Troublesome Situation for Faruk

Unexpectedly, Sqidral Dux contacted Faruk. The latter thought of this as a mishap for he believed he told him that he only wanted to receive calls during the night when Oria was asleep.

Now, however…

"Dux, seriously now… do you realize in your fullest capacity and along with your powerful brain that this time is NOT the best of time to contact me!?"

Oria, naturally, responded in her mind, "(Dux? Master Dux is speaking in that screen!?)"

"—GEH! But weren't you the one who allowed me to call when Oria's training's over!?"

"Huh? I did?"

"Nyuhuh, yessiree! You said to me that night that her training shouldn't last more than five hours! So, I calculated that now's the right time to contact you where Oria is resting, and you are wandering on your own!"

Sighingly, Faruk replies, "Mind your words, Faruk? The child is here with us. Listening, in fact."

"—NYUH!? O-Oria!? You're there?"

"Umm… yeah…?" Oria spoke out. She's still confused why Dux's voice was heard from the system screen.

Flustered, Dux wobbles in his speech, "Fa-fa-fa-FARUK! What's the meaning of this, man? Didn't you tell me that her training should've been fi-fi-five hours? It's already past that time!"

"That I did. But there were some… 'unexpected' things happened. So, I didn't keep the track of time and eventually didn't notice that time has cycled this far."

"Ooooh… then, what are you gonna do, big guy?"

"Hmm…"

The two then start arguing against each other. Listening to their debating words, Oria grows curious, oblivious to the fact that they're primarily talking about her.

"(Hmm… I wonder what they are talking about…)"

Once again, their arguing was short-lived, and without any resolve. Faruk in a resigned voice gives a suggestion instead.

"…It can't be helped. Speaking over this communicator won't do us good. Get yourself over here this instant. I believe you are not that far from us."

"Nyuhuhu! Indeed, speaking face to face is certainly better! Also, yes, I am nearby. Hang on, be right there in a moment."

*beep*

The screen then disappears.

Naturally, Oria turns to Faruk and asks him about what just happened.

"Umm… that's Master Dux's voice, right? How did his voice appear from the system screen, Faruk?"

"That's… complicated to say. Indeed, it was Dux that spoke through the system screen," said Faruk. "We often spoke through that screen to keep up with information about each other."

"Oh! That's cool!"

"Unfortunately… it can't be done by those who weren't skilled enough," he said looking down to her. He made certain that the young girl does not raise interest in learning the communicative feature of the system.

Unexpectedly, his words strengthen her will, "Then, if I study enough and gain skills, can I get them?"

"…Oh, dear. Perhaps one day, you'll be able to learn it. But not now," Faruk stated.

"Oh…" almost immediately, Oria tries checking the skill list. For Faruk, it is obvious what she's trying to search. He intercepts her actions quickly.

"Give it up, Oria. That communication ability isn't something easily obtained in the skill list. For it costs you…"

Oria just found a skill named [Communication System Clearance], which costs…

"ONE HUNDRED SKILL POINTS!?"

"…yeah, I had expected your shock."

Shortly, from the column of trees and bushes, Dux appears in his human form. His wizard clothing and his hat are gathering leaves and grasses as if he's wearing a ghillie suit.

"Wah…! It's really you, Master Dux!" Oria got excited, happy to see the wizard.

"Why yes, I am! Nyuhuhuhu… I have come, Faruk!" he declared his arrival. But Faruk gives him a silence, but once he speaks, he comments about how oddly he looked.

"What's with the vegetation gathering on your outfit, Dux?"

"Mm," the little girl nodded. "Your staff is missing, too!" she pointed out.

"Oh, this? Nyuhuhu, as you surmised, I was fortunately nearby when I called you. As for my staff… yeah, I put it in my pocket dimension. You see, I was observing something, so I hid myself among the trees and grasses. Didn't expect these would gather this much, heheh."

He spreads his tentacle arms and then spins like a fast-moving pinwheel.

"BRRRRRRRRR!"

With that, all those leaves and grasses on his clothes and his wizard hat are cleared entirely. As he stops spinning, he displays his remarkably odd grin to them.

"There. Happy?"

"Hmph. Not quite, but it's better this way."

"Hmph, dishonest as ever! Then, now that I'm here, I guess there's something you wish to tell me in person, eh, Faruk?"

