"R-Rose-b..."
A chill runs down my spine as I fall against my knees, quivering. Feeling slightly nauseous, I cough into my hand as though I were about to throw up.
"..."
Both her legs are haphazardly cut off as her left eye has been carved into. If there were any sights of blood, the scene would be even more gruesome as I fight back against the nausea.
"What happened, Rosebelle..? What happened? You said you-!"
"Always expected the unexpected, I thought I learnt that years ago, and yet..."
Closing her eye, she clutches her chest; for the most part she seemed stable, though I don't know of her HP values.
"Here, you can-"
About to offer her a potion, she declines them with the shake of her head.
"It's all right, I'm okay. But it'd take a few hours for both my legs to return."
"A few hours?"
Upon further inspection, her left is wrapped in bandages and the other is left bare.
"..."
Thinking back, she used one on me despite the lack of urgency compared to something such as this. Just how much of a burden am I?
"I didn't think an Arch Griffon would set up a nest around here."
"An Arch Griffon? Are they..."
"They're more ferocious than regular griffons and greater. But, it's said that they've not been spotted for over 10 years, I thought they no longer exist."
"But, you defeated it, right?"
She shakes her head as her expression clearly portrays deep regret.
"It got away... I couldn't bring it down as it didn't give me a chance to leap onto it. I was forced into a defensive position where I couldn't muster up any sort of offense."
Clenching her fist, this is perhaps the first time I've seen her in desperation.
"I know thinking about it now is useless but... Just knowing what it'd do, how could I show my face around them? I should feel ashamed!"
Slamming her fist against the trunk supporting her, she grits her teeth as I could slowly feel her anguish. Though I can't say I understand it in the least, however, I can't let her continue to beat herself up over this.
"I'm sure no one will hold it against you. It's your safety that matters the most, right?"
In saying that she strikes a terrifying glare which sends a jolt throughout my entire body as my thoughts completely vanish from fright.
"It's my safety that matters?!"
With a gaze so fierce as though she could literally tear me apart, I back away.
"Wh-!"
As her ferocity escalates, she cuts herself off midway as she tries to contain herself.
"...I'm always like this..."
An almost inaudible voice seeps through her lips.
"...Sorry, Akira..."
Apologising soon after, she looks the other way.
"...No, it's all right. I'm sorry too."
For speaking as though I knew what was right. Heroes are selfless, they prioritise the safety of others rather than themselves. They live for the people. I should know this, and yet... The ideals I try to uphold were always weak; weak enough that they'll easily shatter at any given time.
Rosebelle's different from I, she won't take that for an excuse. Resting among ruined land in an almost pitiful state, and yet her mind is on the people of whom she determined to protect. To give yourself entirely to society, you can't expect anything back. In her case, I wager she truly doesn't desire anything from anyone. Her raw emotions overflow with passion to protect others.
"I wish I was as strong as you."
For the longest time, I lived with no desires other than continue to live. I thought so long as I lived, perhaps I would come across something that'd spark that fire I lost a long time ago. Though I guess I technically threw it away from fright.
But now... Perhaps I'm here to right my wrong doings. It's frightening, but I'm almost contempt with it.
"Strong? What do you mean? I'm-"
"No matter what you think about yourself, it doesn't change what I think about you."
"A-Akira..."
"...I too desired to protect others. ...Yeah, it was somewhat of a fateful encounter."
Though it may be bad taste to speak of our previous lives, I felt like I could at least tell her this. About the time I was saved by a girl when I was a mere toddler.
My family, I wouldn't exactly call us poor, but they could only provide me with the bare essentials as I realised in the future that we were in crippling debt. However, despite this, they wanted to provide me with proper education, like any child should have.
At that point in time, I truly despised them, I didn't understand a thing back then, nor did I try to. I thought what was the point of going to classes everyday if everyone treated me like dirt. I didn't want to be harassed, but I had no say in the matter; I was told to bare with it.
It was yet another day after school as I made my way towards a small playground, though it may have been in the opposite direction to home, it was the only thing I looked forward to everyday. A place free from people; when I'm alone I felt at peace because no one was there to ridicule me.
