Strange encounter
"What's with that book?"
The morning skies, still cloaked in virgin rays, were slowly brightening over a cloudless expanse. The imminent heat hinted at the approaching warmth.
"It's an Alchemy book the young miss wants me to read," Roland explained, showcasing the book to Butler Francis.
The two ascended the small hill towards the mansion crowning it's summit.
"Hmm," Butler Francis nodded, and a contemplative silence enveloped the atmosphere.
"Why did you come specifically to fetch me?" Roland inquired abruptly.
"Because I know the others can wake up on their own," replied Butler Francis, gesturing toward the bath-house.
Roland turned to see a few people heading toward the bath-house. They appeared to be other servants like him.
Neither of them were the chatty type, so awkward silence ensued.
They reached the mansion's door.
"I trust you remember your way. Don't wander, head straight to your destination." Butler Francis briefly advised, taking a different route.
Roland nodded and followed his usual path. While walking, something peculiar caught his attention. It wasn't the exquisite vase that interested him but the fiery flowers bathed in constant flames.
Intruiged he activated his skill, {Keen Intuition}, and he obtained the corresponding information.
[Plant: Inferno Rose]
[Function: keeps the surrounding atmosphere warm. Has the effect of warming up the soul.]
[Rare]
[Useless to host]
'Hmm, do I really need to learn from the book when I have this skill?' A contemplative thought crossed his mind. The skill provided him the information in real time!
[Species: Human]
[Dangerous]
Assessment Comprehensive strength: Unable to Judge
[Species: Human]
[Dangerous]
Assessment Comprehensive strength: Unable to Judge
As he approached the kitchen, details about the guards flashed in his vision.
'I'll get there someday.' He resolved and clutched his fists as he walked past them.
He unkowingly let his ego cloud him, due to the events of this morning. He calmed himself and quickly arrived at the kitchen.
Roland was given a smaller meal then yesterday but he didn't complain and proceeded to Ruby's room with the alchemy book.
He sat down by the door and delved into the book, titled 'Introduction to alchemy: for assistants.'
The book comprised of vivid images of various plants, their basic functions, and informational snippets. Roland focused on memorizing the plant names and their functions.
He immersed himself in studying the book's contents. Time elapsed and the room gradually brightened. Roland's immersion in the thick book persisted. Suddenly, Ruby's voice interrupted his concentration.
"Come in."
He looked outside and realized that Ruby had risen earlier then usual. 'I have to make a good impression.' he tidied himself up and entered the room.
"Good morning, young miss." He took the initiative and bowed.
Ruby looked at Roland via the mirror and stopped what she was about to say, "There's some dust on your shoulder, and It looks unprofessional; remove it."
Roland was surprised, even he could barely see it, she must really be a neurotic person. He suddenly recalled a co-worker with a rare condition. She was nick-named 'perfectionist' by everyone else. She was super neurotic and lacked any social skills.
"Young miss if I may, I'd like to apologies for yesterdays behaviour." He bowed again and said in a humble tone. "To show my sincerity. If the young miss would allow it, i'd be like to brush your hair."
He had given it some thought, she controlled his life and death, and getting on her good graces was of out most importance. He planned to suck up to her, if he could, he'd glue his lips to her ass.
"I'd like to apologize for yesterday's behavior," Roland humbly expressed.
Ruby's gaze held a unique intensity, 'What are you trying to do? Trying to get on my good graces? Or trying to do something bad? Yes, that must be the case! Vanessa is still in the room, so his plan will fail!'
If Roland knew that Ruby almost guessed his intention and instead placed a target on his back, he wouldn't be so calm.
"I'll allow it, but if you mess up my hair, I'll ask Vanessa to break one of your limbs." Ruby's threat had an excellent effect in motivating Roland, but he quickly calmed himself down
[Species: Human]
[Dangerous]
Assasment Comprehensive strength: Unable to Judge
Getting closer, the corresponding information abruptly appeared in his vision. The duration for the skill, {Keen Intuition} wasn't over.
He realised that the danger level between Ruby and the guards was similar. In his mind he reassessed the innocent girl, any fantasy he once had of holding her hostage flew out the window.
