Chapter 7: Lost memories part 1
Continuing where we left off
After Bronya and I burst out laughing, I return to our conversation.
Ritsuka: Since you now know a little more about my story, I assume you have certain questions.
I say this looking at Bronya with a neutral smile.
Bronya: I actually have several questions about this, but I still don't know where to start.
Bronya said this with a doubtful expression on her face.
Ritsuka: There's no need to rush. Patience leads to success.
I say this imitating one of Professor Ratio's phrases.
After a few seconds of silence, Bronya starts asking questions.
Bronya: I'll start with the one that's been bothering me since I got to this place. This stellaron you talk about....if you were to find it, would it really stop the eternal fry?
The moment I hear this question I sit with my arms crossed with a thoughtful expression.
Ritsuka:Hmmm..... Like I said to Cocolia on the surface. The Stellaron are a source of power strong enough to cause countless bad things on a planet where they are located. We currently don't have much information about Stellaron, but I have a theory of my own that is ironically similar to something that already happened on my home world.
I say this, catching Bronya's attention, who is curious.
Bronya: And what is this theory of yours about this stellaron?
Ritsuka: Stellarons are similar to the holy grails on my planet. I say this because they both have the ability to grant an individual's wishes. Of course, in comparison of power a stellaron surpasses the power of a holy grail, but the important thing is that both can grant wishes.
I say this, informing what I know about the Stellarons to Bronya, who remains silent for a moment, registering what she heard.
Bronya:Interesting..... You described this holy grail as a golden chalice that works like a great battery of power?
Said Bronya being a little confused about what she learned about the holy grail.
Ritsuka: Well essentially the holy grail is basically a large source of mana powerful enough to create the greater grail and access the "Root".
I say that and see Bronya being confused by what I said.
Bronya: Greater grail? Accessing the root?
Ritsuka: Don't worry about it.
Bronya: You know, it was hard to believe you. Some of the words you use are very alien to those who live their entire lives in Belabog. As far as I'm concerned, Madam Cocolia's orders to arrest you sounded reasonable...but why didn't she do it at once? How did she discover the information that you can destroy worlds? She probably saw something inside you that bothered her a lot and it's something I haven't ter been able to perceive for myself and that bothers me....
Bronya stands with her arms crossed and continues talking.
Bronya:What must have transpired to cause her such a drastic change?....Still,ordens are orders. It's not for soldiers to question their superiors.
Ritsuka:From your perspective you had no choice.
Bronya:I don't need you to absolve me. The trurh is,I didn't have every confidence that I was doing the right thing,but the sense of duty to carry out an order is bound to prevail with me. In the past,Overworld soldiers on the front lines would lose thier lives in droves,and yet the Fragmentum's advence would remain uneffected. Nevertheless,that was her reason for deploying all the silvermane guarda to the front line. The transport line for supplies and Geomarrow remained open,but the passage between the surface and the underground ceased. I approved of that decision...
Ritsuka: Well you had no idea what was happening in the underworld. Did you try to change Cocolia's mind?
Bronya: I tried, but she doesn't listen to me. I don't know how to get past her...
💭And in those moments when the presence of Holmes or Sion would be necessary to provide more information about what is happening....
I see that Bronya has a troubled expression, probably having an internal conflict with herself.
Ritsuka: How about we go for a walk? To relax the mind.
I say this with a friendly smile.
Bronya: Good idea. Keeping your mind busy isn't helping at all.
With that Bronya and I started walking through the quiet streets of the underworld.
Bronya: I can't remember the last time I went for a walk like this. I never thought it would be in a strange place, with a person I met yesterday.
Upon hearing this I let out a light laugh.
Ritsuka:Life is a box of surprises, Bronya. I speak from experience.
Bronya: I have no doubt about that. After all, you had these crazy adventures of yours with this organization called Chaldea.
Ritsuka: I think the phrase you're looking for is "bizarre adventures." Seriously, I remember one incident like it was yesterday. It was just a quiet weekday and I was having coffee with my beloved kohai when suddenly a girl in a special costume kidnaps me and takes me to another galaxy very very far away. I soon discovered that my kidnapper seemed very lonely, but her spaceship was attacked and I took advantage of that moment to escape using an emergency hatch and ended up landing on a desert planet and I met two beautiful bounty hunters on the way.
I say this by giving a slight introduction to my adventure in the servant-verse.
Bronya looks at me being perplexed by what she heard.
Bronya: Your life..... is certainly quite "hectic" Ritsuka.
Ritsuka: Hahaha....you have no idea, Bronya.
Bronya: By the way. There's something that caught my eye about you. What was that thing you used in our fight and against that group of bandits you threatened.
