Chapter 017. Away to second city

He wouldn’t start his sermon this early right? Ayla thought warily. However, opposite to her expectations, Keid merely released a tired sigh after making sure that Ayla was perfectly fine.

He had a clear idea of what happened, but it was still different to personally seeing their status. Normally it would take two to three days of travel from the innermost barrier to Jemima, but Keid had to take drastic measures upon reading the note from Dabih.

“Let’s get inside first. The hallway is not suitable setting to discuss private matters.”

"Keid, I’ll willing acquiesce any runs for two months as a punishment." Ayla made the initiative to raise the topic. In this way, he’ll hopefully prefer a lesser punishment with her sincerity.

However, punching an ordinary knight is one thing, but once the act resulted in a serious injury, this clearly merits an absolute punishment.

Keid clicked his tongue then patted her head twice. Ayla wore a look of incredulous at his somewhat kind(?) gesture. Does that mean she’s not in trouble?

"Who are you?" She directly gaze at him with every bit of scrutiny, trying to look for possible clues in case she was played by an impostor.

The guardian she know won’t brush off any kind of misdemeanor. She even mentally prepped herself to just accept whatever happens.

Keid rolled his eyes at her blunt remark. Can this girl learn to hide her expressions properly? This is making him look like a person hell bent on punishing his people. "I’m too lazy to think of a punishment right now. So that’s not why I’m here, silly child."

“Aside from that, I heard that you passed out,” He gave her a brief once over after speaking. "Well, your complexion still looks unacceptable. You needed to rest more."

Before Ayla had the chance to retort, Keid already changed the subject so Ayla had to move quickly to catch up with Keid’s long strides. “Ah. By the way, you’re here for Vega, I presume?" He guessed.

She brushed a strand of loose fringes behind her ear as she hum in agreement. “I need to make sure she didn't die with just one kick.” She confessed.

His eyebrows furrowed in a grimace as if he had envisioned how exactly it happened. "Yeah, it does looks quite painful when I saw her earlier."

He sighed, cradling his nape as if he was burdened by something more than the world in his shoulders. “Honestly, you, youngsters are full of energy when it comes to doing dangerous things.”

Ayla looked at him as if he was spouting nonsense. “Keid, you’re only 34. What’s with the old boy talk?”

He shrugged. “That’s still 10-15 years older than all of you.” He retorted smugly.

Ayla scoffed. “That’s also 10-15 years earlier of gradual hair loss than all of us.”

“…”

“…”

“In any case, let’s go together since I also need to discuss something with you two anyway." He slid through that shit like butter, acting as if he wasn’t about to choose violence like all other youngsters.

Thankfully, they didn’t have to continue further since they arrived outside the infirmary. The usual sterile smell of any infirmary welcomed them like a strong heat wave.

"Hey." Ayla nodded at Leo as a greeting. She winced after taking a glance at the thick bandage wrapped around her stomach. It’s definitely bruised alright.

"Ayla~" Vega hastily sat up at the sight of Ayla.

“I'm sorry, I'll never be stupid again!" Vega cried while kneeling down at the bed, latching on Ayla like a tarsier on a thin branch.

"Party leader, your stomach..." Leo trailed off worriedly, trying to drag Vega back to the bed in fear of aggravating the wound area.

The ‘infirmary’ was actually just a random storage room in the building that they had transformed with vacant beds and basic medical tools and kits. This room is one of the busiest in the following days because of the many types of accidents that will ensue.

With the way their organization works, it was more secure to not stay in one location for a long time. And so they had to built everything from scratch every time. After a lot of years, Ayla was already used to leaving the room she was sleeping for another one after a couple months.

For some reason, the dignified party leader suddenly become a coquettish little shit. The transformation was mortifying but hilarious at the same time. "No! unless my precious daughter forgive me I will never let go." She declared indignantly, wiggling her arms wildly to shake off Leo’s hold on.

‘Vega...’

"When did I became your daughter?" Ayla didn’t know what expression she was wearing at the ridiculousness of the situation, refraining from throwing the person that was squirming on her stomach over her shoulders.

"Let me go, you idiot!” Ayla finally snapped.

"Mommy, our daughter is in her rebellious stage!" Vega gasped then proceeded to loudly complain, while clutching her supposedly "mommy’s” arm.

"Leo, how many painkillers did you shot Vega?" Keid’s face was solemn as he easily pried Vega off him and quickly put a pastry on her mouth to shut her up.

