Sword Anthem's
Chapter 13 - Shop and Conversation

After I spent the time honing and training my new skills, I walked through this forest with a hungry stomach.

"Ughhh .. shit, it turns out that empty stomach can kill me slowly too."

The road I was walking along was getting uphill, stopping for a while and looking around. My breathing is slowly becoming heavy, probably due to location factors, huh? I don't know either. But right up there I saw some big trees like watchtowers.

As soon as I got between them, it turned out that I was on a pretty steep cliff. While the scenery in front of him was a big place, maybe another kingdom? Coulda.

I also don't know if they welcome strangers or newcomers kindly or not.

At least with my current strength jumping from the top of a cliff this high would not hurt my legs too much, that was my thought at the time when my body was self-destructing.

Throughout the kingdom it was encircled by a solid stone wall, on the top of which was also furnished by a wooden roof. While on the other side, perhaps near the right side, I saw a giant gate that seemed to be made of pure white shiny metal.

After I managed to land unharmed, I decided to go there, and found some people guarding the gate. Yes, so far I have no identification card or commonly known as an identity card.

I wish nothing had happened to me when I went in there. Especially until they are detained because they are suspected of not having an identity card. Even like this, I am a person who obeys the rules.

As I was silently observing around, I suddenly felt a cold touch greet my left shoulder.

"Godhhh ..."

"Ssttt .. quiet man, I'm not a ghost. It's just that we lack people to be able to enter the Astarte Kingdom. So can you come with us" he said casually.

Astarte Kingdom? So the name of the kingdom was Astarte.

"Hmm ... okay, then what am I going to do?"

"Just act as a guard, you use their Magistra Cloak so you won't suspect you" he explained lightly. "One more thing, relax. Relax your body don't strain it, my name is Kali Hielt. Just call me Kali" he continued, pointing to himself.

"While there are my men."

In a short time I felt doubtful, but because they looked very convincing. So I decided to go with them. And from then on I always helped them work and as a reward I was given some silver pieces and if they get more profit, I can get an extra bonus.

***

"Hey ... Kuro, don't be dumb. Get over here"

"Alright .. boss," I said with a nosy smile.

"How many times have you not called me boss, but Kali. Even though my body is bigger than yours doesn't mean I'm a boss" she replied with a khehehe laugh.

"But you're the one who brought me up to this point, aren't you?"

"Yes ... how else, maybe fate?"

I laughed and walked over to him. Together with his children, we were quite familiar and they considered me a family.

"Well, well .. A warm chocolate made by Aunt Hana was waiting for me there. I can't let them down."

Kali only smiled a little while his men sang triumphantly. With this much yield they can eat well in the taverns of Aunt Hana.

After Kali activated the Athea Crystal and we all teleported directly to the Astarte Kingdom. Right in front of the gate. After that we could enter easily, because the gatekeepers there knew us well.

"As usual you get a lot of results" said one of the guards.

"Hahaha .. of course, this is hard work," said Kali and showed off the muscles of his stocky arms.

"Hahaha .. don't forget us of course, ok"

"Just relax, tonight I'm gonna send you a big roast for you guys."

The guards and Kali's men stared at each other, then there was an unstoppable feast of laughter. Then they let us into the kingdom. The sky started to darken, a stretch of dark cloth began to envelop the sky quietly.

After we sent that supply of Zenith Crystals to the Arc Enchanters, we got quite a reward. Then the division of results according to performance is distributed evenly.

I have obtained my ration and after that immediately say goodbye to them. I took my foot out and walked towards Aunt Hana's shop.

The path that I passed through was made of pure stone carved specifically. In addition, the atmosphere of the night in the kingdom is quite different from the Kingdom of Ronove and what makes me most excited is the dinner full of warmth.

The houses are compact and neatly lined. The chandeliers illuminating the vastness of the streets made everyone in the kingdom more colorful. Their smiles are shown because of the laughable and pleasant things.

The laughter of those who saw something so rare and sometimes made their stomachs ticklish. The festivity of this road is proof that the Kingdom of Astarte is a very prosperous and peaceful kingdom.

A few more houses and I'll be at Aunt Hana's. A house with a signpost with a picture of toast and also a glass of warm tea. Yeah, that's the shop. When I got there I went straight inside.

The people who were eating there looked at me for a moment. And then they smiled.

"Hey... Kuro, you're gonna order some hot chocolate again, huh?.. hahahaha."

Those were the words that greeted me once they got there, they knew me very well. Even when I first came here I was greeted badly.

"Of course it's better than a glass of warm milk, right?" I grinned with a big smile, then stepped into the table by the corner window.

