("This city looks so beautiful, Sparda.") Eva said to her husband as she was in awe to the well designed architecture of the kingdom's buildings.
The ancient demon chuckled softly in response. ("I wholeheartedly agree with you, dear. I have traveled across multiple cities similar to this one, but they all pale in comparison to what we're seeing right now.")
Aiden nodded as he too appreciated the visual appeal of the kingdom. Though drinking in the sight of the kingdom's architecture glimmering like a crystal was not his main point of interest...
The young man's feet treaded on the sidewalk, sending a couple of friendly gestures to any civilians that waved or smiled at him with the same amount of friendliness.
"This sure is starting to look like a vacation." The young devil hunter commented to himself, yet he did not express any positivity as his tone carried a bit of displeasure to the thought of earning a vacation.
The boy's subtle displeasure did not go past Sparda's awareness. ("Aiden, why do you always bring business before pleasure?")
("Because the vermin that I am supposed to be exterminating has, for reasons unknown, made their presence a hundred years into the future.") The young devil hunter countered to his teacher slash mentor.
("Even though you prove a valid point, it isn't eligible for you to be so fixated on the threat.")
("It would be wise if you listen to my husband, sweetie.") Eva joined the discussion, presenting her agreement to Sparda's advice. ("You'll hurt yourself if you invest too much time and energy preparing for a battle while you have the luxury to relax from the constant bloodshed.")
Aiden did not want to relax. That is not what he desired. But as much as he wanted to reject the opportunity to do anything besides preparing for the next demon horde, he did not have the apathy to quickly throw away the aid his foster parents were giving him.
So pushing away his personal desires for their sake, he heeded. ("Alright. I'll...I'll find something to do.")
("Thank you, Aiden.")
He halted his footsteps as his eyes were drawn to the entrance of the beautiful park of the kingdom. His reddish-brown irises looked up to the metal sign that read 'Welcome to Undine Park.'
"They named it after a mythological being that lives underwater...interesting." The young man mused in intrigue.
Noting that the park would be perfect to start his 'break', he walked into the wildlife establishment, hoping to see if he could find a desolate spot to drink and digest the fresh scent of nature.
Aiden saw the usual expectations that any park would have: trees, a well adorned stoneway for the people to walk on, benches, well sculptured statues, and the symphonies of birds chirping as they were flying past by.
Yet, the place created a far more relaxing feel for the young man. He believed that the friendly and welcoming vibe the citizens were giving him created this extra layer of calmness.
The other parks he walked through before officially paled in comparison.
"Hmm...?" His eyes laid on the gardeners tending the bushes and flower rows of the park. Doing so in a very relaxed manner.
("I can sense that you want to join them, Aiden") Eva said in a knowing tone.
The young man hummed in response as he began walking towards the gardeners.
His foster parents always knew he'll perform one of his favorite pastimes when he was presented with a flower bed.
Aiden pulled his arms out of his coat's sleeves and let his coat hang on his shoulders, wearing the piece of clothing as if it were a cape.
An elderly gardener took notice of the young man approaching her.
"Why hello there young man, is there something I can help you with?" She asked Aiden as she sent him friendly smile.
"No, ma'am. I don't necessarily need help with anything, just a passersby taking in the calming scent of these flower beds. I can tell that a lot of love and care has been put into these flowers"
"Oh you flatter me, sonny!" She responded to the compliment with a dismissive hand wave.
"Well if it doesn't trouble you...perhaps I can be of assistance?" Aiden suggested with a hand placed on his chest
The elderly woman was surprised to hear the young man ask if he can help in tending the plants. A thing no young man like himself would ask.
"Oh, you don't have to do that! This old body of mine still has a bit more energy for this." She politely declined.
"Even if that's true I still want to tend these gardens. It's been a hobby of mine to always tend the park gardens even if no one asked...or is illegal for me to do."
The elder lightly chuckled lightly. "You seem to have a rather strong passion for gardening, sonny. Alright you can help, but try to not make a mess. Especially on that fancy coat of yours."
