Chapter 7
Pluck
"I think that's all of it"
Sheryl spoke as she picked the last one of the requested [Nightshade Dandelion] in the Quest, and stored it on her ring.
"Found anything?"
".... Nothing darling, there are nothing here"
"I don't know for what reason but, there are no lurking monster in the area"
Both Isabelle and Natsumi I stated, as they replied to my words. While we are transvering the area towards the Citadel, I let Isabelle and Natsumi to be upfront, to be the lookout, while I and Sheryl will be at the back, as the rear. I also let Sheryl picked any [Nightshade Dandelion] along the way, to complete the [Gathering Quest] we took.
"This is certainly.... Something going on here. Be careful darling"
"I agree to her, for a place like this to not have any beasts or monsters lurking around this late afternoon, something is amiss"
Isabelle and Natsumi both stated, in troubled and puzzled tone
".... Natsumi, stay behind Isabelle"
"Got it"
"Sheryl, be vigilant and stay behind my back, be on look out"
"Alright"
As I ordered, Isabelle then summoned her shield and sword, while Natsumi readied her bow, and Sheryl her dagger, as both all 3 took their vigilant stance, as we transverse the plain towards the Citadel.
Looking around the area, I then noticed the increasing amount of [Nightshade Dandelion] in the vicinity. [Nightshade Dandelion] aren't exactly rare, but fining a bundle or a field of it isn't quite normal, nor common. The other thing also is, even how much I look around, I can't find any single living things, neither do I hear any Insects and Birds clamoring
"... This is too quiet"
I muttered in low, whispering voice.
...
As we continuedly cross the eerily silent path, we then arrived at the foot of the Citadel.
"Isabelle"
"On it"
She then when upfront and
Thud
"In thy spirit I ask, engulfed us in perseverance, [Bouclier de L'aube]" (Shield of Dawn in French)
As she stab her shield on the ground, and casted her skill, a magic circle then appeared below us, enveloping us in a light blue coat.
The magic circle has 3 medium sized circle, with a Cresent moon at the center of each one. It has a triangle at the center of a 6 edges star, with runes of unknown language, hovering below the giant circle.
'So this is one of the thing Isabella thought her? Not surprise'
I thought as I slightly smirk. After Isabelle showcase her new ability
"Old tales of wind, breeze of the ancient, I ask for thy guidance, [Semita Venti]" (the path of the wind in Latin)
A gentle caress of the wind then embrace us, carrying us with its touches. As if we are getting lighter, I could slightly felt that my feet weren't touching the ground, like I was mildly floating
"Those who lurk in the shadows, those in the darkness stayed, in thy guidance I ask, I thee I beg, [Velo la Sera] (I veil in the evening in Italian)
As Sheryl casted her skill, our senses then suddenly felt like we merge in the silence, as if we are the shade of torches light. As each of them took their preparation with caution, we then made our way to the old structures.
....
Just like how those trio told us about the Citadel, there are 3 structures here, or was 3 structures.
"[Silver Wolf Sense]"
".... Found anything?"
".... There was none"
"None?"
I doubtly ask Isabelle. She then took her gaze towards me and voice out her puzzlement also
"I, I don't know, but I found nothing in this area"
She then looked upfront and added, as she pointed her sword in front
"This place has 19 or 20 meters in length and width, this is merely base on the section that my [Silver Wolf Sense] can't capture, maybe even further than that. And along those area, I found nothing. No monsters, no traps, nothing at all"
"What?"
Natsumi perplexedly yelp
"How many chances are there, that those monsters could hide from you?"
She then went on a deep thought, and answered
"..... 65% chances, maybe, If the monster we are dealing with is higher than gold rank"
"But?"
"But unfortunately, even with that number, I think it is impossible for it to happen. Monsters with rank higher than gold, doesn't lived merely in solitude, especially for territorial type one like this monsters. So if they found someone ventured to their place, they should be sending someone to greet us"
She then stated at the building to our left, and added
"But if they are somewhat peaceful type, this is quite a eerie behavior, coming from them"
"...."
