Meat, fish, fruits... Various odors filled the air as a cacophony of shouts and bantering apahem. Some were fresh, some were smoky, while some were close to indescribable. These were the odors one would smell upon going to the market.
After Grey returhe lives of the two returo normalcy as they tinued with their daily routihey pleted quests, cooked foods, and eheir leisure time. Life was smooth sailing for them.
In order to protect Yuna, Grey still hasn't mentiohe things he talked about with the Guildmaster and he will tinue doing so until the time es. But even when he had resolved himself, the fact that he was lying to Yuna was still b him.
It has been about a month since Grey and Yuna arrived at Galderia, and currently, the twoing around the market and buying ingredients and ies that they need.
"We sure bought a lot." ［Yuna］
"Yeah..." ［Grey］
"What's wrong? You sound tired." ［Yuna］
"Well, it's just that... ents really are expensive, aren't they?" ［Grey］
Unlike oh where everyone has access to many types of ents, here in Merusia, some ents like bck pepper are something only rich merts and nobles afford.
The ents alone cost them about a silver or 1,000 kiels! It was mohat would take an average family about a week to save up, without spending any money. Just thinking about how expe was made Grey's head hurt.
It made Grey appreciate the blessings of the forest once again. Even if the ingredients were far and few iween, at least all of them are free. One only o repnt them and they harvest once again.
"That's true... With that amount, I could eat more than a hundred skewers." ［Yuna］
To Yuna's ent, Grey didn't know how to respond. He khat Yuna loves eating, but he didn't think she would equate moo how much food she could eat.
But even then, Grey was still happy seeing Yuna happy while thinking about skewers. Her ears were even moving up and down along with her happy expression. Grey could only imagine what she was daydreaming about.
"Kyaaa! Help!" ［???］
As Grey was enjoying Yuna's expressions, a sudden scream from the alleyways made him and Yuna stop oracks.
"Grey, did you hear that?" ［Yuna］
"Yeah, sounds like someone's in trouble" ［Grey］
Without wasting any breath, Yuna and Grey ran towards the dire of the scream and tried to find its source, skillfully maneuvering themselves in the market which was bustling with people.
While running towards the source, Grey quickly stored everything they bought in the "Iory" and activated his armament rings, making gaus appear and be equipped in his fists. Yuna followed suit and also equipped her daggers.
The moment the two arrived at the source of the scream, they saw three people. Two men and a woman. One of the men was lying on the ground, bleeding, while the other was holding a knife covered in blood, currently harassing the woman.
Just with a single g was easy to see who were the victims and who was the attacker. Even children will know who they should stay away from in this situation.
Seeing an evil aura with his "Judgement", Grey quickly zoomed towards the man with the dagger, instantly c the distaween them. And without aatiohen delivered a punch to his torso.
Guaakkkkk
The punch ected to the man's torso, making him fly towards a wall and leave a cra it. The punch was strong enough for the man to pass out and colpse to the ground, creating a thud sound as his mouth was filled with froth.
Oher hand, Yuna caught the woman the man was harassing, breaking her fall and ensuring her safety. Her whole body was still trembling from what just happeo her.
Grey and Yuna just made it in time. If they were ahey could only imagine what fate would await the woman and her panion who was bleeding as he y unscious on the ground.
"Yuna, I'll heal the bleeding man, so you please ask her what happened." ［Grey］
"Un." ［Yuna］
Thinking that it was best that another woman should talk trey left the trembling woman in Yuna's care as he headed to the bleeding man.
Grey reached out his hand and closed his eyes, imaging mana flow outside the body towards the surrounding. In his head, he imagihe mana stitg the man's wound and accelerating his recovery rate.
??Heal?? ??Rejuvenate?? ［Grey］
Warm light glistened from Grey's hand as he casted the spell. Soon enough, the stab wound on the man's torso quickly closed and started to heal. And a few more seds ter, the wound disappeared as if it was here to begin with.
The first spell healed the man while the sed spell reproduced everything that was lost such as blood and other bodily fluids. Shortly after, the man's pale plexion started to turn into a healthier one and his breathing started to stabilize. He was now out of danger.
