Chapter 4 A trip to town.
Today is a free day, all of the students at Garrech Mach Monastery are out and about doing whatever they desire. Some students prefer to stay in the academy, while others headed out to town. This was especially true for a certain Golden Deer student. She was standing near the entrance gate waiting for someone.
"He's late, if he doesn't show up soon we won't have much time to look around" she grew impatient as she waited. A few days ago, she asked the professor if he could come with her to town as an alternative for not letting her sit out of training. She was happy yet nervous when he accepted her proposal, but she is glad she was able to hide it long enough for him not to see. What seemed like hours, he finally arrived.
"Good morning Hilda, you seem better."
"Professor you're late, even after I took some effort to get here"
"Sorry about that, I had to asked Claude about a task he needs to take care of" he apologized.
"I see, but you do know is not ok to leave a girl waiting right?" she gave him a fake frown.
Although behind that deadpan look he always has, she knew that her words made him a little nervous.
"I still don't know why you want to go to town, or why you even want me to accompany you for." He asked the pinked hair noble.
"Don't sweat the details professor, let's go" she pulled him along towards the front gate.
"Hey! Don't pull so hard, for someone who says they can't do much you seem stronger than you think" he complained. All Hilda did was give him a smile and a wink.
"C'mon the day isn't getting any longer" carefree as ever, now they walked to town.
Since today was a day free from school activities, all students and staff practically had the day to themselves, as long as they return before sundown. The month of the Horse bow moon has started, but there was no time to relax, for Byleth there was more to worry about. There had been rumors of a reaper stalking the town and monastery looking for people to 'spirit away' at least the rumors go.
"What's wrong professor, you look more deadpan than ever" has he really, he never put that much thought into it.
"Nothing to be concern about"
"Come on, don't be like that" she placed her hands on her hips "Does it have to do with that rumor about the disappearances?" she asked him.
"I been thinking, that's all" He was hopping to change the subject. The details he was briefed on where beyond gruesome compare to what the rumors suggest, for now, there is no reason why he should explain more.
"I don't think it's a rumor if you ask me," She gave him a look of sincerity," but we can't just let this get in our way of our daily lives you know." In a sense she was right, but that did not mean they can just let their guard down. "Now, let's go!"
Once they reached the town, they could feel a change in atmosphere, one of fear and dread. Of course, the townspeople went on with their day, but they all had the look of weariness. Some shops where closed, but many remained open.
"Wow, I remember this place being so lively, it is almost as if the whole place's been struck with a plague or something." She said worriedly.
"Yeah, I agree," He didn't blame them, for all they know, the disappearances and the sightings of an iron clad scythe wielder only increased by the day, it is only a matter of time before the situation turns even more dire.
"All things aside, what do you want to do here again?"
"You know how I normally can't work up the strength to get out right"
"More than I ever wanted to"
"So, when we passed through here on our previous mission, I noticed this shop and I really want to check it out." She said all excitedly practically hugging herself.
"What kind of shop is it?" If this shop was enough to work her up and take initiative, then he wants to know what it is. 'Maybe I can use this to motivate her to try harder,' he wondered.
"You'll see come on its not that far from here." They continued walking down the town's street. Although it did not bother him, the occasional looks he got from the populace was somewhat nerve wrecking, unbeknown to them, they caught the attention of an unwanted guest.
"Professor!" A girl came running over. She was wearing the traditional Officers Academy uniform, had long brownish hair, and a shoulder cloth.
"Oh, Mercedes, what brings you here?" Byleth noticed her approaching him. She giggled a little.
"You can say that I'm looking around, I was actually here with Annie, but it seems we lost each other on the way." She giggled again. She can be a really sweet person, but she can be empty headed at times. "Oh. Hilda, I didn't see you there"
'You didn't notice me?' The pinked haired wondered, regardless she returned the greeting, "It's good to see you Mercedes" a tad of annoyance could be heard in her voice.
"Sorry about that, I can be a little scatterbrained at times" She apologized with a smile, she then turned to Byleth "say professor, can I come along with you while I find Annie?"
"I don't know, what do you say Hilda?" He asked her.
'To be honest, I rather it be just us two' is what she thought but she could never be that rude to anybody. "I don't mind, maybe we'll find her along the way." A look of joy fell on Mercedes face, she took Hilda's hands and shook them.