When I hear what Bronya said I lose a little of my smile.
Ritsuka: You're better off not knowing about this, Bronya.
Bronya: Why? Is it something very personal?
Ritsuka: In a way, yes. What I can say is that it is a power that I am not proud of using.
Bronya: "A power you're not proud of." What do you mean?
Ritsuka: That's all I can say, Bronya. I'm very sorry.
I say this with a slight serious expression.
Bronya: I'm sorry for insisting.
Ritsuka:No problem. Maybe one day I'll tell you, but not now.
Before the conversation could continue, Bronya and I heard Seele's voice next to us.
Bronya gives us the idea of listening to what she is saying.
It looks like Seele is discussing something with Natasha about supplies for the mining team. Seele gives her the idea of going to one of the underworld cities to get more supplies, but the place is dangerous and Natasha doesn't want Seele to go alone.
The doctor gave Seele the idea to take some of Oleg's men, but Seele refused the idea and said she was determined to go alone. That's where Bronya and I enter the conversation.
Ritsuka: It looks like we arrived at the right time.
I say this, drawing the attention of Natasha and Seele to see me and Bronya approaching.
Seele:Aren't you supposed to be sleeping? What are you doing out here? ...Up to no good, perhaps?
Seele said, looking at Bronya who is next to me and I let out a sigh when I saw this.
Bronya:We're just having a walk. Neither of us could sleep. You can rescind you beseless accusations.
💭Here we go again....
Natasha:Easy,Seele,maybe they can help.
Ritsuka:Don't worry Natasha. We can help without any problem!
I say this with a happy smile on my face.
Natasha:And I'm grateful for that. Here's the situation: The clinic is packed full of people injured in the mines incident. Since you helped us solve things, Seele and I have been busy caring for them. As you know, the underground is lacking resources to begin with. Add on the sudden nature of the incident, and It's no surprise that the clinic is almost out of medical supplies. We need to acquire more....somehow.
Seele explains that even other cities in the underworld are suffering due to the Fragmentum's escalation, which ends up causing the emergence of more monsters causing chaos in the cities and opportunistic bandits to make the situation worse.
Natasha reveals that in the north of the underworld she used to take care of an orphanage, but she was forced to leave the place due to the Fragmentum infestation. Knowing that our mission is to go to an infected area to get supplies, Bronya and I accept.
Bronya:Go to a corroded town to collect some useful resources? I'm in.
Ritsuka:I will also participate. It could be fun.
Bronya: Are you going to participate too? But you look tired.
Bronya said,reminding me of the nightmare I had recently
Ritsuka: Don't worry about it, Bronya. It's not a mere sleep that will make me stop helping.
Seele:Hold up! I never said you could join us!
Ritsuka: And why wouldn't we help? Wouldn't it be faster and more effective to have more than one person to help?
Seele:Well....just don't slow me down!
Ritsuka:That's the spirit, Seele! Keep it up and you will certainly have more friends.
I say this clearly provoking Seele who is irritated by my comment.
Seele:Shut up, Ritsuka. Well, know that I have a lot of friends in the underworld!
With that, Natasha gave us a list of things that we will have to pick up in the city to the north. What's on the list of metal plates, bandages, rubbing alcohol, and painkillers.
With everything ready, Seele, Bronya and I headed north in search of supplies.
**********
Time skip!
************
Arriving in Rivet Town you can see that the place is quite abandoned and with some parts destroyed, probably the work of monsters from Fragmentum.
Seele:We're here. This is Rivet Town... Everything looks familiar... Let's go, and watch your step, I haven't been here in a long time. There are probably some Monsters around.
Ritsuka: This place is very dark.....
Seele: I agree with you on this. It's better for us to go to a high area to have a better view.
We arrive at a bridge high enough that it is possible to see a house on a hill.
Seele:Way over there,see that house on the hill? That's Natasha's old orphanage. After Oleg found me, he feels me there. I spent over half my childhood in that place.
Ritsuka: I assume that mess down there was a market here?
I say this pointing to a bunch of old tents destroyed on the ground.
Seele: You nailed it. Natasha's supplies are probably there.
I take a quick look at Bronya and see her with her arms crossed thinking about something.
Ritsuka: Is everything okay, Bronya?
Bronya: Huh? Yes I am well. I just....feel like this place is familiar somehow. Forget what I said.
Bronya said, letting out a sigh and I decided not to pursue the matter further.
We start passing through the old street market and after destroying some Fragmentum monsters on the way we find some supplies, but they are empty.
Seele:Darn, how could they all be empty? Now even the monsters are gathering supplies?
