Chapter 262: Jewels Of Apostles (Part 2)
John Rigen's perspective
Right after we met the village chief, we immediately went on a discussion. The old man had to come to Yura's house to discuss with us, this is a good chance for me to ask him.
Right now, the village chief is before my eyes. We sit at a wide table in the living room, opposite to each other, waiting for the time to talk. My wife is beside me, while Reimi is standing nearby us from behind, guarding.
Yura seems to be joining the discussion too. From what I learned earlier, the prophet had to delay the meal time and her cooking time. She's also curious about the stories which the elder is about to tell us... it's important to her.
A long silence is filled in the living room. We look at each other, then look at the people who are sitting opposite to us. We're hesitated to open talking, don't know what to ask him exactly. Maybe I should ask the old man something about the God's land, it's a strange place.
"Hey... before we talk...". - Yura opened talking first, but seems like she didn't mean to discuss
"Ms. Reimi, please do for me something". - So this half-elf girl wanted something from the servant of my wife
"Yes".
"The bag over there...". - Yura pointed to a bag (her gifts from the Goddess), left on the left side of the door. "Please move it inside my room, could you?". "Do it be careful...".
Reimi doesn't reply but heads to the bag and picks it up, she starts going. Shortly, Reimi comes inside Yura's private room to store the bag there.
I keep my eyes away, then return to see the old man. When I'm still waiting for Reimi to come back, my wife taps me slowly. Seems like Shera wants me to focus.
"Ah... shouldn't you be opening the discussion, Sir?". - I told the village chief to open the talk
The old man pulls out his brown hood after he hears my suggestion. He makes a sigh then nods twice, thinking about what he should say. Instead of saying anything, the village chief glances at the prophet for no reason.
"Child, have you seen anything lately in the time when I wasn't here?".
"Not really, Elder". - Yura stayed silent after that
"What does she mean?".
"Shera, that is...". "Yura is a prophet, if she sees anything in the future, a fever comes to her as a signal".
My wife nods then returns glances at the half-elf girl before looking away. The old man glances at my eyes, maybe he wants to ask me to ask him anything I want.
"Elder... is that all?". "The reminders of the Goddess directed from her Apostles?".
"Nod...". "It's true, Hero". - Maybe I should dig more into this issue. "She never lies to us, the world is going to end soon... we'll be doomed".
"That's impossible, Elder, why does she have to?". - My wife protested the village chief, she didn't believe that
"Please listen more to the Elder, Mrs. Rigen". - Yura gently backed up the old man. "Not just him but other Elders who came to the Land of God also received the same message from the Apostles". "The Goddess is very mighty... if she created us, then she can destroy us". "All of us might have done something bad and woke up her wrath, Elder". - Yura talked to the old man, feeling worried about her theory of the world's end
"No no... we didn't do anything wrong". - The old man shook his head, feeling a bit tired. "Our deity just feels this world is too boring for her to keep it... that's all".
A silence later occurs in the living room, right in time Reimi returns to her seat. Now everyone's face is full of doubts, we don't feel anything dangerous is visible at all. However, the old man's words are the truth. This world will come to an end, but we don't know how and when.
"What're you gonna do with this...?".
"I don't know...". - The village chief shook his head tiredly. "It's no use to fight against a God, she created us... how a man with fleshes created from her can fight against her...?". "Now I just know to do something to slow down her wrath, we can longer it... that's what we can do".
"No no, I say about "realistic" things we can do right now". - I got up, then put my hands on the desk's surface. "If someone wants to kill your family, you can't use money to longer your family's life". "This one is similar to it". "Hmmm... there should be something we can do".
"Open a Grand Meeting... all rulers of this continent must sit down and discuss the solution to solve her wrath...". - The old man told me, saying slowly but tiredly. "We must expand it to all other continents". "Humans, demons, dwarves, beastmen, all races should join hands".
"Is that alright, Elder? I think humans won't join this". - Yura seemed to be worried
"They'll surely join, time will tell, they'll surely join us".
"Wait, why?". - My wife was a bit confused. "I'm sorry, I mean... why did you think that humans would not join?".
