One's Eden: Sword of Ren!

Chapter 16: Quarrel and Understanding

After paying respect to the grave of Lia and Lenny.

Ren and Hanayuki decided to continue their original mission of capturing a red robe captain Elulu, who lives in the next town.

Princess Yusael goes back home to Arsland castle located in Grandbell City or also known as the capital city. Using spatial magic they go back to the castle immediately.

Hanayuki is still looking at Yusael in daggers and decided to turn her back with a pissed expression.

"That high stack, shitty princess... What she did is still a crime. She killed Lenny-chan who just united with her mother."

Said Hanayuki in a low tone voice.

Ren turns his glance to Hanayuki and replies.

"I think it's also for the better... the demon curse will kill Lia after a few moments. If that is true, then Lenny might commit suicide as she did in the first time we met."

Ren said his opinion.

"Really? Are you saying Lenny is better to be killed?."

"When we first met... Lenny was about to commit suicide by letting the monsters ate her... She was crying and looking in her eyes I know that she suffers a lot already... In the end, Lenny died happily and smiling. I think that a proper way to send them off."

"I can't understand you're ideals... Well, you're a killer after all. Taking someone's life is nothing to you."

Said Hanayuki coldly.

Ren feels it by just Hanayuki's tone. That somewhere in Hanayuki's heart. Hanayuki might really hate Ren.

Ren also knows that he did terrible things, but those things he did are for the goal his living for.  Ren lives to kill a certain someone.

Ren might not think of killing Pithon but in his head killing the general is something he wanted from the bottom of his heart.

If Ren and the red robe general meeting. Who knows what Ren could do?

Hanayuki is leading. Nearly living Ren behind.

"Are you mad?"

"Of course I am... You're still not changing... You're still a cold killer. You're as s**t s that princess... Not only that, you're blushing while seeing that s**t princess face. I was thinking of you two just go and f**k each other. Because the two of you are a piece of shit."

Said Hanayuki.

"I didn't know that you can talk like that... I feel like I misunderstand you. I admit, I still want to kill the general... I'm an assassin. I already killed many former red robe members... I can't just stop like it's nothing because you told me."

"You really are a piece of shit."

"Then, let's just go and move in separate ways."

Ren said he stop walking.

"I guess that's also for the better... If you're planning on killing Elulu, then I will stop you no matter the cost. I will capture Elulu alive."

Hanayuki said as she turns her glance to Ren. Hanayuki's eyes are dead angry.

That time Hanayuki continue to walk differently from Ren leaving Ren behind.

That time Ren started to feel something aching in his heart. Ren didn't shed a tear before but now he feels like shedding one.

Hanayuki disappeared.

Ren put his hand to his face and said:

"Hanayuki..."

...

Back to Princess Yusael.

Using spatial magic Yusael and her knight's immediately return to the capital city. Horns of return started to make a noise and people came to hear the news, about Yusael's finishing a princess trial.

The white castle located in the center of Grandbell city is the home of the royal family of Archangel, Vermillion, and  Lumiere. These are the three high nobles that control the kingdom of Arsland.

Sitting on the throne is the king of Arsland is Arthur Archangel the father of Yusael Archangel.

Yusael entered the palace and pay respect to his father sitting on the throne.

"Yusael you're back."

"Yes, my father... I'm here to report the completion of my princess trial. We already killed the demon fairy in the forest of Lilia. here we offering the head as proof of our accomplishments."

As Yusael says those words.

Benedict gets the ice block containing Lia's head.

"It's a shame... the I never know the demon fairy is this beautiful. Still, good for you Yusael. You never failed your missions since your a child. I'm really looking forward to the future. I will throw a party for your great deed."

"Father, before we throw a party. I would like to have a ceremony for the knight who died in the mission. I want to send them prayer-"

Before Yusael finishes her sentence. King Arthur cut in.

"Those knight's died because they are not suited to be a knight. That's only it... In this world, the weak always died first. Remember that Yusael."

The king stand up and walked away. But, before he completely leaves the place. He turned his back and take a glance at the girl who is peeking on the side of the hall.

"Alicia!"

"Y-Yes! Father!"

Said with a trembling shocked expression.

"Did you finished your mission?"

"S-Sorry father but I failed the exam... And..."

The king started to make a big sigh and said:

"You really are the opposite of Yusael. You're so weak and never finish a goal properly. In academics, you're so bad also in the fighting. The only great about you might be your looks and your status."

King said as he put shame on Alicia.

"I-I'm sorry Father... Next time I will..."

"You put a lot of shame on the family already. Did you hear the rumor spread in the country? If you failed your next trial. You better go and pack your things."

"Father..."

"Don't call me father..."

