"Why do we need to find a spy? Shouldn't that be work for the warriors from the village?"
The attendant moved forward. Peng Hu could feel that Kai was looking in a different manner to this attendant.
[There's something definitely up in here. Maybe... Kai has something for older woman? Or maybe... the attendant is Kai's mother!?]
"I apologize in advance but we can't do that at this moment. We are on high alert and the warriors are very busy these days. The Red Ember Kingdom is preparing to violate our agreement of peace and we have to be prepared for it."
Peng Hu nodded slowly.
[Red Ember Kingdom... If I remember right... the guys that were chasing Pina and I back then were from Red Ember Kingdom.]
"How do you know that there is a spy in the village?"
"It's come into our attention that our food supply has been probably sabotaged lately. The land around the village is rich in food and it doesn't make sense that the amount we have collected the past three months is lower than what we would usually have in bad season."
"I... see."
"Aunty Alis! You can leave it up to us! We will make sure to catch the spy!" - said Kai.
"Mr. Pen Who. Although your line of reasoning is correct, it is also in your best interest to help us with this cause. We could probably solve this problem over the time but it requires to dedícate effort and time to do so."
"? What do you mean?"
"If you help us with this small problem, your status as an intruder would be solved."
"It's great that you can fix your status Pen!" - said Kai. Kai was very happy that there was a chance to clear his friend from his unfortunate status, although it was this status that brought them together.
Peng Hu sighed. It's to his great interest to adapt well into the civilization of this world. Additionally, although he is still considered an intruder, the villagers never kicked him out forcefully. Now hearing what's the situation of the village, the villagers are probably wary of every newcomer.
[Sigh... I guess there is no other way around it. At least Kai is going to accompany me in this ordeal.]
"Kai. Stay here. I need to talk with you about a mission we are going to have and it's going to take a while. You can start your search without Kai, Mr. Who."
[... Are you trying to make this harder for me intentionally?]
Kai looked at Peng Hu with dejected face. Kai was looking forward to enjoy time together with his new made friend Peng Hu. Understanding the feeling of Kai, Peng Hu didn't back down.
"I need Kai if you want me to search for the spy. If I were to walk around the village, with my status as an intruder, it would be very difficult to gather information."
Kai was surprised. He didn't expect that Peng Hu would say that he was needed. It has been a long time since Kai has ever heard that he was needed for something wholeheartedly.
"Oh? I thought you would be better off without Kai, since he would only watch over you and restrict your movements..." - said the attendant.
"I don't need to. I want Kai to accompany me because he is... the best mage in the world!" - said Peng Hu determinedly.
Kai was very touched. Although Peng Hu was probably trying to say that Kai was his friend, hearing Peng Hu declaring that he is the best mage in the world moved him a lot. A tear could be seen in Kai's eyes.
"... Very well. We can push our meeting for later then Kai. Help Mr. Pen Who to find the spy or spies, and bring tranquility to the village." - said the attendant.
"Understood!" - said Kai.
"Do you have any clues as to what the spies would look like or where they would appear?" - asked Peng Hu.
"Since food commodities are being affected, you can start by searching for all food-related shops and its surroundings. There could probably be a spy watching over the supplies." - said the attendant.
"Okay. I got it. Let's go Kai!"
"Roger that Pen!"
[Um... how should I go about it...? And where exactly has the highest risk for sabotage... Kai could probably know a thing or two about it.]
"... And lead the way... please Kai..." - asked embarrassingly Peng Hu.
"Got it Pen!"
Soon after, Peng Hu and Kai left the Two Words Hall, right into the village in search for the spy/spies from the enemy.
_______________________
"I'm surprised you left this assignment to Mr. Pen Who, Ms. Alis." - asked the old woman.
"I'm also surprised myself... Didn't expect that he would stood up and wish for Kai to be by his side."
"Don't you think... it's about time we let Kai explore the outside world?"
"I guess... if it's Pen Who, maybe Kai would grow... but they first need to find the spy. This could also be the perfect opportunity to find out whether we can fully trust Kai on Peng Hu's hand."
"I understand, my dear. What about the phenomenon you saw last time, where time flow in Pen Who's body was different?"
"... I don't know... there's a huge probability that the Goddess is behind this."
"Difficult times are coming, my dear. I don't have much time left... It's better if you could reveal who the true Ms. Alis is to the rest of the village that don't know... especially Pen Who if we are to send Kai together with him on a journey."
"I guess the time for the act to begin its climax is about to come soon huh..."
"Yes... my dear. It's time to fix our sins."
[Red Ember Kingdom... prepare yourselves... for we are coming with everything!]
________________________
"... Sir Gayon. Rogue Pina is on the northwest and she is moving towards the west."
"Keep following her with a certain distance... it's time to capture our esteem troublemaker and one of the pillars of the Village of Siluca..."
"Yes sir!"