With the man's dition steadily stabilizing, Grey went back to Yuna and asked her what she learnt about what happened.
Apparently, the tere harassed were rookie adventurers who just registered a few days ago. And just like most young adventurers, they registered in order to help their families earn a living.
During the times they process the pletion of their quests, the man with the knife would always look at the woman with lecherous eyes. Knowing the differen their ranks, the two ighis and did not report it to the guild in fear of being harmed by the said man.
Little did they know, the man pnned on ambushing them on their way back to the inn they were staying at. They tried to fight back but it was useless and the woman's panion ended up being stabbed by the lean.
A few moments ter, Grey and Yuna arrived at the se and Greu ended up knog the lean unscious. Those were the events which lead to the current situation.
Just thinking about the man's motive, Grey and Yuna couldn't help but be disgusted. Especially Grey si made him remember the i where he lost self trol because of some scumbags.
"U-Umm... Thank you for saving us! I will never fet this debt!" ［Woman］
"Don't worry about that. More importantly, you should rest your body somewhere. Umm... Yuna, could you take these two to the hospital?" ［Grey］
"Yeah... but... you're not going with us?" ［Yuna］
"Well, someoill o take this scumbag to the guards. Don't worry, since I'll be heading to the adventurer's guild to report afterwards, we could just meet up there afterwards." ［Grey］
"I see... Then I'll see you ter." ［Yuna］
"Sure." ［Grey］
With a wave of their hands, the two said their goodbyes to one another as they parted ways, heading to their respective destinations.
Yuna and the woman each lent a shoulder to carry the unsan, while Grey grabbed the scumbag in his colr and dragged him towards the guard's barracks. It was a sight which garhe attention of many people, especially when they just exited a suspicious looking alley.
"Haah... Seriously, what a scumbagー Hm?" ［Grey］
As Grey lifted the unsan he was dragging willy-nilly, he reized a familiar and hateful face. It was the face belonging to one of the drunk adventurers which harassed Yuna a few weeks ago.
After the ihat day, those drunkard adventurers rarely showed up the guild anymore. There were various rumors about it but the most promi one was that they have transferred to another city after receiving such humiliation.
Grey also thought it was the case, but seeing that one of them were still going around the city and harassing people, it seems like that was not the case.
Just remembering how those drunkards harassed Yuna before and Yuna's trembling body afterwards, Grey's blood started to boil, if he could, he would have already beaten the man until he was satisfied.
"Umm, Grey? What the heck are you doing with that man?" ［Dale］
Dale asked as he poio the man Grey was dragging nontly. It wasn't only Dale, the uards besides him were also curious.
The guards came when they heard there was some sort of harassment going on, but when they saw the said harassment, it was so absurd that they didn't know how to respond.
Grey quickly cleared the unpleasant misuanding after he carefully expihe events which lead to the current situation. Thankfully, the guards were able to uand it quickly.
"I... I see... Then we're thankful for stopping the crime, but ime, please do it in a less spicuous way." ［Dale］
"Well, I am hoping there won't be a iー" ［Grey］
"Huh!? Where am I? Unhand me, you bastard!" ［Scumbag］
Befrey could finish his words and hand over the scumbag to the guards, the scumbag regained sciousness and started to throw a tantrum, struggling like a fish out of the water.
Taking that opportunity, Grey once again delivered a good blow towards his torso and knocked him out unscious once again. He felt strangely refreshed when he felt his punch hit the man as he was able to blow some frustration away.
To his sudden punch, the guards flinched from surprise, and seeing the scumbag pass out instantly, all of them were at a loss for words. It all happened in the fsh that they somehow felt pity for the scumbag.
"Sorry if I surprised you." ［Grey］
"""Y-Yeah..."""" ［Guards］
With the man "sleeping" in peace again, Grey hahe scumbag to the guards, but the moment one of the guards carried the scumbag on his shoulder, some things dropped from the man's pocket.
Money, rings, and a variety of small things fell out. But amongst them, there was one which had caught Grey's eyes. It was a jet bck orb with strange engravings c every inch of its surface.
