Using the train one more time, Juha sits beside me as she watches over me with curious eyes while I try to ignore her and enjoy the view and not look down...
(I have a weird feeling that my fear of height is not like what it seems... And what's with her?)
Hearing the clash of steel and the lady from the box again, it seems we've arrived near the gates. Or the open station near it.
(But where is this? This sure is not the same gate as before).
The walls behind the barricade show's its magnificence in the form of a giant cannon pointing towards the sky. Since I don't know where we were even going I look at the calm Juha asking:
"So, you actually know where to get the herbs huh?"
"Of course! As soldiers we are teach how to live of the land. We also mark where we gathered as well."
"I see... Thanks!"
"Hmph! The lands beyond the wall is pretty fertile and lush so you can find some easily near the forests near it, even in winter."
"Woah!"
(I wonder why they pay this much considering that's it's so EASY to find? And this may sound rude but...)
"But why are you helping me so much? Didn't you say you're going to watch?"
She glares at me and folds her arms replying:
"Hmph! It's only reasonable I aid you within the city but once we're out you're basically on your own! You got me?! And since this is your first time, I suppose some little help is fair!"
"Y-Yes! Thank you again!"
"Hmph! And cover your face, you'll attract to much attention."
Juha pulls the Robe's hood to cover my head and I nod pulling the hood replying:
"Really? Okay..."
(Really? I don't think I grabbed that much attention when I was travelling with Yoo-Ah).
Following behind Juha, unlike with Yoo-Ah the soldiers around us doesn't even approach us but instead smiled like they won or something while the people around look at me with pity or joy. Focusing my ear, I could hear talks and even whispers...
"Heh, look another one bites the dust", "Alright! I wonder if this city is rid of them already?", "Man the soldiers are pretty through in doing this. Wish they were like this before the exodus", "Shit, did this people forget what they did to us?", "She must be important if a Jade Bone is bringing her out. I suppose even the high society is getting the boot now."
(It seems I attract more attention this way- Wait! If you look at it from the other side I pretty much look like I've been captured and about to be thrown out like them huh? But wait, if there are groups of them out of the gates, how many gates are there? And how many have been thrown out?!)
I try to get my mind off it since I know that's not what's happening and look around to enjoy the view. The streets are mostly empty, as the stores, shops, markets are closed. Even the giant panels in the huge buildings are dark.
(What's with this place? I'm pretty sure the place I enter with Yoo-Ah are bustling with life and flashing lights).
My eyes wander as there are so many things to see. From the towering skyscrapers, a large bridge with a huge monument at the centre along with a coloured statue of the same man from the guild. But this time, he's rowing a boat alongside a lady wearing a huge hat that has rags drape to cover her face.
(Whoa, it seems there's just wonders everywhere I go here).
The soldiers make way for us as we reach the entrance of the blockade when one noble soldier with Silver trims approach us saying:
"Hehe, well, well, well, that Owlian must be someone of high profile for a jade bone to personally take care of. See kid? Even the Adventurer Guild on our side. That badge ain't protecting anybody."
He taps on the badge on my shoulders and Juha quickly shoves him abd her card with a glare replying:
"Don't misunderstand, soldier. She's a Guardian in training under Colonel Angeo himself and is working as an adventurer. So don't get any stupid ideas. Now hurry up!"
"A-Angeo!? O-Of course!"
(Me a Guardian? Why would she say that? More like what's a Guardian here anyway?)
Without even looking at the card, he return it back and quickly bang on the entrance. The giant blockade opens and we both enter when Juha looks back at me saying:
"And don't think too much of it either you fool! The Colonel told me to call you that, so don't think you're actually one, you got me!?"
"Y-Yes!"
"Good that you understand."
Juha nods satisfied as we exit through a small door instead of the giant gate. Entering the wall, soldiers salute us as we pass till the last door. Unlike before, the soldiers merely open the door and let us pass without raising their arms. One of them show their concern by saying:
"Please return safe, and be careful."