Keid then raised his eyebrow at the Ayla, pointing to himself. "Wait, am I the mother?" He asked dubiously.

"Based on our status and position, I would say, yes, you are the mother." She replied grimly.

Great, they know have a fucking family above all the bizarre things that occurs at a daily basis.

Leo wiped his temple with his handkerchief at the corner. He looks incredibly constipated for some reason. "Umm..." Leo adverted his gaze, looking anywhere but us. He obviously suck lying.

"Leo..." Ayla warned slowly, raising an eyebrow.

Leo squirmed under their heated gaze before he finally fessed up. "I'm sorry." He cried, “Vega forced me to shot two instead of one. She said it felt like a flesh-eating worm is gorging her entire stomach. I didn’t know the painkiller has this major side effect.”

It's no wonder she got to move perfectly well if she had taken two bloody painkillers. Ayla sighed once they finally coaxed Vega back to her bed and tucked her properly under the sheets.

"I should be the one who has to apologize. I was so worried that I let my emotions get the best of me." Ayla stated to Vega.

Vega sniffled before squeezing her in a bone-crushing bear hug, making everyone scream in panic. "I was so scared, I thought I would die!” She sobbed loudly that her words becomes an incoherent blubber.

"You bitch. How dare you throw your life like that stupidly? What’s the use of dismantling the barrier if you are not here with us." Ayla chided soflty we, while rubbing her back slowly to comfort her. Vega’s back still tremble a little bit, which caused Ayla’s arms to tense up.

“Miss Vega should definitely rest now.” The attending physician couldn’t take it anymore and suggested with a firm tone, shaking her head because of the patient’s recklessness.

“I just went out for second and my patient got two shots of painkiller without a doctor’s prescription.” They muttered quietly, but of course, everyone here were intangible wielders and heard her every word.

“Oh? I went away for a second then somebody got injured?”

Trust Caelum to make his presence known at the perfect time. He whistled lowly in disbelief at Vega’s messed up state. “Damn, remind me to not piss off Ayla again.” He grimaced. He wasn’t expecting this much injury for a wielder of higher ranking than him.

Keid rubbed the bridge of his nose as his tired eyes fell on Caelum. “Ah, you’re here.”

“She’ll be fine after a few hours. That’s not enough to kill off a cockroach.”

“Well, I knew that.” Caelum shrugged, while sporting a nonchalant grin. “By the way, you quickly got here considering the distance. So when will you guys visit us more often? You know, I’m starting to forget your faces.”

Caelum suddenly lean on Ayla, tilting his head dramatically. “I was even worried if Ayla can still remember who you are. She hadn’t mention you for a long time.”

Ayla’s face morphed into a mix of disbelief and incredulous, pushing Caelum away harshly. “What am I five? I was in a call with Sirius last week.”

Ayla didn’t really think deeply behind Caelum’s backhanded scheme. It had always been this way since they formed this party for her protection and experiments. The most she know is that Keid and Sirius hold important positions in the military to make it difficult to excuse their absences every time.

As for Vega, Leo and Caelum…

Ayla glanced at the said three with a blank expression. They probably got this much leeway because they were a pain in the ass for others to handle in the uptight military.

The people over there were probably doing fine now that these people are causing chaos without any funds depleting because of occupational damage.

Ayla’s brow knitted upon catching Keid’s serious look on her. Keid seems to be seriously considering something on his mind that it wasn’t beginning to get uncomfortable.

“Hey, what are you looking at?”

“What did I give you on your last birthday?” Everybody flinched when Keid suddenly speak up after that uncomfortable interim.

Ayla’s face seems to scream ‘what-the-heck?’ at the abrupt topic change, but still replied. “Uh…last November? You gave me an automatic kettle.”

Keid’s satisfaction was evident all over his face as he shoot Caelum a nonchalant look, which clearly says ‘I-think-not’ in bold letters.The gloat was obviously dripping like an overturned faucet in their eyes.

Caelum wisely grinned without any meaning and ignore the smug mama bear. Let’s just shut up. Yes, let’s do that.

However for Ayla, she didn’t think it was anything special. It’s only because of Keid’s atrocious gift giving skills that it created a deep impression for Ayla.

Who in their right ming gives a 19 years old a portable water filter on her birthday?

“In any case, Ayla still recognize you right? Thank goddess!” Caelum smoothly wrapped it up with a flattering laugh.

