Year 697, April 2nd, 00.10 PM
Morroc City
The sun is still high in the town. The town itself was paved with stone, but the sands feel scorching as one walks near of it. Everywhere one look, the ray of unforgiving sun was bathing the town of the desert.
This is Morroc, the town where the tough desert dwellers lives.
The town was in repair after the war. But other than the destroyed part, the town was still standing grandeurly as the town of the sands.
"No matter how I see it, this town is amazing. Normally, peoples would be concerned with how one could even survive in this kind of environment." Snowe said.
"Of course. This town could be said as the pinnacle of human's capability of adapting to the environment. We also learn to grow crops that can grow in the desert. And we also raise livestock near the border of the town." Runa said proudly.
"Well, the main reason why Morroc could survive is actually lies in trading. Morroc was able to produce many valuable things, so we could trade it for food. The other reason that this town could even stay alive now is because that this was founded with a large water source as its center. Look at that place." Cranz said as he pointed towards the northern direction of the city.
In there, lies a place big enough to be called as a palace. The building was shaped in a unique shape, with a form of a bubble shell as its top.
"That was the Water Shrine. It was said that the fountain inside it was enchanted and have many miraculous effect. Now the Morroc's representative also live in there." Cranz said.
"By Morroc's representative, does that mean Master Cranz?" Snowe asks.
"No. In reality, there's two representatives of Morroc. One is of course Master Cranz, which is the leader of the assassins. The other one was the representative of Morroc's merchants union. She was the one who lives in there." Runa added.
"I see. I thought that Sir Cranz was the only one who led Morroc." Zeke said.
"Well, at first, yes. But with Master Cranz aloof personality, we decide to choose another representative. And thus, one of the Morroc's merchant was chosen." Runa added.
"...so in the end, it's all because of this person? Is he really that bad?"
"...Boy, I believe that you're treading on a thin line here."
"That's right. And you still haven't seen anything. He's in his best attitude, right now. But, in the end, our choice of choosing two representatives turns out to be the best, after all. The merchant union was more adept at managing the town rather than the assassins. And what's more, it was because of the merchants that this town could get any food in the beginning. So, we could leave the town management to them."
Runa sighs as she said that.
"That's pretty rude of you, Runa. Not only that the two of you ignored my protest, but to said such hurtful things about your master. Ah, my heart was torn with such thornful words of you. Just when did you turned into such a cold girl?" Cranz said jokingly with a mischievous smile.
"Shut up, Master. You only make trouble to the others. And we're only talking about the truth."
Cranz just laughs at that. It seems he didn't care about it at all. Runa just sighs at that.
"...seems like you have it tough." Snowe said.
"Indeed." Runa answers.
They keep following behind Cranz. Until...
"Well then, here we are." he said suddenly.
They have arrived at some house. The building was half-destroyed judging from the broken wall, but it still seems to be standing firmly, and thus still good to be used.
Knock, knock!
"Ymir! It's me, Cranz!" Cranz shouts as he knocks on the door.
Tap, tap, tap!
A sound of footsteps could be heard from insides. It seems that person was in hurry to responding Cranz's voice.
Creaaak...
The door was opened. Behind it, a girl seemingly like a teenage of 10 years old can be seen. She timidly opened the door.
"W-welcome. Please come in." the girl said politely, even though she seems nervous.
Her golden hair was tied behind her. With an oriental face, she was wearing traditional clothes of Payon.
"A Payon citizen?" Zeke asks as he enters.
"Yes. This is Ymir. She's the shrine maiden of Payon. She's also the sole granddaughter of Reoy, the elder of Payon." Cranz said as he takes a seat.
The group was surprised. They watch over her carefully.
"P-please don't stare at me like that. It's embarrassing." Ymir said shyly.
"Wait, why did she's even in here? Why is a Payon's shrine maiden could be in Morroc?" Zeke asks as he also sat. The other follows behind him.
Payon was a place of theology, and thus, religion was prospering greatly even more than Prontera, who was the capital of Rune Midgard Kingdom, where the royal church located.
The shrine maidens were the one who serve the god in there, and they're also manages the shrine at the same time.
With that kind of responsibility, they couldn't be too far away from the shrine they manage. And yet, there's one of them in Morroc.
"She's running away from Payon. Her grandfather was killed, and she was hunted by the current governor of Payon." Cranz explained.
"Killed?!" Zeke shouts.
"Zeke, calm down. Let's hear his story, first." Snowe said.
"I-I guess so. Sorry."
Cranz took a breath, and then he continues...
