Chapter 12 “First Lead”

“Oh, Lady Constie.” I turned my body around to face my superior who just entered my workshop. “What can I do for you?” I immediately asked that since I sensed that she brought along a sense of urgency with every step she took.

“Nerva, I have a task for you.”

“What is that, milady?”

“Do you know that today is the day the royal family will arrive?”

“Ah, it is, right?” No wonder I could sense a lot of uneasiness whenever a guard walked by me. I guess all of them were feeling quite nervous. Since the street has been rather quiet for a few past couple of days but report of some suspicious movement has been turned in, it added to everyone’s worry.

“It is. Your task is related to that. I want you to be our eyes…err, ears.” Oh, this is quite a surprise. Usually Lady Constie only asked me to hear my opinion or something. This might be the first time she asked me to involve myself right into her force. “At first, I want you to accompany me as my aide.”

“But that might not be viewed kindly by the other party as to employ a blind man.”

“Sadly, you are correct. Then the next thing I could come up with is to let you be our ear from the crowd’s side.” Clever. “Blend into the crowd while wearing your casual clothes. Return to me at the end of the day and report to me for any suspicious movement.”

“Right away, milady.” I bowed to her as I accepted my task.

“…Too crowded.” I muttered under my breath as I stood at the edge of the crowd that filled the street that led to the plaza. Even without seeing it, the sheer noise that entered my ears was more than enough to tell me that the street is packed. It is understandable since the news that someone from the royal family will come is not something the town often hear. And all of them want to take a glimpse of the royalties that will visit the town.

I then moved myself skillfully onto the slightly front side of the crowd. Although it was not the front most position, it is enough for me. If I positioned myself too close to the main street, it might attract too much attention.

“They’re coming! They’re coming!”

And it seems like I reached my position just in time as someone shouted the royal family’s arrival. A flurry of commotion immediately erupted in the place. Shouts and cheers came from the crowd. I could sense a lot of happiness and pride from the crowd as they heard that announcement. Although some of them also showed a different kind of emotion, most of the crowd erupted with happiness.

I could understand their feeling. The current ruler of Kingdom of Astiard, King Tibert XI, is a very magnificent ruler. He is known to be the one that ended The 10 Years Civil War that has resulted in so many casualties that it is feared that it might make the whole kingdom collapsed. Thanks to his effort, the Kingdom of Astiard entered an era of peaceful. The whole kingdom rejoiced for him, although many feared that he will not be able to fully recover the damage the kingdom had sustained during the long civil war. Against everyone’s expectation, he actually did. He appointed many local nobles to govern the numerous territories of Astiard to solve that very problem. Of course, the Reystone is one of them. If not because of his decision, the Reystone family will only be a normal family since their ancestry is too thin to be able to reach a noble status. But King Tibert XI never really cares about that as he saw potential first before ancestry. Just as one expected, this action of his earned him many conflict. But miraculously, he was able to solve them peacefully.

But a strong king will only be able to do so much. Especially if the king is someone that is not afraid to take drastic measures such as appointing a lower class noble as a governor. He needs to have a backing of some sort of his rule will collapse sooner than anything. The current king, as anyone expected, has a great and strong backer. It was the oldest family in the kingdom, the Greses. Although never taken the rule of the kingdom by themself even once, the Grese is a family that is loyal to the kingdom since its infant age. They are the co-founder of the kingdom, known to be a family that has produced the strongest knight and warrior the whole kingdom has ever seen. If I’m not mistaken, the current captain of the royal guard came from their family. No wonder the people adore the royal family. Although royal family usually means the king’s family and its entire member, in this kingdom the Grese family is considered to be one of them too due to the long history behind it.

“Look! There they are!” Another announcement came as the whole crowd’s attention pointed toward the main street and I could hear the sound of them trying to get closer to get a better view. Since I can’t see, it doesn’t really matter whether I’m near them or not. As long as I can sense them, that is more than enough for my mission.

The sound of cheers intensified as the sound of horse hoofs hitting the stone paved street got nearer. Shouts like ‘Long live the king!’ and ‘Glory to the Astiard Kingdom‘ filled the entire place. I was absolutely amazed at their enthusiasm.

But I have no time to enjoy the crowd’s enthusiasm. I increased the tapping on my cane to make my ‘view’ much clearer. It was much more difficult that I thought since the crowd’s loud roar interrupted me. I felt somewhat annoyed but I have no other option. Being in the crowd will make my presence much thinner and that is perfect for this particular task of mine.

