SING CRIER CH.22 - The New Hero 「 The meeting is starting soon. 」 I lean against a wooden wall, hanging my head a bit. 「 Are you coming? 」 「 ... 」 He buries his eyes in his hand for a second, before leaning back against the same wall with a heave. 「 Yeah... yeah, thanks for coming out. 」 「 Mm. 」 I nod a little. 「 Remember to wash up first then, you look like remarkably homeless. 」 「 Come on, give me a break... I even spent an hour putting this thing on. 」 He tugs at his kimono. He looks uncomfortable. 「 Well, congratulations on graduating from beggar to local beggar then. 」 「 Wooow. 」 He wags his finger at me. 「 ...You're lucky I'm sitting, newbie. 」 「 A calculated risk. 」 He makes a poker face. I turn back into the inn. 「 Also, don't forget your sword this time. 」 「 It was one time damn it! One time! 」 ...His voice trails off as I return to the expanse of the inn. I feel like that morning talk has strengthened our bond somewhat. It seems like that was the last member as well. I should head back to the meeting room. Halfway through, I trace my fingers against the inn's paper walls. Lafokia is known for their wooden architecture, but to go so far as to use paper... Do they know something we don't? Or is it just that their culture is that prominent? It can't be practical, we've already broken a dozen walls in a mere week of stay. Well, if anything, it's certainly beguiling. The serene silence, even as the inn's servants meander through the halls... the open gardens and modest atmosphere... the warm sunbaked floors... I wouldn't mind living in a place like this. At a point, the wall turns from paper to a brushed metal, mimicking wood. The meeting room. Although there are people inside, I can't hear anything from out here. But that's not just because the walls are soundproof... I grab a ring handle from the double doors, and pull open one of the two decorated metal gates. As it slowly swings open, a couple eyes turn up to look at me, but most of the room's occupants mind their own business in silence. Silence... Things weren't always like this... Ever since the incident with White Ash morale has been at an all-time low. I've been walking around all morning to encourage everyone to show up as a result... but I wonder if everyone actually came... A few familiar faces wave at me, I wave back. It seems almost everyone is here, twenty-one out of twenty-four. Missing is... The Cardinal Siegeblade, but he needs time to wash up... The Ariadyne, but she usually shows up exactly on time... And... the boss, but I've been told he almost never attends. It looks like I've gotten everyone I could. Will this meeting help, I wonder...? I look towards my seat, but, it seems there's someone sitting there already. The Cardinal Archbishop... Alph-Yu'mae... Why is she...? 「 Good morning, Loser. 」 I turn around. Standing in the doorway, with a flowing Lafokian gown, her hair raised in an intricate headpiece, but still wearing half of Dream Eater's jaw... 「 Alph-Marie?! Good morning! You're... 」 「 You're early, princess. 」 Alph-Goz speaks out from behind me. 「 Is there a problem, Goz? 」 「 Just wondering what the occasion is. 」 Alph-Marie looks to me as if ignoring Alph-Goz. I'm wondering as well though... why has she dressed so elaborately? As well, there are several servants waiting just behind her. No matter how you look at it, there must be an occasion... 「 Care to take a seat? We begin in a few minutes. 」 「 About... that.... 」 「 Ah, that's right, you're sitting next to me today. 」 My eyes widen. 「 Do you not wish to? 」 「 No! No, no, no, I'm just surprised! That's all! 」 She closes her eyes and nods slowly. Makeup, ornaments, glitters, perfumes... 「 I understand it's a bit nerve-wracking to ask so suddenly, 「 but please endure for today. I assure you it is for the most important of reasons. 」 「 Sure... no problem... 」 She passes me, strolling into the room first. The tail of her gown follows her on the floor so I have no choice but to be offset to the side. The meeting table is a long rectangle with twenty-five seats. Twelve on each side, and one at the very end for the boss.

