(Leon’s POV)

(Leona): “Yes, I’m her daughter.”

He smiled gently, and somehow, a warm feeling filled my chest, as if I was near my mother again. However, I ignored the feeling as he said, with a voice that was surprisingly soft:

(Akatsuki): “I see… I recognized the smell of roses. Well then, let me introduce myself again. My name is Yakumo Akatsuki, my first name is Akatsuki, feel free to call me by it. Yakumo, in my homeland, is written with rain cloud, while Akatsuki means dawn break.”

He said, bowing slightly. Raising his wooden cane, he said:

(Akatsuki): “As you all can see, I’m blind, so please, go easy on me.”

I nodded, but realized my mistake and said:

(Leona): “Yes, please, count on us, Mister Akatsuki.”

He nodded.

(Akatsuki): “Fae, introduce yourself.”

He said. The elf girl didn’t even hesitate, saying:

(Faeleena): “I’m Faeleena Dawn, Mister Akatsuki’s follower. Nice to meet you.”

She said politely, smiling slightly. I also bowed to her, and took the cue:

(Leona): “Mister Akatsuki, Lady Faeleena, my name is Leona Price Rose, adopted daughter of the Queen of Roses. It’s a pleasure to meet and work with you.”

I said and looked back to my husband. He smiled widely, saying cheerfully:

(Swift): “I’m Swift! Swift Price! I’m the leader of the Slaying Blade, and Leona’s husband!”

He then hit Vurtny’s head on the back. Our son came back to earth from staring to Lady Faeleena. He then hurriedly bowed deeply, saying flustered:

(Vurtny): “N-Nice to meet you! My name is Vurtny Price! Rank C adventurer! Single!”

He said hurriedly. I held back my laugher. Ah, my foolish son, I understand that you fell for her, but you’re still too young. Although you can’t see it, she’s already head over heels for Mister Akatsuki. She has the same eyes that I had when I married Swift. The eyes of a woman in love. Well, maybe a broken heart will make him mature a little.

My daughter takes a step forward, raising a hand and introducing herself happily:

(Lana): “Nice to meet you two! I’m Lana Price! D rank adventurer! Also single, like my brother!”

She said, smiling mischievously, giving a glance to her brother, that avoided her eyes, blushing slightly and making an annoyed face. Faeleena stayed expressionless, but Mister Akatsuki smiled gently, saying:

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(Akatsuki): “Well, since we have introduced ourselves, shall we depart?”

(Swift): “Of course sir. The carriage is also ready. We can depart at any time.”

He smiled again, this time, I felt like we overlooked something.

(Akatsuki): “And the supplies?”

(Swift): “Guh!”

I almost made the same sound. Donovan sent us here a few minutes ago, so we didn’t prepare anything. We also just came back from our quest, so we have no supplies. Mister Akatsuki laughed, saying:

(Akatsuki): “Fae, give me your bag.”

As she took off her bag, he said:

(Akatsuki): “Leona-san, would you come with me to buy supplies? I’d like a guide who know the town.”

(Leona): “S-sure.”

I said, a bit surprised by his assertiveness.

(Akatsuki): “Fae, go with the others and take the carriage to the east gate.”

(Faeleena): “Yes, Mister.”

She said, and then glared at my husband for some reason. He flinched, and said with a strained smile:

(Swift): “S-sure. Please, follow me.”

He said, guiding Faeleena together with our children. Akatsuki then smiled to my general direction, raising his right hand as if for me to hold it, saying gently:

(Akatsuki): “Miss Leona, do you mind if I hold your arm?”

With my family and Miss Faeleena going away, I said, approaching him and holding his surprisingly soft hand. And again, I felt something off. When I first saw him, I didn’t feel anything coming from him, not even magic power.

And now is the same. No matter how good a person is in hiding their power from me, if I touch them, I can gouge even the power of their soul. However, I can’t feel anything at all. Physically, I can feel soft and smooth skin, surprising for a man, but I can’t feel anything else.

(Akatsuki): “Are you done probing me?”

He asked playfully. I snapped back to reality, saying, almost stuttering:

(Leona): “Sorry! I didn’t have the intention to do so!”

He just smiled, saying:

(Akatsuki): “Don’t worry. Shall we go?”

(Leona): “Yes.”

I said, laying his left hand on my elbow, walking out with him. We walked in silence through the surprisingly empty streets, the only sound being the occasional advertisement of a merchant, calling to the clients to buy their products, and the constant tapping of wood in stone coming from Mister Akatsuki.

I look at him, walking calmly at my side. Our speed isn’t great at all, in fact, we are walking quite slowly.

(Leona): “Mister Akatsuki, if I may ask…”

(Akatsuki): “Yes?”

(Leona): “How did you knew about my mother?”

He chuckled.

(Akatsuki): “It’s your mother’s bad habit. She marks her stuff with her smell of roses. Well, it’s really faint, so you need to know the smell to feel it or have a keen nose.”

She looked at him surprised. She knows about the mark, her mother told about it to her, and that she rarely ever told someone about it. So, why this young boy knows about her mother, and the mark that she left on her? After all, every man that her mother ever met ended up either dead or are her sworn enemies, thus her other nickname: Man Hater. The only man that she did not kill or made her enemy is my husband.

(Leona): “So, you know my mother? Personally?”

(Akatsuki): “Yes. I haven’t seen her for some time. I wonder how she is doing these times. I’d love to see her again.”

That immediately picked my interest. By the way that he talks, he has a friendly relationship with my mom. Or at least she didn’t kill him and attempted communication, since she sucks at it.

(Akatsuki): “Well, it’s no use brood over the past. Miss Leona, shall we buy the supplies?”

I nod. Noticing my mistake once again, I say:

(Leona): “Yes, Mister Akatsuki.”

We buy the supplies, storing everything in Miss Faeleena’s bag, that apparently is a dimensional storage bag. The supplies for the month are safely stored in there. We then proceed to the gate where my family and Miss Faeleena are waiting for us. As we walk, Mister Akatsuki surprises e by talking:

(Akatsuki): “Miss Leona, do you know of any touristic points that can be enjoyed with the body?”

I think about his question for a few seconds, remembering a place that’s not far from Last Port.

(Leona): “I know of a inn that has thermal baths.”

(Akatsuki): “Oh! It has been some time since I last visited a thermal bath.”

I smiled and said in high spirits:

(Leona): “Yes, it has been some time for me too. Should we go there first?”

(Akatsuki): “Please. I do want a good warm soak in the baths.”

I then guided him through the city in way to the gate as we talked about the effects of thermal baths on the skin and health. Somehow, I feel that Mister Akatsuki is someone that I can open up to. Why is it, I wonder?