As it turns out, I could see small traces of blood that didn't get to be wiped from the corners.
(What did I get myself into?)
Quiet, eeriely quiet. Even with my heightened senses, I could barely hear any living being beyond.
(What's going on?)
The plains outside the gates are empty. Cold winds blew across the snow covered grass. While the forest beyond is turning white from the snow as well...
(I suppose they left?)
Exiting the place I look around more before Juha walks past me and breathe in the cold air and letting out a cold mist saying:
"Phooo... Alright, let's get this over quick. Open the map and check where we need to go. I'll stay behind you to watch."
"O-Okay..."
Hearing the doors shut behind me, I rummage my bag and pull out the map along with the picture of the herb. As I try to find out where I stand, it seems the map encompass more than I thought since this map not only shows where we can get it near this city, there's multiple cities here or I feel like the whole country is mapped here. Juha's finger went past my shoulder and taps at a place saying:
"Sigh, this is where we are, the forest ahead would be a good place to start."
Juha taps at the west side of the city which I realize the road we stand leads to the capital of this country. I nod replying:
"I see, thanks! Full speed ahead!"
(I suppose she's more kind than I thought to break her words like that).
*************************************
The sun shines bright upon the white earth. Snow blankets the trees and our trails. The freezing winds filling our lungs with cold air like needles to our skin... I just realize this but we didn't bring any winter outfit huh? Or equipment...
(Well, this shovel is enough and I'm not feeling that cold as well!)
I thought to myself as I dig out the snow from Juha's suggestion.
"Oh is this it?"
I drop the shovel and pull out the paper to compare the looks and information. Brushing aside the snow that got in the paper, I look the herb side by side while Juha asks:
"Oh? You finally dig it out?"
Finishing comparing the herb I nod and pick it put saying:
"Yea!"
Peeling the leaves and roots while wrapping the sticks with cloth per instruction of the guide. And since this is the first time I'm doing this, I broke a few but got used to it as I do more...
(Man, am I lucky that I has some guide and someone to help... I wonder how will I actually do alone all this time?)
Gloom wash over me as I realize how useless I am alone. Wrapping up 8 sets which is around 10 sticks per bundle. I wonder how they would turn this into medicine? I look back seeing Juha leaning on the tree rubbing her hands together and breathe out her frozen breathe.
(She must be cold, let's get back quickly).
"Alright, I'm done, I'm surprised by hoe easy you can find this many in one place. Your help is really appreciated."
I pack up all of the herbs as I say that and she smirks saying:
"Hmph! Now hurry and and lets go home. There's still that monster out there after all."
"Right..."
(Monster... I wonder how it look like- no, no, no! Don't think that- wait! I should, since I'm gonna take that thing down!)
As we continue our travel, Juha starts looking around panicked and I can't help asking:
"What's wrong? Is the monster really that close?"
"Oh, no not that."
Juha continues ahead before saying:
"It seems we're being followed."
"Huh? By who?"
I heightened my hearing senses to hear anything but other than the sound of the cold winds and the rustling leaves it creates, nothing seems to be moving. After all, there's been no living thing as we travel here. I continue saying:
"Maybe it's your mind, I don't hear anything."
"Call it intuition, I know this feeling all too well. It's a gaze of a depraved beast."
"Huh? Depraved beast?"
(So the monster is close?)
I ready my hand to summon my weapon when Juha looks around again saying:
"Hey, remember what I told you about this morning?"
"Huh? Oh, bandits right?"
(Wait so it's not monsters?)
She nods and place her hand on her cloak replying:
"It seems your memory is still alright. But yes, in fact there's only one group of bandits left that hangs around the kingdom."
She walks back closer to me and pull a pistol out on one hand and her baton on the other. Worried I focus even further and try to find out why's she so worried.
"It's a group of only 2 but they made their debut recently by breaking through the fortified borders on the north and one of them even singlehandedly defeated the Generals guarding it. Since then they have ravage through all of the villages, stealing clothes and crops before hiding in the blind spots of the kingdom. Though their damage isn't extensive but it is truly demoralizing."
