Spoiler : My choice of OST for this chapter! :)

The village bell was ringing in the distance. I expected this much but for what reason? There are two possibilities that are persisting in my head. One is that the people we killed are not evil, rather, misguided and that they are a part of a bigger organization. Two is that they were a part of a cruel organization. Either way, someone big is backing them up. People started walking out of their houses, most of them disheveled as they only just woke up, others were simply curious. You can hear the commotion growing more and more as the adventurers started running around with a panicked look in their faces.

Esha tugged at my arm and when I looked at her, I found that she was staring at me with a worried look in her face. I could only half-smile at her but that was enough to calm her down. Esha half-bowed towards me. I knew what she wanted. I patted her head and with that, she was satisfied. Esha ran towards her room and shut the door behind her.

I, on the other hand had a problem to deal with. I had yet to ascertain what the actual cause of the alarm was but I had an idea. I tugged on my Mom's sleeve.

Heron: Mommy, what's happening?

Beatrice: Mommy doesn't know but I hope it's nothing terrible.

I felt my cheeks go red. I guess shame knows no boundary, whether its victim was a child or an adult. This was, after all, a result of my temper running wild. I now had to decide whether or not to tell the adults the truth, however, I have to find out the truth for myself as well. I headed outside and sat under the Peppermint tree and waited for people to pass-by. The adventurers were still running around, muttering smidgens of information every now and then. It took me about an hour to decipher all of the chatter.

In summary, here's what's currently happening: Someone killed three members of the Veteran-ranked Adventurer Sylvain's party and that she was known to be strict in meting out justice. People feared the adventurer because of her exploits and feats but she too is human. If I have to burn her alive to protect the people around me, I would. Just like her stupid lackeys.

As I was thinking of murdering somebody, I felt a cold breeze hit my face. It wasn't gentle but it wasn't rough either. It felt distant. I felt that the area surrounding me because something of a distant place, as if I wasn't welcome here. I then realized that the tree must have sensed my negative feelings and is scolding me.

I bowed my head in apology and waited for the tree's reply. A few seconds passed and a gentle wind caressed me in the face. It was probably the tree's way of telling me to not act like a fool anymore. I bowed my head in appreciation and stood up. I had nothing to accomplish here anymore. All I had to do was wait for the adults decision or announcement. After all, a mere child has no say in this world, either.

------

Meanwhile,

Nelo: Have you gotten the council up to date yet?

Hunter 1: Yeah but the problem is that the old farts aren't thinking of this as an emergency. They're taking their time!

Nelo: It is the responsibility of our generation to solve this problem, let the old people be.

Mayor: What's this about old people?

Geh. She heard us. My subordinate and I bowed our head in apology to the Mayor.

Nelo: It was just an expression ehehe.

Hunter 1: Yeah, old fart!

Guh. Idiot.

We spent the next minute kowtowing to the Mayor until she was satisfied and sat down in her spot. Right now, the high ranked adventurers are trying to convene a meeting between the Adventurer's Guild and the town's council of elders. Right now, the Mayor is here. We are waiting for two more. What happened in the forest was a tragedy. I wonder what kind of monster would be able to raze a human body to that extent!

I knew it was some kind of magic, deep down in my gut I knew. I mean I was an adventurer in the past after all. I've spent a good amount of time around Wizards and all I can say is that you can piss the heck out of anyone, not just the wizards. They may seem frail or passive but that is all a cover. All of the magic folk are cunning and ruthless! Like my Beatrice. Oops, I shouldn't let her hear me talk that way about her.

Well, moving forward, I feel that what had happened in the forest was that the three idiots could have pissed off a wizard or a magic creature. I mean in the village, the only people who can use magic can be counted on my fingers. One is dead and the other is my wife. It can't be my wife! She's strict and all but she's given up that lifestyle and she was with me and the kids last night when that large explosion happened. I wonder, what could have happened?

Oh. Seems as though all of the leaders have finally assembled. Took their time. Psh.

Inquisitor: So what foolishness have these barbarians from the guild committed, huh?

The Inquisitor's comment sparked some unrest with the members of the Adventurer's guild in attendance. Not really a good idea to provoke a bunch of testosterone filled men in fear, old man!

Mayor: Now, now. So if the reports are accurate, Nelo's team found three men burnt to death in the forest and they bore the insignia of Sylvain's party. Did anyone from the village commit these murders?

Silence greeted the mayor's wise, electric blue eyes.

Mayor: I thought so. Magic application this advanced cannot be found on this village. From my understanding, Arianna and Beatrice are the only two people who can use magic of that level. And we all know that Arianna is no longer..

Inquisitor: But as it stands, who will we send out to meet Sylvain's wrath? Surely it won't be you or I?

Mayor: No, of course not. But it won't be anyone innocent either.

Silence filled the room as the hopelessness of the situation made itself apparent. If no one did it, then no one will be given to Sylvain and as it stands, everyone in the village will suffer for it. I couldn't stand this silence anymore so I shared what I honestly felt.

Nelo: Mayor, Inquisitor, if I may.

Without waiting for their response, I stood up from my spot and headed to the middle of the town hall where everyone in the room could see me. The adventurers who were looking at me gave me a thumbs up or an approving nod while the ministers and the other bureaucrats were sneering at me.

Nelo: I believe we should just tell Sylvain the truth. We do not know who murdered her men therefore we do not know who or what she seeks. We should also assure her that we would do everything we can to assist them.

Hunter 1: Umu I agree.

Hunter 2: Nelo may be stupid but he can say some pretty smart things sometime eh.

Hunter 1: Yup. I definitely agree with that Nelo is stupid part but this time he has a point.

