Ri Minsu has never dealt with anyone longer than 5 minutes. He usually gets the deal done soon before his subordinates could even sit down for a drink or two. It was easier to deal with the group of boys back then. At the thought of that the migrating youths, he subconsciously looked over the view at the back, his eyes reflected the sky somberly.
"Pray tell me, the righteous law of this land then?"
Ri Minsu hastily replied, as if the traveller would jump out on anyone with his magic if he was late. "We should leave this to the Capital City Knights to enforce their punishment. For now, we need to lock the perpetrator safely and send a letter to the capital for the knights. Its hard, but what can we do when they rarely patrols here."
"Usually how long it takes for the knights to come?"
Ri Minsu stayed silence for a while before one of the subordinates said, "Ah.. about that, I think it'll take around..."
The chief's subordinates who was there looked at each other before scratching their heads. Ri Minsu sighed and added, "It takes around a month just for them to give a reply actually. So far, they only have visited our village for two times."
Kaine puts his hand on his face, mumbling something. Hongxin who stared from afar silently hears their conversation and shook his head. Its true that they were given such treatment despite being under the East Kingdom Land properties.
"Then, may I suggest one thing?" the traveller spoke, his face now clear as if he won the lottery.
The head chief arched his eyebrows and looked at the traveller with puzzled expression.
"I'll offer myself to bring the perpetrator to the Capital City itself so the killer would receive a fair judgement by the councils promptly."
"Oh?" Ri Minsu still arched his eyebrows but now he was more to curious rather than anything. "My, wouldn't that add more troubles your travels, young man?"
"Not to mention, travelling with a killer is harder than you might think."
Kaine just nodded and put on his usual smile. "Don't worry, don't worry, This is something I voluntarily offer to do. Unless that you don't want to."
Ri Minsu's subordinates quickly gathered to discuss amongst them, after a while they managed to come to a conclusion. It was fast, Hongxin thought. As expected of the Chief's trusted men. As he watched them, his mind drifted away for a moment.
They were all only volunteers when Ri Minsu decided he wanted to establish a group to assist the village with him. Unfortunately, due to the lack of manpower in this secluded village, there's only less than 5 people who helped.
Suddenly, Hongxin just felt like he realized there's so much wrongs in this village. The Capital surely neglect them as if they weren't a part of the kingdom. Thankfully, Kaine offered to help them. Hongxin felt it could go worse if it was not for him.
"But surely, there must be something that he wants when he's this helpful.." Hongxin let out a quiet sigh.
Uncle Suman noticed the boy and looked at him, smiling, he said, "I hate to think it like that too, boy. But then, he offering help to our little village in this matter is incredibly good for us too. Let's just pray to the Oracle that all things ends well."
Hongxin just laughed dryly.
They both continued watching how the traveller and the chief handled the situation. Kaine crossed his arms and asked, "...and your answer, chief?"
Ri Minsu coughed for abit and replied, "I agree with the offer, traveller. You have our many thanks for helping us out in this case."
Kaine just shrugged it off and continued, "Then, do you want me to mark the killer now? I can make this done in a second."
Everyone suddenly stood still on their places, everything turned quiet. Only the sways of the leaves could be heard. Ri Minsu looked at the traveller before he slowly nods.
Swiftly, Kaine pulled out a paper-like illumination from his palm, and threw it amongst the gathering suspects. All of them simultaneously cowered as if the light could stab them and everyone looked at the paper in anticipation.
But the paper suddenly flew passed the suspects!
"EH?! IT- IT FLEW FROM US??"
"SO IT MEANS WE'RE NOT THE DOERS! I TOLD YOU! I JUST DON'T HAVE ENOUGH ALIBIS!"
Ri Minsu quickly shut them up, "SILENCE!" He turned to Kaine who was standing idly as if the scene just now doesn't shock him. "Are you sure this is correct?"
"You dare question this ancient magic?" Kaine laughed. "It seems the killer is a sneaky one."
"Like a rat." Now his face lost all its friendliness. Ri Minsu didn't dare to ask him anything else. They were losing the killer as they speak. And time isn't siding with them right now.
The traveller quickly walked passed the group and followed where the paper flew. Hongxin quickly ran to the chief and asked, "Chief..? W-What happened? Did it failed?"
"..." The chief sighed. "It seems that the killer is someone who knows very well in magic.." His face darkened, as if Hongxin never existed in front of him.
Hongxin furrowed and quickly said, "Then, wouldn't that be dangerous for Kaine too?"
The sun is setting. Soon, night will greet them, along with the danger the darkness will bring. Ri Minsu just kept his silence before he moved away and quickly announced, "Tonight all of us will be staying in the hall to avoid any casualties! Now, please move in groups towards the hall!" With that, all of the villagers quickly walked towards the hall together.
