Chapter 14 “Convincing Process”

“…Now what? Wait for him?” I let out a long sigh as I sat in one of the room I rent in the district where I lived. Thankfully this inn is not that crowded and I already have been close with the owner of this place. She is a very cute girl. Although still have a rather undeveloped body, her assertiveness and curiosity is quite high. Especially at night time. I really like girl like her. Friendly too.

I folded my leg as I shifted my sitting posture. As always, I hate waiting. I know that I’m the one that supposed to secure the place for us. But does that really mean that I can’t just lock the room and go out for a bit of fun? I can sneak out, but that damn Reiyes has one of his Shades nearby. Although I can’t see them, I could feel their presence. Well, not much. I’m not as good as Nerva in term of sensing the presence of others around me. I could only rely on my sharpened instinct.

Talking about instinct, I looked at the other person inside the room. He is still unconscious. Just as Reiyes’ instruction, I tied both his hand and leg after removing any kind of weapon on him. For a person that is said to be in charge of information flow and also silencing informant, this guy has the worst instinct ever! I thought that since he is in charge of that my task will be a bit more difficult. But all I have to do is jumped behind him and landed a clean hit on his neck and done. That’s all! Really? That’s the extent of your ability? Ugh, and the local militia has not even able to catch their tail? I have less and less faith for the security of this town.

Now that I looked at that guy, he is not that bad. His body is, as expected of a person that worked in this line of work, rather strong yet not bulky at all. It is a characteristic of one that put more importance in one’s speed and agility instead of strength. When I lifted him up to this place, I could feel the firmness in his arm and leg. His copper brown hair is cut short and neat, letting his rather childish face shown free to the world totally uncovered. His slightly tanned skin also told me that he spent quite some time outside.

And if I’m not mistaken, this guy has a rather soft voice for a man. Unlike the other two…what’s their name? Uhm…Andres and…Gerio? Unlike the other two, this guy is definitely gave a little boy image than a man. Combined with his slightly shorter height, his image is complete. Soft voice, childish face, slight tanned skin, and also haircut that emphasize his youth. Yup, that’s a complete set there.

If this is the guy that Mena girl is interested in, I have to admit that she has good eyes. If she isn’t going to take him soon, I’ll be happy to have him for myself.

“…Ugh…”

Oh, he’s starting to wake up? I guess my hit isn’t that strong. Well, I did try to not kill him. I remember that one time I hit someone too hard, a cracking sound came from their neck. And…let’s just say that I will not seeing that unfortunate person ever again.

He stirred for a while. A few moments later he opened his eyes slightly. Hmm? Orange colored eyes? Quite beautiful ones if you asked me. He keeps getting more and more interesting. I like him. If this is finish, maybe I’ll take him, even before that Mena woman take him.

After opening his eyes completely, he started looking around. Clearly he is confused. I don’t need Nerva’s ability to know that. He kept looking around with a very shocked face. For a few seconds, he kept doing that without any sign of doing anything else.

“Hey.” I was bored of just looking at him stirring around in confusion. His head jerked a bit. Ah, he heard me. Good. “You awake?”

“…Ehm…” He then turned his head toward me. It is quite an interesting sight for me, still tied up but tried to move his head toward me. If not because of Reiyes’ order, I will unfasten his rope. Even if he tried to kill me, he wouldn’t be able to. Even landing a hit on me will be a challenge for him. It’s not that I’m conceited. It is my instinct that told me so and also my experience when capturing him. “…Who are you?”

“Me?” He nodded. “I’m Cyrielle.”

“And…where is this?” Oh, trying to be calm, eh? Impressive. But your cramped expression gave that away, boy. Yes, I’ll call him boy for now. Much better for me. I’m bad with name too. That is much easier for me.

“Here?” He nodded again. “This is a room in the second floor of The Ruby Tankard, an inn in the fun district of Fouge.” He seemed a bit surprised that I told him a very detailed answer. Well, what do you expect, boy? Didn’t you ask me to tell you where this is?

