A building soon came into view. Rue shielded her eyes from the sun while inspecting it, "Is it the entire building we're taking as a home?"
"I don't have that kind of money. We're renting a room. Similar to the hotel one, but more long term.", Akiol corrected.
"I feel a building of this size would have been unnecessary anyway."
"I'm decently confident you rebuilt the demon lord castle after the old one's destruction. The size of that dwarfs this building."
"I had to home thousands of Demonfolk, I had a reason. Currently it's just you and I."
Shrugging Akiol couldn't refute the point, "Fair enough."
The two walked up to a smaller building on the lot. Akiol knocked and a gruff older man opened it. Rubbing his face he asked, "James?"
"Indeed. You're Mr. Silvester?"
"That's me.", Silvester shook Akiol's hand.
Looking back into the small building Silvester grumbled, "You're earlier than I thought. Give me a minute and I'll be right out for you."
Akiol rose an eyebrow, he was actually right on time. Regardless he gave the gruff old man his time. Stepping back he returned to Rue and asked, "So what's your thoughts on the area?"
"You're asking me?", Rue questioned his reasons.
"You have a say since you're potentially going to be living here too."
"Is that so?", Rue found a small smile forming on her lips, "I still lack in experience to give a reasonable opinion. My intuition isn't giving me any warnings about the area at the very least."
"Then you can let me know when we see the apartment itself."
Silvester walked out of the small building with ruffled clothes. Massaging his temples he moved towards a set of stairs, "Let's get moving."
Akiol wondered why Silvester arranged for the meeting to be so early if he himself wasn't going to be prepared. Regardless he followed silently. Going up to a second floor Silvester used a key to open a door, "Here it is. Two bedrooms one bathroom, and a kitchen. The window is currently stuck, I have a guy coming next week to take a look at it."
Silvester didn't waste any time on selling the apartment nor on pleasantries. Allowing the other two to walk in he sighed and leaned against the wall, "There's not much to look at. Bathroom has the essential, working shower, sink, toilet, although no bath. Asides for some essential furniture the place doesn't have anything else."
Rue stifled a chuckle. The words from Silvester were quite true. She checked out a room to find it empty asides from a drawer and a basic mattress on a bedframe. There really wasn't much to look at.
Akiol asked, "When's the last time the mattresses were changed out?"
"After the last tenants moved out. Although it's been a while since this room had a tenant that lasted more than a week so they're not fresh.", Silvester grumbled.
"Why is that?"
"Something about the room being cursed. I don't believe in that crap though so whatever."
Ears perking at the comment Rue's eyes flashed with a demonic symbol. She looked about and found nothing out of the ordinary, but it was still early morning. Catching a stray gaze from Akiol she shook her head to convey she found nothing.
Moving closer Akiol spoke in a lowered tone, "Setting aside the potential haunting, what's your thoughts?"
Rue shook her head, "I have no complaints. This beats the tube in all categories. It would be nice to have a place to call home."
Pinching his lips together Akiol nodded, "Very well."
Asides from Silvester's straightforward attitude Akiol had no complaints himself. It would serve the purpose he would need. So Akiol changed subject and directed his next question towards Silvester, "You mentioned a minimum of a six month contract?"
"There's a severance fee if you wish to cancel it early. Although if I'll waive it if there's issues in the first week.", Silvester sighed, "Aside from that you're free to do with this place as you please. Just no permanent damage to the walls or it's coming out of your security deposit."
"Understandable. This works for us, how quickly can we move in?"
"As soon as the papers are signed and I receive my deposit."
"Let's get started."
It fit Akiol's requirements, and the rent wasn't too expensive. In hindsight it seems the rent was constantly lowered for new tenants but it being 'haunted' was probably the reason why it was still listed. No matter, Akiol has faced worse. Something being supposedly haunted was not the slightest bit concerning for him. Additionally Rue didn't find anything, and with her blessings her sight outclassed his own.
Silvester was overly eager to get the process done. So much so that he was impatient and urged Akiol to hurry with the process. Once it finished Silvester stacked the papers together, "Great, you can move in if you wish. As long as there isn't any issues with these of course. If there's anything wrong you can message me."
Slipping Akiol a phone number Silvester opened a door and ushered him out, "I'll contact you when everything is finished processing."
"Thank you.", although somewhat curious to why Silvester was in such a rush Akiol maintained his manners.
Returning to the apartment he found Rue sitting on one of the beds. Crossing his arms Akiol asked, "I presume you claim this room?"
A teasing smile seemed to sprout on Rue's face, "Unless you want to?"
"Just asking for confirmation. Doesn't matter which room I get."
"Then I'll take this one."
Akiol then tossed a key towards Rue. Her face flashed with confusion as she caught it with ease. Examining it she asked, "This seems like a key. Do all doors not hold the same key we use in that 'hotel'?"
"No, it's more common to use physical keys like this. That one is yours."
Rue held the key in her palm and felt its weight. For a second she enjoyed the idea of a place to call home. It made her faintly recall her old home, with her Generals working so very hard to raise her. She suppressed the longing of that memory and stood up, "So, I guess we're going shopping?"
"That we are."
"Where to first?"
"Clothes, that's our first priority."
As the two began to leave Akiol paused and double checked the new address. Upon confirming the shipping address he pulled out his phone and ordered two of the VR headsets. Although he could probably ask Terwin-no wait it's Joen-for the pair he asked for previously, he didn't wish to bother them unless it was necessary.
From his financial standpoint the VR headsets weren't a huge investment. Additionally when he was able to use his pod again he could probably take one apart. Not that he was tech savvy enough to understand what he was looking at if he did. Having extras didn't hurt.
Glancing towards Rue he also figured she should continue her own adventure within A World's Legacy. Perhaps through her he would learn why A World's Legacy can recognize foreign God's blessings. Or maybe she'd learn something with her own ability.
Sigh, and he still needed to find out how to travel to the western continent. What were the odds that he could stumble upon another artifact capable of transporting someone across the sea in an instant? There was no way he was going to set sail. . .
Definitely not, the boat wouldn't make it.
Akiol shook his head and pushed the concerns for the future version of himself. Right now he and Rue needed clothes, food, and other essentials. It was going to take up the entire day to get that done.
After using his fingers to comb his hair Akiol then rejoined Rue. The two made their way to various stores, stopping by to look at various items. As Rue was picking out various shirts she commented on the various appearances. Then she picked out another article of clothing to make a comparison, "What's with these? Some of them look like they won't protect you from any of the elements."
"Some people prefer clothing as a stylized choice. Similarly to the outfits and dresses of nobles. Thus they're willing to sacrifice some aspects to look nice."
"Is that so? That clears up why there's less fabric on some of these options."
Akiol shrugged, "I'm afraid neither I nor James was proficient enough to pick out clothing for style. Not that I would, function is more convenient."
"Hmm, this James character. He is?"
"The body I took over. The person you're looking at."
"Ah, so his name was James. You have laid claim to his memories?"
"When I arrived here both my own and James' memories seemed to flood my mind. It took me a bit to understand who I was at first."
"At such a price you gained familiarity with this world."
"That I did. It was clearly different for you."
Rue smiled, "That it was."
Rue sensed Akiol's unwillingness to continue this topic so she let it go. It was strange to her, this feeling to not pressure her old enemy. For some reason she didn't wish to anger him at the moment. Getting under his skin and irritating him brought her joy, but touchy subjects. . .
She shook her head, still she could not understand.