“Hmm…interesting…” As I concentrated, the ‘view’ of the incoming party came into my mind and it was…quite surprising. I sensed about two companies of guard, one in the front and one in the rear. Each of them is composed about ten horse riders, which half of them are knight judging from the heavy armor and cape, and twenty spearman and bowman. The two companies protected a single wagon that has been decorated rather nicely. I could sense about two…three...five people inside the wagon. There are two guards near the driver and two on the rear side. That wagon probably contained the guests of honor. But, isn’t the information said that they are riding on the fastest Arcane Puppet? Is that wagon considered to be the one in question? Hmm…I can’t focus my ‘view’ much more due to the crowd’s interference.

I tapped my cane again, but this time focusing on the crowd. I could sense about fifteen people that carried the same feeling as the guards near the royal wagon. Among them I could also sense some people showed a sense of anxiety. Some of them are probably the militia. But most of the militia personals were positioned to be near the gate and the street. That means some of them are probably member of the underground movement. And…oh, a very peculiar one.

“What’s the matter? I could find you too easily.” I spoke with a rather hushed voice, trying to avoid someone else hearing my words. “Is your skill getting rusty?”

“That’s because I needed to find you, Nerva.”

“Is that so?” I smiled while kept tapping my cane. “So, what is the matter, Reiyes?”

“There are a lot of troop stationed near the forest.” I could hear him stepped next to me. “And also a big Arcane Puppet near them.”

“Ah, that is the Arcane Puppet that is rumored to be their fastest ride.” I nodded several times as I heard his report. “And the troop?”

“About two hundreds in the field near the town and a hundred hidden inside the forest.” Oh? That was interesting indeed. Why the large number of troop?

“Their equipment?”

“As if they are ready to go to war. The Shades also saw a few Arcane Puppet patrolling.” He then tapped his chin. “Too much for just a formal visit, don’t you think?”

“If it is just a formal visit.” I smirked at him. “Do you think this is just a formal visit?”

“I don’t believe it even for a single moment. In fact, I think it is much better to say that they already realized the existence of the underground movement inside the town.”

“And your reason for that?”

“We’ve detected some of their man infiltrated the town a few days ago masquerading as a merchant caravan. They’ve arrived just before the gate closed.”

“To avoid the crowded time, is it? And their equipment?”

“Same as the troop outside. Armed to the teeth.” A snort came from him. “Do they think no one will suspect that? A mere merchant caravan guarded by a heavily armed mercenary? Surely they jest.”

“Hard to say this to you, Reiyes, but judging from the report that the militia received, they have come undetected.”

“Then the militia needs to be more attentive.” He snorted again.

“They really need to, right?” I let out a wry laugh after hearing his words. “But we are hearing a lot of suspicious movements. Those are probably from the underground movement, right?”

“Surprising. They could detect that but miss the suspicious merchant.”

“So I presumed it is from the underground movement, right?” He nodded. “Do you have any information?”

“Plenty, actually, to the extent that I really questioned the mind of their leader and the competence of the member. It is as if they are purposely flaunting around their name.”

“Ho? Isn’t that might be a trap?”

“I thought about that, but then I send some of the Shades to investigate further and…it is exactly as they’ve said.”

“…How careless.” I shook my head. It was for how careless the organization and also to how incompetent the militia informants were about collecting information since we didn’t hear anything. But then again, it might be due to my suggestion to lay low. “Then? Are you going to give me the rest of your report here?”

“You’re not worried that someone might eavesdrop on us, Nerva?”

“Oh, really now?” I grinned at him. Judging from his constant heartbeats, he was testing me. That was not a question. “Do you really think that I failed to notice the ‘Sound Shield’ you’ve just erected from early on?”

“…As expected of you.” Somehow his tone showed that he was disappointed. But really now. Does he really think that I will fail to notice that? I’ve been underestimated. “Then let’s start with the name of the movement. It is called The Bears of Saxifell. Does that ring a bell to you, Nerva?”

“Hmm…” I tapped my chin as I searched in my memory for that particular name. “The whole part, no. But…Saxifell…Isn’t that the name of the place where the previous king’s clan reside before being annihilated by the current one? King Atbers V, right?”

“I don’t know. History is not my specialty.” Hey now, aren’t you supposed to be an informant too? “At least not for this kingdom. This is the first time I’ve been in this kingdom.”

“So it couldn’t be help. So…yes, the name Saxifell is the clan’s home of the previous king, King Atbers V. It is supposed to be annihilated by the opposing force that led to the enthronement of the current one.”

“Hmm…if what you said is truth, then it might be an uprising that is led by the remnant of the previous clan out of discontent of the current king’s rule. Unfortunately, I can’t give you any more information about their background since we still wasn’t able to get to their base.”

“And that is what you call plenty? Surely you are joking, Reiyes.” I let out a rather challenging tone as I said that. “Tell me more.”

“Hmph, the only thing we lacked is their objective and their background. But everything around them has been collected.”