“Okay…and…why am I here?”

“Oh, that’s simple.” I gave him a smile. He seemed to be taken aback by that. Hey, hey, if a smile is enough to make you that surprised, how will you do at when we have fun later? “I kidnapped you.”

“Ah, you kid…What?”

“Kidnapped.” I nodded. “You heard that right.”

“Huh?” Surprised again? You are really easy to be surprised, boy. “W-Why…Ugh…I can’t move!” He then looked at his hand and feet. It seems that he finally realized his condition. “Tied up!? What’s the meaning of this!?”

“No need to shout, boy.” I kept my smiling face as he tried to loosen himself. Try all you might, I can guarantee that you can never release yourself except if you can dislocate your join. Even if he could, I’m not that worried. “Calm down and we can talk.”

“You!!” Even his angry face is good. Ah, what took those guys so long? If they aren’t here soon, I’ll really get this prey in front of me. “Who are you? Why are you doing this? Are you with the royal families?”

“Oh, so many question at once.” I couldn’t help but giggled. “Well, I already told you that I’m Cyrielle, Cyrielle Natine if you want my full name.”

“Natine?...No, there’s no noble name like that here…” Although he was muttering that, I could still hear it clear enough to make each and every word. “Why…are you doing this?”

“Reason, eh?” I shifted my legs again. “I just want some information.”

“Information? For what?”

“For–“

“Natine, don’t say unnecessary word.” At the sudden voice, which I know very well the owner is, the two of us shifted our attention toward him. As usual, his feet are always silent. If the boy wants to continue his line of job, he could learn a lot from Reiyes. And I mean a lot, as in being under him for about…one or two years? Yeah, that will do. He will not get to be at his level, but he will improve a lot. “You are only to guard him. Don’t do anything that might change the result.”

“Sheesh, you and your whining.” He then gave a slight frown. But as usual, his frown turned away instantly. I’m still puzzled by how he could change his emotion and expression, almost instantly. “Okay, okay.” I replied while throwing my hands up.

“W-Who are you?” Ah, almost forgot about him. Unlike when he looked at me, the boy looked at Reiyes with a slight fear inside his eyes. Well, not that I’m blaming him or anything. His appearance is rather scary and unnerving, clothing wise. His thick black and brown coat covered his entire body from top to bottom, only leaving a slight view of his dark blue pair of pants and black boots. He always had the cowl of his coat on, making it very difficult to see his face. Although simple, the aura it emanates really made everyone felt more than slightly disturbed. I’m accustomed to that, though. So I’m absolutely okay with that.

His face, not so much as it is just cold. In fact, I could say that if he could smile a bit, he would be popular with the woman, not that he wants to. Really, Reiyes is a strange guy. But he is a good guy. And he is also talented. That is a very big plus for me.

“Who am I is not your concern.” His voice was rather cold when he answered him. “You have much more to concern than me.”

“What!? How dare y–Captain Mena!” His eyes went wide after he looked at the one in Reiyes’ arm. If not for him shouted that, I would have missed her too. “What are you doing to her!?”

“Calm down. She is just unconscious.” Reiyes then walked inside after closing the door with his feet and then placed her a bit farther from the boy. “We didn’t hurt her even a single bit.”

“You bastard!” He tried to move toward Reiyes but unable to do so since he was still tied up. “If I find that you hurt her! I will kill you!” Yeah, good luck doing that, boy. Hearing that, I couldn’t help but let out a soft giggle. Reiyes glanced back at me with a rather annoyed eyes but then turned toward the boy again.

“Full of spirit aren’t you?” Reiyes then walked next to me. “Good. But I advise you keep that for later. You’ll need it.”

“What?” Of course he wouldn’t understand that. Gritting his teeth, he turned toward the woman. “Captain! Captain Mena!” He shouted with all his might. “Captain!”

But she didn’t wake up. Not even a bit of stirring came from her. The only sign of life from her came from her breast that moved up and down as she breathes. One could easily mistake her for jut being asleep.

