NT veRse - Bad End Guide 18 - Romance (Patreon)

'It's been a week roughly since Sun apologized. Ever since then he follows me around like a puppy and I have to admit, I haven't done anything to stop him. Don't get me wrong, if he had stayed they same as when we first met there's literally no way I would've even given him the time of day but he turned around his behavior completely. He's been helping me with my task to train the others, which is convenient because unlike me he is an actual talent that can impart something onto the others while I'm a fake that only knows how to do one things. Regardless, it seems like he really believes in me for some reason. They all do. It's kind of scary. There's no way I can tell them the truth. There's so many layers of lies that they're being told right now that I wouldn't even know where to start.'

'The thing that worries me the most-' You closed the book and stared up to see Sun squatting down in front of you with a bowl of food. A very average-looking rice porridge that was the most common meal at the Sect for those in training. Apparently it was filling, with tons of nutrients. It was good for you, but hard to eat. In the end, nothing could compare to a glass of milk from Milk. Aside from the downsides of drinking from her directly the milk she produced had rejuvenating qualities and it provided the perfect amount of nutrition to match a meal.

“You took a break to write, but you didn't bother to come and eat anything? You should take care of yourself more since you're also training yourself.” Sun advised, pushing the bowl into her hands.

'I was just going to take a glass of milk, but I guess this is better than bothering her while she's busy with Saedi.' You smiled.
“Thanks.” You dug into the porridge and was surprised by the taste.
“What is this?”

You wondered why he was named Sun. You guessed it was Aoi, and just a coincidence, but possibly it was because he could smile so brightly. It was a face you saw more and more of as he decided to insert himself as your de-facto assistant.
“It's good, right? They don't care much for taste here but I found a while ago when I started that there are some roots growing out in the forest that add a lot of flavor to it. They don't add or take away any nutrition so adding some after they're cleaned and chopped up makes the meal a bit more bearable.”

“Oh.” You feel quite happy to take another bite, then another and another.
“I guess they keep fresh roots in the storeroom. Do they mind if you take them? The lady that works in there is pretty stern...”

He chuckled. “Well... Actually they don't bother collecting this type of thing for meals since it doesn't add or take away anything except flavor. In my spare time I thought of you and went out to pull and clean some myself.” His face reddened a little. It seemed like there was something else, but he was not forward enough to bring it up.

“What? Is there something else?”

“There is, but I didn't want to spring it on you and have you misunderstand.” Sun pulled a bright grouping of four orange flowers. He offered them to you, pushing them into your hand.

“These-”

“Like I said! I don't want you to misunderstand.” He moved your hand with the flowers so that it was clutching the bowl with the flowers peeking over the side.
“I also found this out. If you hold the bowl close to your face and eat it like that the smell of the flowers makes the taste a bit different somehow. Sweeter without adding anything. We can't have sweet things very often because any type of sugar tends to be bad.”

You inhaled the sweet scent of the flowers and took a bite. Sun watched intently as you tried his method, and his porridge that he must have modified just for you. You were shocked.
“Amazing! It somehow tastes a little sweeter, just like you said.”

He seemed very happy. “When I was struggling after I first got here I would eat out in the woods by myself. I found that when I ate among the flowers that smell particularly sweet it subtly changed the taste of the food, as well.”

“Why did you eat by yourself? Were you struggling?”

“Oh, it's just that I was really weak. It was embarrassing and I didn't like hearing everyone laugh at me so after regular training I would go on my own into the forest where nobody could see and train for hours.”

You stared at him sympathetically. “Why did you think to do all this for me? I never mentioned anything about the food.”

He shook his head and claimed. “It's not much.” But you knew that he collected both the flowers and the roots himself.
“It's just that I've never seen you eat. Skipping meals is really bad when you're working hard so I wanted to help since...” He scratched his chin and averted his gaze as he added.
“Well I'm guessing this food must be pretty bad for someone like you.”

“Someone like-” You stared at him, unsure of what he meant.

Sun nodded. “Eve... You're actually-” It seemed like he was about to say something but stopped and stared at your lips. He bent forward, reached out and brushed a splotch of porridge from your cheek with his thumb.
“Sorry... I saw it and got distracted. Your skin is so soft and pale that it's impossible not to notice when- Urk!” He was lifted off the ground suddenly. You saw Milk behind him, one arm curled around Sun's neck and another under his arm. He struggled as his face began to turn red.

