Chapter 9: Knights

"Ugghh… WHERE THE HELL AM I?!"

My yelling echoed across the grassy plains. Nothing was present there but me on these idyllic rolling hills besides a few trees and the Red Dragon Mountains visible way off in the distance. The sun was just starting to dip past its peak, and the winds kept things nice and cool.

How did I end up here one might ask? Blame an unfortunately skittish horse I was riding that'd bolted off on me during a monster hunt that had taken me and the guys far out to Fittoa's northern countryside. The sticks of the sticks if you would.

Sudden ambushes will kind of do that. And unfortunately, being a still somewhat small twelve-year-old meant making the thing stop was more of a challenge than you'd think even with all of my training. By the time the horse had finally elected to slow down and get back under control, I'd gone far out enough from the hunting area I didn't know how long it'd take the other three to catch up with me.

The other problem was, because we'd been surprised, I didn't know what the situation with the other three even was. I knew they'd be fine, but who knew if they'd moved further or had to turn back?

"I could just turn around but at this point they've probably moved somewhere else…" I sighed as I let the reigns slack, just letting my mount carry me forward and hoping I'd find a road eventually. "Annnd Leyland was the one with the map… dammit."

So yes, I was lost.

Very, very lost.

This is the biggest thing I miss about my previous life. At least in a city like Tokyo I could get around easy enough. Hell, it was easy back in Ars too! Well planned streets and well-defined landmarks that made it easy to keep your bearings!

Everything out here just looks the same wherever I look!

"AAAAAAAAAAAGH!"

And all I could do was vent my frustrations to the wind with frustrated yells like that. I didn't even have any real indicator for what direction I was going in, since all around me it was just the rolling prairie hills and the occasional bundle of trees.

What I wouldn't give for something to shift.

A road, farmland, literally anything but grass and trees.

Flicking the reigns, the horse kicked up into a full trot. If I didn't have any clear direction to go, and going back wouldn't have helped, then forward it was. On and on I rode, boring minutes slowly shifting into boring hours. By the time the sun had passed its highest arc, I was all too worried evening would hit. I had camping gear on my saddle sure, but I wasn't willing to risk things until I had a proper sense of where the heck I even was.

And to my relief, as things continued to drag, the scenery finally changed. Rolling grass gave way to wheat fields, and along with it, finally, freaking roads leading into a hamlet not far out. Pulling the horse to the road and making my way onto the fields, only thing I could hope for now was that some of the farmers were out and about even as evening was getting closer.

"Hello! Is anyone out here?" And best to just ask and hope for the best. And thankfully I got an immediate response, a burly farmer rising from some of the wheat as soon as my voice carried out.

"What the… a kid?" The farmer adjusted his hat as I brought my horse to a stop, the man walking over and leaning across the fence separating the wheat from the roar. "Where the heck're your parents lad? You clearly aren't from around here."

"Ahaha, I'm an adventurer despite my age. I got separated from my party a few hours ago and well… I'm kind of lost. Mind telling me where I am?"

"Bloody… what kind of mess you get in that you're lost out here!" The man gave an appropriately aghast look. My only response was a dry chuckle. "Mind proving that adventurer claim at least?"

"Sure, here's my card," reaching under my tunic, I produced the item, the man giving a hum as he saw it. "Why'd you wanna see it?"

"Wouldn't you when some random kid rolls into town? Or are you one of those other races that only look young? Had a mage like that living here for a couple years a while back."

"I promise I'm human. Anyway…" pocketing my card, the man nodded.

"Well, you've ended up in Buena Village. We ain't much here really, just wheat farmers mostly. How'd you even end up lost?"

"My party and I got ambushed while we were hunting some monsters for a request out of Roa," I put a hand behind my head, the farmer nodding with a hum. "This horse was a bit more skittish than expected and bolted first thing. By the time I got him under control I was already so far out I'd lost my way. I've been riding hoping to find something for the last few hours."

"Then I suggest you head towards that hill there, the one with the tree on it," the farmer pointed off, drawing my eyes further into the hamlet, towards a hilltop with a large tree that overlooked the whole village. "A bit past there is the house where the knight who helps defend this town lives. He and his wife used to be adventurers, so I'm sure they could help you out. Just ask for Paul Greyrat, the wife or maid will get him if he isn't outside."

