CHAPTER 21: SPECIAL REQUEST

Edward woke up to the soft chirping of birds outside his window.

He stretched slowly, the soreness from yesterday’s events still lingering in his muscles and his abdomen. For a moment, he simply lay there, listening to the village coming alive—footsteps on dirt roads, distant voices, and the clatter of morning routines.

With a sigh, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stepped onto the wooden floor.

He took a moment to glance at his wound behind the bandages.

"Huh..." His eyes widened at the sight of the wound.

It was almost fully healed, only a fresh scar remained... and a bit of pain that still lingered around it.

Suddenly, his stomach growled and a feeling of overwhelming hunger washed over him.

"I need to get something to eat"

Without wasting a moment, he left the room and began to walk through the village streets.

As he walked, his thoughts wandered freely. The task that had motivated him since he first arrived, finding Edward’s killer, was now complete. It took less than he had expected. He had cases he spent years on with no closure. Being able to find the killer behind his death so fast felt almost too easy... if it wasn’t for the fact that he almost died.

Still, he couldn’t help but feel strangely unmoored.

There were no more murders to investigate, no immediate crises pulling him forward. A strange emptiness lingered in the spaces where purpose had once thrived.

There were no libraries in the village, at least according to his memories. Learning more about this world was difficult, perhaps impossible for now. He sighed again, letting the weariness press against him.

As he walked, he passed through the heart of the village and spotted a merchant stall that stood out among the simple wooden structures. The stall was well-kept, and the merchant’s wares, beef skewers, roasting over a small fire pit, smelled amazingly good.

Edward lingered for a moment, drawn to the food, when the merchant noticed him.

"Are you buying or just staring? the man hissed, before telling him the price. "They’re five silver a piece."

"Five silver?!" Edward exclaimed.

Then he turned and pretended to leave at the mention of the price.

"Hold on, hold on! Four! It’s a special price just for you!" the merchant shouted from behind, hoping to draw him back.

Edward’s eyes narrowed slightly, recalling how easily the merchant had scammed him the last time. "Three," he countered, half turning to face the man.

The merchant paused, calculating for a moment, then nodded hesitantly.

"I’ll take two," Edward said, handing over the silver without hesitation. He received the skewers in return and began walking away, biting into the first piece with slow, deliberate appreciation.

The flavour was simple but satisfying. The meat was tender, spiced lightly, the smoke from the fire adding a rustic edge. Edward let himself enjoy the small comfort as he wandered the village streets.

But before he could finish his second skewer in peace, a soldier approached, his armour clinking lightly with each step.

"Are you Edward?" the soldier asked, his tone formal but not unfriendly.

Edward paused, skewers still in his hand. "Yes...? Can I help you?"

"Chief is looking for you. He has matters to discuss."

"The Chief?" Edward repeated, eyebrows raised. The soldier nodded solemnly.

"Can it wait? I’m in the middle of eating—" Edward began, only to be cut off.

"I’m afraid it’s urgent," the soldier said, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Edward sighed and continued toward the Chief’s residence, hastily finishing the second skewer, unable to savour the flavour as he walked. Thoughts raced through his mind as he searched for what could be so urgent after everything that had happened yesterday.

Before long, the residence loomed before him.

He approached the entrance and was instantly greeted by a servant who was awaiting his arrival. She escorted him to just outside the Chief’s office, where she left him after a silent nod.

He lingered for a moment, then knocked twice at the door.

The door opened almost instantly, revealing the Chief himself standing in the threshold.

"Edward! Come in, come in," the Chief said, gesturing toward the chair. "I hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time, but I had urgent matters to discuss."

"No, I had free time anyway," Edward replied calmly, though the timing was less than ideal. He followed the Chief inside, taking a seat as the other closed the door behind him.

The Chief leaned forward slightly, his hands resting on the polished desk.

"A couple of days ago, I received a letter from Ashenhold. Their Chief is seeking help with the overwhelming amount of murders happening there. I couldn’t send anyone with all the recent issues in our village, but now, with the recent killings resolved, I am able to send some reinforcements."

He paused, his sharp gaze flicking to Edward. "My daughter will go. She is the most skilled warrior we have, and I want you to accompany her."

Edward’s eyes widened slightly. "Ashenhold...?" He searched his memories, but the name did not ring a bell. Either it was too distant, or it had never been relevant enough to remember. Either way, he had no knowledge of it.

"Of course, you will be provided with accommodation and everything you might need to assist in catching these murderers," the Chief continued, leaving Edward little time to digest the information. Not that Edward required it. He had no reason to linger in the village, and the opportunity to leave aligned perfectly with his desire to learn more about this world.

"I’ll do it," Edward said in a calm, measured tone.

"Great," the Chief replied, a small smile tugging at his lips. "My daughter is already waiting behind the estate. I had a caravan prepared for you both."

Edward’s eyes flicked to the Chief, noting the confidence in his expression. "Caravan? Did he already plan for me saying yes?" he wondered silently.

After a brief pause, the Chief extended his arm toward Edward. "Thank you for all the help you’ve given here. Please look after my daughter. She can be short-tempered at times, so I believe someone as level-headed as you will be ideal to accompany her."

Edward inclined his head. "Of course," he replied, standing up as the Chief did the same.

The man walked him to the door, where a servant was already waiting to escort him to the caravan.

Outside, waiting in the morning light, was a large oak caravan with two strong horses harnessed to its front.

Standing before the caravan, with her eyes cold and unwavering, was Aeris. Her gaze landed on Edward instantly as he stepped through the doorway, her stance straight, and her rapier at her side, ready for anything.

Edward’s lips curved into a polite smile as he waved to greet the girl.