Chapter 80: A Fleeting Friendship
Moving along from the Marine Base to the City Center to buy himself a new wardrobe of clothes to fit his large body, everything went smoothly with all the girls suggesting various picks, and as minutes passed with his trying clothes one by one, the dial snail that he left in his black coat's pocket rang.
『PURU* PURU*』
『PURU* PURU*』
.
『PURU* PURU*』
He looked around the snail who entered into a frozen state, and instead of being like a normal person ready to respond, he studied this strange state, taking mental notes with many WHYs until he responded to the call, believing it was Knut who found a new dial snail to call and notify him.
Yet, the voice coming from the snail was of a woman, sounding calm but there was some hint of authority in her sweet tone.
"Knut, the deadline for the Journal is due to Friday. By tomorrow you have to send me, the pictures of the male specimens you have found on Sorbet Kingdom. Understood?"
"..."
Vlad only listened, taking a seat on a comfortable chair in the changing room, wearing his black trousers and boots. It was a type of silence. The woman who called this dial number was sharp enough to figure out, and that calm sweet tone shifted into a colder one, as she asked Vlad.
"It seems that Knut has failed his tasks and got compromised. However, I can't understand what problem you had with such an inoffensive man who isn't even interested in women?"
"Try guessing." replied Vlad in a casual tone, as he moved to change his clothes while trying to entertain a conversation with a stranger he had no information on.
"A thief who stole his dial snail? Or someone who captured him? Yet again I hit on the same conflicting reasons? Why would you even bother with that man?"
"Wrong again."
"Huh, anyway. I will not waste my time with you thief. I'll warn you, if you don't return this dial to the original owner, I will find you, making it easy for me to send people to punish you."
"My Lady, why so serious? Picking on a poor doctor who tries to live an honest life, treating people with utmost care and respect, always watching for their recovery. It was mister Knut who offered me his dial snail because I don't own one.
He said it was because he wanted to contact me in case the pictures he took sold well for the Prestigious Ladies."
Vlad played around with an innocent tone, the first persona he wrapped around his face to deal with older people who might come to suspect him for being someone he wasn't supposed to be, and immediately the woman on the other point of the call a gorgeous blonde woman with shoulder length hair, wearing a white dress stylish to a masterpiece art.
While she was drinking a cup of coffee, looking over different male pictures all decently looking, she also entertained a conversation with someone unknown to her, and obviously below her status, but she found various information from this young doctor who had an innocent and playful tone with her.
[This is what happened, my Lady. Nothing that I've told you is a lie, and you can confirm it with mister Knut once he gets a new dial.]
"Interesting story you got, mister …?"
[Vlad, my lady. Also, if I may ask for your name?]
"You may not." replied the blonde woman with a playful smile on her face, as she took another sip of the coffee, followed by writing down on a notebook the same name she heard.
[Ahh, this is so sad, my lady, but I think I heard a name from mister Knut when he was rambling about things I couldn't understand about the Celestial Ladies who might watch the Journal … I am Quoting him, but he mentioned a name, "Stussy".]
[Could it be that you, my lady, is that Boss Lady, mister Knut has to respond to...? Lady Stussy?"]
A frown appeared on her beautiful golden eyebrows, but it eased up when she heard the friendly and innocent tone, where she found no ill intent from talking with this doctor, and since this doctor who clearly wasn't a fool managed to piece together some puzzle pieces about her, there wasn't a reason to deny him.
"Not bad, mister Vlad, my name is indeed Stussy. What can I say … you have quite the attentive mind and hearing to actually focus on the ramblings of that man. "
[Please, I am just a normal doctor.]
The blonde woman as she talked with Vlad finished her coffee and initially, she didn't even have the intent to speak with this "doctor" but as she was exploring around this unseen stranger, there was a big layer of mystery being picked by her, and couldn't quite tell what was it.
Her womanly instincts were pressing her to try and open the Pandora's Box, but she was gaining only what Vlad allowed her to hear, and a similar story could be said for Vlad who was casually changing his clothes, trying to find as much information about this woman called Stussy by all psychological means he had under a verbal conversation.
'This one is a juicy big fish. Someone who has a close connection with the Celestial Nobles is not a joke. It would be to my advantage to paint a pleasant image in her mind, and maybe just maybe when the picture arrives on her desk to entice her to contact me.'
'Hell, the chances are extremely high because now I can see what the boys mentioned when saying I was handsome enough that it makes all of the guys on the ships jealous and butthurt.'
'Now that I've grown in height and my features matured a bit, it's even better. We'll see how my body matures with years."
