*clang clang*

“Welcome to our Lunaria~!”

“I’m welcomed!”

“… *sigh*”

Night has fell and the company just arrived at Lunaria Café.

Ignoring the sulking Ceres who is now tidying up for the next day, Anya welcomed Hans inside the restaurant while showing him around.

The beautifully arranged tables with two chairs on opposite sides greeted him accentuated by the relaxing atmosphere brought upon the wooden color of the wall.

The 100 square meter two story house’s ground floor was made into a restaurant fixed with a small kitchen that can fit two to three person and an open area where the customers are served; a fairly small sized restaurant.

“But looking at it, it’s really nice. I can imagine how the people will want to come back here again and again.”

“Really~?”

The smile in Anya’s face cannot be denied by Hans’ comment about her mother’s restaurant, which is now her and Ceres’.

“Yeah. Not just the atmosphere brought by the design. The arrangement of the furniture, the decoration, even the color is relaxing and makes you all warm inside. The person who designed this must really love cooking for people.”

“Fufu~ That’s right.”

“I still can’t accept it.”

“Ceres…”

The chopping sound stopped after Ceres voiced her opinion.

“How can you let someone, much more a man, into our house like nothing? We just met this man this afternoon. We barely know anything about him!”

“But we can’t just let him sleep outside…”

“And we can’t just simply let him in is what I’m saying.”

“H-Hey…”

“I’m not talking to you. So shut it.”

Even before Hans could have said what he wanted to say, he was interrupted by the words of Ceres fuming with anger.

“I understand your intentions of helping, but isn’t this too much??”

“But he’s not a bad person! I just know!”

Ceres placed down the knife she was holding on the chopping board and faced Anya. The atmosphere tenses the more they speak.

“I know you do because of your Gift. But you’re trusting him way too soon! No one knows what kind of thoughts are running in that man right now!”

“… Are… Are you saying you can’t trust me…?”

Anya lowered her head due to the welling emotion inside her.

“I-I did not say such thing!”

Ceres slightly trembled at her feet after hearing Anya’s words. The slight change in her non-blood related sister’s tone is enough for her to understand Anya’s feelings. But for Ceres to come in terms to her own feelings is a different matter.

“Then what do you mean??”

Anya, who is now being rubbed off Ceres’ anger, unconsciously raised her voice towards her sister. And now, like adding another wood to a dying flame, Ceres is reminded of the time of her childhood.

“That humans are trash! You can’t trust every single one of them! The moment you let your guard down, that’s when they will attack you without you knowing! The moment you show them kindness, they will betray you like it’s nothing!! Why can’t you understand that?! I’m just protecting you!!”

And the long forgotten burn started to ache as flashes of episodes flow back in her mind.

“They only think for themselves! Showing you a front like a perfect human just to achieve what they want! Then behind their smiles are trash plotting to take advantage of you!”

Like a destroyed dam, tears in Ceres eyes began flowing down without stop.

“I know… I just know! Kindness and such… never exist!!”

“… C-Ceres…”

“Everyone just leaves me all alone…!”

Ceres saying that, it is then followed by the tears falling down Anya’s cheeks.

“Ah-…”

Ceres mind froze at the sight in front of her. Unable to handle the situation, Ceres threw her apron away and ran towards the door directly outside.

“Ceres!”

Anya was about to follow her when…

“I’ll go too.”

“Hans…”

“It seems something happened to her before, I presume…”

“Th-That’s…”

“It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me. Anyways, I’ll apologize to her and tell her I’ll decline your offer.”

“But that’s…”

“I’m fine. I already died once. I won’t die with just sleeping outside. Haha.”

Hans patted Anya’s head reassuring her. He then dashed towards the door but after opening it and surveyed the surroundings, Ceres was already nowhere to be found.

“Ceres…”

“Anya. Do you know a place where she could’ve gone to?”

“U-Uhm… Whenever she wants to be alone, she will go to the bell tower at the northern part of the town…”

“Bell tower… Is that it?”

Hans pointed towards a protruding infrastructure just north of the plaza. It is tall and visible enough for anyone to see it during the day but can be quite hidden at night because of its color.

“You can see it from here even when it’s night?”

