Chapter 176 Cut From the Same Cloth (1/2)
BOOK II - GREAT DESCENT
VOLUME VIII - HELL-FORGED
CHAPTER 176
CUT FROM THE SAME CLOTH
A rather warm, southern wind blew, caressing the building tops of the lively town, yet seemingly invisible to the eyes of the passerby. While the town drowned in its daily liveliness, in one of the large-standing inns, Lino currently sat by the window, drinking and looking out into the sky. It had been a week since he'd arrived here, yet he hardly felt as settled as he thought he would.
His thoughts were interrupted quickly with the doors of the room opening and Lucky and Felix walking in, both seemingly exhausted and parched. They stared at him dangerously for a moment while he merely flashed a smile before reaching into the desk and taking out two glasses of wine, one for each.
”You guys had fun?” Lino asked, taking a sip.
”Fun? No,” Lucky replied. ”I was merely reminded as to why I hated your sorry, lazy ass so much.”
”Ah, come on now. It can't have been that bad.” Lino said.
”Yeah, have you left the inn today?” Felix asked. ”It's literally ten billion degrees outside. And you asked us to go to the mountain ranches -- full of horses who shit all the freaking time -- and expect us to have had a fun time?!”
”... yeah, alright. Maybe you don't deserve to be made fun of.” Lino said, turning toward them. ”Did you buy it at least?”
”Yeah,” Lucky nodded. ”But... are we really moving to a ranch? Seems rather dumb.”
”Not we,” Lino said. ”You two.”
”Huh?” both Felix and Lucky exclaimed at the same time.
”I'll be leaving soon,” he elaborated, withstanding the twos' murderous gazes. ”To a place... neither of you can follow. Whilst I'm away, I figured I'd secure you guys a permanent residence.”
”... is that it?” Lucky asked after a short silence. ”Just... 'hey, I'm leaving. Here, have a house! Goodbye!'. Really?”
”What do you mean a place we can't follow you to, Master?” Felix asked.
”This place will soon be plunged into a war,” Lino said. ”I'm merely leaving to make some preparations.”
”... ain't that familiar-sounding.” Lucky said, quickly downing the bottle.
”Yeah... life really is quite ironic like that, isn't it?” Lino said, smiling faintly.
”...” Lino suddenly lifted his arm to shield his head as a bottle came flying at him; glass shattered with a loud bang, creasing over his arm and face, gashing several wounds across as wine sizzled over them. ”You're a fucking piece of shit, you know that Lino?” Lucky spoke in a dark and hardened voice as Felix felt as though strained between two realities.
”I--”
”You're doing the exact goddamn thing as the last time!!” she yelled at him, interrupting. ”What's this time, huh? Is it resources again? Maybe you fancy some fat ass? Or... are you just running away? Is that it? Are you that much of a coward?”
”L'--”
”Felix, stay out of this!” Lucky glared at him for a moment before shifting her gaze onto Lino. ”Answer me. What is it? Or are you going to be cryptic, saying some stupid shit you think is charming?”
”... well, I was going for the latter one but you ruined it.” Lino said.
”... Lyonel,” Lucky said. ”If you leave... I swear to god you won't find me when you come back. Or ever again.”
”... maybe that's for the best.” Lino mumbled faintly as he took a sip.
”Really... now?” Lucky's eyes shined momentarily as she slowly walked over to Lino and leaned into his face. ”At least look me in the eye when you're throwing me away you cunt.”
”...” Lino looked up, meeting the already teary eyes. ”You've seen--nay, you've experienced the hell back there, Lucky,” he continued. ”Tell me... what part do you believe you have to play this time around, huh? I can't protect you two.”
”Nobody asked you to protect us!!”
”I dragged you over,” Lino sighed. ”Of course I have to protect you two.”
”Why?!”
”Because you two are the only ones I've got fucking left!!!” he roared angrily for a moment. ”Fuck,” he sighed as he saw Lucky's and Felix's startled expression, getting up and walking over to the window, leaning against the ledge. ”I... I truly wanted to stay here with you for a little while longer. I wanted to see just how awkward Felix can get around me whenever I smile at him dubiously, I wanted to see how far the two of you will be able to make it in this world... I wanted to witness all of this myself.” he turned around and glanced at them, smiling. ”But the world doesn't seem to give shit about what I want. And about what you two want. Hey,” he walked over to the two of them and put his hand on their heads, caressing gently. ”I won't be gone forever, you know? Besides, you've got each other now, and all that without me to pester you.”