waitress and admitting her inability to pay. At that moment, she felt utterly alone, adrift in a sea of uncertainty with no lifeline to cling to.