Keid still hadn’t dropped that minuscule smile off his face that it was making all their skin crawl. Leo had took it upon himself to busily adjust the already unconscious Vega’s pillows. The physician had already disappeared for a long time seeing all the big shots in one room.

Finally, Keid steered the topic on to the serious note. “Hmm…I wanted to make sure everything is fine after that serious SOS from Dabih. Some lives were lost. Fortunately, you still acquired new specimens to study.”

“Dabih should be handling a proper burial right now.” Ayla piped up.

Keid nodded in approval. “That’s good. Every life wasted must be repaid with justification to not insult the dead.”

“Aside from that, some people in the military are now watching my every moves. No need to worry since they can’t know about this party even if they pledge allegiance to the devil, but we need to halt any activity outside for a while.” He sighed wearily. That hair loss prediction seems to be closer to reality thinking about it now.

“…Until I can gloss over this incident perfectly, that brat…I mean, they will probably remain suspicious for this old man.” Keid continued while sporting a look of hopelessness after the end. Honestly, his expression can allude people to think, ‘This old man is being bullied by youngsters. Demandingjustice…’

Caelum had an undecipherable expression after catching on with Keid’s slip up. Or was that even a slip up? He was the only one here who instantly had a person in their mind upon hearing Keid mention a brat after all.

That particular brat couldn’t be him, right?

Caelum took note of Ayla’s clear expression and sighed inwardly. It seems like they’ll be meeting each other sooner.

“Ah. What about Sirius? Is he also under suspicion?” Ayla immediately exclaimed once she remembered there is one person not present here.

Keid raised his eyebrow at Ayla as his lips curled down. “Sirius is not suspicious since he has his one leg on each boats. That two-faced bastard only has tea making as his good merit.”

His tone had a hint of displeasure, which did not escape Caelum’s keen radar. This mama bear has no conscience to throw his accomplice under the bus to show off on their name child!

Keid somehow caught peripheral blindness in that instance, which explains why he didn’t see Caelum’s bewildered expression.

“Ayla, you should only look up to people with admirable countenance like those who consider the value of camaraderie more than anything. Sample 1: they go to their comrades in need even when their secret could be exposed.” Keid stated patronizingly without any fluctuation in his tone. His thick skin can really put a con-artist out of business

“Keid should just focus on his job well so he won’t get in trouble.” Ayla remarked seriously. She really took Keid’s words earnestly knowing that Keid is taking a gamble from just being here against the tri-military itself.

However, Keid with the highest IQ ever recorded in the entire knights’ history took it the wrong way. The gullible filter is too strong when it comes to his name child.

“That won’t do. She needs the optimal environment that can influence her positively. Most people stray from right path in their coming-of-age.” Keid couldn’t be at rest because of Ayla’s distant reaction. In his very logical mind, he arrived to the conclusion that putting Ayla closer to him will solve the problem.

Ayla shoot the other people inside the room urgent glances in order to quickly come up of a way to escape this crisis. This is just one of the reasons why they keep this person out of here as much as possible! Every plan just escalates bigger than what’s doable when he’s here.

Caelum cleared his throat, proceeding his moves carefully. “ANYWAY, I’m here to ask for Ayla’s assistance. I need to go to the second city in Jemima for some personal shopping errands.

Since Vega will be bedridden for a while. There won’t be any activity for us to do until then, correct?”

“If Ayla—“

“I agree.” Ayla immediately raised her hand, cutting off Keid’s words.

Caelum wore a benign smile, while looking innocent and ignorant to Keid’s narrowed gaze. “Okay, then! Hey, you guys! Ayla and I will go now! It’s dangerous to travel at night.”

“Please get some medicinal incense for Vega too, Sir Caelum!” Leo shouted from behind their brisk paces.

“Hmm, I’ll get you some too.” Caelum turned while walking backward, wearing a look that says ‘I-gotchu’.

“…” Leo instantly looked like his life was drained from him as he cast a glance at Keid in realization. He’s really the most stressed man alive!

…

“I’m the most stressed man alive!”

Caelum exclaimed to the sky, carrying four boxes stacked on top of the other while also traversing on the bustling street without hitting anyone. Of course, his strength is higher than ordinary people, but walking into countless stores in a monotonous routine can possibly drain even the strongest person.

Ayla, the person who got dragged into the current task of running around, was already smacking her dry lips with a murderous glower on her face.

“Why do you have to buy this on your own? I haven’t heard any business owner who buys their product’s materials themselves.”