Thinking about her words, I couldn't find any lapse to her opinion. Thinking through it, I then replied
"Sheryl go front with Isabelle, Natsumi stay behind me. Natsumi and Isabelle, I want the 2 of you to scan our perimeter, all the time, don't di activate it. Report everything you find"
As the 3 nodded, we then cautiously went inside the old, battered structure
.....
The inside of the building was pure darkness, no light could go through between those tattered walls, but thanks to the torch we have in hand, the passage could be lighten, making out way much more progressive, but watchful
Cobwebs and dust covered the section of the old building, with walls that are either filled with holes, or crumbled. As per analysis of the trio, we also think this building is used as a refugee, as we even pass by an empty, wide room, with pile of dust covering the floor, and cobwebs hughing in the ceiling.
'This might be the living area, or the dining room'
We also pass by a large area, much larger than the 1st one we saw earlier, place at the center of the 1st floor, with a chimney at the center, and a wide [Porch] at the side. The windows are broken, with a large hole at the right, and some at the floor.
"This might be there [Grand Room], I think"
Isabelle deducted
"What is a [Grand Room]?"
"It is a place where it can be both use as a living room, and a dining room. It is place at either at the 1st floor of the house, or at the 2nd floor, and set at the center of the floor. Some of the other houses, place their [Grand Room] just a few distance away from the entrance of their houses"
As Isabelle replied to Natsumi's question.
.....
The 2nd floor of the building is mostly field with a living quarter, dedicated to those who are staying, or living in this place. Each room has 2 double deck beds, with 1 window, and a small table at the center, this is merely base of the size of each room, and also the its design.
Just like the 1st floor, there is also a large room at the 2nd floor, located at the end of the floor, with a balcony at the side, and a staircase, leading to the top of the building.
Atop of the very building, was merely an empty space, with dust and crumbled debris of the walls of each side.
"Darling"
She called as I went down from the top floor, and crossed her arms as she looked around the area
"There is really something wrong here"
"I also agree darling"
As Sheryl interjected Isabelle's words. Looking around the area, she then continued
"If this really a Citadel, but for what? A refugee camp? The area is too small for that, though the 2nd floor is full of rooms, but we only counted 20 here, multiply that with 4 beds, we can only get 80 people inside this place. And if those large section is also used as a living quarter, it might work as a settlement, but"
She then stared at me and added
"But a camp of what? People migrating? Adventurers? War soldiers? What? There is no kingdom nearby, and the only place near here is the town, though we can't take out the possibility that it was made as an extension of the Town, but even the Town Mayor doesn't even know about it, which indicates it isn't, so what?"
Bombarded by her question, all of us felt silent
"The mystery of this Quest, the large amount of [Nightshade Dandelions], no appearance of monsters in the area, and now this old Citadel, everything seems.... Incomprehensible"
Natsumi deeply deduce
"What should we do, darling?"
"..... Let us head back to the town, to gather more information about this"
I replied to Sheryl's question. The 3 then nodded to my words, and all of us then left the old quarter, and headed back to the Town.
.....
After a an hour of walking
"Didn't the Mayor told us that they just found out this Citadel, not long ago?"
"3 weeks he stated"
"But the Citadel isn't that far from the Town, and for them to not able to spot that long....."
"You think someone, or something is working behind this?"
"Can't take out that possibility, darling"
Isabelle uttered
"Should we ask the Town Mayor again?"
".... Ask the townsfolk also, especially those trio, any information regarding the Citadel, rumors about some speculation, or any other weird idea and theory, we will gather everything we can"
"Got it"
"Sheryl, can I ask you to find any old library, or maybe some place where they keep some documents, or any sort of files, regarding this Town itself, maybe we can find the reason why this place is built, and the story behind it"
"On it"
.....
