Chapter 3 : At Calm Return

1

It took the trip a good half a month for the Lon Obstein family to return to their mansion at that noon. As they arrived at the gate of their house.

"THE FUCK DID I ASK YOU TO DO?! ONE THING!! I ASK YOU TO UPHOLD A SINGLE THING!!!"

"Well now, now Malis, not with the bad words in front of the children"

The first thing that greeted them wasn't even that of a warm welcome by either Tem or Tella but. But the fierce anger of the mother of the household.

"Father is getting scolded, what a rare sight."

"And just who do you think caused all this!??"

"That prince ar-whatever and his men?"

"No, it's you!!"

Someway or another, their mother already found out about their antics in the capital. Dolores only guessed as to how that was if Enti had already sent a message beforehand somehow, but she waved and smiled in innocence her way as she by herself brought down the giant sword from the roof of the carriage.

Either way, strategizing their escape, Dolores runs inside the mansion with her luggage with her brother following suit. Now that at the moment their parents are distracted at each other.

2

"Take care!"

With a wave, the next morning had already begun. With them returning at the weekend just before, Norton already had to go to the town for his school. So after partying ways, Dolores could only feel like she now has nothing to do.

The journey before had brought up all sorts of excitement she had never experienced, so now that it's mostly over she still yearns for that feeling. So the first thing she could gather around for an idea is to spar with her father like the daily morning routine before, but it seems that she's being grounded from that as well.

"How is it that brother who caused it all still gets to outside, but I can't spar with Father for the moment."

"Well, it is his responsibility as a student."

Dreading that she might spend the entire day cooped up inside the house again today, she ran away from that possibility as she brought up her next plan she just thought of.

"Alright, let's follow my brother to the village."

"Planning on stalking him? That's a bit impolite."

"I've never gotten the chance to play in the village, so why does my brother always get to do that."

As she pouts away, she runs ahead outside the gate, and it seems that her servant doesn't stop her as she follows suit.

"So I've heard, that the town school also used to be where Tem and Tella study at."

"Oh yeah, they're young enough for that before they started working."

"You speak of them like that, when they're twice as old as you..."

Despite them working for the estate as maids, Tem is only 3 years older than Norton. And Tella 3 years more. So the siblings treat Tem more like their older sister.

"But you know, that is weird, I've never actually known how you come to work at the estate."

"It's not a happy story at all, we were orphans per se until the lord picked us up. We've been together for so long that the three of us are like siblings."

"I see, so since Tem is like our older sister… that makes you Aunt Enti then!"

"Little miss, you may be the young mistress, but you shan't call people that, it's rude."

(Ah, it seems I stepped on a landmine)

Thinking over it again, it is pretty insensitive for Dolores to call her that. She's still 18, so Dolores might have to be careful about that going forward.

(Big sis Enti? Does that work?)

After reaching into the town, she took her time experiencing her first time just taking a stroll. So far she's only been able to see the town when passing through in the carriage, or on the few shopping trips she had with Tella or Tem.

"Now, Enti, where is the school that my brother is at?"

"…"

"Enti? Hoy, hello, I know you know where it is!."

Ah, no use, it seems like she's being stubborn. Reaching that conclusion, it seems that Dolores will have to find her way around herself. So much for the family's servant!

So as she thinks with her gut, and points in a random direction that she thinks is correct.

"Over there!"

She runs around without a care in the world as her servant follows her right behind.

3

Surprising even herself with that guess, she spotted a classroom of kids slightly older than she is through a window. Seeing that it's a small town, it doesn't seem to be bigger than containing a single classroom. She skips her way to the building and peeks over the window to see inside, confident that she is completely hidden with her superior stealth covering her presence.

Looking inside, she found her brother seated at the very back of the class. In the classroom that is filled with other kids his age, Norton is dressed differently from how he usually dresses at home, but fitting in perfectly with the other neighborhood kids.

Compared to the adorable scene, the teacher is a menacing large man with a lot of hair, an unaligned face, and a loud voice. He wears messy unkempt clothes and a huge cap over his head.

