Chapter 18: Friends II

40th visit.

A week had passed since Irys was healed.

Kiel lessened the frequency of his visit to allow Irys time to recuperate. However, his good intentions fell flat as she soon rebelled after regaining enough strength.

"I want to see him! I want to play! I want to! I want to! I want to!"

Irys started demanding Kiel's presence.

By the third day she managed to get out of bed, Irys attempted to sneak out of her manor to meet her most cherished and only friend. If not for Luca, begging her to rest and using Kiel's "strict advice" as a weapon, Irys would have raised even more problems.

Due to this incident, however, Luca went to meet Kiel and begged him to visit Irys more frequently.

Luca begged while Kiel was in the middle of watching Bula try to smash a boulder with its head.

"She is playing the child card. You should know she is acting, right?"

"I apologize, Young Master, but even if that is the case, she is throwing a fit and I fear for the Family Head who refuses to listen… if this goes on, the Mythic Veins are going to snap as you warned us."

With a sigh, Kiel stood up, "I don't want to and shouldn't reward this behavior. But, very well, I should begin Jiang's lesson now, anyway. Also, did you give that old geezer what I asked of you?"

"I did; we gave him a suitable Soul Beast. He finished his cultivation yesterday and has reached the True Spirit Realm. But we apologize in advance, but the Family Head had a slip of the tongue and announced that you are the author of the book. He has been referring to you as his Master."

"… can't help it. Irys is not one to keep a secret. Doesn't change the fact Jiang is more than capable of taking care of Irys now. Oh yeah, play along with me, would you?."

With this, Kiel no longer needs to be troubled over Irys' treatment. It could be overseen by Physician Jiang as it had been before, and he'd be left alone playing Ascend with Irys the same as before, and just like he expected.

"Kiel!" Irys energetically threw her hand in the air after noticing his approaching footsteps.

She was met with a flick to the forehead, "Stop faking tantrums to get me to meet you. You're giving everyone a headache."

Irys looked over to Luca and saw the maid panicking and then nodding with a heavy heart.

"Alright…. Apologies, Irys missed her friend." said the lass with her head hanging down.

"Don't make me think you are manipulative, Irys. Not after saving you."

"But I did miss your company. No one plays with me. They last five minutes in total play time. They don't have interesting stories and—-"

"And?"

"They are not you. I wanted to play with my friend."

A sigh escaped Kiel and had the room emptied. Luca and the others were more than willing to follow his request. When the two of them were the only ones in the room, Kiel started setting up the board as he said, "I will not be going easy on you even if you're recovering."

"Hehehe, I wouldn't want it any other way."

47th visit

Tak!

"Hey, when can I go outside? I want to play in the garden; oh, I also want to go to your place next time!" It had been a long time since Irys went anywhere other than a couple of steps away.

It had been quite some time since she last stepped outside of her own home and had been itching to finally be free. However, her unstable state was not something Kiel would appreciate to be disturbed; thus, her confinement continues.

"Soon," Kiel said as he made his move.

Tak!

"You lose," Kiel announced.

"What!?" Irys yelped, "Once more!"

51st Visit

"How does it feel?"

Kiel accompanied Irys to touch the grass with her bare feet. After a long time of confinement, Irys finally managed to bask under the sun outside the comfort of her room.

Irys burst into tears as she pounced on Kiel!

"It feels fun! Come on! Help me run!"

"Running is prohibited." Kiel reminded she was not fully cured.

"Boo!" Irys protested but did not argue.

Kiel knew better.

But even if she couldn't run. The fact she was able to step outside once again was enough. Her overwhelming joy led the lass to embrace her friend and savior while laughing and pulling him here and there.

"Okay, if running is not possible. How about walking then? Is that allowed?"

"...10 minutes."

"Deal!"

Pulling Kiel with her, the two walked around the garden with the adults watching with smiles on their faces.

Kiel and Irys' interaction only increased with time. Outside of the night, the two children were impossible to see without the other.

Even when they were not playing they would spend their time drinking tea. Exchanging ideas and concepts.

When Irys would sleep, Kiel would spend an afternoon teaching Jiang or observing the servants. He would listen to their conversations, learning how one must communicate with other people. At times he would make an attempt to make conversation.

It's a shame to say, but Kiel was not improving as fast as he would hope.

59th visit

Irys grumbled as her cheeks puffed in frustration, and he gently lay on the ground and then, "Argh! I can't win against you, Kiel; how are you also so good at this?!"

The lass threw a tantrum without shame, throwing her arms and legs into the air like an infant.