'Hm? Isn't this.... ??Appraisal??!' ［Grey］
-----------------------------------
[Magic Tool]
[Name] E Orb
[Grade] C
[Description]
An item which ensve beasts arict their movements only to the master's and. The success and duration of the e will depend orength of the user and the grade of the orb. Failure in e will cause the beast to be agitated and rampage.
-----------------------------------
Lightning struck Grey's mind as he read the orb's description. Without a doubt, it was the magic tool the perpetratanizations used in order to cause the beast-reted is.
Questions like "Why are these beasts here?", "Whht them here?" , and "Who is behind this?" have been answered and many pieces have been brought together. Everything finally made sense.
All this time, they have been searg for the perpetrator of the beast is high and low. He hought they were just hiding under his nose all along.
All of those thoughts fshed inside of Grey's mind ihan a fra of a sed, and before the orb fell towards the ground, Grey caught it swiftly without any of the guards notig.
"Then, I'll be going now. I'll leave the case to your capable hands." ［Grey］
"You rest assured, and thank you for catg this bastard for us." ［Dale］
With the orb in his hand, Grey quickly headed towards the Adventurer's guild in order to report his findings to the Guildmaster. He hoped in his heart that with it, they would finally be able to solve the case.
If everything goes well, the guild might be able to interrogate the scumbag in the barracks and find out about the evil anization behind all the beast is and the disaster they brought to the kingdom.
"Miss Tilda, you get the Guildmaster for me? Just tell him I've got something urgent to discuss with him, he'll uand it if you tell him." ［Grey］
"Ah... Sure." ［Tilda］
Even when she was still fused, Tilda quickly left for the Guildmaster's office. Soon after, she came back with the permission from the Guildmaster, allowing audieh Grey.
"Haah... Haah... Mister Grey... the Guildmaster told me... you head to the office immediately.... Haah..." ［Tilda］
When Tilda came back, she was already out of breath from all the running. She was sweating buckets and her legs were slightly trembling. She had pushed herself too far at the thought of hent the news was.
"M-Miss Tilda, are you alright?" ［Grey］
"Y-Yeah... I just o... catch my breath... Go on, now... the Guildmaster is... Haah... waiting..." ［Tilda］
"Tilda, here's some water." ［Receptionist］
"Ah, t... thank you..." ［Tilda］
Seeing another receptionist take care of Tilda, Grey became relieved and quickly headed to the Guildmaster's office. He made a mental o pay back Tilda when the day es.
Knooock
Three secutive knocks echoed ihe Guildmaster's office as Grey lightly hit the door with the back of her fingers.
"e in." ［Gaston］
When Grey entered, he was greeted by the Guildmaster's serious face. He was subsciously emitting a domineering aura as he anticipated Grey's report. He didn't know if he should expect good news or bad news.
But rather than words, Greu just quietly approached the Guildmaster's desk and grabbed a mysterious item from his "Iory". It was the e orb he had picked earlier.
"This is...?" ［Gaston］
"It may be the key to solving this case." ［Grey］
Gaston became greatly shaken from hearing Grey's response. His body was slightly trembling and his eyes opened wide as if he just heard an incredible news.
Carefully and accurately, Grey expio the Guildmaster what the use of the orb was and who was the one carrying the orb. It was great news which could progress the case by leaps and bounds.
"Guildmaster, maybe with this, we could finally solve the beast is!" ［Grey］
"Beast is? Grey, what is this all about...?" ［Yuna］
But as the two celebrated the possible progress of the case, Yuna suddenly came in and overheard the end of the versation.
Although she only heard the final bits, Yuna was smart enough to figure out that it was something Grey had been keeping her in the dark. And knowing Grey, she knew he only lied to her to protect her.
With the dots all ected, Yuna got some vague idea about what Grey and the Guildmaster were talking about before she came.
When Yuna arrived at the guild, Tilda told her where Grey was, and Tilda, assuming that Yuna was involved with the urgeing Grey was talking about, let Yuna in and told her to head towards the office, which brings us to the current situation.