[Species: Human]
[Extreamly Dangerous]
Assasment Comprehensive strength: Unable to Judge
When he got closer, another set of 'data' appeared in his vision. There wasn't anybody else in the room. Confused, he looked towards the bed area but he wasn't able to see anything. 'This must be Vanessa!'
[Species: Human]
[Extreamly Dangerous]
Assessment Comprehensive strength: Unable to Judge
The once 'useless' skill was becoming more and more helpful.
'I must make a habit of leaving this skill turned on.' Roland thought as he quickly picked up the towel from the desk and started drying Ruby's hair. He had seen how Vanessa did it yesterday before he was sent out.
[Species: Human]
[Extreamly Dangerous]
Assasment Comprehensive strength: Unable to Judge
Just as Roland revealed Ruby's delicate neck, the data entered his vision and enlargened. He turned around and saw Vanessa staring at him with an unfriendly gaze. He broke out in cold sweat. He calmed himself and picked up the brush and started brushing.
He was extreamly focused, not only because of the discovered strength of Ruby, but because of the other person behind him.
'His movements are a bit rigid and slow.' Ruby's eyes were wide open, looking at Roland's reflection without any reaction. Her voice sounded, "Be quicker with your hands."
Roland complied.
'It almost the same.' Ruby scrutinized herself in the mirror from multiple angels. "You, go get my breakfast. Vanessa come and make it perfect
Roland was impressed with himself. He really wanted to ask how he did but kept quiet and stepped back. 'I just need to be patient, she's different then others.' Roland bowed and left the room.
He arrived at the empty.kitchen and placed his order. He waited a while then got the meal. Today the meal was smaller then it was yesterday. The chefs explained that, it was instructed so by the family.
'I just hope she doesn't get worked up about this.' Roland took the tray of food and left.
He returned and waited for a while before Vanessa told him to enter.
"To increase the purity, I must increase the..." Ruby was immersed on some book, not paying attention to her surrounding. Roland delivered the tray and swiftly moved back.
Time elapsed and Ruby kept flipping through the pages, she would occasionally nod and take notes. After almost an hour, she closed the book.
"What's this?" Ruby frowned and turned to Roland.
"Due to the family's financial crises, cuts we're made and this is the results." Roland responded and watched her gaze lingering on him without any discernible emotions.
Seeing her eating, Roland heaved a sigh of relief. .
"Hmph! Did you think the young miss would blame You? Hmph! How dare you think badly of her, your just a small character." Vanessa disdainfully said without even looking at Roland.
'Yet here we are working as slaves.' Roland kept his mouth shut.
Although she didn't seem like a bad person, she wasn't a saint either. In Roland's opinion, part of it may have been her upbringing, but the choices she makes is the result of who she is.
After Ruby was done eating, they left on the carriage. Arriving at the gate, they heard a commotion outside, which prompted them to investigate.
Multiple carriages carrying crates and various object was slowly entering the Sterling family grounds. Alongside the carriages were people wearing a uniform Roland was familiar with. It was the Sterling merchant family's navy uniform.
Roland noticed that everyone had a defeated expression on their faces. Like a defeated army returning to the city. At the forefront, Roland saw a familiar face, First Commander, Mason.
Mason glanced at Roland's direction, and meet Ruby's gaze. His expression turned sour and he lowered his head, while shaking it.
The carriage slowly passed the gates. Roland noticed that Ruby was looking out the window with a blank expression, her eyes remained still despite almost overflowing.
"Young Miss!..."Vanessa suddenly exclaimed with a concerned face. She looked at Roland and threw out something, "You, go and buy a Homina."
Roland saw that it was actually a silver coin, he wanted to ask for further instructions but he stopped when he saw the vicious expression, Vanessa's face wore. He just sighed and got out with his book.
'This is the first time I see their faces change!' Roland thought he saw some tears in Ruby's eyes. He pondered briefly pondered about the family dynamics within the Sterling family but ultimately shook his head.
Roland got out in a bustling-market area, with people going back and forth. The vendors were welling their discount prices along the side of the road, while others welled their prices outside their stores.
There wasn't a distinction between the sidewalk and the road. People flooded the area as soon as the carriages passed, and made way for it quickly.
'Can I run away?' As soon as that thought crossed his mind, Roland felt the symbol on his chest heating up.