Ritsuka: I highly doubt it was the monsters who did this. Someone was probably here before us and picked up some supplies.
Bronya: That's the most likely answer. There are also some footprints on the floor here.
Seele:Hmmm... The dirt smell is still fresh. They couldn't have arrived much earlier than us. Let's go then. We need to find something even if we have to look for every corner of this market.
The search for supplies continues and during this we end up finding a boy that Seele recognizes right away.
Seele:Eric? Hey brat! How could you come here by yourself. Don't you know how dengerous this place is?
Eric:S-Seele? Y-You aren't the boss of me! I-I can go wherever I want, It's none of your beeswax!
💭Beeswax?
Seele:You took the materials and hid them all here? Not bad, kid.
Said Seele seeing the things we are looking for.
Seele:But if we didn't take care of those monsters,what were you planning to do? Just stay here, shaking in your boots?
Eric:Wh-Who asked you to do anything? I was just about to escape,I didn't need your help at all!
Seele: Still being stubborn, huh? So tell me how exactly are you going to get those big metal plates out there past the monsters?
Eric: Um.... There's alwsys a way....
Ritsuka: Aren't you being too hard on him?
Seele: Don't let him fool you. Everyone in the Underworld knows that this brat is a no-good thief. If I remember correctly, even the clothes you're wearing came off another kid's back?
Eric:Um.... About that...
Seele:Tell us, what do you even want metal plates and gauze bandages for? We need them to save people.
Eric:200..
Ritsuka: Huh?
Eric:...200 shield.
The boy said, leaving me a little surprised that he is asking for money, but it is his expression of sadness that is catching my attention.
Seele:...Are you kidding me? Do you want to negotiate?
Ritsuka:What do you need 200 shield for?
I ask, being curious as to why he just asked.
Seele: Are you actually planning to give this little crook money? I'm telling you. This is his same old trick-
Eric stops Seele with a look like he's about to cry.
Eric:No! Not this time I really need money...my daddy....
Seele:Pretending to use your dad again as an excuse.... If he knew about this, you'd be in big trouble.
Seele said with an expression and Eric starts to cry.
Ritsuka: Congratulations, Seele, you made a child cry. Hey, boy. You need money for your father, don't you?
I say this by getting on my knees in front of Eric who looks at me with tears.
Eric: That's right....
Ritsuka: Here. Keep it.
I say this by giving Eric one of the materials I collect in Chaldea this time is material called "sunscale".
Eric:What is this? It's very beautiful.
Ritsuka: It's a skin from an ancient monster in a place I visited, this thing can store sunlight and change color. Not only is it beautiful, but it has a resistance that surpasses steel. Show this to a buyer and they will know the value of it. But you have to promise me that you won't steal from others anymore and you won't worry your father anymore. There is no more painful pain for a parent when they see their children in danger. Understood?
Eric:I-I promise! I'll never steal things again!
Ritsuka: Great. And don't even think about going after your promise,or the princess here will bring her guards to go after you. Take this and go back to town. We've already dealt with any threats along the way so you'll be safe on the way there.
Eric:Th-Thank you,whoever you are! You guys can take all of these things! Y-You guys need to be careful, too! There seems to be something real scary in that house up on the hill.... Oh,r-right! The road across from the market is blocked.... If you want to go further, you'll have to go to the shopping street.
Ritsuka: Got it. Thanks for the info.
With a smile on his face, Eric leaves heading towards the city, leaving just the three of us on the street.
Seele:Where did you find this monster skin? I've never seen anything like this in my life.
Ritsuka: Let's say that's a treasure I acquired in my recent adventures..... One that cost me my life several times...
I say this remembering a little about what happened in the seventh Lostbelt.
Seele:Are you sure it was a good idea to give that to Eric?
Ritsuka: He needed help, so I decided to help him, just like that. Even though he's probably lying to me or he shouldn't stop stealing, Eric still needs a chance that he can change his path.
Seele stays silent, registering what I said
Bronya:I agree with you, Ritsuka. I would do the same thing for him too. Everyone deserves a chance to do good again.
Seele: I don't understand anything you two are talking about. Ahem! Let's continue the path. Eric said that we have to follow the shopping street to continue going further. I think I still remember where it is....this way.
Seele said and we continued along the shopping street.
To be continued....
************
A/N:Good news guys. My home internet is installed, meaning I will be able to write this story again.
I saw the end of 2.2 and I have to admit that I had to change my plans for Penecony. I hope 2.3 arrives before this story reaches Penecony.
I hope you readers are enjoying this story, if you have questions I will do my best to answer them.
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