“Yeah. Don’t mind it for now. The priority is finding Ceres as soon as possible. A girl alone in the dark only spells trouble.”

“C-Ceres…!”

“Don’t worry. I’ll bring her back, I promise. It can be my way of thanks for the food.”

“Hans… I’ll go too.”

“Hm… Okay. Let’s go.”

The two of them ventured the night in search for Ceres.

“I hope this will just end up being a peaceful night.”

…

..

.

“… *sigh* Why did I do that… It’s not even Anya’s fault…”

Ceres stands while leaning on the railings of the bell tower.

The whole town spreads in her eyes, casted by the shadow of the night sky and is illuminated by the twin moons. The smaller moon with a tint of blue revolves around the bigger moon with a white color.

[“Thinking back… I just lashed out at her. It’s my own problem and all, yet what I did is just…”]

“*sigh* I should apologize tomorrow… To begin with, it’s that guy’s fault! He appeared out of nowhere and barged in like who’s great!”

A surge of irritating feeling filled Ceres heart as she recalled the face of the man who they just met this afternoon, hitting the railing with her fist.

“I know it’s bad to let that guy sleep outside… But who knows what that guy’s thinking… He may be planning to rob us or worse kill us…”

Inside Ceres’ mind plays a number of simulations where they are attacked by Hans. Approaching them like a real gentleman and acting like he’s the kindest person in the vicinity then in their backs, he’ll come charging at them with a knife.

Just like that, she just can’t find in herself to trust someone. Much less a person who they have just met.

“Old habits just won’t die…”

Ceres was reminded of the time in her past.

“But even I am trying…”

Like a trauma engraved in her heart.

“I just can’t trust someone that easily…”

*step*

“Who’s there?”

In the shadow of the bell comes a black figure who is wearing a robe with it covering their face.

“Hey…~ Nice to meet you. Or should I say… Long time no see…?”

“Y-You… You’re that…!!”

“Fall in the night of Slumber… Sleep.”

The man chants a [spell] and it instantly affected Ceres without giving her time to retaliate.

“Wha-?! Ah…”

“We can’t have you struggling now, can we? Kekeke… Don’t make my job even more troublesome.”

“D-Darn… you…”

*thud*

Ceres body fell to the ground, then soft breathing sounds slips out and can be heard from her mouth.

“Well then… I should get you outta here before someone sees me.”

…

..

.

“So. This is the bell tower?”

The remnants of the festival was still on their place and only the lights were removed. The town that was bustling with activity just earlier is now so silent like the festivals was only just a dream.

They both arrived at the bell tower where Ceres is thought to be.

“Yes~ *pant* *pant* you’re still energetic after running that far…? *pant*”

“Yeah. This is nothing compared to what I was doing in my world.”

“*pant* phew… Let’s go.”

“Okay.”

They climb up using the stairs inside the bell tower that is usually used for the person in charge of ringing the bell.

It was silent enough where one can even hear his or her own breathing. Only the sounds of their footsteps are heard inside.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

Until they reached the upper most level of the tower. They were already expecting Ceres to be there only to find no one.

“This is the place right?”

“It should be…”

“Does this mean she might have gone to a different place?”

“M-Maybe…”

“What’s wrong?”

Anya’s eyes anxiously darts all around the place.

“I feel uneasy…”

“What do you mean…?”

“My ability you see… I can feel the emotion and intention of a person through the mana around. A person releases and absorbs mana around them so the trails in those are what I gather to identify their emotions and intensions.”

“You mean…”

“Yes… There’s an evil intention lingering in the flowing mana around here… It was so strong I can still feel it tingling…”

Anya rubbed her arms in an attempt to calm herself down to no avail. Only negative thoughts run inside her head.

“Also… Fear…”

A chill ran down the back of Anya as she felt the unbelievable fear she received from the surrounding mana. Cold sweat began appearing on her forehead and dripped down her face.

“Fear?”

“I can feel a large amount of fear around the place… It makes me feel afraid too. I remember this feeling before… It was when I met Ceres for the first time. But this time it’s greater…”

“Hm… Wait, that is…?”

Calming Anya, Hans found something sparkling, lying on the floor.

