Beta Reader: DarkAngelDan98
"So, that's what happened."
What was supposed to be a simple mission to help clean up the aftermath of the clash between Lonato's troops and the Knights of Seiros turned into a real battle when Lonato's militia enveloped the area in a curtain of thick fog that helped them slip past the frontline. In the end, the confrontation against Lonato himself was inevitable.
"It was a relief that none of the students suffered any major physical injuries… but…" Byleth let out a sigh as she closed her eyes and Robin didn't need her to finish her sentence to know what she meant.
According to what Alois has told him after he welcomed him back, Lonato's small army was mainly comprised of civilians, the residents of the Gaspard region. While Byleth's students had fought against bandits and were not inexperienced when it came to real combat, having to cut down civilians who were fighting because they believed in the cause of their Lord must have been an entirely different experience from dispensing a group of killers and thieves. Robin didn't know the specifics regarding the matters such as these, considering his lack of memories, but he could guess that what the students had just come back from was far more daunting then their first mission as a class… mainly due to the clearly evident mental and emotional strain.
'Pathetic! Those who aren't prepared to kill should never take up a weapon in the first place. Reasons and justifications are nothing more than meaningless lip service!'
'I don't think it was that easy.'
"Give them time and space for now, alright? Honestly I wish I could be of more help but I don't know all that much about resolving a complicated problem like this. In the end, all we can do is make sure that they know they aren't alone in this, that you'll be ready to support them as best as you can." Robin said as he patted the professor's shoulder, it was honestly all he could offer now as he was unsure if he could do anything more to aid them.
"What's wrong?" Robin asked softly when Byleth didn't respond to his words. Her expression was barely readable… but her eyes told him that there was something that seemed to be upsetting her.
"I… I am not sure I can support them in this kind of situation." Byleth admitted softly as she looked down at her hands.
"What do you mean?"
"After we defeated our adversaries, Dimitri confessed to me that it was his first time killing civilians… and my response only managed to anger him. It was at that moment that I realized… how different I am from them. I don't think I can support or comfort them like a proper professor should after their students have gone through such a harrowing experience." Byleth explained as she looked on ahead, her expression still remained neutral… but he could see the frustration in her eyes.
"Why do you think so?" Robin asked, trying to better understand why she came into that conclusion… even if he could guess why.
Byleth remained silent for a few seconds, seemingly thinking on how she should answer his question, before she eventually glanced at him.
"Do you know that I was a mercenary before?"
"Catherine told me that you were part of your father's mercenary company before working here."
"I had been part of his band of mercenaries for as long as I can remember, he was both my captain and my father. Living by the sword… is the only way of living that I know. But that's exactly why I'm different from my students… from them and from everyone else here."
Robin remained silent as he watched the blue-haired woman clench and unclench her fists. Her voice and tone were even… yet there was something in there that he couldn't quite put his finger on.
"I have fought… and killed many people in my life; too many to count… but that's exactly why I can't comfort my students. I have no hesitation when I cut down our adversaries, I don't second guess myself when I swing my sword, and I don't understand the burden they carry now. I have been on the battlefield for so long that I… that I don't see anything wrong with cutting down our enemies regardless of who they are." Byleth admitted with a sigh as she placed a hand on her brooch, squeezing it slightly.
It was all too complicated. Things were easier for her to understand as mercenary, when she stepped into a battlefield Byleth has two goals, cut down their target and protect their allies. She never thought much about anything else, about her enemy's background, motivation, etc. if they were marked as her target then she would cut them down… simple as that.
But now… things were different. She didn't know if she understood it correctly but the way her students reacted in fighting the militia… the way Dimitri reacted to her response… it was clear that she couldn't continue fighting the same way she had in her previous line of work… her students… they most likely would never agree with the way she had been conducting herself on the battlefield so far.
'You have the right mindset there. You're no longer a sellsword, you're a professor now. Things wouldn't be as black and white as they once were, you'll have to start questioning yourself more. You need to change if you wish to be able to be a professor that your students can look up to for guidance.'
"If I try to comfort them… it might end up similar to what happened with Dimitri. I can't understand what they went through in this recent battle… because I've never experienced what they have… especially Ashe."
Byleth expected Robin to react in various ways when she told him of the reason why she didn't think she could comfort them at the moment… but she certainly didn't expect to feel a gentle hand being placed on her head.
