Aisha stepped into the room, the weight of the guild's payment in the sack a familiar comfort in her hand.
Before the door could even settle shut, her gaze landed on Ash, striking a pose in the center of the room, his newly acquired cape swirling around him.
A soft gasp escaped her lips, her eyes tracing the lines of his form, from the tips of his boots to the proud set of his shoulders.
Ash, caught in a moment of uncharacteristic vanity, felt a flush creep up his neck, his usual composure completely abandoned.
The rich fabric of the cape, dark and flowing, clung to him in all the right places, accentuating the well-defined muscles that were a testament to his relentless training.
But this time, there was something more.
A soft, almost guttural sound escaped Aisha's throat, "Eugeh~" Her eyes widened, a dazed look on her face as her jaw slackened. She was utterly mesmerized.
"Eugeh?" Ash's brow furrowed, a hint of confusion in his voice as he let the cape settle back down around him..
"S-sorry, I got carried away. The cape looks good on you, Master," Aisha said as she finally walked into the room and closed the door. "Where did you get it?"
"…"
Ash returned to the bed and gently sat down. Anytime he did this, she understood it had to be from that mysterious place where he was always pulling out his strange items.
For some reason, he had never told her about it. This often led her to think he didn't trust her enough, a thought that lingered at the back of her mind.
"By the way…" Aisha moved closer. "We misinterpreted the quest again. It wasn't a 1500 eres bonus if they returned unharmed; it was 1500 per unharmed head. Meaning, for every person we saved who wasn't injured, we received a bonus."
Though he tried to maintain his cool, the surprise on his face was still evident.
"So, you're saying…"
"Hmm~" Aisha held the bag forward. "We got 12,000 eres in here, and that's including the money from the magic stones we sold."
Ash chuckled weakly. "That's enough to cover our trip to the capital. Good. It's about time."
He clenched his fist. 'About time I pay those assholes a visit.'
Aisha stared at him for a while, seeing how quickly anger crept onto her master's face the moment he mentioned the capital.
Why did he always seem so angry and hurt anytime he mentioned that place? She couldn't help but wonder.
This time, she was no longer willing to let it slide.
"Master."
She slowly went to her knees, her head bowed, catching Ash off guard.
"I know I have said this before, but please, allow me to assist you in any way you need me. I don't care what it is. As long as it makes you happy, as long as I can support you, I am willing to do it all." Her eyes twitched a bit.
"I don't understand why Master doesn't trust me enough to tell me what bothers you. I don't want to simply exist while you carry these thoughts. How must I prove myself? Shall I cut off my hair? My arm? My breasts?"
"What brought this on?"
Aisha raised her head at his question.
"I noticed you've been acting off anytime you mention the capital. And when I ask about that place, you often dodge the question. Is there something bothering Master about that place that makes him not trust me enough to tell me? I promise I am not the weak girl you saved back then. I have truly changed, Master."
Ash looked at her for a while.
[Name: Aisha]
[Status: Sad, emotional, seeking a sense of belonging.]
Sigh.
Ash scratched the back of his head, then asked, "If I told you the reason I am heading to the capital is to kill the hero of Lumberg, would you still willingly repeat what you just said?"
Confusion etched itself onto her face. "The hero of Lumberg? I heard he was summoned here to kill the demons hunting this world. D-does Master hate the hero?"
"Yes." Ash's response was sharp and precise, causing Aisha to flinch.
He then continued,
"A long time ago, I used to be a member of the hero's party myself. Of the five heroes summoned, I was one. Eventually, I was betrayed and killed."
"Master was… killed?"
"Yes. I can see how that is hard to believe, considering I am sitting before you and speaking. Even I can't truly confirm what happened after my death. All I know is I woke up in a different place, with the Devil King sleeping inside me."
Putting the pieces together, Aisha gradually understood everything.
Why her master was so furious when he heard the news about the hero claiming a party member was working for the Devil King.
Why her master would often hide his face and scowl at the wanted posters anytime they walked through the city.
Why he would always lock himself indoors and rarely ever show his face in public.
In fact, now that she looked at him, he did resemble the man in the poster, only he looked like an upgraded version, so no one could quickly identify him.
"I… I understand now," Aisha said, looking at the ground. "I called myself your blade, and I couldn't even see this much. I'm sorry."
'She believes me that quickly? I expected her to have some doubts and questions…'
"Master!" Aisha suddenly yelled, her gaze now filled with anger. "If the reason you intend to head to the capital is to have your revenge against the hero, then allow me the honour of doing this alongside you. While I do not trust the Devil King, I trust you, my master. Please, allow me."
Ash was genuinely confused. Most people in this world hated the Devil King more than anything.
To think she was willing to push the fact the Devil King was sleeping inside him to the side so quickly was jaw-dropping.
He was constantly checking her status just to make sure she wasn't trying to deceive him.
Eventually, Ash sighed in defeat. "You are one terrifying girl."
Aisha tilted her head to the side. "A-am I that scary? Did what I say freak you out?" she asked anxiously.
"No." Ash now stood to his feet. "But I am proud of your response. Which is why I am asking you this, and you have the choice to refuse. You should not say yes just because I am the one asking."
"..."
"Aisha, as much as I want my revenge, you want yours as well. If you want to help me with mine, then it is only right that I help you with yours. As such, will you allow me to view your past trauma?"
...
[A/N]
Happy new month.
Let me set up the month's challenge.
25 powerstones= 1 extra chapter.
25 gt= 2 chapters.
All cumulative chapters will be updated during weekends.