040: The Infinite Sky

October 10, 2020 - 13 minutes read - 2681 words

“What should I do?” Al

I’m standing petrified in the hallway. It’s the real Eleanora lying down unconscious in the hallway, this is reality, not a nightmare. What do I do? Do I bury her body? Do I leave her to be found by someone else?

Is she still alive?

Ok, first task is to ascertain life signs. I place my hand on the wrist and look for a pulse. Last I heard, use the index and middle finger, not the thumb.

“Ok, there’s a pulse…” Al

Next I hold my hand over Eleanora’s mouth.

“And steady breathing” Al

Huh, what was I getting so worked up about? You can’t kill someone with Eleanora’s constitution with a door. The door would break first. I checked the door, but I can’t spot any dents or blood on it. I also checked Eleanora’s forehead, it was a little red.

My tension deflates.

“What now then?” Al

Eleanora might say she wants to murder me when she wakes up, but that’s not something either of us wants to experience.

“I wonder if she’ll hibernate all winter if I leave her in a cave?” Al

That won’t work, she’d wake up to search for food. I’d be one of the first places she’d search in that case.

Best course of action is moving Eleanora to her room and laying her on the bed. Make sure to not drop her, that would cause a premature awakening. When she wakes up, she might think it was all a weird dream. No one knows anything…

“…” Mina

Uh, oh. It’s Mina. She’s looking at us from down the hallway. How much of this did you see?

Luckily, she isn’t the worst person to appear. I’d be in trouble if it was Sarah or Mel, but Mina is a corruptible maid. There’s room for bribery with her. I’ll probably need to dig deep into my candy reserves, but that’s one of the purposes for the stock.

I put a bunch of candies in the pockets of Mina’s apron, but her reaction isn’t changing like I’d want. She’s not smiling like she would normally from getting this many sweets, does she want even more to forget the scene?

Eventually Mina nodded as her pocket bulged out. It’s so large that it’s like she’s going to have a pocket baby. My stocks have been ravaged.

“Then, can you please move Eleanora to her bed?” Al

Mina nods in a polite manner. Ok, crisis has been averted. I can visit Emma now. I skip off to another place.

“Mr. Alfred, I don’t know what I’ll do with all this candy, I wanted a cookie…” Mina

I head over to Emma and Thor’s house with Thor.

“What kind of house are you living in? It must be a large breathtaking place.” Al

“No, it’s a normal house. Have you seen a house like that in the village?” Thor

What’s he talking about? Is Emma and this guy living under the same roof? Thinking about it makes me envious.

We head to the village square like usual, then head down a road. It seems like Emma’s house is near Celia’s restaurant, how many times have I passed by it unknowingly?

Turn after you pass Celia’s, the walk until you’re in a bunch of houses. They’re crowded around here, and I haven’t been in this area before. The road is shaded by the houses on either side.

“Here” Thor

Eh? Is this Emma’s house?" Al

“Silly. The house is the one with the orange roof.” Thor

“Most of the houses have orange roofs…” Al

“Look closer, our roof was repainted recently, so it’s a more vibrant orange.” Thor

I might be able to see it, but the houses look pretty similar. They were probably built at the same time with similar types of materials. They’re all the same inside too, probably.

“By the way, the house next door is where Sheila lives.” Thor

“Thanks, I’ll remember that for later.” Al

Looks like the beautiful flowers of Koriat grow near each other.

“I’m home” Thor

Thor opened the door, forgetting to mention me, for some reason.

“Woah, what are you doing?” Emma

“What?” Thor

I can hear Thor’s panicked voice and a woman’s voice.

“I said I might bring someone over today!” Thor

“Ah, I didn’t think that would happen. Isn’t it just Asmo?” Emma

“No, I brought Alfred.” Thor

“Ah, you’re getting along so well already. I get it, give me a minute.” Emma

Some voices reach me as I stand outside. Do you get any privacy in these houses? Thor is preceded by a rattling sound as he opens the door .

“I’m sorry, please wait a moment.” Thor

“Oh, sure” Al

After I give a reply, Thor returns inside.

“Why are you putting on a skirt in the kitchen?” Thor

“Watch your foot. You’re stepping on my underwear.” Emma

“Seriously, you’ve always told me leave my clothes in proper places, and yet?” Thor

“I was going to deal with it later, besides, I thought it would just be Asmo.” Emma

“No, this pretty bad even for Asmo.” Thor

I can hear the conversation between a noisy Thor and someone else. Is it Thor’s mother?

