Chapter 8: Consideration
"Give it some thought, Rizki. I believe your wisdom can guide you to a choice that benefits us," were the parting words as Varian rose from his chair, his presence fading like a whisper in the wind.
With Varian's departure, the room seemed to let out a sigh, still caught in the aftermath of his unexpected proposition. Rizki lay on his bed, his injured leg propped up by pillows. His heart raced as the weight of those words settled around him like a gentle veil. His gaze wandered around the room, searching for comfort amidst the tangle of emotions within.
The room's warmth contrasted sharply with the whirlwind of thoughts inside Rizki's mind. Varian's offer had swept through him like a storm, leaving his thoughts in turmoil. He shifted slightly, adjusting his injured leg with care, his thoughts a swirling mix of uncertainty and potential paths.
Outside the window, a tranquil garden beckoned, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. The gentle rustling of leaves and the distant songs of birds played a soothing tune that accompanied his tangled thoughts. Speaking softly to himself, his voice carried on the breeze, "So, Mr. Varian wants me to date his daughter, huh…"
The words hung in the air, reflecting his astonishment at this turn of events. He tilted his head, trying to shake off the surreal nature of the situation. Forgotten memories resurfaced, and he muttered with a mix of nostalgia and self-deprecation, "Guess I never even had a chance to date before I kicked the bucket. How am I supposed to be someone's husband if it's got to be done in a hurry?"
His thoughts swirled like a whirlpool, pulling him deeper into introspection. He adjusted the position of his injured leg once more, his gaze drifting towards the ceiling where sunlight danced in patterns. His fingers tapped a rhythm on the bedcovers, a familiar gesture that offered some solace.
As the memories resurfaced, his features softened, his mind navigating the corridors of his past. "I do appreciate the offer," he admitted, his tone thoughtful. "And let's be honest, his daughter is quite the looker." A wistful smile curved his lips as he imagined the enigmatic woman. "Judging by her features, I'd guess she's around 15 to 18 years old."
Yet, the smile faded, replaced by a furrowed brow and an expression filled with uncertainty. "But I barely know her," he acknowledged, his voice a blend of introspection and doubt. "I haven't really had a chance to understand her as a person. Plus, I'm just an ordinary guy while she's an elf."
His inner thoughts became more intricate, each thought weaving into a complex tapestry of contemplation. He sighed, a blend of yearning and frustration mixing within him. The barriers of reality seemed insurmountable, casting shadows over his desires.
Touched by the weight of his thoughts, Rizki reached for his phone on the nightstand. Faye, the enigmatic guide he had encountered during his initial descent to Acra, had given him the device. His fingers moved across the screen, finding Faye's contact with practiced ease.
Summoning his resolve, he pressed the call button, and the device hummed to life. Faye's voice resonated, bridging the distance between them. "Hello?" she greeted, her voice tinged with curiosity and familiarity.
Rizki's voice held vulnerability and earnestness as he began, "Hey, Faye. It's me, Rizki. I need someone to talk to right now. Someone who understands this world better than I do."
Faye's response was immediate, her voice a lifeline amid the uncertainty. "Of course, Rizki. I'm here to listen."
Taking a deep breath, he felt comfort wash over him as he shared his thoughts and feelings with Faye. "Faye, have you heard anything about Varian's offer? You being a goddess and all."
Faye's voice carried a sense of wisdom. "Yeah, I've got the scoop, including your daring escapade."
In a sudden realization, Rizki remembered that he had done something quite bold. Then he reacted, "You didn't see everything, did you?"
Expecting her to say no, he was surprised when she answered, "Yes."
And then Rizki resigned himself, saying, "Well, take me to the underworld, thank you."
Faye laughed heartily, and she said, "No need to worry about it. I've seen plenty of people exploring their fantasies, especially the guys. Men do have a unique way of imagining things. And... I'm aware that you've been envisioning me."
Rizki found himself breaking into a cold sweat due to the revelation, and he quickly apologized, "Sorry, that's not what I meant, I can't… I mean… I really admire your…"
Faye continued to laugh until she dropped her novel, and she revealed, "Don't worry about it. Everyone has their own fantasies, and I'm genuinely surprised that I've become the subject of yours."
With a playful clearing of her throat, Faye shifted gears, asking, "By the way, is there something specific you wanted to discuss?"