Now that I’ve look at her, she is…hmm…cute? Yeah, that’s right. Although the owner if this inn is far cuter than her, she can still be categorized as one too. Short cherry red hair and fine face. Her height is only slightly shorter than me, only a bit taller than the boy. At first glance, her body looked well train. A swordsman, perhaps? A knight? Probably is. And she also chose a rather boyish looking outfit that consisted of a pair of pants and a loose shirt under her coat, similar to the boy’s. Although her breast is not that small, it is still on the undeveloped side. I guess I have to say that her looks really is the opposite of the boy. I mean, while the boy is a boy with a girlish feature, she is a woman with a boyish feature. They are actually a pair I love to see. The contrast of the two really makes it nice. Ah, my imagination has already run wild at the thought. Hahaha!

“Really? You think that will wake her up?” Reiyes said that while leaning onto the wall near me. “Give it up. Your effort is futile.”

“Shut up!” Really, if Reiyes said that I have the talent to get under someone’s skin, than I can say that he have the same talent as me. “And you! Who are you? Why are you doing this to us? We didn’t do anything to any of you!”

“…Ugh, this is giving me a headache.” Reiyes let out a heavy sigh. “Where is he anyway? I just want to do this quickly.”

“Huh? I thought you were with him.”

“I was. But then he went back to get something.”

“Something?” I raised one of my eyebrows. “He didn’t say anything?”

“No.” He shook his head once. “I guess I don’t really know if he is going to bring something or not. He just said that he needs to prepare something. That’s all.”

“Well, that tells us absolutely nothing.” I let out a ‘hmph’ as he said that. Really, that Nerva. Will it hurt anyone to tell us what he is going to do?

“Hey! Don’t ignore me!” Oh, yeah, him. Forgot about him. “I want answer!”

“And answer you will get.” A tapping sound accompanied that answer. Why is everyone entered so silently? That somehow made a bit annoyed that I can notice them. “If you really want to, we will give you the answer to your question.”

“You’re late.” I said to him with a rather irritated voice.

“Apology. I need to get the stuff I need.” He gave that answer with a smile. “Well, I guess everyone is here. Let’s start.” Hearing that, I stood up and took my position next to Reiyes while Nerva closed the door and walked toward the boy.

“S-Start what?”

“Don’t you want answer?” Nerva who kept walking toward him answered him. “We will start that. But first.” He placed his finger onto his forehead.

“W-W-What are you going to–“

“Relax. It’s going to be okay.” If I and Reiyes have the talent to get into someone’s skin, Nerva has a different talent all together. He could easily manipulated people just by his words. And that boy is already under his control.

A slight glow appeared from the tip of Nerva’s finger and it touched the frightened boy’s forehead.

“What are you do–HOT!!!” He screamed as loud as he could. But his scream died down soon after together with the disappearing of the glow. “Y-Y-You! What have you…done…to me…” Slightly out of breath, he tried to ask Nerva.

“A simple spell.” He smiled again.

“W-What spell? Hey! Where…are you–Don’t touch her!” Oh, his eyes showed that same worried looking glint as soon as he saw Nerva walked toward that woman.

“Quiet. I need to concentrate.” He then placed his finger on top of the woman’s forehead. And just like the boy’s case, the same glow came out.

“…A…Aaa…” A slight groan came from her. I guess the sensation from his spell woke her up as she started to open her eyes. “Whe…Where am…I…?”

“Captain!” I could see that her eyes opened completely at the shout from the boy. I think this will be interesting. “Captain Mena!”

“A-Adart? H-How…You!” before she could look at him, I could hear surprised voice from her. The reason? Probably seeing Nerva. “The blind from before!”

“Why thank you for remembering.” Nerva once again gave a smile and then he stepped back a bit. ”Then shall we start?”

“Start? What do you mean? Where is this? Who are–Adart!” The moment she laid her eyes on the tied up boy, she immediately moved toward him. “A-Are you all right?”

“I’m fine, Captain.” He gave a reassuring answer, which in my opinion is not so reassuring considering his condition. “H-How about you, Captain.”