"...Payon was undergoing changes. A group of radicals was planning to free Payon from Rune Midgard Kingdom's flag, and join the Republic of Schwartzvald."
"That's...!"
"Yes. It means that Payon is gonna become another country's territory, at this rate. It seems that some of the higher-ups in Schwartzvald are behind this." Cranz said cynically.
Zeke gritted his teeth at that.
"That can't be...!" he shouts.
"Shouts all you want, but it won't change anything. Just so you know, the moderates, where the previous governor hailing, was already defeated. They're all running away into Payon's Cave, where the old city of Payon lies, even though there were monsters in there. It's useless. It's only a matter of time until they was annihilated."
"""...!"""
Hearing that, Zeke was standing.
"What?! Then shouldn't we help them?!" he shouts.
"It's useless. Should you do that, it would only worsen the situation. At worst, not only Payon cut all of the ties with Rune Midgard Kingdom, they might even see you guys as an enemy."
"...! Then what we should do?!"
"...Rather than worrying about Payon, what truly matters now is what you guys are going to do now." Cranz said.
"""...?"""
The three of them was fell in silence, confused.
"...you still don't understand? I'm talking about the bargaining chip I offered, before." Cranz said.
"Oh yeah, you did say that. But what of it?"
"With it, you could establish another reason for them to help you guys, even though they might be disgusted at that fact. But at the very least, they would help you to protect the kingdom."
"...then we shall take it. But what kind of item is it that makes even those kinds of people to help us?" Zeke asks curiously.
But Cranz become silent. His reaction is making Zeke nervous. At that time, he felt that the air is becoming tenser.
"(...I have a bad feeling...)" Zeke thought.
Then...
"Ymir, you're sure about this, right?" Cranz murmurs.
"Yes." Ymir said, though her face saddens for some reason.
At that time, some thoughts appear at Zeke's mind.
"...don't tell me..." Zeke murmurs.
"Well, Ymir here was the bargaining chip I'm talking about."
"""...!"""
Hearing that, the three commanders were surprised. Ymir looks down, saddened. But Cranz just continue...
"Ymir was the shrine maiden of Payon shrine. She was the only member of moderates who was able to escape from Payon. And what's more, she was the granddaughter of the previous elder of the moderates. The radicals would most likely found many use of her."
"But...! What would happen to her should we hand her to them!?"
"Well, she's most likely be used as a bait to lure the rest of moderates to came out. She was essentially the next leader of Payon, so the moderates wouldn't let any harm done to her. But after the moderates were done for, I can't even imagine what the radicals would do. Being killed instantly perhaps would be the best thing that could happen to her."
""...!""
Vilya and Snowe were shocked by that, while Zeke...
"...and you're fine with that?!"
"Well, this is just another way to help the Kingdom. Even though we, the assassin's guild, are not directly infatuated with the king, we're still members of Rune Midgard Kingdom. You should remember that it would be correct to let one person died so you can save many peoples. And what's more, she's also agreeing with that." Cranz said.
"Yes. I was willing to sacrifice my life, so that there wouldn't be any more conflict between us." Ymir added.
Such innocent thoughts from a 10 years old child, are making Zeke's blood boiling.
"...! You cold-blooded...!" Zeke was enraged at Cranz, but...
"Zeke! But he's not wrong!" Vilya said back.
"Vilya?! Don't tell me that you're supporting his idea?!"
"Even though it pains my heart greatly, but if there's truly no other way, for our kingdom, we have to do everything we can! I will even let my heart turned into stone for that!" Vilya shouts.
Cranz watches the group silently. He just watching as they argue with each other.
"I'm against this idea! There surely is another thing that we can use to persuade them!" Snowe shouts back.
"But is there such a thing?! If there was a better option, then I too, shall take it, without any hesitation!"
"Then don't take any decision without thinking of it first! We surely don't need to sacrifice anyone, no matter what!"
"You're too naïve! We don't have any leisure to think about it! Think about the thin defense of our kingdom!"
"Calm down!" Zeke shouts.
""...!""
Hearing that, Vilya and Snowe put their heads down, feeling ashamed.
"It's true that Sir Cranz's offer was better. I myself do realize that it was unavoidable for a sacrifice to be made in war."
"...! Zeke, you...!"
"I know, Snowe. I also don't like the term of sacrifice. And so..."
Zeke stands, and then...
"I won't accept this. It's two against one, Vilya. And so, we shall search for another method. Even though it might be difficult."
Vilya sighs in disappointment.
"I thought so... But surely you realize that the kingdom was in need for a defense as soon as possible?"
"Well, about that, what about Morroc?"
"No. The assassins are currently low in number because of the recent war. We don't even have any squad to spare." Runa answers.