When she glanced at him, she was surprised to find what kind of expression that Robin made. She had thought he would stare at her in indifference, in anger, or in contempt… but she never thought that he would stare at her with such a gentle face.
"It must be tough… to live by the sword all your life. I can't say I agree with the way you have carried yourself on the battlefield so far, but it isn't my place to judge you. Now the question is… will you want to change how you do things?" Robin asked softly as he started to gently stroke her hair and for reasons she couldn't understand… she could feel the tension in her body start to melt away when he did that.
"I… I don't know… can I change?"
"Everything can change… but only if you want it to happen." Robin replied with a soft smile… a sense of nostalgia hit him when he said that… like he had heard similar words spoken many times before.
Slowly, Byleth nodded her head as a thoughtful expression appeared on her face. Perhaps it was time for her to introspect herself, and perhaps try to be more emotionally active rather than just satisfied with being passive all the time.
"As for comforting your students… if you can't console them with words then maybe you can help them feel at ease with your presence. What I mean is just be there for them, be the shoulder they can lean on, be the ears to listen to their problems, and be someone they can just talk to. Just remind them that you're here for them." Robin suggested as he kept on stroking her hair, causing her to glance up at him again.
"Do you think that will be enough?"
"That would be a good start at least."
'The boy is right. While it might not be enough to completely ease the troubled hearts of those children, reaching out your hand is a good first step.'
"I understand… I'll give it a try." Byleth said with a nod to reply to both Robin and Sothis.
Robin gave her a small grin before he patted her head and then stood up.
"Where are you going?" Byleth asked as she followed him after getting up on her feet.
"While I'd like to chat further, Alois has asked me to take care of his horse before dinner so I need to go now. Don't worry; we will have more time to talk later. And Byleth… I want you to know just like how your students can lean on you for support… you can also lean on me for support even if I don't know how much I can help."
Byleth blinked her eyes in surprise, honestly not expecting such words from the man, before she slowly nodded her head. This prompted Robin to reach up and gently ruffle her hair again before he bade her farewell and finally left her room.
Slowly, Byleth reached up and touched her head. The warm and admittedly comfortable sensation was still there. She remembered that her father used to give her head pats back when she was younger but she had forgotten what it felt like… was it similar to how she felt now?
'Either that gesture is how he shows his affection or he just likes messing with others' hair for the sake of it.' Sothis commented in amusement while Byleth, in curiosity, stroked her own hair… noting how different it felt when Robin did it.
"I am not used to it." Byleth admitted softly as she brought her hand down. As a mercenary, the physical gesture that she usually received, aside from the attempts to kill her, were a quick pat on her shoulder or back, as well as on her head when she was younger, and all that was done by her father. So, to receive a physical gesture that felt… comfortable and warm, not by her father too, wasn't exactly something that she has experienced before.
She didn't understand it properly… there was something about Robin's presence that felt 'calming', something about it that made her feel as though it was fine to drop her guard around him. The only other person that she could do that with was her father but that was because she had spent her whole life traveling and fighting alongside him, she knew he would always be there for her… even if he didn't express it openly. Yet to think Robin could have a similar effect on her despite only knowing him for about a month…
'There are some possible reasons as to why you'd feel that way. He appears to be a rather emphatic person, his words were always genuine and he always expresses himself clearly; he has nothing to hide from you. He is aware of your secret and shares a similar predicament as yourself. And now we know from the way he defended one of your students and the way he handled what you just told him about your mindset when in battle that he is open-minded and supportive by nature. In a way, he is the type of a person that anybody will trust rather quickly unless they're overly suspicious by nature … it's just a shame the same thing can't be said about that brute who resides within his head.'
Byleth sat down back on her bed as she pondered over Sothis words. Perhaps she was right, perhaps she could drop her guard around him because that was the kind of person Robin was… she didn't really have many opportunities to meet someone like Robin as mercenary since the people she met either wanted to kill her or were just indifferent to her… or those who were afraid of her.
Still… to think she would meet someone who showed this level of care and support for her in such open way… it felt weird…
Yet pleasant and reassuring.
