Chapter 75- Friends?

Chapter 75: Chapter 75- Friends?

Chapter 75- Friends?

Rize kept staring at the sword for a while, not uttering a single word as if he were in a trance. The man looked at him and then at the sword.

"So, are you going to pick it up or not?" Zephir asked as he rested his head on his hand and yawned.

"Oh, yeah, right." Rize shook his head and grabbed the sword. Almost immediately, he felt an electric shock run across his body. It was a very bizarre feeling, unpleasant, but also very intriguing.

’This sword is even more interesting than the story portrays it.’ He thought to himself as he slowly pulled it out of its old scabbard. The entire sword was pitch black, from the hilt to the scabbard to the blade itself.

It was all made out of a very peculiar material that didn’t look like any other metal in his eyes.

Zephir watched as the boy traced the blade with his hand, his eyes full of fascination.

’What does he even see in this piece of scrap, and why does he even know that I have it?’ Zephir was extremely suspicious, but this was not the first time he had a very odd customer who wanted a very specific sword or tool. If he asked every single customer what they wanted or dug after them, he would never get to the end of it. People were odd, and that was the nature of his job.

"Can I swing it around?" Rize asked.

"Go ahead, just don’t knock things down. I organized this place meticulously."

"..."

Rize looked at him for a second before he stepped back and grabbed the sword with both hands. Sucking a deep breath, he swung it to the left. His movement was precise and fast, like that of an expert. Then, he swung it again and again, creating chains of movements that looked fluid and perfect.

’Hm, not bad...’ Zephir watched him with a curious look on his face.

After several movements, he stopped and stared at the sword. "Good enough, I’m gonna take it," Rize said as he looked at the man. "Name your price."

"For that piece of scrap? Give me 5, and it’s yours."

"Really? That cheap?"

"Boy, you’re buying a weapon that will break into a thousand pieces the moment you hit a pillow with it." He said. "If you think it has some sort of hidden power, I’m telling you, don’t count on your luck too much, boy. These weapons pass through the hands of hundreds or even thousands of people before they come to me; if there was anything special about it, you wouldn’t find it here."

Rize looked at the man and then at the sword before he smiled. "One man’s garbage is another man’s treasure, no?"

"..." Zephir was speechless for a moment before he sighed and nodded. "Whatever you say, boy."

"Ok, here."

Handing Zephir the money, the man counted it and then looked at Rize.

"It was nice doing business with you," Rize said as he put the sword in its scabbard again and turned around to leave. "I might come back to buy other things in the future. See ya."

Then, he left the building. Zephir stared at the door for a few seconds, almost like he was trying to understand what just happened.

"This city will never cease to amaze me. Anyway, none of my business, back to sleep." He whispered under his breath.

***

After leaving the building, Rize walked out of that area back into the populated area of the city. When he was finally far enough, he stopped and looked at the sword hidden in his clothes.

’Yeah, a piece of scrap because people don’t know how to use this thing.’ He thought to himself. ’The reason nobody knew what this sword was was because its secret is hidden deep within.’

Rize knew that secret, and the reality was it would only be discovered years down the line by someone completely unexpected.

Now, that weapon was in his hands, and he could make full use of its true potential.

’If things go well, this weapon would last years with me.’ He thought to himself as he headed back to the palace, passing through the crowds of people. Luckily, he had his head covered with a hoodie so nobody could see his face, or that crowd would’ve made it impossible for him to pass.

After a long trip back home, he finally reached the palace, where he had to undergo the same exact security procedures before he was allowed inside the palace.

Everyone was tense and on edge, and it felt like a bubbling pot, ready to explode at any given moment with a small trigger.

Rize ignored all that and headed to the palace main entrance. As he got close, he noticed someone was standing outside.

"Hm?" He stopped and looked up, only to realize who it was. "Shit..." He muttered.

An angry Venera was standing there, her arms crossed as she stared at him coldly; her eyes looked as deadly as ever. ’I didn’t tell her I was leaving, did I?’

Realizing the horrendous mistake he had made, Rize felt a chill run down his spine. He knew he was in big trouble. Slowly, he approached the stares, trying not to make eye contact with Venera, who was staring holes into his body.

Eventually, he reached her and coughed awkwardly. "Heyyy, Venera-"

"Inside. Now." She said coldly, making the boy freeze and then nod his head. Even if he wanted to explain, he knew she wouldn’t listen at that moment. So, he just walked after her. The two headed inside and straight to his room.

Venera opened the door and looked at him, signaling for him to get inside.

’Oh boy, this is bad. I have never seen her this pissed before.’ He thought to himself as he walked inside. Venera walked after him and closed the door.

"Sit down." She said.

"Venera, it’s..."

"Sit. Down." She said.

"..." The boy frowned as he sat down. Venera looked at him for a second before she pulled a chair and sat facing him. The atmosphere in the room was very tense.

"Where were you?" She asked after a moment.

"I was... Ehem, I went out to buy something..." Rize replied as he scratched the back of his head.

"Hm. What did you buy?" Venera asked.

"A sword..." Rize replied.

"A sword?"

"Yeah, I needed a sword for the future, so I thought I might as well get one now while I’m free." He said.

"..." Venera looked at him and then sighed. "Rize... Do you know the state that I found you in?"

"..."

"You were a minute away from death. You were barely breathing, and your heart was beating so slowly, I thought for a moment that it stopped."

"..."

"Even though your condition is stable now, you’re far from healthy."

"But, I am healthy... I can..."

Suddenly, Venera reached out and touched his shoulder slightly. That small touch made Rize squint in pain.

"You were saying?"

"... Listen, I know I’m not fully healthy, but I can move around. It’s not bad enough for me to stay bedridden the entire day." Rize said.

"That’s not the point, Rize. Even if you could move around. The city isn’t safe, and you know that. We both have big red marks on our backs, and the attackers possibly know our identities and are keeping an eye on us." Venera said. "What if they were stalking you? What if they did something bad to you? How could you get out of that kind of situation?"

"..."

Rize was shocked at how passionate Venera sounded. Her eyes were filled with myriads of emotions, and it was clear that he had upset her greatly when he did such a thing. It only dawned on him at that moment that the girl truly cared about his well-being.

It was such an odd feeling to experience. The fact that she came to save him was still in his mind, and it filled him with so much warmth. Warmth that he had never been given before.

He was always alone, always had to fend for himself, and nobody extended a hand for him to grab. So, for someone, and not anyone, the Princess of Sagardia to see him as someone she cares about... He didn’t know what to say or feel at that moment.

All that anger and frustration in her tone were all out of care. Rize pursed his lips as he looked down, feeling really guilty.

"I’m... sorry..." He said. "I should’ve told you that I wanted to leave the palace. I didn’t think about it well enough, and I’m really sorry for worrying you."

"..." Venera stared at him for a second before she exhaled a long breath. "I don’t want you to be harmed, Rize. You’re my very first friend, and as my friend, I want to look after you, just like how you look after me. Isn’t that how friends are?"