Part 7
The group was now sitting inside a pub. This one was different from the pub Kamijou and the rest got a quest earlier. This one was smaller so it felt more crowded.
Good thing, they quickly found an open table.
“Fukou da…”
It’s just that various things happened to Kamijou as they were approaching the open table. A server had the tray he’s carrying slip on his hand and got the drinks spilled on Kamijou. Someone rose up from their chair and bumped into Kamijou in the process, in which Kamijou bumped into a female server and the usual thing of falling down happened. You would know the rest of the story if you looked at the bitten head of Kamijou.
Kamijou, who was still drenched, started to speak. He looked to his left.
“Err, I’m Kamijou Touma. They are Misaka Imouto, Index, and Alice.”
He began introducing himself and his companions. The disheveled man nodded as he tried to arrange himself in a more presentable manner.
“I see. I am very grateful to you Touma-san. You listened to me despite my suspicious looks and words.”
(You’re aware that you look suspicious…)
Kamijou wanted to bring that out but restrained himself. The man continued to talk while looking at Kamijou.
“I am called Sliven. I’m as pathetic as my looks but there is something I must do no matter what.”
Kamijou began listening to Sliven and did not notice that the three others were having a world to themselves.
“What happened?”
“I was originally from a village called Laran southwest of this city.”
Sliven continued to explain that he was living in this city for almost a year now. Originally, he came to this city to find work to sustain his only family left behind in Laran. But upon arriving, he learned he was just deceived and threatened the safety of his family.
The sound of a certain right hand clenching could be heard if one listen intently, ignoring the lively noise of the pub.
“I started to live down pathetically after that…”
Sliven was forced to do things he did not want to. In the start, they were just small things that would cause little harm. But after the passing of time, the requests became more intense that his conscience could not accept to work under them anymore.
He spent some time devising a plan to escape this and save his only daughter but the person he thought of as a friend found out about his plan and told the others about it. And now the situation was that he was being chased around, not knowing what happened to his daughter.
“Would you…would you please help me save my daughter?!”
Sliven’s face were full of tears but his eyes were filled with his desire to save his daughter.
“I promise I would turn myself in after this…but please just save my only daughter! She hasn’t done anything and yet…and yet…!”
The soft voice of the man next to Kamijou began to grow stronger with intensity, as if trying to instill motivation to himself.
Hearing all he wanted, Kamijou stood up.
“Kamijou-san?”
As the person he was talking to suddenly stood up, Sliven’s face was filled with surprise and worry. He was thinking that his request would be turned down. After all, it was too tall of a request to someone who he just met. Most of all, he also thought he should not involve these people any further. From the fact that they saved him despite how he looked was already enough for him.
He slowly gathered his resolve to save his daughter even if he was alone.
“What are you doing Sliven-san? Let’s hurry up and go to that village!”
““Eh?””
Not only was it Sliven who expressed surprise, but also Alice who was talking with the other girls.
Index just sighed while saying ‘It’s Touma after all’. Misaka Imouto did not say anything, just looking at Kamijou.
“Time is of the essence, isn’t it? We don’t have time to waste here then. We need to first secure your daughter as fast as we can!”
Kamijou Touma still had no way of getting out of the city, but he would just think of that while running. If need be, he would just break through the gates. It’s unsure if that was possible though.
Still wearing disbelief in his face, Sliven asked Kamijou.
“…How? I still haven’t told you the important details. The person we would be dealing with isn’t just someone! He holds enough authority to easily crush a village or two!”
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
“Who cares about those? Now stop dilly-dallying and let’s go!”
Index and Misaka Imouto were already standing knowing Kamijou had already made up his mind.
“Really, thank you a lot!”
Sliven has joined your party.
Sliven hesitated for a moment but he gave a word of thanks with a determined voice.
‘Ting’
Save the Suspicious Man’s Daughter!
Having been betrayed by his friend, Sliven’s only family, his daughter is now facing danger! Quickly ensure her safety before the brigand reach her!
Difficulty level: E
Quest requirements:
Successfully save Sliven from the brigand’s men.
Warning: Quest will fail if the brigand successfully ends the life of Sliven’s daughter
Failing the quest would result in decrease of fame by 30 and decrease in friendship with Sliven and the village of Laran.
Reward:
Increase in friendship with Sliven and the village of Laran.
“…”
Alice wordlessly stood up while looking at Kamijou’s face.
The group made their way out of the pub as their feet brought them down the southern gate.
“…”
“Is something wrong, Alice?”
Index inquired after seeing Alice’s face. Alice then looked at Index and softly spoke as she looked towards her walking feet.
“Haven’t anyone considered this being a trap or something?”
Alice was slowly voicing out her insecurities one by one.
“What about the reward? How could he accept it easily without even learning of the reward? That’s strange, isn’t it?! And even after learning about who we’re dealing it, he just easily dismissed it! How unbelievable!”
Anger slowly crept up on Alice’s face. Not hearing any response, she raised her face and looked at Index. And she was surprised on what she found.
Index spoke as she displayed a very natural, innocent, and friendly smile. As if telling that there’s nothing to fear or nothing to worry about. Strangely easing up Alice’s worries.
“I understand your words. Looking at it from the outside, it may have certainly looked just like that. I can’t also refute your words or blame you for it.”
‘If that’s the case, then why?!’
Alice wanted to say that but Index’ next words stopped her.
“But for Touma, all he probably see is a father struggling to save his daughter. He doesn’t need any special reason or anything. Just saying ‘Please save me’ would be enough for him to move. At least that is how I see Touma, being with him all this time.”
Alice stood still as she was enveloped with shock and disbelief. Her mind kept telling her that someone like that doesn’t and will never exist. That all those were just lies.
“But…that’s…”
Alice wanted to deny Index but she felt powerless against that smile in front of her.
“You don’t like to do this?”
Upon hearing Index’ question, Alice widened her eyes in response.
“I…it’s not like I don’t like this or anything. I just don’t understand…”
“Shouldn’t it be fine to come if that is the case? As for not understanding it, why not just come with us to see for yourself?”
Without anything to say in return, Alice just closed her mouth tightly.
‘That is right, I also want to help him… But… But it’s just that…’
She deeply thought while still standing still.
“What are you going to do now?”
Index asked softly in front of Alice.
“I guess… I’ll just have to look at it myself.”
There were still plenty of things and reasons making Alice stand in confusion but she decided to at least try to believe the smile of the girl in front of her.
“Let’s go then!”
Index grabbed Alice’s hands as they approached Kamijou and the two others who were also waiting for the two who stopped walking. Alice looked at their faces. She could see Kamijou smiling, Misaka Imouto with the same expressionless face, and Sliven trying his best to smile while his face is obviously covered up in worry and tension.
Upon seeing those faces, Alice immediately hung down her head to hide her expression as she made her way to her newly found companions.