They're already back at the land of Lazaro, Zell really doesn't know where to start to find the curser but he needs to search for some information about that type of curse disease. They heard a loud noise from Risk's stomach, they're already been at the library for almost five hours since they reached the village.
The sun has already set, it's dark outside.
"How long do you plan to stay here?" Risk asks Zell, obviously he is already bored and starving to death.
"You can go, get some food now. I am alright." Zell said and then threw some coins to him, Risk stood up. Different books are around them. Risk asks why Zell had this kind of book and he learns that Zell's father is a retired adventurer, he also searches for curses in different places in the world and how to break but unfortunately for unknown reason he stops adventuring and then just stays at the land of Lazaro.
The library is not small, not big. This land is abundant even day and night, people are cheerful and hospitable. Risk went out from the library and then he ran to the market, he saw different kinds of street foods. The lights from each home are making the land evident.
While looking for food to eat, suddenly Risk feels something. He looked around and then he accidentally saw Zell uncle, the mayor of this land. He recognised him because Zell introduced him to him.
He didn't know but he finds himself following him, as he follows him he sees someone approach him. Risk hides himself at the back of the three, what are they doing in this forest?
"I already did what you wanted, I am ready to die for my people." Risk heard the mayor say, he knotted his forehead. What?! He looks at the person he was talking to, Risk can't see his face because he is wearing such a long hood. Risk feels a presence from his back and just like what he expects, Zell just suddenly pops.
"He—" Before Zell could make more sounds he covered his mouth.
"Shhhh.." He whispered and pointed at his uncle, Zell's eyes widened as he saw his uncle. Zell felt hunger too, that's why after Risk went out. He followed him and saw him at the market but then he walked out and he followed him to the forest. He can't believe what he is seeing, his face becomes more serious.
"Good, then the deal is sealed. Just like what we discussed, I'll treat your people in exchange for your position." Zell was about to interrupt when Risk stops him, he covers his mouth to prevent him from talking and holding him tightly. The man gives a bottle to the mayor.
"Tell me, why do you want this land? There's so much land there, that is more rich but why here?" They can feel the anger at the mayor's voice.
"Because this land has something that other lands don't…" The man vanishes in the air just like a bubble, Risk lets Zell go. It's up to him if he confronted his uncle, but he didn't.
They both go back to the Library, Zell's face looks so determined.
"I need to know how to break the curse." He said, and he lowered all the books and then began to read each of them. Risk seated at the floor with him and started to read too, he just randomly flip the page and then read the first sentence.
"The only one who can defeat curses, is a curse." Risk read loud and clear, Zell looked at him.
"Yes, I know it. But if the curse has already a owner and has already conquered you can defeat it by knowing their weaknesses, maybe the curse is strong but if the host has many weaknesses then there will be a way to defeat them."
"But it's hard to know someone's weaknesses."
"Yeah, but still I'll find a way to defeat him." Zell said and continues to read, it seems like they're wishing for a miracle.
"Are you sure you want to fight him?" Risk asks.
"I'll do everything Risk, for my family and for the people in this land. They're all important to me, I promise to him. To my father that I'll protect this land, and I'll do everything I can to fulfill that promise."
"I see…" Risk whispered, he looked at the window. The moon is full, it's beautiful. He's wondering what would be the feeling of something you wanted protected to, he didn't understand that feeling because he never cared for someone else besides himself. No, even himself he didn't care. He didn't care if he died tomorrow, he just wanted to explore the world because someone said so and he didn't just want to regret.
"You understand me right?" Zell looked at him, risk smiled bitterly.
"I didn't, I don't have anyone to protect." He answered.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm all alone, I don't have anyone else. "
"I see, don't worry. You have me now! Now that we are friends, let's build a guild together and explore the world, meet different people. After this, I promise to be with you in the worst or best. " Risk just shook his head, how could this creature encourage him when he was on the edge of the cliff?
While they're busy reading they hear footsteps coming in, they both look in front and they see the mayor.
"As I thought, I'll see you here." He looks at Zell.
"Uncle, what are you doing here?" Zell asked as he stood up.
"You need to get out of here, leave this land now." The mayor looks so alarmed.
"What?"
"There is no time for that, Zell just get out of here." The mayor held Zell's hand and then pulled him.
"What do you mean? No, I won't. I know what's happening here, someone wanted this land right? No, I won't give up on this land, this is my home." The mayor hugged Zell, and his tears started to fall.
"You can't fight them now Zell, you can't. Don't worry, this land wouldn't fall. Go and explore the world, be stronger after that come back here. I'll be waiting…"
"No, I won't! I won't!" Zell disagreed and shook his head, but the Mayor continued to pull him. He picks a book from the shelves and a door opens, Risk just follows them, while Zell continues to protest! Risk didn't understand, he thought that man just wanted this land but it seems like there's something here that's so important.
"Uncle, I'll protect this land! I promise to my father, I'll protect this land!"
"And I promise to your father to take care of you, you can't die here Zell. You can't, they're after you. Go see the world, explore it. I'll just watch you, I'll be waiting for you…"
"But—" Before Zell could speak, the Mayor made him sleep by hitting the back of his neck.
They walked to the secret tunnel, the mayor looked at Risk and he smiled gently.
"Please take care of him…" and he handed Zell to him. Risk didn't know how to respond, he blinked a few times. The Mayor's eyes look like talking to him, there's no hint of doubt in his eyes. It was like he knew that he could trust him, but why?!
He didn't understand what's happening. Why is this so sudden?!
Who's that man he speaks to earlier? Why did they want this land? Why does Zell need to run? Why can't they fight them? Are they really strong?!
"Mahad is at the end of the tunnel, he already knows what to do." Risk nodded, even though there's too many questions he wanted to ask.
It seems like it's not ordinary people who are after this land, but why?
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