Chapter 91: Stubborn Rain

He told her the truth. The truth made Susan unknowingly angry. Her face was filled with bloodlust and there was anger on her expression. She was not angry about the fact that her brother got betrayed and treated like trash. She was angry that her brother could have avoided all of that yet he still isn’t willing to do justice for himself. She was angry that she could not help but curse at the lady of Asmara.

She was frustrated to the point that she could no longer bear it any longer. She called for more beer while scolding Arden for his attitude. She called him names and to the point that Arden felt bad telling how his days went on. Arden finally talked about the injuries he sustained when fell down the cliff. Arden described it all in full detail which made her even feel sick.

Her anger was quelled a bit and she began to worry about his condition. Arden was fine and he made to show that by activating his magic crest, letting the red lines appear all over his body. Susan wasn’t satisfied by this so she held Arden’s hand and inspected his body through Mana pulse. Mana pulse works by emitting a signal that would send Mana to his body. He could feel the man enveloping his body and finally it dispersed.

Susan was horrified. Arden’s body was merely sewed together by Mana. There were many injuries that she could not help but worry and ask how he still alive despite the condition. It was like looking at a functioning corpse. And the only reason Arden is still breathing is due to the Mana circulating around his body. If there are no circulating mana on his body and if he extinguishes it all in one go. Then the possibility of him going in a weakened state would be there. He would lose his abilities and he will be a normal human.

Arden wasn’t scared, however. As long as he doesn’t suffer any damage if he goes into a state then will be safe. Susan didn’t like how careless his attitude was and scold him again. She had many things that she wanted to say and she did.

Over the table, they argued while at the same keeping it peaceful. The Inn’s bar was filled with people so their voices were drowned out by the hubbub and the rain that is falling outside. Susa carried on her scolding towards Arden, while he then told her about what he is doing. When Arden told Susan about his wanting to subdue the witch, Susan made an expression filled with seriousness. She cupped her hands together and said to Arden how difficult that would be. He learned that the other knights and nobles houses could not find anything about the witch and even if they do. The Sun’s crown will surely go after them and prevent them from interfering. Susan explained that the sun’s crown has given the word that no noble houses would interfere. This made Arden shock since he has been chasing the couriers.

And now hearing all of this made him sullen. That courier he killed, and the others who resisted literally did know nothing. He felt bad for what he had done but yet his heart struggled. His heart told him that he was not wrong and it was only the way he could think off.

Arden forced himself to believe that lie.

Unknowingly he was following the footsteps of his foster father.

...

The two drink their beer until it was evening. They had things to catch up to and along the way, they slowly catch up together. Susan was done scolding Arden. Arden was feeling rather embarrassed being scolded like a little child and was sipping his beer quietly. He already said all his heart out to his sister. And overall he was feeling a bitter now after receiving emotional support from Susan.

To Arden, she was family. And back in Mesh City they always get along together and train together all the time. When Arden gets in trouble she would use her abilities to heal her and thus she became a rather good healer and a fighter. Susan also told Arden about her combat abilities. Arden praised her sister who was being tipsy as they drink together. Usually, she wouldn’t drink this much but with her brother near her, she could lower her guard. She trusts Arden that much.

But Arden was not the same. He tried telling Susan to take it easy. But she won’t have it. She continued drinking her fill while smoking her pipe. The smell of the tobacco enters his nose and sometimes he felt like he was looking at Miss Cher, Susan’s mother, who now he realizes that Susan was holding her smoking pipe. She must have been gifted that, he thought.

Arden ordered food and the bar was happy to do so. He ate plates of meat, sausage and then ate the mashed potato that the Inn made. The mash potato was filling and the beer made his stomach grow round. Susan was happily talking, and he could not resist and talk things he saw.

The once scolding Susan turned into a happy go lucky sister. The two were cheerful in their talk and the rain falling down outside made their talk more warming. The flames from the hearth warmed them up. The candles were flickering as the cold wind enters the Inn. There was a bard who carried a lute. He touched the strings of his lute and started singing while playing his instruments in one of the tables.

The song was a tavern song yet the bard made the other people sing along with him. Arden and Susan watched and listened to the harmonious sing along happening in the Inn. The bar-keeper was fond of songs thus he allowed them to rage on and sing their hearts out.

The people in the bar were weary in their travels. And even though they have killed and seen many things along the way, they still could not help singing along.

...

After drinking heavily, Susan was barely able to stand up. Arden asked where she was living and since she was actually living in the noble house of the Saclea. Arden has decided to carry her to the place where she was staying. He wasn’t familiar with the noble district so he had to ask around.

By then she was told the direction and went to the noble district. Susan was easy to carry so he was able to arrive in the place where the noble house of Saclea is. Arriving in the noble house of the Saclea he saw the tents around the place.

When the people in the tent saw someone in the gates they all bellowed out the same thing under their breath. That foolish look that seemed to never go away and the unlit eyes were unchanging. They saw Arden wore his tattered cloak and behind was their lovely healer and fierce fighter, looking drunk.

The guards recognized Susan, but not Arden. So when they tried to say something. A hand patted their shoulder and turned around. They then nodded their heads when the person said to leave it to me. This person was Bruno and he immediately went to receive the two.

“Is she okay?”

“She is, a bit drunk.”

“I see.” He looked at Arden, “I am surprised that you are alive. I am Bruno, and I believe that you are Susan’s brother?”

“I am. My name is Arden.”

“Arden, your sister was worried about you. It is a good thing that you two met up. Did you arrive in the town just now?”

“I actually arrived in the town days ago. I didn’t even know that the war band Susan was currently in this town. If I didn’t meet her then I wouldn’t have figured out.”

“I see.”

Bruno nodded his head. He then focuses his attention to the drunken Susan.

“Can she walk?”

“She can, though not without a shoulder to rely on.” Arden looked helplessly at his sister, “She’s probably tired after all that drinking. So would you mind taking her?”

“Me?” Bruno pointed at himself, “Are you sure?”

“Well, my sister talked about you, when we were drinking and she seemed to trust you enough. Take her back to her room.”

“What about you?” said Bruno, “You are not coming in?”

“I am not a member of the war band.”

“You aren’t but we can make an exception, and besides Miss Susan is a precious member of the current war band. There is no need to be shy.”

“I would love to but I have things to do.”

“What things?”

Arden smiled. He could not possibly tell this knight how he still plans to chase after the witch despite what Susan told her about the state of the nobles around the area. He could not let the witch go and continue her onslaught and thus he can only chase after her.

Bruno saw the unwillingness in Arden’s face. He didn’t want to pursue it and just said.

“Very well, I shall leave it at then.”

“Thank you.”

He then handed Susan to Bruno. Susan who was a bit tipsy saw Bruno and as if it was natural, she let her carry her back inside the building. Bruno wore a coat to shield himself but still, he covered Susan using it. He was a gentleman.

Arden didn’t have anything to do and since he was bothered by the stares of the people in the tents. He walked away from the mansion with a fast stride. As he goes away, a person wearing a white hooded coat ambled down the road and raised her golden eyes and pointed at Arden.

The same familiar tattered cloak reflected upon her eyes and before she comes closer, the figure was gone like the wind and only the cold drizzle was left.