Me, Luna, and Lily

Chapter 23 - Me, Luna, and Lily

-

The moment we stepped outside the Cavern, we were welcomed by the gentle breeze of air and the moonlight that beautifully illuminates the night sky. Judging by the position of the moon, it's likely that we're just in time before the midnight.

"We're finally outside. Oh, how I've missed this!" I rejoiced. "Like man, the Cave feels so suffocating."

"Y-Yeah," Luna replied. "It must be very hard for you two."

Luna's remark made us both look in realization at Lily. The place was too dark to see her face clearly, but the dim light makes us at least know that Lily was having an emotional moment right now. We're also the only three left in this place so we can also hear the faint sobbing coming from Lily.

"Let's go back, both of you..." I told, which meekly followed by the two.

* * *

After a while of walking, we finally returned to the Inn that we rented earlier...fortunately. After we arrived at the Town's Gate, we were stopped by the Guards due to the Town's strict policy. Luckily, I managed to convince them which we were permitted to go inside.

We also took another dinner since we're pretty concerned about Lily being unable to eat for at least a week. Well, I'm also a bit peckish as well so today, I ordered plenty of meal for us to eat. I know not eating for a long time will make you eat like there's no tomorrow but man, the way Lily devour everything I gave into her...It was unbelievable...

After a such fulfillment dinner, we headed back into our room. I decided to rent another room for me so that the girls can have their privacy. Although, the girls were opposed for some reason.

"Mou! You don't have to rent a separate room, you know?" Luna protested, tugging my sleeve while she pouts.

"T-That's right! You even have to spend so much because of me..." Lily shyly added. "I don't mind sleeping together with Sai..."

"It's for the sake of privacy, both of you." I retorted. "Regardless, we'll talk about the plan tomorrow. You're all probably tired, right?"

I left outside and flipped the switch off before I left the room completely. Dissatisfied, the girl went to each of their bed after.

"Goodnight, girls." I replied before I close the door and head into my room. I'm also starting to feel tired and exhausted, so I immediately went straight into the bed and sleep. As soon as I closed my eyes, my consciousness instantly faded along with it.

* * *

"Th... M... ng."

Murmur of voices was the first thing I heard the moment I woke-up from my slumber. I'm still in a state of being half-asleep but little by little, the voices were starting to clear. It was of a feminine sound I was hearing, and also a familiar tone at that.

Sigh, who am I kidding. It was pretty obvious who were the two girls whom I was hearing talking...

I slowly opened my eyes just to be immediately noticed by the two girls and turned their attention into me.

"Ah! Good morning, Master."

"Good morning, Sai."

Luna and Lily. I was greeted by the two of them added with their beautiful smile. Hm~ Now this is what I call a "Good Morning". Nevertheless, there is still a question that needs to be answered.

"Good morning, Luna, Lily." I timidly greeted. "Now, can I ask why are you two in my room?"

"Um actually, we kind of woke-up a bit early then plan to hang out with you. Unfortunately, you are still sleeping so we decided to wait until you wake-up." Luna explained.

"Oh, really?" I replied, then shifted to Lily. "How about you, Lily? Do you feel anything? Unpleasant or some sort?"

"Oh? I-I'm okay now." Lily cheerfully replied.

I let out a small sigh and went out of the bed. Rummaging, I took out a long sleeve from my Pouch then turned into the girls.

"Ah, you can go and wait for me downstairs." I reminded. "I'll follow after a seconds."

"Yes!" The two replied in unison and left the room after. Ah, thinking about it, there's a chance that they might attract some usual inconveniences. By that I mean some males who will desperately tries their best to do something ill to both of them.

"Wait, what am I even worried, though?" I mused. "Luna can easily handle them after all."

Clearing such unnecessary thoughts as I was done dressing, I left the room and went to follow the two. I already saw the two but before that, I firstly went into the cashier to buy breakfast for the three of us. I'm glad no one tried to bother them.

I order a meal of salad and chicken—a mixture of nutritious food for the three of us. After I took the order, I then head to the girls who were happily talking into each other. My, they're already close friends. I wonder what happened?

"Let's talk about the plan while we eat." I informed as sat, placing the food to the table. "The thing is, me and Luna were planning to enroll at the Imperial Academy. There are some circumstances, but we are currently travelling to reach the Capital." I pointed the fork I'm holding towards Lily. "Lily, you said you're already enrolled in the Academy, right? If so, do you want to come with us?"

"Y-Yes!" Lily delightedly replied, then let out a sigh of relief. "Really, I'm so glad..."

"Y-Yeah..." I timidly replied. "Glad to have you with us."

In a state of overwhelming happiness, Lily gave the most beautiful sincere smile she's ever done since I met her. Mhm! this journey will now become livelier.

I then also started to notice Luna who was also smiling at me. It's not of a regular smile but a really genuine one.

"I'm glad." Luna said. "You really became a different person, Master."

"Uh, Thanks?"

I don't know what kind of horrible things Sai did in the past, but I'll take that as a compliment Luna.

