Day Zero, Part Eight

(Back at the house)

V.E: Weeell, let’s see if I’ve got this straight…

V.E: Although he looks like this now, Killfith here is the same Summon Creature that attacked me earlier.

Murno: When Summonite is so close to its raw form, you need skill in order to properly cast the summoning spell… That she was able to summon anything at all is pure good luck.

Rif: Well I am pretty amazing, after all.

V.E: It’s nothing to be proud of! It’s thanks to your failure of a summoning that this turned into such a mess!

Rif: Nn…

V.E: So you came inside looking for some food for Murno when I heard the crash.

Murno: But what I don’t understand is why you would hurt her…

Killfith: It’s because we were already desperate as it was, and she came in looking so serious.

V.E: I see. You thought you might’ve been in for it, huh?

Murno: I’m sorry… I only took my eyes off him for a second. If only…
    -I’m really sorry. Killfith, you should apologize, too.

Killfith: …

V.E: If you just wanted something to eat, you should have just asked. You shouldn’t resort to burglary.

Murno: I’m sorry.

V.E: … You don’t have to keep apologizing. But considering how desperate your situation is, do you even have anything with you?

Murno: Well…

V.E: And what are you planning to do from here on out?

Murno: …
    -First things first, to leave this village.

V.E: And where do you hope to go?

Murno: …

Rif: Murno… maybe they don’t have anywhere to go…

V.E: I see.
    -Then, how about you stay here?

Rif: Master…!

Murno: That won’t work!

V.E: Why not?

Murno: That… If you get mixed up with me, it will only bring you misfortune…

V.E: It will bring misfortune?! I’ve already been injured, and thanks to that I won’t be able to work for quite a while.
     -So by way of apology, why don’t you work as my assistant? How does that sound?

Murno: But what do you mean by ‘assistant?’

V.E: Nothing much. I’d just have you do some general housework. But Killfith, on the other hand…
    -Perhaps he could be Rif’s blacksmith assistant?

Rif: Mine? You mean he’d be working with me in the forge?

V.E: That’s right. You can forge weapons with a Summon Creature as part of your training to become a Craftknight.

Killfith: A blacksmith’s assistant…?

V.E: How does that sound, you two? You mind helping out around here?

Murno: Would that really be okay?

V.E: You sure do talk a lot! You’ll never get a guy to fall in love with you if you keep dancing around the answer. Just say yes or no!

Murno: Y-yes! Then… Please let us work for you!

V.E: All right! Then it’s settled! Killfith, why don’t you…

Killfith: Who are you to order me around?

V.E: Huh?

Killfith: Why should I have to work as a blacksmith’s assistant?

V.E: Have you not been listening to the conversation?

Killfith: Even though you’re so weak, you came out to challenge me. That’s why you were injured. It’s hardly my fault.
     -Instead of trying to bind me into servitude, shouldn’t you just be grateful I didn’t kill you?

Rif: You jerk! Don’t talk to her like that!

V.E: Settle down, Rif. Certainly, he does have a point.

Rif: But Master…!

V.E: But if you don’t help us, I don’t know what you’ll do. From Murno’s story, it sounds like you don’t have a lot of options.

Murno: Uh…

V.E: What do you want to do?

Killfith: Tch… If I knew this would happen, I wouldn’t have bothered—

Rif: Don’t talk like that! Didn’t you also want to protect Murno?

Killfith: Shut up. Children should be seen, not heard.

Rif: Oh please! You don’t have a right to call anyone a kid when you’re even shorter than I am!

Killfith: You…
    -I’ll kill you.

Rif: I’d love to see you try.

Killfith: Well, if that’s what you want…

Murno: Hey… stop this, you two!

Rif: Sorry, Murno, but I’m not about to turn down this fight.

Murno: But…

Rif: Hey, Killfith, how about we make a bet out of this?
    -If I win, you have to be my assistant.

Killfith: ‘If I win?’ How foolish…
     -But fine. You have my word. If you win, I’ll fulfill your wish. Not that there’s a chance that will actually happen.

Rif: Then it’s a deal!

V.E: Well, now that we’ve finished with the negotiations, how about we head outside?
     -Who would have thought a simple summoning could result in such a serious contest between a human and Summon Creature?

(They exit)