It was already late in the afternoon, but the City Park Festival was still lively. People from all walks of life have attended the Festival since this afternoon. In the Festival, many prepare various kinds of interesting entertainment activities such as attractions, free food from the harvest, fashion exhibitions and various raffle games.
The two of them walked from the library to Kailt's bakery. Eldred raised his face to the sky. Staring at the increasingly orange horizon behind them. They walked with their backs to the sun that cast their shadows ahead.
"She's your friend?" asked Eldred who still didn't take his eyes off him. "Yes. She always helped me when I was little. Before I ran away from church." he said.
"I'm very impressed with her vast knowledge. She's smart." said Eldred. Kenley nodded in agreement. "She has always been very smart. So it is not surprising that she is now a journalist." said Kenley recalling those Beautiful memories again.
"Oh yeah, how about tonight we go to the Festival event in this city?" Kenley suggested. "I've never seen such an event in Ortania," he continued.
"Okay, I think Kairlt will also allow us to go out for a while tonight" said Eldred, adjusting the position of his hood which was being blown by the wind with every step. The light cloth hood was always attached to his neck.
"I think too, he will make food for us, let's hurry!" Kenley immediately ran through the cobblestoned road they passed, just like the main road of Gracylia City when they had just arrived at the capital. "Hey!" Eldred rushed to catch up with Kenley who was too enthusiastic.
****
The sun had completely set, the night came with the moonlight shining combined with the light from the oil lamps hanging from the capital's buildings. After he arrived at Kairlt's place, Kenley and Eldred walked towards the city park, where the Harvest Festival was taking place. Like a city square, the place was still bustling as the event progressed.
Kenley and Eldred slipped through the crowd. Enter the crowd. This was the first time Kenley had been able to witness an event like this in his life. His childhood he only spent time in church, occasionally he went to the Nylon Valley to relieve his boredom.
As he had expected earlier, Kairlt allowed them to wander around the Festival. Kenley bought cotton candy and took some of the food on the table, and bought two glasses of palm wine for him to share with Eldred. He bought it with the remaining money in his pocket.
The two of them sat on a park bench facing a fireworks display. The farmers danced happily, and gave thanks because this year's harvest from their fields had abundant results.
Kenley and Eldred were mesmerized by the colorful charms that shot through the air, then shattered in the sky. Eldred's Blue Eyes now blended into the beam of light produced by the fireworks.
"Well I guess that's enough, we better get back to Kairlt's place before midnight" said Eldred breaking his gaze. "That's right," said Kenley hastily finishing his meal.
They got up from their seats and headed straight for Kailt's rye bread shop. "What are we going to do tomorrow?" Kenley asked innocently. "We'll start looking for the Crystal piece. The book we brought from the library has clear clues" Eldred said in his usual tone.
****
After returning to Kailt's place they went straight to the flour storage shed, where they had slept the night before. They saw Kailt was busy in the kitchen. Looks like he's making his wheat bread as he usually does. Eldred looked around for a moment before finally taking his eyes off the book on top of the box.
He also looked at the map he had, with the area already marked on the map, Eldred and Kenley were about to embark on a journey to find the legendary Crystal piece. Eldredn went back to reading the book, and according to the book, Crystal Crytilops were objects revered by the Elfaires.
The author of the book provides an explanation. That the Elfairites really admire and adore nature. They use nature to develop their lives. Eldred was now convinced. Lord Hardikha is one of the Elfair people who believe in him. Not only Lord Hardikha, Kairlt also believed in him.
The Elfairites loved peace more than enmity. But because of the greed of the Hamoursh that made wars happen in the past, even the two nations from some people still hate each other until now. Because there is a long history in this continent, about the expansion of the territory of the Hamours and the Elfair nations which conflicted with each other causing a great war. Or a legendary item belonging to the Elfairites that some in the Magire Kivanal believed.
But Eldred didn't really think so. Since her memory still couldn't be completely lost due to Clevan's incident, the jet black haired Elfair had stolen the Sword given from Lord Hardikha from her ever since they were in Myrana. Eldred snorted in annoyance.
"Have you got any information?" said Kairlt who was suddenly standing in the doorway. Eldred and Kenley nodded in unison. "We got information from this book" Eldred showed the book he put on top of the box. The Elfair came up to him and looked at the cover of the book, as if he were familiar.
"You stole it from the library?" Kailt asked suspiciously. Eldred quickly shook his head. Kenley immediately grabbed to answer the blonde Elfair. "My old friend gave us this at the library. That's not stealing, is it?" he said, raising an eyebrow.
