MAKING A CHOICE

Quinn sat at his chair beside Helga's bed. He watched her as she slept, the stress of the day finally catching up to her.

His gamer's body granted him a quick recuperation from fatigue and injuries, so he didn't need to sleep yet. The wounds on his hands were already even healed.

Quinn ran his hand through his hair and sighed.

He still couldn't believe how she had practically bled her heart out to him. She must have been holding all that in for so long.

'Especially if she could say it all to a total stranger' He thought.

She had told him about the reason behind her going to the army. It turned out that a general in the army had found out about the magic skill she possessed and asked her to join the military.

It was no surprise to him that she had been invited to the military. Her skill was quite strong and didn't require a lot of magical materials to be used to its full extent. Although it hadn't done much against the beast, it would still be pretty deadly against any person.

She couldn't refuse the general's invitation, doing that would be just like refusing the King himself. So she decided to carry out one last hunt before leaving, in the hope that she'd run into the beast that killed her parents in the forest.

'I wonder what the army is like'

Would they have to go to school to learn to fight? Or would they simply be thrown into war, like lambs to the slaughter?

Quinn didn't like the thought of that. He still remembered what he abused at the hands of his 'guardian'. He didn't want to think of what would happen to untrained soldiers on a battlefield.

After some time, Quinn got up and left the room. He walked out of the hospital and went towards his mansion.

...

'I never realized it before, but this mansion is so... empty' Quinn thought as he stood at the door to the mansion, looking in.

There were some servants who he could see moving around, some humans, orcs, and even a few succubi. But there wasn't a single person who met his eye. He couldn't remember ever being close to any of the people in his life.

He walked through the hallway and arrived at a decorated door that leads to a room meant for the Lord. He opened it and was immediately hit with a huge wave of dust

"*cough*, *cough*, *cough*... what the hell?"

'Did I never actually use this room?'

Come to think of it, he couldn't remember ever entering this room before. He had been to this part of the mansion, and passed by this room numerous times, but had never entered it before

'What kind of Lord am I?' He wondered.

He left the deserted room and began walking even further down the hall.

"I see you are back my Lord"

Quinn turned around and came face to face with his advisor. He was a lanky man who wore a three-piece suit and black gloves. In his hands was a black book that Quinn could never recall him being without. His tall stature and thin face made for an imposing figure.

'Sebastian..... that's his name right?'

But Quinn had always been known to call him Sebas.

The man stood in silence - obviously anticipating a response.

"Ah, Sebas. Yes I'm back"

"And how was your excursion into the jungle? I heard you decided to even join a hunting party.."

'How the hell did he know that already?' Quinn thought. He didn't like people knowing how he spends his time.

"Yes Sebas, I joined a hunting party and went into the jungle. Is there a problem with that?"

"Of course not, my Lord. I simply inquired to ensure you were safe. It wouldn't do for the Lord of the city to have injuries befall him. Though, it is curious...." Sebas paused here, almost unwilling to continue.

"What is curious Sebas? Please, speak your mind"

"Very well, my Lord. I have just never known you to go out of your way for something like this before. I was simply wondering what brought about the sudden change"

Of course, Sebas would notice. He had been with him ever since he became the Lord of this city, and this was the first time he had ever really done anything for the citizens before.

'The previous owner of this body was so... useless'

"Don't bother yourself with it Sebas. I simply did it on a whim"

"On a.... whim, my Lord?" Sebas mused. He stood there for a while simply staring at Quinn; but before long, he bowed "Very well then my Lord, I must return to my duties" he said before turning to leave

"Sebas, wait"

Sebas half turned to partially face Quinn.

"Yes, my Lord"

Quinn paused in what he was about to say. He sighed and ran his hands through his hair again

'I've been doing that a lot lately' he thought

"Sebas, what do you think of me? What do you truly think of me, as a Lord, as a person ... as a human?"

"My Lord, I don't think I ca-"

"I permit you to speak your mind, Sebas. That is an order"

Sebas turned the rest of the way towards Quinn, scrutinizing him with every ounce of skill he had. He took in the slumped shoulders, the tired eyes, the dirty clothes, and he realized that Quinn might have made some sort of discovery in that jungle...

