As the journey progressed, so did Imuru's anxiety, making it difficult for him to mask.
The once-dense forest gradually thinned to the mountainous plains, the dirt path they rode on, though worn, lacked the ruggedness one might expect. The vibrant, lush mountains loomed ever closer, their peaks towering calmly on the horizon.
Collon had been calmly observing Imuru for quite some time, his keen eyes noting every nervous gesture. "Anxious?" He abruptly asked, his voice cutting through the stillness and startling Imuru, who believed he had concealed his anxiety well.
Imuru sighed deeply, his shoulders sagging underneath an invisible weight. "Just a bit," He replied, his voice barely above a whisper. His eyes remained fixed on the outside the window.
Collon nodded thoughtfully and leaned back, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized Imuru from head to toe. "So, what's your goal?" He asked, his tone direct but curious. Realizing the abruptness of his question, he straightened up. "Pardon, if that was too forward," He added quickly. "I'm just genuinely curious about your response."
Completely flabbergasted by Collon's forward question, Imuru stammered to form a coherent sentence. He remained silent for a moment, allowing for an unsurprising awkward silence.
Imuru exhaled a deep breath. "What's my goal?..." He repeated to himself, looking for a simple yet coherent answer. "At the moment, it's to lend assistance to Ori. I can see Yosho took quite an interest in her... I don't know, what do you call it... sisterly bond?"
Collon snickered, an amused yet incredulous expression plastered all over his face. "Is that so?" He murmured. Running his hand through his hair, he joined Imuru's gaze through the window.
"Well this is a moment," Collon murmured. They locked eyes with each other, Imuru expressed a small smile before taking his gaze back to the window. Allowing Collon to be at ease knowing there's likely no tension between them.
Just a few meters behind, in the other stage coach Ori abruptly switched seats to face her grandfather. Slite saw a strange look of determination on his granddaughter's face, something he had never seen in his many years of being in her life. Right beside Ori, Yosho also took notice.
"Grandpa... Let's plan for the worst scenario?" Ori chillingly murmured, a particular coldness in her voice, that stunned her Slite as much as Yosho.
"Now, now... It's an obvious possibility. I saw it spread rapidly, there's likely nothing left, and my father is likely…"
"Enough!" Slite responded assertively. He held his low in his scarf, to cover the anger on his face.
Ori didn't flinch, in fact standing firmly with her statement. Yosho thought of leaving to give them space, but Ori grasped her hand firmly.
Taking in a deep breath, he looked off into the ceiling, "Demon Lord Imuru. It's a task and ask, as Yosho said, but... Would it be possible for us to work something out with him?" Ori asked, her gaze redirected to her grandfather's surprised face.
Slite mused. "It's indeed an ask. But when we convince him to help, I have faith all will be good," He said reassuringly, his gaze firm with Ori's.
Ori gave a warm smile, the confidence from her grandfather rubbing off on her.
Yosho shoulders sagged, feeling quite
relieved the situation got handled so well.
Later into the late evening the stagecoach abruptly came to a halt. "Lord Collon will be taking a break," A voice relayed to Yosho and the others from the outside.
Stepping out to stretch Collon finds himself searching for the highest elevation he can find. Imuru spun around, mesmerized by the smooth swaying of the grass, from the mere brush of the gentle wind, his view no longer restricted by the abundant forest. He also walked off the path to join Collon, a broad smile on his face.
Imuru gave him a confused look.
"Sorry... I just realized it's been awhile since I left the village," He remarked his gaze glued to a small flower in front of him. "I just usually have Yosho take care of anything on the outside," He said nonchalantly, a bright smile on his face.
"Yeah, I can see why she left," Imuru thought, his mind almost responding automatically since he couldn't.
"Hm." Collon turned his attention to Imuru. "Now that makes me wonder. What does she do for you?"
"Oh!" Imuru held his head high. "Not saying," He remarked, a playful smile playing on his face. "... Seriously though, what does she do?" He thought, finding even himself uncertain.
Collon raised an eyebrow, his eyes filled with more curiosity.
Luckily Yosho crept up behind them, preventing any follow up questions Collon might have thought of. "Pardon me."