"Then I am more than happy to accept" Aiden gave the elder a grateful bow.
He kneeled down next to her on the grassy strip and pulled out a pair leather gloves from one of his coat pockets. He slid them on as he didn't want to dirty his hands.
After that was done, the elder started to give him the instructions for the current task.
...
A few minutes in and the elderly woman saw how well experienced the young man was when it came to tending the flowers.
"Consider me impressed, sonny. Never have I expected someone as young as yourself to be experienced in gardening" The elder complimented the young man.
Aiden chuckled with a fond smile on his face.
"You can thank my mother for that. Me and her would always tend our plants and soil whenever we had free time. I always enjoyed her angelic sounding lullabies while she was taking care of the various flowers in our garden."
"She sounds like a very kind and peaceful woman." The elderly woman said with a soft smile
"She is, and I am incredibly blessed to have her in my life" Aiden replied as his fond smile grew wider. His mind replaying the memories he and Eva formed in her garden.
"That's sweet to hear, though if you don't mind me asking, what are you doing here in Illyria? You don't really have the look of someone that's on vacation." She asked curiously.
"Work-related affairs. Not really important to me right now." He answered her bluntly with a lie.
She knew that there was something more behind those words, but decided not to ask further questions. "I suppose you have a good point." She replied with an elderly chuckle.
So for the past couple of minutes the two gardeners have been tending the plants and the soil for the past few minutes. Their conversation about the plants created a deeper layer of calmness around Aiden.
Perhaps a vacation would so him some good.
...
"It's rather odd how our new 'guest' has already created a positive impression on two of the three kings of the kingdom. I can't but feel slightly relieved yet uneasy at the same time." Zato voiced his concern to his partner, Millia, who also had similar thoughts as well.
The two high ranking officials of the P.W.A.B. were currently having a walk through Undine Park. The two former assassin's needed to have a discussion about the news that the mysterious guest had a literal conversation with the three kings of Illyria.
"Indeed. Him helping is already mysterious, though perhaps a bit calming. But I still feel like they should at least be a bit wary of him. Not welcome him with open arms so quickly." Millia responded to Zato.
"Then let's hope that Dr.Paradigm prayers about him being a potential friend are right. Lord knows how desperate we need those right now." Zato voiced his thoughts out loud, his partner humming in agreement.
As they were continuing with their walk, they heard a heartly laugh coming from the left. "Your father is truly a die hard romantic for reciting a piece of Shakespeare's literature to your mother. Never in all of my life would've I ever heard of such a thing in today's age."
As soon as the two ex-assassins heard the word 'Shakespeare' they immediately turned to the elderly voice.
Only for them to see a very unusual sight.
"That's who my father is. I even tried to recite some of them, though I was obviously dumbstruck by the bizarre wording of Shakespeare." A youthful male voice replied to the elder, which resulted in another burst of heartly laughs.
The youthful male voice belonged to a raven haired young man that seemed as if he has reached his 20s. His attire would be best described as classy as his men's black dress coat rested on his shoulders with a noticeable purple turtleneck sweater worn underneath.
His attire clearly told the ex-assassins that he didn't work here. He appeared as if he belonged to a business ball or a high executive meeting. Though his genuine smile told them that he was more content in being here, tending the plants and having a warm conversation with the elderly woman.
"Well it seems like I finished my end of the job. I'll leave the rest to you, okay?" She announced to the young man as her laughter died down.
He nodded as the elder wrapped up her gardening tools on a piece of cloth and stood up her from her spot, heading towards the next flower bed.
As the young man was now left alone, Zato turned his gaze to his partner beside him "You sense something off about him don't you, Millia?"
She hummed "I do. And it's not his attire or what he's currently doing, but the air he's emitting. It feels gentle yet unknown."
The two blondes concluded that he was the mysterious individual that caused the rift opening. He perfectly fit the description file that Leo sent them just an hour ago.