Even with the boss that leaves one empty seat, but we've always had at least one VIP guest so far, so... perhaps the occasion is this special guest? On the way, my arm is tapped. I glance down. 「 Don't die! 」 Don't die? What do you mean don't die?! Does sitting next to Alph-Marie have a mortality rate?! ...By the time I've sat down, my hands have become damp. Alph-Marie takes several moments to sit with her gown, even with the assistance of her servants. 「 Why is it so silent? You don't have to mind me. 「 Just pretend I'm not here, be as obscene as usual if you wish. 」 Even if we could ignore your extravagant dress, it was silent in here to begin with... 「 ... 」 It seems Alph-Marie's presence has stifled the room even further somehow. I'll just occupy myself with the itinerary until the meeting starts... Everyone has had sheets of paper placed in front of them. Within the pages are handwritten notes for the subjects of today's meeting. ...What's this? There's a prominent message in the middle of the first page. " If you would like refreshments, please quietly leave this page face down. " A servant will be with you briefly when it will not interrupt the meeting. " There is no charge, feel free to enjoy this service to the fullest. " Slam! My attention snaps up to the noise. 「 Qui-et-ly! Quietly leave this page face dow-! 」 「 Is it really free? Can I order food?! No service charge or...?! 」 Alph-Marie smiles softly and nods. 「 Yes, I will cover all expenses for this service, so please enjoy yourself! 」 「 Yahoo! I haven't eaten anything all morning! 」 「 However, the meeting will be starting in moments, so it will have to wait. 」 「 No...! 」 「 Just a few minutes for the introduction, you may order during the first topic. 」 「 Noo...oh, that's... alright, I guess. 」 「 Maybe ya ought' ta let em eat now, his brain's in 'is stomach! 」 「 It's not as if he's going to contribute anything useful... 」 「 You... you guys know I'm right here, right? I can hear you... 」 「 Yes, can I just get some tea, please? The usual. 」 「 I knew the moment I saw it he was going to speak first... 」 「 Right? Honestly, he can't read the mood at all... 」 「 I'm- I'm- I'm right- I'm right here- hello?! Anyone?!」 「 Oh boy... here we go...」 Alph-Marie claps her hands together. It's not loud, but the room's volume divebombs. 「 The meeting has begun.」 The standing become seated. Alph-Marie's voice isn't loud or fast, and her movements aren't tall nor bombastic, rather, they're opposite, slow and discrete...

Yet, she manages to capture everyone's attention effortlessly every time. Perhaps there's some secret royal etiquette or training she follows, but I'm not learned enough to pinpoint how she does it. That in itself is intimidating. 「 Before we begin, would anyone happen to know where Waiszodf is? 」 Oh no, he's still washing up. 「 No? Anyone? Loser? 」 「 Huh?! Me?! 」 「 You were talking to everyone, weren't you? 「 You're usually the first one here. 」 「 Er... he's... dealing with an issue right now... 」 A hygiene issue... 「 Oh, that's a shame, he'd want to be the first to hear this. 」 First to hear... what? I open the itinerary to the second page. The first order of business is the introduction... But the second is... a special announcement? There's a squiggly line and a star drawn next to it. 「 I'm sure one of you will catch him up to speed. 「 As usual, the boss is on important business 「 so I will be conducting the meeting in his stead. 」 Alph-Marie delicately stands up, her servants carefully helping her with her gown. 「 First, I would like to apologize for this delayed meeting, 「 significant events have occurred one after the other. 「 Matters beyond politics. Of realm-wide implication. 「 In order to bring this information to you, delays were necessary, 「 but now that we have finally gathered once more, 「 we may resume the pursuit of our goal. 「 To change this world for the better. 」 She raises her hand to her chest, and clears her throat. 「 I'm sure many of you are aware of all the evil in the world today. 「 What's more, with rumours of a new Demon King approaching, 「 and the new hero nowhere in sight, the masses show restlessness. 「 No longer! The next hero has been found! 」 Many of us stand up, I included. Is The Hero... our guest today? It's massive news even if they aren't! Not every Highlander lives to meet a Hero... But I... I want to meet them as soon as possible! 「 Well, who is it?! 」 「 It's about damn time...! 」 「 Where they from? A-Are they staying at the inn? 」 「 Can we meet them?! 」 「 Mm... 」 Alph-Marie closes her eyes, then looks at me. 「 You've already met them. 」 「 Alph-Marie... you're... The Hero? 」 「 Not quite... 」 「 Alph-Waiszodf! 」 「 Almost there. 