“Praise me more!”

  Shizune flashed me a smile, the usual “I did something right for you!” smile. 17 years old, brash and energetic, and talks as if she did something very pleasing.

  I smacked the back of her head and sighed, “We wouldn’t have gotten in this mess if you just followed my lead.”

  I took a moment to look around us and sighed, monster corpses everywhere. Shizune pouted, “But I got us good stuff to sell in the process! Come on, praise me!”

  I shook my head and began making my way back to town, a pouty Shizune following me from behind. It was a long day and the sun was already beginning to set. Sooner or later, we would have to set-up camp once again, hoping that we’ll get another chance at a good night’s sleep.

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  "Not even a teeny, bity thank you?" Shizune insisted, walking backwards while looking at me.

  "Kinda getting tired of this," I muttered, "Fine, thank you, Shizune, for creating a troublesome situation for both of us."

  "Ahaha, I'll take it!" With that, Shizune happily skipped forward. I can only watch and feel amazed at how fast she has recovered from her past traumas.

  I took a deep breathe and exhaled, ready to finally relax in the town inn after hours of fighting off monsters. But among the scent of the surrounding flowers, there was the scent of something burning. And then I heard Shizune gasped and saw the sight that caused it.

  "No! No no no no no-" Shizune, with a look of terror in her eyes, started to run towards the burning town but I quickly grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back.

  "It's too late," I told her, tightening my hold on her, "We can't do anything now"

  The town of Riute was burning and once morning comes, it will be no more. As I looked at the flames in horror and rage, I can only mutter one more word before we turned away.

  "Diavolo."