Kairlt let out a lazy breath. "The name of going to the library. People who come there are sure to read or borrow books. While you-" continued Kairlt.
"You know this book?" Eldred asked instead. Kairlt nodded firmly. "I know this book very well, because Aithen of the Elfairites wrote this book!" he explained.
Kenley and Eldred looked at each other in disbelief. "Tomorrow like it or not, you have to return the book." Kailt said again as he hurried off.
Kenley snorted in annoyance. They spent the whole day searching for information, and Kailt told them to return the book at will. That's stupid and would be a waste of time.
"Really he is!" Kenley stretched out on the floor, staring up at the ceiling of the warehouse that seemed to be dotted with cobwebs. His body feels shaky today. Plus they had to pack their things tomorrow to leave Kailt's place early in the morning.
"Don't return it. That's our only clue. After all, when we were in the library, we thought it was Aithen, the Elfaire, who wrote it." Kenley turned around. Ready to sleep.
Eldred thought for a moment. He didn't have the same mind as Kenley who easily made decisions, without thinking about the consequences. Naturally, he grew up and lived in a band of robbers. He lowered his head and looked at the thick book in his hand. He hadn't had time to notice an Aithen's name written on the bottom cover of the book. Hearing what Kairlt said earlier, it was clear that he did feel that it was brutal for him. 'I'm not a THIEF' were the words that crossed his mind.
He didn't want to get into trouble for his own people at all, moreover the Lord of their kingdom had placed great trust in him. His heart felt heavy and worried. If he returned the book, the mission of conquering the Crystal Legend would be in vain because the book had many mysteries in it. If he doesn't return, then he will be in trouble. Or perhaps if an Aithen from the nation of Elfair realized that one of his works had been stolen by one of his own people, he could not imagine what punishment he would receive from Lord Hardikha.
Just thinking about it made it difficult for him to sleep even for a minute. Better to be a regular archer in Eisternd or the Gawhead mountains. His mind thought that those were words that suited him rather than having to deal with the kingdom. His blue eyes stared at the ceiling of the warehouse where they had stayed the night before. Eldred was already in a supine position preparing to sleep before the crowing of the rooster disturbed his ears the next morning. Despite finding it difficult, the Elfair managed to close her eyes and fall asleep.
****
The next day, still at Kairlt's place, Eldred woke up early in the morning to a loud noise from the front. The sound was very disturbing his sharp hearing. Eldred got up from the warehouse to determine what the noise was. A blonde haired Elfair, was preparing all preparations to re-open her shop as usual.
"Kairlt" called Eldred. The Elfair spontaneously turned her face to the person who suddenly surprised her.
"Hmm?" he returned to his busy life. "We're getting out of here," said Eldred.
"Yes, I hope you succeed. Oh yes-" he said. Kairlt rushed to the kitchen, took the bag of warm whole wheat bread he had just prepared for the two of them.
"This is for your travel supplies. Sorry I can't help anything" he said again a little sorry. Eldred looked at the textile bag in Kailt's hand. He accepted it because Kairlt had held out his hand, to give the bag to Eldred.
"Okay, you've helped us a lot, including allowing us to stay at your place" Kairlt said. He then moved from there to where Kenley seemed to be still asleep.
As soon as he arrived, the Hamoursh-blooded man seemed to have woken up and was trying to gather all his senses. "You woke up early, Eldred," he yawned, still feeling sleepy.
"I didn't sleep as well as yours," he replied flatly. He tidied up all his things, not forgetting the important books he had put in the box all night. Kenley headed for the bathroom as his head started to feel a little light.
"I'm waiting for you out front" said Eldred as soon as he was ready. The Elfair brought her bow as well as the book she had brought from the library yesterday. Kenley nodded in response without turning his head towards Elfair.
When they were both ready, they said goodbye to Kairlt and hurried out of the rye bakery. They had already walked out, but it still felt very early in the morning. The sun had not yet appeared showing its warm orange rays to the capital. There were still a few oil lamps still hanging on between the buildings they passed. However, some have been extinguished.
Kenley occasionally took a breath of the early morning air, which still felt very fresh. He looked at the buildings around him. "Where are we going?" Kenley asked. Eldred paused for a moment. He felt unsure.
"We just robbed the bank. For our expenses for the next week," he said.
Kenley was a little surprised, even he had forgotten his image as a robber.
"I'm not sure," he said, rubbing the back of his head with one hand.
