I did promise to serve the country, but I vowed to love you.
✽――――――――――✽
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Days went on like that until the day that the mountain barbarians were set to attack the town.
Nothing much change in the sequence, Charles still made a quick stopped over the market to buy some flowers, the only difference this time is that, Xael was also in there only a few stalls away from him.
Still dressed in her image of a delicate helpless girl, Xael was observing Charles and a few men that was suspiciously yet amazingly blending with the crowd.
Not a few seconds after that, loud shrieks broke out alarming the people.
Rowdy men dressed in fur clothing took the light, they were holding sharp tools aiming to attack. They began to made ruckus, arrogantly threatening to kill if their demands were not met.
Small amount of people began to run away angering the leader of the barbarians resulting for him to order a kill. That move made the citizen panic and the market was now in turmoil.
Xael, who's in the corner only sighed. She was not interested on lending out a hand as that doesn't concern her mission. She just patiently observed Charles and waited for the right time to move.
Charles might be strong headed but he knows how to use his head, unfortunately, for him justice is more powerful than mind.
He was now stealthily walking to get closer the leader of the barbarians while holding his sword that was now out of its sheath.
Seeing the situation, Xael also got on her feet. She was only a few steps away from him when a voice called out to her.
"Miss Xael!"
After she glanced on the direction of where the voice come from, Xael saw a gray haired old man running to her side. That man was one of the people in charge in the orphanage, Father Ryuu. He was also a former military subordinate of her grandfather making the probability of Xael being seen higher.
'Noticing' Xael in the crowd and thought the she was in panic, the man called out to her, wanting to help her out of there.
Though her family and some close subordinates knew her true ability, years of habit on interacting with Xael in that delicate form made that 'true capability of her' slip off from that man's mind.
But that was not Xael's priority right now because in front of her a sphere of juniper green lights was glowing. Out of reflex, she hurried clicked it.
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" H I D D E N M I S S I O N "
"To Save the Children of the Orphanage"
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" Features "
The orphanage was attacked by a few members of barbarians while the male head was out to buy some necessities.
Mission 1: Save the children
Mission 2: Stopped the barbarians on burning the place.
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" Rewards "
Reward 1: A great backer for the main mission.
Reward 2: An item to support you on the next world.
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" Time Limit "
1 hour
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〚 Accept 〛 〚 Decline 〛
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As her instinct kick in, she immediately weighed the pros and cons of losing the opportunity on this scene and the gains she will reap on the hidden mission.
In a heartbeat, a decision has been made.
She nodded towards the man indicating her next move, because of her action, the man woke up from his actions as he nodded in understanding.
Finally satisfied, Xael dashed to one alleyway. It's at least good that she has prepared to fight in this scene making her ready in this sudden hidden mission. Triggering a hidden mission this early, lucky! Though hidden missions are always easy, they always pop out on a wrong time. Xael sighed.
A several seconds later, clatter of hoofs was heard in front of her. Two men with burly body walk towards her with a worried face.
"Xael! What's happening?"
Sigvard and Sigfred were still composed but the tone of their voice still held a lot of softness to Xael.
"Uncle, the children in the orphanage is in trouble. The barbarians have made a safe house on the orphanage while Father Ryuu was out in the market. We have to save them." Xael didn't beat around the bush and reported the event to her Uncles.
In actuality, Xael invited both of her Uncles today so they could grab some lime light from the halo of the protagonist. To not become suspicious in the eyes of the other people, of course, Xael told them to come by themselves. Who would have thought that some opportunity will arise, her decision actually became a drawback.
Both Sigfred and Sigvard were in the position of a Lieutenant General, though people address her grandfather as a General, he was actually a Unit Commander, the highest position in military, whenever he enters the battlefield.
This is also the difference between Xael Martineau and Charles Eccleston, Xael's family has a Unit Commander as a head of the family while Charles has a General.
In Sigfred and Sigvard's mind, it was no problem to save the orphanage as that is still considered as protecting the people, but one of the things that fueled their motivation is the misunderstanding that their niece has already a soft spot for the children in the orphanage thus she's being concerned right now.
This was also Xael's tactic. If I do it this way, then I'll still gain the rewards of the hidden mission and at the same time, change the fate of this heartless protagonist.
Though her happiness were cut short when uneasiness was suddenly felt in her bone. Xael has always a sharp intuition, the discomfort she felt this time gave her the hunch to stay back, the feeling that it's too early to make a move against someone.
Instead of sending her Uncles off, Xael decided to join the mission personally. She then mounted her horse and left.
In the whole way, Xael was quiet as thoughts kept on bouncing on her mind. Who was the one emitting such devious aura? This was not told in the story. Why are there so many holes in this story!?
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" Mini Theater "
Xael : "I can't believe I did that! I looked at Marshell in that...! No! We're not guilty, that's just pure admiration. We should focus on Charles, that jerk meat, first!" *slapping her cheek as if she wants to wake up*
Charles : *grabs Xael's shoulder* "How could you do this to me?! You act like a princess in front of me when you're nothing but a white lotus* (someone who is pure in appearance, but opposite inside)!"
Xael : *looked at Charles* *gasp* Zeether?!
Marshell : *push Charles away then grabs Xael* "She's no princess nor white lotus, she's my woman!"
Xael : *looked at Marshell* *gasp* Zeether?!
Marshell and Charles : "Who is it that you want, Xael? It's me right?"
Xael : "Wait! Why do you people have my husband's face?!"
Xyther : *tugs Xael's clothes* "Nuh-uh, it's me that mamie wants!"
Xael : That's rig---!! *looks at Xyther* Zeether?! W-What's happening?! Why is everyone---?!
Author : *laughing while looking at Xael who's having a nightmare in her seat... (≧艸≦*)* "Be thankful that General Atticus didn't appear on your dream~. "
" End of Mini Theater "