"Really?"
(They're that dangerous?)
I turn around to stand back to back with her and continue saying:
"And your intuition is telling you they're here?"
"No, but there's a high chance. Prepare for battle. They might be more dangerous than the monsters."
"Uuuh..."
(Where does she gets the idea?)
"So do you know what they look like?"
"Well, surprisingly they say the two looks pretty young. One is a few years older than us and the other in his early twenties. The one in early twenties seem to be a tall man with green eyes-"
"Speak of the Heavens and they shall arrive, though I'm no deity."
" "!?!?" "
(Where did he come from!?)
Shock by the sound coming from my back, I turn around and try to summon my weapon. Seeing a man taller than 2 meters with his lower face covered by cloth but his jade eyes gleams bright among the white surrounding along with his short messy black hair. Juha strikes with speed that would surpass mine,
(Whoa! She's ridiculously fast! But...)
"Though I would prefer if you could add hot and handsome to that line. Plus, I'm still 18 you know?"
*Smack*
He strikes even faster and without being able to see his hand movement at all, Juha crashes to the ground and I tried to quickly strike but while my halberd forms his quick movement grabs my arm and wrap his hand on my waist before pulling me up closely to stare him straight at the eyes like an embrace. My halberd stops forming as I feel my power disperse. Seeing my jade reflection from his eyes, I could tell him smiling even through the cloth. As he brings his face even closer I pull away when he asks,
"Hoho? To find a lady with scars. Aren't this my lucky day? Say, that light and face... Have we met before?"
Now that he said that, he does sound familiar. Looking at him, he's wearing a familiar green blazer over his shabby clothes-
(Isn't that the school uniform from the mixed school? Even Sis Fei is wearing one of those...)
Without being able to react further, he pulls me closer and embrace me tightly as it feels like being wrapped by an unbreakable chains. I struggle but he doesn't even budge an inch like I'm stuck between mountains.
(So strong! And that green eyes... No way! What are the chances!?)
"Haaah~ so soft, it's been so long since I touch a girl... Now that I think about it, I never actually spend a day without a lady beside me, even during my underground days, hooh~"
Well I suppose a slap and is considered a touch so long since I hold this softness... Haah~!"
My hairs stands on both ends as I feel my heart drop from his statement. His moves to make an embrace as I feel his arms move somewhere dangerous.
(Wait what is he going to do to me!?)
"W-Wait! What are you doing!?"
"Hmm? Can't you tell? I'm caressing you... Well you can call this a passionate cuddle. Just some friendly hugging and rubbing."
"What!?"
(Is this how he is!? So Sis really is saying the truth when she said he's holding back! He's a deviant!)
I struggle even harder and exert force I never tried but he still won't budge.
"No-mmmph!"
(This restraining technique... It's familiar to the ones I learned recently!)
"Sorry, but bear with it. It'll be over once I feel this..."
"Mmphp!?!??!!!"
"Hmm? Weird, there's something's between your crotch."
As he continue to touch, he soon lets go of my mouth to touch with both hands. Seeing an opportunity, I struggled some more but I somehow gotten entangled even more as he pins me down. I look at him with tears coming out saying:
"Please, don't touch my pp anymore!"
The cloth on his face releases from my struggle and shows a familiar face. In shock and in despair, he lets me go. I can't help but cover myself as even if I'm wearing my clothes I feel as I've been stripped of everything. The man in question, is none other than one of Sis Yuwe's friend, Moriz. With a straight face he walks away and went to his knees.
"What the fuck have you made me touch?!"
He smash his head and bury himself to his shoulders to the snow. I back away to tend to the unconscious Juha and seeing her safe with only not even a bruise on her face.
(I'm pretty sure an attack like that could easily put a bruise. Is it internal?)
I look back at him asking:
"You're Moriz right?"