“…! That’s Ceres’!”

“She was here then.”

“That’s not all… That hair pin… She haven’t let gone of that ever since I gave it to her. Did she throw it…?”

“No. That’s not it. Look more closely. If you think she threw it, won’t it make sense if she threw it outside? It’s weird if she will throw it on the ground where she can just pick it up again.”

“…!”

“Something has happened.”

“Ceres!!”

Anya abruptly turned around towards the stairs to run look for Ceres.

“Wait! Where are you going??”

“I’m going to look for her! This is my fault! It’s because I wasn’t thinking of her feelings!”

“…”

Even in their dire situation, Hans could not help but smile.

“You two are just so…”

[“She didn’t even think that it is my fault. Instead, she’s blaming herself. She’s too kind at fault. Even what Ceres wanted to make Anya realize is for Anya’s sake.”]

“Hans…?”

“I told you, right? I’ll bring her back. I won’t go back down on my promise.”

“Hans…”

“Now go look for places where she could’ve gone just in case. I’ll look around if there’s a chance someone kidnapped her.”

“Kidnapped?!”

“I’m looking at the bigger picture. We don’t have much time if that’s the case. They haven’t gone that far, I think. And another thing, try asking for someone who can help you.”

“G-Got it! … Hans…”

Anya was about to go down the stairs but turned around and faced Hans.

“Hm?”

“I’ll leave my sister to you.”

Hans was surprised by the sudden expression of Anya. It was different than that he was seeing throughout the day. It was an expression of great resolve and trust.

“Roger that.”

“R-Rog… Roger?”

“Never mind that. Let’s go.”

“Okay!”

They both climb down the stairs with vigor. Every second for them is important and cannot be wasted. It may cause the best or the worst possible scenario. And now with only Ceres on their minds, they both went their separate ways to fulfill each of their own objectives.

…

..

.

*knock* *knock* *knock*

“S-Sofiel? Are you there??”

The door opened and a person with a cuteness not losing to those of a high class lady greeted Anya.

“*yawn* Anya…? Why are you here in this hour?”

“No time to explain! Just come with me! Bring your weapon! Hurry!”

“Eh? EH?? What do you mean?? Wait! Weapon?! Are we fighting something??”

Sofiel immediately wore his sandals and got his mace from his room. Confused and dazed about the current situation, Sofiel forgot he was still in his sleepwear, a blue nightgown paired with a short. His nightcap still on his head, they went out from his apartment.

“Wh-Wh-Where are we going, Anya??”

“Just help me look for Ceres!”

“Look, you say…”

“Ceres disappeared!”

“What?!”

…

..

.

“Now then… How will I search for Ceres…”

Hans stands just besides the tower after seeing Anya off to go look for help.

With his arms folded, he thinks of a way to search for Ceres without wasting too much time. He began digging through the information in his head to find something that may help his search.

“Right… Anya said something about a flowing mana…”

[“Then it means it’s everywhere…”]

Mana. It is one of the fundamentals in this world. One of the most abundant and renewable resources.

Where it came from and how it came to be is still unknown to the residents of this world. But the only thing they know is they can harness it and convert it to energy, using it to supply magic.

It can be harnessed everywhere but the kinds and types of it is different in divergent areas.

“If she uses the mana to sense the intentions in the place…”

Then it means that the mana of a person is flowing in and out of him or her.

“Mana…”

[“There it is again… If I try to concentrate on the surroundings… I feel it a lot stronger… That warm and cold feeling.”]

“If I take the plunge and guess that this is that mana…”

Hans focused his every fiber to the sensation we was feeling and without a moment’s delay, the wind started swirling around him and dispersed like a small explosion.

“Whoa… That was…”

Then all of a sudden a voice was heard inside Hans’ head along with a sharp bell sound.

“[Mana Detect] skill…”

Thump thump… His heart started beating like crazy from the surfacing emotion he is having.

“… AWSOME!”

Hans, even in a dire situation, could not hide his excitement about his new discovery.

When Hans was a child together with his mother and father, along with books as his only playmate, games was also one of his favorite pass time. After finishing a book and waiting for the new release, he will spend his time playing adventure games with a role playing genre.