Passing the silent road once again, we then arrive back to the Town. The place still the same as the 1st time we came here
".... Same?"
As I out of nowhere thought of it, I then looked around the area of the Town. Same people leaving their houses, same people roaming the street, same people doing there job, same people chatting about, and same people, staying still
"... Isabelle"
"Yes?"
"Was that old man been the - Isabelle!?"
I yelled, as out of a sudden, Isabelle was choking, clenching her fist on her chest while holding her throat, griply.
"Isabelle!?"
Sheryl then went towards her, assisting her as sher slowly losing her strength on her foot, and gradually kneeling down. Natsumi hurriedly checked every part of Isabelle's body, checking for any wounds, curse mark, or any unnoticeable objects, that is clinging to Isabelle.
(Author's POV)
Desperately trying to catch her breath, no words came out from Isabelle's throat. Eyes wide peeled as her jaws agape
Blurhhhhh ughrhhhh
Bloods then spilled from her mouth as she vomit
"Isabelle!?"
Creeper cried in despair, holding her in worried grasp
"I can't find anything! There's nothing on her!"
Natsumi yelled in desperate tone.
Glurghhhh gurahhhhhh ghrrhhhaaaa
Pile upon pile of blood poured out from her mouth, tainting the ground she was kneeling, coating its paint with a deep red hue. As blood spilled from her, her body weaken, her consciousness fading. As lost her grip of her consciousness, she then fell motionless
Thud
"Isabelle!"
Bathing herself on her blood, lifeless. Soiling her polished armor, and light grayed clothes, painting her exquisite skin in dark blooded bath
"Isabelle!"
(???? POV)
Gasp!
Haah.... haaah... hah hah..... nahhhh
Gulp
Hahaa.... haahh..... haah hah.... hhannnaahhh
Vigorously trying to grasp for air, I breath heavily.
Haah haah hah hhaahh
Blinking my eyes in shock as my mind was in dismay, trying to hold to my consciousness, trying to not lost myself.
'I died, I died, I died, I died, I died, I died, how?'
Huff Huff Huff Huff
'Was that illusion? Dream? Premonition?'
Hoouu fooouu hoouuu
Calming myself down, I slowly took a deep breath. Slightly trying to make sure I wasnt crazy, nor I would become one
Hoouuuu fuooo hooooouuuu
"Nhmmmm...."
"?"
Suddenly heard a slight noise in my left, I then slowly turn my vision to my side
"!?!"
Snore Snore Snore
"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Panick struck my mind as I saw an unfamiliar man beside me, naked and sleeping. As my mind suddenly rang its alarm, feeling dismay and fright, I then hurriedly looked to myself
"!?!!!!!?!!??!!?"
Tied in both arms and legs in the bed's rail, bare naked
"!!?!?"
Soiled, disheveled, and messy, in this dimly lit room, with a man I never seen before
"...."
Blood boils in my mind, emotion surge like a broken dam, gritting my teeth in fury, I then summoned my sword in my right hand.
Snap
And cut loose myself from the tie, and lunge the sharp edge of my blade towards the naked man
'Arghhhhh!'
Shhtaaab
"!!! Ugrhhhh!"
In silence I roared as I twist myself to my left, and stab the man to its throat. He then yelled in pain as my sword went deep to its throat, deeply gouging my blade to its defenseless nape, thrusting it further down on his flesh.
He wanted fight back but he can't, as I place all my weight to my thrust. Only his silence moans escaped his mouth, as he slowly feel in deep slumber, bathing himself in his blood as he slowly close his eyelids, and quietly died in his wake.
'Urghhhh..... ahhhhh.....! Hahaaah..... haah..... ahhhhh! Urghhhh ahhhhhhh!!'
Even his death couldn't wash off, the taint he mess, and the guilt he planted
'Ahhhhhhhhh!!'
Griply holding the hilt of my sword, I cried in silence in despair