"Nooow now you beautiful kids of the kingdom! Let me do tell you about the beautiful noble of the kingdom, now you folks Equetrians are amazing and all, but let me tell you. They're something else, you think there's no reason why they're more powerful? Awh hell nah, they're choosen by the gods! They took a good look at them and had decided that they deserve all the blessings, as they should be!"

"Teacher old man Nes, you keep saying that, why don't you tell us more interesting subjects, like dragons!"

"Dragons!? You really believe in that? No way in hell there lives, giant fat lizards who can't possibly lift their big belleeh rooaming the sky and breathes fires like a chainsmoker in this world. And you call that the strongest creatures in the world? Especially those ragnacks scalemens believes them as gods! Well if there's ever a reason why they're still in the jungle with the monkeys, then that's why!"

It feels like the man just won't stop ranting as spittles fly everywhere. As the man in no way looks to be suited as a teacher.

"Now kids be quiet and listen up, I'll be leading you on how to tend to the garden that we've done so much to culture."

As he walked to the very back of the class, he pointed out one kid specifically.

"Now little Norton, how does It feel after leaving for two whole darn weeks and coming back!? did you do everything I asked you to do?"

Norton only responded with a nod.

"Naw no way, don't believe ya, no way somebody who smell of fur like you could finish."

(Smell of fur? What is this man saying.)

As he opened the textbook on Norton's table. He quickly skimmed over the pages before slamming It onto the table.

"Naw no way, no way a halffur like you could figure it out by yourself, somebody must have given you the answer! Listen, kids! In no way a halffur can think by themselves, that's why all the smartest individual in the world are humans of Equest itself!"

(A halffur? Just what does it mean?)

For some reason, the entire classroom of kids just hears on whatever random rant the teacher spits out and either lets it be or chuckles at the nonsense of the scene. 

"Man, he really chewed you out! What did you do!"

"Don't know, smell from the dirt?"

"Hah! He's the one making us digging for them though."

Along with the boys a seat away from him, Norton himself seems to just laugh it off and find it amusing.

"Ah, they're coming out here."

After escaping past the fence and behind a tree, all the students seem to gather at the garden at the back of the school. They seem to be being guided on how to take care of a garden and the basics of a farm, which makes sense to Dolores considering the time and age currently. Especially in a tight-knit community like the town they're in.

In the kingdom, mandatory basic education won't last over 3 years at most, covering the basic essentials, Like writing, reading, and how to count. After which most kids would learn to pursue a trade or craft, most often the family's business.

Peering over, it looks to be that her brother having quite a fun time on the fields. He has quite a few friends he's with as well.

"It's the duke's and miss's idea to send him to the school Tem used to be at, so he could interact with other people his age regardless of his shortcomings. They're quite a worrisome parent looking over their inept child you know."

As if peering into her mind, Enti answers Dolores's thoughts on the scene. But it does make sense, even Dolores thinks being a normal commoner would be a more fitting life for Norton. Even after the previous week's debacle, he isn't really the type to fit well into such an important life, especially having to live on the legacy of the family.

"That isn't where it stops." 

Her maid continues on the topic. Further into detail.

"They're planning on giving him a simple childhood in order to make a stern foundation, interacting and understanding the common folk. So that by the time he's going to have to bear the responsibility of the house, at least he's going to be prepared for it. The weight he's going to lift isn't something he could just pass up. So little miss, we hope that you help him in his struggles when the time comes."

"Mou… even though he caused all that trouble for me, even though I'm the little sister…"

Dolores could only complain hearing about that. But having it being put into thought, she feels as if she's being left out. That she's going to have to figure out her life on her own in comparison. 

"I want to find something to bite on in the town…"

So Dolores simply pouted away before leaving the scene.

4

As she paced her way through the town, the nice scent of a bakery was the only thing that seemed to direct her until.

"Ah, Ma- Manager!? Oh, and the little lady too…"

"Ah, Tem!"

Currently adorned in a commoner garb, two furry animal ears off the top of her head with a slight curly hair, the young girl is carrying a basket full of groceries. Tem Flamma is the maid whom the estate always sends when they need to buy something from the town.