“I’m…fine? I think.”

“Please, can we start this?” Nerva clapped his hand, earning the two’s attention. “We don’t have all night.”

“You!” She stood up and looked at us. No, glare at us. “Who are you and what do you want?” Her eyes looked so much angrier than before. I guess seeing her subordinate being tied up like that really made her like that. I couldn’t blame her though.

“Who we really are is not really important. What you really need to know is that we are not your enemies.” He smiled at her.

“Not our enemies? Are you kidding me!?” Once again she shouted. “If you are not enemies, then why do you kidnap us?”

“It is to assure you so that we can exchange information.”

“I will have none of that!”

For a while, silence enveloped the room. What broke the silence is Nerva’s heavy sigh that is accompanied by him shaking his head.

“…This is going nowhere.” At Nerva’s statement, I felt a sudden chill ran on my back. I know where this is going and I pitied them. I could see Reiyes shook his head, telling me that he also realized that. Well, let’s just see. “I really hate to do it, but it seems that I have to show you your place in this exchange.”

Right after that, Nerva tapped his cane once onto the floor. At first glance, nothing happened. But that was because the effect of his action is not exactly visible.

“GUUHH!!!”

“UURGHH!!!”

I directed my gaze at the source of the voice and found the woman has been forced down onto her knees while the boy couldn’t do anything but laid down while gritting his teeth. The fact that the woman was still able to resist that showed that she is quite strong. But I think that she will fell soon as her feet are shaking terribly.

Yup, not visible. But really there. And effective, if I may so myself. I also felt that invisible wave and felt like something pushed my whole body down. I glanced to my side and saw Reiyes clenching his hand slightly. Very effective indeed. Not even I and Reiyes are spared by that. The effect of his skill called ‘Enforced Pressure’ is to paralyze everyone in the surrounding area. The more energy he put into his skill, the stronger the pressure is. But it is not that effective against strong people. Or at least that is what he said. All I know is that I don’t really like this skill of his.

“Do forgive me for that, my guest.” Nerva’s calm voice came as a bit unfitting to the situation. I don’t know the truth, but I suspect he somehow enjoy this kind of situation. “I assure you, if you don’t cooperate, this will be just the starter.”

“L-Like hell we w-will cooperate!” The woman’s voice resounded very loudly although she was visibly shaking. Yup, not very convincing.

“…What a shame.” Nerva tapped his cane again.

“GUUUARRGH!!!”

“AAARRGGHHH!!!”

Once again, I could feel the force has been added. A lot, if I may say so. The evidence besides the woman has been laid flat on the floor and the boy having trouble to even take a single breath? Reiyes who is beside me is holding his arm with a slight shaking hand. I also felt my back being pushed down that I hunched forward slightly. Really. I hate this skill of his! So much!

“So…change your mind?” Nerva, still with his calm voice, asked them. But nothing came from the two since they were already putting all their energy to keep conscious. “Another one then.” He tapped his cane again onto the floor.

“A-AARGGHH!!”

“...guh…argh…”

Ugh, damn you , Nerva! This is even a bit hard for me. Even Reiyes is starting to hunched his back like me. I was already starting to feel difficult to breathe normally. The woman is a terrible condition and the boy is…is that foam on his mouth? This is not going good for any of them.

“So?” Nerva asked again. “Miss Captain, I think you should decide fast. Your subordinate is already on the verge of fainting, if not dying.” A slight grumble could be heard from the woman. I guess she was considering the safety of her subordinate. “Another one? I don’t really mind. Though this one,” Nerva pointed with his cane toward the boy, “might really die.”

“…O…kay…”

“Hmm? Forgive me, I don’t quite get that.” Lies! You are able to hear the boy’s heartbeats so well that you can determine how bad his condition was and you claimed that you can’t hear her voice? Even I could hear that! “Could you say it lou–“

“OKAY!” She shouted with all her might while still on the floor. “We…will…cooperate…” She said that while gritting her teeth and clenching her fist so much that I could somehow see white spot forming on her knuckles. Strong one she is.