In the end, Robin decided to check upon the other members of Blue Lions house just to make sure that they were okay. He met and conversed a little with Ingrid while taking care of Alois' horse in the stables. He ran into Sylvain while the boy was flirting with two female staff members on his way to Knights Hall. He observed Felix's training from afar while he cleaned Alois' equipment in Training Ground. He conversed with Mercedes and Annette when he ran into them in the Cathedral. And finally, he helped Dedue in carrying supply boxes to the Dining Hall despite the boy's attempt to assure him that he could do it on his own.
While majority of them looked mentally exhausted, they seemed to be, as far as he could tell, fine which was a relief to him since that meant Byleth could probably help them on her own just by being there for them. Unfortunately, he couldn't find either Dimitri or Ashe even after dinner had been served… or rather, he predicted Ashe was in Dedue's room and knew that for now he needed to give the boy some space… but he really couldn't find Dimitri anywhere.
Robin let out a sigh as he walked through the great stonewall that surrounded the Monastery, he was not on patrol duty but just wanted to clear his head by walking along the top of the wall. Curfew would start soon and he should get some sleep soon as Alois had told him that he wanted to test him tomorrow morning just to ensure that he wasn't slacking off with his training and reading while he was on a mission.
At the moment, his mind was not only occupied by his concern for the students of the Blue Lions, especially Ashe, but also by questions he'd asked to himself. If he was put in their position, forced to fight people that he knew were civilians who simply fought in support of their Lord of their own volition, could he cut them down without hesitation like Byleth or would he hesitate which could have resulted in his own death?
'You're incompetent, stupid, and now weak-willed too? If that's the case then what worth do you even have worm? The path that has been set for you ends with you slaughtering the so called 'evil doers'. If you get us killed due to your wretched sympathy, I'll eat your soul!'
While Robin rolled his eyes at the threat, even if part of him believed Grima would really do it if he could, but Grima was right. Whether he liked it or not, he was currently on a set course that required him to fight the people that the Church of Seiros ordered him to, be it bandits… or people who simply fought for what they believed in.
"I should have thought about this more before I accepted Alois' offer." Robin whispered to himself as he ruffled his own hair. Well, there was no backing out now.
Just when Robin was about to decide to end his night stroll and return to his room, he stopped walking when his eyes spotted a familiar figure. Ashe was sitting on the edge of the stone wall while looking ahead with an expression that would look unreadable… if not because of the telltale recently dry streaks coming down from his sightly reddened eyes which he only could see because no clouds were obstructing the moonlight.
Now he was torn between leaving Ashe on his own and giving the boy some space… or going over to talk to him even if he wasn't sure if he should.
'Tch, why do you care so much about these brats anyway? They're not your students or anything, just inconsequential worms among the myriad vermin infesting this place.'
'They also happen to be the ones who protected me when the bandits attacked and the one who brought me here, giving me a place I can call home for now. I owe them my life Grima… and so do you.'
'I owe them nothing! As matter of fact, they are indebted to me because it was MY power which scared those bandits, sending them running like the cowardly rats they are.'
In the end, Robin decided to approach the boy… and simply stood next to him. If Ashe noticed his presence, he didn't make it known as his gaze was still directed to the dark forest in front of them.
Neither of them said anything for a while and Robin used the chance to think of what he should say if Ashe ended up speaking to him. Despite the air of sorrow that clung to the air around them… Robin couldn't help but feel there was something familiar about it. Perhaps he had been in similar position to Ashe? Losing someone dear to him? If only he could remember…
"Why… Why did it end up like this?" Ashe suddenly asked in a shaky voice that was barely above whispering.
Robin remained silent as he closed his eyes, unsure if he should answer it or not… but Ashe continued on anyway, seemingly just wanting to vocalize whatever he had on his mind.
"I know I had to do it… I know… but Lonato…and all the villagers… they were all so nice to me and my siblings yet… yet how did I repay them?… I-I killed them… Wh-What does that make me?"
Ashe's body tensed slightly when Robin placed a hand on the boy's shaking shoulder. Robin didn't say anything; he merely stared at the shaking boy before removing his hand… and then taking off his coat.
"The night is getting colder, isn't it?" Robin said as he gently put his coat over the boy's shoulders, his much bigger coat completely enclosing Ashe's body. Ashe merely looked up at him in confusion, as if he couldn't believe that it was how he would react to what he just said.