However, I didn't expect a few other kids to follow me. The ones that were the worst, a group of four that always felt the need to bring me down as they kicked sand in my face. I thought that there was nothing I could've done alone.
However, a girl made me realise that no matter the situation, you should stick up for yourself. It doesn't matter if the odds are against you. So long as you have yourself, you can win.
She appeared out of nowhere, she may as well have been an angel to right evil doers.
The kids knew of her; at least everyone knew of her one way or the other. They were frightened, but their bravado spoke out; that there's nothing a girl could do against four boys. It escalated into a tussle, though she may have been tough, the odds were against her. However, she kept persevering on her ideal on what's right. She kept going on about righteousness and that she will banish all evil in the world.
Eventually, it died down as the boys left screaming that they'll tell their parents. Left in a mess, she only smiled at me and asked if I was okay. I'm not so sure how long I cried after that.
It was then, I thought about how cool she looked.
It was then, that I wondered if I could be as cool as her; if I could be someones hero like she was to me.
"Hehe, I bet you became fast friends after that."
With a soft giggle, she soon reveals a small smile that melts away my slight embarrassment.
"Yeah, after that we played together in the sandpit."
Though my parents said to stay away from her, I couldn't. Her parents may have been criminals, but I didn't care about that. Because for the first time someone didn't treat me like garbage.
"That's a nice memory..."
Revealing a small, rather bittersweet smile, she averts her gaze off into the distance as the cool evening breeze blows pass.
"I'm glad that you didn't forget that."
As though something struck inside my heart, for some reason, it begins racing.
"W-What do you mean by that?"
"It's to do with the rebirth system, and I guess partially to how one passes before entering Elden. You can forget a lot of things, and it only gets worse the longer you're here."
"...You're not suggesting..."
I can forget my most precious memory? No way, that can't happen, I won't let that happen.
"But it happened a long time ago, right? When you were a kid, so you could still hang on to it for just as long. But I can't deny that it won't happen."
"...Then as for you, have you forgotten?"
With a small contained laughter, she tilts her head to rest against the trunk and looks to the stars above.
"My memory from the world I was in, I'd be lying if I say I can remember it vividly. I do remember slightly of how I died; a faint memory of my parents, but that's about it."
"I-I see..."
Since there doesn't seem to be a way back to my world... I guess the whole dying thing hasn't sunken in entirely. I still remember that moment... The pain, and how you can die in a flash with no one to witness your death. I can't say I regret it, but I wish someone came to my aid.
I guess I can't expect to be saved every time.
"I think it's nice that you remember something from your childhood, it feels really romantic.~"
"R-Romantic?"
"Hehe, did you get butterflies in your tummy? Child Akira must've wondered what that feeling was swirling inside of him.~"
"T-There were no butterflies anywhere!"
"Aww, don't be shy.~ In that situation I would've fell for them, boy or girl!"
"It was a strict non romantic relationship!"
...
It took sometime for Rosebelle to return to 100% as we then made our way back to Aisengard. I questioned why we didn't encounter the griffon, but it'd appear that Rosebelle keeps a crystal with her at all times. A safeguard crystal, a gift bestowed to her by someone special. A one use rarity that wards off monsters even in the thick of battle; almost resembling the same barrier that safeguards cities.
"Oh, Rose, welcome back. How did it go this time?"
Thinking as though it were just request for another griffon to be slain, Rosebelle shakes her head.
"Mama... It wasn't just a griffon, but an Arch Griffon."
Staring at Rosebelle for a short moment, she sets down her long cigarette as her expression becomes clouded.
"An Arch Griffon... Now? Are you positive?"
"I'm positive."
Stating without further explanation, perhaps there doesn't need to be any as she takes her answer as the complete truth.
"...Tsk, what are they doing over at HQ?"
Grasping her pipe with a death grip, it snaps after losing its flame as she tosses it aside.
"Sorry, Rose."
Feeling responsible, she leans closer in and wraps her arms around Rosebelle's head.
