Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 45 - 44 The Grape Who Wants to Adventure

When the two emerged from the wall, Lyle’s arm was still groping his own body, making sure he had not gained or lost any organs, and that he was both physically and mentally healthy, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Looking at the gentleman behind him, he did not react to Lyle’s gaze, his mind elsewhere.

"Gentleman, if you had known about their so-called minor improvements earlier, you should have told me first."

"Hmm, that was indeed my mistake, because my innate judgment told me their actions bore no malice, so I assumed they were for the best, relying too heavily on that, when in the end, people’s views differ. Making a decision without consulting you was indeed presumptuous of me, I am truly sorry."

"..." With you putting it that way, how can I still complain? Lyle kept his frustration bottled up inside, "But isn’t it strange for males to bear children?"

"Is it strange?"

"Isn’t it?"

"Plague Doctor, the differences in gender, to us, are actually not that significant. Don’t limit your perceptions to past frameworks. What we may encounter in the future could be much stranger than this. It’s best to always remain calm and composed."

Is this some kind of mystical philosophy again, "I understand, but I reserve my own opinion."

The Gentleman nodded, "It doesn’t surprise me that you would choose so. Those like us, who harbor desires, are often old-fashioned and conservative, unwilling to forget the past. Just be more cautious in the future, nothing is absolute."

"Gentleman, what is your desire? I understand the desires of Alianna and Mr. Dragon, but in the time I’ve been with you, I can’t see any trace of yours."

"Ah, it’s my turn for a confession? It’s simple. The reason there seems to be no manifestation is that my desire is constantly being satisfied."

"My desire is to do the things we want to do with companions. My enemy is loneliness."

"Therefore, I am much happier than anyone else, for I am always indulging in pleasure."

So that’s how it is, the Gentleman’s longing, just like his title, is merely for the companionship of friends, a courteous gentleman.

"My wish is to fulfill the wishes of my friends, which is not selflessness, but a straightforward case of mutual benefit. I greatly enjoy being needed."

"You really are quite the gentleman, Mr. Gentleman."

"It is my honor."

Lyle’s face sported a smile, and although it was hidden by a mask, he could guess that the Gentleman’s face was surely sporting a similar smile. It was the unspoken understanding between two confidants, and with that sentiment, even the red glow of the blood moon seemed to soften.

"Sir, has your ritual concluded?" The sound of flapping wings, Grape’s sharp voice entered their ears, like a finely pitched child’s voice, probably having handed over the radish to the onion and then waiting at the door.

"Yes, it has concluded."

"Was it a success?"

"Yes, perhaps in a few days, you’ll see my special something."

"Thank heavens." Grape shouted loudly, performing consecutive backflips in the air, looking overjoyed, even though she hardly had anything to do with it.

"Grape, have you completed your work?"

"Yes, I beautifully completed the task Mr. Plague Doctor gave me, please forgive me for not being able to convey the tearful words of thanks verbatim, because, that’s a bit beneath my dignity, but Grape is truly grateful to you."

"Alright, I understand, Grape, so what’s your reward?"

"I have a somewhat personal request." Grape flew onto Lyle’s shoulder, using her wings to cover the area around Lyle’s ear, then glanced at the Gentleman, stopped moving, seeming a bit hesitant.

"Plague Doctor, the third door on the left down the corridor ahead is the Literature Department. I happen to have some business there, so once you’re done talking with this Miss Light Bat, come by the Literature Department for a visit, just like I said, I’ll introduce you to some friends."

"Alright, Mr. Gentleman."

The Gentleman waved his hand at Lyle and disappeared at the first intersection.

"Now then, Grape, what do you want? You’re being so mysterious."

"Mr. Plague Doctor, could you take me away from Andrey?"

"Hm? Leave Andrey, do you mean, the outside world?"

"Yes, the world beyond this castle. I’ve heard that everyone in Andrey came from outside, and I want to see it for myself, I want to go on an adventure. I don’t want to stay in this same scenery for over twenty years of life. Can you help me, Sir?"

"But, Light Bats can’t leave Andrey."

"That’s because our uniqueness would cause surprise, but, Sir, take a close look, am I really that special?" Grape extinguished the light spots on her belly, displaying her large bat wings, an ordinary bat.

"I was born black, unlike other Light Bats, and my light is much dimmer than the others. I once dyed myself white, as white as the other Light Bats, but I grew tired of it. It’s not just my color that doesn’t fit in with the surroundings, but also my thoughts. I’m unwilling to crouch in a prescribed corner, silently emitting my light; I long for adventure."

"Actually, I’ve already run out before. I’ve crossed the forest surrounding Andrey, and I saw plants, fruit trees, and those of my own kind with the same color, even though they were unenlightened primitives."

"So why did you come back? Wasn’t that the outside world you longed for?"

"It’s too hard. I seriously doubt everything written in books is a lie. I failed to start a fire by friction, had to eat those fungi raw, and I couldn’t even build a nest, even though nest building is an animal’s instinct. I wanted to borrow shelter in the caves of those bats for a night, but they had a very strong territorial sense, and I had to squeeze into a narrow tree hollow to get through the night. Before the next day even arrived, I was chased out by a Two-horned Rhino Bird. I may not be suited for independent living. Not to mention the world beyond, where the predators that make me shudder with fear from reading about them are all out there."

"So, you want to sneak into the safer human society?"

"We could sign a long-term contract, Sir. You provide me with a suitable shelter, and I will pay the rent with my labor."

"I understand, keeping your identity a secret is of the utmost importance to your kind. Trust me, I will not reveal a speck of your privacy to anyone, whether in Andrey or the outside world," Grape bit her wing, as if reminding herself. "You can also cast a spell on me. I remember you were a top student in Spirit Summoning Studies. I’m sorry, but I want to stay alive, so I likely don’t have something like a Life Box to demonstrate loyalty."

"I know the power of words is weak, but this is all I can think of."

"Please, help this weak and helpless little girl."

"How old are you, Grape?"

"Five and a half."

"You say Light Bats have a lifespan of over twenty, so by human standards, you’re also in your twenties, not that young." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"...Being weak still counts as being young, doesn’t it?"