《Soldiers of Mana》Chapter 17 - Hidden Within the Shadows Pt.2
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Once the figure came into my sight I saw a blonde haired middle aged man wearing green cargo pants, with a white tank top. He began to walk towards the table where there was an empty seat, and out of the corner of my eye, I see Erica fly out of her seat slamming her hands on the table.
“Harvey!, how could you be late to an important meeting? This has to do with the possible security of our village!”
Harvey looked over with a face that spelled out annoyed before rolling his eyes grabbing his seat than sitting himself down.
“Better hold your tongue little girl!”
Erica was seething with anger it was obvious her and Harvey did not get along, actually, it was already passed the point of not getting along they were like oil and water.
“I demand that you explain to the rest of us the reason for your tardiness!”
Harvey was going to retort but, could see some of the other members of the council nod their heads in agreement with eagerness to hear an explanation.
“Hmm… Fine then!”
Harvey takes a moment to glance at my direction before continuing with his explanation.
“ I was over at Bellmane Village due to a dealing in some of our village specialty trade goods”
Hearing the explanation seems to have calmed some of the members seated but, Erica still looked as if she had more to say.
“Oh, what's wrong Erica something else you would like to bring up?”
Harvey slightly taunted Erica with a slight smirk.
“I do! Last night Niko here was attacked by someone within the village. He was a farmer who dealt in specialty trade goods for our village who I happen to know is one of your direct subordinates!”
Immediately upon hearing subordinates, I could tell that specialty trade goods was lingo, I had a feeling from the moment I noticed Harvey's caution while explaining his tardiness. He seemed hesitant and wary of what he was saying, at the same time the idea seemed rehearsed, and everyone understood the meaning, not even bothering to question it. Normally that would be tolerable but, now add into the mix the slip up from Erica about subordinates and immediately my intuition is telling me that there is more to this village than one would think.
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I tried delving deeper into the thought process abruptly drowning out the surrounding until they were inaudible. Drifting off into my own world I started processing all the information I already knew, this village was known as Lunaris they focused on monster subjugations, and farm goods like potatoes. Or so I was told by Erica, and Katie, thinking deeper I remember overhearing the General talking to one of his subordinates about hiring the mercenaries within some of the border villages for an espionage mission.
I mix the idea of a trained monster subjugation force with an assassin attempt in a village on the border that I overheard had trained mercenaries. I begin to believe this village’s look is just a cover-up. Timber framed houses on the outside made to look plain and simple, the insides still held not only the technology but, also the comfortability of houses found in bigger cities. I am beginning to believe this village was one of the small independent mercenary villages the general had mentioned.
Harvey's dealings and work he dealt with in Bellmane must involve the mercenary business, everyone in this village must be involved taking on other jobs around the city as a sort of guise but also a way to self-sustain. It would make sense why they haven't been taken over by some of the bigger nations, by being strong enough to cause threat they would lose too many resources taking over these neutral territories while also fighting their true enemies. So instead they give them work using their powers for gain. Wait, but, then for what purpose does Harvey have to go to Bellmane? He did not take a large group of people so it could not have been anything related to subjugation…. It must have been some type of dealing, if the others were not made aware of it, then the possibility of it being a deal related to personal profit is definitely possible, also gives him a cover for being out of the city allowing him to blame the assassination on lack of loyalty or personal ideals of the individual.
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I was right this man must die! But, how? The warm sensation from earlier came back, this time was even more fierce as I stared daggers into the side of Harvey's cheeks as my body boiled with excitement from the thought of fighting, the feeling of soft flesh ripping underneath my fist, the sounds of bones breaking accompanied by the smell of fresh blood. I envisioned myself on the fallen body of Harvey and those of his followers…. My own melancholy hill. Slowly I began to resubmerge from my own thoughts only to realize my whole body had moved in front of Harvey's seat crouched on the table staring into his face with a wide smile while leaking bloodlust from my entire person. Everyone had stood from their chairs with a sense of alert and weapons were drawn, Erica who was also on alert had not pulled any weapon, instead, she was calling out my name asking me what was wrong. But, my focused attention derailed any idea of unfocusing the target in front of my eyes. It seems like my body has realized its true purpose for creation knowing by itself what the threat is and what it needs to do.
Harvey on the other hand still sat in his seat with a serious look, sensing my hostility during my movements he had activated his mana cloak preparing for any confrontation. Without any dialogue, I immediately launch a meia lua de compasso from my crouching position striking nothing but air due to Harvey jumping back out from his chair. Following my missed kick one of Harvey's peers on my left side ran at me slicing at me with his dagger, I dodge by using the momentum of my missed kick to lead into a spinning handstand where I gain more momentum before dropping onto my back continuing my spinning, rolling my torso in a circular motion with my legs twirling through the air in a V-shape. While spinning I roll onto my shoulders popping myself high into the air landing feet first onto the back part of the dagger-wielding man's neck with a loud “SNAP” killing him. Mana rushed into my body violently rejuvenating my deprived body, apparently the man I just killed was pretty strong managing to restore my mana reserves just enough above the line of safety that was needed to begin using my mana once again.
Feeling the cold flow of mana rushing through my body I slowly materialize my mana cloak along with my scythe as I turn around in my place once again staring back at Harvey. Using my mana always causes a sense of melancholy due to the attribute of my mana being darkness but, while still standing on the body of one of my fallen foes caused an increase in the urge for my very own melancholy hill.
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