His arm moves and soon point at me saying:
"(Hehehe! I knew I seen that face somewhere. You're that cute spoiled brat from that ambitious cunt)."
"Who?"
His voice is muffled heavily with his head buried in snow. Checking to see if Juha is safe, he reply saying:
"(Yuwei of course, who else? Even my distant cousin's plan seem small compared to hers)."
"Don't badmouth her! And so you've been running around pillaging and harassing women all this time!? To think Sis would make friends with you! You're the worst!"
"(Hey, I usually bitch slap people like what I did to her. I don't just go around harassing girls! Besides, the ones I steal are the failing crops and torn clothes. What's wrong with me taking some trash?"
"Then what about me!?"
"(You don't count! And I'm glad you're not! Man am I lucky! Though I wonder if sexual assault against girly boys counts?)
He points with even more intensity and I can't help but grab some snow and throw it at him shouting:
"Go and get purge!"
He fans his hand out replying:
"(Purge? Heh, I doubt those Templars could stand a chance against me. After all, just like you, I too have the light of Libera)."
"A jerk like you?"
"(Can't you see it? Of course a Hero like me would have one. Though I was kind doubtful since I couldn't really read you)."
"You a hero? You're a disgrace to that title!"
"(Harsh, I suppose, I guess my pent up frustration is letting itself out)."
As I hold Juha in my arms, I heard something coming closer from above. A tiny monster with obsidian wings lands beside the buried Moriz and start tapping him with its paws with sad noises and hisses at me. He pets the monster to quiet it down before pulling himself out with a satisfied smile. He grabs the beast, in his arms saying:
"Well, I'm sorry again. I'm sure as a man yourself, you understand what if feels being pent up for weeks with nothing but a dude as your roommate right?"
"Go bury yourself again!"
"Harsh, hmm... Say, why don't you follow me?"
"Fudge no! I now understand why you're arrested back then! Or why the girls at your school hate you!"
I throw another snowball at him but he takes it to his face and wipe it away easily replying:
"Hey, I was arrested for false charges! And that last part is... Actually true but..."
He pets the winged monster which lets out a happy growl before continue saying:
"The only way to know that info is only through the left wing, so you manage to sneak in the all girls school too huh~? Well done! It seems you're not so different, you and I- I mean...
Well, I just want to say I'm sorry. Hmm... Yeah, this could work. I got something to give you. So why don't we exchange information and catch up? I want to know what's happened after that huge fire in the royal district."
"Why do we have to do that-"
He appear before me without leaving any footprints, raising his finger to shut my lips replying:
"If you can't tell, Yuwei's here on this peninsula you know. Along with her Elite Honour Guards. So I suppose it's not surprising to see her so called lil brother here... But why here when she's way up north?"
"What?"
(Wait, she's here? Why?)
"Well I doubt you know did you? If you wanna know more, carry her over. Our hideout is close. I have a feeling you're not here by your own violation too, right?"
"Even if that's true, I still won't. I need to bring her back to treat her. Besides, I seriously don't trust you."
"Yeah, I guess you're right. But will you hear me if I tell you about the dangerous monster roaming around?"
"Huh? What do you mean!?"
He pets the small monster again before saying:
"Let me tell you something, that monster is already dead."
"Huh? What are you saying?"
(Wait more like how did this turn about the monster? Wait... Can he read minds!?)
"No I can't read your mind. Your face is just obvious."
"Tch!"
(All the time!)
"I don't know what you're thinking but I need your help with your position. You're an adventurer right?"
He points at my badge and I glare at him replying:
"So?"
"Well, I need you to submit the proof to the guild along with it's other traits."
"Huh?"
"Say that you killed it okay? I mean gouging your strength when you struggle against me, I say you have the same strength as the monster, I think."
"Excuse me?"
I tilt my head in confusion and he continue saying:
"You can bring her back to base as you wish, she's just sleeping peacefully. But after that, I need you to find me again to take the credit. Can you do that?"