The chief turned his head and gestured him to join the group before walking ahead of the boy.
Hongxin expected him to reply to his question but instead Ri Minsu just left him at the middle of the courtyard, discussing about the arrangements for tonight with his subordinates. Hongxin felt abit hurt to be pushed away like that but he just clenched his fist tightly and let go. A low sigh escaped his mouth.
He shook his head and said, "I can't be selfish. Mother hates selfish person." He quickly reminded of himself about how busy the chief must be. So with heavy steps, he began walking slowly behind the others.
The way Kaine went into was the same way towards the center of the village just now, before he vanished from their sight. Hongxin assumed the perpetrator must be around the village still. He could easily slip away from the crowd if he wanted to, but that will only stir more trouble for the others if he went missing.
He dislike being a nuisance to others but...
But he can't help feel the need to go.
His eyes lingered amongst the villagers for a second. He saw Uncle Suman in front of him a few steps away, chatting with the person beside him. Mother is probably already inside the hall, she's not included as the suspects earlier so its likely to be. His mind gears for a second before his face suddenly relaxed.
His steps began to turn slower and slower, until almost everyone was in front of him. Carefully, he slipped behind a few bushes, the darkness that slowly envelops the surrounding helps him to blend more with the nature. He looked at them until they all gone from his sight.
"The axe, I must get it first." He thought. Quickly, he walked towards his house while his mind is gearing for his next moves. Once he got the axe, he felt he will be more confident in facing anything, perhaps. At least, he has something to feel more secure.
It was only a few steps away more from his house yard, but a voice that comes from his house caught his attention. He quickly hid behind a pile of planks nearby, peeking out to see the source of the voice.
"Tch, what a cowardly killer."
It was Kaine's!
Yet Hongxin didn't quickly get out of his hiding place and continued hiding, trying to find a safe spot to peek.
Through a rotten wooden plank, he saw the traveller reading an illumination of a book, before he gestures his hand and it fades with the dust. He couldn't see the traveller's face properly from the dark, but he could see the gemstone he was holding as clear as a crystal.
The white gemstone seemed to glimmer inside the pitch black surrounding, emitting it's own light as if it was a living thing. Radiating and blinking.
"Sigh..." Kaine whispered. "What is the best decision I should take, my lord?"
The white gemstone shines brighter as if replying to the man's question. Suddenly, Hongxin felt a sharp ringing on both his ears and he quickly covered it with his hands.
Was that the gemstone doing?
Hongxin turned and looked for Kaine but he seems to have disappeared from his spot before. Slowly, Hongxin examined the area surrounding him before crouching slowly towards the backdoor of his house.
A hand tapped lightly on his shoulder, and Hongxin quickly turned into a defensive position.
"Hongxin, it's me."
He slowly get back on his feet and looked at Kaine with a shocked expression. "Since when did you..?"
The traveller smiled and replied, "As someone who's quite adept with magic, I can easily detect anyone nearby if they aren't protected by a spell."
"Oh."
Oh, I didn't thought about that... Well, aren't I stupid. Hongxin felt like laughing at himself right now.
"I have a question for you too. Why are you hiding like that from me?"
Hongxin stammered and he tried to look anywhere but into Kaine's face. "Um, I didn't mean to do anything bad, I promise. I was just... trying to..."
Suddenly Hongxin felt like saying the truth would make him sounds more stupider that ever. He's not even a magic user or an experienced martial artist.
"I'm just a normal human." Hongxin thought.
Kaine doesn't seem to be waiting for his answer and quickly pulled the sleeves of Hongxin's shirt.
"Here, don't stray afar from me. The killer might be around this area."
"Oh- I'm- I'm sorry for dragging you down-"
"You're never a bother to me," Kaine replied, their steps getting faster. He was dragging them inside his house and Hongxin quickly asked,
"Is the killer... nearby my- this house?"
Kaine arched his eyebrow. "They seemed to be. Their aura is near here just now."
Hongxin quickly took his axe and held it firmly in his hands. Kaine noticed it and gestured his hands to see the axe. Hongxin gave it with a question written on his face.
"I'll imbuse it with my magic too." He said as a light emitted from his hand, lighting up the axe. Then, he gave it back to Hongxin.
"Woah! Its even lighter than before!" Hongxin exclaimed.
"Yup, and one hit is enough to take down an adult bull so be careful with your swing, ok?" Kaine winked at Hongxin who was swinging around the axe. Hearing the words, Hongxin abruptly stopped it and hold it still.
Kaine let out a small laugh before he suddenly perked up to a direction behind them. Hongxin quickly held his axe in a ready position.
"Be ready, I sensed something heading towards us."