"It's clear when we say about the summoning ceremony, Mrs. Rigen". - Yura immediately answered Shera. "The Demon Lord told all of you not to summon the hero for your safety, you did and a Kingdom was wiped out". "Please, Mrs. Rigen and the people here, please don't feel to be insulted". "But I'll say it straight, about my real look at the humans, I don't know how to describe them... honestly".
"Humans, kind have, but arrogant have, they make conflicts and enslaved all the races". "They claim themselves to be superior, the race that is higher than others, they see us like animals, or even lower". "Many of them only believe in their own beliefs, they will surely won't hear us". "Honestly, the Grand Meeting may become a laughingstock in their eyes, that's how humans are in our eyes".
"That's enough... it's gone too far from this discussion". - The old man stopped the argument, then returned to look at me
All of us don't know what more to talk about. The room is filled with silence once again, but then I look up, purposing to ask the village chief about something.
"So that's your solution?".
"Yes, Hero". "I don't know if we can do anything much by just opening that meeting, but it's worth trying". "We have no way left to go but to try".
"I hope everything stays the same...". - My wife said out her opinion. "We must try everything we can now".
"May I ask you something, Sir...? It's not related to the discussion but... could I?". - Reimi suddenly spoke up, asking the village chief
"Of course, Lady". "You need something to ask me?".
"The bag... why do you keep holding it?". - Reimi pointed to a brown bag - which the old man had been holding for a while since he sat here
"Ohh... this?". - The old man put the bag on the table's surface, then slowly removed the rope which covered it. "The Apostles told me to give this to you, Hero... but they said I should hand you this when we're alone". "Here...". - Then he poured something out of the bag
When the things are poured out, they appear to be glowing round things. They're totally ten blue glowing round jewels, glowing beautifully. Looking at these things reminds me of something, these jewels are similar.
"The Apostles said that I should hand these to you". - The old man rolled a jewel to my table side
I pick up the thing and look at it closely. Shera and Reimi are focusing on the glowing jewel, they feel like touching it, huh?
"Thanks, John". - My wife thanked me as I handed her the blue jewel
"So shining...". - Reimi got closer to my wife, both of them viewed the prettiness and the shinning of the jewel
"Urrrghhh...". - When I looked away, a headache suddenly occurred
Loads of strange memories suddenly come into my mind.
However, this headache wasn't so hurtful. I manage to stay normal, I look at the village chief with a purpose. After getting that headache, somehow I've got to remember something, my old memories. I remember it.
Back at the time before two of my subordinates and I come to Euro Grant. These jewels seem to be some kind of connection between the Sword Mountain and this strange other world, to me.
A very big earthquake occurred in Virginia on December 26th, 1996. After the first earthquake, the second one occurred not so long later. The military later found an unidentified object floating on the water's surface - right in Virginia beach.
They named it "Sword Mountain". But due to the mountain's strange phenomenon, mysterious weathers and things around it, the beach was deserted. Then it became a place for the military and the scientists to research, they found many things inside the mountain.
The inside of the Sword Mountain is named "Sword Cave". The military and scientists exploited the place till 2030. One year before that, a group of scientists died in the cave due to an accident.
One of those who died, was Shizuka Hatano and Sarah Hatano's father. We were ordered to guard the Sword Mountain by our superiors. We got stuck like the way those scientists did. Then we came to this world, by using those blue glowing jewels.
According to Hatano, these jewels were exploited from the Sword Cave. Her father stole these things out of the lab to research them himself... he left them at home. Hatano brought these jewels with her when we were doing the mission. We came to this world thanks to those jewels.
Hatano and Sarah are dead, can't ask for their testifies to fill the intel. The only information source here is the village chief, this old man. Alright, I must ask him something. But what first...? Whatever, I must ask him.
"Sir, what do they mean...?". - I stared at the old man, asking him seriously
"Shakes head". "I don't get it exactly, Hero". "The Apostles only said "Will need these things to solve everything, back to where you are, end your journey", that's all".
"Back to where you are", huh? I also wonder. Hmmm... we came to this world by using these jewels, it means the reverse can also happen. However, I wonder when I go back, I'll be back in time or just change the dimension.
If these jewels can help me to go back in time and return to my old world, my subordinates will be saved. Because I'll return at the moment before we get here. But it also means I will lose my current family too.