My eyes widened at hearing that name. The same one Ghyslaine had mentioned back to me in Roa. So, this was where he lived. Talk about a coincidence.

"Got it. Thank you, sir!" The man waved me off as I flicked the reigns again, the horse off to a trot with only a nudge.

The place was nothing short of an idyllic farming hamlet. Around me were only a handful of houses, maybe only a couple dozen in total based on what I could see, spaced out by the fields still lush with grain. A smaller river made a natural divide between one end of the hamlet and the other, crossed by a well-kept stone bridge near what was probably a processing mill for the wheat, and further off a forest marked another border among the rolling hillsides.

Growing up in a place like this didn't seem like it would've been all that bad. Heck I probably would have liked it more than being stuffed up in Ars for most of my life.

With how spread out this village was, it took a few more minutes of riding until I reached one of the last houses. It was the only one with a wall, and not to mention two stories. Outside of a city like Ars or Roa, that was an assurance that the tenants were some modicum of wealthy.

By the standards of a place like Fittoa anyway.

And with a few garden patches beyond the gate to decorate the home's yard, it really was the picturesque ideal of a quiet, rural home you'd see in a picture book.

As I got closer to the stone fencing, luckily somebody was in the yard. A man looking to be somewhere in his late twenties or so. Ikemen was the best word that came to mind, heck he reminded me a lot of Luke looks wise. Pale brown hair, green eyes, a square, manly face… a Notos for sure then.

And maybe it was now just the years of training paying off, but just watching the man swing his sword, I could tell he wasn't just strong, but experienced to boot. Not a hint of wasted energy or awkwardness in his motions, a lot like Renault's swordsmanship. A gulf I still wasn't quite crossing myself despite my Advanced rank.

"Excuse me!" And no time like the present, so I called out, the man ceasing his practice and turning to me. "I'm looking for the knight who oversees this village. You wouldn't happen to be him, would you?"

"Haha, who else would I be?" The man ran a hand through his hair, flicking out beads of sweat as he approached. "And who do I have the pleasure of being greeted by hm? You're obviously an adventurer going that getup of yours. Can't say we hired anyone recently."

"Aegir Greyfeather. And, well… nobody hired me. I'm lost, to put it simply. Got separated from my party and I've just been riding for the last few hours. This village is the first place I came across after all of that."

"Well that's a situation to end up in!" Paul let out a hum, clearly also sizing me up as he put a hand to his chin. "And it'll be getting late soon…"

"I don't want to impose on anyway. All I'd really need is to see a map to know which road will get me headed back towards—"

"Upup!" Paul cut me off and raised a hand. "Look, Aegir, yeah? I get it. Wanna get moving as soon as you can and find your party. I'm an ex-adventurer so I get it. But, I'm not about to send a kid riding off into the night. First off, how long have you and your party been out this way for?"

"A few days. We set out from Roa about… three days ago?" As Paul nodded to me, the realization set in. "… meaning I'll have a three days ride back if I go now."

"Precisely. I understand, but it's too dangerous to be on your own. Your party also young like you?"

"No. They're all probably a bit younger than you. There's three of them."

"Then they'll be fine. Come on," Paul turned and gestured, and for a moment I could only stare in dumbfounded wonder. Paul sighed, turning back to me. "Get off the horse and come inside! I'll talk you through what to do then. This is your first time getting separated from your party like this, right?"

"Uhm… yes."

"Then lucky for you, you already accomplished step one: Find the nearest town," Paul held up his index finger, then lifting his middle. "Step two is also simple: Don't. Leave. You need to be somewhere it'll be easy for your party to find, so once you're safe, you stay put."

"And I'm guessing step three is send a letter…" Getting off the horse, Paul nodded at me as I pulled the animal in through the gate. "Understood."

"Good. You can put the horse in the stable with mine. We'll work out the letter in a moment," Turning, Paul cleared his throat as he strode to the door. "Zenith! Lilia! Are the girls asleep? Because we're having a surprise guest!"