'I suppose the least I can do is speak my mind' he thought

"I think you are a fraud, my Lord"

"Wha-"

"A liar and a thief who takes and takes but never gives back. You have ridden off the glory of one exploit and made yourself into a person truly worth hating. If I were to describe you in one word, my Lord, it would be: scum"

Quinn flinched as though he'd been slapped. He was about to tell Sebas to leave him be until he spoke again...

"But...I do not think you are beyond saving, my Lord. I see potential in you, true potential. You can be a good man, a good person, a good ruler. But, it will be up to you to decide if you are willing to try"

There were no more words spoken between the two. Sebas turned and began walking down the hallway. He hoped his words got through to the Lord, for he really could see him doing great things. He didn't expect him to listen, nor did he expect for much to change, but an advisor is meant to advise, and he had done his job.

Which is why when he heard Quinn's voice speak up again, he was surprised.

"Thank you, Sebas"

Sebas smiled.

'There is hope for him yet'

.....

Quinn stood in that halfway for a while, simply staring out the window, into the courtyard below. He didn't know why, but he simply didn't feel useful in this place. The life of a Lord was one he had always wished to live, and now that he had the opportunity to do just that, it simply didn't feel right.

"Are you there Reaper?" Quinn focused inwards, trying to converse with his guardian.

"Hmm, what is it, Quinn?" Reaper answered back.

"Why did you bring me to this place, Reaper? What was the purpose?"

"What do you mean Quinn? If I remember correctly, you agreed to this, I don't so much bring you here than you wanted to come here."

Quinn frowned, it seemed his message wasn't getting across properly.

"I know I agreed to this Reaper. But, why me" Quinn turned his back to the wall and slid down till he was sitting on the floor "There has to be more of a reason than me agreeing to it..."

"I don't know what you're talking about Quinn. All I can say is that you have a destiny to fulfill here; a destiny that you will reach regardless of your actions in this world"

"A destiny, huh...." Quinn mused

He got up from the floor - and after dusting himself off, started walking towards his room.

He got to his room, got out a piece of paper and a pen, and started writing something down. He finished in a few minutes and sealed the paper into an envelope with his insignia on it.

He got out a bag from his wardrobe and stuffed some clothes in it. He placed the bag on his bed and left to grab a sack which contained a few dozen Draconi in it - dumping that in as well.

"What are you doing?" Reaper asked, floating in from the door.

"What does it look like I'm doing" Quinn reached behind him to pull out the knife Helga had given him. he inspected it for a while before nodding and putting that in as well.

"It looks like you're trying to run away from home" Rapper joked teasingly.

"Well, you're not entirely wrong." Quinn said, "But I'll rather call it more of an extended holiday."

"Wait, seriously" The shock in Reaper's voice drew a small chuckle from Quinn.

"Yes, Reaper. I'm serious"

"But what about your city. Don't you think they need their Lord?" Reaper floated in front of Quinn, blocking most of his vision.

"I took care of that as well." Quinn held up the envelope "Don't worry about anything Reaper, it's all covered"

He hoisted the bag onto his shoulder and walked out of the room towards the office of his advisor. He had no memories of having been there before, so he had to ask a few servants for directions - much to his embarrassment.

*Knock*

*knock*

"Are you in there, Sebas?"

"My Lord?" Sebas glanced towards the brown oak door with a raised eyebrow, before getting up to open it. "Please come in" he bowed with his arm outstretched invitingly.

"Oh, there's no need for that Sebas. I simply came to give you this," Quinn handed the letter over to Sebas with one hand, the other hand held the strap of his bag firmly.

"And this is?"

"A letter delegating a temporary change in authority in the city"

Sebas' eyes widened

"W-what? But what for?"

" I think this is the first time I've ever seen you stammer Sebas." Quinn smiled slightly "You don't need to worry, it's only temporary. It will be in effect till I return from where I will be going? I trust you can take care of things while I am away... right?"

Sebas sighed. It seemed the news really was a shock to him - Quinn had never seen him sigh either

"Very well my Lord. it will be as you wish. Though I must ask, where exactly are you going?"

Quinn hoisted the bag further up his shoulder, the action allowing him some time to think on his response. After a while, he simply decided he couldn't be bothered by who knew or who didn't.

"Well Sebas" he grinned "I'm going to join the army"