"Who are you? Where's the Chief?" I calmly questioned him while quickly drawing my sword.
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"It's useless. Your charade won't work on me. Where's the real Chief?"
He fell silent for a while. Then, his face gradually deformed and transformed back into someone I haven't seen before. It was a bald muscular man with almond eyes. In my estimate, he was on his early forties. Most importantly, I can sense danger in him.
"Ha-ha-ha. You're really something. You've found me out."
"I said answer my question." I tried to slash his chest. However, he dodged it with ease. I tried to act agitated even though I was very calm inside.
"Oi. Oi. Aren't you a bit too ill-tempered? Ha-ha-ha. Anyway, how did you find out?" He asked in a very relaxed manner.
"I knew from the start. While we were still dueling, I already had a suspicion. The way you moved, your habits, the strength of the slash—all of it. Plus, you were leading the conversion to have me participate in the ritual. Chief Feldor never said anything like that before. Lastly, your body stink like rust."
"Oh, is that so? I commend you then." He started to assume in a fighting pose.
"Grucius, stop it. I told you, he's different."
Before the two of us clashed to our deaths, Elder Grucia went out from the kitchen. She carefully hid his aura and presence.
"Right? Oh, Cimmerian. I'm sorry. This is my idiotic son, Grucius Bacchus. Grucia and I tried to stop him, but he insisted of testing you. Anyway, he just arrived this afternoon after Vaissien and the others went home." Chief Feldor said while patting the man named Grucius' shoulders.
"Is that so? Uhm… I apologize! I thought you were an enemy." I vowed my head and put my sword back.
"Don't worry. Nice to meet you, kid. As father said, I am Grucius Bacchus, I'm his only child. I'm a Constabulary officer in the Gamus-Sardon Fort." He extended his hand and smiled at me.
"I am Cimmerian. Nice to meet you." I shook his hands.
"So, why didn't you stop me sooner?" He sat down.
"Actually, I wanted to apprehend you. But you were spilling some significant information so I just heard you out until I can confirm your true identity. I also had my doubts if you were really someone else or just the Chief but showing another persona."
"That's good. Now then, listen to me, Cimmerian, all the intel I bared just a while ago were true. Let us be vigilant. The Astral Knights of the Kingdom seemed unaware of this yet. The Baron hasn't answered the letter of the villagers also. As for now, we must protect the villagers using our own hands. In the Kingdom, the Astral Knights and the Constabulary Force cannot act without proper order and a reliable intel from the Magic Intelligence Agency (MIA). The MIA hasn't given any intel yet. In short, this has all been deemed as rumors. Let's be careful. What if these rumors are true?"
"I agree. I read that separation of powers and mandates law on the book." I sat down too.
"By the way, congratulations. You've gotten the sword. Father promised not to give that sword to anyone who doesn't deserve to wield it."
"Oh, thank you. Well—."
Before I could speak more words, a sudden explosion can be heard outside.
"Father, what was that?" Grucius hurriedly asked.
"A flame magic?" The Chief replied frantically.
The two of us stood and went outside to see what was going on. But—.
"What's happening?" Grucius' eyes widened as almost some parts of the village were covered in blue flames.
When I saw this, my mind became blank. I hurriedly ran fast without saying a word to the two. My mind was only focused on Big Sister and Vaissien.
"Wait, don't rush—."
"Cimmerian—."
I was so fast that my vision almost couldn't keep up to my feet. When I reached the main road leading directly home in the southern part of the village, I saw Rayha fighting someone in cladded in a black hoodie. Should I leave her or not? My decision was…
"What???" Rayha yelped due to confusion.
"Don't worry, just stay put."
"Oh, Cimmerian, it's you. The village is under attack."
"Yeah, I know."
I chose the third option. I'd decided to carry her as I continued to run fast. I knew she couldn't win on that opponent so I thought this was the best decision.
"We're here." I put Rayha down. "Big Sis, Vaissien, where are you?" I called for the two from the top of my lungs. The house was unscathed but I couldn't find the two.
"Cimmerian, I hear some noises from the back."
"You're right…"
I ran at the back to see the source of the noises. If anyone saw me this way, they would've been saying I was panicking. That may be true, nevertheless, my sense of prudence remained in me. Rushing directly to a battlefield without understanding the situation would be no more than an act of a fool. So when the supposed source of the sound became closer, I slowly watched at the situation and discerned what was happening.
What!!?I-Is that Vaissien? And Big Sis???