Does Emma really live in this place, or a flower garden in the back? She seems like someone who would drink tea in a mansion, or perhaps a small quaint house. She’d be playing with a little bird in a demure dress with her beautiful blue hair. I’m sure that’s where she actually lives.

“Hey, sis, did you need me?” Asmo

“Eh, didn’t you call for me? Oh, Asmo, can you give me a tamagoyaki?” Sheila

“Hey, don’t eat them all.” Asmo

From a neighboring house, I can hear another conversation. It seems more calm than Thor’s house. Yeah, it’s more peaceful.

“Ok, you can enter” Thor

“All right” Al

I entered the entrance, followed by a winded Thor. It’s an ordinary villager’s house. There is no second floor and it’s more open on the back.

“Weird…” Al

“What is it?” Thor

“I can’t see any stairs to a basement. Without a basement, where could Emma live in a flower garden?” Al

“What exactly do you think my sister is?” Thor

“Welcome Alfred, it’s a basic house, but take it easy” Emma

When I entered the living room, Emma greeted me.

Nice! She’s wearing a different outfit than usual, though similar to the one from the harvest festival. A while long sleeved shirt with a round neck. Under that is a reddish-brown knee length divided skirt.

“Not at all” Al

You could say my trip was worth it just for this.

“Then, I’m going home now” Al

“Wait a minute, weren’t you going to answer my questions?” Thor

“Well, that’ll be troublesome” Al

“Stick around, it’ll be fine” Thor

Thor pulls me into a chair, then sits in another across from me. A little while later, Emma gives us both some water.

“I’m sorry, we only have water” Emma mentions apologetically.

No, I’ll love your glass of water, above my tea or fine wine.

“I love a good cup of water” Al

“What are you saying…” Thor

“Emma, do you usually do the housework?” Al

I’ll ignore Thor’s comment and strike up a conversation with Emma.

“Yes, when my parents are working” Emma

“Huh, what are you talking about… Ugh!” Thor

“What’s wrong, Thor?!” Al

“Did your legs cramp?” Emma

“Your younger brother is a bit weird” Al

Emma left us to chat and went to a different room, I might like to go there too.

“So, Al. What do you think I should do to become a successful adventurer?” Thor

“Think about it yourself first.” Al

“I’m asking because I don’t know where to start. You should know something since your dad was formerly an adventurer” Thor

“Oh, the dragon slayer” Al

“That’s right! It’s cool to be someone who defeated a dragon” Thor

That innocent and brilliant smile, I wish I could show it to Nord. Maybe I can bring this topic back up at my house, that person would “love” to tell you about the details.

“Let’s leave that talk for when we’re at my family’s mansion” Al

“…” Thor

It looks like he’s not sure about that.

“Because you should hear it from the actual dagon slayer.” Al

“That’s right! Please call me whenever!” Thor

Thor tries to project a dignified look, he’s quick to change. Well, it’s better than never acting dignified.

“So if you want to be an adventurer, you can register at the guild from the age of twelve.” Al

“I’m eight years old now, so four more years” Thor

Four years? How will my life change over those years. I mused a bit, but I feel like it might not change too much.

“Well, I don’t know what will happen during that time, but you should make preparations during that time.” Al

“So I should practice the sword?” Thor

“That’s right, you’ll need strength”

“That’s it, that’s it!” Thor

Thor didn’t get it at all. I clench my fist under the table, then try directing his excitement.

“Luckily for you, there are people learning swordsmanship around you, like Emma or Sheila.” Al

“So, I’m in a good spot to learn?” Thor

Shouldn’t you have consulted your sister before me?

“Is your Father training you in swords?” Thor

“Along with Eleanora” Al

Thor’s eyes light up, he would love to practice with us. But that’s not what you actually want. You don’t want to see your limitations laid bare before you. It’s fine to pursue your desires, but think of your safety.

“That’s for when Thor gets better, beginners wouldn’t work well jumping into that level of practice.” Al

“That’s right, first I need to pick up the sword from my sister and Sheila” Thor

“Yeah. By the way, Thor, can you read?” Al

“Ah…” Thor

Thor started to look a little depressed while an awkward silence fell over the room.

After that, Thor got really depressed and I wasn’t sure what to do. As he explained that he couldn’t read letters and couldn’t calculate quickly, he clung to my waist. Thor may look intelligent, but it seems like he doesn’t like to concentrate on his studies.

To be honest, his situation is embarrassingly common in this world. Normal children from rural villages can’t read. Books are too expensive to be owned by villagers. Even an intelligent person can’t learn unless he’s in the right place. It seems that commoners will be taught if they can pass the enlistment test to become an army officer or knight.

Then when I asked if Emma could teach him, she said “I can’t read much!”