As he said that, I can't help but feel my determination crushed. As I realize my purpose is simply... Gone. Even though I know this is an accident I guess in the end, I just wanted an adventure? I clench my hand as fury rise from that disappointment shouting:
"How did you kill it?!"
"Woah! Well..."
He smiled sheepishly and scratch his head replying:
"I accidentally kill it when running away and breaking through the barricade. So basically I stomp it to death... Twice. And since it used its dying breath to lay its egg like those roaches, I felt so bad and decided to take care of it as long as I can. Which is until my name is cleared then I'll just give them to a friend of mine who's looking for a tamed monster."
(What is he talking about? I just realize this but he can speak Hwansea and Pyoeo too like me?)
"Ugh... Fine, bring me to your hideout and give me the proof."
(I suppose I should be happy that he helped by taking care of it. But he's still wanted!)
He smiles satisfied replying:
"Great, follow me."
I wonder... Will I be leaving soon? Then again, Ptelophy said that she needs me for something. Should I stay? But didn't he said Sis Yuwei is here? Aah! Whatever, let's see where this go.
*************************************
Like he said, not very far. So much so we didn't actually move much from where we fought since I could still see where I dig up the herbs. Carrying Juha on my back while Moriz lead the way, he looks back at me saying:
"Hehe, must be nice having those big things pressing against you huh?"
"Keep moving!"
"Sheesh, alright. We're here. Just step here."
Moriz drag me and he move his feet, soon the snow under us cave in.
"Waaah!"
As we fall, we didn't even fall far that I'm still standing. The hole above us close up as a new hole open up when he shouts:
"Kitten! I'm home! Did you miss me~?"
"(You fucking shit, I'll kill you this time).
I could hear someone murmur angrily as we walk deeper and I follow suit. The entrance we enter close up loudly as I wonder how I didn't hear all this? The cave is litten up by beautiful sparkling lime light as I wonder what they're made off. Giving off the feeling of an endless sea of stars, I'm enhanced by the view when I notice the end of the cave. Seeing a familiar figure in a shed and torn long white coat with messy black hair. He sits in the corner with his legs tuck in to make himself look as small as possible.
(Hmm, where did I see him before?)
Slowly he lift his head up to look at us with his crimson red eyes.
"Huh?"
He mutter before his stare turns to a glare when he jumps up shouting:
"You idiot! First a pet now a refugee!? And isn't that a noble soldier?! Have you finally lost it!?"
Shouting in runician, Moriz shakes his head and place his arm on my shoulder replying with the same language saying:
"You misunderstand, lil kitten I actually know this fella."
"Don't call me that!"
He smash the wall beside him which cause a pillar to emerge from beside Moriz' head but he dodge easily and tap the wall and return it.
(Is that magic?)
"Whatever it is, bring them out! We're gonna change our hideout!"
"Hol on, he won't be staying here for long. In fact, he might be our ticket out of here."
He walks closer replying:
"Explain how! And that's a girl, so refer to her as such!"
"Sheesh, (Well, I guess it's hard to tell without confirming huh?) Well, she's actually with Yuwei. If we play our cards right, she might even help us out or somewhere better than this suffocating tunnels. You know, Like how she help me out to invade the Empire."
"What!? Wait... I know you! You may have longer hair and different voice but I won't forget anyone close to that wench. You were there when I arrest that pervert!"
"Oh! You're that guy... Wait, don't badmouth my Sis! What if I call you kitten like him huh!?"
A nerve pop out from his forehead as he replies,
"Try it you bitch! And I have a name in case you forgot, it's-"
"Oh, shut it kitten. I'm sure SHE will remember kitten more anyways. By the way, here."
Moriz cover kitten's mouth and throw a large sack at my feet and continue saying:
"Take that back and present it to the guild."
Seeing the sack, I look at the monster on his head which is still as joyful as ever and wonder if its fake when its own child doesn't react.