"What are you doing in the town?"

"The little miss wanted to stal- observe what her brother's school is like."

"Ye- yeah, the teacher is a weird man, didn't stop spouting nonsense."

"So teacher old man Nes is still doing that, honestly it's quite a dedication for his hatred. Back then he sure gave me a hard time, he actually still does whenever he catches sight of me though."

What she said only made Dolores even more confusing regarding the individual, it seems that he's going to continue being a complete mystery to Dolores.

"Tem, I'm hungry.."

"There's an eatery we can go to if you want."

"Yes!"

As they made their way to the restaurant passing by a beggar on the way, she began to notice just how many people were nearby her all this time. Although on a frontier, and in a developing territory. At the peak of the work hours, the town is bustling with people going about their daily lives.

From the adults working, like a man pulling up a cart full of logs. To the neighborhood children playing around with their antics. Dolores could only just smile at the heartwarming scene.

"Yep, children should just be children running about."

"Little miss, I do need to remind you that they're older than you."

Ignoring her maid's thoughts on the matter, she is impressed by the town. She heard that it had only been built when her parents took over the mansion and territory around 9 years ago. And it's developed so much in that period, there's even a homeless man in rags sleeping on the bench Dolores had to avoid next to the restaurant.

As she seated herself at the table, it seemed to be just about peak lunchtime. And the eatery is filled with adult men who would gather there on their break. Eeating at the slices of meat they've ordered, Dolores to this point surprised at just how enjoyable the foods are in the kingdom.

"I always wondered what the foods in this age are like, but they're surprisingly good, truly impressive."

"Little miss, I do need to remind you that steak is the most expensive dish they have on the menu."

"!!"

Caught off guard by that, Dolores stopped herself from almost choking. A cup of juice later she began to think within. After having been living well off, her arrogance is caught red-handed without any possible rebuttal. So she had to save face against her servant.

"Just to ponder, just how much is it?"

"It's about 100 rems, so about a single silver rem."

100 rem or single silver rem, so that's about the same price as a knife at a discount store.

"Oh, thank goodness, it isn't as pricy as I thought it was."

"I see you remember how much means what, that's good to hear."

Continuing to devour her lunch. She enjoyed her noon away, she managed to overhear a few things from the crowd.

"You saw the ghost mansion in the forest?"

"So did you check it out?"

"Nah no way?"

"Even though you lost the game, you got no spine man!"

Ghost mansion in the forest? That sounds like an awfully familiar description within Dolores's mind. So as she looked over to Enti.

"It's the Lon Obstein estate, nobody in the town knows about it, and It's hidden by the madam's magic."

"Oh, but why go through all the trouble though? Doesn't that mean that the town doesn't know who's running the entire territory they're in?"

"It's all to keep the house hidden from the world, it's even laced with several barriers to ward off any threats, so you don't have to worry about the neighborhood man wandering into it for losing a bet."

That is certainly confusing, Dolores could only think of the matter. It's like the house is truly a shadow duke working behind the scenes for the whole town. She definitely sees the charm in that setting, it's honestly impressive that her father managed to continue running a territory with his responsibility as a duke without having his face seen.

"Ah! Wait back here!! Shit!! he got out!!"

"What's happened?"

As a ruckus seemed to be storming on the eatery, Dolores stopped her feast as she raised an ear.

"A dine and dash!?"

Looking over outside the window, she spotted a man in a coat running off from the eatery. Thinking on a whim, Dolores jumps down from her table to the door.

"?"

(Food is for the hardworking! No way will I let this slide under the territory!)

Before the door, winds billow around her. And in an instant disappears with a burst of speed. 

Making a skip that brought her afloat, she slams her elbow to the back of the suspect head. Flinging his head slamming into the ground.

"Guhah! Wha- What! A child!??"

With a kick on his sides, he was quickly pacified without a chance to resist. Dragging him by the feet across the ground, she turned in the man back to the eatery. There she was thanked after the waiter was fittingly surprised at the 6-year-old who chased and took down an adult human male. But after hearing they'll be beating the man down, she leaves the scene with her two maids.