Surprisingly, Emma could hardly read letters either. In the end, I lost Thor’s interest for today. I wanted to go back to the mansion.

As I was making my back, the sun was setting, turning everying to madder-red. I can see my shadow on the road as I walk to the mansion. When I get to the mansion, I feel uneasy.

The gate is fully open, why is that?

When I enter the gate and move toward the front door, it opens for me. I look around, wondering what is happening. Did Sarah spot me coming back?

It seem that my sisters reddish-brown hair is exiting the door instead of Sarah’s glossy black hair.

It’s Eleanora. She saunters over to me with a dignified gait. Last time I saw her, she was unconscious after I knocked her out with my bedroom door. I shouldn’t have forgotten that, a chill run downs my spine.

Alfred, keep calm. Eleanora must have lost that memory. Be calm, don’t show your guilt. I don’t know anything. She’ll just scold me for wandering around like normal. I haven’t done anything wrong.

“Oh, you’re home Al. Where were you today?” Eleanora

“I was visiting Thor’s house today.” Al

Eleanora seems to think over my answer.

“Oh, you mean Emma’s younger brother…” Eleanora

“Yeah, what’s happening with you?” Al

Eleanora is holding a wooden sword in her hand. I can guess why it’s there, but I want to make sure.

“I was waiting for Al to show up, I figured you would be coming back late.” Eleanora

She smiles while resting the sword on her shoulder. What is she insinuating? I’m worried she’ll hit me with a sharp downswing. Even so, isn’t this timing too good, I had just arrived at the mansion. If she’s able to detect me coming, she’s left normal humanity behind.

“Oh, I guess I have been gone for a while. Sorry, I’m back now.” Al

Smiling, I try to pass by Eleanora to enter the mansion.

“Hmm, Al, I got knocked out today” Eleanora

That phrase stopped me in my tracks. Would she remember? I though I had bought off Mina to do the cleanup. I thought the contract was clear.

“Hey, that’s so strange. Eleanora had that kind of thing happen. Do you get bouts of dizziness? You have to keep a watch on your health.” Al

“Mina told me everything” Eleanora

“That fucking maid!” Al

I take a distance from Eleanora and her wooden sword. With the gate behind me, Eleanora glares at me.

I suddenly spotted a figure in my room’s window, it looks like Mina is pointing at something.

“What are you pointing at?” Al

“Oh, a cookie?! Why are you pointing at it?” Al

“If it’s a cookie, you can find a few in Al’s room, right?” Eleanora

Eleanora evilly smiles at me as she talks about raiding my room. It seems she took my cookies and used them to buy off Mina. How dirty!

“So you just raid your brother’s room without permission?!” Al

After all, it is Eleanora. I should have buried her when I had that thought.

“Why are you trying to hurt me!” Eleanora

“That’s it? It was an accident!” Al

“Like I’ve never heard that before” Eleanora

Eleanora stretches her body and prepares to attack.

I’m really tense now. Anyway, it’s impossible to pass by Eleanora and enter the mansion now. Alfred Withdrawal!

I turned my back on Elenora and and started running. I have to be careful of my back since Eleanora has a sword.

“Wait!” Eleanora

Eleanora starts to chase, she wraps magic power around her legs to get extra speed. Seriously, she needs that to chase me down?

“How can you use a delicate technique like body strengthening but not control a Fireball?” Al

This is bad, I won’t be able to escape a magically strengthened Eleanora. It is certain she’ll catch me at the current rate. Is there anything I can use? I look left and right for something, anything?

As I think, the pursuing footsteps are getting closer. Left, right, left, right, up? UP!

I suddenly look at the sky, dyed bright red by the sunset. The sky is infinite.

I know what magic I’ll use, I activate it instantly.

I use the Attribute-less Magic Shield. It’s a magic that creates a shield that’s used for protection by compression magic energy in a rectangular shape. I make more instances of the magic arranged like a staircase.

“Wait!” Eleanora

Eleanora’s hand grabs at me, but I’ve already left the ground. I ran through the sky that day.

I returned to Thor’s house, the sky is turning from red to dark blue.

“Thor!” Al

After I shout, he shows up a little bit later.

“Why are you so loud, you’re annoying everyone. Did you forget something here?” Thor

“Can I stay over tonight?” Al

“Huh? Why? Go back to your house!” Thor

“I don’t want to go home today…” Al

“Well, I don’t know what happened, but it’s pretty dark now, so you might as well stay overnight.” Thor

“Thanks, I’ll give you some lessons on letters.” Al

“Oh, yeah. Thanks” Thor