"Guess he has daughters too," As I pulled the horse over to the stable, I also couldn't quite help but wonder about what Ghyslaine meant by knowing Paul had old habits he likely hadn't moved on from. Then again, knowing any kind of Asuran nobility… some part of me was positive one of these kids was probably the maid's child. "Well, if they're making it work…"

Patting the horse on the snout and getting a pleased whinny as a reply, I trotted off towards the house, Paul thankfully having left the door open.

"Pardon me~," slowly stepping in, sure to remove my cloak.

The house's first floor was about what I expected of this style of home. Cozy stone and dark wood, a cool stone floor. To my immediate left, a stairway leading to the second floor. To the right was the main living space, a nicely rural abode leading to a wall spanning kitchen set up.

"Paul, we can't just have someone—oh!" Whatever conversation was being had before I walked in, the woman talking to Paul stopped as soon as she saw me. Also seemingly in her twenties, she had tied up blonde hair and bright blue eyes. In her arms was a small girl who shared her blonde hair yet had Paul's green eyes huddled close to her mother's chest.

Nearer to the kitchen was another young woman, the maid going by her uniform dress. Notedly, a redhead like me, but compared to the blazing scarlet my hair was, hers was a darker shape of red, nicely accented by purple eyes set behind thin glasses. And tucked in the maid's arm, even as she stirred a pot of something giving off a nice smell, was yet another small child bearing the same red hair, but like her sister also the same green eyes as their father.

"Sorry for intruding," I was quick to bow my head. "I'm Aegir Greyfeather, an adventurer. I was separated from my party, and only found your village after riding for hours. Your husband invited me in so we could talk this through."

"Oh please, you're not intruding at all. We're glad to help someone who needs it," the blonde woman approached me, a warm, motherly smile on her face. "I'm Zenith, Paul's first wife," she shot Paul a pointed look as she accentuated that first. "And this is Norn, my daughter. A please to meet you, Aegir."

"And I'm Lilia, the maid," the red-haired woman nodded her head towards me, then bumping her daughter up a bit. "And this is my daughter, Aisha."

"It's nice to meet all of you, and thank you for the help," with a gesture from Zenith, I moved to the table and took a seat, sure to unhook my sword from my belt to set it to the side.

"I'll grab some paper and ink, hold on a second," Paul headed upstairs. And being left alone with the women and children, I couldn't help but shuffle awkwardly a bit in the seat.

"Nervous?" Zenith leaned against the table, and I could only give an affirming, awkward smile. "I'm sure being separated from your party like this is worrisome, but out here it shouldn't be too bad. Are you in a hurry or something?"

"Not quite… it's just that I was raised in the city, so I'm used to a faster pace when it comes to things."

"Then you must be a knight's child," said Lilia, and I scratched my chin. "You have a last name, and even though your sword looks worn it's clearly well made."

"Something like that," I put my hand to the pommel of my sword, tilting it back and forth a bit. "I also had a wand. And it uh… broke when I was experimenting a bit. So, I just strapped the game to the guard."

"Eh?!" Zenith gasped as I raised the sword, turning it to reveal the blue gem oh so roughly strapped to the cross guard with a red chord. "Wait, you're also a mage?!"

"Swordsman who uses magic is probably more accurate. Though I prefer Mage Knight," I set the sword back down, leaning back as I folded my arms. "I stalled on magic a while back though. But with the way I use it, I'm more or less fine where I am."

"Haha, so you can cover two things any party needs," Paul laughed as he came up from behind me, setting a sheet of paper, a quill, and vial and ink in front of me before taking a seat. "So, next step you need to do is what you guessed. Make a letter or two, and send them out to nearby adventurer's guild branches to make sure your party seems them, then sit tight and wait."

"So odds are I'll be here for almost a week…" I sighed as I picked up the quill and started fiddling with it. "I'd feel… really bad if I was here that long. I'd just be imposing on you and everyone else."

"If making your way is your concern, then I've got an idea," Paul chuckled. "See, every month here, me and the fighting aged men head into the forest to clean up any monsters that'd cause us problems. Keep the population good and low. If you want to pay us back for housing you, then you can join me and the other men on the excursion in a few days. Should be about a day your party should get here when we'd go."