Rizki mulled over Faye's one-word response, "yes," and couldn't help but question further, "Should I really accept the offer?"
Faye's reply was concise yet cryptic, "Yes."
Still seeking clarity, Rizki pressed on, a mix of frustration and curiosity in his tone, "And why would that be?"
Faye's response held a hint of playfulness, "So you can stop daydreaming about me, obviously."
Rizki's disbelief was palpable as he insisted, "Give me a straight answer and cut the jokes!"
Realizing that the goddess guiding him might be a bit more self-centered than he initially thought was a surprise, but that wasn't the main issue at hand. He was focused on understanding the reasoning behind her affirmative response.
"Why 'yes'?" Rizki inquired, his eyebrows knitting together in earnest curiosity.
Faye offered an explanation, "Putting aside the humor, it's because once an elf decides to be with you, there's no escaping."
Rizki raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her words. "Why can't you just leave?"
Faye clarified her point, "Elves can grow deeply attached to their partners, making it incredibly difficult to part ways. But it's not quite as possessive as it sounds."
Rizki retorted with a hint of frustration, "Sounds a lot like possessiveness to me."
Meanwhile, Faye, immersed in her realm, delved into the topic with more insight, "Though it may appear that way, having an elf as your companion comes with its own advantages. None of the previous heroes managed it. Ironically, even a 'villain' like you succeeded."
Rizki quickly shot back, "But I ended up becoming a hero, not a villain."
Rizki mulled over Faye's one-word response, "yes," and couldn't help but question further, "Should I really accept the offer?"
Faye's reply was concise yet cryptic, "Yes."
Still seeking clarity, Rizki pressed on, a mix of frustration and curiosity in his tone, "And why would that be?"
Faye's response held a hint of playfulness, "So you can stop daydreaming about me, obviously."
Rizki's disbelief was palpable as he insisted, "Give me a straight answer and cut the jokes!"
Realizing that the goddess guiding him might be a bit more self-centered than he initially thought was a surprise, but that wasn't the main issue at hand. He was focused on understanding the reasoning behind her affirmative response.
"Why 'yes'?" Rizki inquired, his eyebrows knitting together in earnest curiosity.
Faye offered an explanation, "Putting aside the humor, it's because once an elf decides to be with you, there's no escaping."
Rizki raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her words. "Why can't you just leave?"
Faye clarified her point, "Elves can grow deeply attached to their partners, making it incredibly difficult to part ways. But it's not quite as possessive as it sounds."
Rizki retorted with a hint of frustration, "Sounds a lot like possessiveness to me."
Meanwhile, Faye, immersed in her realm, delved into the topic with more insight, "Though it may appear that way, having an elf as your companion comes with its own advantages. None of the previous heroes managed it. Ironically, even a 'villain' like you succeeded."
Rizki quickly shot back, "But I ended up becoming a hero, not a villain."
Faye offered context to the intricate web of perception, "Being labeled a villain doesn't necessarily mean everyone sees you as evil. It's more about aligning yourself with a side to such an extent that people perceive you as the antagonist."
Rizki, still seeking clarity, questioned further, "So, you're saying it's all about taking a stance, and that determines how people see you?"
Faye nodded figuratively, her voice carrying the weight of understanding, "Exactly. Much like how heroes and demon lords are seen differently depending on the perspective. Each side views the other as the 'villain.' It's all about how you're perceived."
Rizki's curiosity deepened, his eyebrows furrowing as he considered Faye's words. "Alright, but if I choose to align with the elves, why would humans see me as a villain regardless of my intentions?"
Faye's tone shifted to one of explanation, "That's because once you choose the elves, humans will forever label you as the villain in their eyes. It's a perception that lingers, regardless of your true intentions."
Rizki's frustration was evident as he replied, "That seems pretty unfair. What if I genuinely want to do good?"
Faye's response held reassurance, "It's true that the perception might not reflect your true intentions. However, there's a silver lining. Having an elf as a companion can substantially boost your combat prowess, especially considering your previous challenges in that cave."
Rizki's interest was piqued, his skepticism giving way to curiosity, "You mean having an elf by my side can make me a stronger fighter?"
Faye nodded, her words confident, "Absolutely. Elves possess unique abilities that can greatly enhance your combat abilities. They're adept at magic and possess keen instincts. Remember that treacherous cave? With an elf as your companion, navigating such challenges becomes significantly more manageable."