The moment Grey saw Yuna, it was as if his heart had stopped beating. He was so excited from the thought of clearing the case that he didn't even notice Yuna approach the office. It was a total mistake on his part.
"Haah... I'll lend you my office. I'll be heading to the barracks to che the situation. Make sure to fix this before I e back." ［Gaston］
The moment the Guildmaster sehe gravity of the situation, he quickly went out and headed to the barracks. He was siderate enough to let Grey and Yuna talk things over.
"The beast is you were talking about... Does it have something to do with what happehree years ago?" ［Yuna］
Her body trembling, Yuna asked Grey a question as she tried to stop herself fr.
Grey oher hand remained silent as he thought of a way to expin things to Yuna, but it was to no avail. No matter how much he thought, it was clear that he was at fault.
All Grey could do was nod silently to affirm Yuna's suspis, making the tter tremble even harder as she tried to remain as calm as she be.
"Why... Why didn't you tell me...?" ［Yuna］
Yuna asked as she slowly closed the distaween her and Grey. But still, Grey remained silent.
"Those days when you were away... Was it also a part of this...?" ［Yuna］
Grey nodded silently as Yuna finally closed the distaweewo of them. And at this point, tears have also started to leak from Yuna's eyes.
"Why... Grey, answer me!" ［Yuna］
Her voice full of frustration, Yuna weakly pounded Grey's chest with the side of her fists. Grey's heart was ag at the sight of her g face.
"How could I hurl su i girl?" he thought to himself as tears tio trickle down Yuna's face. She has already bee a sobbing mess.
"I... I just wao protect you..." ［Grey］
"Protect me?! Grey, I am your partner! No matter how painful or how hard it is, it is my right to know! I am no longer a child! Stop being so overprotective of me! I am not the same child you saved years ago!" ［Yuna］
Each word ing from Yuna's mouth stabbed Grey's heart like a sharp knife. He couldn't deny any of her words as all of them were correct. Yuna had already grown into an admirable dy before she noticed it.
No matter how hard ories to proteeone else, there will e a time when that someone else will o experience pain and harm to grow. That's just how people are.
"I'm sorry..." ［Grey］
Those two words were the only thing Grey could muster towards Yuna's pints. There was nothing else he could do but apologize.
Of course, Yuna also uood Grey's as. She khat he did it in sideration to her feelings. She knew he only did it for her sake, for the sake of proteg his partner.
She was happy that Grey cared deeply for her, but was sad that Grey didn't find her reliable enough to the point that he hid those things from her. She was experieng a rollercoaster of emotions that she didn't know what to feel.
But being in love with Grey, she could barely think straight. Even if she wao, she could n herself to hate him. Rather, she felt her heart sinking deeper into the unknowhs of love.
It was then that Yuna realized how crazy love was. It was as if she had two sciousnesses. Her brain tells her to get angry, but her heart tells her otherwise. She was now in a state of shod fusion.
But at the end, her heart overpowered her rationality. Even if she was hurt today, she was still willing tive, and even if she were to be hurt again, she would still five him once again. That's just how crazy love is.
"ime... Promise me, like the time you promised me years ago... That you will never lie to me again... That you will never leave me in the dark again... And that you will rely on me like I rely on you... Promise me..." ［Yuna］
She buried herself in Grey's chest, afraid that Grey would see an unruly side of her. She was trying to stay strong but the dam stoppiears were already broken. She was now bawling her eyes out.
In her voice, there was a traencholy and disappoi which danced in the wind like the fireflies in the night. And deep in his heart, Grey swore to never make Yuna cry again.
"I promise..." ［Grey］
His words veyed two meanings. It was a respoo both Yuna's words and his oath to himself. Never again will he make the same mistake.
As she cried, Grey just stood there silently as he lent his chest to her, just letting Yu all her frustrations out through her tears. He was happy that Yuna found it inside her heart tive him.
To love is to hurt others... To love is to hurt yourself... To love is to uand... To love is tive... To love is to learn from your mistakes... For love is an unreasonable foro matter how hard you try, you will never uand it.
CHAPTER 25 END
