Otherworldly Demons [A LitRPG and Isekai story]

Chapter 11 Gathering Herbs

Outside, the cottage was so quiet that even the breeze wasn't murmuring. As Martha slipped the key into the door lock, Ash experienced conflicting emotions about meeting Lucy again.

I'm wondering what my life will be like now. Should I be following Lucy all the time? I don't think I can live like that. Ash was reluctant to decide how he would act from now on when a beaten and old-wooden blade appeared through the opening, slicing through the air and aiming straight for Martha's throat!

The young woman with shoulder-length black hair was holding her old and beaten sword while lunging for Martha's neck!

Whoosh!

Undeterred, Martha only lifted Ash, which forced Lucy to halt her attack midway.

Hey! Ash was late to dodge, but it still came too close for comfort. The wooden sword's tip hovered just before his eyes.

"Teacher, that's not fair." Lucy retrieved her outstretched hand and rotated her sword before inserting it into her imaginary sheath.

"Don't use him as a shield!" Lucy snapped her brows together as she scowled at her teacher.

Ash could faintly hear murmuring under her breath, saying, "Good thing I didn't try to use her sword this time."

Ash became white for a moment, imagining if Lucy held something with the weight of an actual sword.

Martha wasn't fazed and replied with a calm tone, "This one's not my friend, and I've already taught you that showing weakness during a battle could mean death. This reminds me that after breakfast, you need to get the usual for Dr. Kolver. He'll be expecting it before noon, and don't die," she stated monotonously as she casually tossed Ash by the back of his neck as Lucy scrambled to catch him.

As she left to prepare the table, she continued, "And save your energy for tomorrow. Albert will be joining us for your training." After entering the kitchen, her muffled voice continued, "I expect the best from you."

"Uncle Bert will? Does that mean I don't have to go to school anymore?" Lucy asked.

She slowly placed Ash down, which made the latter grateful.

After settling down, the two girls were sitting across from each other, with a meal in between.

Ash was interested in the pie's taste and was ready to lick a slice when he was suddenly stopped by a hand.

"Ash. Do you remember the last time you ate one? You got sick for weeks!" Lucy reprimanded him.

Ash was defiant for a moment, thinking that the previous Ash might be allergic. But he wanted to try it!

With a bit of reluctance, he sighed and left the dining area. Good thing he already ate before at Dr. Kolver's home. The sight of the two girls eating would make his stomach envious.

In his spare time, while waiting for Lucy to finish, Ash approached the corner where an open cabinet stood. It had some small boxes in it, but regrettably, there were no books or even a piece of paper.

Were books so expensive that normal households couldn't afford to buy one? No pictures or any type of memorabilia...

Hmmm.

No.

That's not it.

It seemed like they just moved here, Ash thought as he observed the rest of the internal decor.

Aside from the necessities and needed furniture, the cottage could be considered bare.

Ash then remembered that something was off about Lucy. He turned his head back around toward the dining area and confirmed his suspicion.