Sinful Pride - Volume 1 Chapter 17 Are You Coming?

The shopping district was the livelier place in Atestari. Keita’s couldn’t stop thinking the blood and entrails that painted the stone road red just two nights ago.

‘As I thought it’s weird. Everything is too… normal.’ he thought as he looked around.

It was too lively with people talking and the sounds of rebuilding the burnt buildings. Stalls and most shops were already open for business and the people were shopping as if nothing happened. Just two nights ago, the shop owners were ready to die defending their shops but today they were merrily doing business. They all continued living their lives as if nothing happened.

Keita wasn’t familiar with this human trait. It was alien to him who for so many years thought of humans as bugs.

He tried not to think too much about it and entered the blacksmith’s shop. He still had a debt to pay.

The shop was the same as he left it – except the shields that were used as a defensive trench on the counter that were now beautifully displayed on some tables. The blacksmith was busy in the back, fixing armor and weapons but his face lit up after he saw Keita. They talked for a while and Keita insisted to pay for the katana he received. He also needed clothe armor.

Clothe armor is the most basic form of armor. It is slightly different than everyday clothes but mantles, woven robes and paddled vests don’t provide significant protection from physical attacks. However they can imbued with protective magic against elemental attacks. Such as fire. For now, just the clothe armor would have to do since he was in a hurry.

Clothe armor doesn’t hinder one’s movements and is less threatening. Someone with what seems everyday clothes is less obvious threat than a sword-man with full plate. It was a perfect much for Keita who liked to move around in fights and sneak attacks.

He decided on a brown wanderer’s coat with dark green sleeves, brown gloves and black boots with iron soles and knee caps, painted black. It was suitable for stealth and he didn’t have to worry about his toes breaking when he used kicks again.

As Keita looked around he spotted some throwing knifes.

‘I am an idiot…’ he thought. ‘Heaven’s path: Needle is supposed to be used with throwing knives. I thought I was supposed to hurl my sword…’ he found how to correctly use another one of his Skills.

Heaven’s Path Skills weren’t as straightforward as others and he couldn’t remember how to correctly use them since they were Skills he processed before he became a Demon.

He bought a dozen knifes and a belt to hide them under his coat. After he found everything he was looking for, he paid the blacksmith twenty gold coins – after a very generous discount – and prepared to leave.

“Be careful out there kid, I don’t want to see my work squandered!” the blacksmith joked and laughed as Keita was leaving.

Keita nodded with a smile and left the shop.

It was a new experience for him. He felt a closeness with the blacksmith even though he didn’t even know his name. Something like a comrade but a stranger at the same time.

He was too tired to stay and ponder about such things though. There was one more thing he needed to do before he could go back to Meliac’s house to rest.

Koba had said they were staying at the Buckler Inn while their friend, Lia was recovering. It was just outside the shopping district so he didn’t have to walk too far. Apparently it was a Inn that accommodated Aerch Militia soldiers, hence the name.

Keita walked in the establishment. It was nearly empty. Most Militia soldiers didn’t like the taste of the alcohol and food in the headquarters but it was cheaper and an easier place to meet and decide on quests. They were still a couple of parties, drinking and eating and one of them was Reika’s party. Keita waved and took an empty sit.

“What are you doing moving around? You still need at least a week of full rest!” Koba pestered in his usual bossy tone.

“I am fine. I heal faster than most. So did you guys decide?” Keita asked the party.

They had difficult expressions.

“I see. It’s fine if you don’t want to team up. Thank you for everything. I’ll see you around.” Keita said dejectedly. He was prepared for this. He couldn’t expect some Aerch Militia rookies to go against an invading army when they have someone injured to boot.

“Wait!” he heard Natsogo’s voice. He had a tone he never heard before. His voice radiated strength. Keita stopped from getting up and sat back at his chair.

“We heard from Reika but you didn’t tell us the full story. I won’t ask you how you know where the Orc’s leader is but there are still a few things I want to know.” Nao said. He was different from when he met him for the first time. It was as if he was on his guard against Keita.

Keita looked at Reika. She looked away from him, as if she was hiding something.

‘She told him! That bitch! I shouldn’t have said anything to her. She told them that I wasn’t always human.’ he thought, clearly showing his anger.

Nao glared at him and he could feel killing intent from his eyes. Keita gripped one of his daggers hidden in his coat prepared to respond to the first signs of hostility.

“What can I get you?” he heard a voice behind him. It was a girl dressed in a waiters uniform.