"Miss Stussy, I have a small request from you, if possible."
[Mhmm? Go ahead?]
"Well, it's a bit awkward to request that, since I never talked with a lady of such status, and most girls at home reject me. In fact, this is my first time I've been talking with a, most certainly a beautiful woman, for so long."
[Ohh, please. Don't be shy, I can't bite you from my dial.]
"I don't know how those dials work, My Lady, you might be able to, but still continue to talk with this poor man."
[*Giggle* Sure. Do tell me, you've made me curious about what you want to request.]
Vlad had a smirk on his face, as he heard Stussy's response, managing to do half of his job masterfully, before sending off all of his baits, calculating in his mind the chances of success.
'This is a 50/50 play. It can go nice, but also backfire on me. But, it might not be so bad since I have my redemption card inside Knuts hand. If the Celestial Noble Ladies request more pictures, she would be obliged to contact me.'
*Ahem* *Ahem* "My request is rather simple. I promise! If my picture is selected to enter in this journal for the Ladies, could you please if your times allow it, to contact me?
It would bring a lot of joy in my lonely heart if I can hear those words, making me continue with my work."
[...]
Stussy tried her best not to laugh at this silly doctor, finding him cute at how awkward he sounded, and while some reports were brought to her office by a beautiful woman with long black-hair wearing a butler's attire, she responded to Vlad while beginning to focus on her new work.
"I see no problem in that. Now you actually managed to sell your goods, so I will look forward to seeing how you look, gentleman. Bye bye, sweetie."
The back and forth between Vlad and this mysterious blonde woman, Stussy ended with a possible success for Vlad, but he didn't stress himself about that since he would take it step by step reaching the pinnacle of the world after regaining full control of his eyesight.
"Hahaha, sweetie. Interesting. I wonder if we'll ever meet face-to-face. Will I still be a "sweetie"?"
He exited the changing booth where the shop assistant and the girls looked at him wearing something new and comfortable, in a style he used to wear when he arrived in Everfall, it was black coat with a dark green sporting some expensive fur around his back, shoulder, keeping warmth for him.
"Did you talk with your sword again?" asked Titania seated on Eleine's shoulder.
"Yeah, what about it? Right, clerk, I will pick all the clothes, you make the calculations for the prices."
The man who had a professional smile on his face nodded, moving to the counter to start writing something on a sheet of paper, him doing the calculations by hand, returning after minutes to Vlad.
"Mister, it will cost you 450.000 𝔅."
"No problem." responded Vlad when noticing the nervous state the clerk was when he was around him, acting carefully just so he wouldn't sound offensive or do something stupid.
Taking from his briefcase 465.000 𝔅 all in banknotes of 10.000 𝔅 with an extra 5.000 𝔅 banknote a tip for the clerk who guided him to great clothes pieces, and without bothering with the man's bowing and thanks, he moved back on the snowy Everfall.
"Should we go to the ship and drop the bags with clothes?" asked Eleine, seeing how Vlad was carrying two large bags full of clothes, while she was carrying the briefcase with money.
Vlad looked around himself trying to see if he could find a familiar face, but without one in target, he turns at Bonney and says casually.
"Bonney, can you check on the tavern and see if that guy … Ademar and the others I've treated that day are lurking there doing nothing?"
"What for, Vlad?" asked Bonney, giving him a confused look, before she saw his smirk and ironic comment.
"I am not in the mood to make too many turnarounds just so I leave those clothes. I need to carry boys once in a while."
"Ahhh, you want to make those guys take your bag of clothes back on the ship?"
"I would pat your head right now, but my hands are full. That's right. We'll be in the garden not far from the tavern."
"Understood. You better don't wander off to other places." said Bonney looking up at Vlad's eyes who didn't look cold at all, instead there was a small smile even in that darkness.
"As if. We'll be good not to leave you around this murky place." responded Vlad who remained in place watching as the young beauty was moving toward the [Light Snow] tavern he could see even from that position.
It took only 5 minutes for Bonney to arrive inside the Tavern, where all sorts of familiar faces greeted her eyes, and she found out even the person Vlad was looking for. However in the Tavern, apart from Ademar, his little brother and the brother's friends, there were also some faces that made her slow down.
Alan, Riannon, Harl and the others who were treated from the Maggris Worm affliction noticed instantly the newly arrived, and they could see how her clothing style changed a bit, wearing some adventuring clothes with a pair of high-heeled boots, and a brown coat.