"That's quite true… but now's not quite the time, yet. You too have something to say to me, don't you?"

"Nyuhuhu, but of course."

Seeing the seven-foot-tall wizard, Oria just remembers, "(Master Dux is here… maybe I can ask him about the [Diligence] skill…)" but as her eyes noticed Faruk, she holds herself from asking. "(…No, I don't think now's the right time. I gotta wait until I can speak with him personally.)"

"That aside… hey, Oria," Dux called.

"Wha—yes?"

"I see you've withstood against Faruk's 'unforgiving' training. You're much stronger than before."

"Umm… well, he was really rough when I first trained with him. Forcing me to train till my energy ran dry, and even pushed me to not stop. But when I leveled up, I realized he was trying to make me stronger!"

"Nyuhuhu, that's the point of training, Oria. You've changed drastically since the last time we met. Somehow, you're more open to talking and look very bright now, nyuh-huh-huh…"

"If you'd quit teasing her, I'd be more than glad, Dux."

Faruk's calm voice has a concealed threat in it, which sends Dux to quickly comply. "Nyes, I understand. So! Uhh, how's your training for today?"

"There were too many anomalies occured during her go in the dungeon," Faruk stated. "If I weren't there with her, I might've been long lost from this world."

"Ah… ehehehe… I'm really sorry…" Oria blushed.

"Ooh! Ain't this an interesting story to tell? Mind telling me how your training went, Oria?"

"Sure!"

Oria discloses of how her training went. From the first day training in the field and the second day crawling through the dungeon. She told him every detail such as when she was poisoned by the unknown monster and nearly got herself killed by burning effect from scalding, how she discovered treasures, and finally, how she managed to defeat the dungeon boss.

Listening to her story sends a chill down the wizard's spine. Keeping his grin, he replies, "Aside from the treasure hunting, that's… more like a survival test rather than a dungeon training… getting yourself on the brink of death so many times… I can only shudder to think how many times Faruk nearly lost his life. Oh, the stress he piled up. Poor guy…"

"Ehehehe… I'm truly sorry for that. I mean it!" Oria got flustered.

"Nyeheheh, I get it. But geez, now that I look at you, your clothing is all horrid looking now. I wonder what Miss Katze might think…"

"Eh?! Aaah! That's right! What should I do? Miss Katze won't be happy to see me like this!"

"Pssh, no need to overthink about it. You went through a dungeon and went back alive, that alone was no simple feat. Not everyone can finish a dungeon with their hearts still beating in their chests. It's not a problem, if you ask me."

Faruk agrees, "Hm. That's right, Oria."

Their supportive words encouraged the young girl.

"Is t-that so? W-Well…"

"Yeah. Miss Katze is a couturier, a skilled one that is. I'm pretty sure she's gonna make you another nice adventurer dress in no time."

"I see… I'm glad to hear that, heehee. Umm… are we going to head home now?"

Surprised, Dux responds, "Eh, home?"

"I mean… *yawn* it's already sundown."

Faruk shifts himself to Dux, murmuring to his ear, "(She's referring to the mountain cave.)"

"(Ahhh… the mountain cave—eh? You mean the place where you were sealed?)"

"(Hm. Precisely. It appears the girl has thought of it as her home. Though, I think differently.)"

"(Aww… that's cute. But listen well, my dear dragon friend. The mountain cave isn't the best place to go right now. As you can see, I was just from that area, nyuhu.)"

"(Your observations, I see… what did you find?)"

(Yes. Remember that one request you asked me? I happen to find 'them' on the move.)"

(Them? You mean, those…)"

"(Yeah… and because of that, it's not a great idea to go there for the moment, especially for the little girl.)"

Looking at Oria, who's slowly loses focus due to drowsiness, Faruk looks back at Dux, nodding, "(I see. Those putrid humans dost not learn anything from their last encounter, it seems. Indeed, Oria must not know about this.)"

"Umm… what are you guys whispering about?" Oria strode near them both while holding hands behind her back. She's struggling to fight off her sleepiness.

"Eh? Ahh! There's just this thingamajig-thing I wish to tell to Faruk."

"Thinga-majig-thing…? What's… *yawn*… that?"

Oria becomes drowsier by the second. Even though she has leveled up significantly and her energies restored, but her mental state does not recuperate. She's tired psychologically. Not only that, but she is also still an eight-year-old girl. Hitting the sack is going to be a grand bliss to her.