I must not risk it. I wanna save my subordinates, but I don't want to be away from my family at all. Especially my wife, she fills my heart, she warms my soul and my body, she makes me feel safe. My wife loves me, she cares about me. I won't leave my family, I love my wife!
"Reimi, wrap those jewels". - But these jewels may be useful to me someday, I must find the way to save both of my subordinates and do something to keep my family with me forever
"Do you know the use of the jewels, Elder?". - I asked the village chief once again
"Shakes head...". - The old man only knew to shake his head in his disappointment
What should I ask him next now...? About the Land of God or something?
"Hey, Elder...". - My wife suddenly spoke up
"Yes, what's wrong, Mrs?".
"From what I know, God's land is just somewhere fairy, doesn't exist". "But I newly learned that the place is real, but we humans never have a chance to see or step on the place... may I know about it?". - It's good when my wife asked the old man
"It's quite... complicated...".
"Why, Sir?". - Reimi felt curious about the old man's reason, now she had finished stuffing jewels into a bag
"It's a secret thing... I can only say about it, when His Majesty is here". " Must have his approval please wait till His Majesty arrives, everyone".
"We're goin' to die, the world's about to end, nothing to hide from us anymore". - I urged the old man to reveal the land's information to us
The village chief sighs out a bit, then glances at us with his ready-to-tell eyes. The old man glances at Yura and she nods. The prophet gets off her seat then comes inside her room... she's doing something.
"By the way, Hero". - The old man suddenly talked to me. "Those Apostles also said that you should come to the land, with your men". - With my men...? But Sarah and Hatano are dead already... maybe I'll go with my wife and Reimi. "I'll guide you the way there, but please watch your mouth and your action...". "Guards all around to dispose of strangers, please be careful".
The three of us nod to the village chief. Then Yura comes out of her room and returns to her seat silently. She puts a... world map...? She puts it on the table. All of us focus on the map, and the old man points his finger to the far East side of the map.
"This is the land of God...". - He tapped on that map side twice, that side didn't have any icons, but an ocean scene. "This land is surrounded by dense lines of fog, if you don't notice, you may get lost and stuck when you get here".
"Then how can you recognize the place?".
"We elves have the ability to hear the voices of Goddess, she tells us where to go". - Sounds quite unbelievable
"What's exactly in there, Elder?". - My wife asked the old man
"Castle, towers, buildings, things created by the Goddess". "Guards commanded by the Apostles, protecting the place from the outside things". "Want to go anywhere, you'll always need to ask for their permission". "If you do anything suspicious, guards will take you down". - Alright... this place seems to be dangerous
After hearing the village chief's answer, all of us go silent once again. By the way, I'm a bit curious about the Apostles in that sacred land. The Goddess - Katia is never there, huh? To me, those "Apostles" are likely to be her contactees... interesting.
"You said that island doesn't have Katia?".
"Hero... it's rude when you directly say her name". - Old man, we don't need to respect that bitch who is to kill us all. "Please have more respect for the Goddess". - I know, I know
"Yes, the Goddess isn't there, how can we see our creator? That's impossible".
"Then the Apostles follow her instructions?".
"Yes". "They maintain everything, they follow her instructions, every of her word... from small to big". "You can basically say they do the ruling and reminding on behalf of the Goddess".
"........". - Now I realized that my wife and Reimi seemed to be waiting for their turn to ask the old man. "Hmmm...". - Maybe I shouldn't prohibit them, if they wanna know anything, I'll be okay to down with 'em
"What are they look like...?". - I asked the village chief
"From what I've seen so far till this time... I only saw two Apostles on that island". "Maybe... they're human beings, I don't know if I'm right about it". "Both are women, they seem to be around 50 to 60, I think so...". - Two Apostles, huh? If I can threaten those hags to save my subordinates then I will...
"However...". - Huh? Instead of stopping, the old man started saying more. "This recent visit was a bit... odd". "Years ago, those Apostles were just both of them, going alone together". "But this recent visit, they appeared... to have brought a child with them, a very little girl".
"Huh...? Tell me about it".
"I've never seen her till this moment, she's just a child". "About less than 10 years old or something, she always follows them closely, always carries a sword with her".
