Chapter 15 : Explanation To Parents

"So... what does this mean, Zen?"

In front of me now was my parents, looking at me and the one on my side, looking apologetic because of something. And I, on the other hand, was sweating buckets trying to figure out how to get out of this situation.

How did I end up in this situation, you ask? Well, it happened a few minutes ago, when we're now going home, and it's now more later than the other times I go out.

While I also sometimes don't go home because of the quests I accepted, I always go get their permission. I am still technically a child here, after all.

However, this time, it was different.

What I said to them was I'll only go buy armor to replace my broken one, but I ended up buying more than that. Come to think of it, I haven't bought it because I bought Eina... what do I say..? I even skipped lunch too, now that I think about it...

"Is something wrong?"

Walking by my side now was the said bought slave girl, Eina, looking at me while tilting her head cutely. However, you can't see a slave collar anymore, nor a sign it had been placed on her neck. I've healed it, after all.

"N-no, nothing... I was just thinking what should I say to Mom and Dad about this..."

"I see... Good luck thinking it then," she just smiled at me without thinking it too much. But it was you who I have to explain, you know?! Wanna help me, at least?!

And before I knew it, we're now in front of our house. I was really now sweating profusely. But before I opened the door, someone walking towards the door and opened it. It was Mom.

"Oh, Zen, you're finally back! I was beginning to get worried because you're still not back—oh?"

After looking at me worriedly like a she always do when I come back from my quest, her gaze naturally flowed into the one standing behind me. Now she had the curious look. But it take long to turn it into her secret mode: I call it the curiousity switch.

See, if Mom saw something interesting, she would just begin looking like a child. If it's about me, she'll tease me until she gets the answer she wants to hear. As an example Mom was now staring at us while grinning too much her smile is reaching her ears.

"My, you're still just a kid Zen, but look at you bringing a girl into your house! My son sure looks cool!"

"M-mom, stop that! It's embarrasing! Let's go inside!" I pushed Mom inside and held the confused Eina's hand to go inside, but turns out it would lead to a bigger mess.

"Ooh, what a move, Zen! Holding a girl's hand, how bold of you!" Mom just continued teasing me which I tried to deny her statements.

"It's not like that, Mom. Eina was-"

"Oh my, you already call her by her name, and without honorifics, even? That's nice!" Mom just talked again before I continued saying it, now turning into an even more mess. Though we're zilenced by the voice of someone.

"U-um... if I'm a bother here, I can just go..."

"No, you don't even have anyone you knew right? And also, you're my responsibility now..."

"Responsibility?! Zen, just what did you do to her?! You're still a kid, right?! You haven't done it, right?!"

"I haven't!" I immediately denied her outrageous words. Mom continued to chew me out, then Dad came from the 2nd floor.

"What's the noise, Eri-"

Of course, as someone who definite has a good eyes as a merchant, his gaze locked onto Eina really fast. Oh no... I was already nervous earlier, but now I'm even more.

"Zen, looks like we need to talk about this," Dad said seriously. No, why did you also misunderstand?!

"It's not like that Dad! It's just-"

"I see. Let's talk about it then, too. Come. Oh, young lady, also come as it would involve you. Eris, can you make us tea?"

"Of course! Hehe, now this will be a long talk!" Mom happily said as if this isn't a worrisome matter. Aaahh, now I'm even more nervous and confused.

I sat at the chair in the living room, and Eina sat on my side which made Dad look at us interestingly.

"So you're already close, eh?"

"No... we're still not..."

"Oh?"

Instead of me answering, it was Eina who did, and it gathered more of Dad's attention. I don't know anymore. Then Mom came in with the tea and also sat beside Dad, grinning.

"So, let's start. What happened, Zen?" Dad started, asking us inquisitively. I can only sigh as I started telling them qhat happened this day, and it even was a long one that we started eating dinner with Algen, then continued.

And so, after my explanation, with also Eina explaining things mostly because she's the most involved, it left my parents speechless.

"So you're saying that you bought her, summoned her parents, they talked with each other while you're unconscious and  she's now following you because Eina here thinks of this as a debt to pay?"

"Yeah, more or less. Also, she didn't have any gamily she can turn as her village was attacked... Dad, was there really a beastkin village north of the Citrine Kingdom?"

I asked this to Dad because the kingdom also north was still far, meaning that no one owned the place there. I'm wondering why meither of them took those lands and protected those who inhabits it.

"Those vast forest north of this kingdom was definitely not touched. Or rather, all the nations stated they wouldn't touch it. It was because those lands are called the Sadred Forest. It was something thought to be protected by the gods, with anyone who wants peace and also coexist with beastkins."

"As you know, beastkins were treated as below humans. That's why they were sometimes oppressed, tortured, or even killed. However, you can't do that in the Sacred Forest, as it was believed the barrier protecting the land will kill anybody with hostile intentions to other humans or races. There were legends about it. That said, beastkins are also strong so only the weak are the most affected."

Instead of Dad, it was Mom who answered me. That said, it was even a place protected by the gods?

"I see... However, how did they attack the Sacred Forest if they have those barrier? It was the gods who even did it, right?"

That's what also worries me. No demons have ever succesfullt infilteated those forest or get near them, but now something like this happened... But it is out of our hands. We can't do anything about it now."

"Eris is right. However, we confirmed one thing. Sacred Forest was attacked, if not totally invaded, by the demons, and this girl's village was destroyed. This is a sensitive information; make sure not to tell anyone about this."

"..."

In the end, that was the conclusion we got, and Eina was seen lowering her head in sadness. I tried to console her by patting her head, which she recovered just a little. A certain someone's eyes lit up in joy, though.

"So, what are you gonna do, Zen? You bought Eina. I won't disagree with your decision."

So, here comes the question. I honestly want to keep Eina. She had no relatives anymore, and by driving her away would mean she'll fall into her previous state when she was still a slave.

"...I have freed her. It's not up to me to decide anymore. She was on her own. So... what are you gonna do now, Eina?"

I turned on her, asking those questions to know what she deicided to do. Hearing that, she closed her eyes for a moment, and when she opened it, it had become a gaze of someone with resolve on what she want to do.

"I want to stay with you, Zen-san. You gave me second hope by summoning my parents. You saved me into that wretched place, too. I'm really glad to have met you. So please,  take care of me from today onwards, master."

"That again... why are you calling me master?" I asked her. She's not my slave anymore. Then, as if she knew what I was thinking, she told me her thoughts.

"I think I know what you're thinking, master. You know nothing's free right? I will help here in the house, and specially to you, who bought me. That will be my payment to all of you."

"Oh, I love your thinking, Eina-chan! Please take care of my Zen for us! Oh, and I'll also be happy if you could be her bride soon," Mom teased Eina  making her blush. I swear, her curiosity switch should really be turned off now.

"Now then, Zen, about you summoning her parents' souls, would you mind filling us with information on that?" Dad asked.

...Ah, fine, I'll tell anything now.

And so the night, which was unusually longer right now, turned even more so after that question, and because of that we've slept really late.