Chapter 8
Answers
Emilia left the capital after the day she had a talk with Azrael.
-"I can't believe you've done something like this! This is just gonna get us into trouble. What I'm gonna do now?"
Azrael was currently walking the streets. Everytime he was looking at a group of knights they started to run away.
'What a good development. Maybe in this way they shall learn gow to become stronger', he thought.
Azrael was sitting in a public library that was opened. Looking through the shelves he was looking for more books. But to his disappointment he hasn't found anything related to his clause.
'Where am I gonna find it?'
Walking in the market district he found the appa vendor he found the first day.
-"Hey, Kadoman , how's the business going?"
-"Ugh, oh, hey kid how are you doing?"
-"Ehh, I got better days but I can't complain about this one. So how's the business going?"
-"Well it's not going bad that's to be sure. Also there are quite the rumors about you from what I heard."
-"Such as?"
-"About how you beat some imperial knights…"
-"…"
-"..or the town that you made…"
-"…"
-"…or about how you saved a bunch of nobles.", Kadoman finished.
-"Small things for me. Can I buy some appas? I'm kinda starving."
-"Sure thing kid."
-5 minutes later-
-"Boy people sure are gathering around to see the candidates."
-"Well, what do you expect? It's about the future of the kingdom after all."
-"Well, yeah I guess."
-"Although I find kinda foolish to let a half-elf participate into this."
-"… again with the Witch thing? Aren't people over it after 400 years?"
-"Say what you want kid, but it's kinda obvious that people won't forget. Even the kids know this."
-"So I take you on the same spot?"
-"…"
-"I guess not, huh?"
-"…"
-"By the way… I'm trying to find some informations."
-"About what?"
Azrael made a signal to Kadoman to come closer to whisper in his ear." About a certain group of fanatics."
Kadoman got the idea.
-"Kid you really are suicidal aren't you? You should know that this will be your downfall."
-"There is no downfall for me. Only ways up.", he said looking at another appa.
-"….Well I guess you may find somewhere…but not here."
-"Thanks old man."
-"Hey ,I'm still in my mid age."
-Dusk-
Azrael was feeling a bit drowsy. Walking through a shortcut he could feel the presence of someone following him.
The stalker was looking at Azrael since the beginning of the day. Following him since he received orders from a certain person. Blinking for a second the stalker was startled by the fact that Azrael vanished.
-"Huh?"
He was frantically looking around to find nobody.
-"Damnit." he muttered.
Turning around he bumped his head in Azrael's chest. Looking up he could feel this was the end. The stalker was grabbed by the throat ,lifted in the air and pinned against the wall.
-"You'd better talk buddy, or I'm done being polite.", Azrael said in a menacing manner.
-"ughh….", the stalker's neck was being gripped tightly by Masochistic Joy's claw.
-"Undertand?"
-"Ughh.."
Azrael pulled a bit the victim and smashed him against the wall.
-"I don't think I made myself understood. YOU WILL ANSWER ME!"
-"…o..k..ay..",said the victim trying to breath.
Azrael made it possible for the victim to breathe again.
-"Who send you?"
-"An.. ..a"
-"The Hoshin,huh? Well enough about that. Tell me what do you know about the Cult?"
-"It's a group of….te..rrorist tha..t are pray…sing the W..itch"
-"Anything else? Organisation, leaders, hideout?"
-"No…I… don't' k…now."
-"grrr… damnit.", he cursed.
Azrael dropped the stalker.
-"Say one thing about me and I shall chase you to the end of the world. DO YOU GET ME?"
-"yes…", said the stalker cowering in fear.
-"Now piss of!"
The victim stumbled and ran off.
-Later during the night at a bandit hideout-
-"Ghahaah, we really hit the jackpot guys. That village really had one hell of treasure.", said the bandit leader.
-"You said it chief! We really hit the jackpot. Although what should we do with this so called merchant?", asked one of the bandits.
-"Tie him up and throw him at the wolves. But we should keep the dragon. Might come in handy."
-"Now guys let us have some fun with the women.", said one of the bandits filled with lust.
Looking at a corner several women were standing tied up cowering in fear.
One of the bandits got up heading towards them. I mischievous grin was plastered on his ugly face. Grabbing one woman by the hair he dragged ger into his tent and threw her next to the bed.
-"Time to dig in.", he said .
Grabbing her clothes he tried to rip them of until he felt a cold metallic hand on his shoulder.
-".. huh"
Right before he could turn his head war ripped of from the body.
The woman was horrified by this and tried to scream but was soon grabbed by the figure.
-"Shhh…I came to save you", said the figure in a gentle tone.