Keita glanced at her and then looked at Nao who seemed to wake up at her words. Both of them took a deep breath and hid their hostility.

“I will have a cup of ale” Keita said to the girl and she went to go fetch his drink.

Keita and Nao calmed down a bit but they didn’t move their eyes from each other. Koba had a difficult expression and Anne was trying to hide her interest by drinking and eating. Reika was looking away from them as if she had nothing to do with this situation.

“Nao.” Koba called. “I don’t know what happened between you but calm down a bit. You are getting heated again.”

Natsogo didn’t pay any attention to Koba’s words but Keita determined that Reika only told Nao about him. He relaxed a bit but didn’t stop glaring at Nao.

“So? What do you need to know?” Keita asked Nao who didn’t respond.

“Well first of all, let us hear your plan.” the one who talked was Reika. She tried to hide it but she kicked Nao under the table. The hulking defender didn’t get hurt but finally took his eyes off Keita and looked at Reika like a kid who was smacked by his mother without knowing the reason.

“Yeah, that’s right. You don’t expect us to just walk in an Orc camp and kill their leader right?” Anne added.

“I do actually. I met their general before and I expect her to fight me in single combat. If she doesn’t then the Orcs will not move at her commands any more. They love single combat and they won’t answer to anyone who refuses a challenge, even if that challenge comes from a human.” Keita answered.

“Her?” Anne asked. “You are telling me the Orc’s take orders from a female Orc? I thought that female Orcs didn’t fight at all.”

“I’ll leave the details to your imagination.” Keita answered and took a sip of his ale that just arrived.

“She isn’t an Orc.” he heard a voice coming from the stairs next to him.

It was a beautiful girl with short light purple hair, green eyes and black and red robes. She had a mage’s hat and a wooden staff in her hands. Her curves were pleasing to the eye, especially paired with her tight fit robs. Keita was mesmerized by the girls beauty. He could hear Helene’s voice telling him not to eye any women in Atestari and looked away embarrassed.

“What are you talking about, Lia?” Nao asked abruptly.

“She isn’t an Orc.” the girl repeated. “She is a Demon isn’t she?” Lia was speaking in a low voice. Her face was pale and she had bandages on her neck, so she must have lost a lot of blood in the fight.

Keita didn’t respond. He rested his chin on his hand thinking.

“Considering the Orcs came from the East instead of the North, it makes sense that they have a Demon with them.” Reika said and Lia nodded as she took a sit next to her.

“You…” Nao once again glared with anger at Keita whose expression didn’t change.

“Now, now. It’s nothing to be mad about Nao.” Reika tried to calm him down once again.

Keita was on guard against Nao but he didn’t let it show. He tried glancing to Koba and Anne to determine their thoughts and resolve on the matter. Koba was deep in thought and put his hand over his mouth. Anne was… she was trembling. At first Keita thought she was scared but he soon realized it was the opposite. She was angry. Not at Keita, but her eyes clearly shined with wrath when she heard the word Demon.

‘Something must have happened…’ Keita thought.

Demons didn’t attack the humans in the last 200 years but new Demons were born, some obviously in human territories over the years. Keita’s thought process was that she was close when a Demon was born and caused a disaster. He couldn’t think of any other reason why someone who was obviously a noble would join the Aerch Militia.

“So what if she is a Demon? As I said the only one fighting will be me. Win or lose the Orcs won’t attack you. All I need from you is to take my body back in case I die. I don’t want to return as a Demon.” Keita said. There was grief in his voice. “Also I will need a mage’s and Priest’s support. I won’t be able to speak to Orcs without the Spell ‘Comprehend Language’ and I will probably need healing if I win. Furthermore, I doubt I will be able to fight on the way back in case we find bandits or goblin raiding parties.” he added.

The others all had difficult expressions.

“We won’t help you kill yourself!” Nao told him.

Keita was surprised at his words. He was called condescending and arrogant before but this was a first.

“I am not pessimistic of my chances if that’s what you are talking about. I’m just being realistic. I will be waiting for you tomorrow sunrise outside the city. If you want to come with me, you are welcome to.” he responded as he got up from his chair.

“But why?” Reika called to him. “We are just rookies in the Militia. More experienced soldiers will take care of them soon enough. We just won a big fight. They don’t need us.” she pleaded with Keita. She wasn’t so much afraid as she was desperate to stop him.

“I don’t think the battle needs as either.” Keita responded with his back turned to them. He slowly turned his head and his eyes showed the truth behind his words.

“But I need the battle.”