Watching her, Kiel just said, "Do that, and you might snap your veins. It will hurt a lot, you know."

"…" Irys quickly went to sit upright as she sighed deeply, "My body really is still weak, huh. When can I begin cultivating my best friend, Doctor Kiel?"

"Can you stop adding more and more titles to my name? I'll get mad."

"But I am doing this to get you mad at me. I've never heard you be mad."

"Ahem... grrr?" he growled.

Irys shook her head, "You suck at showing your emotions, Kiel. I'll just try to make you angry."

An exasperated sigh escaped Kiel, "What were you asking me again?"

He gave up trying to please Irys' curiosity.

"Oh, about my cultivation. When can I begin? You said that once I strengthen my body, I'd be able to do more things, right?"

"That gem in your chest has settled but your body has not acclimated. So another half a year before it can settle in your body. Disturb it too much, and it might rebel and destroy your heart. It is the size of a pearl, but it is still from a Phoenix. It might grow a mind. If that happens, even I cannot save you."

Irys' pout returned, bigger than it had ever been.

"But… if I can't cultivate, then… I won't be able to play with you at your place."

"Why do you want to come to my place anyway? There is nothing there but fields of grass."

"But I wanted to see the First Sunrise this coming year…."

On the small hill south of the town, in the open meadows, there lies a house.

His house was at the direct line of the sun when it rises from behind the mountains and forest, giving it an ethereal view.

This was especially so during the first sunrise of the year, the purple light of the world shines down upon the earth to cleanse the stench of blood and grief. It's a purifying experience.

It was a heavenly sight to behold at the small hill where Kiel's home was built on.

Kiel doesn't mind Irys going there, but there was one thing he had something in mind that needed to be cleared.

"But you're blind, how will y—"

"It's an excuse, you fool! Can you not even read that!?" Irys fumed, "You see, ladies, like myself, cannot just say we want to spend time with the man we like."

Yet, she blurted out everything...

"You are not a lady, lass…but, I do think it will benefit you if I teach you something else."

Kiel decided to teach Irys the Flow of Life.

From then on, not a single day was missed. Every day, Kiel would be brought to the manor, where he would spend the entirety of his afternoon with Irys.

He even started eating dinner there from time to time after Bula showed signs of intelligence, giving Kiel more time in hand.

69th Visit

Tak!

"Kiel, how is your body? Are you well already?"

Tak!

"No, with my state and without any supplementary spiritual materials to raise my regenerative capability, my organs would rupture. And because I used external forces to cure you, the toll on my body is bigger than it should've. Considering all that, it should take another twenty years for me to fully recuperate."

Tak!

"Huh… I see." Irys began thinking.

Seeing a smile blossom on her face, Kiel sighed, "Don't bother giving me gifts. I will not accept them. I already have enough from the silver dew that Jiang gave me."

"Wha-Whaaaaat? Who told you I would give you gifts?"

"You might be blind, but I'm not. Don't do it, Irys." Kiel sternly reminded Irys as he made the final move.

That night, when he went home, Kiel found no gift in his home; a basket filled with medicinal ingredients that introduce regenerative capabilities found its way on his doorsteps. Pinned to the basket was a note that says, —Payment for Doctor Kiel—

"…well, if it is an exchange for the transaction then, I can use it on my own. Father and Mother should be delighted that I got a job." Kiel just let it go.

The following days, however, Kiel would relieve Jiang of his job of examining Irys' daily state.

When asked why, Kiel would simply answer, "It's to earn my keep."

Kiel could easily take advantage of Irys and the massive wealth behind her; however, he chose not to despite the overwhelming advantage it could give him. In the end, Kiel wishes to be as normal as possible.

Being a doctor and having two old coots as disciples was not something one could consider normal.

84th Visit

Back Garden — Jura Family — Dragon Pond

The coming days were all the same, they would play, tell stories, and Irys would complain how she wanted to grow stronger faster. However, one thing that had changed was Irys could now regularly go out without any setbacks.

Having Kiel hold her hand to accompany her rehabilitation.

Against Kiel's desires, he was forced to be Irys' guide and now has to hold her hands as he guides her around the house. She would let out a cheery laugh as they did so and would greet the servants that passed by.

"Are you sure you even need me? I can teach you a way to locate things with your hearing alone." Kiel asked Irys, who was assembling the board without a problem.

"Eeeeh, but we like seeing you two strolling around the manor every afternoon." It was Luca who complained, "Seeing the two Masters of the manor helps build trust."

