Blake was willing to assist Levi in paying off his debt, but he was aware of the high risk involved. The risk wasn't just for him, as there was a sense of responsibility to lend a hand. However, the fear of Kuma being severely punished if they were caught made him hesitant to take action.
Blake didn't want his loyal knight punished for his decisions and mistakes. Also, Kuma was right. Though Levi's strength shouldn't be underestimated, the people involved in the kidnapping definitely shouldn't be looked down upon either.
Kuma and Blake's eyes met, and both knew they shouldn't take the request nor let Levi do it.
"I also agree with Kuma. You shouldn't get involved in this incident," Blake advised, but Levi didn't care about it.
If caught, the consequences couldn't be shrugged off easily. Levi knew it, but he also couldn't stay still. Somebody would solve it in the future, but when? Levi didn't have time and waited until someone answered it.
He also understood why Blake and Kuma refused his offer and wanted him to avoid it as well.
"I understand your situation and won't turn a blind eye to it. But I will do what I can to catch the culprit," Levi said.
Kuma sighed as he stood up from the bed and walked towards Levi. He kneeled and said,
"You have the resolve, I can see it. But like I said, you're a student. The awakeners guarding the city will immediately kick you out. And a teenager like you associating with something like this will lead to even more troubles."
The words reached Levi, and again he didn't think about it. Stubborn as he was, backing out here wasn't an option.
"I know the dangers. I didn't say I wouldn't jump in without recognizing it. And I'm not here as a student, but a-"
Levi stopped mid-sentence. He focused the mana in the pit of his stomach flowing into his left hand and envisioned the engraving on it.
A light yellow glow emitted from his hands, making Blake curious. He didn't feel any hostility from the light. Instead of questioning it, they looked directly at the source of light, lessening the tiredness their eyes had been holding.
On the other hand, Kuma closely looked at the hand, then to Levi and again back to the hand in surprise and astonishment, as if he was seeing a dragon hatch out of its egg.
The engraving on Levi's hand was completed, and even Blake now knew what it was.
Silence and a sense of awe filled them as both watched the logo of the church on Levi's hand. Blake knew Ryan trained Levi, and Kuma also knew a bit. His working at the city hospital and being able to use the Golden String cemented his face.
So they had guesses of him joining the church, but not this early. The church had younger members than Levi, but most of them were trainees or volunteers, not a part of it directly.
Kuma and Blake just watched the logo and partly guessed what Levi planned to do. Take part in the investigation, and the logo in possession gave him the authority to do so, only if he had been ordered.
\[Master, the lesser eyes have got some clue. However, they aren't sure if they are the culprit or associated with it.\] The central eye barged into Levi's mind during the middle of his revelation.
'Keep on following them. We can't jump to conclusions. Nothing in this city seems trustworthy to me yet.'
Levi ordered, and the central eye wriggled a bit and started ordering the two lesser eyes around the city.
As Levi and the central eye were having their telepathic conversation, Kuma wondered why the church gave a kid like him such a difficult and life-threatening situation, also to someone who should have registered as a healer.
"Have any of the higher-ups ordered you for this and if so, I think they have given you an official document. Do you have it?"
Kuma said. Levi just ignored his question and took a sip of the tea that he had already drunk.
The giant-knight sighed.
"You don't have any authority, do you?"
Again, Levi ignored him. Blake also couldn't believe the recklessness of Levi. He asked,
"If you are a part of the church, then why not ask them for help and instead ask us?"
"I don't have any means to communicate with them over a long distance," Levi said, as it was the truth. He didn't carry a communication orb nor own a messenger bird. Also, he didn't want their help.
'If I succeed in this with the church, they will do some investigation, and I will have to take part in it, taking a lot of time from my already tight scheduled plan.'
And unlike the church, Blake and Kuma, if they helped him and solved the issue, wouldn't try to stop him afterwards. They would definitely spy on him, but they wouldn't be able to stop him. After all, the Duke of Soron couldn't disobey the words of the emperor.
Also, Kuma's power would help him to resolve this faster.
'They are the perfect ally and scapegoat.'
Kuma put his hand on his chin and considered Levi's offer. Teaming up and solving the issue would make their journey faster and easier. Not just that, they could catch the culprit, investigate them, and most importantly, save the lives of those innocent children.
But he didn't want Blake involved or even Levi. But seeing his confidence and stubbornness, Kuma gave up on pursuing Levi. He also hadn't received any permission from the Duke, and acting against his will wasn't fitting for a knight like him.
"Can we think about this and answer later?"
Kuma asked as he looked at Blake, who also agreed.
Levi nodded.
"You don't need to force yourself."
He stood up and put the cup in the sink, with some other uncleaned bowls.
"But if you want to, I need an answer by tomorrow at exactly 8 am. I will be at the same place we met today,"
Levi said.
