“What are these two lovely angels?” The owner of the tavern said with the adoring eyes of a grandparent looking at their grandchild wearing the cutest clothes ever. Noel and I were adored by everyone like some kind of Pop idol. I’m cheerful and a bit embarrassed, but Noel had her emotionless mode switched on. We’re just wearing the tavern uniform no biggie. Simple red skirt and a white shirt with a pink heart logo on the chest side. But with a face like mine. Any clothes will look awesome. (The overconfidence is so cute.) The tavern is named “Kokoro Tavern”. Obvious why the logo is a heart. I came here from time to time when I was little because my Aunt was always anxious about my safety, so I’m no stranger to the owner and full-time workers here. Sometimes when some part-timers are needed. I’m always available to help out. Like in our current situation. Looking around does take me back. The scent of the food being cooked in the kitchen, the sweaty smell of the mercenaries, and
Time flies without us knowing. Noel and I already finished our shift, but for Aunt Kiyoko the night was still young. More mercenaries gathered to grab a bite and chug down alcohol. Well, they’re now eating like there is no tomorrow.Many were optimistic about the result.I can’t just understand why they’re celebrating before they defeat the dragon. I think they should celebrate after the subjection.I’m just a kid so I can’t fully comprehend what's actually going on with their heads.Currently, Noel and I were on our way home. Under the sky filled with stars and cold breeze that makes us shiver. The colorful surrounding of the town at night was dimmed down. The streets were silent so silent. Lights from the houses we passed by look captivating for some reason I don’t understand.Right at this moment, all I can do is follow the tune.I picked up my flute and start playing while walking with Noel.This tune was for the peaceful starry night. Relaxing music after a day of hard work. Musi
What is this place? Everything was burning. Everyone was screaming. Everyone was hurt. Blood. Flesh. Finally, Aunt Kiyoko was laying down on the field motionless while swimming in a pool of blood. “No! No! No! No! I don’t want this! This won’t gonna happen. This is not what I wish. I don’t wish for this reality. I don’t want everything to disappear. Even it will cost my--”…I suddenly open my eyes and sat down. I placed my hand on my head and rub my forehead. Sweat and unusual fear were running through my body. I shivering. In moments like this, I remember what my Aunt Kiyoko told me.I raise my palm and slap my cheeks seven times. It kinda hurts but this will wake me up and stop my shivering. I sensation of fear was gone and I feel good again. I have a deep breath and sigh.Still, thinking about it. That nightmare of mine was horrifying. The village was in complete destruction and I was there crying non-stop.I was the one shouting, but I felt like it wasn’t either. I don’t understa
Kikone was out doing whatever she want outside knowing that Noel was at the house busy reading. She wanted to play along with Noel. However, the thought of Noel leaving their home someday makes the atmosphere awkward. Kikone wasn’t very good at breaking the ice and decided to give themselves distance for a while.Noel closed her book after she sensed that Kikone’s presence has gone far away. She won’t be suspecting that Noel was gone from the house. Noel open a wormhole and took her ignition sword before leaving the house.The guy last night wasn’t normal demon-kind. It wasn’t the first time Noel encounter a demon-kind with more than two heart cores. If there was a demon-kind like that they must be a supreme level and dangerous. Saying he’ll come back was Noel’s nightmare. She can’t let the man go back. Before he makes another step in the village Noel will make sure to send him down to burning hell.Noel took the circumstance personally. This trouble only exists because she let her gu
After Kiyoko’s reunion with Riku, Kiyoko immediately told the oner that she have to leave early because of an emergency. Riku was unstable in his ability to talk or anything, it's like he was a walking dead. But he's not a zombie. That’s for sure, Kiyoko didn’t know what cause this, but that’s not the problem right now.“Owner, I apologize but I have to leave… The man that I love was outside waiting for me.”“What?!” All staff said in unison.“Yeah, she just fall in love with a beggar outside,” Melty said.“What Kiyoko fell in love at first sight with a beggar?”The owner was shocked.“He's not a beggar… He's a traveler.”“My? My? My Kiyoko fall in love with a beggar!”Shouted Marco. He's the assistant cook and son of the owner of the tavern. It is no secret that he have romantic feelings for Kiyoko for the longest time. He did everything, but nothing amazed Kiyoko and every time Marco asked Kiyoko. Kiyoko replied: “I already have Kikone. I don’t need another to love.”Marco kinda los
“Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Those councils should just die!”Kirima shrieked. She screamed out her soul on her bed. This is a reaction not very fitting for the demon princess. Outside she was this seductive, known as the strongest of all demon-kinds. But deep within she was a pacifist. So pacifist that she never killed anyone in her entire life. (Well, that only extends to what she knows about herself).Her ability to future sight was powerful enough to make her break through many disasters in her life. Without this ability, many people might turn against the fraud that he was.“I hate it! I don’t want to go back there… Especially that Ghoulhell shithead. He talked to me while checking my body. He should be locked in a cell forever.”“Princess that behavior wasn’t rightful for a princess. Please fix yourself.”A cat-eared maid girl named Koharu said as she push the cart of sweets and tea next to Kirima’s bed.“Just let me have my voice out in my room. No one can enter this room and n
I woke up early in the morning and greeted the day without feeling fatigue.I took some eggs out of the Catmaid pocket, cooked them sunny-side up, sandwiched them between bread, and ate breakfast.If I could obtain rice, soy sauce, and miso next, I could have a real Japanese breakfast for the first time in quite a while.There was no set time for my appointment with the guild master, so I ate breakfast at a leisurely pace before leaving the house.When I arrived at the guild, a guild staff member immediately guided me to the guild master’s room."You’re surprisingly early.""That’s because I immediately went to sleep yesterday. Isn’t the guild master also here early?""I stayed overnight because of the Black Viper case from the past few days.""The Black Viper case?""After that, a lot of rumors spread about you defeating the black viper. We received many applications for the raw materials.""Although I haven’t decided whether I am selling them or not yet..""I understand. However, ev
I returned to my House and started considering the orphanage. Things that were necessary for living. Food, clothing, and shelter. These three things. For clothes, it was not yet necessary to rush to get it. For food, it would become necessary in a few days. For shelter, because it was repaired, it should be okay.As expected, the biggest problem was probably the food. Like the food stall uncle said, bringing over food every day was not an option.I extended a helping hand, so I don’t want to retract it. When I was troubled over what to do, I heard knocking on the door and Marie calling out."Marie, is the dismantling finished?""Yes. Then, the guild master summoned Big Sis Nicole, so I came."I couldn’t come up with a solution to the matter regarding the orphanage, so I headed to the guild with Marie."You’re here."The guild master himself came out to receive me."So, what about the Black Viper?""Ah, it’s been refrigerated."When I entered the cold storage warehouse, there was a lar