Perhaps he knows something about the script I found, Ramune thought, her pace steady as she entered the bustling city. I should confirm it with him before sharing anything with the others.
The lively streets were filled with people celebrating the festival, their laughter and cheers echoing through the air. Vibrant lanterns hung above, swaying gently with the evening breeze, casting a warm glow over the crowded alleys. Musicians played lively tunes, and the aroma of street food lingered, blending with the faint scent of firecrackers.
Yet, amidst the festive chaos, Ramune remained focused, her sharp gaze scanning her surroundings. Her thoughts were clouded with questions. The script she uncovered wasn't something ordinary—it had to mean something significant. If anyone could provide clarity, it would be him.
I just hope he'll have answers, she mused silently, weaving through the crowd.
---
The village was as lively as ever, bursting with energy from the New Year festival. Lanterns lined the streets, children ran around with sparklers, and the air was filled with laughter and music. The commotion was loud and infectious, but one person stood apart from it all.
Harris lingered in the quieter part of the festivities, away from the crowd. He was dressed simply, as usual, his casual attire somehow still accentuating his natural charm. However, his usual vibrant demeanor was absent. He looked... melancholic.
Despite the bustling noise around him, a distinct sound caught his attention—a rhythmic set of steps, deliberate yet light. It wasn't a sound he heard often, but somehow, it felt familiar.
Turning toward the source, he froze for a moment. Ramune.
Unlike their first meeting, where she had been drenched in blood and intimidatingly cold, today she appeared different—composed, almost serene. Her formal knight uniform was spotless, the steel reflecting the lantern light. What truly caught Harris off guard, though, was her hair. It was untied, cascading freely down her shoulders, softening her otherwise sharp demeanor.
For a fleeting moment, Harris found himself staring, taken aback by the stark contrast. She was still Ramune—stoic and commanding—but there was a gentleness about her today that he hadn't seen before.
As she reached him, she greeted him with her usual formality, bowing slightly.
"Sir Harris, I've been meaning to meet you," she said, her voice steady but laced with purpose.
Harris blinked, pulling himself out of his daze, and broke into a cheerful smile. "Dame Ramune! You look... different today!" he exclaimed, his tone bright and genuine.
Ramune raised a brow, tilting her head slightly. "Different?"
He nodded enthusiastically. "Well, yes! No blood, no chaos, and your hair... It suits you like this. You seem almost—" He paused, searching for the right word, then grinned. "Relaxed."
Ramune's expression remained stoic, but a faint flicker of something crossed her eyes—amusement, perhaps. "I take that as a compliment, Sir Harris," she said, her tone even.
Harris laughed lightly, his earlier gloom momentarily forgotten. "It is! But what brings the mighty head knight here, to such a humble spot?"
"I came to discuss something important with you," she said, her gaze steady, though her voice carried a subtle weight that Harris didn't miss.
Harris tilted his head curiously but gestured for her to sit on the nearby bench. "Well, then, Dame Ramune, you have my full attention. Let's talk."
As the lively festival continued around them, the two figures—an enigmatic knight and the mysterious man—sat together, their conversation marking the start of yet another chapter in the unraveling mystery surrounding the kingdom.
---
"You see, about the keepers and what I've uncovered so far," Ramune began, her voice steady but laced with urgency. "During my investigation in the forest, I found symbols carved into the trees, all of them marking an ancient boundary line. These symbols weren't random—they matched an old script I came across in the archives. It's tied to an obscure group called The Circle of Guardians. Their purpose seems to go beyond just 'keeping the forest.' They're protecting something... but what?"
Harris's expression grew thoughtful, and he nodded. "Interesting. That script—it's not common knowledge, even among scholars. Did you find anything else?"
Ramune hesitated for a moment, then continued, her brow furrowing. "Yes. I also found remnants of camps hidden deep within the forest. They were well-maintained, but deserted by the time I got there. Strangely, the fire pits were still warm, meaning someone had been there only hours before I arrived. And in one of the camps, I found this."
She pulled a small, worn medallion from her pocket and handed it to Harris. The emblem on it was intricate, depicting a tree with roots that extended into a labyrinth of lines.
"This symbol," Ramune explained, "matches the carvings. I believe it's their insignia. But what's troubling is that the labyrinth design underneath the tree suggests they're guarding more than just the forest. It hints at something buried—possibly beneath the forest itself."
Harris studied the medallion carefully, his fingers brushing over its surface. "That's pretty surprising," he said finally, his voice low. "The Circle of Guardians... If what you're saying is true, they aren't just a myth. And if they're protecting something beneath the forest, it could explain why they're so territorial."
As they delved further into the topic, a group of teenage girls passed by, their laughter breaking through the hum of the festival. Harris's gaze flicked toward them for a brief moment, his expression sharpening.
Ramune noticed his reaction. "What is it?"
Harris leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "The medallion you found isn't just a relic. I've seen something similar before—on a small group of people who frequented the outskirts of town. They were discreet, but their behavior was odd, like they were scouting or searching for something."
He gestured subtly toward the group of teenage girls who had just passed. "Those girls... I've noticed them around those same areas recently. They've been circling places tied to the forest, almost like they're keeping watch or passing information."
Ramune narrowed her eyes, her instincts sharpening. "Do you think they're connected to the keepers?"
Harris smiled faintly. "I don't believe in coincidences, Dame Ramune."
Ramune stood, adjusting her uniform. "Then we can't afford to lose them," she said firmly.
She gestured for Harris to follow her, her eyes locked on the group in the distance. "Let's see what they know."
Harris chuckled softly, catching up to her. "As expected of the head knight—straight to the point."
The two of them trailed the teenagers discreetly, blending into the lively festival as lanterns glowed above and fireworks crackled in the distance.
Ramune's thoughts briefly wandered as they walked. The Circle of Guardians... Are they protecting something vital? Or are they hiding something dangerous?
Harris glanced at her with a knowing smile, as though sensing her thoughts. "Ready to find some answers?"
"Always," Ramune replied, her voice steady as they moved deeper into the crowd, their sights locked on their next lead.