Hunter 3: Am I the only one thinking how hot Beatrice is? I mean she's 27 and she has a kid but man is she fine.

Hunter 1 & 2: We agree!

What! Everyone was bullying me! Wait, what was that bit about my wife now?! People were now looking at me with a look of apprehension on their faces although most of them sent me approving nods.

Mayor: That is.....wise. How can we convince her, however?

Nelo: Simple. Sylvain is a warrior. She understands the clashing of steel against steel. She will come to an understanding once she experiences my blade.

Inquisitor: Are we seriously considering the idea of the village idiot? Really? Convince her with words? What guarantee can the Gods give us that that ludicrous idea would work?! I..I have an alternative. It's about that...girl.

Mayor: Inquisitor..

The mayor gave the inquisitor a disapproving gaze. The Inquisitor, however, continued on.

Inquisitor: That girl is the product of abomination! Her very existence is a -

Everyone looked to the source of the sound! It was the Mayor. She hit the table in her anger and she was standing. What was the Inquisitor going to say? In fact, what did he say that could rile up the unusually calm old lady? Something seems fishy.

The Mayor regained her cool and sat down. She apologized for her outburst and continued on.

Mayor: That cannot be. You know her existence is something we swore to protect, not discriminate. You will hold your tongue and we will try reasoning like Nelo suggested.

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Mom, Esha and I waited for Dad to come home so that we could get the updates about what's happening. After all, this entire mess is my responsibility. We spent the time chatting and talking about the future, like what Esha is going to do with her life after she reaches the age of 16. A few minutes passed and Esha stood up and ran outside the door. She soon emerges with my Dad in tow. It seems she rushed out to give him a hug. Esha is unusually attached to my parents but with what she went through living alone, if she needs a family, we can give her a place where she can belong.

My dad gave Esha a pat and then hugged her as if he couldn't stand her cuteness anymore. He then ruffled my hair and carried my mom like a princess and then twirled her around. My dad then motioned for us to sit in the family table so that he could tell us what we were waiting for all along. He told us about the meeting and what the council of elders said. About the argument that came and eventually his solution.

I will never forget how my mom looked after my dad told us his story. Her face was close to crying but she wouldn't, no she couldn't. I knew this wasn't out of pride or stubbornness but I knew it was her duty as a wife to see her husband through trying times. She was refraining from showing him her weakness in order to give him strength. See, one on one combats usually ended when one warrior has been incapacitated, in a perfect world, dad would come home with a broken arm or two but these matches tend to be brutal, most losers end up lame or worse, dead.

My dad just laughed it off and I wasn't worried. I was confident that my father would win or at the very least, not die like an idiot. He was too good of a man to die just like that. Esha squeezed my dad's hand and I guess she was giving him strength in her own little way. I found it sweet. It seems as though Esha really has become my sister in this short amount of time.

We spent the rest of the day telling stories and planning for the future, about how my dad wanted a younger son so that Esha and I would have someone to take care of. It was happiness and we were content.

I now knew that I had to ensure my dad's victory, no matter what. I refrained from consulting the Index but I did grab a few medicinal books from our library. So how do I defeat a potential ally? What kind of poison should I prepare? Will I require the Ikazuchi Alpha? As these thoughts processed in my head, I heard footsteps behind me. Oh, it's Esha.

Esha?: You should know better that your petty plans won't work this time.

Esha?

Heron: What do you mean?

Esha?: Stop pretending to be an idiot, I have an idea on your past, how you were. It wouldn't do to lie to me you know? Walk with me.

Esha? reached her arm out to me and without hesitation, I took her hand. There it is again, that unusual warmth coursing through her skin caused me to remember our first meeting.

Heron: Where are we goi-

As I was talking, Esha took a step forward and suddenly, we find ourselves in the forest but this part seems deeper than the layer we visited before.

Heron: Esha, how did we -

Esha smiled and held her index finger to her lips. She then gestured for me to hand over the bag containing the Ikazuchi Alphas. I handed it to her and to my surprise, she took one and tossed the bag back to me. She stepped away from me and walked near a tree. I expected her to throw the bomb but what she did surprised me. She held the bomb in her hand and it floated and spun around her palm before disappearing. For a few seconds there was silence but that silence was numbed by a deafening explosion from behind us.

It seems as though an Undead Death Knight (A legendary class monster) sniffed out our scent and was stalking us from behind. I understand that Esha used the Ikazuchi Alpha to blow the legendary beast to toast but how? It was as if it disappeared into a vac... Ah, I get it.

I smiled at Esha? and she smiled at me. As I was about to ask her if my theory was correct, Esha? passed out and stayed like that for four hours. I understand the basics of what she did. Esha traded in the space in her palm along with the Ikazuchi Alpha and then changing their causality so that it would affect the vector desired. It's a truly advanced application of alchemy but it was simple enough to grasp, probably almost impossible to master.

After confirming my understanding, Esha? stood up and led me by hand to my room again, as fast as she brought me out in the first place.

Heron: Who...who are you.

Esha?: Who knows. I could just be a passer by or I could be The Power that Be. Again, who knows. Thank you for taking care of the little one, though. I will always appreciate that.

Esha? looked at me with her sharp eyes and then gave me an elegant bow. Her eyes which pierced me now looked like the cute eyes of my younger sister.

Esha: Eh? What happened?

I reassured Esha that everything was fine. It seems there are many mysteries to this child but she just helped me by giving me the ultimate hint. I now intend to spend my time studying and mastering the magic application I now call "Takemikazuchi"

Heron: Everyday just keeps getting more and more interesting....

Back to Main PageTo be continued...