In role playing games, the players acquire skills that will make them stronger and help them complete quests to finish the game.

“Not only is it like those what I read in my books but also the games… No, it’s definitely like a game…”

His heart began beating faster as he reminisce the memories of his childhood, the only memory he was fond of when he was a child.

“Mana Detect… So it really is mana. Alright, I can use this…!”

Once again, Hans focused his mind in search for something.

“A mana that was around the tower…”

He closed his eyes and focused his mind to the flowing mana that is surrounding him.

[“That’s it! It creates a pattern and it leads to the Café. Maybe this is Ceres mana. If I followed it…”]

Hans began running after the direction of the traces of mana.

…

At the end of the trace, he found himself in an abandoned mansion located at the farthest corner of the town in the south.

“It really gives off a vibe of being a hideout. Way to give me a huge hint.”

He focused his mind again to use Mana Detect for more clues.

“I’m slowly getting used to this skill.”

Hans have repeated using the skill for a number of times to follow the traces. The more he gets away from the starting point, the more Ceres’ mana thins down, making it harder for Hans to follow it continuously.

“But then again, this is really something… It’s like I have a built in radar.”

Getting used to the skill he acquired, Hans uses it like the ones he uses in his missions to infiltrate a target location.

“Detecting Ceres’ mana is one thing… But this other one is…”

Not only Ceres’ mana was detected by Hans. A huge cluster of mana also follows the traces of Ceres’ without thinning down.

“It’s clear that this is the one who’s behind this. Darn it.”

Now that he looked at the mansion while sensing the huge amount of mana, it is without a doubt that the mansion is the place.

The mansion was a two story building that is clearly displays a wealthy impression, except for the fact that it is worn down and the vines of all sorts have started growing on its surface covering it whole.

*creak*

The gate is almost torn off and with only a single push, will give it its final job.

The twin moons have already hidden in the clouds and the night became much darker. With only his naked eyes and his ears as his guide, Hans entered the gate as silent as possible.

“We wouldn’t want them catching me before saving Ceres.”

*step*

“My, my… What do have we here?”

“Ah-”

He was caught.

…

..

.

“A-Anya…! *pant* What do you…. *pant* mean Ceres disappeared?? *pant”

“*pant* I don’t know…! Hans came… *pant* and Ceres and I had a fight… *fight* and she disappeared!”

“W-Wait!! I do not understand a thing! *pant*”

“But we don’t have much time! *pant*”

“Phew… But searching around aimless is not helping either! We should first think about how we should move from here!”

Panting heavily from the continuous running, Anya and Sofiel stopped on their tracks with their hands on their chests.

“First of all, who is this Hans?”

“Ahh… I’ll introduce you later! Let’s think of a way to find Ceres first! This is my fault…”

“Wait, wait, wait…! I see you had a fight with Ceres, like usual. Is something different today?”

“She went outside towards the bell tower she frequents to…”

“Did you find her there?”

“No… All we found was the hair pin that I gave her when we were kids…”

Anya held both her hands in her chest as if to suppress her tears from flowing out.

“Anya… I got it. First let us go to the place she will most likely go.”

“O-Okay! Next to the bell tower… She will sometimes go to the plaza. I always find her there sitting on one of the benches during.”

“Then that is our first location then.”

“But that’s during the afternoon. I doubt she will go there at night much less at this hour.”

“But we have no other clues. Let us go there for now.”

“Got it…”

Sofiel and Anya proceeded on their way to the plaza placed in the center of the town.

The water in the fountain is not flowing right now as it is turned off for the day. Expecting that somehow Ceres is there seating like nothing have happened, Anya found no one there. Only the cry of the cicadas are heard and only the shadows of benches and a few cats sleeping can be seen.

“She is not here.”

“Ceres… Please… Where are you…?”

“Anya, calm down. Did you not tell me that that Hans you mentioned is also helping? You are not alone in here.”

“R-Right… Let’s go to the next one.”

“That is the spirit!”

“Uhm… Let’s try going back to Lunaria. There may be chance she already came back… I hope.”

“Okay. Let is go.”

…

..

.

“Ahaha. I was caught.”

