I Owe You One

[Rudeus POV]

I never knew this would happen. The moment I step out of the cottage to give Minitona and Tersena some private time with Eris, I encountered Ceobe who was standing in front of me. Not only that, she told me something I didn't expect to hear.

"Please, take me with you" she said with a determined expression.

I couldn't tell if she is inviting me on a date or she wanted to come with us in the journey to Asura kingdom. Personally, I want to think it is the former one but I should ask her properly, so I don't get any wrong idea.

"Ceobe, what do you meant by taking you?"

"It means I want to join you in your travel"

Dammit, I was hoping she would say the former one. Oh well, so much for gaining a beast girl as a date.

Anyway, back to the matter at hand. I guess Ceobe really wants to tag along, which is quite troubling since her mother told me she can't leave the village. I don't know what cause her to say this, so I need more explanation from her.

"Tell me, why do you decided to join us?"

"Well, that's because..."

Ceobe proceeds to ponder on how to answer my question. Then she looks back at me and spoke.

"That's because I owe you one"

"Please elaborate"

"Ever since you rescued me in the prison cell and saved me from the bandit boss, I always wondered on how should I repay you. So, I think helping you in your journey is the only repayment that I could think of" she earnestly said as she smiles at me.

Hearing those words is quite touching and nice. However, despite what she said, this proves to be difficult to comply due to her circumstance.

"Listen, Ceobe. I appreciate your intention to help, but I don't think your mother will allow you to go" I calmy explain to her. This made her feel sad and she droops her ears.

"I know that..."

"You do?"

"Yeah, so that's why I need you to help me persuade her"

"...."

Wow, that's a quite unexpected, not going to lie.

This girl really is trying so hard to force her way out of this village just because she doesn't want to leave us go.

--------------------------------

[Ceobe POV]

I hope that I succeeded in convincing Rudeus. I genuinely want to help him.

The dream that I saw earlier really disturbed me, which is why I am trying so hard to join his travel.

I originally plan to tell him about the dream, but I doubt that using this information would persuade Rudeus. Besides, it might probably discourage him to comply instead.

Anyway, as I wait for Rudeus to accept my request, I observed that he is hesitating to comply. He looks like he is struggling on how to solve the predicament that I am dealing with and I feel bad that I counted on him in this matter.

*sigh* Rudeus tiredly sighs. Then he looks at me worriedly and spoke.

"Fine, let's see what I can do to help you"

"Really? Thank you, Rudeus~" I smiled at him as I thanked him, which he smiles back in return.

Finally, I am almost getting my freedom from this village and explore the world outside the Great Forest.

At least that's what I thought. I noticed that Rudeus's smile turned into a look of terror as he looks beyond my direction.

I was confused at first but I soon felt a sense of dread when I realized that someone is behind me. I didn't even need to turn around because I already know the identity of this person by their scent.

"[Look, mama. I know that you're upset, but please let me explain]" I said while remaining standing in the same position.

"[You don't need to explain, sweetie]"

"Huh?"

While confused on what she meant, I turn around and look at her dead in the eye. She looks upset yet her tone earlier was calm and collected.

"[I heard everything]" she said while twitching her dog ears.

Seeing that, I was distraught that she found out my plan from the beginning and I assume that she will not allow me to leave. I lowered my head and droop my ears again and asked.

"[Does this mean I am not allowed to join them, mama?]"

She silently stared at me and scrutinized my body. Then she looks at Rudeus, who is extremely nervous to be glared at by mother.

And finally, she turns around and answered my question.

"[Yes....]"

I was devastated when she affirms her denial of my wish and couldn't help to lament for my lost. Rudeus even tried to comfort me but it wasn't working.

I lost... I will never see Rudeus again after he left the village.

"[Or at least, not yet]"

But then, mother said something that gives me hope. I immediately look at her and we meet each other's gazes. Then she opens her mouth and informally said.

"[Tomorrow, the raining season will end and the flood will disappear. So, meet me at the ground level in the early morning, understand?]"

"[Y-yes, mama. I understood]"

"[Good, now come along. Let's go to sleep]"

After saying that, she walks away and heads back to our home. I was speechless at what happened, so I look at Rudeus. He nodded at me and prompted me to go home now.

I complied immediately and run back home, so that I can sleep and wake up early.

-------------------------------------

On the next day, I woke up and noticed that it no longer raining.

I also observed that Mother is also not in the bedroom and instead I saw my spear and knives were arranged on her bed instead.

Next to the weapon is a parchment with the text that is written in Beast God language. It briefly says "Pick them up and meet on the ground level"

I followed the instruction and picked up my weapons. Then I went outside of my home and head towards my destination.

Once I arrived, I saw mother was standing there, waiting for me.

I also noticed that she is wearing different clothes. She is currently wearing a dark purple full-body outfit, which compliments her long purple hair and red eyes. Not only that, she also has two red spears on her sides.

Seeing her intimidating appearance, I first calm myself and then approach her confidently. She quickly noticed me coming and spoke.

"[Ah, you have come, sweetie]"

"[Mama, what is this about?]"

"[I figured that you will leave the village one day, so I want to give you one last trial before you go]"

"[A trial?]"

Mother nods at my question. Then she picks up the two red spears and begins brandishing it in front of me. Then she spoke once again.

"[I, Sirius Aldoldia, have one question to ask you, Ceobe Adoldia?]" she said.

"[What is it?'"

Before I could even react, mother immediately dashes towards me in full speed.

"[Can you defend yourself?]"