Chapter 31. Aristocrat 2/3
Waking up the next day, I felt completely refreshed. Honestly, sometimes it feels almost unbelievable how accustomed I've become to this world. And even despite all the darkness I've witnessed and the massacres I've personally orchestrated, along with some lapses in sanity, subsequent bouts of sadism, and pleasure derived from the slaughter, I realize that I've truly adapted to this world, as if I've spent my whole life here.
— "Well, thanks to her memories, I really have lived here all my life—and more than one, at that," I sighed before getting out of bed and starting to put myself in order.
— "I wonder when I'll finally be able to fulfill this so-called condition for settling in this world?" This question torments me almost constantly. After all, I understand perfectly well that if Lona, who managed to achieve such tremendous results, still couldn't break the time loop using the resources of this world, it's unlikely that I'll be able to pull off something like that right away. Besides, I really have no desire to start a new cycle, let alone get pregnant just to preserve my memories. Instead, I'd much rather visit worlds with greater opportunities for development—or, better yet, achieve godhood, and then I could look at the problem from a non-mage's perspective. And after acquiring the memories of the sage, I've learned more spells than I could master in several lifetimes. From the point of view, so to speak, of the world's laws—if such things even exist (I'm thinking of this entirely based on fanfics and novels from my previous life)—if that's the case, then theoretically, by becoming a god, one could use world-traveling abilities to gradually improve my world and eventually solve the loop problem. It's just not that simple: Justice and those two other would-be goddesses still haven't managed to do anything. And the sea witch from that trio—she's another matter entirely; she doesn't even retain memories from past cycles, unlike the others.
— "Enough," I said, giving my cheeks a light slap to snap myself out of these currently useless thoughts. "First, I need to accomplish the bare minimum: go with Indiana to the tomb of the False Godslayer, snag the sword there, send Indiana home to his family, visit the sea witch, and finally buy myself a house and turn it into a personal fortress. Only then can I start thinking about saving the world."
Having said my plans for the near future out loud, I felt a renewed surge of confidence about my future and finally left my room, intending to grab a bite to eat. However, as I descended the stairs, someone called out to me.
— "Excuse me, miss… are you by any chance called Lona?"
Turning towards the voice, I had to look up quite far to see the face of a man dressed in a butler's suit. He looked somewhat uncomfortable addressing me, though he did his best to maintain his dignity. Still, I recognized him easily, and I more or less guessed the reason he was approaching me—unless something drastic had changed.
— "That's right," I confirmed calmly. Frankly, with the sage-Lona's knowledge, he's certainly no match for me anymore, intimidating as he may look.
— "I've heard about your recent accomplishments. You did an excellent job," the man said, deciding to start with a compliment.
— "I can see you want something from me, and it's definitely not what those other boorish fools might have come for. So, shall we sit down and discuss it calmly while I have breakfast? How does that sound?" I proposed.
— "…Alright," the man agreed, before silently heading to the table in the same corner where yesterday he had sat with the aristocratic lady.
— "Huh. Quiet type, isn't he?" I shook my head before heading to the counter, where Big Mama and her husband already were.
— "You're early today, kid," she said.
— "Just went to bed early last night," I brushed her off, putting six coppers on the counter. "I'd love to have some meat right now. Don't need soup or anything else, just fried meat and a couple slices of bread… and maybe a mug of milk, too. That should about do it?"
— "Yes, go ahead—they'll bring it over," she nodded.
— "Thanks, Merimi."
After thanking Big Mama, I went to the corner where Greyrat—so the huge man was called—was sitting, waiting for me.
— …
— …
We sat in silence across from each other. I waited for him to start talking about whatever he had come to see me about, while he, for some reason, seemed hesitant, even though he looked formidable enough.
— "You were born in Sybaris, weren't you?" Greyrat asked suddenly.
— "That's right," I replied. Lona had in fact been born there.
— "After the catastrophe, most people in Noer treat refugees like goods or objects. We oppose the slavers in Noer who are trying to exploit the refugees… My companion was kidnapped by one such person.
— "They sent me a letter with a meeting place. Of course, it's a trap for me," he said and handed me a note.
To the filthy half-breed brute:
Your bitch is in our hands!
If you want her to live—
come to West Warehouse 13 at night.
Come alone!
OR THE WHORE DIES!!!
— "I heard about how you dealt with some of the gang cells and still managed to save the hostages. I'm hoping you'll help me—since you're also against that kind of scum, aren't you?"
— "You're right. I'd be happy to help rid the world of a couple more bastards like that," I agreed.
— "Thank you… You can call me Greyrat."
— "Well, as you already know, I'm Lona Foldin. I hope we can have a productive partnership," I said with a smirk, offering my hand.
— "…Me too," he replied, only hesitating a little before extending his huge hand—several times larger than mine—and shaking it gently.
At that moment, Merimi's husband came over to our table with a wooden tray piled high with meat, a couple slices of bread, and a wooden mug of milk. Merimi clearly hadn't skimped on the portion, but I was more than certain I could handle it all.
After waiting until Greyrat and I were alone again, I spoke up.
— "Greyrat, how would you feel about letting one more person join us? He's very experienced—fought in the world war on the Great Continent and has also taken part in missions where you had to infiltrate heavily guarded places. Only, unlike ordinary bandits, the guards there were professional soldiers. And I can vouch for his morals."
— "…Alright," the man agreed after a moment's thought.
— "Great. Then let's meet at the location?"
— "Yes, I need to prepare," Greyrat nodded before getting up and leaving the table.
I went ahead and had a calm breakfast, waiting for Indiana to wake up so I could fill him in. But half an hour later, when he finally appeared in the common room, it quickly became obvious that he was, to put it mildly, in no shape for anything. He was staggering as he walked, clutching his head now and then. Clearly, he'd had way too much to drink the night before.
— "Indiana, over here!" I called out, and soon enough the man collapsed into the chair across from me.
— "Mornin', kid," the archaeologist mumbled, sprawled across the table, then sniffed and looked at my plate.
— "Is that… fried meat?" Jones asked, reaching a hand towards one of the few remaining pieces, which I promptly slapped away.
— "If you want meat, order it yourself!" I raised my voice on purpose, making his head hurt even more.
— "You really are something, Lona," he groaned.
— "What's that supposed to mean?" I frowned. Maybe they did something to make it easier for me to accept being a girl, but that doesn't mean I suddenly became gay. No men!
— "You've mastered the ability to give men headaches," he said.
— …I gave him a blank look before replying, "I was planning on using healing magic to help with your hangover, but now I think you're just fine as is."
— "Uh, Lona, come on, it was just a joke," Indiana stammered.
— "Don't wanna hear it," I sang, quickly finished up the rest of my meat, and got up from the table.
— "Get some rest. I need to take care of something," I said, patting the man on the shoulder, then returned the tray to Merimi and headed for the door, deciding to go see Greyrat on my own.