They just laugh giggling. The potbellied men who always sipped beer always greeted me with jokes, the knights and also some Magi I knew also greeted me with laughter. Sometimes I see some kids eating sweet toast near me.

"O!! ... Kuro, you want one?" bargain them in unison.

I took it with my right hand gently, then flicked a piece of silver to the ceiling and the silver coin landed right on their dining table, "Yup and here's the pay," I said with a small smile.

"Aunt Hana, as usual I ordered a cup of hot chocolate as well as some whole wheat bread!" my yelling.

While the children were amazed by the silver coins that landed right on their table. Aunt Hana waved her hand then gave the thumb of her right hand to me and she said, "Of course, Kuro."

Her voice is distinctive, has a different impression from most other women. Is it because he is too good in the kitchen?

I also replied by pressing the side of my mouth until evenly and created a smile two inches to the left and right. Auntie Hana just laughed a little and went into the kitchen. While his son Elly came and sat right in front of me.

"Kuroooo! How's your hunt going this time?" ask with enthusiasm.

"Elly, will you always be like that every time I finish hunting? Of course I managed to get a lot of results"

"As expected of a hot brown knight, you're great" she said with a flushed face.

"Ughh .. Again you call me a hot brown knight. Not that because I just love hot chocolate you can call me that naughty girl" I said with a guyon.

"But that nickname suits you, Kuro. Haha"

"Yes, yeah, yeah, it's up to you. Miss scorched food," I said sneered.

"Kurou!!"

Then right after that Aunt Hana appeared complete with a large glass of hot chocolate, a glass of water and a bowl of wheat bread with various flavors, "Kuro, eat while warm," he said gently.

"Bi, I'm 20 years old. Will you always call me like you call Elly every time I've done something?" my protest. "I don't think I'm ordering water?"

"But it suits you, Kuro," he said, holding his left cheek. "No, that's no bonus for you, Kuro."

Ughhh .. no child no mother both are the same, they are stubborn.

"All right, thank you."

Then he went back to the kitchen. Elly laughed when she heard our conversation. You just look at him with a stalker's gaze. He turned red and immediately opened a new topic.

"Neh ... Kuro, have you heard of it?"

"Huh ... You mean Astarte Festa? Of course I've heard it" I said and tore the wheat bread and put it in my mouth.

"Yes, the festival held to commemorate the day of the formation of this kingdom"

After chewing slowly enough, I immediately sipped a glass filled with water to speed it up, "Yes, of course it is like that. Looks like this festival is open to the public, huh?"

"Yes. Because this is the second time the Astarte Festa has been held, so it is possible that the queen's majesty wants to tell the people that the Kingdom of Asatarte has always been peaceful" he said. " Then what will you do after this, Kuro? Are you going to teach again at Swordia Academy?"

"Surely, I'll go straight to the house for sure. There my wife waits" I said proudly.

"Well, what you're saying is that your wife is just your favorite bed, right?"

"Of course, he always takes care of me at night. Warming up never even asked for a strange, truly dream wife ... hehehe"

"Basic, then I go help mom first. Don't forget to pay, yes" he said. "The last time you ate here you suddenly went out without a word."

After that, Elly left the table where I was and headed straight for the order table.

I know that, after all, there was a precarious situation.

I just hope that this festival can run smoothly so that I can calmly enjoy this hot chocolate every day.

Suddenly an annoying voice appeared, making me have to get annoyed again with those who swarmed me.

"Nheil ... What are you doing here?" sahutku.

A brunette boy with a confident face was scattering with various questions. His height was only around my shoulders with a face that exuded an aura of confidence. Besides, it is very active.

"I've been researching Instructors ever since you taught at Swordia Academy. Height about 177cm, dark hair, weight 71 kg, favorite food is homemade food, favorite drinks are warm chocolate and also mint tea, favorite colors red, white and also black, shoe size 42 and the last one is you're still alone" said one woman with long brunettes.

“At least can you get rid of that ‘ aloof’ word, Reina? And... since when did you know all that!? Looks like someone asked to be punished, huh?”

This one woman has a bad habit, yes, her habit is to research someone who really attracts her attention, she almost looks like a stalker.

"Hey!... Don't bother Instructor Kuro! Look at her getting upset" said a long black-haired woman on my side. He suddenly grabbed my left hand and touched his chest tightly to my body.

Satella, even you.

The woman who was by my side was a Diva who was quite famous in the academy. He came to Swordia Academy to learn about sword skills, but after that he stuck to me every time he saw me.

"Satella .. stop it, you cheat" said a woman with long black hair.

Ahhh .. No, why is Fiana here too?

This time it was a beautiful woman who always held her stance, but she always changed when she saw funny things. Sometimes he becomes very fierce if the thing he likes is taken by force or captured.