5

Within that same noon.

At the top of the bridge over the river flowing through the town. A young boy is seen fishing with his friends.

"Catching anything Norton?"

"Nope"

"Seriously what is going on, even Bill had already gotten three and left."

It's one of their hobbies to gather around afterschool over the same bridge and fish whatever they can from the river. 

"Alright, if it's come to this."

"Oyy what are you doing you stupid!?"

Before his friend can stop him, The boy quickly jumps and leaps down onto the river. Looking down in concern, the boy stands up over the shoulder-height water of the river as he pulls up a fish in his grip.

"Got one!"

"Bwahaha, that's how you're going to do it!?"

After diving into the water and catching that one fish with his hands, he put the fish into the bucket before parting ways for the day.

"See you later Dean!"

"Don't get a cold now! Then again, you're too dumb to catch one!"

Walking away cheerfully in his wet clothes. The idiom of idiots being immune to cold flew past his head. 

"Can't find Tem… I'll do something else."

But the day is still young for the boy, so he still has some time before going back to his mansion. So he looks around for things to do, completely disregarding the wet clothes he's in. He found himself being drifted by the scent of the bakery. So without him even realizing it, he has made his way to the store.

"Wha- so much to pick! Salami bread!!"

"Oya, oya, what do you want boy? Also, why are you dripping wet?"

"Mmm, that, that one, and this one."

As he point and picked the grandma behind the counter happily pulled them out. But her expression quickly changed to confusion at the boy in nothing but wet clothes.

"Uh, kiddo, are you sure you want to buy all this."

"Yes, is this enough?"

"!?"

As the grandma took the gold coin and gave him his change back of several silver coins. She asked interrogatingly.

"Uh, boy, where does your parent work at?"

"Hmm… Father is strong."

"I see…"

As he left the store with an entire basket worth of bread in his hand the boy quickly disappeared from sight.

"That boy bought all of the most luxurious of our bread, I don't know anyone who could buy all that even if just for a party… strange day indeed, almost as strange as me making so much even though there aren't any nobles in the area."

"Grandma, did you make a bunch of expensive bread again!?"

"What can I do dearie, it's fun to do. It's all sold out anyway, so don't worry."

"It did!?? Wait no, that's not the issue here, Grandma!!"

Leaving that behind, the boy stuffed a piece of bread in his mouth. 

"Hmm, what is this, sweet!"

As he walked past the scene, he caught sight of a man in rags on the side of the road as he seemingly sat down near a bench. Not on the bench itself. Confused by the sight, Norton seemed to let his curiosity out as he asked the man.

"What are you doing mister?"

"?"

The man himself doesn't seem to look up directly to the boy. His cloak still hides his face, and Norton is unable to discern any visual of what the man looks like from the scant he could see.

"They reprimanded me for sleeping on the bench, so they prohibited me from using it."

"I see."

The boy jumped to sit on the bench and put the grocery and bucket next to him.

"Aren't you going to get a cold, boy?"

"I'm fine, friend says I'm immune."

"I see."

Grabbing a packed loaf from the bag the boy rudely asked while stuffing his mouth.

"What are you up to mister?"

"I'm a traveler see. I don't get by with much, and I haven't eaten in a while."

"That's bad, here."

Hearing the word from him, Norton gave away a loaf for his troubles without hesitation. It's the kind of kindness only a kid could do without delay.

"Oh thank you, sweet child. Hmm oh, this is delectable."

The man clad in black robes accepted it gratefully as he quickly took a bite out of it with the sheer enjoyment of the taste.

"Say, mister, I heard lots of stories about adventurers, what is it like out there?"

"Well, for one I wouldn't exactly call myself an adventurer, more of a traveler… wait, I guess I am closer to it."

"?"

"Let's just say my travels… are full of hardships, we could only get by from money the locals would sometimes donate, so it's due to the kindness of people like you that we could proceed."

The two just continue until they finish each other's loaf to their surprise they both finish them without notice.

"What do you do as an adventurer, mister? Did you slay any dragons?"