There was no make up on her face, since Eleine didn't allow her to put any droplets of her own make-up, but her hair was looking to have a soul of its own, gaining a lot of shine and volume since she was fed with great quality food, that it made Vlad to call her 'Little Glutton'.
She noticed how they looked at her with conflicted emotions, aside from Riannon who gave her a hateful look, while Allan was the one conflicted, feeling a pain in his chest when seeing Bonney after almost one month returning to Everfall from God knows where.
Passing slowly past their table without even greeting them, when she arrived closer to Ademar, Olar, Comac and Carlec those young adults who were drinking the local drinks noticed how this girl walked toward them, greeting them calmly.
"Good afternoon, mister Ademar."
"Yeah? How can I help you, girl? Do you want to take a seat with us?" responded Ademar gazing at the beautiful pink-haired girl who stole his eyes in an instant.
"No, no, I would love to eat something seeing that great food, but I am with a task. Mister Dracul wants to request your help with something."
"Mister Dracul? Like in the doctor who healed us?" asked Olor looking at his other two friends who suffered from the Maggris Worm, both having the same shocked expression.
"Mhm, he wants you guys to help him carry something to his ship."
Ademar got on his feet and downed the entire glass of vodka like it was water, and told Bonney with a hurrying voice. "Guide me to where Master Dracul is. We can't have him wait, right boys? We got to repay him for treating us peasants."
"AYEE, brother. Young miss, after you." called Olor, who also got on his feet downing his vodka, like the other two, surprising Bonney at how down to help Vlad they were.
'They are actually willing to help without any concessions from me? I mean, we are talking about Vlad, so he would probably have taught them something or done something to mark them for life.'
'... Just like my experience.'
Starting her return, when she passed again past Allan's table, the one who gave her a hateful look couldn't abstain and remark something toxic.
"Look at her, Allan, ignoring us as if we are some scum. She doesn't even dare to look in our eyes, this is how her real face looks, the face of a Higher Being."
"Hehe, and you brother Allan have thoughts of asking her out, and trying to take her to bed, while she probably got ravaged by that bastard "Doctor". I pity you, brother, for feeling something for this dirty slut who profited over us to hide from those hunting her down."
She stopped in place akin to a stone statue and step by step her purple eyes which had a calm neutral look, turned frigid as she looked at the face of her former "friend".
"Ohh, I didn't even notice you, as if I passed by a bug, but I heard a small shriek so I couldn't help but turn around.
What did you just say a moment ago? That my body was ravaged by whom? And that I am what?"
Riannon looked down at Bonney and without Allan interfering, he let go of his mouth to spew ever more toxicity.
"As I said, Princess, you are nothing more but a profiting slut who would use anyone for her own gains. Viewing us, peasants more than some vermins. This is your true face, the face of a dirty slut who would do anything for herself, but for others, nothing, zero."
"You played us like some fiddle, especially poor Allan who even had plans on asking you out, but then you returned with that man and showed your true face after you whored yourself to him, asking for his protection."
Bonney looked at this youngster with cold eyes, wanting to see to what extent his toxicity could go, considering they were former friends or at least acquaintances, and he exceeded her expectations spewing so much dirt from his mouth that she couldn't help but jump on their table and send a leg kick on his face just like how Vlad taught her in his chibi form.
"I had enough of your bullshit, stupid fuck. I am fine with you calling me all sorts of words, but don't go about smearing Vlad's good name for acts he never commited, someone you can't even be compared with the dirt under his nails, if he even has any."
The other youngsters got up from their seats and surrounded Bonney, with only Allan remained on his seat looking at the pink-haired girl who to his surprise had a major change since the last time he saw her.
"What was that for, Bonney?" asked Harl and the other youngsters, taking a tense stance while most of the people at the tavern turned their heads to look at the spectacle being staged.
"You even dare ask me? Could it be that deep down, you think the same shit like that swine? That I sold myself to Vlad just so he would treat you pathetic fools?"
There was an eery silence on their lips, with except to Riannon who returned back on his feet, rushing like a rabid dog throwing a fist at the pink-haired girl, screaming from the top of his lungs. "Bitch, once I pin you down, I will take you back to the hideout, and punish you. I'll ravage you even better than that arrogant bastard."
Bonney only scoffed at the wishes this guy had, and jumping effortlessly from Riannon's target landing at his back, there was a dagger that revealed itself as her coat moved with her jump, and Allan sensing that his stupid brother was about to be severely wounded stepped in to block Bonney's punch.
"Taking sides, Allan-kun?" asked Bonney who was able to push Allan's blocking hand to the surprise of the youngster who didn't expect to be overpowered.
