Chapter 1406: Let's Start Over

Chapter 1406: Let's Start Over



After solving the whole debt problem with Ruby, and with the debtors leaving right after, we decided to sit down and calm down a bit more. Ruby was still nervous though, that we paid the debt simply redirected her fear towards us, or me, I don't know...

"I-I don't know how to even repay you now! W-What do I do?! Did you really had to do this?" Ruby cried, groaning as if she was about to die.

"You don't really need to repay anything," I said with a smile. "Money is money anyways, just material goods, that'll never replace the freedom they would have taken away from you if you became a debt slave... Which is also something I'll need to talk with my grandfather one day. I don't really like that weird law."

"B-But something like that..." Ruby muttered. "It makes me feel strange. There is no person in the world that would just give away so much money out of nowhere, without expecting anything in return!"

"I truly don't expect anything in return!" I giggled. "Maybe I've lived a good life, enough to not make me greedy. So I sometimes just give away money and goods I don't need. It doesn't necessarily mean I'm stupid either, I don't let others take advantage of my kindness."

"O-Oh..." Ruby sighed. "Well, I can't really feel good after that though, Sylphy! I need to somehow repay it! You know, it's just dwarves are. We won't leave a favor unpaid. Even less one of such amounts of money. Dammit!"

Was she happy or angry? I couldn't tell.

Is this how dwarves are?

"Well..."

I didn't know what to say, I don't want to force her to do anything. The first time we met, she had sent us away because she thought we would force her to do what she didn't want to do.

And I can't just go back to that and do it anyways, it's just wrong!

"Listen, I know you're a softie," said Ruby. "I can already tell in those eyes! You're a sheltered young lady, huh? I kind of envy that a bit... But well, fine. I know you don't want to say anything after I had gotten upset because I thought you would be forcing me to do stuff as a hero... So how about you listen to my request then?"

"Yes?" I wondered.

"You're cute, Ruby!" Celica smiled. "I love your hair and how you use makeup, also your painted nails! I've been thinking about painting my nails recently, and using makeup because I've become more grown up now..."

"So you were born a boy..." I nodded. "I see! That's so interesting! There are so many different people in the world, it's kind of amazing, don't you think? I'm glad you could look like the girl you are at heart, Ruby. I think you've done an excellent work!"

I gave her thumbs up and winked at her to raise her spirits.

"E-Eh? You're... what?!" Ruby muttered. "Do I pass then? But... Ugh, I'm confused... I always thought I looked like some ugly thing..."

"You really have low self-esteem..." I said. "I doubt you think that! If you really thought you were so ugly why would you dress so nicely and are so good at makeup? You're totally cute and pretty! So don't worry!"

I mean, I don't shy away from calling cute girls cute... I hope Aquarina doesn't mind.

"Nah, if anything you look like a tomboy at worst," Celeste smiled at her. "Cheer up girl, you're good."

"I wonder if you dyed your hair? How did you do it?" wondered Celica. "Can you tell me tips about your finger paint too? Also what makeup do you use?"

"U-Uhh..."

Ruby was growing redder and redder, even redder than her skin color was.

Until...

"Ugh! W-What's wrong with you! S-Stop saying nice things to me! You're embarrassing me!"

She covered her face with her hands before flames came out from her slightly pointy ears.

FLUOSH!

Oh! Is that because she's half Red Oni? That's so cool!