Robin let out a sigh as he looked up at the sky full of stars in order to gather his thoughts. Eventually, he looked down at Ashe with a gentle look as he placed his hand on his shoulder again.
"I'm really sorry for your loss Ashe… I wish I can offer you the answer to your questions but truth is I don't know the answer either. All I can do is lending my ear to listen to your troubles, my company to ease any loneliness, and my coat… to help keep you warm." Robin said softly as he squeezed the boy's shoulder slightly to give him a form of reassurance.
"I-I am sorry… I-I d-don't… I don't mean to…" when Ashe didn't finish what he wanted to say, Robin silently hoped he didn't cross any boundaries… and placed his hand on top of Ashe's head.
"You don't need to apologize Ashe, I told you, didn't I? You're not alone in this. I don't know if my words alone can earn your trust but I want you to know… I'm here to help you in any way I can, I hope that you'll allow me to do so." Robin said with a small determined nod as he patted Ashe's head before pulling back his hand, trying to convey his sincerity through his words, expression, and eyes.
At first Ashe merely looked up at him, his expression was a mix of confusion and something else that Robin couldn't properly identify… surprise? Disbelief?
"Why… do you care so much?" Ashe eventually asked, his tone and expression made it clear that he was more so perplexed rather than offended by his words.
"We're friends, aren't we? And friends help each other." Robin said softly, feeling once again like he had heard the words somewhere before.
Ashe blinked his eyes in surprise as he kept his gaze on the white-haired squire while his mind was trying to comprehend what the man just said. He then recalled what Mercedes said to him before, about how sincere and genuine Robin seemed in wanting to be there for him. Back then, Ashe wasn't sure if it was really true but now… seeing the squire staring at him softly with a hint of concern in his eyes… maybe Mercedes was right. Maybe that was why his words were enough to make him felt a little better… because he knew he could trust them.
Ashe nodded his head silently to reply Robin's declaration before he looked over toward the dark forest once again as he unconsciously wrapped the coat around him a bit more tightly, the cold of the night was starting to affect him.
Tentatively, Robin placed his hand on the boy's shoulder, ready to pull it back if he sensed that the boy didn't want it there but when Ashe's body relaxed under his touch after tensing up momentarily, Robin decided to keep it there.
"Would you… Would you mind telling me more about what kind of man Lonato is? And how you ended up meeting him?" Robin eventually decided to ask, feeling that he couldn't allow the silence to stretch for too long. Gods, he hoped he hadn't crossed any lines by asking that question.
Ashe looked up at him in surprise and Robin feared for a moment that he had indeed overstepped but after seemingly thinking it over for a little, Ashe finally nodded his head.
And that was how Robin learned more about Lonato the father and Lonato the knight rather than just Lonato the rebel.
"You're lighter than what I thought." Robin muttered to himself once he finally managed to put Ashe on his back before starting to walk away.
He didn't know how long they had been talking about Lonato, about the Gaspard region, about the people who lived there, and about Ashe himself… but the fact that Ashe ended up talking until he fell asleep on his own either told Robin that they have been standing here for quite awhile… or Ashe was just emotionally and mentally exhausted… probably both.
The way Ashe described Lonato made it very clear that the boy not only loved his adopted father but also idolized him and wanted to be a knight just like him. When he asked Ashe to tell him about Lonato, it was basically a split-second decision but he kind of hoped that talking about Lonato would make Ashe feel a little better. He didn't know if his plan worked but the hint of a smile that appeared on Ashe's face as they talked about Lonato gave him a little hope that it did help.
But their talk about the former lord of Gaspard honestly baffled Robin a little. Ashe described Lonato as a kind and just lord who cared greatly for the people in his territory… yet how could someone like him have ended up doing something as reckless as raising a blade against the central Church of Seiros and dragged civilians into the fighting as well? Obviously, he wouldn't get the answer tonight but he might be able to get one later either from Alois or Byleth.
Robin stopped walking when he spotted a figure stood in his path… though it didn't take long for him to recognize who the figure was based on their eyes… and haircut.
"Good evening Your Highness." Robin greeted with a nod when Dimitri approached him.
"Good evening." The prince greeted back with a nod.
"Out for a late-night stroll? Though I'm sure that curfew is already in effect." Robin asked with a raised eyebrow… although, part of him felt he already knew why the prince was here in the first place.
