Chapter 74 A Place to Find Peace
The soldiers will take a few days to make sure the fire is completely out.
"This place is a blank slate. The old research site is untouched, right? Let's take it over and turn it into a big magic testing ground."
Lord Osric's voice echoed as we were about to leave.
"No one wants to go to the countryside..."
Ricardo, exhausted and out of magic, furrowed his brow.
"I can't help it. I'll pass the lead Arcanist job to someone else and stay here."
"No way."
With the ruins unlikely to attract any more bandits, I felt a bit more at ease.
Luka drove us back to town, with Thomas in the passenger seat and me and Yuruyana in the back. I thought about using the Arcane Bicycle, but the others protested, "You should rest." It's a good thing my bag is so spacious.
"Where are we heading next? Back to the capital?"
"I'm dying for a shower and a proper bed to stretch out in."
Even with getting used to it, sleeping in the cramped car is still miserable.
"There's a nice hotel to the east. I've never stayed there, but the breakfast is great. My master and I used to eat there sometimes."
"Oh, local knowledge is handy. Think they still have rooms available?"
"Probably. Oh, I'd like you to drop me off at my master's house."
"Sure thing."
As I listened to their relaxed conversation, I suddenly felt exhausted. My eyelids grew heavy. Yuruyana's safe return must have released the tension.
With the hotel sorted out, I'll just close my eyes and rest a bit...
* * *
"What about the captain? You staying at the same hotel as us?"
"Shh."
Yuruyana quickly stopped Luka, who was trying to look at Tsukumo through the rear seat.
Tsukumo didn't respond to calls and remained still, head against the window.
"Hey, is he really asleep?"
"Oops! Luka, watch out!"
Luka whipped around, shocked by the rare sight, causing the vehicle to swerve wildly. Tsukumo's head, eyes shut tight, knocked against the opposite side, leaning on Yuruyana. Yet, he still wouldn't wake up.
"Heavy...!"
Yuruyana tried to find a comfortable position, barely able to move before giving up. Waking him now just didn't make sense.
"Yuru-Yuru, can't you switch places!?"
"Don't shout, focus on driving."
Luka scolded in a low voice, a rare display of chaos from his usually calm demeanor.
"Damn, at least if I were in the passenger seat..."
"Senior has been asleep all day."
Thomas peeked from the back, fully enjoying the unprotected sleeping face.
"Thomas, take a picture for him."
"Film is a standard supply, you know."
"Just do it somehow."
Pressured by his desperate colleague, Thomas reluctantly pulled out the camera.
"You'll make a print for me too, right?"
"I'll do anything, just hurry up."
Despite all the noise, Tsukumo remained dead to the world.
"Mixing business with pleasure..."
Seeing the true nature of the feared [Fourth] in the military, Yuruyana took a step back.
* * *
When he opened his eyes, he saw a unfamiliar ceiling.
It wasn't a hospital. Looked like a room in a wooden house. Random items were scattered around, and there was a faint smell of medicine in the air.
"...Mr. Elmer's house?"
Trying to recall his memories with a foggy head, he thought of a matching place.
But he couldn't remember at all when he had fallen asleep. Seeing he wasn't changed, it must be the car on the way back.
"So, Thomas must have brought me here..."
Considering my condition, he must have decided to let me sleep at Mr. Elmer's house.
His wristwatch was taken off and placed on the side table. It was already past ten.
As he was gently stretching his body, the door opened.
"Oh, you look better. Want some coffee?"
Yuruyana entered, carrying 2 steaming mugs.
"Thanks. You understood, me waking up and all."
I took the cup and sipped the black coffee, nice and strong. Yuruyana got a café au lait – just like always, extra sweet.
"Master, you've got sharp ears. Long-lived folks are all like that, you know."
He beckoned me over, and I followed him out of the room. I trailed after his prepared back, heading towards the good smell.
"Here, the kitchen."
Mr. Elmer, with bedhead and yawning, stood in front of the pot. He looked like he just woke up. Still barefoot as usual.
By the way, Yuruyana was wearing slippers and even tossed me a pair.
"Morning. You slept well, huh?"
"Good morning. ...Sorry for the trouble."
"Morning to you too."
His brief reply and smile seemed to say, 'This much is fine since I helped Yuruyana.'
"You'll take a shower first, right? I'll show you the way."
"Yeah, thanks."
The changing room had a familiar-looking washing machine.
"We don't have a bath here. If you want to soak, there's a big bathhouse at the hotel where Luka stays. Day guests can use it too."
While I was distracted, Yuruyana casually opened a cabinet and tossed over a towel.
"Nah, a shower's fine. Plus, I'm all sweat and dust from using the bed..."
"It's okay, it happens when urgent patients come. Oh, but that washing machine is acting up. How about after breakfast, you take a look for your room fee?"
"Happy to..."
Since I couldn't say no to fiddling with machines, Yuruyana left the changing room without even waiting for an answer.
I heard a thud as the door closed, and a small 'got it' muttered from the other side.
"Master, why do you keep this here, anyway!"
Then came the clinking sounds, probably tidying up the hallway, gradually fading as they returned to the kitchen.
"Guess the shower setup's the same as ours..."
Come to think of it, Yuruyana didn't need any explanation on how to use the shop's stuff. Seemed like they were used to it from day one.
But if Grandfather made this outfit... it would take decades of work to pay for it. Mr. Elmer probably ordered something super expensive on purpose.
After washing off all the sweat and dirt, I changed into the shirt and jeans I always keep in my bag. An old habit from my soldier days. Who knew it would be useful now?
Back in the kitchen, toast and salad were laid out on the dining table, separated by a counter.
"Momota used to dress like that, too. I wish I could have seen us side-by-side."
"Yeah, me too, I guess."
"When was the last time we took a picture together...?"
Probably when I entered Arcane Art Academy. I should have gone home more often, and listened to their stories.
"Use the seasonings however you like."
"Okay."
They seem to have their spots already. After putting the soup on the table, they sat down right away, so my place was naturally decided, too.
"Let's eat."
"Let's eat."
Mr. Elmer and I, using the standard words of this country.
"We give thanks for the blessings of heaven and earth!"
Yuruyana offered a cheerful prayer before the meal, using words passed down from her parents. A peaceful breakfast began.
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