“Milk! What are you doing!? Are you trying to kill him or something?”

“Yeah.” She admitted easily with a cracked smile.

“L-let him down!” You ordered.

She rolled her eyes and reluctantly released him. His head seemed to be spinning as he fell forward into your arms. You clutched him and tried to determine if resuscitation was necessary but thankfully he opened his eyes.
“Seemed like he was getting too close. I thought you'd want me to pull him off you.”

You sighed. “Milk, he's a friend now. Even if he gets a little close you can't just react like that automatically.”

“I see...”

“How's training with Master Saedi?”

“That Cat is exhausting... If I was at my full strength she'd be nothing but I actually have to struggle with her as a partner. I'm still stronger, obviously.” She muttered the last bit as she stared down at you.

“So it seems like you're both improving one-another? That's good.” You commented, patting Sun as he attempted to get his breathing straight. You wondered if you should send Milk off, since it seemed like Sun was about to make a very curious comment. As you thought about it, it was convenient that she showed up. You had no idea what he was going to say.
“Sun!” You shook him.

He stopped leaning on you and brushed himself off. You could see that his pride was a bit wounded, but everything else was fine.
“Didn't... Even hear her coming up on me. Someone as big as her.” He shook his head.

“You had something you were going to ask?”

“Right!” He looked at you closely and seemed to not mind Milk being there at all.

“Eve, are you actually-”

'Here it comes... Has he realized I'm from another world by the way I'm acting? Maybe he thinks I am actually a beast. But then what was the point of treating me so kindly just now? It seems like he knows something.'

“-a Princess?”

“Huh?” Your eye twitched as you looked at his serious expression. You glanced up at Milk to see that she enjoyed the guess. She was covering her mouth and laughing quietly to herself.

“A Princess.” Milk thought out loud.
“That sounds good, right?”

You looked her in the eye and could see that she was offering adoption with a stare. You brushed her off. You took a deep breath.
“How do you figure, Sun?”

“You appeared out of nowhere with a guard on your side that's as skilled as a Master. That alone is kind of suspicious. That aside, you're also beautiful. I've only ever heard of it and never seen it but the current Emperor of Aoia is said to be a Great Master with white hair, red eyes and pale skin like porcelain. When I think about your situation where you care a lot for us for no reason... It feels both like someone that is out trying to prove herself and set herself ahead with achievements, but also like you care deeply about us who would be your subjects in the future.” He stared down at the ground nervously while fidgeting with his robes.
“That's just my opinion on the matter.”

“Hmm. I didn't know that the Emperor was like that.” You commented.
“It may be good to know.”

“Huh?” He looked up.

“I'm actually not royalty or anything. I wish my dad was an Emperor but it's not that simple...”

“Simple... S-simple?” He looked horrified and immediately you realized you said something you should not have.

You waved your hand. “Forget I said that.”

Sun nodded obediently. “Sure.”

“It's hard to believe but I really am just a traveler. I'm seeking accomplishments, sure. Maybe indirectly, but I want to train and improve myself for the future so that I can live here peacefully. As for why I care about you guys...” You could not thing of a satisfying explanation, not even for yourself.
“I just do. Can't I just care about people without needing a reason?”

Sun looked shocked. “Of course. I'm so sorry... Of course that's the case. Eve, you're a kind soul.”

You blushed. “Please...” You stood up and brushed yourself off, heading back towards the Sect. Behind you, Milk remained just out of earshot for just a second.

She looked down, thinking mischievous thoughts for a moment. It was enough. She stared down at Sun  with a brief smirk before managing to measure her expression.
“You almost exposed my Lady.”

Sun's eyes shot open. He covered his mouth to stifle a gasp. “Th-then-”

“That's right.” She nods
“If you get it, keep quiet. Just know that she's more important than you could imagine.”

“I see! I understand. For her sake I'll keep quiet. I'll do anything you say if it's to help her out, just give me a chance!”

“Anything huh... Maybe you aren't so bad. Run along now.” Milk patted him on the back and urged him forward as she followed behind more slowly. She stopped as a breeze passed and huffed.
“Already?” She motioned for Eve and Sun to go on.
“I have to use the restroom!” She shouted. She waited for them to leave, then stepped into the forest. She looked around, closed her eyes and tilted her head up to sniff the air. She stopped and opened her eyes as she heard hoof beats coming towards her.  
“You.”