"Paul!" Zenith gave a gasp. "You shouldn't ask a boy his age for that! He may be an adventurer but…"

"Uhm… would it make it better if I said I was Advanced Rank as a swordsman and mage?" Zenith looked at me with a shocked expression, Paul and Lillia much the same after processing what I'd said. "I know I'm young, but I've been learning since I was way younger."

"Haha, is that so?" Paul laughed, patting me on the head. "Well, we're used to that. Our son Rudy made it to Saint Class as a water mage before he was even six! Almost a shame you can't meet him."

"Is he in another town for his studies or something?" The fact I already knew this had to be kept under wraps for now. Easier to let them think I was the son of a knight than one of their relatives who happened to end up on their doorstep. For now.

"I arranged a job for him with some relatives of mine in Roa, actually. Mentoring their young daughter. Hehehe, how's that?"

"He's a proud dad, huh?" I shot Zenith a playful smirk, the woman giggling as Paul stuck his nose up.

"Now get to writing those letters so we can send them out in the morning," Paul clapped me on the shoulder, and I got to writing first thing.

"Want me to arrange the guest room?" said Lilia, Zenith stepping away from the table.

"I'll handle that," said Zenith. "You focus on dinner. C'mon Norn, let's head upstairs."

After writing those letters up, for the first time in a long while, I got to experience something I hadn't for the first time in a long while. A nice, warm family atmosphere in a place lacking any of the tense airs of the noble court. A family that, while it seemed like there was some lingering tension from an incident who's nature I could only imagine, it was still something nice and happy.

Something I was realizing I'd been sorely missing after ten years in a place like Ars.

Though… I could definitely have gone without having to hear Paul and Zenith going at it while I was trying to sleep.

That was something I could've gone without experiencing ever again. The sympathetic look I got from Lilia the following morning told me she was all too used to that.

Over the next few days staying with Paul's family leading to the forest excursion, I quickly settled into their daily routines. Training in the mornings with Paul, both to make sure I was sharp for the excursion and to see how I measured up against him, and just generally helping around the house since I'd feel bad if I did nothing but loiter around for the next week without doing much else.

Paul was himself an Advanced Rank swordsman, in all three schools to boot. My impression was that he had a perfect style. A balance between offense, defense, and maneuvering most would kill, perhaps literally, to have the talent to develop.

So while on paper he and I technically should have been even, realistically this man was far, far stronger than I was. I was confident that someone like Renault or especially Ghyslaine could best him, but just like them I could only feel a gap between me and Paul when it came to skill and ability.

One I was perhaps closer to crossing than the former two, but a wide gap nonetheless.

Between that and helping out Zenith and Lilia with chores, it was while helping out Lillia with laundry I also happened to learn the oh so sordid story of how this family came about.

"It was honestly my fault," she'd admitted so when I asked about Zenith's pointed reminder she was the first wife. "As you can probably guess, the lord and lady are… quite active for their ages."

"Boy, have I figured that one out!" I groaned as I looked to the side while straightening out a sheet, praying to whatever gods would listen it wasn't the one from the master bedroom. "So then… how was it your fault?"

"I gave into my own impulses while Lady Zenith was pregnant and seduced Paul," I could only make a surprised noise at Lilia's statement. "But, after it came out I was pregnant, you can imagine the situation wasn't great. Lady Zenith is a follower of the Millis Faith you see, so Paul has done his best to abide by their monogamous teachings in their marriage."

"Annnd that got screwed up…" I felt a twinge of guilt as Lilia chuckled softly, her eyes downcast a bit. "I mean… really it was really Paul's fault he caved anyway! If he really was sticking to his word, he'd have kept himself in check. You can't be blamed for getting all riled up when those two are so loud anyway. I'm sure the entire village can hear them going at it! That kind of thing would frustrate anybody when it's night in and night out!"

"Ahahaha, thank you for the kindness, Sir Aegir," I chuckled as, thankfully, that almost spluttering attempt to shift the mood was met by Lilia's laughter. "But my lapse in judgment almost cost me and Aisha dearly… it was thanks to the kindness of Master Rudeus I was allowed to stay with the family. And while it's only in formality, I was married to Paul so that Aisha wouldn't be considered a bastard daughter."

