“Ah, that was wonderful! Wasn't it relaxing, Eren?” said the skull.

We were sitting in the main hall. Toberno and I were wearing bath robes to dry off, while the rest were already changed.

“Is it true Lacerta crashed in while the guys were bathing? That sounds like quite a wacky shenanigan!” said Ferra.

“Oh yes, I was simply too bored and couldn't wait. I did not realize it would be rude, my apologies,” said the lizard.

The old man chuckled.

“Well, it's not like you have much to be ashamed of. You look like a lizard. You'd have to be pretty weird to get turned on by that.”

Everyone laughed to themselves thinking about the fun they had. I didn't share their sentiments, and instead smiled just to get along. It seemed like a giant waste of time.

“I had a great time, but it's getting late. I need to get back the store. Plenty of work to be done, after all,” said the woman.

Everyone then stared solemnly at Ferra. I had no idea why. They seemed to know something I did not.

“Do you need help?” asked the man.

She brushed away the suggestion.

“Oh no, I can make it on my own. Don't look down at me, I can at least do that much.”

To my surprise, she grabbed a nearby cane and struggled to get onto her feet. This was actually the first time I saw her move. I did see a cane beside her chair in the shop, but I assumed it was one of the items for sale.

“All good. Now I just need to-”

The effort overwhelmed her and she collapsed to the ground. She was breathing hard, as if she had just jogged for a mile.

“Eren, don't just stand there, help her!” said the skull.

I helped her to and feet and bore her weight with my shoulder. Despite being in this state, she insisted on going back to her store. Everyone goaded me and and so I ended up carrying her all the way back.

With only the two of us, it was an awkward trip. I couldn't believe I was the only one who didn't realize she was ill.

“I'm sorry for letting you see me like this. It's quite embarrassing,” she said.

“I had no idea you were this bad of health. Did you get a fever? If so, I might have a potion that could help.”

She gestured negatively with her hand.

“Oh no, this is not an illness. This is my normal state. You could say I was born with a weak body. It's something that tormented me my whole life.”

Ger voice hinted of grave sorrow.

“I always assumed you were just lazy. I didn't realize...”

“Oh, don't worry it. If I could fool you, then it's a complement. I worked hard to live up to your expectations and requests. I thank you for that, Eren.”

“You don't have to lie just make me feel better,” I answered.

The woman looked onward with reminiscent fondness.

“It's not a lie. This store, this town, I love it. I love everything about this world and its contents. Since a young age, I was talented at very many things, and was confident I could succeed if I put the effort into it. I liked all matters of sports and trades, and had a passion for carpentry. But when I tried to pour my heart into them, my body wouldn't let me. My enthusiasm was crushed, and I gave up.

“Soon I would do nothing but sleep all day and wait for the weeks to pass. The town was once a fairly attractive location for adventurers, but slowly everybody left. In the end the only ones who remained were those who could not leave, which were Toberno and me. I could feel myself slowly give in to despair.

“But then you came by. Despite my condition, you treated me as a capable person and gave me something to do. The carpentry, the party preparation, it was some of the most fun I had in my life. I struggled the entire way, but for once I had passion and purpose again. For that, I thank you, Eren. From the bottom of my heart.”

By the time Ferra finished talking we were already at her house. I laid her down in her bed at the back room of the shop.

“I just need a little bit of rest. Whatever happens, Eren, don't blame yourself. You have a wide future ahead of you, and a capable body to boot. Follow your passion and your heart. If it's you, then you'll achieve anything. For now, let's bid goodnight.”

Ferra instantly fell asleep from her overwhelming fatigue. I closed the door behind me and went back to the inn. As soon as I got in, the skull greeted me.

“Is she okay?” he said.

“Calvar, did you know about her condition?”

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

He nodded.

“Of course. Even somebody as bone-headed as me could tell. We actually talked a bunch about it before you left with Lacerta... but no matter. How about we call it a day?”

He explained that several rooms in the inn were rented for the night. It was not part of our usual routine, but he insisted it was part of the party, so I conceded.

Were entered the familiar bedroom on the second floor. Though thinking about it, it wasn't that long ago since I last slept here.

“Ah, isn't this nostalgic? With the lizard in the other room, it's just the two of us guys in here. Just like the first day we met!”

The first day, when I rescued Calvar from the boulder in the undead cave. It's also when he was beheaded.

“Say, are you still angry about that? Being only a head and all?”

“Oh that? I got over it. If it wasn't for your help, I'd still be stuck under a boulder, after all. We had a gentleman's agreement and a promise to bind us together. We are true companion and nothing could tear us apart.”

Calvar seemed to be more emotional than normal.

“Calvar, did something happen?”

He laughed nervously.

“Oh no, nothing like that. I was just thinking about today. You went to explore that haunted mansion with Lacerta, right? How did it go?”

“Surprisingly well. We ran into some trouble, but we lucked out and I managed to acquire some useful information.”

Calvar began mumbling to himself.

“So you manage fine even if I'm not around. My presence is completely superfluous. You have grown a lot, Eren.”

“Are you feeling left out?” I asked.

The skull put on a sad smile.

“Don't look down on me, Eren, I'm not that weak. I trust your decisions, even if they don't include me. Any relationship is held together on the basis of trust. I trust you with all my heart. So what about you, do you trust me?”

Calvar has proven to be a valuable and loyal ally on my travels. I had no reason to doubt him.

“I trust you, Calvar.”

He put on a big smile.

“And that's all that matters. We'll be together to the end, you and I. Now let's get to sleep, tomorrow is going to be a busy day!”

Putting everything behind us, I went to bed drifted off to sleep.

I woke up next morning and got ready for heading out. I reached out to grab my bottomless bag, but couldn't find it.

“Calvar, did you see my bag?”

As those words left my mouth, I realized that Calvar was gone. He was on the bed counter last night, but he was no longer there. Did somebody move him?

I looked in the corner of the room where I left my armor, but it was also gone. The only thing I was wearing were the commoner clothing I had when I first arrived in this world, and a dagger.

“Calvar! Calvar!!”

But there was no answer. The only response was from Lacerta, who popped into the room in response to my yelling.

“Dammit.. it can't be...”

Running high on emotion, I ran past Lacerta and into the forest. I dashed the entire way to the undead cave, where my adventure first began. It was the only place I could think of to look.

The large room in the first floor still contained the two zombie corpses. But something was missing. Calvar's old body wasn't there. I wasted no time and ran further, into the second floor.

There I saw something moving. In front of the lich's corpse, there was the figure of a man in black armor. The head was notably different, though, as it was that of a skeleton. This armored skeleton soon noticed my presence and turned to face me.

The skeleton was wearing Arma's Armor of the Black Paladin. Around his shoulder hung a brown bag, which he reached into to grab the Grand Halberd, which once belonged to the kobold fortress matriarch. Around its neck was the cracked phylactery crystal which belong to the lich of the undead cave. It was a terrifying sight to behold.

“Calvar?” I asked.

The skeleton smiled.

“Do you remember the first day we met? I gave you some important advice on that day.”

The skeleton spun the halberd and crashed it into the ground with great force, shattering the rubble.

“I told you to trust no one. And especially, never ever, should you trust me. Get ready, Eren. You will feel the wrath of Calvar, the Trusty Skeleton.”

The skeleton stared at me, eyes glowing with determination.