He doesn’t feel himself lately, in fact, he hasn’t been himself for a while. Ever since his innate unknown powers manifested, he felt that he’s not in control. Surely, he’s conscious but his movements were willingly on his own. It felt like he became a puppet of his own thinking. His temperature would shoot up, his body would become upset and he would tremble as if he’s losing his sense of reality.

Alastor cupped the water from the faucet and splashed it on his face to feel himself, the coldness, the reassuring sense of security that he hasn’t lose himself. He felt his face stiffed and hard. The water trickled down on his chin. He plastered his hair as he observed his reflection in the mirror.

He remembered the feeling, the twisting, mind boggling perception at that time – the hotness that shot up and dulled his senses into thinking he had fallen into madness but only to find himself in the darkness.

The energy he felt back then was similar to Sherry, the difference between the two is that he knew he can resist it, but chose not to.

Before he can let himself drown in his own misery, someone knocks on the door. He saw the knob tilted and Ken entered.

“You alright, pal?” He asked.

“Yeah.” Alastor nodded and grabbed the towel, wiping his face. “What’s up?”

“I’m just checkin’. Oh, and Mr. Funny Man wants us to gather at the lounge.

“Be right there in a minute.”

“Al… are you sure you’re alright? Because lately, you’ve been acting strange.” Ken questioned. It hasn’t slip on his eyes that Alastor has been acting weird lately.

Alastor turned his gaze at him and saw his face that expressed concern.

“Yeah. I’m, I’m fine. Nothing sleep can’t do. Don’t worry.” A forceful smile stretched.

After that, Alastor went his way back to his room. He wipes off his sweaty face with his palm and open the closet, wearing black shirt and blue jacket. His brown pants were laden with metallic kneecap. His buckler fastened in his left arm. His scabbard hung on his back. All of his clothes were packed in his bag and carried it as he goes to the lounge.

They all came at the same time. In front of them, a map has been set on the table. There are several pieces that were mark some routes, red and black. There were few of black pieces rather than the red ones. The red apparently indicates that the route cannot be used while the black is the complete opposite.

Mr. Funny Man sat down. He quietly observed them for a while, specially Alastor and then he began to add another red piece to a certain route. When he entered the room, his expression is understandably hardened, contrasting to the three on the other side, is completely calm. Do they truly understand the gravity of the situation? He asked himself. Whether they’re in their right heads or not, their judgements and action matters, after all.

“Let me guess,” Alastor started his eyes scanned the map, “The red ones are the unavailable routes and the black ones are the ones that hasn’t been confirmed that the enemies marked yet?”

“Yes.” Mr. Funny Man nodded and said with a strained expression. His finger traced to a certain place, a route that led to a mountain. “Several days ago, when the princess is trying to escape the eyes of the enemies, we hired adventurers and mercenaries to spread false information, in which they followed them to the Mistrake Mountain.”

“That’s awfully close.” Linda stated.

“Not as close as this town.” Alastor replied.

“And there is that.” She nodded. “They have vast network it seems. No wonder why you guys are having such a hard time to cover your tracks.”

“Then what’s the hold up?” Alastor asked.

“There several highways that hasn’t been mark yet. I would like to hear your opinion.”

They all fell silence for a while. Ken looked ahead and thought of something.

“Why don’t we try a different approach?” Ken asked.

“What approach?” Alastor questioned. He gulped on his own saliva.

“Let’s disguise as merchants.” Ken responded.

“I’m sorry, what?” Linda asked.

“Actually, it’s not a bad idea.” Alastor replied. “But we need to do something about the princess’s appearance.”

“I’ll handle it.” Linda declared.

“You will?”

“Yes.”

Their eyes suddenly struck to someone who’s descending from the stairs.

Holding her yellow dress that is adorn by her golden necklace with a green gem in the middle, she carefully descends with her fair lady like figure and pink sandal. Her black hair fashioned it by braiding into two thick tresses.

Caroline occupied the seat near to Mr. Funny Man.

“I agree, we need to do something about her appearance.” Mr. Funny Man stated.

“I’m sorry, what? You didn’t like my dress.”

“No, no.” Linda replied. “It’s not like that, princess. There’s nothing with you or your dress. It’s perfect to you honestly.”

“Excuse me, Ken. But what kind of merchandise are we going to sell out?” Alastor queried.

“I am not sure you will like it…”

After Ken explaining to them, Caroline can only express her discontentment.

“I see.” Mr. Funny Man is slightly amused about his plan. “Bold and provocative, but it is still effective. I’m sorry, princess, but we have to do it.”

Caroline knew that they’re in dire situation but to do something like that is out of the line. She is annoyed by the fact that they made her felt that she doesn’t have a voice for this.

“Absolutely no.” She puckered her lips and slightly close her eyes. Her cheeks dripped in red. “It doesn’t mean you’re the ones who’s going to lead the mission, you can do all you want. I am still a delicate, decent young lady, you know.”

Alastor’s brow jerk in a second. “Then what do you want us to do? Why don’t you formulate a plan? I doubt that there’s nothing you can answer.”

“I didn’t say your plan is ineffective. What I’m saying its humiliating. But fine, I’ll agree just this time.”

Alastor held his breath and calm himself down. It is better not to riled up. They’re still getting paid, after all. Linda aided her to the room to help change her appearance.