Said Arthur and left.

Yusael walked to Alicia and try to comfort her, Alicia turns her back and runs away before Yusael reached her.

Yusael knows the rumors in the country. The rumor that Alicia Archangel is not royalty, Alicia is a child from another man.

It's just a rumor, but much information supports it.

"She really is an incompetent failure girl."

muttered by some of the knights.

Yusael turns her daggering eye's to them, scaring the knights.

"Knight's you all can go home.."

Said Yusael and go back to her room.

Yusael changes her clothing to her pure white nightdress. She sits in front of the mirror and starts combing her hair.

As she combs her hair she started to think about the thing she did in the past.

"I'm so horrible..."

In the mirror, Yusael started to the ghost of the people who are killed in from of her. People that she killed and people who killed her.

It gives Yusael a terrified expression. She started to breathe heavily and release weird sweat.

"I-it's not my fault... It's not my fault... It's not entirely my fault... I just did what it needs to be done... It's not my fault."

Yusael said.

A maid comes in and saw Yusael dreadful state.

"Princess are you okay? Maid gives me some water... Calm down, my lady..."

After drinking water Yusael started to calm down and think the maids that helped her. She goes to the bed and fell asleep.

...

Back to Ren.

Ren arrives at Flore town.

The town knows to be the place where red robe captain Elulu lives.

"This is the place, looks very peaceful and silent."

Ren said as he looks around the town.

That time someone fell to the ground with a basket containing apples.

The apples are scattered in the ground. Ren came to help the little girl.

"Are you okay?"

"Yep, don't worry about it."

Someone called the little girl.

"Elulu-chan Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm okay thanks for the apples."

She replied with a smile.

"Elulu?"

"Huh? Is my name weird?"

The girl asked.

"Nope, I think it's unusual."

"Many people always say that... Still, thank you for helping me, mister. If you like you can go to my cafe tomorrow morning we're having a special coffee tomorrow morning."

She gives Ren a card that is used to be a coupon for the coffee she's talking about.

The little girl left.

"That's unusual that little got the same name as the red robe terrorist leader. Her eyes are too innocent. The picture in the newspaper is of an adult woman. It can't be her... It's getting dark... I need to find a guild to gather some information about Red robe terrorists."

Ren goes and searches for the town guild.

…

You are a piece of s**t.

That's what Hanayuki told me before she left me.

I know that someone out there will have a different opinion from mine.

I know that killing is bad.

Even so, I'm also thinking that killing a bad person is good. Like killing a murderer who kills hundreds of people. People like that should just go and die.

Looking to myself. I might be no different. I also killed many people. As an assassin that's my job.

No, I'm just using my job as an excuse for my greater goal of taking revenge.

Revenge, that's what I really seek.

Still, this feeling in my heart. I can't understand it. Since Hanayuki left me this feeling is making my heartache like crazy.

Hanayuki might really hate killing. That's is right and taking another life is not something that should be given to a mere human like me.

I guess I know why I have this feeling...

Hanayuki is very similar to Hikari back then. Every time Hanayuki is beside me. I feel like Hikari is beside me.

I'm so horrible thinking she is just a replacement.

The root of our quarrel is the difference in our ideals.

"Still, I can't just change like that. That's not how human works."

I muttered while lying down in a soft double bedroom.

I'm currently staying in the Inn located in the Flore town guild.

The price of this inn is better than the price of Inn in Stella city.

I close my eyes and muttered again.

"I can't sleep... Hanayuki's smile is bothering me..."

Her smile.

"Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!"

I get up screaming.

Someone from the other side kicked the wall with a slamming sound and yelled at me.

"What's with that voice?!"

"I'm very sorry."

I apologized.

Still, I can't sleep.

Well, the time I arrived here.

I get nothing about the red robe terrorist captain Elulu.

Don't tell me, Hanayuki already bind her and bring in someplace. Meaning staying here might be worthless.

Thinking of Hanayuki's spell. She has that amazing Lightning speed spell.

Not only that, every time I'm with her I can feel this weird feeling of magic from her.

Her magic is very powerful and very huge.

That's why she has no problem casting huge area magic. Or calling a giant thunder from the clouds.

If I and Hanayuki got into battle... I think Hanayuki will win.

"What I'm thinking in the middle of the night?"

Someone open the door of my room.

It's the guild attendant.

She is the one who is at the front desk in the guild.

Look's like my roommate comes.

"Miss Hanayuki this is the room."

"Gwaahhh!"

I let out a shocked voice after seeing Hanayuki. I immediately curl myself in the blanket. My face is getting red.

"Sorry miss attendant but I don't like the idea of sharing room with that weirdo over there."

Hanayuki said.

