Chapter 49 – The Thief and the Knight

DAISUKE'S FRIENDS IMMEDIATELY RUSHED to the room where he was sleeping after Riku announced that he has finally woken up. Even Raghnall and his men went to the room to formally meet the elf they were taking.

Riku explained who Robin and Raghnall were and why they were in Shiropolis.

“All things considered, I guess you all have my thanks,” said Daisuke who already has an appetite, eating as much as he could.

“Don't mention it. It was our fault after all,” Raghnall responded.

“Take it easy, Daisuke,” Brunnhilde reminded Daisuke as he stuffed his face.

Daisuke finished the basket of food and emptied a jar of water. “So, what is this place anyway? And why are we inside Shiromori instead of Emergent Kingdom?”

Robin looked at Riku. “Wait, you're all going to Emergent?”

“That was the plan,” Riku answered as she looked at Raijin. “Raijin here is our guide here in Aria and when Daisuke had this mana bruise, we decided to go on a detour to find a safer place so we can heal him first with the help of Brunnhilde.”

“But I think we can just do it here. After all, this is technically a safer place. We have access to food and water,” Brunnhilde added.

“May I know what this mana bruise you are speaking of is?” asked Robin.

Brunnhilde and Riku explained to Robin and others what a mana bruise was and how one can get it. They also explained the effect of having it just like the way Jack explained it.

“And how did he get it? Isn't it rare to get in contact with pure mana?”

“There are several ways. One is that there are people who could use mana in its purest form.” Jack explained. “Another one is that our friend Daisuke is an avatar.”

Robin, Raghnall, and the others were surprised. They only heard about the avatars and Ishvaras back at the Emergent Kingdom, but it was their first time to see one in flesh. Robin, in particular, was especially astonished. After all, she knows someone who would want to meet an avatar.

“Wait, you are not kidding, aren't you?” asked Raghnall in disbelief.

“A-Avatar of who exactly?” asked Robin.

“Ariyani,” the three elves answered in unison.

“Jack, you really think it is the reason?” asked Mirana.

“That is the only explanation I could think of. Remember his fight with the Diabolia? He subconsciously entered his avatar form and shoots some kind of sphere of mana. Ishvaras are beings made of pure mana and Laniagaea's essence. And the avatars can use pure mana aside from their power Ishvara's power.”

Robin looked at Daisuke. In her perspective, Daisuke looked too innocent to be someone that could have such destructive power. Then again, knights like her know better than to judge a book by its cover. “Daisuke, you're not going to rampage in our village anytime soon, are you?”

Daisuke breathed deeply. “With these mana bruises, I couldn't even use my own power.”

Everyone managed a peal of laughter.

“But seriously though,” Riku continued. “If it is the safety of the people of Shiropolis you are concerned about, I can assure everyone that Daisuke can handle it.”

“Thank you for understanding,” Robin stood up as she prepares to leave. “I'll leave first. I need to prepare for something. Raghnall, you're with me.”

Raghnall followed Robin, excusing himself from the guests. The other Rogue Archers decided to go out as well, leaving the guests to catch up with Daisuke and attend to their stations.

“I think we should prepare that runic circle as soon as possible,” Riku reminded Brunnhilde.

“Of course. Now, all we need is a wide place where I can create the circle. And a continuous source of mana.”

“I guess we have no choice but to go down,” Siegfried claimed.

* * * * *

As they went outside the treehouse, Daisuke saw how incredible the Shiropolis was. He couldn't help but smile from ear to ear.

“Feels like home, isn't it?” said Riku with a peculiar smile on her face.

Even Daisuke couldn't help but get mesmerized. “Y-Yeah. I'm glad we went here.”

“Alright. The thing is, there is no place flat and wide enough for Brunnhilde to make the runic circle,” said Raijin. “Which means...”

“Which means we have to go down to the forest floor,” Mirana continued.

A Rogue Archer called Rumpin (codename: Owl) saw them outside the treehouse. He got curious as to why they were all looking below.

“Hey, guys! Going somewhere?” asked Rumpin politely.

The group simultaneously glanced at him.

“Oh, we're just wondering if we really should go to the forest floor,” Siegfried replied.

“And you're all thinking if there will be giant insects below?” asked Rumpin as if he knew what they were thinking. “I have nothing to do, for now, so come on, follow me.”

Rumpin ushered the group to the forest floor and readied his bow. Siegfried unsheathed his swords, Mirana grabbed her Everfrost, Raijin took out his tonfas, and Jack and Riku heightened their senses.

Rumpin gestured for the group to stay quiet to avoid attracting any giant beasts. They all walked for a couple of minutes without encountering unwanted guests. So far so good. Then, a few more minutes and they reached a path that looked like a road. They followed the path and entered the woods again. The path they took doesn't have grass on them, which meant people regularly walk on them

A few more minutes and finally, they reached a small open field, like a picnic grove, quite similar to the one Daisuke saw from before, except there was no huge rock at the center.

“This...is what we call a safe zone,” said Rumpin as he put his weapon back. “There are many safe zones here inside Shiromori, where fewer to no insects go to because they’re way too open for them. People who travel here in Shiromori would usually plan out their route to ensure that they get to a safe zone.”