Looking up the woman saw the one who saved her. It was a white haired man with red eyes and a dark attire. Untying her he said in a calm manner.
-"Wait right here for a minute or two."
-"o…okay", she said a bit unsure.
The figure went outside.
Many screams were heard and cries were heard. The bandits tried to attack the entity but he was to fast and killed them all without any hesitation. The carnage was over.
Going inside the tent the figure said again in a calm demeanor.
-"Ok, now help me free the others."
-"okay", said the woman.
Standing around the campfire the merchant and the ladies were starring at their savior.
At first they thought he was some sort of demon that is also going to kill them, but it was proven wrong. In fact apart from his unusual attire and combat ability he seemed like a normal person.
One of the ladies tried to approach him.
-"Thank you for saving us.", she said ,still fearing the man.
-"It's no big deal. Here share this with the others.", he said handing her a box with food that the bandits kept.
-"Oh, thank you.", said the woman taking the box and going at the campfire.
-"Who do you think he is?", said one of the ladies.
-"I don't know but he sure is handsome.", said another.
-"Do you think he is single?"
-"I really hope he is."
-"He seems like a dark knight from the stories."
The ladies continued the chatter, while the merchant was eating his food. He let out a small sigh.
Azrael was searching through the bandit's loot. He was annoyed by the fact that he hasn't found anything useful. The bandits didn't held anything of value.
'What did I expect', he muttered.
'To be honest I don't believe that bandits will ever hold anything of value.', said Weiss.
'You don't say. What you want me to make an assault on the national archive?'
'I will not propose something so foolish.', protested Weiss.
'Whatever. Anything useful as skills?'
'Sadly no. They proved to be worthless int terms of magic.'
'At least we got the shades.'
Turning around Azrael saw that the merchant was staring at him.
-"Can I help you with something?"
-"Ehm, no… it's not that… I came to thank you for saving me.", said the merchant bowing.
-"Sure…whatever…"
-"Ermm… what are you searching for…maybe I can help you."
-"Informations."
-"…About what?"
-"Well anything like new spells…or at least about the cult."
-"The cult?...are you talking about the Witch cult.."
-"Shh… keep you voice low damnit…"
-"… sorry…anyway what is you business with them…"
-"It will be like a prey-predator relation."
-"Ug? Are you going after them? Are you .."
-"Insane? If I got a copper everytime someone called me this I would be sleeping on a mountain of it by now."
-"Oh…more specific…"
-"Locations, leaders and the other sort of."
-"Well.. from what I know it is said that they are led by sin archbishops."
-"Aham, anything else? A name, maybe?"
-"Sorry , but nobody lived from an assault from them."
-"Ugh, fine… thank for the info anyway."
-"No problem, it's the least I could do for saving me."
-"Don't mention it. Let's go to the others." ,said Azrael grabbing another supply box.
Everyone was gathered at the campfire and each one was enjoying the food.
-"So might anyone say what happened, and what with the bandits?", said Azrael.
-"Oh ,well we are from a village named Leiko across the forest to the south. It happened one night when the bandits attacked the village and looted everything.", said one woman.
-"I see, what about you?", said Azrael towards the merchant.
-"I was going to the capital to see if I could sell some oil. And I just got caught by them.", said the merchant.
-"Talking about being unfortunate. Anyways are the other villagers alright?"
-"Well I guess they should be alright."
-"Alright. I believe I should drop you at the village, right?"
-"If you are kind enough."
-"Also could you tell us your name?", asked of the youngest.
-"My name?"
All the ladies nodded with excitement.
-"I'm Azrael."
-"It's nice to meet you. I'm Otto Suwen.", said Otto extending his arm.
-"I'm Haku, it's nice to meet you Azrael.", said the youngest.
-"Same here. We shall depart tomorrow. Otto you shall help got it? I don't take 'no' as an answer."
-"I get it."
It was about noun when Azrael and Otto arrived with the ladies at the destined village. Everyone cheered when they say that their wives and daughters were saved.
Azrael had a bit of fun with the villagers while pursuing information gathering.
While standing at the outskirts of the villagers Azrael though about where to go next as he still needed to gather informations. Debating with Weiss and Noir he had to make a decision about how to do it.
And the solution came from Noir.
'If I may propose … how about you let out hidden shades around the world to gather it. This may came in handy most of the times.'
'So you are saying that I can let out shades roaming free? Isn't this gonna cause trouble?'
'Well it may be a possibility. But you can use stealth on them so they cannot be detected.'
'Hmm, why didn't you say this earlier you idiot.'
'Ohh, well you didn't asked me if it was possible.'
'You moron!'