"It's fine. What's wrong?" Imuru asked, intrigued in his tone.
"Would you mind if I borrow you for a minute?" Yosho asked, gesturing over to Ori and grandfather.
This had Imuru's interest piqued, so he gave Collon a nod, and walked off over to them.
Crossing over to the other side of the path, he gave a simple nod to Slite. Ori exhaled a deep breath, squaring her shoulders, as she prepared herself to address him. She turned around swiftly, determination featured on her face.
She cleared her throat. "How may I ask this," Ori steady herself. "First and foremost, I want to apologize for my attitude these past days."
Imuru titled his head, surprised by her words.
"Great Demon Lord, it may be much to ask, but... I beg of you, please help my people..." Ori asked, her confidence betrayed by a mix of sadness.
They wait patiently for a response from Imuru, their mind racing with thoughts, and fear of rejection. This is the complete opposite for Imuru, his mind blank not really knowing what to think.
"I was planning on already helping… But now this. More expectations," Imuru worriedly contemplated. "Yep. I'm taking a vacation after this."
"We will do anything in order to repay such service, Young Lord," Slite spoke up.
Imuru smirked. He closed his eyes, and twirled his hair, a calm expression on his face. "It's not an issue, I can handle it. Just that it is a big ask..." Imuru remarked, caressing his chin.
Ori's ears drooped slightly.
"Worry not, I didn't say, I wouldn't help," Imuru reassured Ori. "In regards to what I'll get in return, that can be worked out later."
Ori's face lit up, even finding herself bowing, as her happiness shined through for everyone to see. She was unsure whether to hug him or not, deciding not to since it seemed unprofessional.
Slite felt a sense of relief wash over him, determined to do anything he can to repay the debt of Imuru accepting such a heavy request. "I will forever be in your debt, Young Lord."
Imuru nodded. A smile on the outside, preventing them from seeing the turmoil on the inside, unsure of how he'll even handle such a situation. "Have a feeling they think I'm comparable to A Demon King... Ah, well, so goes with having this title. I'll probably get myself killed someday because of this. And no I will not come to accept it."
He gazed off into the distance lost in thought, his eyes laced with worry, even though he had a smile on his face. "Not that I regret helping Ori... Just a lot of responsibility, so I'll treat this carefully."
Imuru looked back over at the others to see that they're setting up camp. "Guess we're staying here for the night," Imuru commented.
"Seems like it," Ori murmured, her eyes darting around.
Set off on their scouting mission the two guards inspect the land for any possible threats ahead, so that their journey can be as safe as possible. Though with some unease, with the presence of Forcent looming behind them.
Out of fear, they kept their heads straight ahead, soon the spotter noticed the pack of five Gray Persudos, dragging the corpse of an Orc through his spyglass.
"Ugh... Relentless as always," The guard said, lowering his spyglass.
The other guard glanced at him confused. "What do you see?" He asked, ready to add it to his notes.
"Just Persudos, dragging the corpse of an Orc," He said, gazing out.
"Alright, we should be good to go," The guard said, rolling up the parchment paper.
The guard with the spyglass, looked back at Forcent. He cleared his throat, "I think we got the data we wanted, and are clear to head back now," He said, anxiously walking past Forcent, his partner doing the same.
Forcent's gaze followed them, sensing their fear. As they tracked back, Yosho approached Forcent.
"Hm... Is Imuru looking for me?" Forcent asked, bewildered by Yosho's presence.
Yosho's eyes open slowly, her gaze sharp. "Dear no... I was looking for you," She replied, a sharp shift to her usual tone.
Yosho smirked. "You must wonder why... You owe me and my brother an apology."
Forcent narrowed his eyes, as their gaze clashed. "An apology?"
"Is that too much to ask?" Yosho asked, her head tilted slightly.
"I refuse," Forcent replied assertively, yawning.
"Is that so? Then why don't we switch the mood," Yosho said, getting into a fighting stance.
Forcent growled, but this got him to his feet. He chucked to himself. "Fine. I'm Disinterested… And you're strangely confident like that Devider. Show what's the difference between you and him."