“Ah, is that so difficult?” Nerva tapped his cane again. And just like many times before, an invisible wave swept the whole room. This time, it was as if a heavy burden has been lifted from the air and I could breathe normally again. I immediately took a deep breath and tried to regulate my heartbeats that was getting wild and faster. Sheesh, I’ll say it again. I hate his skill!

“…Finally…” I could hear Reiyes muttered that from beside me. I looked to the front and saw that the two had showed the same relieved expression as ours. Both of them were breathing very roughly, clearly a sign of how difficult and horrible the ordeal from before was for them. I wouldn’t blame then even a bit since both Reiyes and I also felt the same.

“Ah, to make you believe that we are not your enemies, I think I will introduce ourselves.” He then gave a bow to them. “My name is Nerva, a blind man. The man behind me,” he pointed his cane toward Reiyes, “is Reiyes, a scout. And the woman next to her,” he pointed at me, “is Cyrielle Natine, a wandering brawler.” Wait a minute! That’s all? Aren’t you going to say that I’m a great lover too? Or at least a martial artist? Really that Nerva. Why couldn’t he give me a good title?

“…Guh…” The woman glared at us with clear hatred in her eyes. “And I supposed to believe that?”

“We are telling the truth. Not a single lies from start to now. But then again…,” he paused and tapped his cane several times, “do you have a choice in that matter?”

“…So much for not being our enemies.” She then looked at the boy. “If that is true, than is there any necessity to keep him tied up?”

“Oh, you are free to release him.” Nerva let a small laugh.

“…Thanks.” She then moved onto the boy and proceeded to untie him. It took a while but then she could finally untie the rope. I guess I tied it too tight. “Are you okay, Adart?”

The boy sat up and let out a couple of coughs for a moment. He then looked at her with a slightly troubled expression while massaging his wrist.

“Yes, Captain. I’m…ashamed for being captured so easily.” The boy let out a very dejected tone.

“Don’t worry.” She then gave a reply in a quite gentle manner. Aren’t they sweet? But then the trace of gentleness disappeared in the next sentence of hers. “Those guys…are not normal.”

“Why thank you for the praise, Captain Mena.” Nerva said with a rather happy voice. “And I hope that the rope is not too tight that time, Adart.”

Hearing their name being called, the boy glared at us with pure hatred inside it. The woman put on a scowl. I guess she was trying to be tough but I could feel a deep fear from her eyes. Understandable.

“…Of course you know our identity.” She spoke with a cold tone. “Who are you? Are you with the royal families?”

“My, certainly not. We are not affiliated with the royal families, the local authority, or anyone in that matter.” Nerva let out a small chuckle. “You can refer us as…free agents.”

“Really? Hard to believe. Especially after what you did to us.”

“Not a strange reaction. But let me tell you this, the fact that we didn’t hurt you is a sign that we don’t want to become your enemy if not necessary.”

“…I couldn’t believe you right away.” She paused for a bit. “But…as you said…we don’t have any choice in the matter.”

“Captain!”

“Quiet, Adart.” She stopped him before he could any anything else. “I hate to admit it, but we are no match again any of them.”

“But Captain…”

“Adart.” She called his name while looking at him. For a few moments, no one said a single word.

“…I understand, Captain.” He gave a short nod. I guess they had come to an understanding.

“Thank you.” She then looked back at us. “Then we will cooperate with you. For now.”

“Thank you for that.” Nerva gave a bow to her. “So let me say that we only want some information from you. In turn, we will give some information that you might be looking for.”

“What kind of information are you looking for?”

“The objective of your organization.” The two became alert once Nerva said that. “What do you call it? The Bears of Saxifell?”

I could see the two clenched their hand as they were still in crouching position. They all glared even further onto Nerva. But he just smiled at them.

“…What is your purpose?”

“Didn’t I already say it? I want information.” He shifted his feet and leaned onto his cane slightly. “Just that. No more, no less.”

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!