」 ...I take a step back. 「 Loser... 」 No... 「 ...you are... 」 I can't be... 「 ...The Hero. 」 I can't speak. 「 Oh. Sweet. Goddess. 」 「 Marie... are... are you sure? 」 「 I can see it, even now. The Goddess's wings around him. 「 Yu'mae, to a lesser extent, you can feel it as well, can't you? 」 「 Y-Yes... I... I didn't know what it was at first but I'm sure of it now... 」 Marie takes my hand and pulls me to the end of the table. Everyone is looking at me expectantly. 「 Everyone! Alph-Loser, is your next Hero! 」 I flinch, as everyone erupts into applause. Cheering, joy, tears... all aimed at me... 「 I can't believe it... he was here this whole time...! 」 「 This is-! I... Oh my goddess, I am so sorry about everything! 」 「 If e's Th' Hero... we might make it 'n time to save th' Stratosleviathan! 」 「 Holy... I am, I just... damn... congrats man! Luckiest guy in the world! 」 「 No... 」 Everyone cheers on. 「 I'm not The Hero... 」 「 You are... 」 Marie whispers in my ear. 「 This is your fate. 」 「 Y...You're wrong... 」 Marie's grip on my hand tightens. 「 I've seen this story a thousand times, Alph-Loser. 「 As the Ariadyne, I can tell you this. You will be okay. 「 You don't have to accept it right away, The Goddess will help you. 「 If you fight, The Goddess will give you the strength, and heart, t0 win. 」 Her grip tightens further. 「 But if you run... if you run away like Dream Eater... 「 FATE will change. The Goddess will give you a reason to fight. 」 I hear tears. I look at Marie. She takes my hand in both of hers. 「 So fight for us... okay? We need you... we all need you... 」 I swallow my breath. I feel like my heart is going to explode... 「 I... 」 「 Ay! Marie! 」 We look towards Alph-Goz. Everyone else is a mix of ordering refreshments, and sharing hopes and dreams for the future. 「 I'm kind of in a hurry today, can we, like, hurry this up? 」 Alph-Goz is the only person I can think of that wouldn't be excited about The Hero. Alph-Marie sighs tiredly, patting her tears away in a silken cloth. 「 Has everyone finished ordering? 」 「 Gi. All done. 」 「 Hey, I didn't-! 」 「 She'll have tea as well. 」 「 But I wanted... 」 Marie beckons a servant with the wave of a finger. 「 Might you arrange a plate of sweets for her? 」 「 Consider it done, princess. 」 「 Thank you. 」 「 Yes! Sweets from Marie!~ 」 「 Alph-Marie... 」 「 It's okay to indulge for such momentous occasions, don't you think? 」 Marie turns back to me with a smile. 「 You can sit now, remember what we talked about, okay? 」 I... nod, and fall back to my seat. I feel like I've lost years off my life. 「 Everyone, attention. 」 The noise steadily drops to whispers. 「 Although this is a cause to celebrate, we still have much to go over. 「 Even with The Hero, it is still our duty to carry our share of the weight. 」 Alph-Marie singles out Alph-Goz with her gaze. 「 So in the essence of time, let us continue to the next subject. 」 I look down at the itinerary and move the page. My hands are shaking... but I can move it enough to see the third order of business. Polimion. I hear the meeting room's metal doors opening. Heads turn to the noise. She's wearing a red kimono with a black veil draped over her head. Her hands are bound in front of her, and her skin is pale chitin. Any whispering in the room has stopped at this point. The servants that had escorted her, leave her here, closing the doors on the way out. The servants that were already in the room take care to remove her bindings and veil. But even with the veil removed, Polimion holds her eyes shut. A silence lingers. 「 Uh... you can sit over ere'- 」 「 I know where to sit. 」 ... 「 I've been here before. 」 I joined The Highlanders this year, so I've never personally known Polimion, but I've heard the tales of her working with both The Highlanders, and Dream Eater. When it comes to her legends, they're as polarizing as that four-armed monster's. Some revere her as a miracle merchant giving away the world's greatest treasures, others as a devil, offering goods that come at a hidden, more sinister cost... But it's anyone's guess what's true at this point. Polimion moves on her own to sit in the empty guest seat. She does so without any fuss, and nobody stops her. Alph-Marie has a stressed look on her face, but she holds a smile through it. 「 Okay, it's time to bury the hatchet. 」 She looks down at the ground, then back to Polimion. 「 I was unforgivably rude earlier, I'm sorry, Alph-Polimion. 「 I must apologize for the losses we brought upon you as Highlanders. 「 Apologize for having to treat you as though you were a criminal- 」 「 Where are his ashes? 」 Alph-Marie blinks quizzically. 「 ...Ashes? 」 「 His ashes. Dream Eater's. 」 Marie turns her attention to Goz in confusion.