"No, no, and what I do, well let's keep it a secret."

"I see.."

The boy pouted away after not getting to hear the cool stories he expected. But he quickly got over it as he handed the man two gold coins. To the old man's surprise being handed it, Norton explained further.

"You said donation helps you, then here."

"Boy, are you sure, this is quite a lot, it's best to have some yourself, to donate isn't necessarily something one is bound to do."

"It's fine, family has lots."

The boy simply reassured the man to take it. And with how Norton is told to always carry around 3000 rem whenever he's leaving the house, this much really is normal for him.

"I see then, oh how truly grateful I am to the supreme god for this blessing. I thank you from the bottom of my heart boy. With this, I won't have to worry on my travel for a while."

"Yes Yes."

With that, the man got up to his feet before parting ways with the boy. He continues to try to find his way back, trying to find Tem. Without realizing it, he found himself lost as he walked the town borders. Where he stopped his pace due to something new.

A horrible stench assaulted his nose as a figure approached him. A short girl right about his height adorned in chains, and dressed in unkempt rags. With a gaze akin to a beast, anyone would have the feeling as if they're looking down on a predator. And off her dry lips, the girl spoke.

"Boy, give me all that you are carrying."

"You're also a traveler? Sure here you go."

With that, Norton gave the entire basket worth and fish as she began to quickly devour the loaf one by one.

 6

It was at that evening that the boy somehow returned after catching up with Tem.

"You spent all of your money? Seriously what are we supposed to do with you? Don't you know how much it is brother?"

"Travelers needed it."

"You didn't get robbed or scammed didn't you?? Knowing you, you could for sure just be completely taken advantage of."

Seemingly indifferent with what had transpired. Norton quickly go to his own room. So Dolores could only worry for him, since he himself doesn't seem to be fretting about it.

"Seriously that brother of mine, do we need to always keep an eye on him at all times?"

Thinking that it's too much trouble for the brain capacity, She let it slide. So as Dolores made her way to the garden. As she grabbed an object that is hanging by a wall, the size and it's metallic form cause a loud clank as it topple over.

"Now, how do I get it to work again?.."

At the chaos of the Lon Obstein curtain before, her ridiculous weapon she had recently come to life. Moving on its own with magical properties and glow, as much as she is fascinated and impressed by it. She also didn't forget that it's one of the fuses that brought the situation into the extreme point and chaos that it was.

The most confusing of the fact is how Dolores still couldn't figure out how it worked, whether there's something missing she has to do or what. Even now she still incapable of activating the weapon like it did before. So as she sighed at her attempts today again.

"Heh, do I need to get it appraised, maybe mother will but I'm afraid of her at the current moment… Magic, just how does it work exactly… it feels like she explained it to me once… But I'm afraid! I'm afraid of her now!"

"What are you stressing about out in the garden little miss."

Catching her in a tantrum, Enti appears yet again in front of her. Just like the day before, Dolores has a feeling that she will be exposed for her childishness yet again by her. But seeing how she might be able to get help from her she choose her words carefully.

"I wanted to ask Mother for help, but I don't know how to ask for it. Say Enti can you-"

"If it's for her beloved daughter I'm sure she'd always be welcoming, I'm sure she'd love if you would ask her yourself little miss."

Damn it! Damn it Enti! You closed off all other possible excuse with that! Dolores could only tantrum inside herself as her maid tried to nudge her in the direction of facing her mother. But after the other day, she's frightened at the possibility her mother is still raging over Norton's screw up at the party. So with that she gave up the thought and attempts to figure out the sword by herself.

She didn't figure out anything.

7

Come the next day.

"Don't completely waste it all now this time Norton! Unless you really need to!"

"Okay, dad!"

"We'll be leaving now dukedom."

Parting ways in the morning, Dolores is a distance away from the front door as her father is setting off Norton that's being accompanied by Tem.

This time the father given the boy 5 gold rems. Looking at it Dolores is distraught, she's not sure whether her brother will learn anything or if the father is instead encouraging him spending it away. Perhaps both perhaps not.

