The sun shined without a single cloud in the sky, the wind solidity blew and rustled the bushes and leaves nearby, giving off a most calm feeling, something I enjoyed. I enjoy taking long walks alone in the forest, the natural feeling of everything soothes my nerves, something I needed badly ever since I've graduated from the Templar academy. My first mission as a newly graduated Templar, something I was waiting for such a long time, hoping I don't mess up my first mission, I really don't need anymore anxiety or stress. But nonetheless, I was proud to do my rightful duty as a human and serve the Templar and assure a beautiful new world order of peace for the human race.
My first mission is a big one, or at least a big one for new graduates, frankly I'm lucky to even get a mission this big. A man by the name of Edgar Ross owns a wheat farm and a large amount of land, he owns many slaves that are used for the labor, but that's not why he is a target. Rumors and witnesses have said that he has been getting paid to secretly release Keidran back into their tribes with safe passage. And by Templar law, he is a criminal, and I'm going to enjoy putting him in prison.
After a much enjoyed walk down a path in the forest, the path leads to an open field, with a good view of the farm. In the middle of all the open space and seemingly endless amount of farm, is a single house and a barn next to it. Strange, with the amount of land and profit he owns, I would've assumed he would have loved in a mansion, but instead he chooses a humble little house. I walk down the path and go through the gates. Almost immediately, I noticed that not one Keidran was doing any farm work, there were Keidran men and women just lounging about and relaxing, while the children were playing games. Disgusting, these beasts should be working their asses off until they bleed, and then some more. Instead this man has them doing nothing. If the rumors are true, once I'm done with the man, I'll make sure that they are sold to new families and are worked to the bone.
I reach the door and knock loudly, yelling out "Edgar Ross! I am here on behalf of the Templar!"
Almost immediately, I could hear frantic running and feel the door knob twist and turn. A man who looked like he was in his late 30s with orange hair opened the door only slightly, only letting his eye peak out, as if he was afraid.
"Edgar Ross, please don't be alarmed, I'm just here to talk."
"Oh, it's an honor. May I ask what's this about?"
The man was clearly on edge, he was as pale as a ghost in the face and stuttered with his words. If I'm supposed to investigate and arrest this man without his getting away, I'll have to make him think it's nothing.
"I assure you it's nothing, but perhaps we can talk inside?"
He tensed up when I asked to enter his house.
"Why? I mean sure, just…come on in."
He gestured for me to enter, I entered his house. Off the bat, I started eyeing everything in the house. It seemed like a normal house, it was humble and seemed honest, nothing seemed off, yet. The man led me into the dining room and pulled out a seat for me. I sat down on a chair and the man sat down on the farthest side away from me.
"So what are you here for mr. Templar? Is it business or… a mission?"
"I was sent here on business."
"And for what would that be?"
Shit, now I've gotta make something up to keep him here.
"You see, as you may already know, the Templar are nearing war with the forest wolves. While it is uncertain if the war will happen, the Templar are wanting to prepare, and if it were to happen, war means more mouths to feed, like our brave warriors. The Templar would like to invest in this farm."
"Why, that would be swell. Matter a fact, I should probably get us some drinks, I'll be right back. I'll be going down to the cellar to get some wine and the proper paperwork."
The man stood up from his chair and walked out of the dining room. Once I'm no longer able to hear his footsteps, I began looking around the room. I examine every nook and cranny, the drawers, cabinets, pantry, even pulling up loose floor planks. I find nothing and continue on to the kitchen. I open the bottom left drawer and find an open envelope. Curious, I open the envelope and find a letter, written in the Keidran language. I put on a pair of glasses and use translation spell to read, it reads-
Dear Hansen,
It's been a month since I've last seen you, and I've missed you dearly. I miss the sound of your sweet voice, the feel of your fur when I hug you, I've truly missed you. I've been caught up with business and I believe that people are on to me, I fear that the Templar are going to notice the rumors and take action against me. If you revive word that the Templar have arrested me and taken my land, I want you to remember the location of our first ever date. I have buried 20 pure gold bars in a wooden box underneath the bridge where he first kisses. Let's pray that it doesn't come to that, but if you ever need anything, I want you to know where I've hidden it. And one last thing, please tell our little one that I love her and that I'm sorry that I wasn't there when she needed a father.
Love, Edgar Ross
Disgusting, not only does this scumbag run a Keidran slave freedom operation, judging by 'your fur', he's in love with a Keidran and has a 'daughter'. I put the letter in my pocket and continue examining the kitchen. While looking through the drawers in the kitchen, I catch a glimpse of something through the window. Something moving. Someone running. I squint and try to take a closer look at who it is that's running.
"For fucks sake!"
It's that idiot running away! He's trying to run into the woods and lose me! I burst out of the house in a matter of seconds and took chase after him. I run as fast as I can, shoving Keidran out of my way and trampling the crops. I jump over the fence and continue running after him. I realize that there's too much distance between us and by the time I get to the woods, he would've already lost me. He's not worth a chase, but rather something else. I raise my right arm and point my index finger at him, I take aim and let the mana in the ground flow through me and into my finger. Loud crackling and electric arcs spark from my arm. I charge the mana into my arm and let it build up. An ear ringing -KRAKA KOOM- was the only thing that could be heard as a bolt of lightning extended from my finger and struck the man in the back, knocking him off his feet and onto the ground. I hurry my way over to see if he's still alive.
"Oh shit, please don't tell me he's fuckin dead." I say to myself.
I kneel down and poked him a few times on his burnt crisp back. He groaned in pain, struggling to breathe, wheezing and gasping for air.
"Please don't." The man said to me, wheezing in between words.
Relieved I didn't kill him, I grab the man by the back of his shirt collar and pull him to his feet. The man struggles to stand, his back still smoking from the strike.
"Please don't. Don't hurt them, I beg of you" He says, still wheezing when talking.
I find it funny that he's more concerned about Keidran rather than himself, what a sorry sack of shit.
"They're not your problem anymore, they'll either be sold back into slavery with new masters or be turned into fur coats. And with the winter season coming in, I might need a new coat."
The man begins to weep, bawling his eyes for worthless animals.
"They're the least of your worries now. -ahem- Edgar Ross, you're under arrest for smuggling and giving freedom to Keidran slaves and the suspicion of falling in love with a Keidran." I say to him with a joyous smile on my face.
I walk back to his house, dragging the man by the back of his shirt collar. I can hear him struggling to breathe, coughing and wheezing in between his breathes. A petrified young wolf girl approaches me. "What are you doing to mister Ross?"
"Shouldn't you be saying 'master'?" I told the dog. "Don't worry, he's none of your concern anymore, you'll have a new master soon, all of you will."
"What?" Tears begin to swell up in her eyes. "Are you serious? No. You can't be?"
I get in her face to intimidate her "I don't think i fucking stuttered." Her face was filled with horror and fear. I patted her on the head and grabbed her by the arm and began dragging her to the house to sit next to her former master. I gently sit her down next to him.
I reach into my satchel and pull out a communication crystal. "-Hello, this is William. I am reporting that I have successfully arrested Edgar Ross and have many Keidran here ready to me sold-"
The Crystal glows blue and a voice responds from the other side. "-This is Captain Curt, we are sending wagons and men to pick up the Keidran. Stay where you are and keep watch.-"
I put the crystal back into my satchel. The wolf girl is huddled on the ground next to Ross. I kneel down besides her and gently pat her head. "You must be very afraid, but don't worry, you'll have worse things ahead of you yet."
I love my job.