After her short speech, Nariemi wrote a few words in her notebook with her pen and closed it. After that, she thanked them for having her and left the house, just as Vulces ran up behind her and grabbed her shoulder, which was a little lower than his and turned her towards him.
Vulces:"How can I... how can I reach you?"
Nariemi:"I already told you, my office at the local newspaper. I'll keep you informed."
"..."
Nariemi:"You'd better come tomorrow. I have work today. And you're squeezing my shoulder. It hurts."
Vulces:"Oh. Uh-huh. Sorry, I didn't realize..."
Vulces took his hand away and watched Nariemi leave. Then, when Nariemi turned the corner and walked away, Vulces went back into the house.
And of course his sister and best friend Aristle, who had been silent until then, pounced on him. It was an impressive performance that they waited so long. Jade spoke first, then Aristle.
Jade:"I think she was attracted to you. I definitely think you liked her too! Tell me the truth, don't you or don't you!"
Aristle:"It was really desperate the way you stared after her for so long."
Aristle started giggling. Jade was looking Vulces in the eye.
Jade:"What are you going to do? Are you going to leave?"
Said Jade in a curious manner.
Vulces:"Of course. A conversation like this can't end like this. I'm leaving tomorrow, the newspaper building is quite close. And most importantly, you're not coming."
Jade:"But-"
Vulces:"No buts."
Jade:"...Well..."
When Vulces had fended off his sister and his friend who stood over him like hungry wolves, he lay back on the couch and stared at the ceiling. He smiled involuntarily when he repeated in his head that he was considered "noble". He had gotten his wish.
Vulces was special. All that remained was to leave his legacy for the future, and that would depend on this girl, Nariemi. Thinking about it brought an unwarranted stab of pain to his head.
Thinking hadn't helped. Jade and Aristle, who had retreated to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, began to chuckle to themselves as they looked up at the ceiling and saw Vulces smiling.
Then both of them had done their craftsmanship and made a dish that was perhaps too tasty for breakfast, and Vulces' headache had disappeared, allowing him to think about the morning's conversation in more detail.
He spent the day doing nothing and went to sleep early because he wanted it to be tomorrow. When he woke up that morning, he got up quickly and ate some toasted bread just as quickly.
It was about eight o'clock. The newspaper opened at quarter past eight and the drive was about ten minutes. He quickly put on some decent clothes, brushed his teeth and left the house.
He knew the way perfectly well and so he was able to run. He arrived at the newspaper building, went through the door and asked the receptionist where Nariemi's office was, got the answer and when he got to the front desk and knocked on the door, the same calm voice answered.
"Come in."
After the answer, Vulces slowly turned the doorknob and opened the door.
There were three faces in front of him again.
Only one of them was familiar this time and that was Nariemi. The second face was a man's face that made you look and look.
And in his yellow hair that resembled a field of spikes with the sun shining on it, deep and dead blue eyes that resembled the bottom of the ocean, which were enough to make you tremble and on top of that, they managed to place an unwanted stomach ache.
The face was smiling brightly and warmly, as if those eyes did not belong to that face. The other face was a fluffy beard mixed with unkempt black hair. His eyes were brown and his face was home to a mouth that laughed loudly as if he were drunk. Nariemi broke the silence and opened her mouth.
Nariemi:"Vulces, allow me to introduce my blond-haired friend, Merdafiel Daraen, and that drinker, Kyravor Greusak."
Merdafiel:"Ah... So that's your name. Nice to meet you, Vulces. I can tell just by looking at you that you are a good person and I hope God will guide you to get what you want. It would make me even happier if we were to work together."
Said Merdafiel with a friendly tone to his voice but got his speech cut by "the drinker" ,as Nariemi told.
Kyravor:"Hey. You haven't told me your last name yet, young man. That blonde may have a strange behavior, but she doesn't have the uncanny ability to see the future or the past!"
Kyravor laughed out loud, a loud, booming laugh. So loud that it even disturbed Nariemi. Nariemi cut in once more , cutting Kyravor ,who cut Merdafiel.
Nariemi:"Back to the topic at hand. Vulces Barrion, as I mentioned in our previous conversation, the possible end is very close. There will be a war. But this war will threaten every soul on this land. There will be more than one losing side... The possible casualties will be unimaginable. Vulces. I'm sure you'll be the most capable leader of anyone here. To summarize, we will save the world. With you leading the way."
Merdafiel:"I see. So you think Vulces is up to the job... To rebel against your decision would be nothing short of disrespectful and unwise. Then, Vulces... We wait for you to lead the way."
Merdafiel chipped in but got cut once more by Kyravor.
Kyravor:"You make the plans, but leave the war management to me, boy. If you can trust me with one thing, this is it. Let me feel worthy."
Vulces was briefly happy to hear that everyone trusted him, but then his mind cleared and he began to think. If he is in charge, there can't be any margin for error, there shouldn't be.
Everything is his responsibility. Surely there will be casualties among those under his command, which he cannot accept. His head was filling up fast and the joy was replaced by a sharp pain. He was not ready for this.
Vulces:"Wh- What if I make a mistake?"
Merdafiel:"If you are to be our guide, you are worthy of the job. I don't know any way to express my support for you, Vulces. And... I know what your family has been through. It is truly admirable that such a character could come out of such a story. You're superior to us. It is not for us to find fault with you."
Kyravor:"The blonde is right, young man. This drunk trusts you and he knows you won't let him down. I could tell by the look of you!"
Nariemi nodded with approval.
Nariemi:"You heard them, leader."
Vulces:"Okay then, I accept."
Nariemi:"It wasn't a request. You never had the chance to reject."
Vulces:"...Alright?.."
Nariemi:"You know that from here on, the burden will increase and increase and increase. Are you ready to accept losses and gains as normal?"
Vulces:"If necessery... Why not?"
Nariemi:"Good..."