"No… I was in fact looking for Ashe. I was worried about him and wished to speak with him but it seemed you have beaten me to it." Dimitri answered with a small smile as he tilted his head slightly.
"So you were eavesdropping on us?"
"… My apologies."
Robin couldn't help but smiled a little in amusement as Dimitri looked away slightly in shame. He knew that Ashe probably wouldn't like the idea of the crown prince overhearing their conversation but Robin himself didn't really mind.
"Well, you can always make up for it by showing me where Dedue's room is so I won't need to knock on every door at the students' dormitory looking for it." Robin joked a little with an easy grin which prompted Dimitri to give a nod before the prince gestured for the squire to follow him.
Their walk toward the dormitory was mostly a silent one as neither felt much urge to speak, too preoccupied by their own minds. Even Grima didn't say anything at all… though the voice had likely gone to sleep when Robin decided to comfort Ashe as he could easily guess the voice must have thought that witnessing him have a heart-to-heart with the boy would be a nauseating waste of time.
"Sir Robin… may I ask you a question that might sound a bit insensitive?"
Robin raised his eyebrow at the prince's sudden question but nodded his head to answer him nonetheless.
"I… I found it rather baffling on how much you care about us, about the Blue Lions. Everyone told me earlier that you have talked to them, making sure they're okay. It isn't that I'm ungrateful about the consideration you showed to my friends… I just wish to know why you would do that." Dimitri honestly could name a few reasons why the squire would do so.
From a political point of view, having connection to noble houses and earning favor from the next head of said noble families, especially if one of them was the next King of Faerghus, would certainly benefit the white-haired man in the long run. However, Dimitri didn't want to make assumptions especially since Mercedes believed that the man had selfless intentions which was why he decided to ask him himself, to see for himself just how earnest he truly was.
"I'd thought that was kind of obvious." Robin blinked in surprise and Dimitri couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at his answer.
"I owe you guys my life, if you'd never found me or hadn't brought me here then I imagine I'd have ended up a corpse in the forest after the bandits done mugging me. It was you guys who helped, a man without an identity or money, to find a new place that I can call home."
Ah, so one of his guesses was right. The man felt indebted to them and probably felt he needed to pay them back somehow. Dimitri was about to open his mouth and reassure the man that he owed them nothing but stopped himself when he heard what Robin said next.
"And it might sound a little arrogant of me… but I consider the Blue Lions to be my friends, and friends help each other, right?" Robin admitted rather sheepishly.
Dimitri certainly hadn't expected to hear that; though considering Robin's amnesia, he supposed it was within reason that the man would consider him and his class to be his friends after a short time. However Fodlan's society was complex, especially in regards to relations between commoner and noble as well as how the higher class interacted with each other. For some nobles, the idea of a commoner like Robin, even if Dimitri believed that Robin wasn't a mere commoner due to possessing a Crest, thought of them as friends would probably feel insulting… but not him or any of his friends.
He had no doubt that none of them would mind being considered as a friend by someone like Sir Robin… even Felix.
"I-I am sorry, did I say something that I shouldn't have? I mean that must sound strange… and maybe kind of offensive for a nobody like myself to consider nobles and even the prince of Faerghus to be a friend… I am sorry, I shouldn't-"
Dimitri managed to stop the man's rambling when he put a hand on Robin's bicep since he appeared to take his silence as a sign of displeasure.
"There is no need for you to apologize. As matter of fact, I am pleased to hear you consider me and my housemates to be your friends. I can see now why Mercedes sees you as an incredibly kind man." Dimitri reassured the man with a smile and a nod.
"She does? I don't think I have done enough for her to see me like that."
"You're too humble good Sir. However, I feel the need to advise you to be careful to whom you declare such sentiments to. All members of Blue Lions will be more than happy to accept you as a friend… even if Felix may never admit it. But I can't say the same about the other houses."
Robin nodded his head, already knowing that he couldn't just say the same thing to all nobles here and expect them to react positively, even he was unsure if doing so with the Blue Lions would have been a good idea. He just decided to go on with it because something told him that Dimitri would have accepted it… though that didn't mean he would suddenly act casual around Dimitri, he was still a prince after all.
