Swoosh Swoshh
Chill winds blow in an open field in the Zagon Empire.
From there, one could see a woman standing with her eyes closed in the front of two tombstones, paying respect and offering a flowers and candles. She was praying and hoping that the two of her students were now happy wherever they were now.
She looked up and saw a clear blue sky and clouds floating in the sky. Reminiscing the previous events that transpired in the past years.
It's been three years since the murder incident occurred between her students.
And when that happened, Luna was not currently in the Empire's castle at that time when it happened.
She was a teacher from heart and soul, that's why when she learned that the current education system in the Empire of Zagon was lacking in some aspects and a bit messy when it comes to organizing some stuff, she then proposed that she would be going to help to fix the education system in Empire.
So, while the incident and the verdict transpired at that time, Luna was busy revising, adding, and organizing some important stuff related to education. She only learned and found out what happened because of the gossips from the school staff. That's why she leaves without notice to go to the castle to find out if it is true or not.
But when she arrived at the castle, the only thing she found was the preparation to bury Harvey's body. She was shocked to see that one of her students was now dead--murdered by someone but what surprised her the most was when she learned who's the killer of her student.
She angrily, hurriedly went to the throne hall to confront Venantius and asked the whereabouts of Reh. But what unfolded to her was the sight of her students, as well Venantius and Nepotia, talking and laughing as if nothing serious occurred.
From there, she furiously blurted out at everyone, especially at Venantius. But Venantius didn't take it seriously because he knew that Luna was having complicated feelings at that moment. So he let Dion and the others calm Luna down and explain what happened.
Luna secluded herself after she learned what happened. She feels that she was responsible for what happened. It took a few months before Luna finally and slowly accepted what happened. And she just focused her attention on the things she needed to do.
"It's been three years... I hope that you two are happy right now." Luna said before she crouched down and removed some wild grass around the tomb.
"Ms. Luna."
While that happened, someone called Luna. She looked at the person that called her. Only to see Dion, that was dressed in his signature white armor.
"Dion, what brings you here? If I recall correctly, you didn't want to be here." Luna said before turning her head back and turning what her doing.
"Sighed... It's not that I don't like being here. It's just..." Dion said while he walked toward Luna.
Dion was also changed. His body is now changed, befitting for a savior of Humanity. His expression had a full determination as if nothing could stop him. And lastly, his aura shows that he had a lot of experience in battle.
"Hahahaha... You didn't like the idea that I requested to His Imperial Majesty that I want to put Reh's tombstone here." Luna replied.
"Ms. Luna, it's not your fault! It's Reh that--."
"Dion... Please..."
"Sighed... Anyway, the time has come." Dion.
"So, you guys are now going to the frontlines..." Luna.
"Yes. The longer we stay here, the more favorable it is to the Demons. If we want to be back on Earth as soon as possible, we need to act fast." Dion.
Luna stood up and turned to look at Dion. "Then, allow me to see the departure of the future savior of all Humanity..." Luna said with a smile.
Then the two started to walk towards the castle, but Luna stopped briefly and looked back at the tombstone.
[Harvey Hamilton]
[Reh Levi]
'If we win this war, I promise that I will bring you guys back to Earth.' Luna swears internally before continuing to walk.
***
In the far Southeast of the Zagon Empire is located the Kunid Kingdom.
The Kunid Kingdom was sharing the border between the Carnage Forest. This Kingdom was known for its nickname, the passage.
Patter Rumble! Patter
At this moment, heavy rainfall is currently happening throughout its territory.
And in the Southern part of the Kingdom is located the Ne village. The Ne village is only a few kilometers away from Carnage Forest.
Creakkkk
The door of the tavern made the sound upon its opening.
Whossshhhhh
The strong gush of winds called to be heard outside.
Then all the people inside the tavern turned their attention toward the newcomer. This newcomer was wearing a cloak that was dripping wet due to the rain. The face couldn't be seen because it was well hidden.
Creak Creak Creak Creak
The sound of a wooden floor resounded at the tavern with each step this newcomer made. And eventually, the newcomer reached the counter. A bald rugged bearded man with a large belly presents himself as the owner of this tavern.
"Room? Two gold coins if you wanted one. As for the meals--."
The newcomer placed ten gold coins at the counter. "Give me the decent room you have. As for the meal, I'll say if I need one."
"Gulped... U-upstairs... The farthest room..." The tavern owner gawked his eyes at the sight of the ten gold coins on the counter.
The newcomer didn't say any more words and just went upstairs. He also disregarded the eyes of other customers looking at him. He easily found the room and came inside it. He expected a run-down room due to the situation and appearance of this tavern, but luckily, this room was decent and well maintained.
Reh removed his wet cloak and put it cloak hanger. After that...
"Sense..." He mumbled. Then transparent white particles come out from his body and spread out in the room and outside.
"Sighed..." Reh took a deep breath before he sat down on the bed. Now that Sense was activated, Reh could lax a little bit because he can immediately know if someone were after him.
He stared at the ceiling. It's been three years since then. There were a lot of events that happened over the years. Then he suddenly remembered what was Ronald always telling him.
"Don't you fucking relax even a second! You don't know when the enemy will come after you!" He feels a chill that runs down his spine as he recalls the horror of Ronald's training.
Then he stood up and walked towards the window and looked outside. The houses were all empty and in ruins, showing that it was abandoned a long time ago. One could consider this village a ghost town if not for this tavern that still operating and accepting customers or travelers.
"Well... This village is located near the Carnage Forest, so the situation of this village is no longer surprising." Reh said while looking outside.
But Reh narrowed his eyes when he noticed something on the forested part of the village. Then Reh's round pupil began to change into a slit pupil. And after a few seconds, Reh began to grin.
"Heh! That fucker... Well... It's better to leave that Ogre as long as it didn't mess up with me..." Reh seriously said, then he turned around and walked outside the room.
Reh came down to the first floor and walked on the counter. Then he took out a silver coin and put it on the counter. A few seconds later, the tavern owner came in front of him and asked...
"What do you want to know?"
"What happened here? Where're all the villagers?" Reh asked.
The owner looked at his face and appearance, "I don't know what brings you here, and if you run away from your Noble family, better to go back at them..." The owner said.
He assumed Reh was a Noble due to his appearance and money. But when he noticed the scar on Reh's left cheek, he just took a deep breath before answering.
"I don't know where Kingdom you are from, but three years ago, all the villagers that were living here all left because some of the monsters from the Carnage Forest began to migrate here.
At first, we thought it was just a coincidence that the monsters left their habitat.
But after a few months, the thought of coincidence began to changed because of the sudden surge of the monster here. As if the monsters were avoiding something on the Carnage Forest.
We didn't investigate further because no person was in the right mind to go deep inside that forest just to know the reason.
Until the Adventurers Guild gave up exterminating the monsters here. So, having to one to defeat those monsters, all the villagers leave their homes because of that."
Reh becomes dumbfounded at the explanation of the tavern owner.
'3 years ago...' Then Reh suddenly remembers the "absorbing hunt" he did three years ago.
'So... It is my fault?!'