Alph-Goz has raised her legs onto the table. 「 What is this about ashes, Goz? 」 「 Don't look at me, I didn't even know she had them! 「 Probably got destroyed and mixed with the other ashes, if I had to guess. 」 Marie sighs. 「 I suppose that's another thing we need to apologize for then... 」 「 That's impossible. 」 「 Pardon me? 」 「 Goz had them. 」 Eyes turn to Goz. 「 Hey I don't have shit. 」 「 Alph-Goz. 」 「 I said I don't have em! I'm serious! 」 I can sense a collective distrust building against Goz. 「 Alright... let's start from the beginning. 「 Just so everyone is aware, I had no hand in any of this. 「 All events that led up to Polimion's arrest were orchestrated by Goz. 」 Alph-Marie takes a deep breath and folds her hands in front of her. 「 So, Alph-Goz. Would you care to explain yourself? 」 「 Heh, thought you'd never ask. 」 Goz pulls her feet down and leans over the table. Her messy hair rivals Waiszodf's in unkemptness. 「 Where to begin... 」 Her voice is more upbeat than usual... It's actually a bit unsettling to hear her like this. 「 Xaiyoya. 」 Polimion speaks up. 「 You made contact with Xaiyoya before I did, didn't you?」 「 Hey, you got it! That's right, I made contact with the guy the moment we got here. 」 「 We cut off ties, Goz! Why the hell did you associate with him again?! 」 「 Hey! See, that, is how an idiot thinks! Just because you guys cut off ties, 「 doesn't mean I have to. You've gotta use every tool in the toolbox! 」 「 He's a necromancer! You realize that's a crime right-?! 」 Marie claps. 「 Let Alph-Goz finish her story. Please, continue. 」 Goz sticks out her tongue and grins. 「 As I was saying, I made contact with Xaiyoya, but not as a necromancer. 「 I just asked him to be an ear to the ground, which isn't a crime mind you. 「 And wouldn't you know it, it paid off. He sent a kid to tell me Polimion came. 」 Crack. My eyes snap to Polimion. She slowly moves her hand away from the table's edge, revealing a crushed section... 「 Sorry. 」 「 It's quite alright, Alph-Polimion. I will cover the damages. 「 Alph-Goz, is that the reason you suddenly left the other night? 」 Goz points. 「 Ding, ding, ding, that's it. I made it in time to overhear suspicious activity. 「 Once I established something was up, I left Xaiyoya to contact me when he could. 「 He made a big chunk of time getting Polimion to do his babysitting job for him, 「 so that's when we set everything up. 」 All of this was happening behind our backs...? Why didn't Alph-Goz tell any of us? 「 Why did you not report this to us immediately? 」 「 Because, tin-head, you have to think of the bigger picture! 「 I could have arranged for her to be arrested then, but what would that accomplish? 「 What if, instead, I followed her to White Ash's sanctum, and found out why? 「 What if, I could find the answer to every mystery 「 that remains unsolved from last year? Hmm? 」 「 ...And what did you learn, Alph-Goz? 」 Marie looks as if she doesn't want to hear this. 「 Wait. 」 Polimion speaks up again. 「 Before you answer that, return the ashes. 」 「 I don't have your stupid scarecrow ashes. 」 「 Are you trying to tell me Xaiyoya took them? 」 「 I mean, I guess that's possible? He is a necromancer... 」 「 Don't play stupid, you must know! 」 「 Why? Why must I know, huh, Poly? Why? 」 「 Because the strongbox was unbreakable! Indestructible! 「 A mythic item that wouldn't break even if The Goddess stepped on it! 」 「 What does that have to do with me? I stayed at bottom of the mountain! 「 If anything Xaiyoya should have it because he went up with you! 」 「 Xaiyoya doesn't have it. 」 Marie interrupts, focusing on Goz. 「 An investigation was conducted on the mountain the day of. 「 Nothing was found in the forests, nor on Xaiyoya himself. 「 Someone here would have to have come into possession of the ashes. 」 The room falls silent. 「 Wasn't me. 」 「 Who else could it be, Goz?! 」 Marie claps. 「 That's enough. 「 At this point, there is no proof Alph-Goz has the ashes. 「 For all we know, Alph-Goz was set up and someone else took them. 「 I'm sorry Polimion, but this is as much as we can afford to do right now. 「 Once you're released, you're free to investigate us as much as you wish. 「 We owe you this for causing you as much grief as we did. 」 Alph-Marie lets out a tired breath. A servant brings her a drink on cue. 「 Alright, does anyone have any objections to allowing Polimion open investigation? 「 ...No? Well, that's fine. Let's hope whoever took them returns them willingly. 」 She silently thanks her servant, before taking a sip from her cup. Looking around, it seems a lot of people have received their orders... I hadn't noticed at all... were the servants just that silent? 「 ...Alph-Goz, would you mind continuing? 「 What exactly did you learn that night? 」 「 The Devil Twins survived. 」 Crash! Marie drops her cup, and it shatters on the table. Servants rush to her aid to clean the mess. 「 What was that? 」 「 The twins from last year, they're alive. 」 「 That's impossible. 」 「 Not with Red Roses it isn't. 」 「 Red... Red Roses...? 」 Marie's body locks up as if a blunt force had been dealt to her back. She promptly doubles over, collapsing against the table. 「 Alph-Marie?! 」 「 What happened?! Marie?! 」 「 Is it her spine again? Is it back? 」 「 An assassin?! 」 Everyone stands up, some of us draw our weapons. Servants scramble to her aid but they're all hesitant to touch her. 「 El...dri... 」 I look closely at Marie. Did she... say something? 「 Haha... 」 Laughing...?