“I’ve placed a barrier that will let me know when an intruder gets in. I don’t know why you are here but don’t think you will get away in one piece. Kekeke!”

“Nooooo… Help meeeee…”

Hans said so while doing his best to sound natural. The kidnapper went his way outside the room where Hans is now locked in.

It is a small room inside the mansion without a speck of light in it. Everything is covered in dust with only the broken window the only ventilation.

[“Just as planned… Or I would like to say. I did’t think I would get caught even before I can get to enter the gat. But this is a good start.”]

Looking around the place there are two people that are locked inside the room.

One of them is Ceres.

“Hng…”

“Phew… She’s safe. But what about the other one?”

“U-Uhm… Were you kidnapped too?”

The small girl asked in a timid voice.

“You are?”

“I’m… Uhm…”

She thought for a while before opening her mouth again to speak.

“… Tia… I’m Tia. What about you m-mister…?”

“I’m Hans. Nice to meet you, Tia.”

The girl is wearing a battered, one-piece dress that is made from leather, cloth and animal fur. She is wearing a hat that covers her head which only shows her long, golden hair that drops downward and is visibly shining even with the darkness. Her green eyes glisten even in the dark as she timidly look at Hans.

“Ah… Yes, nice to meet you too.”

Hans who is locked with both his feet and hands tied introduced himself to the little girl who was also kidnapped.

“Mister Hans looks so calm… A-Are you not afraid…?”

“Uh… Not really. I’m used to situations like this. And Hans will do. I don’t really like formality.”

“Y-You’re always kidnapped…??”

“… No. Anyways, this means you were kidnapped by that person too?”

“… Yes…”

The girl who is as young as an elementary student shivered after recalling what happened. Droplets of tears began flowing down from her eyes.

“No need to worry. Big brother here will help you out.”

Hans showed his hands and the rope that was supposed to be tied around his wrists.

“Wha? H-How did you do that??”

“Well. This kind of tying is only a piece of cake compared to what we used.”

“C-Cake…? So we can just eat them…?”

“… N-No… It’s just a figure of speech…”

“F-Figure…?”

“Haha… Nevermind.”

Hans patted Tia’s head with a wry smile on his face.

[“Maybe the figure of speech here are different from that in my world. Or this kid haven’t started school yet. Anyways first we should wake Ceres up and get out of here.”]

“Tia. Is there anything in particular that you saw when you were brought here?”

“Uhm… Ah. The man casted a magic barrier that prevents anyone to go outside…”

“I see. So we don’t have any means to get out of here.”

[“I guess, I’ll just have to wait for that robed man and see things from there.”]

“Hng… Hn?”

“Oh. Ceres is waking up. Ah. *giggle*… Shhh…”

“Hans…?”

Hans placed his finger on his lips with one of his eyes closed.

“Wh-Where…?”

“Good morning, Ceres.”

Ceres rose to sit on the floor while still being tied. Her face contorts from the sudden pain that she felt in her head.

“Wh-who are you…?”

“Huh?! Amnesia?!”

“No. I just don’t want to remember you…”

“Uhm… Are you two a-acquaintances?”

“Yep.”

“No.”

“Ceres… *sniffle*”

“U-Uhm…”

Tia smiled wryly while looking at them.

“Don’t mind that. Where are we?”

“Right. This is an abandoned mansion just by the corner of the town.”

“Where are we, little girl?”

Without glancing at Hans’ direction, Ceres turned to Tia and asked the same question for the second time.

“I just explained it, right?? I answered your question, right??”

“U-Uhm… It’s just as Hans said…”

“Tch.”

“You clicked your tongue right now, didn’t you??”

“You’re noisy.”

“… Wah~ finally! You responded~! I’m so happy~”

“Hans… That’s not where you should be happy…”

Ceres heaved an exasperated sigh and turned her head to Hans unwillingly. Her expression tells it all that she does not want to have anything to do with him.

“Then why are we here?”

“Anya and I were looking for you after you went out.”

“…”

Recalling the events that happened earlier, Ceres looked down with a crestfallen face.

“Then when we arrived at the bell tower you frequently go, we only found your hair pin.”

“Hair pin?! Where is it?! Is it okay?!”

