Chapter 15 - Nostalgia

"Shh... Just drink this," a maid whispered as she gently poured water into Amoria's mouth, her face pale with concern."Did you call Lalyn...?" Amoria asked weakly after swallowing, addressing a fellow receptionist who had assisted her into a private room."Yes, I've contacted that woman through [Vibration]; she should be here any minute. In the meantime, you rest," the red-haired receptionist instructed firmly as she caressed her palm."Ha... If I rest now, I'll fall asleep... I have to stay awake and talk to her," Amoria muttered, pushing herself up into a sitting position."Why call over your other former adventuring companion for this?" Garry interjected, leaning against the doorframe, his expression pensive."I just wanted all of us to be here," she replied weakly."What..!? Then, talk to me or Marcilla here! You and Miss Lalyn haven't spoken in years, right!?" Garry protested."It's complicated... I just need to see her," Amoria responded simply."Just... What is so important about this Van Hellix that you're acting like this!? He just seemed like a suspicious jerk! Or criminal scum! He was very rude and impolite, too!" Garry grumbled angrily.Amoria softly giggled, "Yeah... I suppose he does seem that way to you, doesn't he? This only confirms that the badge you brought me really belongs to him," she said, smiling weakly, a hint of nostalgia in her expression."What's that supposed to mean!? If he's really that much of a lowlife, then don't worry! I won't let him near you!" Garry exclaimed, his voice brimming with determination.The receptionist let out a tired sigh, shaking her head. "I see..." Amoria began, exhaling softly. "...Riry, it's late. Go back before your wife starts asking questions. I'm safe here with Marcy and the other adventurers staying in the guild hall downstairs tonight.""It's Garry... And... are you sure you're fi—" he asked, before being abruptly cut off by the receptionist."For all that is holy, the girl said she's fine! PISS OFF ALREADY, YOU SHITTY BRAT!" the receptionist snapped, a vein bulging on her forehead as she stomped toward him."A-AH..!! I'LL—" Garry stammered, sweat trickling down his face. The calm concern he'd carried vanished the moment he saw her furious expression, replaced by sheer panic. Before he could react, she grabbed his ear with a vise-like grip and started dragging him toward the door."M-MAR... AUNT MARCY, I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! I WAS JUST—" Garry pleaded, leaning awkwardly to spare his ear from further abuse, only to be cut off by her growl."IF YOU'RE SORRY, BE SORRY OUTSIDE!" Marcy barked, yanking him through the doorway and sending him stumbling against the wooden railing outside with a dull thud.Garry turned back, rubbing his ear gingerly while a wave of relief washed over him after she let him go. He cast a soft glance past Marcy at Amoria, still resting quietly on the bed."T-then... good night. And let me know if that creep shows up—" he muttered, only to have the door slammed shut in his face, punctuated by Marcy's sharp click of her tongue.Inside, the room fell silent as Amoria lay comfortably under the blankets, chuckling awkwardly at Marcy's aggression."You should be more gentle with him... He only means well," Amoria softly suggested, her gaze resting on Marcy, who made her way back to her side."Then he needs to be reeducated on what 'meaning well' really means," Marcy growled dismissively before turning to the maid."Misa, you're free to go. I'll take it from here. Handle the reception and orders until I return—it shouldn't take too long," Marcilla instructed. The maid gave a small nod and quietly shut the door behind her as she left."Marcy..." Amoria called weakly, gently pinching her arm. "It's Van... He's... He's really here," she murmured, her breath soft and uneven with each word, Marcy's brows drawing together at the mention of his name."...I know. I kinda miss him myself, you know?" the tanned, red-haired warrior murmured as she sat beside her on the bed."You do...?" Amoria asked, a hopeful look in her eyes."Dumbass. You think you were the only one who cared about that guy?" Marcilla sighed as she lay down on Amoria's legs, stretching her limbs comfortably."I never thought that... It's just... Well, you know..." Amoria's voice trailed off, her gaze falling in shame.Marcilla looked down with a deep sigh."...That Goddess really did him dirty, didn't she... Untrusted. So stupid," Marcy muttered to herself, staring at the ceiling as she leaned her back on Amoria's legs."I think he's the only guy who wouldn't go for Magus's throat, despite everything he went through... Honestly? I wouldn't even blame him if he did," Marcy continued."...I did him... 'dirty.' Not the Goddess," Amoria replied with a weak smile."Idiot. And who collaborated? Who agreed to keep you and Magus being involved a secret? We all had a hand in this," Marcilla said with conviction.A heavy silence hung between them as memories of their past adventures resurfaced."Y'know... Sometimes, I think about that guy," Marcilla began, her gaze distant."About Van...?" Amoria asked, a trace of curiosity in her voice."Yeah.""Like what...?" Amoria pressed."...Not much. Just... thinking about him. Like... why the fuck did he stay? I get that they were friends, but there's a limit to how loyal you can be. Considering how charming Magus was—hell, even I was drawn to him—the right move would've been to grab you and leave, as far away as he could." Marcilla's voice softened, trailing off into the quiet room, and Amoria flinched slightly at her words."I just... can't stop thinking about it. I've never seen a man act like that. It's so... unmanly. But... ugh. Why do I keep thinking about it, even when it feels so cowardly?""Because I don't think him staying was cowardly at all. And... well, Van was nowhere near what an 'ordinary' man should be," Amoria murmured."Are you talking about his immortality, or something else?" Marcilla asked, her gaze shifting toward Amoria.Amoria shook her head slowly. "No... You said it best. He didn't go after Magus... or me, despite everything. And honestly? It would've made perfect sense if he had," she said, her voice filled with a warm admiration as she smiled at the thought of Van's steadfast loyalty."But the fact he hadn't... Is a testament of his bravery, and, how much he valued Magus,"Marcilla rolled onto her side, her cheeks warming as thoughts of Van lingered."I mean... he could've just been a homosexual, y'know..." she mumbled, her voice tinged with embarrassment.Amoria chuckled softly. "Hehe... You and I both know that wasn't the case.""Jeez... I know. Just... Damn it, it would've been a lot easier if he was. The headache he gives me, thinking about him like this... How dare that stubborn, helmet-headed idiot..." Marcilla muttered, her voice trailing off as she blushed deeper, caught in her own tangled emotions.