Chapter 7: Selfish

Song recommendation: Cold Cold Cold (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n95eekfFZZg&list=RDMMGz0tk_p45eo&index=12)

Clover stood outside the entrance to the cave still feeling annoyed. They toyed with the idea of leaving but for some reason, they remained. Clover had their hands crossed over their chest and frowned as the sound of swords caught their attention. Placing a hand to the stone, they could feel the vibrations from within.

"Two against one? Well, it's not my problem," Clover said aloud to themselves, "What do I care if he dies?"

With one foot at the base of the cave, Clover tapped impatiently. At the same time, Ace was fighting for his life at the base of the cavern floor. One of the bandits grabbed him from behind. The other yanked his sword out of his hand and dashed it to the ground. Ace struggled to break free. The bandit approached with a blade in hand.

His hand pulled back and the glint of the blade loomed. At the last minute he kicked back. One of the bandits flew back bashing his head against the ground. Ace managed to wrestle the other to the ground and make a break for his sword. Just as he did, he heard a cry. He glanced back to find the bandit brandishing a knife to the young girl's throat. Ace froze in place.

"Step away," the bandit ordered, "Try it and I'll cut her throat,"

Ace faltered. He dropped his hand and turned to face them.

"Let her go," he said in a low voice.

"Who sent you?" the bandit asked.

"The Sword Saint,"

"Gods! I knew it," he said visibly shaken, "I knew it was a mistake," he continued. The other bandit was still passed out on the floor but he addressed him.

"I told him this was too risky,"

"You don't have to do this," Ace spoke carefully.

"You shut up!"He pushed the blade to the girl's neck.

"She's just a child!" Ace pleaded.

The bandit began to laugh, "We were all children once. Wouldn't it be better if some children didn't become adults?"

"She's worth more alive to you than she is dead," Ace held up his hands. His sword was still flung to the far edge of the cavern, "I can help you. My master is a powerful wizard. We can get you the money. Let's just talk about this,"

He began to walk slowly toward the bandit. However, once he got within a few feet, the bandit thrust the blade toward Ace.

"Stay where you are!"The bandit screamed.

Instead, Ace lunged, grabbing the bandit by the wrist. He pushed the girl out of the way telling her to run. A struggle ensued. On one side, the bandit pushed the blade closer and closer, while Ace fought him off. He was strong but so was the bandit. His necklace refused to shine.

Ace found himself against the wall of the cave with the bandit's blade closing in. He felt the tip press against his abdomen. Suddenly, the bandit was yanked back. He flew back at such a speed his body cracked against the wall. He fell to the floor dead.

Ace stared at Clover who was now standing across from him. Clover's eyes shun a brilliant red. Ace couldn't look away. It was Clover that brought his attention back.

"You're bleeding," Clover said flatly.

Ace's eyes shot down. It was true. The blade had stabbed him in the stomach. He held his hand to his stomach to stem the blood. After determining It was only a shallow wound, he looked past Clover. The young girl stood behind trembling. Ace pulled himself towards her and knelt down.

"It's going to be alright now," he said warmly.

Clover watched on with an indiscernible expression. It was only after making sure the child was alright that Ace allowed himself to be healed. They took the child and returned to the nearby town. The authorities took over from there. They obtained receipt of the completed contract. Later that evening, they headed back to the inn where they had first found the Sword Saint.

Not finding the Sword Saint, they took residents in his lodgings. It was a tight and grubby room with shabby dressing: there was a bed and some half opened drawers. While Ace sat down, Clover inspected the toom.

"Are you sure we're allowed to wait here?" Ace said suspiciously.

"You worry too much," Clover returned, already rifling through the Sword Saint's things. There was a receptacle in the bedside drawer, but it was empty.

Ace watched on apprehensively. There was something he had been waiting to say. However, Clover anticipated him.

"I can feel you staring," Clover let out a sigh, casting a wayward glance back.

Their eyes met. Ace stared back with wide eyes filled with anticipation.

"What is it?" Clover said drily.

"You saved my life," Ace answered.

"Right," Clover said disinterested, sticking a hand into one of the draws. Then, pulling out a flask with a satisfied smile, Clover sat down. Ace's brow furrowed in confusion. It was not the reaction he expected. As Clover lifted the flask to their lips, Ace grabbed their hand. Clover stared back with undisguised irritation.

"What's your problem?" Clover interrogated.

"Master, I want to talk with you seriously," Ace replied.

Clover batted the hand away before answering, "I don't do serious,"

"How else am I supposed to ask you? You saved my life twice now, it's not something to joke about,"

"Isn't it?," Clover tilted forward slightly more enthusiastically and added, "Can't you ask your questions in a more interesting way? Like make a game out of it?"

"Not everything can be a game,"

"Wrong. Everything is a game. You're the only one attaching meaning where there isn't any," Clover sat back, disappointed.

"How is saving my life a game?"