Weirdo? I am?

"Sorry Miss Hanayuki but this is the only room left. In entire Flore, this is the only facility with Inn. I better suggest that you bear on sharing a room with a weird man like him... If they assault you or do something kinky. Just scream. My father will hear you and he will smash that weirdo with his club."

Said Attendant.

Am I really a weirdo.

"Tsk!"

Hanayuki said and look toward me.

The attendant left. Leaving me and Hanayuki in the old small room.

It's cold and awkward.

After a few moments.

Hanayuki goes to the other bed.

"No matter how much you curl your self I know you're that shitty piece of trash named Ren."

"You're so harsh."

"You're much harsher in a literal way."

"You're so angry."

"Not anymore I guess."

"But you're tone."

"I said I'm not angry anymore."

Hanayuki lay down on her bed and go on the opposite side of mine.

She continues talking.

"I thought I can change you from not killing anyone anymore... In the battle in Celest. You stop yourself from killing Pithon with your flames. I thought back then that you've changed. I guess I'm having a misunderstanding back then."

"You're not entirely wrong. Now my goal changes a little. I didn't seek to kill those red robe captains or members anymore. Just the head of general is enough for me. I just want to kill that general with my own hands."

I said.

"That event minimized your feeling of revenge... then, tell me about this Hikari... You said she is your world when we're in Stella city right? What kind of girl she was? Is she your first love?"

Asked Hanayuki.

"She is my first love and she is very similar to you. Not physically but mentally and how Hikari thinks is similar to you. Hikari adores those traveling heroes' tales. She is strong and reliable. She is my one and only friend back then."

"Do you think Hikari like's what yours doing now?"

"I think Hikari..."

My mind is blank.

"You're not having an answer... You don't know yourself... If what you're doing is right or wrong. You are my friend now and I wanted to release you from your hatred. I wanted to save you... That's why Ren..."

Hanayuki stands up and jumps to my bed hugging me from my back.

"I will help you stop this bad guy named red robe terrorist and end everything in you. That way I can save your soul. I don't want you to be that same person... Same person... Same person."

Hanayuki's bad memories flow.

Hanayuki then put her hands in her head. She is in horrible pain. Making her cry and scream in a silent voice.

"Hanayuki are you alright? Hanayuki?"

As I call Hanayuki.

Hanayuki lost consciousness and fell asleep.

What just happened? Did she remember something dreadful from the past?

Even we have different ideals Hanayuki still says those words to me.

She is truly a kind person.

I carry Hanayuki to her bed and lay her down. Putting her blanket and look at her face.

"She sure is cute."

I said.

Hanayuki might be the salvation for me. She might be my new light.

I don't know what I can do if I face the red robe general. I really don't know what I can do... I might get berserk and kill general with my hands.

Without knowing fell asleep.

...

I got a dream

a dream, I found myself in a flower patch.

There I saw Hikari sitting beside me.

Hikari is making a flower crown in her hand.

"Look Hikari I made one for you."

"Thank you, Ren, but I cant accept it... Because the flowers in your hand got blood on it."

I look to my hands. I saw blood from another man.

"Ren I told you before... No one is your enemy, humans have no real enemy... What have you done?"

...

"Lightning punch!"

Smashing me right in the morning. Hanayuki wakes me up with her fist.

"What's wrong with you?!"

"You... You... You sleep with the same bed last night."

"Yeah, I did that but I never do anything. besides we did it when we are in Stella city."

Someone in the door got a shocked expression.

"They did it in another town. I see you're lovers in a quarrel."

Attendant said.

"Eh?! What gives you that conclusion."

"Well, you two seem to know each other."

Attendant leave.

"That woman... Still, I want to say something to you Hanayuki... I'm very sorry. For making you feel bad... I'm very sorry."

Hanayuki smiled and replied.

"Good then, buy me an expensive fried chicken meal this morning. After that, I will forgive you fully. I'm willing to restart my relations with you."

"You're price is as low as fried chicken."

Fried chicken huh?

"Not at all. I won't give my lovely body in exchange for fried chicken."

Hanayuki replied.

"Now that you told me about that. They're a little girl I met yesterday that give me this coupon card. Here it said. They having a special fried chicken meal with a 50% discount."

I said and I presented the coupon.

"Really?!"

Hanayuki said with a drooling expression.

"It's making me more hungry."

She whips her drool.

"It's a cafe, I never think they serve a chicken meal. I thought the cafe is for loaves of bread and coffee."

"That doesn't matter, let's go I'm hungry."

Hanayuki snatched the coupon and grab my hands. Pulling me toward the address written in the coupon.

With this mood.

I feel like Hanayuki is back to normal.