"You don't mind it, right? Luna." I asked.

"Of course, Master. Ehehe~" Luna cheerfully replied, then turned into Lily. "Isn't that great, Lily? I knew Master will take you with us."

"Yes!" Lily emotionally replied. "I still can't believe it."

"What is?!" I confusedly interjected.

Did they really thought of a possibility that I'll reject Lily to come with us?! I'm not some kind of demon, you know?! Well, jokes aside, it's nice to see these two were already close to each other. My first encounter with them were a bit heavy, never smiling once for who knows how long. But seeing their genuine smile right now, I can't help but feel some sense of accomplishment towards me.

"Ah, about Lily's circumstances." I informed. "She was currently being chased from the higher-ups in their Elven Country. Though, there's a possibility that they think Lily is dead considering that someone saw her stepped on a trap and was missing since. Regardless, as long as we remain vigilant, everything will go smoothly."

"I-Is that so...?" Lily worriedly replied. "I'm sorry for dragging you into my mess..."

"You don't need to worry about it." I assured. "For now, let's eat our breakfast then we'll depart this noon."

"Yes!" The girls concurred in tandem.

After a brief discussion and the three of us eat our fill with a fun conversation. It was still 9:00 in the morning so I accompanied the girls and bought some clothes for Lily. Her clothes were in complete tatters, so she is now temporarily using my sweater I gave her.

Just as you expected from the girls, it took them a while to finish buying their clothes. So, I who had nothing to do, started to turn the 『Life Extract』 into 『Life Essence』 while waiting for them.

I managed to get 『18 Life Extract』 at the Mushroom Lair plus the 『23 Life Extract』 left in my inventory. I put all of 『Life Extract』 in my possession through the [Bucket of Mana Water] then turned it into 『Life Essence』. With that, I currently have 『8 Life Essence』 in my Inventory. And by the time I was done, the girls also had finished their shopping.

With everything's done. We head back into the Inn and began preparing what we needed.

* * *

"Luna, here."

"This is..."

"Yep, Life Essence." I replied. "I was lucky enough to be able to mine so many, Hehe."

"Amazing..." Luna muttered in awe, visibly dumbfounded. "I-Is it really for me to take something like this?"

"Of course," I replied, raising my eyebrows in bewilderment. "Is something wrong with what I did?"

"N-No, Master..." Luna timidly replied. "It's just that, normally, only noble of a great degree were able to get one of these..."

"She is right." Lily added. "Life Essence are one of the items considered as a National Treasure. And you're just giving it like it's nothing..."

"Well, that's how it is." I nonchalantly retorted. "Moreover, don't be surprised by just that, I plan to maximize both your Mana and HP in the future so this much is just a walk in the park."

Both of them stared in each other, trying to comprehend of what I just informed. They might see it as quite the unbelievable feat but not for me. As long as I have the knowledge of the game,

I can make them one of the strongest.

"I also had plans for you, Lily." I added. "You might think I'm assuming too much, but I considered you to be one of us now."

"Haha... M-Master, if you give me something like this, I can never repay Master anymore..."

"M-Me too! I still haven't repaid you when you save me and now, you're still giving me..." said Lily, as flush crept up her face. "Y-You even have plans for us..."

The two of them began fantasizing as they became silent for quite a while.

* * *

After that, Luna and I finally used the 『Life Essence』 which permanently increased our HP by a ton. Right now, Me and Luna currently had a HP of:

『Sai Crimsonheart HP: 240/240』

『Luna HP: 220/220』

And currently, we're now 2.5 time tougher than a regular human.

"That's great, Lily." I complimented. "It looks good on you."

It's a great pick what Luna and Lily had brought from the store. A fantasy dress coupled with a hood and a shoulder guard on her right, a large belt on her waist with leather bags on both sides, and lastly, the 『Magic Pouch』 sitting beside the left bag.

"Here Lily, please use this." I commend. "You're the best one to use it I think."

I gave Lily the 『Platinum Bow』 since she is the only one of us who can use it effectively. Even in the game, Lily specializes in archery so giving her the 『Platinum Bow』 was the right decision.

"T-Thank you, Sai." Lily sincerely replied. "I'll take great care of it."

After thanking me, Lily began to hug her bow with a sweet smile. I, who was charmed, impulsively patted her head in adoration.

"Ah..."

"Eh...?!"

I immediately removed my hands away from Lily's head in panic. Goddamn! me and my thoughts...

"My bad, Lily! I didn't mean to do that."

"N-No, It's okay!" Lily shyly replied. "I don't hate it or anything..."

"R-Right. Anyways! It seems like we're all done so let's head out now."

"Master..."

The three of us bid our farewell to the Inn and patiently waited until a carriage take us into a ride. It took us an hour, but luckily, we managed to find someone willing.

"Our next destination is one of the prosperous City of this country." I informed. "There, we can use the Train to take us all the way through the Capital. There probably won't be any problem going there but let's stay vigilant just in case."

Next Destination: The City of Invention - 『Augustus Aurela』