"Nyuhuhu, it's not really something you should be worried about."

"Hm. Dux is right. Moreover, humans do require sleep. Even though you've leveled up and regained energy, humans still require sleep, especially their offspring."

"Ehehehe… *yawn*… I am kinda sleepy… but no! I can still hold on, Faruk!"

"Sheesh, don't force yourself to fight against natural things, Oria. …Well, Dux, I guess we can talk more about it at a later time. I need to help her set up a camp for her to rest. Come, Oria."

"Yes, I'm coming!"

Just a few steps from the debaucherous wizard, Dux stops them.

"…Wait. You're not going to set up by the valley, are you?"

"Hm. That's the plan, yes. Going to the mountain is off limits, so it's only natural we go back to the plains."

"Stop it, Faruk. I highly suggest not to do it."

"What's this now…?"

For a short while, it all turns silent. But just a second later, Faruk finally realizes, "Are you telling me…"

Dux nods slightly. "I'm afraid so. The duke's forces. That's why, I don't think it'll be a good idea to set up a camp there."

Faruk tries to figure out the best course of action, but every plan that comes to his mind is assuredly going to harm the young girl.

"Hmm… no matter where we go, it's all dangerous for her."

"Nyuhuhu, that's pretty much it. Having a protégé has certainly made a huge change upon you within these few days. If not for her, we both might've charged into them without worrying a thing."

Closing his eye, he replies, "It's not only that. Do not forget that the [Soul Contract] prevented me from leaving her unchecked. My life is tied with her, after all."

Oria has grown sleepy. She lays her forehead to Faruk's iron sphere with her body positioned diagonally.

"Uugh… so sleepy…" the girl murmured.

"Hey, Oria…"

"Heheh. There she goes sleepin'. With this worrisome condition, I have an idea, Faruk."

"Oh? What sort of idea you might have?"

"Why not leave her at Fred Village?"

Hearing his proposal made Faruk's one eye squint tightly. "Are you serious?"

"Nyuhuhu. I know what you're thinking. It's not that we're dumping her, mind you. It's like we leave her at the care of someone!" Dux pointed out.

But Faruk is still looking at him in a disbelieved gaze. Dux immediately realizes why.

"…But ehh, judging from all that had happened to her in that dungeon… it's hard for you to leave her on her own, eh?"

In a reluctant tone, Faruk nods, "…Yes. It's certainly hard to leave her no matter what the circumstances may be."

"Hm, well in that case…"

…

..

.

An hour later, Fred Village, Katze's Boutique…

The doorbell to Miss Katze's house rings.

"Wee-woo-wee-woo! Miss Katze, you home?"

Audible steps can be heard coming down from upstairs. The owner hurried over to the door, opening it slightly to see who's coming. As a pair of eyes appear by the slit of the opened door, Dux happily greets her.

"Ahhh! Miss Katze, nice to see you~!"

Miss Katze is thrown to a shock when she sees the tentacled mage.

"Urk! Goddess, save me… it's Dux…"

"Yes! It sure been like forever since we met last time, nyuhuhu."

"HMPH! It's just a few days ago since you met me." When Miss Katze opens the door fully, her eyes instantly notice the adorable Oria, but what she realizes most…

"Oh, Goddess… Oria, where have you been!?" she got surprised by Oria's outfit.

"Sweetheart, your clothes are soaked in blood and dirt!" the young woman crouches to see her adventurer dress which was badly damaged from her blood, the dirt of the dungeon, and scratches.

"It even has torn parts and scratches all over the place. Ugh! You also smell terrible! Where have you been exactly?"

"Umm… it's uhh, a long story, hehe…" Oria scratched her head.

"Nowhere neat, if you ask me," Dux stated. "She had passed a training session yesterday and today. Her master was totally unforgiving. I came here to see if you can fix her dress. …Or make a new one if possible."

"Is that so…? Well, if that's the case, then I'll be taking Oria into my care!" she suddenly claimed, hugging her quickly.

"Ah…" Oria got a bit surprised.

"It's already evening. I'll take care of her. I'm not gonna let a wretched wizard take care of her, you hear me?"

Humored by her words, Dux gleefully chuckles.

"Nyuhuhu, that's EXACTLY why I'm here!"