"Hmmm... so she's some kind of bodyguard?". - Maybe that's a right answer, Reimi
"But isn't she too young to take that career?". - I said back to Reimi
"John, a ten-year-old child to be a soldier apprentice is very common in my world". - Oh, sorry, Shera. I thought I was in the modern world, this world is mixed with fantasies and medieval anyway
"But it's odd when this was the first time I had ever seen a guard with them". - The village chief talked to us with a surprising voice. "She's also a little girl, a child... before her, no child was seen in the Land of God at all".
"Child of guards in the land?". - My wife asked the old man
"Shakes head... I don't know".
"Then I have nothing else to ask you, Elder". - I ended my discussion here
"Please stay here for a moment, Elder, would you tell me more about the land?". - My wife was curious, so she wanted to know more about God's land. "Please...". - She begged him, Reimi also nodded to follow her
"I won't mind to tell it to you". "But please, remember to behave well when I lead you to the place". - The village chief allowed the discussion to continue
Then I'll be sitting tight here to listen to their discussion. Although I don't ask anything, I still have new intel filled in my head. This passive action of mine seems to be an advantage, very excellent.
According to what I heard from the Elder, I conclude that those two Apostles are human beings. From the clues they are aged people, they have a bodyguard and bunches of guards on that small island. It's clear that they are just human beings.
I'll take the opportunity to threaten them. I must save my subordinates by using that way, I must have a clear plan.
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Right at this moment, I'm outside of the Yura's house. I'm walking outside, having a walk to ease my mind for a better sleep. I just walk around, waiting till I get sleepy and go to bed.
This time is night already. After the discussion, the daytime passed normally, very usual. But King Ralla hasn't arrived here yet.
We went to sleep quite early today, I think. But I couldn't sleep at all, my mind kept stressing, thinking about saving my subordinates. That's why I had to wake up, away from my wife then went out for a walk. I really, truly want to save two of my subordinates... very much.
"How can I do this shit...?". - I tiredly talked to myself, then looked up the sky. "Sigh...". - My cold breaths got out of my mouth and vanished in the air, like shit
"Iaw... r'uoy reh, Naegres?". (Wait... you're here, Sergeant?). - All of sudden, a strange woman's voice ahead called me
"I evas uoy sa...". (I saved your ass...). "I wanted to give you more time but seems like it's emergency now, Sir". - That woman dropped something popping out smoke to the ground, it was turned off by smashed by her foot
The woman later approaches me slowly, her dark figure slowly appears. That's Rivia, from what I can remember. This dark elf woman and her squad were the ones who saved us during the war between Warsaw and Attenta.
Now my mind suddenly comes out another thought, about it this woman's reminder to us. From what I learned, her squad would be stationed in this elven village. They waited for my answer, it's about having a meeting with the Demon Lord.
She said the time left for me to do that was... 4 years. Anyway, from the way we skipped the time to get here, it's been 4 years already.
"I found you guys collapsed in the village's entrance, so brought you to the prophet's house for the healing". - She came to me, speaking to me. "It's odd when we didn't see the two others". "Maybe they're not here with you". "But I won't go around, we need to talk, Sir". - Rivia then pointed to a nearby tree, she started walking there while I followed her from behind
"No need to go to that tree, tell me about it".
"You know that already, Sir?".
"Shakes head".
Rivia stops moving, then stands before me. Now I will wait for her talk to gather more intel, I'll be hearing her. Lt. Rivia stands before me for a while. I nod, urging her to tell me the story she wants to.
"Well... about the four years ago mission". - Finally, she had started talking. "Her Majesty hazily dreamed of something bad in the future, which would happen after 4 years". "So she ordered my group to go here, saving you and other Heroes". "Our mission was to get the three of you to the Demon Kingdom, you would be trained to get rid of the event in the next 4 years".
"She's just dreamed of another dream recently...". - The woman slowly approached me. "It's the truth when the Goddess told her that she would destroy this world, it's very terrible". "Now our mission is to get you and your men to see Her Majesty". "She would remind you of something, then we would be on our way to the Land of God". - Wait a minute... then we can go to that island by following Rivia's group or the village chief
"I know about it, the Elder and Yura had briefed me". "But why that place...?".
