Hey guys DiscordArc here and I'm back for another chapter! Sad to say but I wouldn't be posting any chapters next week :C I'll post them as soon as possible! The reason for this is we're moving to a new house and we'll need to cut off the internet temporarily to move it to the new one. Thanks for understanding, my dear followers and I hope you enjoy this character development chapter! :D
Oh and thanks Zacaro for following and placing this story to your favorites mate~ Hope ya have fun with the ride C:
Now without further adieu, enjoy this chapter~!
Ciel felt guilty for making Lu worry. A few hours have passed since Lu fell asleep. It was already morning with broad daylight shinning down on them. Stella walked around the outpost then turned to head towards Lu and Ciel.
"Looks like the outpost isn't that damaged. We can repair all of these by the time the workers arrive. So, how was the raid?" Stella asked. Ciel nodded his head and began to explain the events that took place. After hearing Ciel's report, Stella could only sigh.
"Well I'm glad to know that this is the only outpost they have here in Bethma. I'm frankly surprised they don't have a second one."
"Indeed. It's a plausible action to think that they've underestimated the villagers," Ciel responded. He glanced down at the sleeping Lu, and his lips formed a smile. Lu slept with ease, her head placed on Ciel's lap. She comfortably grabbed on Ciel's coat which acted as her blanket. Stella heaved a sigh.
"You'll look like a lolicon at this rate, Ciel." Ciel rose his head with steely expression plastered on his face.
"I'm merely her servant. She's my master and she ordered me to let her sleep on my lap. Is that a problem?" Ciel answered. Stella gave another sigh.
"Nevermind."
"Ciel…" Lu murmured in her sleep.
"Back to the topic at hand, I've heard from the mercenaries that you came across the intersection." Ciel's expression changed to a more serious one.
"You've heard correctly. We came across the intersection that led to Altera and Feita." Stella nodded her head as if to say she's heard enough.
"That intersection is known as the Dicey Sky Road. It's actually a form of bridge that attracted several tourists before this whole demon invasion started." Ciel tilted his head momentarily. Stella noticed his reaction and giggled.
"What's so funny?" He asked with a guarded expression.
"Nothing. It's pretty common for people to ask why that's considered a tourist spot despite the hot temperature. What if I've told you there's a lake that's surrounding us? There's even a waterfall over there," Stella said as she'd pointed towards the waterfall. Ciel diverted his attention to the waterfall and his mouth gaped in awe.
"Why haven't I-"
"Noticed it? Simple question with a simple answer: you were too absorbed to fighting the demons. Well no point in arguing, let's stop being sidetracked here. Ciel, I need you to lead a party and set up a camp at Dicey Sky Road," Stella requested. Ciel snickered.
"I was about to say that. Very well, I'll lead the party once Lu wakes up. She needs to know the plan first and get her approval." Stella raised her eyebrow.
"I didn't know you're the type who would succumb to a girl, much less your master."
"Well…" Ciel said with a soft voice. "I'm an assassin after all. I don't have freedom over my actions, I'm merely a puppet for war. Nothing more." Stella heaved another sigh.
"You would've be more handsome if you didn't look down at yourself."
"Look who's talking," Ciel countered. Stella laughed with delight.
"You've got me there. I'll see you around then, Ciel. The workers are about to arrive soon." Stella waved her hand and headed towards the gate. Ciel looked down again at the sleeping Lu then rose his head. He closed his eyes and began to recall about his battle with Bater. He was obviously outmatched by the demon yet Lu had taken care of it so easily. He bit his lower lip and knitted his eyebrows. He felt irritated at how weak he was. "I need to get stronger," he unconsciously whispered out.
"For what reason?" A child's voice called out. Ciel opened his eyes to see Lu staring back at him.
Lu woke up to the sight of Ciel deep in thought. She heaved an exasperated sigh as she'd stood up to look at Ciel's face with irritation.
"Stupid Ciel, why do you have to make that face just right after I wake up?" Lu thought.
"I need to get stronger," Ciel whispered. This surprised Lu to an extent. She lowered her head to meet his.
"For what reason?" She asked. "Though, I think I already know the answer," She thought to herself. Ciel opened his eyes and looked at her with surprise. "Why the surprised face? That's going to hurt my pride you know," Lu warned as she'd chopped Ciel's head with her palm.
"What's the warning for if you're bound to hit me anyways?" Ciel asked. Lu blushed with embarrassment and quickly looked away.
"Don't question my decisions, you perverted dog," Lu answered. She heard Ciel sigh with exhaustion.
"To answer your question, I feel unworthy of serving you. I had a rough time dealing with that demon, but you took it down without breaking a sweat," Ciel stated. Lu raised her eyebrows.
"Ohh? Are you talking about Bater? If that's the case then I thank you for your compliment. If you're worried about such a stupid reason, then I order you to stop... Seeing your troubled face like this causes my chest to tighten up. Besides, you did a good job of saving me back there, that much is enough," Lu stated. She was still looking away from Ciel, but she knew Ciel was happy.