"All of you stop, if you continue. Maybe Instructor Kuro will go berserk."

This is what you do, Wes?

And lastly was a short-haired man in a special knight-like suit who carried a curved sword in his left hand. He wore a pair of very clean white gloves.

"All of you, can you at least not bother me for one day only" I pleaded. "Why do you always bother your teacher when you're relaxed, is that your bad habit?"

"No, it's because I like the instructor" Satella said cheerfully.

"Satella, I'm your teacher. You better find someone else because I'm engaged," I assured him. "Reina, Fiana, Satella are coming home soon, it's night and for you Wes and Nheil accompany them. After this I still have a mission to do"

"WHAT!?"

The faces of the three women were instantly pale and for Nheil only giggled, while Wes he hid his laughter by covering his own face.

"That's a lie, Instructor Kuro. I've never heard of it, either" Satela chirped hysterically.

"It's not here but in Ronove Kingdom, yes."

Hihihih .. I hope my idea works.

I saw Reina open her little note and write something. However, his hand shook as if what he had just heard was a disaster. As for Satella, her face turned into a fashion I never imagined.

But it didn't scare me at all, because her demonic face was like a sweet doll. Among all that only Fiana seemed calm, she still looked at me with eyes of hope.

"Fiana, are you okay? your hands are shaking" I said with a small laugh. "I'll go first, you better get home soon. Wes, Nheil, take care of them. Tic a toe, you're stuck" I continued and walked out of the dining table.

The faces of the three women then turned to be extremely relieved.

"But I'm actually married."

After that I went and left them, but from the laughter of Nheil and Wes that exploded it seemed like I got the score again.

After that go to the order table to pay for my order. Then I came out, and took an Athea Crystal as big as a little finger. This crystal has three functions.

Not just for teleportation, but the function of both is as a communication tool. And the third function is as an image viewer. I pressed the flat top and it appeared immediately

the look of a woman I know very well.

"What can I help you with Irina~"

“Sister! Stop calling me that, I'm an adult!”

Although he protested but his face showed enthusiasm that looks very clear.

"Huh, stop? But aren't you immortal like Aresya?" my question, “ohh, another one, Irina now my name is not Reiss but Kuro, so please use that name, ok"

“E-etoo alright. Hmm. i-that's right, but please don't call me that. Brother saw it for himself, how do I grow now?”

"Yes, that's what I already know. But—“

“But?”

"You're so sweet, so I can't help it .. hahaha"

“M-sweet!?”

I can tell how his face is reacting now.

"Most importantly, you're still healthy and safe, Irina"

“Emm, thank you, Brother. But I didn't know that Brother is now teaching at Swordia” Academy

"Just a side job, really"

“Although it's just a side job, I can't wait to meet with Brother again”

"Hahahaha .. is everything okay?"

“Yes. At least for now everything is fine, if Brother himself how?”

“Same as before. Very good once”

“Thank God. I guess Big Brother will be in trouble again just like back then”

"Hahaha, I'm not a troublemaker and you know that well, Irina. How does it feel to be a school principal?"

“Quite troublesome also it feels”

"Well, now you feel what I felt 283 years ago"

“Hahaha, maybe like that. But my brother only taught us three”

"Irina, don't you know how Aresya is. At least you and Regin aren't like him"

“Hahahaha, true also what Kakak” said

"Then it was a long time ago, I will now go home to sleep"

“Ahh, Brother, I want to ask for your help”

"About what?"

“There is news that a group of knights were killed inhumanely near the Mour Valley. In addition there is a living witness who has given testimony to one of the soldiers of the kingdom”

"What did the living witness say?"

“According to his testimony, he saw a monster and he was happy to eat a sword. Not only that, the monster had also obliterated thousands of innocent lives”

"Hmmm ... so the stage eater?"

“Switch-hikers? You will definitely not know about it, as they are a very rare race. Last time I, Oz and Selina almost died for it"

“HUH!? Is that so strong that you can corner Oz and even Selina's strong sister?

"Yes, the important thing is that I suggest you not be in touch with them because they don't know any enemies or friends"

“Good. I understand, Kak”

"One more time, don't tell Aresya or Regin if I've contacted you"

“I understand. But, why, Brother?”

"Itu—“

“That?”

"Secret, may your dreams be beautiful Irina"

“Eh! W-Sister! T-t-wait—“

After that the transmission had ended and the magic circle near my right ear disappeared. I am walking around enjoying myself tonight. Where the bridge of stars is wide in the sky there will be a miracle waiting for everyone with hope in their dreams.

"A beautiful night. That's what I always expected...."