Chapter 192 – Adieu to an Island

The next day Ramiel woke up packed for a journey. Wearing a simple brown longcoat, a shirt under it, and a Shemagh over his head, Ramiel steps out of the shrine-like house, he carried a simple waist backpack and a carbine rifle for protection. The rune sword that Pandora gave him, he didn’t carry it. Simply, because he finds the rune sword valuable, on his belt there are few pouches. A pouch for money, a pouch of ammunition and a pouch for cigars, he also carried a gourd filled with wine.

Ramiel was ready. So he slowly walked down to the village while admiring the scenery of the island. Ramiel took slow steps. His foot hurt a bit. But he kept on going until he reached the pond near the villa. While he was walking down the flat road near the pond, he noticed the Mayor of the village. He went there, greeted them, saying that he will now leave the island. The people in the villa knew of Grom. They were surprised at how he was talking, but they more saddened how Grom was leaving. Ramiel felt a bit happy, that even they would miss them. It makes him want to stay on the island, but he knows that it can’t be. Not with how he was slowly perishing.

So he bid goodbye. He saw the smithy that was always brimming with noise. Walking there, he entered, saw the various forges. While looking around, James saw Ramiel, greeting him, with curious eyes.

“Uncle Grom. What takes you here?”

“Oh, just visiting.”

“Whoa, you talk?

“I get that a lot huh.”

“It is surprising. You never talk, ever.”

“Well, sorry, I am to say my goodbyes.”

“What do you mean?”

Ramiel explained how he was going to leave the island. Most of the people knew that well he hasn’t had that much time to leave. So hearing him, James made a bit sad expression before giving a hug to Ramiel. Ramiel returned the hug, while tapping James’ shoulder.

“Goodbye James, though it is sad that I won’t be seeing your kid.”

“Uncle Grom...do not fret about me I will so please don’t worry about me, worry about yourself okay. I hope that you find the place you wanted to be.”

“Thank you...ah, where is Elena by the way?”

“She should be in the harbor, taking a break.”

“I see, I will say my goodbye to her there then. I better hurry, goodbye.”

Ramiel left the smithery. While he left, James who was inside made a little hick sound, but completely suppresses it. He was a strong man, and thus he wasn’t going to let his Uncle, that saved him see him weak. So he perked up and returned to work. Despite not remembering anything due to his memories slightly being jumbled by the ritual, Ramiel has established a bond with the people of the village, so even Ramiel would be missed. That is why he leaving was quite a sad thing for the people of the village.

...

Ramiel greeted the general store and the Inn after visiting the smithery. In the general store, he got some free cigars while in the Inn he got some lunches from Odette. After that, he went to the plaza to visit the Chapel. He spoke with Gerard, who despite being a strange, warrior priest, cried because Ramiel was leaving.

Ramiel felt loved. He liked it. It made him want to stay. But it cannot be so anymore. So after saying his goodbye to the chapel, Ramiel use the lift to head to the harbor. He then visited the house where Bacchus and Joey live. The red-headed guy’s name was Joey. And hearing Ramiel was leaving; the two give him a manly hug. Ramiel felt overwhelmed at the two’s bear hug. He complained about he would have died, which made the two laugh. Before leaving, the two complained that he should have talked more. Ramiel didn’t know what to say and just said to them if somehow by a miracle, he would, and share wine with them.

Ramiel left the house where the two live. He went to check the harbor and saw the ship that would take him to Sardis. Most of the people already knew him so first he looked around for Elena. He saw her indeed moping, looking at the horizon.

“Are you okay my little Elena?”

“Eh, who?”

Elena was quite surprised. She looked at the person who patted her head and saw Ramiel who had a smile on his face. Seeing this smile, Elena felt her heart warmed, and said.

“That’s more than two words! Uncle Grom, you can now talk?”

“Yes, yes, now are you happy?”

“Not really...”

“How cute, makes me remember how you were such young kid. Truly, time waits for no one does it?”

Ramiel sat near Elena.

“So why are you moping around?”

“I...”

“Are you worried about Julian?”

“Yes...”

“Is that so? Don’t worry, he can save the world.”

“You sound like you know him, Uncle.”

“Well, I did ask for his help knowing that is him. I recognize that face back when I was still working for an Inn in the city of Tal.”

“Wow...”

“Right, so don’t worry. It is already a miracle that he got married to you. That charmer, actually not obsessed with the War Maiden of Lin. Good Job my cute niece.”

“Gee...”

She was embarrassed.

“So don’t worry okay? I am sure he can save the world. So cheer up and wait for him. That guy won’t take long. Also, I have to thank you for convincing him to save me. Truly, thank you for freeing me.”

“It’s no big deal; I owe you too much Uncle.”

“Hah, true, I use to carry you on my shoulders in order for you not cry. Now that you mention, if we didn’t encounter those bandits you wouldn’t be as you are right now, that was a good thing, traumas are great aren’t they?”

“Uh...Uncle sure says shocking things. Maybe Uncle Grom should keep silent?”

“Pardon me, I am bit blunt...too bad that you didn’t know that.”

“I see...so Uncle Grom, where are you going?”

“Ah, you finally notice.”

Ramiel smiled. He then explained himself to Elena. As he does, Elena’s face slowly turned into a mess. She was happy that her Uncle was talking, but now she was filled with sadness.

“Hey now...don’t cry.”

“But...”

“Gee, you already know it all since Pandora always talks about it. Come on now, please don’t make sad.”

“But Uncle...”

A plead that of a little girl that was going to miss her Uncle. Ramiel felt strange that this beautiful blonde haired missy is crying for him.

“Really, you are such a silly girl. But please understand that I just want to find a good place okay?”

“Why not here then, the village will take care of you!”

“I can’t do that, sorry, I just can’t. So please do not cry.”

Elena sobbed harder. But slowly she calmed down. Ramiel wiped her tears and patted her head.

“You know, I realize that you stick up for me. Even though you experience bad times, you still cared for this lousy uncle of yours. So thank you for that, and I really wish I would see your kid...hehehehe.”

“Uncle...”

“It’s okay. You’re a fine woman now; you’ll do fine without me. Heck, you are better than me that it makes me shy that I am saying this to you. So please let your Uncle go.”

“Okay...but I will Miss you.”

“Me too my lovely niece, I will miss you too. I wish I could see more of your life, but sadly your Uncle is selfish. So it is enough for me to see you get married with a dragon of a priest. That’s enough to remember you.”

“Uncle...”

“Okay, time for me to go.”

Ramiel stood up. He looked at the ship in the distance. He should board now before it leaves.

“Thank you, Uncle... have a good trip!”

“Thank you, Elena.”

Ramiel smiled. He patted Elena’s head one last time before heading to the boat. Boarding the boat, he went to the rails, stared at Elena who was waving her hand's goodbye.

Ramiel felt like he missed a lot with his jumbled memories. Yet, somehow this was okay for him.