HPDBC Chapter 66: Cursed Seal
Chapter 66: Cursed Seal
Mattison unclasped his armor, revealing a skin-tight white shirt made of some fiber-based material. He then stated, "This map should give you a good idea of how to get back."
Continuing, he added, "I also sent a crow messenger to the capital to let them know about your return."
Leaning against a nearby desk, he looked at Ty and Nana with a hint of curiosity.
"I'm not sure what you're looking to accomplish or gain from returning her back home. But the main Houses are wealthy people and might even offer you a spot in their sub-house."
With a slight smile, he informed them,
"Looks like it's just hitting noon, so I'm off the clock for the rest of the hour. If you want anything from me, I'll be down by the local pub. Drinks are half off on the weekends, so if you're looking to drink and meet any girls, it's the place to be,"
Mattison's abrupt departure left Ty slightly surprised as he watched a dozen or so other soldiers moving in and out of various rooms. Some were changing shifts while others prepared for their patrols, clutching papers with patrol assignments.
Nana, wearing a mildly annoyed expression, remarked, "So, he's all work, and then suddenly, he doesn't care anymore?"
Ty, pondering the situation, offered his perspective. "He probably works on a 12-12 shift, so after a long day, he unwinds by shifting his personality."
He continued, "I saw it a lot on Earth. The mentality of work and play balance to keep our sanity."
Nana listened with a hint of astonishment, as if she were hearing a new revelation.
Nana responded with genuine surprise, "Wow, I never thought about it like that."
Nana raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued by Ty's peculiar statement. "Odd, right?"
Ty couldn't help but roll his bony eyes as Nana's words seemed to annoy him a bit. "I mean, it's not like I can relate, but yeah, it's strange," he replied.
They ventured into a quaint store filled with an array of drinks and snacks. Nana gathered a selection of items before they headed out into the lively streets once more.
Nana continued their conversation as they strolled along the dirt roads, her voice carrying a hint of wisdom. "You just gotta live in the now and enjoy what's in front of you. I wasted so much of my life focusing on how to make others happy and trying to serve someone strong just so I'd feel safe."
Ty turned to her, sincerity gleaming in his skeletal eyes. "You have a point," he admitted. "I should try to enjoy the setting around me a bit more."
As they approached the inn, Ty's gaze wandered to the surrounding area. To his surprise, he noticed dozens of kids in the dirt roads, energetically kicking an array of balls back and forth. Laughter echoed through the air, and the entire vicinity around the inn felt lively and full of joy--a stark contrast to the evening they had arrived.
"I've also been meaning to ask you about that curse," Ty mentioned, his curiosity finally getting the better of him.
I've heard you mention it a few times but wasn't sure the best place to ask.
"Oh, well, if it has to do with why I'm cursed at this height," Nana began, "I spoke with the Demon King about it, and he said it would slowly break on its own since the caster of it is now dead. But it's dependent on how much energy is left stored in it."
She slowly pulled her hoodie to the side, revealing her shoulder with a black circle and blue lines wrapping around the inside, slowly fading away.
"For some reason, in the Demon King's castle or structure, time moves weirdly, and it barely shifted for the entire month. But since getting here and using my power that once to pop the brute's head, I felt the mark slowly burning away."
With a bit of respite in her voice, she pushed open the door to the inn and was forced to crack a smile as she saw Todd at the staircase, leading towards more rooms with a mop in hand, washing the floor, as the innkeeper sat on his back.