Chapter 95: Ken and Lynn

POV Eliza

“LYNN!” <Ken>

Ken threw himself on top of Lynn and fell to the ground with her as soon as he saw us.

“Snief ... hiccup ... I'm glad you're okay.” <Ken>

“Hey, Ken, are you drunk?” <Lynn>

Lynn was already pushing Ken's head away. Her expression was clearly disgusted. But Ken's grip was too strong for her. It looked like I was going to have to rescue her again. I sighed and pulled Ken away from her.

“Come on, Ken, she's exhausted. Let her rest first.” <Eliza>

“But, but .... alright. Hiccup.” <Ken>

Ken let go of Lynn and fell to the floor as he tried to get up. He cut a very pathetic figure. It occurred to me that he'd been drinking when he'd begged me to save Lynn. Had he been drinking consistently since then? I hoped not. Anyway, I helped Lynn up, who had gone from disgusted to shocked. She looked down at Kenn in disbelief.

“Ken, what's happened to you?” <Lynn>

“He was the one who informed me about your abduction and he was completely distraught. He was already drunk at the time and I'm afraid he's been drinking ever since. He must have felt very helpless.” <Eliza>

“But that doesn't mean he has to let himself go like that. Why didn't he come with you?” <Lynn>

“I didn't want him to. For one thing, he was drunk and for another, he doesn't have the necessary skills to have been helpful to me. I couldn't wait for him to sober up either.” <Eliza>

“I'm disappointed in him to say the least. I didn't expect this from him.” <Lynn>

Ken sat on the floor and listened to us in silence. He looked very shocked and had even stopped crying. His mouth was wide open as if he couldn't believe what Lynn had said. After Lynn's last sentence, he jumped up and ran out of the inn in tears. We both looked after him in amazement.

“Lynn, that wasn't very nice. He was really worried. Go after him before something else happens to him. You two are good friends.” <Eliza>

“You're right, I must be too exhausted. But I still can't understand why people let themselves go like this.” <Lynn>

“Ken and I have stopped off here at the Red Deer. I'll book you a room and then go to the Adventurers' Guild.” <Eliza>

Lynn nodded and left the inn. I followed her and then turned off in the direction of the guild. There I stood in line and waited my turn.

“Ah, Eliza, I haven't seen you for a while. Looking for orders?” <Sana>

“No, not exactly. I've accepted an assignment to investigate the bandit raids in the east and I'm bringing back results.” <Eliza>

“Then let's hear it.” <Sana>

I reported how I had managed to find the bandits and their hideout and that I had been able to drive them away. Then I reported that I had managed to free two prisoners and had already informed the guard.

“Not bad, Eliza, I'm impressed. Quite an achievement for a D-rank adventurer. Wait a minute, I'll have a look through the relevant quests." <Sana>

Sana left the counter briefly and went to the quest wall. There she took down a total of five quests and returned to me.

“I can give you credit for the reward for exploring the crime scene. The other four quests are from merchants who have lost their goods. We'll have to wait for a report from the guard, but put them aside for now. As soon as we get positive feedback, you'll receive the rewards.” <Sana>

“Thank you, Sana.” <Eliza>

“Are you in Tyros for longer or are you going traveling again?” <Sana>

“I think I'll be here for a while. I plan to earn some money in the dungeon. Then I'll have enough to live in Tyros for the winter.” <Eliza>

Sana gave me the reward for completing the mission. Then I left the guild and returned to the inn. There I sat down in the dining room and ordered something to eat, as it was now lunchtime. I also waited for Lynn and Ken to return. It took a whole hour for them to return. Ken was leaning forward so I couldn't see his face. Lynn saw me and indicated that she would take Ken to his room. They both disappeared upstairs.

I waited until Lynn came back. I had already got her something to drink. She sat down and emptied half the beer mug straight away.

