Chapter 8

I still remember that day, as if it was yesterday. Being a military man, a week off was rare for me. Taking the opportunity of the holiday, I took a couple of my best-friends for a driving trip. Without any specific destination, we decided to do a pit stop on a quite well known local zoo. Because of fate, I got to meet the Princess of my heart, Joanna.

There's nothing special about her look. With her looks, she might have passed as any average small town girls you could found. She was a quiet and awkward girl that hide her shyness in a giggle. When I first met her, she work as a cashier inside the zoo's souvenir shop. With her bubbly personality and crooked smile, she always ease the mind of the tourist that come to the store. With her slightly shorter than average height, everything only served to make her more adorable than she could ever thought.

Even with all the mental and physical training I did. To find the courage to ask for her number are still exhausting.

It didn't take long for the two of us to go on our first date and then the next one and so on. I am in love with her and I reckon it was the same for her too. But it didn't last long as a sudden bright light engulfed her and the flowery scene before us gone.

********

I woke up seeing an unfamiliar ceiling.

" So... it just a dream.", I muttered the lonely words toward myself. Relieving the old memories in my dream make me realize that some things are not worthy to hold back deep inside your heart. The memories makes me tearful, unbefitting for a guy like me.

It took me several minutes for me to calm down. When I check my radar, it seems like Fiona and Silver just woke up based on the movement in their room. For now they seems like they are preparing for bath. Maybe I should refresh myself too.

I already finish washing myself several minutes later. Based on the activity in their room, it seems like they are still bathing.

While waiting for them to finish up, I check my status.

NAMEHARRIS CAGEAGE16OCCUPATIONPRINCESS GUARD,

OPERATORLEVEL7HP320/320MP472/472SKILL POINT417SKILL (ACTIVE)ANALYZE ( MAX )

ASSASINATE ( MAX )

SILENT STEP ( MAX )SKILL PASSIVEGATHERING (MAX)

WOOD CRAFT (MAX)

SURVIVAL ( MAX )

EYE ADJUSTMENT (MAX)

LANGUAGE HUMAN (MAX)

KNIFE ART( LVL 0)

SPEAR ART ( LVL 0)

SWORD ART (LVL 0)

HAND TO HAND ( LVL 0)

HUNTING ( LVL 0)

DUAL WIELD( LVL 0)

COVER UP (LVL 0)MAGICFIRE ( MAX )

TELEPATHY

" I see. It seems like I gain a new skill, Telepathy. Lets try it."

[[Silver, do you read me?]]

[[Oh, Master!?. Is this the telepathy?]]

[[Calm down, meet me downstairs when you guys done. And one more thing Silver. Protect Fiona.]]

[[ Yes Sir!]]

Now that I have informed Silver, I proceed to the dining hall.

The only person inside the hall is the bulky muscle cook.

" Good morning Boss."

"Oh, good morning boy."

"Boss, do you know who I should ask around for information?"

" Well, you can certainly try your luck in this inn tavern. Just down the hallway."

" Right, there is that option too. Thanks Boss."

" The boy got manners!”,his loud voice reverberating the empty hall as he compliment me,then he continue “Anyway,what’s your order boy?"

" Juice please."

After that, I sat on a nearby empty table. Several minutes later, the juice I ordered arrived and so did Fiona and Silver.

" Good morning Harris."

"Good morning Master."

"Morning girls."

While I was gathering my thought on how we should proceed from now on, Silver already ordered 3 serving of breakfast and Fiona ordered a plate of sliced fruit and juice.

The two girls seems to be engaging in a friendly conversation with occasional giggling.

For a princess, Fiona seems to be quite friendly.

“ Silver, can I count on you to safeguard Fiona?”, the moment I asked Silver the question, her pseudo ribbon ears perks up.

“ Where are you going Harris?”, Fiona interject with a hint of worrying voice, much like those of a lost puppy.

“ I need to ask around for information. Don’t worry, I won't be long.”, after I reassured Fiona that I won’t be long, I proceed to the tavern.

****

The tavern is still empty during the morning with only few customers. Just like the game, lets talk to the bartender first.

“ Bartender, do you know anyone here I should talk with about the situation around the border?”

Instead of responding to my question with proper answer, the bartender rubbed his right hand fingers together and showing the left palm toward me. Albeit reluctant, I slipped 5 copper coins toward him.

“ Well thank you! Let's see..”, he paused for a while, scanning the tavern, then he continued, “ Well, do you see that guy over there?”

Toward the area where he’s pointed, a lonely man can be seen. A sword belongs to the man lays rested on the edge of the table. On his table sat a lonely mug of ale.

“ An adventurer?” I asked the bartender.

“ Yeah, he’s specialise in convoy guarding. Always see his face twice a week here.”

“ Any tips for me?”

“ Because you are so generous boy, I will give you a tip for free. Treat him a mug of ale.”

“ How much?”

“ Single copper.”

Although I felt that the bartender has tricked me into buying the ale, I decided to the advice. With a mug in my hand, I proceed to the man table and handed him the ale.

The sign of surprised show up on his face for a while and his hand quickly reach for the handle of the sword. Seeing his reaction, I quickly showed up the palms of my hands while telling him I mean no harm.

“ What do you want boy?”, his angry voice cracked while he’s questioning me.

Without batting an eye from his threat, I asked him “ I need information, what should I expect on the way to the border?”

“ Cheh, I supposed the ale is the price for the information lad?”

“Yes.”

“ It work for now. So what do you want to know?”

“ Anything that can threaten life.”

“ Heh, that's easy. The only thing that can kill you here are either ambushing goblins or Beel.”, while answering the question, he chugged the ale down in one go.

The name Beel piqued my interest so I asked, “ Who’s Beel?”

The man stared in puzzlement on my face because of my question. Because of that reaction, I am sure that Beel is something or someone dangerous.

*********

Author note: sorry for no chapter for the past few months. I was busy with RL such as DCAM exam and Internship. But, now the schedule has return to normal now. And btw, I got 2 artist that will be helping me in the art.