“It’s here in my pocket. But I can’t reach it. My hands are tied.”

“Phew… I see. If you have it destroyed, I’ll definitely kill you.”

“Urk… What a fearsome killing intent…”

“Mister Hans… But earlier your hand-“

“*blink* *blink* *blink*”

“A-Ahh…”

“What are you doing with your eye? Have you finally snapped and gone crazy? You’re really creepy right now.”

“You don’t hold back with your insults, do you Ceres…? *sigh*”

“But why are you here? Deducing from the fact that you were looking for me, aren’t you supposed to be out saving me?”

“I was caught. Teehee~”

“…”

Ceres could not hold back her thoughts and it showed on her face.

“Stop looking at me like you’re looking at some trash!! Sheesh… Ceres… You’re mean. I’m just trying to get along with you…”

“Then what are you doing getting caught, you moron?”

“Yes! I don’t have any excuse for that!”

“Hans…”

All the while, Tia was watching both of them with a lighthearted feeling. Even in this complicated situation, seeing Hans being calm and making the mood light helped relieve the anxiety Tia was feeling.

*sigh* Oh well. Now what should we do?”

“You mean?”

“We’re kidnapped. Now how should we get out from here? …!!?”

*click*

“Oho~ you’re all getting along well~”

The door knob clicked open and a robed man with a cloak covering his face entered the room. A smirk can be seen just under his hood giving off a sinister atmosphere around him.

“Not really. This one here keeps insulting me like I’m worse than an insect. Right, Ceres?”

“… A-Aaah… Ahhhh….”

“Ceres? Are you okay? You’re getting pale?”

“Oho~? You two know each other? Kekekeke. I see you were trying to save her. But your luck ran out! Kekekeke!”

“Kuh… Ceres, what’s wrong? Look at me! Get yourself together!”

Hans while still acting like his hands are tied, bumped Ceres with his shoulder. It was initially his plan to hide it from Ceres so when the robed man comes, there will not be any raising of suspicion from anyone. It was not like because he did not trust Ceres, but it was because of how Ceres treats him as of the moment. It may end up in something troublesome otherwise.

But what occurred right now is out of Hans’ jurisdiction.

“N-No… Don’t come near me… Please… M-Mama… P-Papa…”

“Hans… What happened to Ceres…?”

“Don’t worry~ Keke. It’s just that she missed me a lot and she’s reacting to our reunion…~ Keeeekekekeke!”

“Tch. Ceres!”

“No… Don’t come any closer…!”

“You guy with the noble hair. You see, before I kill you, let me tell you a shooooort story.”

“M-Mama… P-Papa… No…”

“This girl… No. She’s a full-fledged woman right now, huh…”

The robed man used his fingers to run through Ceres’ face wiping off her tears while licking his own lips.

“… Eek… No…”

“Hans!!”

“Tch…”

Tia called out to Hans expecting him to save Ceres. But Hans is still not moving only watching while gritting his teeth.

[“If I move now…”]

“Whoa there… I recommend you don’t do anything funny now, guy with the noble hair. One wrong step and all their limbs will go kaboom~! Kekekeke!”

“Wha-?!”

“I don’t need them to be in one piece. We just need to extract something from them actually~ Keke. If you dare to move now I can’t guarantee they’ll go out here walking!”

“Hans! Don’t mind me! Just save Ceres!”

“Damn it…”

But Hans is not all but calm in the situation. There was the promise with Anya that he will bring back Ceres safely. But not only that, the sole desire to save Ceres overwhelms him but is conflicted with the current situation.

[“I can move right now, I can attack. But after that, what? I only have my knife here. The enemy knows magic with his huge amount of mana. Worst case, he can easily deflect my attack.”]

A grim situation have come for Hans. The robed man has unknown power that Hans have yet to understand. He is confident with his ability as a soldier, but that fails in comparison when it comes to the unknown. One wrong move can lead to the worst case scenario.

[“Think, Hans! I’ve overcome more wars than this!”]

The new factor, magic, have left Hans thinking for himself anew. A new possibility that was just a work of fiction back in his world.

One wrong move and he’s done.

…

..

.

Chapter 9 End