Clover smirked, "Shall I tell you why I saved you?"

Ace nodded nervously. He didn't know what to expect. Clover continued with a dark apathetic smile. There was something disturbing in the way their smile didn't reach the eyes. Ace swallowed hard.

"It was quite a simple decision really. I used my usual method. I flipped a coin to decide whether I would help you or not. It came up in your favour," Clover continued to smile malevolently, "Do you see now? I would have just as easily let you die. So, don't thank me. Thank your own good luck,"

Ace's mouth dropped. He quickly composed himself and dropped his eyes to the floor to avoid meeting Clover's gaze. He should've known better, he reprimanded himself. What had he expected? He tried not to let it show just how much the words had affected him. He didn't want his master to know that he had been expecting another answer. Though what answer he couldn't say.

The creaking floorboards brought Ace's attention back to the room. Clover was leaning on the windowsill looking down. He wondered what his master was smiling at but the answer soon came. The hallway rumbled with a rapid ascent. The door flung open.

"Who said you could come in here?" Albaric growled.

"Sword Saint!" Clover gave a mocking bow, "Do the brothels close earlier here?"

"I don't need to go there," Alabric snapped. He glanced down at his half drunk flask and frowned. His eyes suddenly turned to Ace as if only now realising he was in the room. Ace read a hint of hesitation in Albaric's face.

Albaric turned back to Clover impatiently, "So it's done?"

Clover gestured to Ace with a half-hearted wave. Ace pulled out the fulfilled contract and handed it to Albaric apprehensively. The moment he did, to his surprise, the Sword Saint grabbed his wrist. He felt a strange sensation where the Sword Saint held it. Albaric studied Ace's reaction for a moment before his eyes met Ace's once more. This time his inspection was more thorough, almost appraising. Ace shifted uncomfortably. Then just as suddenly, his hand was released.

Clover watched the interaction, mildly amused, "Well, if that's everything..."

Ace stared up quizzically. Was that it? Was this how they would part? He didn't like this. He felt angry, confused but most of all hurt. He almost forgot that the Sword saint was still there and was about to restart their argument anew when Albaric stepped in:

"I want to talk to you," Albaric said to Clover, "Alone,"

Clover gave their usual placid smile but said nothing. Ace was reluctantly driven out of the room. The atmosphere was stifled as he left. He pondered what the Sword Saint had to say to his master. For the moment he stood at the foot of the stairs debating whether to listen in or not.

Clearly, the Sword Saint didn't want him to hear this, but he felt that it must have been something important. He shook the idea from his head and went downstairs. This wasn't like him. He questioned his own motives. Why had he become so sensitive?

"What could you and I possibly have to talk about?" Clover asked sardonically.

Albaric glared at Clover, he placed his sword down with a slam. Clover looked on coldly and unaffected. Suddenly Albaric turned back to Clover. His eyes were dark and hostile.

"Send that boy home," Albaric pointed in Clover's face. Clover didn't flinch but remained with a placid smile.

"Ha?"Clover scoffed, "You want me to send him back to the Demon world?"

"You know that's not what I meant," Albaric dropped his hand, his eyes appraised Clover sharply.

Clover's eyes twitched. They let out a snarky grunt of disinterest. Their eyes fell to the meagre room. Albaric could read the expression on Clover's face. He concealed the desire to ball his fist.

"It's better if it comes from you. Tell him to go home before you get him killed," Albaric went on, "You know as well as I do. He's not safe by your side,"

This brought a pause to Clover's inspection of the room. Their eyes fell on Albaric, piercingly red and malevolent.

"That's why I brought him to you. He has no home to speak of. " Clover's voice was more forceful than usual, "You think I would ask otherwise? I thought it was obvious. Do they just give out the title of Sword Saint to anyone these days?"

"Fine. I'll train him to survive," Albaric replied coldly, "But you can't interfere. Leave him with me and don't come back,"

"Do what you want," Clover forced another smile, "I won't stop you. Why do you think I brought him here?"

"I don't know what your motives are, but he doesn't belong in the Demon World and he certainly doesn't belong with you. You must know that he's..."

"I know !" Clover interrupted abruptly, "But he's also a grown man. If he wants to go then he goes! I won't stop him. And if he doesn't...well what can I do?"

Albaric shook his head, "How can you be so selfish?"

"Surprisingly it doesn't take much effort,"Clover shrugged with a self-satisfied smile.

"He's obviously attached to you. If you leave without an explanation he'll just chase after you. Tell him clearly the reasons why he has to stay here. It's the least you can do,"

Clover let out a derisive laugh, "You don't know what you're talking about. Let him stay with you for a few months and he'll forget all about me,"

"Clover! You're the one who brought him here. Take some responsibility!"

"Enough!" Clover snapped. Stepping towards Albaric with a look of contempt, adding, "I told you once before, and I'll tell you again: Don't tell me what to do,"