“Go on, I’m listening. And make it quick.” I then tapped the cane while concentrating on the arriving wagon. “We can’t stand too long here since the crowd will disperse any minutes now.”

“Agreed. Then I’ll stick to the most pressing part.” He took a deep breath before starting. “My Shades has uncovered that the movement is in possession of a very powerful trump card.”

“And unfortunately you don’t know what that trump card is, correct?” He nodded. “And? What else?”

“It is rumored that the trump card will be able to decimate the whole kingdom’s army in no time. Besides that, there’s nothing else. That’s all.” Hmm, this is quite troubling. “But the fact that almost every one of the member speak of it like it’s their pride really worried me. The only thing that came into my mind when talking about something strong is a Marked Artifact.”

“Marked Artifact? Then that means that they will need to…ah, that’s right.” I nodded several times as his information seeped into my mind. “They will need to have a Marked Soul to be able to use it, right?”

“If they have it by means of cooperating with the Marked Soul, than it is not of our concern at all.” Anyone hearing that might consider him cold and ruthless, not caring a single bit about the safety of others. But that is the fact that we Watcher have to live by. As long as the Marked Soul has decided to do it themselves or their fate is to use that, we shouldn’t interfere. Not that we couldn’t, but we chose not to.

“But if that is because their line of fate has been altered one way or another, then it is our concern.

“Correct. Sadly, we still don’t have their exact location. If we have it, then we can collect more information and then decide the next move we will do.”

“Agreed. Then, anything else, Reiyes?”

“There’s a lot but…” He paused for a bit. I then noticed the reason for that. The whole crowd had started to disperse. It seemed that the royal family’s party has left the street. “I will tell you later. You can contact one of my Shades for it. But before you do that, I suggest try contacting that fellow. If no one checks on her periodically, she might forgotten her job here.”

“…How sad that I couldn’t help but agreeing with you.” I let out a wry laugh as I said that. “Then let us meet again next time, Reiyes.”

“Then I will take my leave now.” After he said that, I could hear his footsteps gaining distance from me. Together with that, I could feel the ‘Sound Shield’ he put around us started to dissolved. It was subtle, but I could still feel it.

I then tapped my cane and then I could ‘see’ that almost everyone around me is already moving to do whatever they will do next after watching the arrival of the esteemed guest of the town. But I still could sense the ones that were probably member of the movement. I should keep alert then.

After that, I loitered around the street for a while before returning, hoping to get something else that I can report to. But it seems that I will get back with just what I already have.

“Is that all, Nerva?” Lady Constie asked me while tapping the edge of her desk. It seemed that she was indeed quite disappointed that I was unable to give more information.

“It is, milady.” I bowed form my seat. “I apologize if that is not enough.”

“Well, I would be lying if I told you that your report is satisfying, but it is a detailed report nonetheless.” She then let out a sigh. “I just hope that you can catch something more than that.”

“Once again I apologize, milady.” I bowed my head again. “But it seemed that either there were nothing else in the first place or they were extremely careful.” Of course, I didn’t say anything about their force hiding inside the forest. If the militia’s ranger didn’t catch on their action, then I have no obligation to tell them. If I did, they might suspect me.

“Don’t be, Nerva.” She let out a heavy sigh again. Just from her way of speaking, I could tell that she was tired enough for the day. But she still pushed herself to have this little discussion with me and Eryell. “So, Eryell, any other information?”

“Our rangers inside the forest have reported many strange movements. But we have no other lead except that.” She then let out a sigh too. “That’s all. We can’t determine whether those were from the underground movement or from the royal family. ”

“…I see.” Lady Constie tapped her desk even harder, truly a sign of how frustrated she was. “Then I suppose I will convey what they told me.”

“If it is all right with you, milady.”

“I have to since the whole people that believe that there might be an underground movement and also the Count might have connection with them, in however way that is, are the people in this room.”

“I have to say, sister. Aren’t the others being rather careless?” Eryell said that with disappointment filled her voice. “Just because he is a count from the royal family then they just accepted him like that?”

“Either they are being careless or they are simply scared.” I added my opinion. “After all, it is not wrong to say that the Grese family is the one that controlled the kingdom’s military power. From the manufacturing of the military grade Arcane Puppet to the one in charge of the royal guard. They held very important and prestigious position.”

“I know that!” She shouted at me. “But…they aren’t even suspicious at him? Or even at the whole situation?”

“If they said that openly, it is not difficult to imagine them being marked as traitor. If not openly being marked as traitor, they also fear of being targeted by the assassin sent by the royal family.” I shook my head at that thought. “That is not impossible at all.”

“A-Assassin!? They would resort to something like that?”

“I don’t know. But there is chance, you know? But in the end of the day, they will prioritize the safety of their own and their family first above everything else. It is that simple.”