The group was amazed that such a place exists inside a forest. It's just an open field of grass, but it looks so serene.

“I'll just catch my breath before I start making the runic circle,” said Brunnhilde. “For now, I could use some mana.”

Siegfried volunteered to give his mana first before anyone that relies on mana provided theirs.

As they sat down on the grassy field, Riku faced Rumpin and asked him a question. “So Rumpin, how long have you been a Rogue Archer?”

Rumpin was randomly uprooting grasses when Riku asked him. “Since day one, I guess. Robin was my mentor. And I would follow her anywhere. The moment she decided to leave the Emergent Kingdom, we didn't hesitate and gladly joined her.”

* * * * *

The Emergent Kingdom was an isolated kingdom somewhere south of the Aria continent. All of the nearest kingdoms were on the other side of the Shiromori. They do not have Karma users or magic users. Instead, they were known for their knights who could handle the power of their seven sacred weapons.

The kingdom nonetheless experienced prosperity thanks to its vast farmland, rich seas, and trading with other countries. Thanks to the Shiromori, no other kingdoms have ever managed to invade them. And the rough and rocky sea and its heavily fortified walls made invasion from the sea almost impossible.

Yet, they were far from a perfect country.

Despite their rich economy, there were still people living in slums. The commoners, or the lower class, were expected to do the heavy works which include, but are not limited to, farming, fishing, and construction. The middle class was those that work as merchants, in services, and in manufacturing, to name a few. The upper class, including the nobles, religious members, and the royal family, own most of the lands, properties, and businesses.

Most of the military was composed of people from the lower and middle while only a few upper class served as soldiers.

Then there was also the government, led by the royal family and eight appointed people from the most influential houses that focus on different portfolios.

But the seven people that everyone in the Emergent Kingdom really looked up to are the Seven Knights of the Emergent Table, most commonly known as the Royal Knights.

At the peak of the Royal Knights, Robin was one of the most renowned members. Her beauty matched her skills and even though she was fighting, people still see elegance in her movements.

Robin Bodkin came from the slums. From her younger days, she has already been great at maneuvering obstacles by running, jumping, and climbing flawlessly. She excelled in using her surroundings to her advantage.

Her parents have work; his father, Finch Bodkin, was a farmer, and her mother, Starling Bodkin, served as a servant in one middle-class family's house. But their earnings were barely enough, which was why Robin resorted to thievery.

Robin started stealing from a local market. At that time, she only stole food. Then, she set her eyes on the rich, taking their bags of gold and money.

Of course, her parents were against it.

“Robin, there's no need for you to do this,” her mother would always say.

“If you wanted to help, go back to school and learn,” her father would always add.

“We don't even have enough money to buy food and you want me to attend school?!” Robin’s usual argument.

Out of anger, her father slapped her once, much to her mother's astonishment.

Education was supposed to be everyone's right. However, it was expensive and the people of the slums do not have the means to afford it.

“Listen, Robin! Your mother and I never had the chance to experience formal education! We don't want you to endure the same!”

Robin's parents never used the money intended for her education for anything else. It was her who suddenly stopped going to school because she wanted to earn like her parent. Her father would eat whatever produce or critters were available in the farmlands. Her mother would eat leftovers to avoid spending money. They would both walk to and from and avoid spending money on fares. And all the money they have goes for Robin's education and necessity.

Yet, Robin didn't want her parents to sacrifice for her.

One day, she once again tried to steal food and money. This time, her eyes were set on a caravan filled with fruits. However, everything went wrong immediately just when she was already making her escape.

A person trips her, causing her to fall, her face flat on the ground.

“I think you're too young to be a thief,” said a knight in full armor.

“HEY! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE...” Robin shouted until she saw the face of the knight.

The knight has salt and pepper hair, and a prominent scar on his face.

The Scarred Knight, said Robin internally. And at that point, she knew she was screwed.

And so Robin ran.

She navigated through the densely packed market, not looking back. She then turned right to an alley and hid behind a large trash bin. She peeked to see the street, like a meerkat checking if there were any predators.

“Who are you looking for?” a voice whispered.

“Shhh! Be quiet! The Scarred Knight might hear u...” she stopped talking, slowly turned, and saw Thoras, the Scarred Knight.

Robin ran away again with Thoras effortlessly tailing her despite wearing full body armor.

To get away faster, Robin used her skills in maneuvering through obstacles and navigated through the city proper with ease. Thoras easily followed her as if he has been doing it for a long time now. They were running, jumping, and climbing everywhere, like a mouse and cat playing tag.

Robin was already in the slums area where she can have the advantage. However, she made a mistake in her footing as she tried to land and slipped on a roof’s tile. She fell, but before she could hit the ground, hundreds, if not thousands, of dandelion-like things caught her.

Thoras lands near her. “That's a close one, kiddo.”

The dandelions softly dropped Robin on the ground, then assembled to become Thoras's sword, the Liontooth.

“Are you alright?” asked Thoras.

Shocked at what happened, Robin let out a loud cry as she hugged the knight.