"Well then, you just responded to some questions without even opening your mouth."
With a decent agility, she dodged another of Riannon's punches who saw Allan's distraction as a great way to corner Bonney, but then a punch nailed him to the ground, with the pink-haired girl throwing a devastating blow on the youngster's liver, shutting down all of his body functions.
Her cold expression didn't end when seeing Riannon drop as if he was dead from his liver shutting down his body functions, she also threw a series of kicks to his body, as if she tried to kill him.
She only stopped when Ademar touched her shoulder, breaking the trance she entered, which reminded her of the nightmarish scenes inside Yehimal Mountain Cavern and the Blood Abomination … Nihiloor.
"Young miss, I think you've punished that shit-head enough. If you wouldn't have acted, I would have trashed all of those stupid kids who badmouthed you."
"Yeah, as my brother says. How could those worms even dare to speak bad about the young miss under Master Dracul?" added Olor who looked at youngsters with ferocious eyes, as if wanting to taste a piece of them.
"Hah, hah, It's fine. I doubt I'll ever see their faces again. Let's go, guys. I think I messed up by stopping to teach this bug a lesson." commented Bonney as she took some breaths of air to relax her tense mind.
Moving to the exit of the Tavern, Allan couldn't help but extend his hand and call Bonney. "Anne, wait. I want to talk with you about something. Please, give me this chance to make up for my mistake."
"You did nothing, haven't you heard Riannon? I am someone who just used you. Now that I have a larger tree to shade me, there is nothing you can offer me. Ohh, and my name is Bonney, not Anne."
Walking out the tavern ahead of the four young adults, her eyes watered a bit from the emotions she felt being backstabbed by her friends she spent 2 years together living on the streets, all those memories of being a burglar and vagabond of the streets were far greater than when she was constrained to the Rock Castle Palace shielded from the outside.
'Those emotions are fleeting, now I have people who actually care for me. People who even put their lives on the line to protect me, like sis Eleine and Titania.'
When she arrived at the Garden not far from the Tavern, Vlad noticed that something was off with Bonney, but chose to leave her alone, already establishing a set of rules with her that if she wanted to talk with him about subjects that were disturbing her, he would always be free.
"Vlad, I brought them. They were inside the Tavern as you said they would be."
"Hehehe, since our work on the construction site has been paused because of the unfavorable weather, we've been lurking at the pub. How can we help Master Dracul?" said Ademar who bowed when seeing Vlad sporting his unique, elegant, dignified look that wasn't something a doctor would even wear.
"Mhmm, you should quit drinking that much, it would affect your brains and liver. Anyway, can you see those bags behind me? I want you to take them to my ship in the Harbor.
The ship you can easily discern, the one on the right side, but I guess you already heard how my ships look from those people at the tavern."
"Of course. Only this much, Master Dracul?"
"Yeah that's all. Here, let me pay you for the trouble."
Extending his hand, he passed Ademar 4 banknotes of 10.000 𝔅, which surprised him at how generous he was paying them for only such an ordinary task, and without a complaint, he took one of the bags.
Immediately when the brothers picked on the closed bugs they noticed how heavy it was, but still continued on with their task, leaving Vlad and his ladies in the garden, with the black-haired man inviting Bonney at his side.
"This view isn't half bad, little Bonney. Back in Picodras rarely ever snows, but when you get to see it, I heard it's a breathtaking view."
Ademar and his boys were quick to arrive at the harbor, stepping inside the notorious ship of the Great Healer they placed the bags in a safe corner where snow wasn't touching the ship, but as they approached that location, the temperature increased, as if they reached a warm spot in the ship.
"Brother, the doctor even has a chimney in his ship. How awesome is this? Doesn't he have a floating house on his own?" remarked Olor who touched the wooden door taking to the sailors cabins.
"Should we check?" asked another young guy, who wanted to warm himself before confirming with Vlad on their task.
However what they didn't aspect was that inside this sailors cabin for a white-haired youngster with brown complexion, large wings akin to a Fallen Angel who sunk into sin, and wearing some rug clothes to open his black eyes with a murderous gaze.
"Piss off, vermin. If you brought something, just leave!"
The pressure released by Dalyon washed over the four lads who didn't dare to check on who the person inside this cabin was, sprinting away from the harbor, with the Lunarian opening the cabin's door to see the bags, opening them out of curiosity to see various clothes.
"What a waste of time. I would rather spend time training myself instead of looking for clothes or other objects of interest the lowborns would be interested in."