"Thank you Hilda, I'm terribly sorry for interrupting your outing today"
"No worries lets go" Now all three headed to the store Hilda wanted to go to, as they rounded the corner, they heard someone call them over.
"Hey, you, the one with the dead fish stare" He turn to see a man near what appears to be a game stand. "Comer right up, try your luck and you can win an amazing price." He offered. The game itself looked simple enough, three cups and a ball.
"Oh how fun, shall we play professor?" It for sure caught Mercedes attention.
"Heh? I don't know, seems kinda fishy to me" Hilda objective, not only was this guy offered to play a game, but he is really close to the alley way and not that many people were out in this part.
He thought about it for a little bit, "I don't see why not." He approached the table.
"Ah, come, come and play, the goal of this game is to follow this ball under one of these cups, pick the right one and you win a cool prize"
The man placed the ball on the far right cup and started spinning them around. "One, two, and… three" he stopped, and let go. "Now where is the ball?" Byleth pointed at the center cup. The game attendant lifted the cup "Sorry, wrong choice" he lifted the cup to reveal that it was empty, "I have a deal just for you, one more try absolutely free!"
"How generous" the brunette said, Hilda looked weary.
"Sure, I'll bite" The game master started moving the cups again, this time he paid more attention to the cup holding the ball.
"One… two… and…THREE!" In a flash a group of 5 men came out of the dark alley and grabbed both Mercedes and Hilda,
"LET GO"
"HEY, PROFESSOR HELP US"
Byleth who was sitting down, turned his head to assess the situation, 5 ruffians, 2 wielding axes and 3 wielding swords. As soon as he turned to face the man in front of him, time stopped just in the nick of time, for a dagger was just centimeters away from his face.
"So that's your plan, now to turn the tables." In a couple of seconds, the hands of time moved back.
"Sorry, wrong choice, I have a deal just for you, one more try absolutely free" He said with a slight smirk. Byleth now knew what the problems that are to come.
" I'll bite, no surprises now" he mocked.
"No no, no surprises at all, one… two… THRE-!?" he was caught off by a punch to the face. Hilda and Mercedes stared in disbelief as the professor just sucker punched the man, wasting no time, he gave orders to them.
"HILDA, MERCEDES, RIGHT, BEHIND YOU"
"Huh?" A dagger flew between them which struck a man who was about to get a hold of Mercedes. The pinked hair noble noticed another who was about to get a hold of her, she ducked his grasp and stepped on his foot with the heel of her boot. He grunted in pain before been kicked in the stomach.
"Damm Garreg Mach brats, how did you know what we were planning!" One of the ruffians shouted in anger. Three ruffians where knocked out, now only two remained. Byleth with sword drawn faced the two, being unarmed, Hilda and Mercedes couldn't do much, however, the pinked hair girl could really pack a punch. The remaining two ruffians staggered back, sword and axe shacking in hand. To them this was supposed to be a simple job, kill the man, hold the lasses for ransom, and make a quick get away, but this man had to ruin it all. "DAM YOU TO HELL!" the sword wielder rushed forward, Byleth parried the swing while the axe wielder raised his axe and swung downward.
Byleth knew what he needed to do, as soon as he blocked the swing, he leaped back to avoid the axe swing. Missing caused the ruffian to get his axe stuck on the ground, Hilda took the opportunity to take him down as he struggled to free his weapon, she jab him in the stomach, then swung her fists connecting with his forehead, effectively knocking him out. Knowing he just lost his crew, the last ruffian slowly backed away, Byleth slowly approached him, but in the corner came a group of knights being led by a petite girl.
"Mercie! There you are" the girl waved, the knights saw the scene and readied their weapons.
"Annie, you came right on time too, and you brought help too"
"Damm, the knights of Seiros," before he could make his getaway, Byleth grabbed his shoulder and hit him with the hilt of his weapon knocking him to the ground. The knights pinned him down and bounded his arms with rope.
"You will pay for hurting our precious students, and for your crimes against the people of this town." They lifted him up and dragged him away, another group collected the remaining ruffians and tossed them in the back of the carriage. The leader of the group turned to face the professor. "You have my thanks professor, if it were not for you, these thugs would off gotten away with their crimes"
"Are they known to you captain?" He asked the knight leader.
