ORDINARY VISAGE - 25

I'm embarrassed for complaining all the way to Ruel who seems to be fast asleep in my bag. After eating earlier, I decided to follow the river line while holding the crumpled map. I don't know where I am now. I don't have a compass, even if I do, I'm not sure I can read the cardinal directions. I'm sorry for being an idiot.

"Ruel, it's your turn to carry me later, okay?"

Ruel didn't say anything. I straightened up, felt a hot back and walked slowly like a granny in a nursing home. Being trapped in a forest is the most unlucky thing because it can reduce stamina, moreover it's not clear what kind of creature the forest is inhabited by. It's good that today I didn't encounter any strange creatures, because if a strange creature appears, I'm not sure I can avoid it. My stomach started rumbling again.

The sky turned orange. The copper-red sun sank behind the high mountains and surrounded by tall trees far away. Several flocks of birds flew in one direction quickly. I have to eat some more.

"Ruel, if you're still alive please respond to my words," I said. I looked down at the river, only to notice that the further I walked, the drier the surface became. I walked again to find out the reason why the river water receded. Ruel didn't say anything. I wanted so bad to dislodge him from the bag, unfortunately he's a weak, emaciated cat. I can't.

"Ruel, if you want to die, you should first," I said while going down to the dry river surface. I saw a large tree blocking the river, I saw a pinched black rope, then pulled it. The rope suddenly wrapped around my hand. I rolled my eyes, then quickly threw it away. It's definitely not a rope. Then suddenly, a bunch of small black snakes came out from where I pulled the rope—which turned out to be snakes, they surrounded me. I retreated irregularly backwards, pretending to be relaxed even though I was panicking half to death. I could hear the hiss of the snake-it in my ear, until finally the loudest hiss of the snake disturbed my ears. A huge black snake with ferocious red eyes came out from behind the tree branches that cut the river path. The snake stood tall with a body as big as a cave while sticking out its tongue. I gulped.

"What is it, Your Majesty?"

I ran quickly until the bag containing Ruel fell there. Ruel, who had been in suspended animation since before, got out of the bag, running after me. I couldn't bear to see that many snakes, let alone small snakes starting to creep into my body. I don't look back to see how far I've gone, not even caring about the fate of the impudent Ruel. I spurred my run, trying to climb the cliff out of the river's surface area. It was getting dark, but I could still see the big snake and the little guys chasing me. Ruel was still being chased below when I managed to climb up the cliff. He clawed at the rock, nearly falling over. I squealed, trying to reach his body when the small snakes almost joined the cliff. Suddenly Ruel's body changed into his human form, I spontaneously immediately fell backwards with Ruel's position pressing against my body. Behind Ruel's body the huge black snake opened its mouth. I immediately took out the small gun I stole in Samu Palace, shot my vocal chords and ran quickly without caring about Ruel.

I have no other choice but to enter the forest. Ruel apparently had already taken the lead running forward, while I was trying my best to avoid the vines. The huge black snake was still chasing us. Hissing sound is still clearly audible. I glanced back, fired one shot when the huge snake opened its mouth. I jumped over the crooked tree branches and rolled onto the damp moss, Ruel kept running fast, as if traveling alone.

"Hey, help me, idiot!" I screamed cursing at Ruel. The man stayed where he was, while I had a hard time holding my balance while shooting at the big snake with the remaining bullets. "Don't stay silent! You're becoming a human now, you should be able to think better, Ruel!"

Ruel looked panicked, just like me who started screaming because the remaining bullets ran out. I chuckled at the stupid Ruel. I ran over the branches-and while thinking fast. "Ruel, fire! Burn the snake!"

Ruel was already scorching the small snakes that were almost approaching me. The snake instantly became insignificant charred dust. I kept running as the huge black snake hissed with its mouth wide open. Ruel took out a large fireball from his hand, then prepared the fire into the snake's mouth. I'm getting further away from Ruel.

"Hey, running, idiot!" I shouted. Ruel threw a fireball the size of his body at the snake before finally running towards me. I continued running forward until finally I saw a large chasm that split the two places. Down there, there are thousands of black snakes clinging to each other. I gulped. Where should I go?

"Your Highness, take my hand!"

Ruel has already arrived beside me. He held out his hand. "Hold my hand."

"You want to take me down there, huh?!"

I remember jumping in with Shiloh too. The difference is not plunging into a sea of ​​snakes. "Please hold my hand, Your Majesty."