"Her Majesty believes that the Apostles have the way to cool down their deity's wrath". "That's why we have to get there, as soon as possible". - Hmmmm... alright, I get it
But now I just wonder about things around me. I want to know how to use those jewels for the time travel progress. My subordinates need to be saved too. My family also needs to remain with me too.
"I also think about going there". "Tell me the location of your group, I wann-".
"Pip! Pip!". "Commander, your wife's calling you!". - What the hell...? Seems like Shera's woken up and found out I wasn't sleeping with her
"Now I don't have time to talk to you, Lieutenant". - I glanced at Rivia, saying to her. "I'll see you tomorrow, tell me where's your squad's camp".
"Backyard of the village, in a chopper, Sir".
"Got it, I'll see you tomorrow". - I walked away after that, slowly walked back to the prophet's house
"Pip!". - I accepted the call, and even turned on the video call. "Hi, Shera, I'm sorry when I wasn't with you". "Just... I couldn't sleep earlier, so went outside just for a walk". "I'll be going home now, I love you very much...". - I made a fast talk then walked home faster
"Hey, John...". - My wife was replying to me. "I was a bit nervous when you weren't with me, but then Yura told me that you were outside". "Just... the living room is quite noisy right now".
"Huh?".
"The King and the old man have just come here, they're waiting for you". - Alright, now we'll have another discussion, huh?
"Their arrival woke up Reimi and me, I hope they'll leave soon". - Yeah, I hope so too. "You said you couldn't sleep earlier, is it okay to join them to discuss, John?".
"I'm gonna be alright, Shera".
"I think you should better sleep some, I can ask Reimi to go out to discuss with them". "She'll write for you a report too, is it alright?".
"No, I'm fine to discuss".
"Please take care of yourself, John... I'm worried about you, stop pushing yourself".
"I'm gonna be fine". "I'm going home now, wait for me".
"I love you, John... maybe I'll ask Yura for a turn, I'll make breakfast for you myself tomorrow".
"I love you too, my wife....". "Pip!". - I turned off the call, then started running back home
Just in a blink of an eye on my way back home, the prophet's house is before my eyes. Somehow outside of the house has some guards guarding around. Some guard the door, some guard around the house, very cautious.
"Hey, who are you?!". - Yep, those Royal guards immediately pointed their bows and arrows, even spears at me even when I was away from them
"John Rigen". - I ran toward the door, those guards also lowered their weapons
"Come inside, Sir, don't be late to waste His Majesty's time". - They opened the door to let me come in
I rush inside the house, and immediately spot King Ralla and the old man. Both of them gather at the living table, waiting for me to join a seat. Surrounding the King's position are four of his elven Royal guards. They really can't leave their ruler, huh?
Yura can be seen standing in her room peeking at us through the door. But she seems to be standing out of this discussion, not joining it.
"Nod...". - I greeted them with a nod. "Your Majesty, Elder, I'm here to join you". - I approached both of them and took my seat, opposite to them
I forgot to check on my wife and Reimi earlier. I make a glance around the room before I get into the discussion. Then, I manage to see Shera and Reimi. They stand together inside my bedroom door, they also peek at me.
"Hey, you two, go to bed, ok?". "I'll be back to you later, Shera, now don't stay up la-".
"Sir Rigen, you and your men went missing for a while, that's good when you're back". - King Ralla suddenly said to me when I was reminding my wife and Reimi. "Good now, now it's the time you heroes are needed for the world's sake". - But he later looked aro me. "He said your men have parted ways, would they be back here soon...? They really need to join this". - The King pointed to the old man while speaking to me
"I'll send 'em to see you when they arrive". - I can't say my subordinates are dead, must not reveal this shit
"Please rest, my Highness, I'll go out and guard for your husband". "You should take care of yourself, this duty sh-".
"You go to bed, I stay here to watch him". "Don't make me mad, c'mon, go to bed...". - These women... Reimi really wants to do a good thing while my wife's misunderstood her and gets jealous unreasonably
"Go to bed and stop arguing, you two!". - Luckily, my bedroom goes silent after that
"Back to the table, Sir Rigen". - King Ralla reminded me to return to the discussion
"I will brief you on something, now we really need your help to solve it for us". "I'll say it fast, please listen to the end".
"One day ago, the Demon Lord just had sent messages to all continents". "She said that the Goddess had told her about the downfall of the world". "Our creator wants to kill us all, she wants to destroy this world and its kinds, we're about to be doomed under her hands".