Either way, it's not something she might need to worry about anyway, at least she hopes so. So as she saw the back of the boy parting for the morning, she quickly returned to the garden.

"Yo! Dolores, it's been a while do you want to practice with your old man!"

"Aren't you still grounded?"

"Indeed, and thus we're here to learn our stealth"

"Mother is a magician you know, she found out about what happened with the event before we even returned."

"I'm joking I'm joking, Its just that after hearing you went to the town, we guessed that you were bored alone without your brother so she let me out early, though I can't seem to find her now."

"Aren't dad jokes supposed to have puns in them. Hmph I can entertain myself thank you very much."

And thus is how they spend their morning together back to their practice. 

8

On the other hand. 

"There was a dine and dasher, so Dolores went whoosh! Taking him down instantly!"

"Whoa! Just like at the party."

"Oh yeah, what happened at the party, Norton never told."

"There was annoying guy, he has strong knight, but sister is stronger!"

"Did she!? Even though she's a kitten, Dolores is confusing."

The two chatted away down the trek through the forest on their way to the town. They chatted away playfully like siblings. Despite being the maid and a servant for the household, she talks freely and addresses the siblings without any honorifics, Norton likewise. And the funny thing is.

"With Little Dolores. Back then Dolores wouldn't be able to be separated from you. Tem is surprised you could go to the school without her going on a tantrum."

"Dolores is becoming adult, like me. It's better, Dolores stops following me everywhere."

"Tem agrees! Tem gets to be with Norton a lot more now!"

As Tem jumped onto his back, The two seems just like a more closer sibling than the actual sibling has. 

"Say Norton."

Although still with the same childish attitude, Tem dropped a pitch lower as she asked that.

"Do you feel bad with Dolores? She beat your sword practice, and beat strong knights. While you're still struggling at school."

"No, why? Dolores strong, I'm proud. And class is fun."

"Tem understand, sometime the teacher still makes you sad and afraid though, so tell me when you do get mad sometimes."

By the time they arrived at the town. The two parted ways for the morning as Norton attends his school, while Tem goes off on errands within the town. It's an usual morning as he enters the class and greeted by the teacher.

"Well about damn time you arrived here you damn runt! hell would've been better if you just didn't appear today, why don't you go take another two weeks off like last time."

And so being told all that first thing. It's the usual.

9

"What's up mister."

"Ho what!! Oh it's just a kid."

"You look dirty."

That noon after his classes, Norton had to part ways with his friends as he spotted a weird stranger again for the day. A man in a outlandish purple garb and hood, a young adult man in his 20's. looking unkempt with a horrible smell. 

"So yeah, what do you want brat!?"

"Oh, are you a traveler?"

"No, what if I am?"

The boy just sat down a gold coin in front of him.

"Nice old man saysm to give travelers a bit, since they have a hard times, oh people without homes too."

Almost listening in disbelief, the man just chuckles to himself about the entire situation. How so different compared to what happened the other day.

"No nothing kid, keep it, I can't make use of it now after yesterday, they're onto me at the moment."

"Oh, being chased by bad people, I see! Just like stories. Very well, I'll buy what you need."

"Will you kiddo? Man you're a strange one. But if you're serious then it'll help me a lot!"

It seems even the man himself is caught off guard on how accepting the boy is. As if it's so rare nowadays to find a kid like him, being that innocent and gullible.

"Well let's see, for now I require a bunch of food to stock up on."

"Oh, I have bread."

As if responding to him, Norton tried to hand him a loaf he packed in his bag.

"No, no, this is soft bread."

The man took it anyway before continuing in detail.

"I need long-lasting rations to stock up, I have a place I'm currently situated at to keep away from being chased. So something like dried berries, jerkies, or hardtacks would do."

"Oh! Secret base! Very well, everything for hidden castle!"

Sparkles began to appear on the boy's eyes full of excitement, over simply hearing the word 'secret base'.

"Can my friend come over!"

"No, no, this is serious here, I don't want to be found out here."

"very well, only Norton will go!"

The boy himself is as if already assured that he will follow him. So before that could happen, the man stopped that line of though.