-"Hey, Azrael!"
-"huh? Oh, what is it Otto?", said Azrael turning around.
-"Well , I was about to return to the capital…"
-"I see. Still trying to sell that oil or whatever?"
-"Yeah…"
-"What is it?"
-"Well the trouble is … this is out of season and if I don't find anyone to buy it…"
-".. you shall get into trouble…I get it."
'Poor guy. So easy to mess up with. Also so frail. Though I could use up a merchant to sell up my goods…wait..'
-"Hey Otto!"
-"Um?"
-"Tell me… if I am going to buy up the goods are you willing to work for me from now on?"
-"Huh…are you seriously going to buy my goods?", beamed Otto with happiness.
-"Yes, I might also put you merchant skills for use."
-"I'll gladly work up for you."
-"Sure, whatever. Here.", said Azrael handing over a bag of coins.
-"Huh…Wait these are golden coins. Are you a noble?"
-"I never called myself a noble. But whatever. Do we have a deal?", said Azrael gesturing for a handshake.
-"We sure do.", said Otto grabbing his hand shaking it rapidly.
On their way to the capital Azrael was experimenting with the oil. It seemed that it could burn quite good, but it wasn't good to make a weapon. The best it could do was for a lamp.
-"Hey Otto, do you know anything about the price market?"
-"Well I do know something, but I'm not that sure."
-"I see. Well you shall do some work from now on so better keep an eye on it."
-"Alright then."
In the capital Azrael and Otto were standing at a demihuman only tavern. The people inside tried to argue ,but one of them recognized Azrael and what he was going to do if they messed up with him. Azrael was sipping on some booze and Otto was waiting quietly. While waiting for their orders, Azrael was again reading on from a book while Otto was standing not sure what to do. While they were waiting a group of knights burst inside and went straight to their table. Azrael kept his demeanor and didn't change the pose while Otto started to tremble.
-"I am not going to accept what you did to nii-chan. You are going to pay for your crime.", said one of the knights. He was a young boy with purple hair and yellow eyes.
Azrael didn't gave him attention and continued reading. Then one of the knights grabbed the book and threw it away.
Azrael stood up and glared at the knights.
Everyone in the tavern were starring at the scene. This wasn't gonna end good.
The knights were now butt naked trying to run away. Apart from the purple one. He was floating butt naked down the riverway from the front door of the tavern.
Azrael was now shaking the dust from his clothes, grabbed the book and went back to his place. Every witness was amazed.
-"Hey bartender, can I have another jug of beer?", asked Azrael,
-"Right away sir."
-"Hey Azrael does it happens for you to know these guys?", asked Otto scared.
-"huh? You mean those wimpy knights? No."
-"ohh".
The food came over and now they were enjoying the food. Azrael tipped the waitress asking here to bring another beer.
Right after they finished another knight stepped inside the bar. This time everyone was pale.
-"Azrael… we need to talk.", said the knight.
Turning around Azrael saw who called for him. It was Reinhard.
-"Otto can you wait outside for a bit?"
-"ugh.. sure."
Reinhard and Azrael were now standing in the deepest corner of the tavern.
-"Azrael do you know how far you went with your actions?"
-"The fact that you are here, kinda says a lot."
-"That's right. Every noble heard about your feat. And many people are getting uneasy with your presence. If this continues I will be forced to arrest you."
-"Throw me in a dungeon, huh?"
-"You don't seem scared at all."
-"I stood in a dungeon since I was a kid. You really believe they scare me now?"
-"huh?"
-"You might not know this Reinhard, but it ain't me the one who should change. It's the knights. As long as their pride will continue and they come after me, my attitude shall continue."
-"…"
-"Everything I did until now was self defense. I don't believe you have a law to not justify that."
-"… that's true…but."
-"Then why do we have this discussion? Unless you want to pry something from me , you don't have a reason to be here."
-"…that's true. However it's my duty as a knight to protect and..."
-".. again with this bullshit Reinhard…you didn't protect."
-"..huh?"
-"Do you think I didn't heard anything about how that old man that I think was Felt's grandpa or something, entered the room and tried to kidnap Felt? Don't you think I don't know how she cried to release him? Tell me, did you tried to protect him then? Did you tried to protect the friend of the one that you are supposed to serve?"
-"I…"
-"You didn't…"
Reinhard was at loss of words.
-"Until next time Reinhard. Unlike the knights I'm in the middle of something."
Azrael left the tavern.
-"Hey Otto let's go."
-"Where up to next?"
-"A tavern to borrow some rooms."
-"Alright then."
-"Also tomorrow I want you to make a list about most wanted products."