"The Demon Lord demanded all of us to make a union, an alliance". "Its purpose... is about staying together, all races become allies and fight against struggles". "She wants us to stay together to fight against miseries, to protect against this world from the Goddess, and drive its fate ourselves for a better future".
"She seems to have told us the truth...". "All of us believed her, we were willing to let off the past to ally with the demons". "It's a good sign".
"But...". - The King suddenly sighed when he looked at me. "Humans did not believe what she said". "They laughed at her, they did not believe that their God... would betray 'em".
"The Human Continent's Kings are going to hold a Grand Meeting". "They want to form a union too". "But not to with us, they want to summon another hero and then march their great troops to our land and others". - Huh? What?
"It's very dangerous when they don't understand us, Sir Rigen". "They want to occupy our lands and others, making them the bases to start an invasion in the Demon Kingdom by themselves". - Uhh... these dumb shit
"It's very bad...". - My wife and Reimi later came out after they heard our discussion. "One Kingdom is history, another one will perish if they.....". "It's not good...". - Shera, I understand that
"We don't have even a way to solve it, Your Majesty?". - Reimi spoke up, wondering
"Till now, we only have two solutions, Miss". - After replying to Reimi, the King glanced at me. "Hero, now you have two ways to solve the problem in order to make humans become our ally".
"One, go to Warsaw Kingdom and convince King Hoster there". - My wife's homeland, huh? Alright. "Ask him to convince other rulers in that Grand Meeting, you'll be a representative of us so... maybe they'll be fine with it".
"The second solution, you have to go to the Land of God, and... beg to see the Apostles". - Again, three thoughts of different people, but lead to the same location. "They'll hear you and... will send the Goddess' harsh voices to all humans". "From that, they will learn who is saying the truth". "The world's dying".
"Then I'm going with the second one". "All of us are being wanted there, that tyrant won't leave us alone, don't say we can get outta there alive". "He hates us". "And also... we can't fight against the stupid when they're too many and we are just a few...".
"The wanted order was never made, Sir". - But Your Majesty, I can't trust that guy at all
"But the second solution seems to be more reasonable".
"Ummm... John...". - All of sudden, my wife got close to me and called me. "Can I... speak up, just a little bit?".
"Yeah yeah".
"Just... even when the first one won't be successful". "But can I see my brother? I miss my home country, I want to see how it is right now, that's all". "I'm sorry, I know that choice is very selfish... it may trouble your time too, or more dangerous". "For me, the second choice is far better".
"Alright, I know...". - He's lucky to have a caring little sister like you, my wife. But Hoster never worth having a sister, you should be mine, Shera!
"I won't choose anything, I'll follow you, my Lord". - Reimi, I know you also miss your homeland very much when we had to flee from it abruptly
Someone's homeland is always a special place for them. But sadly, you shouldn't get back there anymore.
Right at this moment, I haven't known the real use of those jewels yet. Those things may lead me back in time and dimension, to my old world and before my subordinates and I got to Sword Mountain. However, those things may also lead me back to my world, but not back in time.
I won't risk it. I won't leave my family, I am precious to the ones I love, I love to be with them. To me, I'm happy to have this family, my wife gives me warmth and love. I won't leave them, I want to live with them to the end of my life.
But I also, really want to save my subordinates. Although Hatano was bad, she worth having a happy life alongside her little sister. So did Sarah.
I can keep these jewels and come to God's land later. When we get there, I will do some research, I'll find out the use of these jewels. If I can save my subordinates and can also keep my family with me, I'll surely do it, I'll do it!
"Your Majesty, I'll do my best to try the first one". - I spoke to the King. "We can come to that island in the second go, now I want to please my family a bit...". "However, that go will be dangerous, so we need to be protected in order to convince those men to join your alliance".
"I know your concern, Sir, guards will surely follow you". "Don't worry about it, I'll send my best men to come with you to Warsaw".
After hearing the King's promise, my wife and Reimi express the happiness on their faces and eyes. Knowing that they are happy, I come to my wife and hug her gently. Reimi just stands in the distance, but she smiles when I look at her.
Since I don't have firearms anymore, I need to be more careful in every of my movement.