“Now, now, Ayla. You don’t understand. There’s a huge difference with buying it yourself and purchasing from a merchant.” Caelum started while using a persuasive tone. One that health and wellness gurus typically use to their scammed ‘students’.

“You see, buying personally gives you the chance to find good, cheap quality resources. Nobody will jack up the prices for a bag of Mayweather leaves and then give you second-rate materials.”

“I see…” Ayla nodded, letting out a small noise of realization. She really has no reason to doubt Caelum especially with his extraordinary identity.

A soft ring echoed on the silent room as soon as they stepped through the store entrance. “Welcome, young master Cael. And Miss Ayla here as well.” An old man behind the counter immediately bowed politely.

“How may this humble servant assist you today?”

“Oh. Gabriel. It’s been a while. How are you?” Caelum greeted, while Ayla silently nodded as her greeting. Caelum then achingly stretched his shoulders once he was able to put the boxes on the counter.

“Everything is okay over here. I’m glad young master was able to visit after so many months. The Madame will be delighted to see you visit the main house more often.”

“Did mother made you come here because I was coming here?” Caelum’s eyebrows furrowed displeasure.

“Please don’t take it the wrong way. The Madame is simply a worried mother looking after her beloved son’s safety.” The old man pulled out a handkerchief and anxiously dab his perspiring forehead without dropping the elegance of an experienced butler.

Ordinary people aren’t immune to the pressure felt when in front of a wielder’s aura.

“I apologize for putting an unsightly appearance in front of young master.”

“Nah. I doesn’t matter. Remember to just treat me like a normal customer next time.” Caelum relaxed his expression and waved a hand dismissively.

“Where were we? Ah, yes. We’re here for new stocks of green tea leaves. Some noble wanted to try ‘oriental’ type of teas.”

People would’ve looked at them like they were crazy if they heard them right now. This is because behind Gabriel are rows of hand woven textiles of exquisite quality. Nobody would expect a famous textile store in Jemima to be distributing banned tea leaves.

“Understood! Right away.” The old man went to the back room then return with a heavily lidded wooden box.

Any object that is foreign or not Aeviterian in origin had long been condemned by the royal family as heretic. However, this didn’t deter for some foreign looking plates or goods to arrive in most Aeviterian’s homes.

One of the reason is because of the wealthy Lisbon family, a merchant family in Jemima, who kept their ancient tea making techniques that was preserved within the family throughout the century, available to the people in absolute secrecy.

“Will that be all, young master Cael?”

Caelum closed his pocket watch with a snap. “Yes, we’re behind schedule now. Tell the family to stop bothering you, Gabriel. Your old bones isn’t suitable for long travels anymore.” The pocket watch’s short hand had already struck 3 causing him to sigh, and tossed the box lightly to Ayla on his way out.

Ayla rolled her eyes, but obediently carried the box and followed him out.

“Young master, wait! Please take a look on some of these portraits and tell me what you think?! Young master!”

Gabriel’s desperate voice cut off as soon as the door closed behind them. They quickly rushed forward to blend in the crowd. It was disrespectful to treat a senior this way, but this is exactly why the stubborn Lisbon family’s Madame send the old butler every time.

“Will she ever get tired trying to marry me off to some woman?” Caelum muttered, rolling his eyes.

He might as well live as an unmarried old man in the future than have a spouse that couldn’t understand his worldviews.

“Well…” Ayla trailed off, “you left the young master lifestyle to become a minimum wage researcher instead of a top notch scholar. Of course, they’ll worry about your future.” She ended matter of factly.

Caelum shrugged, reciting their family’s motto in its original language. “The shoes may change but the feet never forgets. Every shoe always leave a piece of its own imprinted to the ground under the world’s gaze.”

Of course, Ayla had long known its translated meaning. It was a verse that Caelum repeatedly uttered until Ayla could recall the words herself now.

Caelum Lisbon is the legitimate golden spoon among them. Born as the youngest of the two Lisbon young masters, he could’ve an easy life in Keren rather than rolling on the ground with leviaths.

However…

Ayla looked down at the wooden box. Her eyes glimmer with hidden depth beneath them. Like Caelum, they all have different personal reasons why they are working in a common goal.

For Caelum, it was freedom for him and his family. In spite of the fact that his family had long been used to the illusory cage that took them away from the place their blood belongs.

Ayla stared up to the boundless sky. Somewhere within her also wanted to escape from something she didn’t know what.