"You are not a part of this conversation, Luca, and when did I become one of the Masters of the house?"

"Huh? Are you being shy, Master Kiel? The Family Head already told me how you accepted her offer to marry into the family. Everyone in the manor knows how shy you are, so no one outside of Old Jiang knows." Luca sent Keil reassuring words.

"Irys."

"Yes, my dear?

"Stop spreading lies."

"But it's not a lie; it's a prediction of the near future." Irys cheekily answered.

"...I'm going to play seriously today."

"What? No! Have mercy!"

Irys lost 43 times in under an hour that day.

97th Visit

Tak!

"Hmmm, your playstyle is awfully aggressive today. Did something good happen?"

Tak!

"A letter from my sister. She finally earned the right to write to me. Or she finally remembered."

Tak!

"Oh, you mean the prodigy?"

"Hmm? You seem excited." Kiel said as he paused to think about his moves.

"Of course, since you first mentioned her, I've been digging about her, and I found her exploits to be truly amazing. She is causing quite a ruckus, you know? As I would expect of my future sister-in-law."

"!!!" rubbing his temple, Kiel could only breathe out an exasperated sigh, "I already told you I am not going to marry you, Irys."

Tak!

"Yihihi, you say that now, but we do not know about the future. Speaking of the future, I can't wait for later. I'll go to your place, and there, we can play until sunrise!" Irys had been looking forward to this day since she got her second chance in life.

Tak!

"This is also my first time going outside of the manor in such a long time, and this is your first time having someone over, is it not?"

"Yes…."

Tak!

"…and you are beaten."

"What!? And I was so close to winning and getting to touch your face! That's not fair; you distracted me!"

"I did not distract you; I was simply more focused than you were. Also, it is getting late. I have to check if Bula has returned; she's been getting more and more… independent these days. I will see you at midnight. But, only step out after the Blood Moon."

"Okaaaay~"

Irys offered her hand for Kiel to take to see him out. He took it as if it was natural, and then, by the door, the two separated.

Kiel decided to walk home.

The Town was now peaceful. The fighting had already come to an end.

Now that the Town Lord had killed the two forces that had been bothering his rule, there was no longer a need for Kiel to get a ride.

Irys' eyes were closed when she saw Kiel off. She stayed at the mansion doors, listening until Kiel's footsteps were no longer in range. She breathed out, and then, she smiled in anticipation, "Luca, have my robes been prepared? I'm going to leave him speechless! Yihihihi."

She began preparing for this midnight's meet-up as early as night settled. Though she could not see, Kiel could, and she planned on leaving a long lasting impression

***

Midnight arrived, and Kiel had already set up the board and prepared what refreshment he could get his hands on.

He used the spiritual plants given to him and made the best mix he could create.

Sitting on a blanketed ground after finishing setting up the game.

He enjoyed the sight of the silver moon transitioning to crimson.

The skies and the moon changed as it always does every year.

"Though the Blood Moon is a pest, it is rather enjoyable to see." The thick veil of suffocating intent it gives was something no man should enjoy. But, Kiel does as it reminds him of many things, "Oh, it's over? And seeing there are no rifts, tonight will be peaceful."

The Blood Moon lasted no longer than ten minutes, and his first night of a year alone needed not to be spent killing Devils. Kiel did not leave. Instead, he waited in the same place to stay for Irys.

He promised to play with her until dawn. Thus, he waited.

He had been enjoying playing against Irys more and more these days. Though she has yet to win a single game, Irys was at least improving at an astonishing rate.

"Soon, she might even be able to beat me before the end of the first month this year," Kiel mumbled as he took a sip of tea.

Ten minutes

Thirty Minutes

An hour.

Time passed, and Irys yet to arrive.

His brows creased; it was not like Irys to do something like this.

She might be able to keep quiet about secrets, but she's someone who sticks to her word.

"She had been looking forward to this for some time now… did the Blood Moon affect her meridians?" Kiel thought to himself, and quickly, he went inside the house and went to get his things just in case something like this happened.

He already prepared grounded medicine and even prepared a speech in his head to silence Irys' grumbling. He may not be fully healed, but Kiel ran without hesitation.

His patient cannot die.

That was his only reason.

Nothing else.

Everything was professional.

There was no emotion involved.

However, arriving a hundred meters away from the Jura Family Manor… Kiel lost his hold of what he carried with him.

"Wha… what's happening?"

He said as he witnessed billowing smokes and a raging blaze engulfing the Jura Family Manor.