Sign of the Zodiac: Taurus
Bar Worker

“Where have you lived all this time?” bianco asked Ekhtuya after they returned to the bar.

“Not necessarily. Sometimes near markets, sometimes in arenas, but more often in frontier forests. My horse was also tethered there,” Ekhtuya replied while helping Bianco drop some groceries.

“Wait. Doesn't that mean you have no place to live? Then horses? You brought a horse?” Bianco asked again curiously.

“The lodging price here is too expensive even though the quality is not good. I didn't bring much money either. And, well, I did bring a horse. How do you think I can get to Nuchas from Giyatsa? There's no way I'm walking.”

Bianco took a long breath. “Did you eat right all this time?” ask again.

“I hunt sometimes. Skinny deer can be spent for four days. Meals not much.”

Bianco pinched his suddenly dizzy head after hearing Ekhtuya's explanation.

“You why? Is your wound hurting again? Or is your head dizzy?” ask Ekhtuya to worry.

“Not. I just can't imagine someone like you being a bum in Nuchas,” Bianco said frankly.

“Hei. I'm not a bum. It's like this is my way of life. It's not because I'm poor,” looks Ekhtuya while shaking his waist.

Bianco grunted slowly. “The reality is you do not have money,” said a small laugh.

“If only for a drink at your bar once in a while, I still have. But money is not a problem now. I had to find the person in the prophecy before the deadline specified,” Ekhtuya said turning moody.

“I don't know how important that person is to you ...”

“Of course is very important. Not just for me but for all the humans in Luteria. If one of them is not found before the end of Skirof month, then this land can no longer be saved. Human suffering will happen forever,” cut Ekhtuya with long grievances.

“Yes, yes, yes. I-i understand. I mean, regardless of what tasks you have to fulfill, you should also keep your lifestyle. Don't be a wild drifter wandering the streets or even in the woods. I know you're very strong, but you're still a girl.

“You can stay here if you want. In Angelo's room there are two beds. You can use one of them that is still empty. I might not be able to give you a decent salary, because in order to recruit a new kid, I need the approval of the bar owner's family. But for just decent food I can still provide it for you,” Bianco said later.

Ekhtuya looks sparkling. “I thought you were a good man, Bianco. Are you gonna use your paycheck again to help me? Just like you did for that wine seller.”

“How do you know?”

“You took the rest of the extra money from a different wallet. I thought because it was your own money. Your wallet is more shabby than the other wallet,” Ekhtuya.

“Ah, it's not a big deal. I have a little bit of savings because I rarely shop. Don't feel burdened and just think of this as my revenge because you've helped me many times,” Bianco said later.

Bianco smiled looking at the girl in excitement. As hard as the young man's heart refrained from rubbing Ekhtuya's head. Somehow he felt Ekhtuya very sweet at this moment.

“Oh, yes. One more question. Can I bring Oz?” ask Ekhtuya again.

“Oz?” Bianco asked in confusion.

“My horse name.”

“Oh … . Sure oes. You can tether it to the stables with Manolette's other horses. I will arrange for the stables guards to help take care of your horse,” replied Bianco with a gentle smile.

Ekhtuya followed Bianco's advice to stay in DelMonte. For three days he helped Bianco serve customers while caring for Bianco's wounds. The young man's body recovered quickly thanks to the healing potion given by Ekhtuya. The Giyatsa are famous for their healing abilities.

Even so, Bianco still felt it was unreasonable to experience such a quick recovery. Usually it takes at least a week until the pain subsides, then another week until the bruises and wounds disappear. Now, with only three days, his body had returned to fitness as if it had never been injured in the slightest. To that end, Bianco was truly grateful to Ekhtuya. The girl really has a lot of benefits.

Ekhtuya also began to get along with other employees, especially Angelo. Thanks to the room with Ekhtuya, Angelo is no longer too addicted to drugs. Looks like Ektuya put some kind of tranquilizing incense in their room every night. The aroma of the incense makes Angelo sleep and wake up refreshed without experiencing painful reactions due to breaking the consumption of drugs.

The same thing happened to Andres and Baltazar. Both addicts are now starting to live healthier lives. The amount of their consumption of pills and alcohols was drastically reduced after Ekhtuya fed them a pungent-scented herb. The girl said that the potion was the secret of her strength. Andres and Baltazar who were tempted by the lure of great strength consumed the Ekhtuya potion without hesitation. As a result, their lives are healthier and they are more often in a conscious state than tellers.

That series of things is really worth being grateful for. Again Bianco felt lucky to have brought Ekhtuya to live with them. Besides being deft and beautiful, Ekhtuya brings a lot of positive impact on their bar. Even the raging visitors are no more. They seemed to feel disinclined because of Ekhtuya's reputation after defeating dozens of torero some time ago. Over the past few days, Bianco has really been able to work very comfortably.

“I've never felt like my life was this calm, Adena. Isn't this fun. No problem to be solved. I just need to make a drink for ten hours every night. Then you can sleep well until the afternoon. I feel like I'm back young,” said Bianco from behind the bar table. His eyes followed the movements of Ekhtuya who was very deft to deliver orders from table to table.

Adena snorted until she choked on her own drink. “I cannot refute your words. But stop talking like a proud father to his daughter,” Adena said half laughing.

“I was lucky to meet a worker without pay who could do everything at once. The girl can be a waitress, as well as a cleaner, and then a security guard. He's like an angel in this mudhole,” said Bianco, who was still staring at Ekhtuya with his chin up.

“You know that your words can cause misunderstandings. You sound like you're exploiting a slave,” Adena comments as she gently hits Bianco's head with her frilly hand fan.

“I was praising him, Adena,” grumbled Bianco rubbed his head.

Adena gave a small laugh in response. “But until when do you want to keep the girl. Does Miss Beatris know about her?”

Bianco turned moody. The young man then took a heavy breath as if the entire burden of life had been thrown onto his shoulders.

“Hopefully Beatris is not here anytime soon,” he said. It was the first time Bianco had not expected Beatris to arrive. The existence of Ekhtuya seems to have made Bianco also change.