"Lu… You really are kind aren't you?" Ciel said before he started to yawn. "Ah… My bad," Ciel stated. Lu peeked at Ciel's general direction to see him rubbing his eyes like a dog. His action made Lu's heart skip a beat. For an intimidating and skilled assassin, he sure can be cute at times.
"Wait… did he stay awake last night just to guard me while I was sleeping?" Lu thought. Ciel was obviously tired as he'd stood back up to his feet.
"Hey, you. Answer my question."
"Hmm?" Ciel responded with a silent voice.
"Did you sleep last night?" Lu asked. Silence reigned between them until Ciel managed to answer.
"I slept, don't worry."
"Liar. You're obviously tired. You've stayed awake to protect me, didn't you?" Lu asserted.
"I'm not lying."
"You're pushing yourself again."
"I'm not, Lu. I did it with my own accord."
"So you did stay awake!" Lu yelled out as she'd turned around to face Ciel. "Didn't I tell you to take it easy and rest?! How dare you disobey my orders!" Lu glared daggers at Ciel but Ciel remained unfazed. Instead, he laughed it off.
"Orders? You've only told me to let you sleep for a while."
"What?!" Lu called out. Lu closed her eyes and immersed herself with her thoughts.
"I'm telling the truth," Ciel strongly stated.
"I'm pretty sure I've told Ciel to sleep with me…" Lu thought with irritation plastered on her face.
"Ah, you must've ordered something while you were yawning. I guess that may explain why I haven't received such an order," Ciel suggested. Lu thought about it and couldn't help but sigh.
"I guess that's the reason alright. Still, Ciel take a rest. That's an order," Lu commanded. Ciel smiled at her.
"Sorry, no can do. We have to speak to Stella as soon as possible. She has a mission for us to carry out," Ciel stated. Lu vigorously shook her head.
"I'm your master and I order you to sleep. Don't take orders from anyone else, especially that woman!"
"I have a name, you know," Stella answered back as she'd walked besides Ciel. "So, how are you Lu? Did you have any sleep?" Lu puffed her cheeks and glared at Stella.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I did. What? Got a problem with that?" Lu asked back. Stella sighed with annoyance.
"I just wanted to spark a normal conversation. No need to get so jumpy. Anyways, have you heard from Ciel?"
"What?" Stella raised her eyebrows with surprise.
"You haven't told her yet, Ciel?" Ciel shook his head. Lu confusingly tilted her head.
"Wait, what's going on?" Lu demanded.
"We're getting married," Stella teased.
"Ciel! I can't believe you. You choose this girl over me? Your life partner? You perverted do-!" Ciel held her back with his hand and patted her head with his open hand. "Wha-wh-ah-wa-ha-what are you?"
"I'll never choose anyone but you, Lu. Stella, that wasn't nice. Apologize to my master. Now," Ciel asserted as he'd glared at Stella. Stella giggled momentarily.
"You guys just can't catch a break, can you? I'm just trying to lighten up the mood," Stella stated with a smile. Lu knitted her eyebrows.
"What's the matter with you? You're too cheery today, who are you and what have you done to Stella?" Lu asked. Stella placed her hand on her forehead.
"Is it that weird for me to be happy for once?" Stella complained.
"Yes it is," Lu and Ciel answered in unison. Stella laughed as she'd wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Why, aren't the two of you a cheery bunch?" Stella's expression quickly turned serious. "Lu. We need you and Ciel to lead a party of mercenaries to Dicey Sky Road. All of you will set up camp there and hold back the demons as much as you can until we've rebuilt this outpost. We'll send a messenger to your location and we can use this as an advantage to hire any mercenaries at Altera." Lu crossed her arms and pondered the idea.
"That's a good idea indeed but how can you be so confident that we'll be able to drive the demons back?" Lu asked.
"You and Ciel are there. Is that enough reason? Also, there's that girl from Ruben who has received training from a velder knight. She'll be able to help you out tremendously," Stella stated.
"Then I suppose that's not a bad problem. Gather up the party, but first. Let Ciel sleep," Lu demanded.
Ciel woke up to the sight of Lu proudly organizing the party members with the map she's been given by Stella. He smiled silently as he'd watched Lu happily answer the questions she's been given.
"Morning, Lu," Ciel stated as he'd sat from the makeshift bed the workers, under Lu's command, made for him. Lu quickly turned around and greeted Ciel with a delighted smile. "How's the progress, everyone?"
"Going well! Your master here is better than we thought, she's obviously received military experience!" The red haired girl stated.
"Hm hm~, flattery won't get you anywhere, kakaka!" Lu said as she'd rubbed her nose. "Now, everyone. Since Ciel is awake, let's head out!" The adventurers cheered; there were 15 of them all in all. Ciel silently laughed as he'd walked towards Lu.
"No stopping you, huh?" Ciel called out as they'd left the outpost.