"Thank you for the warning Your Highness."
"And thank you for helping my friends, especially Ashe, Sir Robin." Dimitri said with a nod, feeling grateful for the man's attempt to help his friends.
Robin smiled a little as he glanced back at the sleeping boy on his back before he gave Dimitri a nod.
"It's fine Your Highness… friends help each other after all."
"Thank you for agreeing to accompany me Robin."
Robin smiled when Dorothea turned around to give a small friendly grin while linking her hands behind her back.
"It's fine, I had planned to do a small shopping for myself today anyway." Robin stated as he started to walk alongside the former songstress toward the market area.
Earlier this morning, Alois had given him a small test both written and in practical combat to see if he had been slacking or not. The result pleased Alois enough that the man decided to give him another pouch of gold, his second bonus. Though the bonus was mainly for doing a good job in handling Alois' guard and patrol duties plus it seemed the story of him standing up for students had reached Alois' ears before he even arrived back at the Monastery. The man looked at him with such a proud gaze that Robin even felt himself blush because of it…
It was nice to see someone display his pride over him in such open way like that.
"Then do you mind telling me what you're looking for today?" Dorothea asked as she leaned toward him slightly.
"Desserts from a local bakery in the village nearby, I heard the price there was cheaper compared to the ones in the Dining Hall."
Today Robin was planning to buy something sweet for Ashe as according to Mercedes, the boy enjoyed those sorts of confections… or that was the original plan but he decided to treat himself to some of them too in the end… just to prevent Grima from giving him a headache for the whole day because he wanted to eat more treats too.
'A wise decision.'
Robin nearly rolled his eyes but decided not to. Anyway, he ended up meeting Dorothea while heading toward the main entrance of the Monastery and the songstress, after finding out that he was heading in the same direction as her, had asked him to accompany her while she went shopping.
"Oh I know the bakery that you mean… hm, perhaps I should treat myself to a pie or cake too? What do you say we eat lunch there together after shopping?" Dorothea proposed as she titled her head slightly.
"Sounds like a plan." Robin nodded, liking the idea of eating somewhere that wasn't the Dining Hall for once now he had money to spare. A change of scenery once a while wouldn't hurt anyone.
"Hey there! Out shopping together? How adorable! Then how about sparing time to see my wares? I promise that there is no beating my price!" as soon as they reached the market area, a merchant tried to grab their attention… by literally putting herself in front of them.
"Really? No beating your price?" Dorothea replied with while raising her eyebrow in amusement and crossing her arms.
"You can see for yourself if you don't believe me." The merchant said with a playful wink as she gestured to the nearby stall that belonged to her.
While the two women were interacting, Robin couldn't help but keep staring at the red haired merchant. There was something about her that felt… incredibly familiar, like her face was something that he'd seen before.
"My, my, any other time I'd be flattered if a man stared at me with such intensity, but you shouldn't do it while your sweetheart is right next to you. I don't want to be the cause of relationship problems you know." The merchant said playfully when she noticed his stare.
Dorothea chuckled a little at the accusation, no doubt finding it amusing, while Robin decided to ignore it and get straight to the point.
"Have we met before? You… look oddly familiar to me."
"He has amnesia; he can't remember anything about his past." Dorothea explained when the merchant blinked her eyes in confusion at his sudden question.
"Ah that would explain the stare… but I don't think we have ever met yet. I'm good at remembering my customer's face, especially the loyal ones, and I'm certain you've never bought anything from me." The merchant said as she placed her finger on her cheek and inspected the squire up and down.
Robin let out a disappointed sigh at her answer and his disappointment must have showed on his face as the merchant continued.
"But there is a possibility that you might have met one my sisters in the past."
"Your sister?"
"Yeah, most of them look just like me. I wouldn't be surprised if you've met one of them before and gotten us mixed up."
Robin didn't know if the merchant was telling him the truth or not… but the idea that there might be a way for him to contact someone who might know him gave him a little hope that he may discover his identity sooner than what he thought. After all, the merchant must have a way to contact her sisters, right?
"I'm sorry but my sisters and I don't really stay in touch with each other. I don't even know where the majority of them are right now so I'm afraid I can't contact any of them for you." The merchant suddenly said with an apologetic smile… as if she just read his mind.