But there is just one question they had: why was he here?
"Then perhaps we should start a conversation with him: get a better a look at who he is and hopefully catch a glimpse of his intentions." Zato suggested.
Millia hummed in thought. It would be a good idea to approach him right now as he was in a public place, too many pairs of eyes to oneself. If he attempted to flee, then he would regret it as the two them were extremely fast on their feet, that's if he wasn't quicker than them. Though they could counter it with their familiarity of the city; there were a couple of shortcuts that they could use to close the distance.
Millia approached the young man, Zato following suit.
Aiden heard the conversation of the two people behind him, debating whether they should approach him or not at this current moment. He had to put on his most social facade for what was going to come next.
("Hopefully this doesn't turn into a violent confrontation...") The young man let out one small, final breath that was slightly shaky.
"Pardon our interruption, sir." Millia started with a formal apology, pairing it with an upper body bow as she took off her hat.
In motion, Aiden paused his current task and stood up to face the two strangers.
"Yes, is something the matter?"
"Not really, we were simply wondering as to why you're tending the flower beds of the park. You obviously don't have the look of someone that works here." Millia said to the young man with a skeptical eye.
The young man responded with a soft chuckle "Yes, well... I guess you could say I'm doing this as a way to calm my mind after a stressful day. Plus it was a pastime me and my mother would do back when I was a child." He explained as he was removing his gloves
Millia nodded in understanding to his explanation "Still it's rather strange seeing a young man like yourself be passionate about this kind of activity. Usually it would appeal to people of the older age"
"Yes, I suppose that's true. But like I said before I'm doing this as a way to calm my mind" He restated his answer
"Oh, where are my manners! My name is Millia Rage, head director of the P.W.A.B." She introduced herself with a bow
"And I'm her partner, Zato. A pleasure to meet you" The man besides her introduced himself with a bow as well
"My name is, Aiden. Also a pleasure to meet you two" The young man introduced himself with a curt bow
"If I may ask another question. Just how did you arrive here in Illyria?" Zato asked the main subject the two former assassins had in their minds.
The direct question the blindfolded man asked to him made Aiden's mind slightly tense up. It may have sounded like a normal question any person would ask, but for Aiden it sounded like an interrogation question.
("Hmm, I have to word this carefully. I don't want to just bluntly tell them the truth in a public place. It would draw some unwanted attention")
"Well to put it briefly, I arrived here yesterday, though was quick to get myself lost on these vast city streets. I feared that I would be lost for the entire day, but Mr.Whitefang helped me navigate through the city. It surprised the both of us when we have quickly formed a pleasant acquaintance as we we're traveling around the kingdom. He even payed for my hotel room as a thanks for bringing him some pleasant company."
The two former assassins were suspicious to the explanation of his arrival, though they quickly realized the reason behind it.
Zato played along by chuckling in amusement "That sounds like, Lord Leo. Underneath that boisterous exterior is a man who is more than willing to lend a helping hand"
"A quality that makes him a great king for this kingdom" Millia added with a small smile
Aiden felt internally relieved that the two people in front of him were playing along. Though that made the young man conclude that these two had very sharp senses. Ones that he should watch out for.
"Perhaps we can discuss further in a private dining room of the hotel I'm staying in. The room is all on Leo's tab so you two won't have to worry about making any payments" Aiden suggested to the two blondes.
The two blondes turned to each other and contemplated for a short momemt before humming in agreement. With that, Aiden began walking to the hotel, the two former assassins following right behind him.
("Be on your guard, Aiden. I sense a powerful lifeform coming from Zato.")
Aiden gave a brief hum to Sparda's warning. The young man had a feeling the blindfolded man would be a potential threat underneath that gentle exterior of his.
And the elegant woman besides him had that mindset of getting her objectives done with straight precision while making little to no mistakes.
In conclusion, he needed to be careful with them. If this meeting with the two blondes goes swimmingly, then perhaps his stay here would be more easier for him to endure.