As we exit the church, we were introduced to a whole bunch of people. Among them I was acquainted to only two.
"What the... Where did you even got her?!" Said Red-Hairs.
He recognised Priest in an instant. And same could be said from Curna, looking at his expressions. The rest however, seemed a bit concerned.
It seem to me this mighty duo actually prevented the sacrificial.
"She was hiding in a tree," I said, as I put young lady down.
"Huhh?!" Of course she was displeased by my choice of words.
"Hah, sounds pretty primate to me." Red-Hairs' choice of words were even more diligent.
"Wha—?! YOU—!!"
"Like... You guys were? Heh," Generous Curna not let this chance to slip, and gave words of appreciation to us.
"Huh?! You dare to call me a ape!" As always, Red-Hairs was not used to such generosity so he yelled.
"Heh, you said it yourself."
"...You guys," I turned my eyes at fine young lady, only to witness her trembling in bliss.
"STOP IGNORING MEEEE!!!" She cried in joy.
Ones rescued by duo startled. As Red-Hairs lean closer to me.
They must be on there guard due to our sudden appearance. Or, Priest's sudden appearance.
"Hey, you sure she on our side?" Red-Hairs whispered in my ear.
"She is one of those evil spirits, I assure you!" I said.
"I see. Then let's ignore her presence, like she's a ghost." He nodded.
"You know... It's rude to talk about someone when person in question is right infront of you!" Young lady raised her hands up in sky and praised our behaviour.
"And you, Allan. Enough with sarcasm! It's time to be serious, geez! You guys are bunch of kids," She pressed her temples and sighed.
"Yeh yeh, we know. But you should appreciate it while you can," Neulon said as he puffed his chest and beamed a smile.
"I said. SHUT IT!"
And she hit back of Red-Hairs head. He crouched in soreness.
They are quite, huh?
Curna on, the other hand, just carried a warm smile on his face. Like an older brother watching over his little siblings.
"So, what now? You two seem to successfully prevent the sacrificial ritual... Or do you?" Now, Priest was serious.
"Yeah, we did. There is none to be afraid of. I send each and everyone of those bastards to hell! So ya can rest assure." At Red-Hairs words, young lady was somewhat relieved.
"I see, that's great. Good job, you two!" She praised heroic duo.
To which Red-Hairs held his head high while Curna was as stoic as always.
"You two make a good duo. I don't mind seeing you work together in future." I, too, complimented their compatibility.
"Never! No way in hell!"
"Nah, pass..."
Replies came in a fraction of second.
"I can't bear him. He mere presence makes me... I don't like to work with him." Though he said it, Red-Hairs did cared about the words the he let out.
"Unfortunately, I must say Commander Neulon is right about it. Surprising, indeed..." Curna, too, believe it's hard for both to work together.
Though Red-Hairs was certainly not much triggered by his words. Before, they seem like oil and water. As for now,
"Then I'll take my leave," I was done for the day. There was not much so I decided to return to castle.
"Wait. What do you mean you're leaving?! Aren't you going to stay until the knights arrive. We must explain this to the King." Red-Hairs seem unsatisfied with me leaving.
"You can do that, right? It is not like you need me. Also, I am gravely injured."
"Still, we all were in this together so it is obvious that—"
"You take all credit. Everything done here was your operation. You saved everyone."
"Wha—?!"
"I'll say the same. Commander Neulon carried out this operation with Priest Nia and rescued civilians." Curna was also not interested.
"Y-You—?"
"I don't want to get involved in affairs of Kingdom so... I'll take my leave now. See you around, Nia, Commander Neulon." With that Curna left the scene as Neulon hesitated to make any advance.
"Well then, good night Nia, Red-Hairs." I, too, turned my heels.
"W-Wait, weren't we all in this together?!—" Red-Hairs tried to stop me but, Nia, Priest intervened.
"Let him, Neulon. Try to understand,"
"...If you say so," Neulon just sighed.
With that, I took my leave and made my way to castle.
Only thing that may cause hindrance was the very presence of Lucia. When I woke up in castle, Lucia was by my side. It would be bothersome if she were to be awake by now.
I glanced at sky.
3:32... She should be dreaming right now...
If not, then I may have some explanation to do.
------------------------
I entered my room through balcony and saw Lucia in the exact same place she was when I took my leave.
Scanning the room, I arrived at the conclusion that there was no intrusion.
I put a blanket on Lucia, who seem asleep beside my bed, then moved into bed carefully, making sure not to wake up the sleeping beauty.
I looked Lucia and couldn not help but sigh.
"...How can you be so defenseless?" I asked her. I poked Princess' check with my finger.
There was no reply at all.
She was sleeping like a baby. With no concern of world whatsoever.
She got a gentle soul but is well versed in life. Though she act cheerful, everyday she put up a mask to conceal her true feelings. No one seem to know, but I could see through that fake smile she put up every single day, always. Her eyes always seem to be searching for something. Always wandering, never settled. Those never ending desires.
Regardless of how much she bottled up, she may know...
But the question right now, what is it?
I laid down. I do not wanted Lucia to wake up and find me healthy.
Should probably drag this for a while now...
Unfortunately, if I were to lay down I may get excluded. The affairs within the Kingdom, the stakes were high.
Potential threat of a massacre. Not to mention, bounty on Lucia's head.
Risk was mine to take. Also I wanted to test Neulon's abilities under mass scheme. He must have went through a concussion due to plot of church earlier.
Ultimately, I decided to stay down for a week. To my surprise, nothing happened at all.
Lucia was the only one, except for medics, to may me visit. She spend hours everyday, nothing but staring at me. She never uttered a word but had melancholy with her.
But what got me high in guard was the fact that Red-Hairs never paid visit to me.
I was expecting him to come and discuss about the matter in hand when no one bothered to be here.
But he never did.
. . . . .