《The King is Back》Chapter 19 - Awakening
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"It's been over 6 days, when is he going to wake up?" A gruff sound escaped the mouth of an equally gruff man. It was the infamous grade B searcher Grant Holmes. He was inside a room accompanied by two other people. The three of them were standing in a circle surrounding a bed with a young teenager peacefully sleeping with steady breaths. The soft voice of a woman soon replied.
"Well, his condition is stable and there have been no signs of any external or internal illness...It's really quite odd why he hasn't woken up yet." Lisa Redflower, she's the searcher guild's identification expert who can also apparently detect any ailments in a human body. She was the woman who Grant asked to identify the source of the black cloth he found in the orphanage.
"I don't like this. Our team needs him. We won't be moving on with the investigation without him" A sharp voice also chimed in, belonging to a tall man with a cold aura. It was Kelvin.
"You say that but two of your teammates have been missing for the last few days... I assume they are continuing their investigation. Heh. Well, I have been doing some work myself." Grant said with a tinge of mockery.
"Tch. That's none of your business." Kelvin said with contempt.
"Wow there...settle down. I know you are in a state of unrest with your leader bedridden like this. But it would be better if we catch the culprits so we can bring them to justice. I'm sure that's what he would have wanted." Grant replied.
"You speak as if he is not going to ever wake up again. Watch your tone." Kelvin still hasn't calmed down after Grant's attempt to comfort him.
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"*sigh* If you don't like hearing it from me, then Lisa, explain what you have found," Grant called out to Lisa who was still examining the body of Braum.
" *cough* what?...ah, yes... the black cloth you gave me. I identified it. But I only found out the origin of the cloth itself. Someone has erased the owner's signature." Lisa timidly explained. She then continued.
"The black cloth itself was made out of a unique material called Razi threads. The threads were made out of a plant called Razi, a plant discovered around 400 years ago. It's quite famous for its durability to withstand even swords. But in recent years it hasn't been used much because of its unique nature of not being able to change colors even when using dyes-"
"Move on with it. I don't want its whole history. Just tell me what you found." Kevins said with impatience.
"Y-yes! Long story short, the lack of demand means that there are only three known plantations in the entire kingdom, one of which is located just outside of Lancester. But even if they have low demands for consumer goods, they are quite sought out by nobles from all over the country to be used as protective layers for their luxury goods. I must say...this material is quite durable so it's quite odd seeing this particular piece torn like this." Lisa finished explaining.
"Is it a trap, then? What if they are trying to lead us to the wrong suspects?" Kelvin said. Hearing Kelvin's concern, Grant chimed in.
"I doubt it. They would have left more obvious evidence if so. And the only other evidence is the statue in Zed's pocket, which Lisa wasn't able to find any origin at all, just its material of normal wood. Even its magical trace is missing now. I think...one of the kids who was kidnapped in the orphanage must have been gifted magically. That kid must have been awake for a few seconds when the kidnappers got him or her and he or she managed to cut off a small piece of the kidnapper's clothing, small enough for the kidnapper to not notice so that us, the investigators, can gather the evidence.
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But there was one more odd thing I noticed when I was investigating the orphanage. Zed's device must not have detected it but I did. I thought it was just a coincidence and it was nothing...but..." Grant trailed off.
"What is it? What did you find?" Kelvin asked with interest.
Suddenly, Lisa, who continued with her examination of Braum, shouted.
"He's waking up! Quick, get some water! and food!"
Back in the mysterious graveyard, at the large gravestone which Braum entered, Niko and Urada were busily sweeping through the entire area for evidence.
"Nothing. It wouldn't even open anymore after we enter the codes. When I use the ARIM, it doesn't even detect any hidden chambers underneath the ground. It's as if it just...disappeared." Niko said with frustration.
"That's impossible. An entire underground network of tunnels wouldn't just disappear like that." Urada replied.
"But that's what's happening here! It disappeared! with no trace! Even our technology hasn't perfected teleportation yet. Our scientists have only done so with small objects. What magic would they have used to move an entire labyrinth?" Niko barked. His usual calmness has disappeared. A rare sight.
"Heh. You look more worked up than usual. Are you really that worried about him? I thought you dislike the royalty." Urada teased.
"It's not that! It's just...we're wasting time with this investigation when we should be looking for Toziro's group..." Niko replied.
"Your mouth and face are not saying the same thing. You have come to like him a bit haven't you? Wow. the cold troublemaker of the special forces liking someone." Urada teased Niko again.
"Shut up! *sigh* let's get back to work" Niko said and continued his sweep.
*BEEP* Incoming Call: Lieutenant Kelvin Djarot of the Special Forces
Suddenly, both of them were presented with the same incoming call from their superior, Kelvin. Both of them pressed the button to answer. A floating face of the Lieutenant showed up in front of them.
"What's wrong?" Urada asked.
"You two must come back here quick! He has woken up!" An excited voice of Kelvin ringed through both of their ears.
After a while, Urada and Niko arrived back at the inn where Braum, Kelvin, Grant, and Lisa were in. They went inside the room and saw Braum in the middle of wearing the exoskeleton and gears.
"Why is he standing up already!? He should get some rest." Urada said with worry.
"Calm down! This is his request." Kelvin said.
"What do you mean by that? Hey, what are you up to?" Niko directed the question to Braum, who was gearing up with a lively, sharp face. Any trace of the short coma couldn't be found. It seemed as if he never went unconscious in the first place. Braum then gazed to the two new arrivals and spoke.
"All of you, we must hurry. The children are in danger." A resolute voice of a young man echoed through the room.
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