Even though my dream was over a slight lingering effect remained for a few dozen seconds making me dizzy.
I looked at my hands and clenched them. They were warm, unlike my usual cold hands. It was... comforting. Knowing that maybe– just maybe...
"Why do you look so pale?" Elda's sudden words brought me back to reality as I looked at her in silence.
"...Pale? What are you talking about."
"I mean you have a... frustrating amount of good skin color, but yeah you look pale as if you had seen a ghost." For some reason, Elda looked annoyed even though her words were that of concern.
Albert didn't mind her either, for the last two days he had made a good bond with them— He secretly hated Elda's nagging but couldn't refuse her words... She was scarier than his boss.
"...Just a bad dream." I rubbed my cheeks, letting the sudden warmth of my hands pass through them.
"...A bad dream?" Albert muttered in deep thoughts, he knew Elda would be worried sick for Asher and this would result in his suffering later on.
"Hmm, it's nothing serious, maybe the fatigue from all the work finally caught up with my mind," I said while standing up, Stretching my arms around a mild amount of pain came from my back, and I gritted my teeth letting it slow down.
I have not gotten it healed by a healer, as they are very rare. The doctors here have only done some normal treatments. Franz who could have healed such injuries himself has gotten injured I heard along with his team.
I made a mental note to visit them as well today.
I looked at Elda who still looked at me in doubt, she removed a strand of her hair from her face and gently placed it behind her ear. She pursed her lips before saying.
"Are you sure you are okay? We can call a doctor if we need to." Elda asked and walked toward me. Her hand reached to touch my head, but I stopped her.
"It's okay!" Maybe I have overdone it, to gain their sympathy. She was being too caring that it was creepy. She looked like a little mother with her small and slender frame.
"...Let me get fresh, and if you can, help Albert with taking out the food. We can talk while eating."
Saying that I ran toward the washroom not wasting a single second. Even though I knew they were worried about me. The amount of care they showed just yesterday made me feel overwhelmed.
Elda looked at Asher in disappointment and lowered both her hand and her gaze toward the floor.
She knew she was overdoing it, making Asher uncomfortable but the debt she accumulated was so vast that it seemed impossible to ever pay back. She had been taught by her parents since she was a child that each debt must be paid back or it would ruin someone's life.
She was not worried that Asher would ruin her life... she knew he would rather just save her once again and leave her alone if she ever refused to pay him.
This thought was... frustrating to even think about. That she can't even do something as simple as taking care of him. In the end, she could only sigh and walked toward to help Albert who looked visibly annoyed at being overworked.
A splash of cold water hit my face, making me shiver for a moment. I looked at my reflection my reflection.
As Elda had said I looked much more paler than usual as if my face had been drained of blood itself.
My heartbeat was normal, a small melodic rhythm continued behind my chest as I kept my hand above it.
I have not shown it much but I was... scared. That dream was scary, I almost felt like dying without even noticing. If that woman had not come maybe I would have even killed myself in my own sleep.
Losing everything I had built in mere seconds... this was scary. The guilt and sorrow felt there were more painful than any wound I had ever felt.
I clenched my fist strongly, my hands had again turned cold but I still remember the warmth that had been there... I wish to meet her one day. It doesn't matter what she wants from me or if she knows me anymore. I just wish to say my thanks to her, her presence in my life has been an invaluable gift to me.
My breathing was a bit heavy since I remembered the crimson sea again, the hands that had grasped me and dragged me into the dark abyss made me shudder.
I calmed my breathing with measured inhales and exhales, and looked again at my face, I was really pale, as if I had truly seen a ghost like Elda had said.
But I do wonder if ghosts truly exist. I mean if spirits, an existence of other dimensions could exist. Why not ghosts it felt more reasonable to think that way.
"Hmm, those red humanoid monsters I had fought inside ruins... Should they be considered a ghost or a ghoul?"
Thinking such thoughts I remembered Victor's face, the guy who could phase through objects and people. Wasn't he actual the ghost?
Ah, no that crazy bastard is worse than a ghost.
Shaking my head I exited the bathroom. And walked over to the couch where Elda and Albert were supposed to be sitting.
...But why was Albert sulking? He had his arms crossed as he leaned back on the sofa.
Have they both gotten into a fight?
With a small sigh, I sat beside Albert, the gentle sunlight and fresh wind hit my face making my hair flutter for a moment, I was amazed at how good the day was looking today.
"So what happened?" Even though I had asked this my priority went straight to the food served at the table, taking a sandwich I took a bite and chewed on it.