"That's right, we received reports of suspicious groups popping in as of late, but we have our hands full with the scythe specter, so bandits take the opportunity to terrorize the populace." He dropped his head. "It's not just here, people in Remire village have also gone missing… I just hope its not the start to something bigger" They walked away back to the monastery.
"Well that was exhilarating wasn't it, boy I feel a rush" Hilda said to the group.
"Yes that's too true, I still feel the adrenaline pumping through my very core" Mercedes said, a little shaken up, but she was ok never less. Annette, the one that brought the knights to them, angrily scolded the Brunette.
"Mercie! How could you leave me behind like that, Don't leave me like that again ok?"
"I'm so sorry Annie, I just got distracted by the sweets shop, and before I knew it, I was lost." She gave a heartfelt apology. "I promise to not let you worry ever again."
"Oh Mercie, I can never stay mad at you, thank you professor."
"Not at all I was just doing what I could do, say, how did you know that we needed help." He curiously asked Annette.
"That? Oh, I was walking down the street looking for Mercie, when I saw you playing that cup game, I was about to call out to you before I noticed a group hiding in the shadows of the alley." She told her story before apologizing. "I'm sorry professor, I should have warned you first, but I figured that the knights could of help more than me."
"I should be apologizing as well, I'm not good at fighting so I couldn't do anything to help you"
Hilda, and Byleth accepted their apology.,
"Thank you so much for helping me find Annie professor"
"No problem, please be careful on your way back"
"We promise professor."
They walked backed to the monastery, leaving Hilda and Byleth behind.
"So… that's that huh?"
"Yes, how are you feeling?"
"I'm perfectl professor, thanks to you" she said excitedly "It was amazing how you were able to see right through their plan and take them out like that."
"You can call it a mercenary's instinct" He lied, now is not the time to reveal anything to her or anybody in general. It looks like she accepted his response, and they continued their journey to the shop Hilda worked up herself to go visit. After such a dangerous turn of events they finally arrived. To his surprise it was a simple fabrics shop.
"So… is this what you wanted to see?" he worriedly asked, not only did they almost lose their lives getting here, but the items in this shop are sold at the officer's academy as well.
"You do know that they sell fabrics in the marketplace too right?"
"I know that, I checked too, but I noticed that they don't have a particular item I've been looking for"
"And what may that be?"
"You'll find out, C'mon lets head inside" once inside the owner greeted them, and encourage them to look around. Looking around he spotted a stuff bear, this one in particular had purple and gold vest, which reminded him of someone back in the monastery. Hilda kept looking around, pass all the fabrics in the front, there was a section where rare stones sat behind a glass case.
"Caught yer eye lassie?" the store owner came up.
"Yes, what can you tell me about this one" she pointed at a pinkish sparkling stone. He took a second to observe the stone.
"That one was found in the Leicester Alliance, close to Goneril territory. A respected scholar said that this one has enough magical energy to grant the wielder strength and good health."
"How cool is that, how much is it?"
"For you… 7000 gold"
"That much!" it did not surprise her that much, it is a stone that not only looks pretty, but also has magical energy flowing through it, how could it not be expensive. "Can we not bargain a little to drop the price?"
"I'm afraid I can't, even if you are a noble and crest bearer." He said strongly, no need to continue negotiating.
"My bad, I didn't mean to cause you any trouble, I'll still like to buy it, but not today" she was bummed out, all they went through today was for naught. She walked away to search for her professor and found him looking at a toy.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Just looking" he responded, hiding the object behind his back
"What do you have there?" She manages to sneak around and snatch it from his hands. "Awww how cute! Who is it for""
"This…? You could say is a gift for someone…" the awkwardness could be felt in the area.
"Yeah for who?" Does words stung her heart for some strange reason" She felt her heart fall heavy and a squeeze on her chest.
"I actually got it for Bernadetta"
"Her? Why?" She knew that Bernadettta was always up in her room, almost never leaving it, confining herself from even her classmates. What does she have to do with the professor?
"She has been opening up to me, and reveal a whole bomb shell of information"
"And... what else?"
"She has informed me that she is interested in transferring into our house, but she has problems interacting with people in general, so I plan to at least make her feel secure with a gift, she likes these things almost as much as you, probably even more."
"That's sweet of you professor" She said this with a string of jealousy. 'No, I can't let this get to my head, I have to keep calm.'