I look around... at the servants and other Highlanders, but it seems I'm the only one that heard that. Marie slams her hand against the table, and pushes herself up, wobbling all the way. The servants are urging her to lie down, but Marie doesn't respond. Instead, she reaches up and pulls the ornament out of her hair. 「 Where. 」 「 White Ash took them north, into the wilds. 」 Marie whips her hair ornament down at the table, and it shatters. Her hands are balled into fists, but her whole body trembles. 「 We're... going. 」 「 A-Alph-Marie, please calm down... 」 「 We must complete the meeting first before deciding-」 「 You don't understand... 」 She shakes her head. 「 Send two of us princess! We'll- 」 「 No! All of us... now! 」 The room is filled with only the sound of her heavy breaths. Something has come over Alph-Marie... 「 I'm sorry... none of you will understand this but... 「 If we don't send enough to kill them a million times over, it will not be enough. 「 I can't just send a couple of you... I need as many of us as are willing to go. 」 There's confusion in the room. I don't know what to think. This was too sudden. 「 Alph-Marie... last year, we didn't need... as many people as we brought. 」 「 Yeah, we could have done that with just a couple of us, maybe even two- 」 「 Ha... we brought too many you think? 」 She covers half her face with her palm. 「 Don't think of it like that. Think of it like this: 「 We brought that many people, and they still survived. 」 She tilts her head back, far enough to see behind her. A painful groan escapes her lips, filled with exhaustion. 「 Aah... I messed up... 「 I thought "to ashes" would be enough... 」 She mumbles again, I can just barely hear her. 「 Everyone who is willing, come with me. 」 Marie straightens up again and brushes her hair out of her face. 「 Everyone except you. 」 I blink. 「 Loser, Goz, Polimion, and staff. You all stay here. 「 Goz... you're responsible for The Hero. 」 「 Nooo problem... 」 「 Wait! 」 Marie glares at me. 「 How do we know Goz isn't lying? 「 Isn't this timing too convenient? 」 「 ... 」 She closes her eyes for a moment, then opens them slowly, and calmly. 「 I cannot always tell when someone is lying, 「 but I can sometimes know for certain when something is true. 「 Alph-Goz is your mentor now, but take what she says with a grain of salt. 」 「 Oi... 」 「 Let's move out, everyone. 」 She steps back slowly... 「 Stay safe... Hero. 」 ...then turns, walking out of the room at a brisk pace. Some of our members follow her immediately... Some are more hesitant or say farewells to me first... But in the end... everyone follows Marie. 「 ...What was that? 」 Alph-Waiszodf appears at the door, late, his greatsword slung over his shoulder. He looks around at all the food, confused. 「 Waiszodf! Come here! 」 His eyes dart between me and the shouting voice, before he shrugs, hurrying on to follow the others. 「 ... 」 I fall back into my seat, and put my head down. What the hell is going on... Slap! 「 Oww! What the hell Poly?! 」

I sit up again and look towards Goz. She's rubbing her cheek, presumably from being slapped. Polimion is standing next to her, with a box held close to her chest. It's a black strongbox... with gold trimming... 「 Can you believe this woman, Lüzr? 「 I go through all that crap to get her this box, 「 and the first thing she does is slap me! 」 「 You... you actually had the box? 」 「 Duh, who else? Ow- Poly, stop! Listen to me...! 」 I put my head down again. I think... I'm just going to stay inside today... 『 ... 』『 ... 』 We look at each other, and yawn. Conclusion: A nice sleep. The fluffy ground suddenly moves out from under us, and we fall, onto cold, hard, unforgiving rock. Re: Conclusion: A rude awakening. Maybe if we just play dead in Agehatate's shadow, she won't notice that we've woken up- 「 We have visitors. Seven days. 」 [END]