"Anyway, just meet back up at the edge of the town over there, and bring me the supplies okay!"

"Yessir!"

Right at that notice, the man dashed of away in a scuttle. Right as a group of adults approached Norton.

"Say kid, do you happen to see any very suspicious person? Like in full black robe, dirty and unkempt. He was supposed to be arrested for dine and dashing see but he escaped."

"Hmh, which one, there's lots…"

"Is it?"

Hearing that strange answer, the adults began bickering to each other.

"Wait there's more than one?"

"I don't think so?"

"Maybe it's actually the trend now?"

Hearing them outloud, Norton then added on.

"Yeah, like those."

As the boy pointed to a commotion going off at a distance. A group of several men in dirty gear and robes seems to be arguing against a large old ma with a hat and unaligned clothe.

"The fuck you doin out ere!? I saw you, comin in on this damn town from the edge of my vision. And you You ugly ass coalie, stinkin of dirt is destroying the scene, which border of the country did you illegally cross from huh!??"

"Uhh, excuse me sir, If you could mind your words, do you have a problem with us."

One of the man confronted teacher old man Nes, as he attempt to deescalate the situation. Seeming as a representative for his gang, the man is a stern dark-skinned man with a bald head adorned with a complicated leather adventuring gear under his robes. 

"Yeah I've got a problem! What business do you have with this beautiful kingdom huh? I know for sure you aint from this town! So you think you could just walk on in ere. And I don't know do something as outrageous like trade goods, seek refuge, or maybe even get a job!?"

"Now calm down, we won't be here long, so if we just talk it out"

"I don't need to, talk it out, go to a jailcell now!"

Either way, the adult who are members of the local neighborhood watch ran as quickly as they could to that scene.

10

At that afternoon, the little sister is on the second spar of her schedule with her father. The ridiculous sword she's holding is not alive just yet, nor is it glowing like before. But she wanted to get used to it anyway when the time comes, so as per her father's instruction.

"Listen here Dolores, I'm not exactly sure why but the few reasons you can use this gigantic hunk of metal effectively is that you have ridiculous strength. like monstrously big for someone your size. Like you have the grip strength of a gorilla within a butter knife."

"Is it just me or is that insulting?"

"A little, anyway your height too, you easily strike the shins of practically anyone with your height, which is hard to defend when they can be already preoccupied defending against a slash or overhead. The captain was especially nasty because of how agile he is, so it didn't work as well against him."

"It- it's not like I'm going to be the same height my entire life!! I'll be as tall as mother someday you know!!"

"Oh yeah, you're right. Well it'll be cute you could stay this way forever though, if only."

At that, stupid retort. Dolores throw a low swipe on Haster's knee. But he quickly jabbed a spear onto the ground in it's path of the strike and halting it. Following after, he leaped up with the spear as leverage while pulling it out of the ground before swinging it down in a heavy overhead.

The lunge is done at a ridiculous speed and power, Dolores has a feeling an rising swing up won't be fast enough. So as she had always readied before, she held up the wide hilt as a guard. So as the swing from the spear clashes against the blade on it's side with a very loud clank, Dolores could feel the vibration run through her body as the ground beneath her seems to tremble as well.

So as that is the end of their spar for the afternoon, Dolores could only scream in terror inside again. as she keep can't wrap the idea that her father, probably the strongest man in her kingdom or world might be going all out on her yet again.

So she ponders again, is he cracked in the head? How cracked is she?? 

"We're home!" 2x

Maybe questions for later as that line is cut off by the sound of her brother and maid back from the town. So as she saw them through the windows, she could see Norton and Tem blissfully walking by with Tem resting her head on Norton's head. 

"I did good today!"

"Well isn't that nice Norton. So, what did you do today? You didn't spend all of your allowance this time did you?"

Already on his way to greet them Haster asked about their day.

"A traveler taught me, rations they eat, so I bought him 1 gold much!"

"Heya what, what do you need that much ration for!?"

"It's a secret, you won't find the base!"