"Mm... I'm fine though, Mama. I took that request knowing the dangers.
Detaching herself, she ducks below the counter before placing a small necklace down.
"I'm guessing you won't let this go, will you?"
Rosebelle answers with silence as the lady nods in acceptance.
"...I'm worried for you, Rose. But, you haven't backed down from a challenge ever since then. So I know you'll keep pushing forward. So, take this. It's a necklace of protection. Though it may not be potent enough to withstand numerous assaults, I'm afraid this is all I have to offer you."
Retrieving the necklace, she grasps against it tightly as I'm able to feel the overflowing affection from the both of them.
"...Thank you, Mama."
...
With the hours already past, the Sleeping Ogre's diner is deserted asides from the person behind the counter.
"Evening, Rosé, out adventuring this late?"
"Something like that, I did set out during the morning and happen upon a minor problem.~"
I join Rosebelle as she takes a seat by the counter.
"The same usual as ever I see, haha. Some things don't change do they?"
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?~"
The man laughs as he keeps it at a respectable level.
"I mean what I mean. But danger is just what being an Adventurer is, it goes hand it hand so it just means you're looking forward."
Despite his rugged appearance, the man reveals a warm smile; like the kind a caring Father would have, one who's worried about their child's safety, but at the same time, one that supports her occupation.
I can't help but think everyone in this city knows of her and feels a similar way.
"Hehe, I can't back out now. Adventuring is all I know. Plus it pays well and it's rewarding."
"Can't say no to that, everyone's gotta earn their keep. You haven't ate yet, have you? Can tell just by looking at you."
"Oh, that's right, I haven't had a bite since this afternoon."
"What'd you like? Pantries closed so I'm afraid things like roasts are out of my control."
"That's okay. I was thinking of having some bread; a vegetable roll, no sauce."
"Righto, and you my friend?"
"...Hm?"
Fallen into a daze as I gazed at the shelves of beverages behind him whilst he was chatting with Rosebelle. The moment he turned to me, I snap back into reality as I shake my head.
"What'd you like? A bread roll like Rosé here, or somethin' else?"
"Oh... U-umm, I'll have the same if that's all right."
"Hmm, all right. Won't be too long so sit tight."
Giving me a questionable look on his way out, he enters the pantry as I sigh in relief. For some reason I forgot to breath.
"Akira?"
Looking to me, she seems somewhat concerned.
"S-Sorry, it's nothing."
I met many people during my time behind the counter, pouring drinks for various individuals and listening to their stories; there are some I'd rather forget, some sweet and others bitter. A lot of people came to our bar to forget about our lives outside of it and connected with others in certain ways.
"He has a scary face, doesn't he? Hehe, it's okay though, I thought the same thing."
Looking at the entrance to the pantry he took, her eyes seemed rather distant; as though she were looking at her past.
"He watched over me and gave me a place to stay until someone else came and picked me up."
Smiling, it seems she has a long history with the man.
"With a face like that, he's not good with children, despite knowing how to care for them. I initially freaked out the first time I saw him, and it took awhile to get used to, but by the end of it, I was grate to have someone like him and Mama."
"I see... He must've been torn when he realised you didn't like him at first."
"He was.~ He may have grown a few gray hairs since, but even now his face's the same as ever."
So Rosebelle was a mere child when she first came here... But how does that work? Why would a child be summoned to fight a Demon Lord. Does the system even take age into account?
"I get this is a place for chatter, but talking about my face is a little foul play."
"Oh."
The man returns with two dishes and sets them down in front of us before folding his arms.
"You sure were a pain to deal with back then, Rosé."
"Hehe, but you couldn't leave little ol' me behind, could you?"
"Hah, I was a softy back then, couldn't leave a child with no place to go, but who would've thought you were a Hero Candidate. That look on your face at the time, hah, I remember it all too much, you had-"
"K-Keith!"
Rising in attempts to stop his blabbering, she succeeds as he halts his idle chatter.
Falling back into her stool, she stares at her roll as though she's disappointing with it.
"Umm, hey uhh, I think you added something in mine by mistake."
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