"You see...crown fragments can only be used by those of noble blood, some experts made a way for commoners like me to be able to use them, they're called 'artificial crown fragments'."
"So what your pointing out is...?"
"There's a possibility that you're of noble blood or you somehow got those crown fragments from labyrinths."
"I grew up normally in a village, there's no way I have noble blood running through my veins."
Artificial crown fragments? Natural crown fragments? The world of crown fragments is just getting more and more confusing.
"Then why were you with those bandits that attacked the town of Geltix?"
"I had to join them and act like them in order to infiltrate them since they had stolen some artificial crown fragments that were getting delivered."
"So that was all an act..."
"Also, since we're making our way to Rayonaird, I recommend you to join the crown association since we're making an expedition to the border that blocks off the two sides of this world."
"That would make the trip easier but I will probably be under surveillance since I have this corrupted crown ring and I have natural crown fragments with me."
"We'll do something about that."
"What are you guys talking so seriously about all of a sudden?" Celene joined in
"You know these crown's right?"
"Of course! I've heard tales of heroes fighting against the demons of the other side using crowns!"
"Well good thing I don't have to explain to you!"
"Once we reach Rayonaird can Celene also join the crown association?"
"She has to take the Aptitude Test in order for her to join and since you Tarus already has one, they just have to examine your crown fragments and hopefully they will let you join in."
"Is the aptitude test difficult?"
"It's divided into two tests, written and physical test. The physical test is all about you displaying your skills in fighting, if you can't fight, they can test you for other classes like healers for example. The written test is just about the history of the crown users, I bet you could easily pass the test Celene since you have knowledge of the old stories about the heroes and the war that waged on."
"I'll try my best!"
"Best of luck to you Celene!"
"We'll head to Rayonaird in the morning so make sure that you guys get some good sleep!"
"Goodnight then."
"Goodnight!"
"Sleep well, knuckleheads."
Celene tossed me an extra blanket and pillow, Nanako then proceeded to turn off the lamp by the bedside. I then tossed myself on the couch, it got cold quickly so I had to cover myself with the blanket. Before I knew it the sun has risen and Celene was still asleep while Nanako was nowhere to be found. I silently left the room in search of Nanako, I headed downstairs to continue my search for her.
"Sir, have you seen a tall girl with long black hair and golden eyes?"
"She headed out early in the morning, she didn't say about going anywhere."
"Thanks for the help!"
I rushed to the outside, I felt something uneasy as I ran to the main street. Suddenly a pillar of light can be seen somewhere south of where I was currently, I dashed for the pillar of light but it was suddenly gone. Out of desperation, I boosted myself into the air not minding that people were staring at me, I hopped on of the roofs and continued to run while hopping through the rooftops. After a few minutes, I can hear the sounds of at least more than three people fighting and it was just near.
"THIS IS WHAT YOU GET FOR MESSING WITH MY MEN!"
I heard a deep rough voice of an adult man around his thirties, it got me worried so I dashed over where I heard the sound.
"LET GO OF ME! WHAT DO YOU WANT? MONEY?"
"WE'LL HAVE FUN WITH YOU FIRST THEN SELL YOU OFF! I'M SURE WE CAN GET HIGH VALUE FOR SELLING YOU!"
"PERVERTS!"
"What the hell are you assholes planning on doing to her?"
Without thinking I swiftly stood up and coldly spoke to them.
"Tarus..!"
"Oh, it's a kid!"
"We can sell his organs off!"
"You're not going anywhere, this is going to be your graves!"
"Everlasting ice crown fragment: encase them!"
I jumped as the bandits started to freeze from the feet to their chests. There in the middle of them was Nanako whose clothes were torn so I had to give her the cloak I got from the bandit in Geltix.
"Who's going to sell who's organs now?"
"WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO US?!"
"PHSYCO!"
"You'll have to spend getting tormented eternally in hell."
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
"Gates of hell: Drag these foolish sinners into their demise!"
"Tarus...?"
"Oh, sorry if things got out of hand...hey why are you crying!"
"It's all my fault! That I got us in this mess...I was trying to stop them..."
"It's not only your fault, let me carry your burden...c'mon let's go back, and no need to worry about them...they'll be spending the rest of their scummy lives in hell."
"You sure can be scary sometimes..."
"Haha, let me wipe off those tears for you, and let's hurry back since I'm sure that Celene is probably eating all the food we ordered!"
"Yeah!"
I held out a hand to her and she got up with a smile on her face, good thing I didn't frighten her. We got back to the Inn, not knowing what trouble we've caused. After finishing eating breakfast there was an unfamiliar man talking to the clerk on the counter, he wore a grey uniform and he looked like to be from some association or something.
"Is there someone named 'Nanako' here?"
"Caiso, is that you?"
"I finally found you! You rascal!"
"Sorry about that..."
"Nanako is he a friend of yours?"
"More like colleagues."
"How can you be so cold!"
"What do you mean cold? I'm always like this!"
"Ok stop quarreling you two."
"What did you come here for Caiso?"
"The crown detector detected something sinister open in the southern part of Esthel."
"Could it be...?"