The cheese and the meat melted in my mouth immediately, unknowingly my lips curled up into a small smile.
I genuinely liked the taste of this sandwich, I should ask where they bought this from later.
"He was wasting money, so I tried to only look for a house on rent," Elda explained solemnly, making Albert annoyed he took a deep breath and told.
"Boss has said to buy a house for us, why should we rent it then? If the boss is saying it must mean he has the money for it."
Oh, so they were arguing over that topic.
"It costs 70 gold coins, the broker even after hearing Temple's name only gave this much discount. Do you understand how costly it is? Wouldn't it be better to rent a place somewhere else until we find a better place at a much cheaper price?"
Elda's voice was stern leaving no room for further arguments, Albert glanced at me seemingly asking for help.
This small argument has shown their difference in personality quite effectively. One was a direct and open person, who followed orders and didn't question the authority above him. While the other was the opposite of him, she looked at the prices and determined her own conclusion rather than consulting with the said authorities.
'They both have critical flaws but their thinking is correct in a sense as well.'
One shouldn't follow rules blindly and the other should understand the rules and not break them completely.
What an amazing duo they were. Seeing my smile Elda's face turned into a frown as she hesitated before asking.
"...So who is in the wrong Asher?"
"Obviously you, right boss?"
Elda hearing this glared at Albert which made him shift awkwardly in his seat from fear.
Seeing their banter a chuckle finally left my mouth before I said. "You both are in the wrong but also correct at the same time."
Albert visibly sighed in relief while Elda's frown turned into a pout.
"How are we both wrong?" She retorted, crossing her arms.
"You have done great thinking about the cost and practical application of this approach but did you talk about it with me?"
Elda's eyes widened before she looked away, knowing that I had a point.
"And Albert, your way of doing things honestly is great as well but you need to be flexible this time, maybe Elda's words could be true and we can get a better deal as well?"
Albert nodded, understanding my point of view and the room filled with a moment of silence as we all munched on our food, the only sound being the chewing of bread and occasional sips of tea.
"Where is the house by the way? Is that place famous and publicly appealing?" I asked while taking a sip of my tea.
"It's situated in merchants district... not far from Philips Street just 20 minutes walking distance. That place is famous for the house and bases of many renowned merchants."
Hearing Elda's words I nodded. "...I see, we will be buying that place then" I sighed before adding.
"Let me give the reason first due to the latest events of the last two nights the city is in complete chaos but with the downfall of so many gangs it's an opportunity for merchants, in this time the prices will be very high, correct?"
Albert nodded, understanding the situation quite well as he was quite knowledgeable about the city and its affairs.
"Then if I ended up buying a house out of nowhere while the prices are reaching the sky what do you think will happen to my reputation?" I asked with a mischievous smile on my face, my eyes looked at them one by one as they both seemed at a loss for words.
Elda's lips parted as she said without hesitation.
"...You will automatically get a wealthy reputation in the market, as someone who could spend a lot of money even at such times."
Elda spoke with a hint of excitement in her voice, realizing the potential of what I was suggesting.
"But not only that people would also not see me as a threat since I acted like an idiot by buying a property at an unnaturally high price."
Elda nodded slowly, her eyes widening as she grasped the full implication of my words.
"Boss, are you planning to start a business?" Albert licked his lips as he asked me.
I smiled upon hearing this and nodded solemnly, shaking my hands clean, I carefully leaned back not wanting to hurt my back anymore.
"A business? Well, I'm just thinking ahead. If I can use my name to help us blend in, why not use it to our advantage?"
"When did you become so smart?"
I just stared at Albert's face silently, wasn't this guy being too much? Do I look like some kind of brute to him?
"Pfft~"
I turned to look at Elda who seemed to have trouble controlling her laughter.
I raised my brow at her and asked with a smile that didn't reach my eyes quite well.
"Anything funny you would like to share with me?"
"N-No, Nothing at all, I was just practicing my laugh." She stuttered before fanning her face.
They both are the same.
Pursing my lips in annoyance I stood up.
"Start packing your bags we will be shifting there in the afternoon... I will explain everything there on what your jobs truly will be."
Elda and Albert looked at each other before asking in confusion."So soon? And also are you going somewhere."
I was injured so they still seemed to be worried about that, but think still have a business to attend to.
I also wish to empty the hospital room, occupying a room that could be given to an actual patient in need is better.
I walked toward the door and looked back at them.
"Yeah, I will explain later... I will be going to a ceremony so I will be back by afternoon as well."
Saying that I left the room. Leaving them with many questions still untouched.