“But then–“

“My dear Eryell, you have to understand that the one that held the responsibility for the town is not them, but we, the Reystones.” Lady Constie reminded her with a firm tone. “Not those cowards.”

“…Understood, sister. “ I could hear both of their heartbeats have risen. It seemed that each of them felt the same kind of disappointment and anger at the other ones Lady Constie mentioned. Well, the other officers were, just like she said, looking for the safest way to live.

“So let me tell you what the Count said at the previous meeting. Just as he mentioned on the letter, he will be here to test his latest invention, the newest Arcane Puppet. Their location will be the forest. But they will wait for the component to be delivered since it seemed that there has been some last minute problem they couldn’t fix just in time. So they brought most of the component except one. Sadly, he didn’t say what that was.”

“Did he tell milady about the reason for choosing this town’s forest?”

“No.” She shook her head. “He skillfully dodged that question last time and asked to meet again tomorrow. After that meeting, I will ask the two of you to be here again. I will tell you everything again.”

“Understood, milady.” I bowed to her. “Then should I stock up the salve again?”

“If you could, that will be better. And also stock on other medicine and potion.” She let out another sigh. She let out a lot of sigh in this short discussion of ours. “We don’t know what might happen. I’ll increase the budget just for this once.”

“Understood, milady.”

“Eryell, report anything new immediately but avoid taking any action. We should avoid contact as beast as possible, just as Nerva suggested. I will also tell the other division to put up their guard more in pretense of securing the royal families.”

“Understood, sister.”

“Then that is all. You are dismissed.”

After leaving my two superiors, I proceeded to my next destination.

“…Couldn’t believe that I will be here again after that incident.” I muttered that as I entered the shady district. I was quite worried that the previous commotion will make it much more difficult for me to enter the place. Thankfully my worries were for naught as I couldn’t sense any ounce of fear or anxiety as I stepped onto the place.

I let out a breath in relief to that. I’m glad that I have no need to deal with the aftermath of the commotion since I have another problem to deal with at the moment. And that is to locate that fellow. I know that she already told me to ask anyone since they are bound to know her. But I frankly don’t know how to start that task.

“Hmm?” Suddenly I felt a sudden gaze from somewhere along the alleyway behind me. I tapped my cane faster to ‘see’ the figure in question. Almost immediately, I realized who that was. “Is there something you need?”

“E-E-Eh!?” A startled voice came from behind me. The voice told me that it was from a girl. And not just any girl. It was the girl from the commotion. I could sense she had similar emotion at that time. But her heartbeat was much steadier than that time, which was a good thing since the last thing I need is someone that is scared of me. Hmm, on second thought, her heartbeat told me that she was indeed scared of me. “A-Are you the one c-c-called N-Nerva?”

“Hmm?” How did she know that? Oh…it must be because of that. “Did Cyrielle send you?”

“Y-Yes, big sister sends me.” Although she talked more clearly, her heartbeat still told me she was a bit scared. “She told me to take you to her when you’re here.”

“Oh, really.” I then approached her carefully as not to startle her, which was a task easier to be said than done as she immediately jumped back as I turned around. I only let out a sigh at that. “Well, please lead me there.”

“Ah, took you some time there, Nerva.”

“I have work to do, you know.” I then tapped my cane again to ‘see’ my surrounding. “Unlike someone I know.” I said that because I could ‘see’ a lot of bottles around Cyrielle’s table. I could also sense that someone else was near her, sleeping with her head plopped on top of the table. Chances are, they have been drinking all night.

“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean? I’ve did my job!” A protest came from her but it was such an unconvincing one seeing that she was still holding one of the bottles on her left hand. “Well, no matter. Kiddo, you can take care of your sister, right?”

“E-Eh, yes. I can.” The girl from before answered in stutter.

“Good! Here’s the money.” She then threw a pouch at her, which she barely caught. “Ask the barkeeper to help you if you must.”

“O-Okay!”

“Where are you going?” I asked that since she already got up and walked toward me.

“Well, just as I said, I’ve done my work, you know?”

“And that is?”

“Before I give you the report, you can contact Reiyes, right?”

“Hmm, I can.” I tapped my cane again and found one of his subordinate standing around the district. “Yes, I can.”

“Good. Tell him to meet us here and then we’ll go.” She was already going to leave the bar I’ve just entered.

“Not so fast.” I placed my cane in front of her, stopping her from moving. “Tell me what you’ve found.” After that, a small laugh escaped her mouth. If I could see, she was probably grinning smugly at me.

“I’ve found their hiding place.”

Author Note:

Please give me comment and opinion for this story, or even critique so that I can improve my writing. Do tell me if you find something strange or wrong with the chapter. Thank you for reading!