"The son is who helped you out?" Lilia nodded as she tossed another sheet over the line, a warm expression on her face. "Hmm… so running some numbers, since this was after he became a Water Saint, he'd be… eh?! Wait, he'd have barely been six! And he was able to solve that kind of family drama?!"

"Haha, yes. And like you he shifted all the blame to Paul. As it was, it was a rather harsh winter when it happened. Even if I'd left after Aisha had been born, there was likely no way I'd be able to reach my family on my own," You know here I am really starting to understand what Ghyslaine was talking about. Somehow part of me thought this could only have been worse than I knew. "He cooked up a whole story of how Paul was the one who forced himself on me… I don't know if Lady Zenith believed it for a moment, but it was thanks to Master Rudeus' kindness I was saved. Even children can be founts of wisdom from time to time, don't you think?"

"Hehe… well, we kids have a bad habit of being very honest with people. Perks of not having quite learned how to lie like adults," I snickered with a smirk, Lila seeming to catch on I definitely knew a lie when I saw it.

I also had to wonder then just what the hell kind of genius kid Rudeus had to be. A Saint Mage before he was ten, and smart enough to guide a situation that could've destroyed a family to a good conclusion. Not bad for the son of a scumbag.

Then again, I'm just calling the kettle black despite my own situation.

"Hello, Lilia!" A soft voice carried across the yard, and trotting through the gate was a young girl with green hair and, notedly, pointed, long ears. A frequent visitor to the house I'd gotten at least a bit acquainted with, Sylphiette, or just Sylphie. According to Zenith, a friend of Rudeus' who she and Lilia were teaching things like etiquette, cooking, and other such womanly tasks you'd expect in a society like this.

"Ah, good morning, Lady Sylphie," Lilia turned and gave a quick bow, and as I spared a glance to the girl, she shied away all too quickly. "Zenith is inside, so go meet her for now. I'll be in once me and Sir Aegir finish up here."

"A-Alright…" Sylphie hurried off into the house, and I couldn't help but grumble as I handed Lilia the next piece of clothing.

"Do you think she's scared of me?" I said, Lilia raising a brow at me.

"Why would you think that, Sir Aegir?"

"THIS?!" I then proceeded to all but wildly gesture to, well… everything about me. The wild, long hair, scars, and especially those sharp scarlet eyes of mine. "Look at these eyes I've got! My natural expression is a glare! And she seems way too shy to do anything but avoid me!"

"I for one think your eyes are quite nice," Lilia ruffled my hair, clearly to assuage my own worries. "Scarlet eyes to match scarlet hair. Quite a lucky look you've got. I'm sure when Sylphie realizes how friendly you are, it'll smooth over."

"Lilia, I got nicknamed "Scarlet Wolf" recently. I think that says something about me," As I sighed, Lilia chuckled, still ruffling my hair up.

It wasn't bad, honestly… kind of reminded me of my mother from my previous life, oddly enough.

And in record time, the day of the monster hunt came.

Out of the dozen or so villagers joining Paul and I out in the forest, it was only use two in any equipment sturdier than some light leathers. Paul's gear was for sure the same he'd once worn during his days as an adventurer, marked out by a green cloak over a white tunic draping the chainmail and leather armor beneath.

And it was easy enough to tell the villagers looked a lot more confident having someone else with the kind of experience Paul had at the front of the hunt with the knight.

A part of me almost expected something worse, but the monsters we were set to hunt was a sizable pack of wargs, at least a dozen and maybe some more still lurking further back. Nothing that couldn't be handled by a decently sized group like this one. Though as the hunting party approached the monsters emerging from the trees, they seemed all too aggressive as they stalked around us.

"Aegir, you been seeing cases like this while around Fittoa?" Paul looked at me as our group kept a wary gaze on the prowling monsters, the scraping of swords on sheathes sounding across the woods.

"I've heard the reports here and there," I gave a confirming nod, flicking some fire to life in my left hand. "It's been slow, but monsters have been acting up here in Fittoa… huh… actually, maybe that thing…?"

The orb that was hovering over Roa. I wonder if that had anything to do with this kind of monster activity?