“That bad?” <Eliza>

“He begged me never to leave him alone and that he loved me. Then he fell asleep straight away. How do I react now?” <Lynn>

“I don't know. I never got a confession of love." <Eliza>

“I haven't either. I suspected it, but it surprises me now. He's always so easygoing and suddenly he's so serious. I can't cope with the change. He's a dear friend who I grew up with, but I can't see him in a romantic sense. So I can only reject him.” <Lynn>

Lynn finished her mug and ordered another. Then she looked at her drink for a while, lost in thought. I gave her the time. But I could understand Ken. He had grown up with a beautiful woman and had known her for many years. Her character was also great, as far as I had gotten to know her, so the step from friendship to love was not unusual. Their village was small and if they hadn't gone on adventures, there was a good chance that they would have become a couple. It would take Ken a long time to recover from that. I wouldn't be surprised if he never went adventuring again. Or he did the opposite and threw himself into the next danger. I didn't want to be in his shoes.

“Eliza, we're so sorry, but it's better if I take Ken home. He's a danger to himself in that state. He looks very mentally distressed to me. He needs some time out.” <Lynn>

“Would you like me to accompany you?” <Eliza>

“Your offer is very tempting, but I'd better not. I don't want to take up so much of your time. I just need to find Ronnen and then we'll travel together.” <Lynn>

“Ken told me he's on his way to Lightburgh. Last week, access to the city was strictly controlled and out-of-towners weren't allowed in. That's why I'm here, because I couldn't get through the city gate either. Ronnen could already be on his way back here.” <Eliza>

Afterwards, I talked to Lynn about her adventures since we last met. She was quite enthusiastic, but I could tell she was tense. Ken's confession must have really thrown her off track. She was also drinking more than usual, despite the early time of day. It wasn't evening yet when she'd had too much to drink and was about to fall asleep. I helped her up and took her to her room. She clung to me again and didn't want to let go. But she didn't have enough strength and was too drunk to put up any serious resistance. But she was still awake enough to beg me to undress her. I sighed and did her the favor. I sensed I might live to regret it, but I couldn't ignore the happy look on her face.

Lynn was a very pretty girl with a good figure and therefore a feast for the eyes, but as much as I liked her, I couldn't give her what she was hoping for. I wasn't human and that alone was enough of an obstacle to considering a closer relationship. In addition, to my knowledge, same-sex relationships were not common in the Empire, maybe even forbidden. It also showed me very clearly that I wasn't being honest with myself. In my old life, it had taken me years to come to terms with my sexual orientation, at least as far as men were involved. But I had no romantic experiences, just an unfulfilled crush. Why did life have to be so complicated? Cursed world and cursed Lumos.

Meanwhile in Lightburgh:

“Cornelius, we should make the most of the last few weeks of the year before we have to go back to the Academy.” <Ansgar>

“Do you really have to do that, Corni? We've only just returned. I've had enough of all these stinking undead.” <Eleonore>

"Hmmm, but I'd like to point out that some of us have already invested all our EXP in our main skills. We need to make the breakthrough first so that we can increase them further.” <Javier>

“You're all right. The time until the academy is too short to travel to Tyros. So both dungeons are out. All that remains is to increase our training so that we can continue to improve the first skills even without class advancement.” <Ansgar>

“Hmm, we should concentrate on the most important skills then.” <Javier>

“Let's limit ourselves to two skills then. For me, that would be swords and heavy plate. Possibly also shield fighting.” <Cornelius>

“For me, it's definitely the axe. Only when I have it do I go for body strengthening. I need more power." <Ansgar>

“Do you have to do that?” <Eleonore>

“Hmm, yes sis. Try to improve your light magic. Then you can unlock a second area.” <Javier>

“All right. Then I'll be able to heal better. It will help my Corni." <Eleonore>

“And with you, Javier?” <Cornelius>

“Hmm, that's hard to say. I'd rather increase my other elemental magics. But if I have to settle on one, it would be fire magic. Then I'll get a good AoE spell.” <Javier>

“Good, that gives us our goal of what we want to accomplish by next spring. Each of us should train at least one skill so that we can improve it further. Let's get on with it.” <Cornelius>

The others nodded in agreement.