“Me.” A massive Centaur emerged. His brown hind stopped below his chiseled abs. Both his upper and lower half seemed far too worked to have gotten that way by accident and indeed the man carried many scars over every part of his body.
“What's the former coalition leader doing here?” He walked right up, towering over her. He craned his head down to look at her. His long, messy red mane rolled down his shoulders and fell over his sculpted chest.

“I'll ask the same thing. Who's in charge now to let you and your tribe run wild out here?”

He cocked his head to one side. “Why? You interested in coming back?”

She spits on the ground in response. “Just tell me who's managing you right now?”

“Hahaha.” He held his face in his hand as he laughed. When he removed his hand he was grinning widely, showing most of his yellowed teeth.
“Travelers are running the show now and they can't be bothered to reign anyone in that isn't interfering in their own business.” Milk scoffed and crossed her arms tightly over her chest. Despite the man towering over her, she kept stern eye-contact with him throughout. He seemed annoyed by that.

“You never change, do you... Unless.” He leaned his upper half down to be closer to her.

“What?”

“You actually got weaker.”

“You wanna try me?”

He snorted. “Maybe... I'm not the one with anything to prove here.”

“What do you mean?”

“Two of your sons skins are hanging in my tent as a permanent fixture. I'd bet you'd love to know what happened to the other two! Haha!”

“What...” She could only see red. The world shrunk around her and without thinking she tried to strike him. The Centaur easily caught her fist. She had never felt so weak before as that moment where she could not exact immediate vengeance on the Centaur in front of her. She shook at that reality.

“I guess it really is like that... Otherwise I'd be dead. How sad...” He leaned down and licked disgustingly across her face from chin to eye.
“I can't breed with you, but we can try.” He taunted.
“Plus... According to my scout that got away there's a cute girl, too? I think I'll make that one mine if she's still around.” He stared at the walls of the Sect.
“Defending this place... Still pretending to be a Hero even after turning. Even after all these years away, too.” He paused, then whispered into her ear.
“If you leave this place and go and bow to the travelers you might be given a safe place to sleep.” He offers.
“If you bow down to me I wont treat you badly.”

Milk retracted her fist and stepped back. “Just try it. Try and take this place. We'll never let you.” She swore.

“Hoho, so frightening. But you're just the 'former' Queen at this point. You can't beat me. You think my forces are slacking? None of those guys you fought were anything like the ones I trained myself. You gotta know that, right?” She gritted her teeth.
“Since you're so determined, I'll bite. Stick around. I wanna see your anguished expression for real. It's not gonna feel the same as beating you in your prime, but maybe it'll feel just as good.” He licked his lips crudely, then pointed to his chest.
“I didn't get these scars in battle.”

“Yeah yeah... You were always full of yourself. Let me guess, each one you made yourself after you conquered a new territory?” He flinched in annoyance. Milk rolled her eyes.
“God... I always hated you.” She turned and walked calmly back towards the sect.

'But he's right... He could kill me right now. It wouldn't be easy, but he'd be able to and I wouldn't be around to defend Eve or anyone else.' she stopped and looked back over her shoulder to see him no longer standing there in the trees.

'Idiot.'

-

You stared at her in shock. “You're saying they're already here?”

“That's right.” Milk nodded.

“Then they could attack at any time.. How long-”

“Not all of them. Their leader was here. I didn't smell a full horde of them just yet. I think he was mostly just scoping us out.”

You rubbed your eyes. “Are you telling me this to give me another chance to reconsider, since this guy is so strong?”

“No.” Milk said stoically.
“I'm telling you this to tell you that regardless of what you decide I have to stay here and kill this guy. You can-”

You waved a hand flippantly. “I haven't been sitting on my butt doing nothing. Sun's been helping me little by little. He's practically taken over teaching the Disciples. I'm not going anywhere.”

Milk smiled a very small smile. “Eve... He's gonna come after you specifically.”

“Then you better kill him.” You said seriously.
“You and Saedi. Because you're not alone.”

“So...”

“There's no decision to make. It's all lead to this. We're going to defend the Sect and beat this guy. That's all there is.”

Milk laughed. “Great! I'm glad.” She said proudly.