“The Abyssal Realm. Looks pretty dope, to be honest.”

Ronin immediately turned his head at this voice.

His eyes widened with pure delight, yet also burning hatred. Right beside him, observing the view of the Abyssal Realm from the Edge…..

Was the little golden boy himself.

He scoffed internally. ‘He’s not even being careful to not speak in English around NPCs. Typical Min Cheng.’

Cermin Drychspiel turned after seeing this little Coal kid stare at him so intensely. (Hm? Who is this kid? Why’s he staring at me like that?)

Little Ronin did not answer, just creepily staring at him as if he can see through his very soul.

(Ok, he’s weirding me out. Guess I better strike a conversation.)

He approached Ronin and held out his hand. “Hello. Nice view, isn’t it? I’m Cermin, what’s your name?”

Ronin just nodded while still looking at him like he wants to eat him._.

(Is he mute and deaf or something? I’ve never really met an NPC in HTM that’s as unresponsive as this before.)

Maellan managed to catch up to his baby brother that ran off. “Ronin! There you are, you’re not supposed to be so close to the Edge!”

He then noticed the golden boy by his side. “Oh, Your Highness. Greetings.”

Maellan bowed in respect to the royalty, and Ronin just watched.

(Who was this guy supposed to be again? He has blue skin like that Saphir….. Feiri….. I dunno, whatever the name of my soon-to-be girlfriend’s family.)

‘Tsk, and he still can’t remember names for the life of him. Typical Min indeed.’ Ronin thought.

“Ah, no need to bow. My dad is the prince, not me.” Cermin said instead. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, what’s your name?”

“Maellan Zafeiri. I think I have already introduced myself to you and your family when you arrived at our house.”

“Oh, right! Zafeiri!” Cermin shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, yeah! Cermin Drychspiel from Scirocco, though you might have heard about me already.”

He pointed to Ronin. “You know this little guy?”

‘He speaks too informally in this fantasy setting too. Tsk.’ Once again, Ronin said his usual catchphrase on his mind. ‘Typical Min Cheng.’

“This is my… my servant’s brother,” Maellan said, seeming to be pained to lie as well. “Ronin Willowe. I was asked by his sister to bring him back to the edge.”

“Sister, huh? Where is she?” Cermin said excitedly.

(Is she hot? Wait, how old is she? Never mind, I can see her now. Not my type.)

Ronin became more and more aggrieved by Cermin Drychspiel’s thoughts, his gaze becoming more intense.

“Ronin, bow to the prince.” Maellan reminded him. “Come on, be polite.”

“I don’t want to. He’s just a kid my age, why should I bow?” Ronin finally spoke.

“Ronin!” Maellan was surprised by his brother’s attitude.

“Ah, he can speak! I thought he must be too illiterate to speak for a moment.” Cermin chuckled.

‘Of course I can speak, and all illiterates can speak too, you dingus. They just can’t read or write.’ Ronin retorted in his head. ‘But of course, your dumb brain wouldn’t know that.’

“I’m not illiterate,” Ronin responded with an even tone, and went closer to Maellan. “I can read 500 pages of books and write an essay about it…. ‘Your Highness’.”

“Ah, yes. Our little Ronin is a genius.” Maellan said proudly. “But he can be a bit difficult to communicate with, so please pardon him. Ronin, go now and bow.”

“Haha, he’s right though.” Cermin waved his hand. “No need to bow. And his ability to read and write even as a baby is really impressive.”

“I’m not a baby.” Ronin said with gritted teeth like a rabid animal that would bite any second. “I’m just a year younger than you.”

“Ah, is that so? You’re so small and cute that I thought you were still a baby about 1 year old.” Cermin laughed lightly once again. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Ronin. I’ll be going now, my parents must be looking for me.”

“He was also happy to meet you, Your Highness— er, Cermin.” Maellan smiled politely.

“Not really.” Ronin rolled his eyes.

Maellan chuckled nervously and carried his stubborn little brother. “Ronin, say goodbye to the prince’s son now. Don’t be rude.”

Cermin chuckled as well and reached out to pat Ronin’s head. “Follow your master’s orders next time, ok? A servant shouldn’t be so disobedient like that. Be a good boy.”

Ronin was about to give him his divine CHOMP! for having the audacity to touch his hair and say those words—

But Cermin luckily retreated it back in time. “Alright, bye-bye!”

Maellan and Ronin watched him jog happily away, and the latter secretly wished he would fall off the Edge as he did.

“The prince’s son sure is an interesting person. He speaks so differently.” Maellan said.

“You mean weirdly.”

“Don’t say that, perhaps that’s just how he was raised in his kingdom.” The eldest Zafeiri brought Ronin along back with the others at the burial. “Ronin, why were you so rude to him earlier? Did you not say you were interested in him?”

“I did. That was me being nice.” Ronin replied dryly. “Put me down.”

“No, you might run off to the Edge again.” Maellan said. “You should learn to speak with more tact and respect towards nobles like that, Ronin. Especially nobles of higher standing.”

“But did you not say that you wish to treat everyone equally, no matter the Heartstone or the status?” The Coal Boy retorted.

“Yes… But not everyone believes that.” Maellan sighed. “I’m sorry that you would have to act as a servant whenever were in public now. I hope you would understand.”

“I do understand that.” Ronin sighed. “Fine, I will act nice and polite to nobles… at least those older than me.”

“Ah, Ronin. You are so stubborn like Mother sometimes.” Maellan smiled sadly.

The burial was finally over, and everyone had said their goodbyes to the late Duchess Akasa Zafeiri. Ronin felt that this final goodbye was already long overdue, everyone just repeated what they said already.

The people traveled back in their separate ways, going to their homes. He saw the carriage of the royal family of Scirocco get smaller and smaller as it moved farther into the distance.

Ronin’s mind was only filled with murderous thoughts toward one of its passengers.

‘A servant shouldn’t be so disobedient. Tsk. And why must I be obedient to anyone, especially to the likes of you?’

And so, that was how his first encounter with Cermin Drychspiel went. They would not be able to meet again after a few more years, however.

Until Belladonna’s 5th birthday, to be precise.