He was in a hurry. Every day of this vacation counted for him. Working to death for this month would make things a lot easier for him and also help him make some connections, essential for the future of this world.
Seeing how much of a rush Levi was in, Blake asked, "Why are you in such a hurry to save them?"
Kuma smiled a bit at the question because he was curious about Levi's intentions. The more clear his goals, the more Kuma could trust his plans. Nobody is dumb enough to follow a road that leads either nowhere or straight to a pit.
"I want to borrow a ship. But don't ask me for what reason; I won't answer that," Levi said. He walked to the door and looked at Blake.
"Also, I am not doing this for those kids." His crimson eyes darkened, covered by darkness at night, void of warmth.
"I couldn't care less if they live or die." He opened the creaky door and closed it as he left. Kuma and Blake stared at the door ahead, without blinking.
Kuma felt a shiver run down his spine, and the hair on his hand stood up. Those weren't the eyes of a saviour. And Levi wasn't lying either; that made him wonder.
"He isn't just a normal student, is he?"
Kuma looked at Blake, and he said that. Though Blake looked paler than a glass of white milk. Sweat ran down his forehead; he looked down and held his hands together to stop his body from shaking.
Kuma immediately rushed towards Blake and patted his back. "Young master, are you okay?"
He had only seen Blake like this once, and that was when he walked out of the shop, bloodied, shaking, and mostly out of focus.
Blake took a deep breath, from his belly to the chest, and tried calming himself. But what he saw in Levi's eyes was akin to what he saw in that nightmare.
"Kuma?"
"Yes." The worried knight replied.
"Call father, ask him for permission. Even if he doesn't allow it, we will go...we have to." Blake had a shudder, a chill in his tone, and Kuma worried even more.
"As you wish... But can I ask you why the desperation in you increased all of a sudden?" Kuma asked. Did helping Levi matter to him this much, just so he could repay him?
Blake kept taking long, deep breaths and looked at the ceiling, with a puzzled expression. "The situation is the same as back when he rescued me, and again he will risk his life. But it's just that...is he there to save lives or to satisfy the blood-hungry monster that his eyes portrayed?
For the first time, he could have been assumed, but now was the second time he witnessed Levi with such eyes. Lifeless and hungry to take lives, no sign of satiating his hunger.
Kuma understood Blake's sentiment and took out a communication orb from a small leather bag, beside his bed. 'Levi, what on earth have you done for the confident and furious Blake Soron to be this worried?' He thought, hoping one day Blake would muster up the courage and talk about it.
"Young master, it's time," Kuma said as he opened the door. Both walked out, and they could hear a door creaking just beside their room.
Kuma and Blake looked at Levi coming out, with an awkward smile. The three stared at each other, and without saying any words, headed down and ordered five sets of breakfast, two for Levi and Blake and the rest for Kuma.
The breakfast arrived, filled with two sausages, two omelettes, and salad for each set. Blake and Kuma didn't look at the food and kept staring at Levi. After his frightening statement and somewhat cool exit, they were underwhelmed to meet him this way.
"Don't judge me," Levi said. He took a bite of the freshly made omelette. "All of the hotels other than this one were packed. Only that room was empty. I had no choice."
Kuma and Blake nodded and started eating.
"So, do you guys want to join in?" Levi said, chewing on the sausage.
Blake and Kuma had got permission from the Duke but on one condition.
"We will help you, but Father ordered me to just accompany you and not fight unless needed to escape. Kuma will also help you if your life is in danger. The investigation and searching are all up to you," Blake said. It felt unfair to him that Levi would have to do all the work, but they couldn't risk revealing themselves.
"Suit yourself," Levi replied, though he was a bit salty because now even the Duke knew about his plans. And a sly man like him would try to use it for his benefit, not Levi's.
Levi finished his breakfast as he waited for the clerk at the inn to go back to the kitchen. He could feel the keen ears and eyes of his waiting for the three to reveal anything that he could sell as information.
Once the clerk left and Levi confirmed he wasn't capable of hearing them, Levi stuck his head a bit closer to Kuma.
"I have information about two people involved with the recent kidnapping," he said.
Kuma, gorging down on his food, just nodded and brought his head near to Levi. Blake also changed seats and sat beside Levi so, as not to get left behind.
"Again, don't ask me how I know, just trust me. I have my ways."
And by his ways, Levi meant the two lesser eyes who scouted the whole island last night and were still at it.
Finishing his breakfast, Kuma asked,
"So what's the plan?"
"Obviously, interrogate them,"
Levi replied.
But Blake did feel a bit sceptical about this, not about the information but about the interrogation part.
"What will you do if both refuse? A teenager suddenly coming out for them, without any notice, would stir up troubles. And it would soon ripple through the island."
Levi smiled at the question, a soft smile, with malice and mystery hidden within.
"Then we just need to twist our ways a bit," he said.
Blake shook his head, and Levi just twisted his approach and not their bodies.