He marveled 'This thing is truely magical, it's almost soundproo- wait I shouldn't be praising it. I'll think about that later. For now, how do I find what I'm looking for?'
"Excuse me Miss, where can I find a Hominor?" Roland came to an emptey vendor and asked.
"A what?" The woman impatiantly looked back at him in confusion.
"A Hominor or Homenor, somewhere there I'm not sure." Roland suddenly felt anxious, he suddenly rememberd Vanessa threat about ripping out his spin.
"Ohh a Homenor, this is it, here take it, it's 5 copper coins." The woman suddenly showed a realised expression, and picked up something from the many strange things on her table.
Her manner of speech was weired, like a foreigner trying to speaking a difficult language. She had an accent that Roland thought was middle-eastern.
Roland suddenly holted, he looked at the purple-onion looking object then at the woman. He found it suspicious that she had exactly what he was looking for, he suddenly activated his ability, {Keen Intuition} and sure enough he got his answer.
[Plant: Rower Vine]
[Function: Helps to alleviate stress for babies]
[Common]
[Useless to host]
"Sir, don't believe anything she says, she's an evil person." Just then a shout came from the side, a young man wearing a beggars clothes with a brown cloak covering his shoulders and chest.
"He's a lying..." The woman cried out. She suddenly became angry and shouted, "Go away here, you beggar, you are lower class! Guards! There is beggar here!"
'Guess, I shouldn't trust everybody.' Roland shook his head and walked towards the young man.
"Thanks for the help!" Roland nodded.
"It's no problem, I just hate people who take advantage of others." The dirty young man had a huge smile on his face, he patted Roland on the shoulder. Although they were the same height, the man looked older then Roland, probably around 18 years old. He had short-black hair and a dirty face.
'He looks simple.' Roland nodded. "I still need your help, do you know what is a Hominor or Homenor?"
"You mean a Homina?" The beggar looked at Roland in with a strange gaze.
"I think that is it, I'm not sure."
"Yeah, I haven't heard of anything else with a similar name, sure I can- oh! Here comes the guards."
The woman's shouting in the background finally drawed someone's attention, armed man. The city guards quickly made their way towards the scene.
"Quickly, let's go." The beggar grabbed Roland's arm and started fleeing the scene. They ducked their heads and ran away. The was a lot of people moving about and the guards lost sight of them, they also couldn't block the open area, with multiple paths.
"*huff huff* Ha ha ahaha, bastards won't catch me." Two boys were panting in an alleyway, one of them was laughing out loud.
Roland took back his hand, this beggar had suddenly grabbed him out of nowhere, suspicious he asked "Why were they chasing after you in the first place?"
"These bastards chase away anyone who doesn't have money, or expensive clothes. Claiming we're gonna ruin their image." The beggar stood up, his expression suddenly turned firce, "To hell with that, this is our city too."
'I'm not gonna get invloved, I got my own problems to deal with.' Roland shook his head. "They are really unfair. You said you could help me?"
"Oh yeah, I know what your looking for, follow me." The beggar smiled and took the lead. His body language was a bit too free and spirited.
They walked out of the alley and appeared on another street that was less crowded.
"By the way, aren't you a servent of the Sterling family? " The beggar turned and asked.
"Yeah" Roland frowned but he still nodded and looked at his Butlers uniform.
"So how come they didn't tell you where to go?"
"It's a long story, but I'm still new to this servent thing." Roland sighed. "What about you? What's your story?"
The beggar contemplated for a while and responded with a smile. "My story isnt worth listening to-."
He suddenly stopped and said. " Oh look we're here!"
In front of them was a bakery looking store, With some bread looking food on display through the window. The store's colors were faded out and looked a bit old.
Roland looked around and realised that, he was still in the 'fancy' part of the city. It was just that this building stood out among the rest.
"Just go in there and say that your looking for a Homina, These people won't cheat you!" The beggar suddenly said and turned around.
"Your not coming in?" Roland found his sudden departure weird.
"I doubt, I'd be welcomed in." The beggar waved his hand and disappeared in an alley.
'His definatly hiding something, but I have enough on my plate to focus on.' Roland shook his head and entered the store.
The bell on the door sounded, reminding Roland of a bakery store from earth.