"You mean?" Eldred was confused. "You know what a human is like, right? Especially if I do it with an Elfair like you. I'm afraid-" His words were cut off when Eldred slapped Kenley's shoulder a little harshly. "As your friend, I can only trust your ability. So do it" he said with a wry smile.
"What's the point if I signed on the agreement letter. That bullshit yesterday?" he continued. It was unbelievable for Kenley for an Eldred in front of him right now. Even though there are still positive things, such as working and getting paid.
"Why don't we just work?" Kenley suggested. Eldred shook his head. "Work will only take a long time to earn money," he said.
Inevitably, Kenley agreed with what Eldred had just said. So he remembered what Dryzell had said in the guild a few weeks ago. Work is just a waste of time.
The two of them continued to follow the path they were on until they arrived at the place they had intended. Across the street, there is a building with the words Bank written above the entrance. The building is next to other buildings.
The sun began to peek from the east. Slowly lighting up the city. But the building that will be the target for the two of them still looks deserted and tightly locked. Kenley and Eldred hid in the narrow alley opposite. Waiting for the bank to open. They saw some people passing by, some on the Vlats train, some on foot.
"What is your plan?" Eldred asked Kenley. Kenley held his chin with one hand, thinking about the best way he used to do his job in the guild. Usually he and his friends used to do it when they robbed, assisted by gas mixed with sleeping pills. That's why they always managed to escape unnoticed. But this time it was different, that meant Kenley had to think of another plan. After he thought for a while, he finally spoke up.
"Okay, I have an idea." he said. "But I don't want anyone to die, neither us, nor the person at the bank," he continued.
"I agree. If someone dies, I don't know what punishment we will bear later. I want us to run away without anyone finding out." said Eldred still looking around. When the morning was getting light, they saw a bearded man coming towards the place, he seemed to be someone who worked at the bank. "This is it." Kenley looked enthusiastic. He felt as if the soul of a thief was starting to flow in his blood.
"We came there pretending to be a visitor who was about to exchange money, so after we confront that guy, I want you to hit him with your bow. I'm sure he just fainted. And that's when the opportunity was there" said Kenley while smile wryly. Look at the person who has entered.
"I see, come on" Eldred snapped. They rushed into the bank. Eldred didn't forget to wear his hood to cover his pointy ears so there wouldn't be a fight.
They opened the door, and were already inside. The person standing right in front of him was a million rubies stored in a large box on a long table.
"Excuse me, sir," said Kenley. The person turned his gaze towards Kenley and Eldred who were now right in front of him. "Oh sorry, is there anything I can-" Before he finished, Eldred immediately swung his bow. He hit the man's head pretty hard, until the man fell down and fell unconscious.
Kenley and Eldred smiled widely. They feel if the opportunity they find feels in their favor. They hastily forced open the box, but could not. The box uses a special password. "Shit!" Kenley snorted in annoyance. Eldred tried several original passwords, but to no avail.
Without thinking, Kenley pointed his Slikers at the automatic keyhole, then fired it open. Their eyes shone when they saw the pile of rubies that filled the big box. They put the ruby into a leather pouch they used to keep money in. After the bag was full enough, they then immediately rushed out to escape.
However, it seems, the sound of gunshots produced by Kenley's Slikers earlier, aroused the suspicions of the people who were passing by in front of the bank. And sure enough, just as they arrived at the door, there were several people standing there.
"Robber!" someone said and they both didn't care who just shouted at them. They succeeded in making the atmosphere around the bank noisy and broke. They hurried away from there, running away so as not to be caught by the people who were now chasing them. Unknowingly, the hood of the silk cloth worn on Eldred's head fell off from running, but he didn't care and focused on one thing, Escape.
After running for quite a distance, they finally arrived at a deserted place. Kenley looked behind him and the men weren't after them anymore. They gasped for breath as soon as they thought the situation was now safe.
"Okay, it's still early like this, we've made trouble in this city. Hahaha" said Kenley who was still holding his breath.
"The important thing is that we have more than enough money for the next week." Eldred looked at the bag filled with rubies with a satisfied smile.
"Alright, we have to get out of this town before there's a bigger problem" said Kenley who was grabbed by a small nod from Eldred. They walked down a narrow alley that still looked very foreign, moreover they did not know where the end of this big city was. But according to the directions on the map, Gussin was south of the capital Gracylia.
"According to the markings here, I can conclude that the Crystal Shard is in Brandish," Kenley argued. Eldred also felt that way. "Okay, what's wrong with us trying to go there" he snapped. "We have to pass through the city of Gussin before we finally get there.
****