Chapter 5: Discussion with a Knight Captain

Aboard the Airship Anastasia and I was taken into a private room to have a conversation with captain Eric. 

The Airship looked like it came out straight from a Science fiction show or movie, it was surreal to me at that moment. We were sitting around a small table and Eric was sitting on the other side, while Anastasia and I sit down together. 

What is the reason why captain Eric summoned us for? Is it because of the explosion in the forest?

what am I going to do now? It's not like I could rrun away from here and left Anastasia behind...

I have to apologize for everything!

"Thank you again for saving our lives. I really appreciate it!" Captain Eric bowed before I got to say anything. 

"Oh, it's nothing really.... Anastasia and I were passing through at that moment. So...."

"Yes! Mr. Kyle and I were just passing through the area and just decided to help!" Anastasia chimed in after I spoke. 

Captain Eric just sat there and listened intensely at what Anastasia and I said. He just nodded along with what we said, while folding his arms. 

Being in such a situation where I have to explain everything in detail to someone made me feel more and more uncomfortable about everything. And what was I going to say to Eric? That I was unexpectedly summoned to this world.... nah, I don't really think so. 

Captain Eric is carefully listening to our story.... I can't just mess up this opportunity!

Anastasia and I have to find a place to stay in the town up ahead. I just can't leave Anastasia to fend for herself... my consciousness wouldn't allow me. 

"Please pardon me for asking you a personal question. But, how did you end up in the [Great Forest]?" Captain Eric asked with some hesitation in his voice. 

"You do know that this forest is a dangerous place, right? And even if you're not from this kingdom, you still should have known." Eric cautioned us about the forest. 

Both Anastasia and I froze and glanced at each other when he asked us. This is going to be awkward to explain....

If Eric finds out that I'm not from this world, who knows what would happen to me...

And what about Anastasia? She would be all alone. I know that I'm not in the right place to protect anyone, but....

"Un, well, Uhhh..."

The room was filled with awkward silence from both Anastasia and I. Captain Eric just stared at us in confusion. 

"What's the matter, sir Kyle? Why aren't you guys talking?" Captain Eric asked. 

I took a deep breath and cleared my throat before I began to speak. I glanced at Anastasia, giving her the impression that I have everything under control. 

She smiled warmly at me, implying that she understands me. 

"It's not like we don't want to talk to you or anything. Well, the reason why we were in the forest was because, you see my student Anastasia and I was stranded in the forest." I answered the knight captain. 

"So, how did you guys get stranded in the [Great Forest]?" Captain Eric asked us. "But wait, something isn't adding up... I thought you said that the little girl was accompanying you!"

Oops, I guess I lied to him... how was I suppose to know what I had said earlier?! I wasn't thinking straight!

Well, I have to come up with something to not be suspicious...

I was caught off guard by the question that knight captain Eric asked me, that I was at an lost of words . There was nothing that I could say or do to get me out of this situation....

"Un, well.... Anastasia and I was passing through the forest and were caught up in a strong storm. And unfortunately, we lost all of our documents and other important stuff...."

"That night it was really scary, especially when lightning flashes!"

I answered the questions of the knight captain, and Anastasia backed me up with my statement. 

"So.... you were caught up in a strong storm...? And you said that you had lost all your stuff? Strange...." captain Eric pondered what Anastasia and I had said to him. 

"Yes!"

"Certainly. What I've said is the truth."

Captain Eric was sitting there trying to figure out if what we had said was really truthful or lies.

".....well, there was a powerful storm recently, which was caused by a battle that took place between a 'Hero' and a powerful Dragon. The aftermath was devastating...." Captain Eric explained. 

"Oh... a hero...?"

When I looked at Anastasia after captain Eric explained, I saw that she looked really sad and upset, as she was about to cry.

"Are you alright, Anastasia?" 

"What's going with you student? She seems not to be alright!"

She began to sob uncontrollably when captain Eric and I asked if she was alright. It seems like taking about the storm situation has some effect on her emotionally...

(Anastasia sobbing)

(Sniff)

(Sniff)

"Umm, well... my village was attacked by the monsters who were fleeing from the fight between the hero and the Dragon... (Sobs)"

So, the made up situation that I hhad completely made up was a real event? And Anastasia was relating to what I'd said?!

Now I feel like a jerk for taking advantage of a real situation, Ughh!

Captain Eric was shocked when he heard that AAnastasia's village was recently attacked by monsters. He just stared at us in disbelief and with a hint of being used. 

The room was filled with awkward silence once again by everyone that was there. But when I was about to say something, I heard a commotion happening outside of the room. 

"Let me in! I want to see my big brother!"

"Sorry, Lady Amelia.... but I can't let you. The captain is busy with a guest in the conference room....."

"I don't care! He must be hurt from fighting all those monsters!"

From what I've understand about the commotion happening outside is that someone who wants to see captain Eric, and the other person is trying to stop them. It sounds like a girl who is in her teens, and the guy is in his early twenties. 

Captain Eric didn't react to what was going on outside of the room, and continued focusing on Anastasia and I. The sliding doors suddenly burst open and a young girl who was wearing a red high tech armor that suited her body, and golden blonde hair and another knight who was wearing the same color armor as captain Eric burst into the room. 

"Big brother, are you all right? Are you hurting in any way?!" The girl jumped on the captain and began hugging him. 

"Hehehe!"

"Amelia, I have told don't address me as 'big brother' when I'm on duty." Captain Eric calmly explained to the girl. 

"Sorry sir, she came along with us to search for you..."

"But... but I was worried sick about you!"

"As you can clearly see, Amelia. I am doing quite well, all thanks to this gentleman and young Miss."

The conversation finally turned to us, and the girl turned to face Anastasia and I. She smiled warmly. 

"I'm Amelia, the little sister of Knight Captain Eric. Nice to meet you!" She bowed after introducing herself. 

And so, we continued talking to each other until we arrived at the town where Eric belongs to. After landing safely in the airfield, we still have to fill out some paperwork to enter the town. 

By the time we were finished, it was night already and Anastasia and I was taken to an inn to stay for the night. 

Tomorrow Eric promised to reward us for saving them, so I'm good on that end.