"Well, if you're muttering over something, we can talk about it later!" Paul stepped ahead of me, taking the first kill as his sword drove through a warg that leapt for me. And quick to match Paul's pace, my blade met the next one that came for him in turn, finishing it off with a blast of fire as I ripped my sword free, the two of us dashing ahead of the main group as the wargs finally closed in.

It was almost as basic a hunt as you could get, Paul and I cutting a swathe through the main group while the men behind us cut down any of the stragglers that got past us or were moving in from the sides. If anything, the more monsters that went down, the more I was figuring Paul and I alone could've handled this kind of hunt.

Something that could only be expected from a former S Rank Adventurer. Paul was strong, I'd already realized that during our sparring over the last week. But seeing him in action against was something else. The monsters were hardly a bother at all, Paul easily moving through one after the other with effortless swings and quick steps. If it wasn't for the fact the pack was as large as it was, I doubt most of us would be getting any kills of our own in from how easily Paul cut his way through them.

"Aegir! To your back!" Paul called out suddenly, and I wheeled around in full as I heard angry snarling, spotting five of the wargs charging for me all at once.

Even if I was making my way through them, the fact I was the smaller target and was willingly away from the main group to ensure nobody got caught in my magic looked like bad positioning.

"Hehe… bad move!" I smirked as I put my sword to my hip, left hand over the gem as fire sparked at my palm.

In an instant, crimson flames shot along the blade, extending its reach at the same instant I swung as the wargs bore down on me, forming a brilliant arc of fire that illuminated the forest. As the wargs fell to the ground, cut in two and left to burn, I heard surprised awes from behind me as I raised my sword to the remaining wargs in front of me, flames still arcing along the blade as the beasts shied away.

[He mixes his magic into his swordplay? Is there even a school that teaches that?]

[No way there is… meaning the kid came up with that on his own.]

I cracked a grin at that, proud to know that I could enjoy something like this being my thing in this world. For now at least. Still working out the kinks anyway.

"Paul! I handle the rest of these wargs up here!" I called out as I took my sword in both hands, maintaining the corona of fire all the while. "You guys handle the rest of the main group!"

"Haha, all right then!" Paul kicked another warg off his sword, facing me as he spun around another and stabbed it. "Just don't run off too far! Zenith'll chew your ear off if you come back with even a scratch!"

"Noted!" Taking my sword over my shoulder, I rushed off to the remaining wargs, that ignited blade illuminating the darkened woods until not a single one of the beasts was left.

And when the job was all done, I was met with the cheers of the villagers, Paul approaching me with an amused look on. Chuckling myself, the swordsman and I bumped fists. With that, it also meant my payment for shacking up for the last week was also paid in full.

With the expected day of my party's arrival coming along, after morning came I was spending the morning seated on the fence of Paul's home, looking out over Buena Village and the hills beyond while I waited, my horse lashed nearby and a fresh pack of supplies graciously given to me by the villagers slung over the saddle.

"Being a little impatient, are you?" Paul stepped up from behind, leaning on the stone fence as I glanced to him. "Or just wanting to make sure your party sees you first thing once they get here?"

"I'm sure our leader's been worried sick about me. So best if I'm out here when they show up," I laughed a bit, Paul snickering.

"Well, I wouldn't say it was a bad week. Hahaha, heck, it felt like having my son back while it lasted. Zenith and Lilia also sure took a shine to you. Something tells me you're gonna be a hit with the ladies in a few more years!" Paul gave a hearty laugh as he slapped me on the back.

"Haha… yeah…" looking out across the way again, I gave a sigh. Looking back to the house, then to Paul, I could only decide on it here or not. "Hey, Paul… can I admit something, before my party gets here?"

"Hm? Admit what?"

"I uh… wasn't exactly honest about who I am," Paul raised a brow. I took in a breath, letting it go in a long drag. "See, part of why I wanted to leave so quickly was because I'm kind of on a time limit out here. I need to be getting back to Ars in a couple of weeks."

"Huh? Ars?! As in, Royal Capital Ars? That's where you're from?!" Paul's eyes widened as a realization seemed to set in. "Wait a… how the hell didn't I realize it? I've seen eyes like yours before…"

"Aegir Greyfeather is just the name I use with the Adventurer's Guild. Nothing more than an alias," I turned to Paul with a slight smile on. "My real name is Aegir Boreas Greyrat. Grandson to lord Sauros Boreas Greyrat, and son of Philip Boreas Greyrat… and technically, son of the main Boreas house as led by James Boreas Greyrat. Meaning, you and I are related to one another."