Rizki leaned forward, intrigued. "But if I align myself with the elves, humans will always see me as the bad guy, regardless of what I actually intend?"
Faye's response was affirmative yet cautionary, "Yes, that's likely to be the case."
Rizki let out a sigh, absorbing the implications. "But having an elf as my companion would give me an edge in combat, right?"
Faye nodded, her expression serious. "Indeed. Considering your past experience navigating that cave alone, having an elf by your side would significantly enhance your combat abilities."
Rizki's determination shone through as he nodded firmly. "I see. So, it's not just about perception, but also about practicality."
Faye smiled knowingly, her words carrying the weight of insight, "You've grasped the essence of it. It's a delicate balance between how others perceive you and how prepared you are to confront the trials that lie ahead."
Rizki nodded, his understanding deepening, "I think I get it now. Thanks for clarifying things."
With a newfound clarity, Rizki made up his mind. He knew what he needed to do and who he needed to speak to.
As he ended his call with Faye, a realization struck him. Someone was tending to his right leg, gently replacing the bandage and examining the wound.
To his surprise, it was none other than Eve Danielle.
"Hmm... Looking good. I'll prepare a generous amount of tempeh for you later," Eve's voice held a reassuring tone as she tended to his bandage.
Intrigued by her words, Rizki couldn't help but inquire, "You're familiar with tempeh?"
Eve nodded, her fingers deftly handling the bandage as she explained, "Absolutely. It's a staple food in our region, often enjoyed by nobles. I can only indulge in it as a princess, though. Otherwise, my father would give me quite an earful."
Rizki's eyes lit up with recognition, his words carrying a hint of nostalgia, "Funny you mention that. Tempeh was a native food in my past life too. People believed it had some remarkable healing properties, helping to recover blood count and injuries when consumed."
Eve nodded in agreement, her interest piqued, "I've heard of its healing reputation as well. Though, from my understanding, creating tempeh is quite a complex process. It's not something easily produced."
A sudden realization struck Rizki as memories flooded back to him. He remembered conducting experiments with tempeh for his class before. With newfound excitement, he proposed, "Actually, would it be possible for me to visit the place where you produce tempeh? I might have an idea about your situation."
Eve's expression shifted to one of curiosity mixed with confusion, intrigued by his suggestion. She agreed, "Of course, I can show you the factory. But may I ask what you have in mind?"
Rizki attempted to rise, his eagerness getting the better of him. However, he forgot about his injured leg, causing him to stumble and nearly fall. To his surprise, Eve moved swiftly to catch him, preventing his fall.
In that moment, Eve couldn't help but notice something unusual about Rizki. His height stood out—taller than most elves, and even comparable to her own father, which was a rarity among their kind.
After steadying him, Rizki offered his gratitude, his voice laced with appreciation, "Thank you for catching me."
He continued, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips, "You know, I'm not used to being caught like that."
Eve chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement, "You're quite tall for an elf, you know."
Rizki's gaze met hers, a genuine warmth in his eyes, "Well, I'm glad someone was there to catch me. By the way, I want to thank you for being honest earlier. Your father's plan, I understand it now."
Eve's expression shifted to one of surprise, curiosity mingling with happiness, "You do?"
Rizki nodded, his tone steady, "Yes, I've accepted the idea. But I won't rush into marriage immediately."
Eve's face lit up with a joyful smile, relief washing over her, "Oh, I'm so glad to hear that! My father must have conveyed everything to you then."
Rizki's words, his understanding of her situation, and the shared moment between them all contributed to a connection that felt unexpectedly profound, bridging their worlds and their futures in ways neither could have anticipated.
As the weight of their conversation settled, a tender emotion stirred within Eve. Unable to resist the impulse, she reached out to give Rizki a warm hug, her arms embracing his muscular frame.
Caught off guard by the unexpected gesture, Rizki hesitated for a moment. He felt a pang of guilt at the thought of rejecting her hug, so he smiled and reciprocated the embrace, letting the moment linger between them.
With a sense of shared understanding, they walked together toward the factory, Rizki's tattered school uniform revealing the journey he had taken to reach this point. However, before he could make a move to put on the robe he had been given earlier, Eve was one step ahead, offering him the robe and gently urging him to wear it.
"Here, put this on. It'll be more comfortable," Eve said with a soft smile, her eyes warm with care.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone