True Magician

Chapter 81

Rondel.

- "Here, I'll give it back. Don't lose it next time." I declared to the group of Itami in front of me.

In response, I was met with silence and stunned looks. Not only the group members, but also the passing people who wanted to rest after a day's work. At this time, when the sun had already set behind the horizon, and magical lanterns and torches were illuminating the surroundings, there seemed to be even more people than during the day. And every one of them was looking at our small group, trying to take in what was happening.

- "That's..." Itami muttered, staring at me incredulously.

- "Expected," Lelei said stoically, "After what he did to her, I'd be more surprised at the opposite than this."

- "Uh..." the two elven women didn't know what to say, glancing at each other.

- "What..." I raised an eyebrow, seeing that they weren't acting, "Are you going to take her or not? She's pretty heavy."

- "Mm-mm!" The person I was handing over to Itami indignantly mumbled indignantly. She turned her head in my direction and gave me the most adamant look I've ever seen.

- "I meant your weapon, girl, not you," I smirked, and got a surprised look, "Or do you think you're heavy? Notice your thoughts, not mine."

- "M-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m!" The personality twirled, trying to get out of the golden chains that bound her and her mouth. She shook her legs and twisted her body to somehow gain freedom of movement, "M-m-m!"

- "Yeah, yeah, you promise to let me do ribbons and stuff like that," I waved her off and looked at Itami, "So, are you going to take her?"

- "Y-yes," Itami finally said, "I apologize for her behavior. Rory's a bit childish, Romani-san. We'll keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn't make you uncomfortable. Now, please stop treating her like some kind of criminal. Even if she is."

Of course, in my outstretched hand I was holding Rory Mercury, who at the moment looked like a mummy. After her performance in that tavern, I decided to bring her back to the group, having previously given her another flogging session. She, of course, tried to break free and all that, but she was far from being able to break Enkidu's chains. As a result, all the way here, I was looking at Apostle Emroy's face red with embarrassment and rage.

- "Mm-mm!" Rory mumbled, now directing her gaze at Itami, who chose to ignore her.

- "You can let her go, Romani-san, and then we can sit down and talk," Itami said, then became enthusiastic, "I have so many questions."

- "Oh?" I grinned, throwing Rory to the ground like a sack of potatoes, and the chains slowly disintegrated into particles of light, "Well, let's talk."

-0-

Our group took one of the tables of some medieval version of a cafe. Itami sat across from me, and the rest of the members settled around him, waiting for the conversation to begin. Rory was also present, glaring at me with her arms crossed over her chest, pouting in frustration and glaring at me.

There were a few dishes on the table that the group had ordered while I limited myself to the mug of coffee I had created.

- "So, what shall we talk about?" I decided to start the conversation, taking a sip.

- "Well..." Itami hesitated and scratched the back of his head, "Last time I forgot to ask about why you're here, Romani-san. I realize you're unlikely to tell me the truth, but..."

- "And why are you so interested in that question?" I asked.

- "You are from another world," Lelei took the words, to which I turned my attention to her. She raised her hand and put out her index finger, "If you consider the information from the books I read on the other side of the Gate, traveling between worlds happens for two main reasons: luck or the desire of some creature. I dismissed the first option immediately, as your world, while seemingly chaotic, is not. Root, Alaya, and Gaia provide a level of order that its local counterpart doesn't even make sense to compare. Luck just doesn't fit in, since it's based on randomness. Plus, books with the first option tend to be 'peaceful' and 'safe'."