"Whoa whoa whoa, you're a Boreas?!" Paul spluttered, and I nodded to confirm it. "Shit… shit shit! The hell are you doing all the way out here in Fittoa?!"

"I cut a deal with James a couple years back," I fiddled with a bit of my hair, turning the strands between my fingers. "He sent my older brother off to live with the Zephyrus family for a while, and in a couple of weeks, he'll be returning with his fiancé so James and head of the Zephyrus can announce their marriage. And, for me… I guess I'll be deciding whether I want to stay with the Boreas or cut my own path."

"Agh geez, this got a lot more complicated…" Paul ran his hands through his hair, then giving me a serious look. "How'd you know I was a Greyrat?"

"A certain Sword King beast woman in Roa told me about you," Paul let out a sound as I snickered, then clenching his fist.

"Ghyslaine….!" I laughed as Paul groaned. "Hagh, whatever. Alright, fine. Then take it from a relative, don't be quick to cut yourself off from your family."

"Huh?"

"Lemme tell you a quick story," Paul turned around, leaning his elbows on the wall. "A long time ago, there was a kid in the Notos House, about your age. He had a lot of ideas in his head and talent to spare. But he also never got along with his father. So, one day, he cut and run. Left the family behind and went off to train at a dojo so he could become an adventurer. He was a right lazy prick too, even went and jumped the daughter of the dojo's head."

"So, this kid was a massive scumbag even back then, huh?" Paul shot me a bemused glare. I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Lemme get to the point!" Paul cleared his throat. "Years later, when this kid was a young man and leading a party of strong adventurers, he met a girl. He and the girl fell in love, and eventually she got pregnant. So, the kid, now a man, settled down with her. And… went running back to his relatives to get help. He couldn't go back to his old family. His dad was dead, and his brother hates his guts to this day. So, he made a deal with his uncle to work as a knight in some village out in his territory."

"And so is the story of a one Paul Greyrat," I chuckled, Paul clicking his tongue. "Though I'm assuming I'm missing a lot of details, ones I'm no doubt sure would only make that scumbag impression worse."

"Can ya' quit calling me a scumbag?!" Paul almost whined as he objected, and I stuck my nose up with a snicker. "Agh… look, I've made a lot of mistakes in my life. And yeah… I'm a scumbag through and through. I can own up to that one. So, what I'm saying is, don't go making the mistakes I did. If you can resolve things peacefully with your family, do it. Don't be quick to cut and run when you could do something better."

"… we'll see," I sighed and leaned back. "To James I'm not really a son, though. Just a card in his deck of tools… one who's been acting in a way he doesn't like."

"Well, if anything happens… maybe you can come stay here with us again for a while," I raised my brow, Paul stretching his arms out. "Get away from the city for a while, settle into a nice country life before picking the adventuring back up. And if not here, then go back to Roa and meet up with Sauros and Philip again. If James cuts you loose, he won't be able to stop you."

"Ah… that's actually not bad advice," hearing a sudden call, I looked off down the road. And smiled as the other three members of the Blue Roses came sprinting down the way, Nyle in the lead and calling my name as he ran ahead of the horses. "And that's my group. Thanks for the help, Paul. Tell Zenith and Lilia thanks for me too."

"Haha. I will. And, your little secret is safe with me."

Paul and I bumped fists again. The man went back to his home, and I stepped out to rejoin my party, almost being barreled into by the all too concerned Nyle. Leyland and Oscar had wry looks on as Nyle couldn't help but go off on all the ways he'd been worried about me even as we were trying to get headed out of Buena Village.

But, it was a certain kind of welcome as we started the ride out of Buena Village. A nice, quaint little detour on this adventure of ours, unexpected as it was. As we rode out, I took another look back to Paul's house. Maybe one day, I'd find my way back here. And maybe if I did, it wouldn't just be for one week before I ran off again.

That, or it was going to be more adventures with the Blue Roses. But, I had to focus on the present first… the future could wait a bit longer.