"Hmph, I think you misunderstood, that monster isn't part of the mamarlia family, but it's undoubtedly more powerful than a champion class despite not being one since it survive one stomping from me. Anyways, its children parental senses haven't developed yet, so it thinks I'm its mother when it hatch from its belly and see me covered in its mother's guts and blood. So I can assure you that thing is real."
(It works like that!?)
Moriz answer me again as if he's reading my mind and I nod picking the proof by crouching when Moriz appear behind me with kitten still in his arms, he press my shoulder which feels like being push down to my knees by a mountain before saying:
"And one more thing that's monster related."
"P-Please let go."
"Not yet, you see, even though the monster's dead for a few weeks now. I'm sure you heard that around 4 days ago? A monster wave appeared right?"
"Yea?"
"Well that's what I wanna warn you about. In actuality, the wave started 5 days ago, luckily I was close to the city and since that place is connected to the forest, I contacted a friend of mine in the Witch's forest while holding the monster wave back for a day with kitten here. If we didn't, who knows how many people would die in the first day."
He wiggle the guy who's eyes starts to turn white before he lets me go and continue saying:
"There's no mistaking it when I first sense their coming. A Monster King Vessel was behind them, what's makes it even more obvious is that the monster wasn't being called or commanded but simply running away since their attack resembles a sweep than a wedge. And since even champion class monsters are part of the horde I dare say it might be a Marquise Class Vessel. But then it disappeared when I try to give chase and as you know, Monster King Vessels don't just simply run away unless they know they're irreplaceable so..."
(Wait they don't? Don't all monster run away when threatened? And only fight when in a corner? Then again if the monster back in Sis palace are Monster Kings... Didn't the thing that impersonate her mother ran away? Could it be?)
Moriz lets go of Kitten who fell to the ground unconscious before he taps on the wall and make the exit before continue saying:
"I dare say it might even be a Archduke Class which is the worst case... So go tell that to the Adventurers Guild or Hunters Guild as well, okay?"
"Wait, I don't think I can memorize all that so fast! Can you repeat that? And Can't you tell them about this?"
I stood up in panic after his sudden request but he merely shake his head replying:
"Sorry bud, but I'm wanted and I don't have much friends here. In fact, the friend I told you about is panicking, bitchy and blaming me since one of her best fighter is critically injured, probably by that Vessel in hiding... And from her injuries I suppose it can somehow use martial arts so it has humanoid body parts then."
(Ah so he thinks that as well... Sorry but it was actually me!)
"And the other friend is too busy with the war up north while the other one is captured by your precious Sis Yuwei so I hope you can help with that, than the other one is traumatized by the war up north and is missing, and the other one is..."
(I thought you said you have almost no friends here!?)
"And the other is too busy to care what happens down south and another one is... Well... He ain't gonna help much since he's wanted like me."
He pick up kitten and walks past me before continue saying:
"Besides, if those people in Central heard about me. This entire Peninsula would be in much more danger than the wars up north and the current Vessel combined. You might even see the entire peninsula sink into the ocean if push comes to shove. So see ya, take care and boo bye! Come again next time! Maybe we could have some time to hang out, it's nice to know there's a friend to talk to!"
"Huh? W-Wait!"
(And if what Juha said is true, shouldn't the fact he burst through a fortified border and defeated generals announce he was here!?)
But before I could retort back, a wall emerges behind me and push us away forcefully until we surge out of whence we came. We fling far away as it feels like I could grasp the tips of the trees. Realizing Juha is on my back, I quickly turn around and close my eyes to cushion the blow, falling face first as the snow that come along with came crashing down as well, burying us entirely...
*Burst*
(I fudging hate him!)
Bursting out of the snow, I look around and start to wonder... Where's the way home? We walked quite far from the main road and we lost view of the city...
"Right, the map."
Putting Juha down for a while, I quickly check and remember where we were but...
"Which way is south, north or the others? Right we go north from where I dig the herbs so..."
I look around to look where I dig but... It seems the snow has covered it up...
"I guess I should've left a sign when I travel... Schnitzel..."