"Once she makes up her mind, I hope you can at least help her break out of her shell"
"Don't worry professor, you can count on me. If she's anything like Marianne, then it won't be a problem at all." She said happily. A giggle escaped her lips. 'I guess its my job to take care of people like them.'
"I'm glad you accepted this request, even if you dislike me pushing you to try" He crossed his arms. Hilda might manipulate the people around her to do her chores for her and try to get out of training every time the opportunity presents itself, but deep down he knows he can rely on her no matter what happens. "Now, let's go pay for this" they headed to the front of the store where the same glass box caught Byleth's eye. He and Hilda approached the glass casing when the owner pooped out behind the curtain.
"Welcome, do these stones catch yer eye sir"
"What can you tell me about the pinkish one by the middle?"
"Like I told the lass there, I been told it is filled with some sort of magic that gives the wielder strength and prosperous health, since its one of my price possessions, it is quite pricey" he took out the gem out from the display case. "to be frank, I found this one when I was in my youth, back when I was a soldier in Edmund territory, after my service my family and I moved to this town and open up shop."
"How about a trade?" Byleth offered, if it was any more expensive, than a simple trade would suffice.
"And what do you have to offer?" the shop owner had a smirk on his face.
Out of the shop
"Where did you even get that professor?"
"It's a long story, I'll tell it some other time"
"C'mon are you really going to leave me hanging like that? How tactless of you"
"Enough, here" he gave her the rock.
"Wow, are you sure? Can I really have both?"
"By all means they are yours now." She happily accepted the gift.
"Thank you, professor, I'll make sure to put them to good use. Say, I wonder why he just up and two of the gems like that, plus the bear, was it really that valuable" she ponders on the fact. The shop owner said he wouldn't budge with any type of negotiation, yet he dived right in with the professor.
"I don't have a clue, but if I could take a guess, it might of being extraordinary rare."
"If it was that rare, why just give it away?"
"I have no need for valuables such as money, but I do care about others"
"That's a strange reason hehe" She tried to muffle her giggle with her hand.
"Really" Byleth questioned.
"Just keep doing what you're doing professor, we of the Golden Deer appreciate your dedication to us, especially me."
"Now that's reassuring, I'm glad I'm doing well as your professor." He looked up to see that the sun staring to set, a colorful orange glow filled the sky, "We should start heading back, we don't want to get into any unnecessary trouble with Seteh."
"Don't be such a buzz kill professor hehe, yet again, Seteh has that intimidating look I don't feel like seeing anytime soon" She sighed, "time sure flied didn't it professor?"
"I guess it did, with all that happened to us today, I'm not surprised the day went faster than expected."
They continued walking back to the monastery. Other than the rumor scare it was a relatively peaceful walk, students rushed back, the towns populace retreated to the safety of their homes, shops closed earlier than usual, and knight patrols steadily decreased. A few minutes later and they were back at the entrance of Garreg Mach.
"Thank you for accompanying me today professor, I really appreciate it."
"The pleasures all mine, I'm just happy that we made it back safely."
"No kidding, I didn't expect to be at the receiving end of a bandit attack so close to the monastery. Thank you for keeping us safe." She gave a flirtatious smile.
"Ahem, I only did what I needed to do to keep both of you safe"
"That's sweet of you, we should do this again sometime."
"I don't think it's appropriate for me to go with you like that"
"Hehehe, are you embarrassed professor, your face might not show it that much but I can tel-"
"Professor!" A knight ran up to him. She was panting most likely running a long distance before reaching him, "Lady Rhea has asked for your presence effective immediately."
"What happened?" Byleth questioned the knight, it is not normal to get called for an audience this late in the day, if anything it must be an emergency.
"I can't say much myself, but it has to do with Seteh and Flayn, please hurry, they are awaiting your arrival" She saluted and left the scene.
"I wonder what going on?"
"Who knows, it is best that you return back to your room, something tells me this is something big"
Hilda did not like the sound of that if anything it means that there is a whole lot of work coming up, but if it something serious then she's up to help. "I understand professor, please take care" He waved goodbye and ran off to meet with Lady Rhea. Hilda sighed and walked back to her room. From today onward the set of events that will conspire will merge their goals into one, tragedy, after tragedy, all for a new dawn.
A/N: Hey guys, hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'm up for requests, if you have request PM me and I'll see what I can do. As a side note, if you notice any mistakes please let me know, Thanks again.