Norton pouts away, but Haster seems to just laugh off the fact that his son spent 1000 rem worth of money like that.

"I see I see, so what kind of food is it then?"

"hmm, berry, and rocks! I tried some, hate it"

"You bet! Hardtacks are like that!" 

The father continued to give a hearthy chuckle as he asked what new thing his son discovered today.

"Man I remember eating them too back then, hated that!!!"

Seeing the evening setting soon Tem moved deeper into the estate.

"Now Duke, I'm off to the kitchen."

"Alright, maybe for dinner we could feed Norton hardtack again!"

Unable to take that joke, Norton bashed his fist softly against his father repeatedly only for him to just continue laughing it off. 

So looking just how different their day was, Dolores could only sigh at how tired she was in comparison to her brother for the day.

12

The next day comes. As per request of the man yesterday.

"Oh wow you actually got the things, kiddo!?"

"Yup!"

He had ordered them beforehand from the stores to have them made and ordered a day earlier. So he had to haul the crates worth today, either way the baker and supplier was confused at what the neighborhood strange boy is up to.

"Alright, thanks a lot boy! I can't thank you nearly enough, well see ya!"

As the man took the 3 crates worth of rations, he pushes the first one with him. A few bit away from the town, and returned to the other two crates. But the one thing kept nagging him through the whole time.

"b- boy, what need do you have to keep on following me? If you're not even helping me with the crates…"

"I want to see the secret base!"

The man just give away an exasperated sigh as he put his hands on his head. Realizing that the boy will probably continue to follow him.

"Alright listen here… what's your name?"

"Norton."

"Listen here little Norton, I'm on a dangerous quest and I don't want you to get involved in my problems alright kiddo?"

Hearing that, as if in being given out a real disappointment by an adult. Norton just sulked down at that warning.

"But- but my family, Dolores is strong, e- even I can manage! I'm a proud son of a duke! I'll be fine!"

"…"

As if taking deeply of what the kid is saying with the childish conviction he has. The man ransacked his bag as he continued.

"Alright then, very well, then I shall entrust you with this."

"?"

A cylinder is handed to Norton, with an strange ornate cover. He couldn't make up where and when it might come from, or what it might contain.

"That is a very important treasure I need to keep away from bad people. But If there's any sort of real danger to occur to you, you can open it up and use Mister's power to help you. I'm sure that there will be a lot to answer the call and save you."

"Whoa, important treasure. will keep safe!"

And after the two parted, the man quickly got to action. Hidden behind the forest, the ground beneath crackles as several constructs of earth takes shape. Each one moving on it's own as they carried the 3 crates. Following the hooded man far away into the forest out of town.

After a bit of time on that trek, come to view a ruined structure made of old stone bricks. Mosses and the floras that has overgrown over it. 

A figure awaited inside as the sunlight hits the ragged robe. Covering his face in a thick shadow.

"Oh, back already, Menda?"

The man's voice is shrouded by a hoarse and crooked tone. As if spoken without a tongue, but the he spoke words with the courtesy to a friend.

"Well we don't have to worry about food anymore, well, me at least. Not for a long while anyway."

As they both brought in the crates worth of supplies, his friend asked directly concerning themselves.

"Pal, how long do you plan on being here anyway? Are you really planning on staying in this dingy ass walls for the rest of your life or what?"

"If need be."

"Well I can't, I'm sorry but at some point I'll have to move to another place for my own goals ere as well."

"So be it."

The two friend? Just pass their future with a cynical look as they pass by the current day.

Between the lines_

After several consideration, on her way to face it while walking through the corridors lit by the dusk light piercing through. Dolores had gathered up her courage to speak to her mother again and perhaps ask for her help. It took her a bit of time to come to that point as she talked It out with her father and maids beforehand, so as she reached the door to her mother's lab.

"Mou!! mom I hate you!"

The text "mother is busy, look around and find out if you try going inside anyway" is magically levitating in front of the door. And by the second sentence, Dolores could bet the door is laced with several layers of protection magic or something so she instantly gave up the idea. 

The text written is written in such passive aggressiveness that Dolores at this point has understood it in her body.