'Your expression is just that readable fool. Though I did smell a scent that was similar to many people here, this worm has a Crest.' Grima suddenly spoke out and Robin nearly raised his eyebrow at what the voice just said. This woman, a merchant, has a Crest?
"Anyway, we're getting sidetracked here! Come, come! I have everything you need here! Weapons? Armor? Accessories? Clothes? Gifts to give to your sweetheart? Just name it and I'll show it!" The merchant said as she gestured to her stall again and the various goods displayed there.
Robin and Dorothea exchanged a look before he gave her a shrug. Well, it wouldn't hurt to check out what this merchant could offer them.
While Dorothea decided to browse the accessories that were displayed on the stall, Robin decided to approach the shelf that was filled with books nearby. Most of them seemed to be novels but there were four or three books about theories or instructions in combat. However, one book eventually caught his interest… and strangely, there was no words written on its cover.
"Hey, what is this book about?" Robin said to draw the attention of the merchant as he pulled the book off of its shelf… and he nearly dropped it when he sensed a certain power within the book as soon as he grabbed it. What… what kind of book was this?
"Oh! You have good eyes! That book isn't like any ordinary book. You see, I got this book from a source no one can find from Fodlan and this book can release a certain spell if used properly. It's a literal magic book!" the merchant explained to him, no doubt trying to spark his interest more into the 'magical book'.
"What? How is that possible? I've never heard of an item that small capable to release magic." Dorothea asked as she approached them, no doubt interested in the book too.
"Well… I admit I don't really understand how exactly this book works. And that's probably why nobody has bought it yet, no one in this land seemed to be able to cause the book to work properly. The mages I sold the book to all claim they can sense the power within the book but none of them can harness it."
"You know, maybe you should try to sell it to a scholar rather than a mage. I'm sure they will be more interested in using this book as a subject of research."
"Oh my… you're right! Why didn't I think of that?!"
While the merchant was talking to Dorothea, Robin inspected the book more closely. Now that he held it his hands, his mind was assaulted by yet another sense of familiarity like when he wielded the training sword back then during his first day on the Monastery. Carefully, Robin opened the book and analyzed its content. There was an image of a magic circle drawn on the book as well as words that Robin didn't recognize… yet they also seemed to make sense to him somehow.
"So how much for the book?" Robin decided to ask in the end. If the book felt familiar to him then that possibly meant he might have encountered it somewhere in the past, perhaps he could try and see if it was possible for him to make use of the power in these pages.
"That'll be 3,000 gold please." Robin nearly spat out his own saliva when the merchant told him how much he needed to pay for this book.
"That's absurd! How could it be that expensive?!" Dorothea complained as she crossed her arms, it might be a literal magic book but that price was nothing short of extortion.
"Well, it's a unique book and you won't find it anywhere else in Fodlan. So, I'm pretty sure it is a fair price, no?" the merchant replied easily as she tilted her head slightly.
'Stealing is still an option.'
'Stealing is an option that would give the knights reason to imprison me.'
'Then just kill them when you make your escape coward!'
Robin sighed as he massaged his forehead as he stared at the book in his hand. As much as he wanted it, he couldn't afford to waste that much money on a single purchase… Oh well.
"Can you at least tell me where you got this book from?" Robin asked as he put the book back on the shelf, knowing he wouldn't get it anytime soon.
"Usually I wouldn't share that info… at least not for free. But for this one, I'll give you a special service. I got it from a certain merchant that claimed to get it from…"
Both Robin's eyes widened when he heard the name of the place where the magic book supposedly came from… and that name… it sounded…
Dorothea certainly moves fast, first inviting him to tea and then trying to get a lunch date with him though I suppose she was just trying to see if Robin will be her Mr. Right. And Byleth has become the next victim of Robin's headpats... wonder who will receive the tactical headpat next? Dimitri? Edelgard? ... Lady Rhea?
If anyone was curious, Grima (and Robin) loves for sweets are taken from FEH, dunno if you consider it canon or not but I just like the idea of the all powerful Fell Dragon in love with things like candy, chocolate, cakes, etc. I also find it interesting how Grima in FEH makes it sound like humanity forces him to take up his role as the End and might have betrayed him in the past... or I might interpret things wrong.
Anyway, thank you for reading and enjoying the story, see you in the next chapter.