I looked at the distance that would be impossible for an ordinary human to jump. I clenched my fists. The black snake was getting closer to us. Ruel suddenly pulled my hand quickly. He hugged me with my head on his shoulder. Ruel jumps lightly in the air. I could see the snake fall into the sea of ​​black snakes while I landed safely on the hard ground. Ruel rests one hand under my head. He winced, while I heaved a sigh of relief.

"The strength of a demon cat is surprisingly great too, huh."

Ruel doesn't answer me. He lay tired on the ground. I don't know how to express clearly because it's dark. I also kept silent, until finally some fireflies flew around, insects that I have never met in Greece now. I took out the dried apples left over yesterday. "You don't look well. Here are some leftover dried apples for you."

Ruel took a glance. "How far should we go?"

I opened the map. In the sky there, you can see a bright crescent moon that was previously covered by clouds. I pointed at the Celosia area. "I have to get here, Ruel."

Ruel nodded. He took the dried apple that I placed on his chest with a soft chew. I stood up, walked away leaving him still engrossed in lazing under the moonlight. I could see the sound of a faint crowd from there. I jogged, limp and dirty, peeking out from under the leaves like a mad beggar hungry. I could see residential areas down there, as well as a large sign that said 'Blue Area'.

"Honourable,"

"Prepare gold coins, Ruel." I walked down the cliff full of ambition. "Tonight we're going to have a banquet until morning!"

—Ordinary Visage—

I lied. Apparently the gold coins I stole were worth nothing in this Blue Region. I could only afford two plates of mashed potatoes which were full but tasted like vomit. I stared at the moldy soy milk in front of me without interest. Ruel is the same. His beaming face faded as he tasted a mouthful of mashed potatoes. Perhaps it seemed that the food was not intended for humans.

"Let's go, Ruel."

We left the restaurant with an empty stomach. I saw that everyone here looked like royalty, judging from their fashionable and luxurious clothes. I looked at myself. Apparently I'm nothing more than a bum.

I stopped walking in an alley, opened the map and found the fact that my journey to Celosia was still very long. I'm not sure if the time to get there will be enough, considering I don't have a horse and have the talent to be poor now. Not to mention that it is not clear where Kaltain is. It's a waste if when you are in Celosia, there is no Kaltain to meet. If that happens let this agreement burn me. I give up.

"Your—"

"Find some food, Ruel. Don't call me if you haven't got any."

Ruel suddenly handed me some warm bread. I am surprised. "What did you pay for this bread?"

"With this,"

Ruel was behaving cutely in front of me. I stare at him in disbelief, glancing at the baker who is eyeing Ruel with a pedophile look. "Ruel?"

"Yes, Your Highness?"

"Let's get out of here before it's too late, Ruel."

I took Ruel's hand quickly. We eventually arrived at a fountain with several people in royal attire dancing to classical music. I leave the remaining half of the bread in Ruel's clutches, scoop up some pool water and wash it on my face. It feels like I've just been dripped with heavenly liquid. I did it again, until finally some women pulled my hands.

"Can I wash your face, Miss?"

"I will dress you nice, miss."

I don't understand. Before I could answer, two women pulled me into a room, changed my clothes without permission and dressed me. I tried to talk and run away but the women sat me back in the chair. In the end I just gave up. I'm not sure they dress me up for free. What could be exchanged to pay for this unwanted service? Will I run away like before?

"Wow, you are so beautiful, Miss!"

I looked at my own face in the frosted glass. I wonder how pretty I am.

Without saying much, the two women let me out excitedly, ordering me to dance around the fountain just like the others. I gape without ideas, looking around for where Ruel is. I didn't find Ruel where I last saw him. This place is getting full of people. I looked at the reflection of my face in the clear pool, saw a young girl with black hair there. Is beauty like this shape?

"Let's dance, Miss."

I gasped. Even more surprised when he saw Kaltain with his neat white hair bowing respectfully to me. He smiled kindly. Maybe this is how being born into royalty is like. "Why are you here, Lord Bastard Kaltain?"

Kaltain chuckled as he grabbed my hand. "Just want. Can't I?"

I can't believe he said that. What the hell. "Did you forget we had a deal, huh?" I whispered, "why did you leave without saying goodbye? You don't respect me as your true disciple?"

"Only students should respect their teachers, Abby."

"Very rude."

Kaltain grabbed my waist. He got closer to my body. "How did you get here, hm?"

"You think I'll tell you?"

"Abby, I won't break the deal. I promised, didn't I?"

I'm laughing. "I thought promises were just a game for you, sir?" I said, "what are you planning, sir? Why did you leave suddenly?"

Caltain smiled faintly. He brought his mouth close to my ear and whispered. "You've met your pet, right?"

"Huh what?"

"I was waiting for you to meet him Abby. I've been waiting a long time." []