The Gamer's POV-Chapter 219: Wild Lavender and Mint

"We have some time left before the day the blue bridge appears." Cedric’s tone grew serious. "I’d like to request a few favors from you."

Argentos nodded slowly. "Yes, anything. If it’s within our ability, of course."

Cedric thought briefly, then said, "Your people are the best when it comes to combat and physical resilience. So, I’d like you to accommodate my people and train them every day in preparation for the coming battle."

Argentos was silent for a moment. Cedric frowned slightly and began to wonder if that was too much of an ask.

’Please say yes.’

Argentos eventually nodded. "That is something I can arrange."

Cedric smiled and tried hard to contain his excitement.

Actually, the reason for this request wasn’t even the training itself. Currently, the cadets had no idea that the blue bridge would be opening in the King’s Paradise. When they eventually found out that to get home, they would need to battle against a city of nagas and against the lords, who were beings of the Fourth Grade, many would give up and succumb to despair.

So, Cedric asked for this so that, for one, the cadets would have hope. Knowing they would be fighting alongside beings as strong as the Hollow Ones would build their morale and let them know there was a chance to survive the impossible.

At the very least, it would give them the mental fortitude they needed to actually follow through on going to the King’s Paradise when it was time.

Secondly, this request was intended to get the cadets familiar with the Hollow Ones and accustomed to fighting alongside them before the chaos of the actual eclipse began.

"That’s great to hear." Cedric sighed in relief and the tension finally left his neck. He shifted his weight, looking back toward the entrance of the hall. "If I go back to the camp alone, they might not come with me. So I’d like it if a few of your people come with me in the morning to go fetch them."

Argentos nodded. "I’ll bring a few of my people with you in the morning, then."

Cedric nodded. "Thank you, Argentos."

Both of them slowly stood up and stared at each other briefly. Then Argentos turned his head toward the entrance and called out, "Come in, Marcus."

In response, the doors to the chamber opened up and a Hollow One with a slim build walked in. Marcus approached them with a measured stride and bowed low.

Then Argentos gestured toward Cedric and said, "Show him to his room. Cedric will be staying with us for some time."

Marcus’s eyes widened and he looked back and forth between them in confusion. He looked as if he wanted to ask a dozen questions, but the heavy atmosphere in the room kept his mouth shut.

"Uh... yes, my lord." He looked at Cedric and gestured for him to follow. "This way, um, Cedric? I’ll show you to your room."

Cedric nodded, pocketed his hands, and slowly began to follow behind him.

As they got into the hallway, all of Cedric’s ravens began to dissolve into smoke, except for Aika, who was still perched on his shoulder.

Both Marcus and Cedric walked on in silence until Marcus stopped and gestured to the door of a room. "This is where you’ll be staying."

Cedric nodded and, as Marcus stepped aside, pushed it open to reveal a spacious chamber. It was empty, with just a large stone bed frame topped with a thin, linen mattress stuffed with dry straw in the center and a window that looked out onto the silent, ruined streets below.

Marcus gave a nod, his expression still lingering somewhere between awe and suspicion. "If you need anything, I will be stationed just outside the hall."

"Thank you, Marcus."

Marcus smiled and turned around, his footsteps echoing softly against the stone as he walked back toward the main corridor. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Cedric shut the door, walked up to the bed, and dropped onto it. He laid sprawled and stared up at the vaulted ceiling. For a long time, he didn’t move, and all he did was acknowledge the toll of everything that had happened since the eclipse began.

He was still looking at the ceiling when Aika’s face suddenly blocked his view. She had taken her human form and was now leaning over him. She rested her weight on her elbows on either side of his chest, and her hair fell over her shoulders in dark, heavy waves, creating a small, private space that smelled really good.

"You’re thinking too much again," she said.

"..."

Cedric looked up into her bright blue eyes and then he subconsciously took a slow breath, drawing in the scent that always seemed to follow her. For someone who had powers centered around death and decay, Aika had always smelled good right from the first day he set eyes on her.

She smelled of wild lavender and crushed mint.

Cedric’s tense shoulders suddenly relaxed against the straw mattress as he let out a long, quiet exhale. Being in Aika’s presence was so soothing that it made the rest of the world feel like a distant, irrelevant blur.

"Well, you can’t blame me," Cedric eventually replied. "There’s a lot to think about. For instance, I know we have the numbers of the Hollow Ones now, but I feel like even that’s not enough. We need a lot more Dominants if we are going to challenge the ten different territories and make it all the way to the lords themselves."

When he said that, he saw Aika suddenly pucker her lips and smile.

"If that’s what’s bothering you, then I’m sure you are going to be really happy when you see it," she said.

Cedric arched a brow. "See what?"

Aika didn’t reply immediately. She just kept looking at him with a grin, while also rocking her legs back and forth.

When Cedric grew impatient, he reached over and pulled her cheeks, shaking her head slightly. "What’s with the suspense, miss? Speak and stop acting all cute."

Aika let out a muffled laugh as he pulled on her face.

"Let go, dum-dum, you’re going to tear my pretty face off," she managed to say, swatting his hands away so she could sit up properly. She brushed her hair out of her eyes and looked down at him with her now reddish cheeks.

"Gamer Privileges," she added, while rubbing her face with a small pout. "Pull up our stats."

Suddenly, a screen appeared in between her and Cedric.

Cedric barely read through the entire profile before his eyes widened and he ended up blurting, "What the...!"