"..."
Zeke turned silent at that. He was thinking for a way to solve the problem. At that time...
"Hehehe, seems like you guys are good peoples." Ymir suddenly said.
"Or rather, foolish. Hahahaha!" Cranz added.
"...You don't have to say that bluntly." Zeke said.
But somehow, slowly, the air becoming more relaxed. The previous tense atmosphere was gone, making them easier to breathe now.
"Then, since you're good guys, allow me to help you." Ymir said.
"...help us? How?" Zeke asks.
"I know another thing that might help in your negotiation with the radicals."
Year 697, April 2nd, 01.00 PM
Prontera Barrack's Hall
Clay and Deanark were heading towards the Documentation Center, to handle the documentation for Clay's temporary join. They were walking on the barrack's hall for that.
"You know, I've never thought that you really could become a battalion head."
"Somehow, I feel kinda irked when you said it that way. But it's true. I never felt motivated being a head."
"Yeah, I can see that."
"...that's so mean."
They continue to walk, and then...
"Ah, here we are." Deanark said as they arrived on some room.
CREAK!
He opened the door of the room, revealing the inside.
In there, lighted with candle's light, many large racks of papers and books are rising everywhere. Rather than the Documentation Room, it's more like an Archives Room, where currently unneeded information are stored.
On the giant desk located at the center of the room, a purple haired girl was sitting in there. She was wearing glasses, which somehow unfit with her cute appearance. Though her combed hair and her elite-looking uniform were exuding an air of intelligence around her, her mean look are making her like a completely strict character. She was writing something on the desk. It seems that she was writing a report.
"What do you want?" the girl said coldly, without stopping her writing.
Somehow, Clay became tense when he heard that. He feels that anything could turn into a wrong direction anytime, now. At those words, Deanark was the one who responding...
"Sorry for the intrusion, Irma. I'm actually planning to ask you to go for a lunch with me. Would you like to-argh!"
As he said that, the girl named Irma threw a large sized book at Deanark's face. She wasn't even stopping on writing!
"In that case, get out." she said.
"Guh, you're still playing hard-to-get as always. And that's hurt, for sure." Deanark commented.
"Deanark Cunningham. You still dare to stand in this room? Would you like for me to call the guards so that you can leave?"
"Argh! Okay, okay, I give up!...for now."
"...I guess it was useless to talk with an idiot. State your business or leave."
As she said that, she laid her feather pen on the desk. She then took of her glasses, and using some cloth, she wipes her glasses.
"Well then, I'm planning to recruit a temporary member for our squadron..." Deanark said, but before he finished...
"Rejected." Irma said flatly.
"That was fast! Wait, did you even heard of my request?!"
"The Kingdom doesn't allow any recruitment of militia for now. With the kingdom's current budget, there wasn't enough supply to support the militia. Furthermore, we're searching for many soldiers as much as possible for now, so any recruit would be turned into a soldier, at least for a year."
"Wait, what?! I've never heard of this before!"
"It's just declared yesterday. In exchange, the Kingdom isn't establishing the entrance exam. We didn't even check the enlistee's background or history. In other words, this is a good chance for anyone to enlist in the Kingdom's military. You're lucky that you came right now. If it was yesterday, no, a few hours ago, this room was so crowded, more than it ever was."
"(So...the crowd that the soldier said from before was not only patients, but perhaps also the enlistees...)" Clay thought.
"Wa-wa-wait! What about the temporary enlistee from before yesterday?"
"They were given a choice to continue as a proper soldier or quit, yesterday."
"(So there's no way for me to enlist as a temporary, then...)"
"Che, can't you do something about that, Irma?"
"No can do. Except if you was able to convince the Royal Council, and His Majesty the King. And since His Majesty was currently sick, then your only chance was the Royal Council."
"Come on, don't give me that. I'm sure you can do something about that with your authority."
"I can't. And even if I can, I don't have any reason to help you."
"Guh! You're so cold!"
Seeing that he couldn't do anything anymore, he then turned his attention at Clay.
"I'm sorry. It seems there's no easy way for you to join." he said, depressed.
"I see, thanks for trying, though."
Clay turned silent, then. He was thinking on how to be able to join the operation without joining the military.
...
...
...
Wait...
"(Why do I need to avoid the military so much?)" Clay thought.
He realizes that it would be easier to join the operation by joining the army. And what's more, he might find even more information on the culprit.
But...
...
...
...
"What is he doing in here?!"
A woman murmurs to another person in her surroundings. She looks like a noble, with a long dress and many decorations, and haughtiness exudes from her.
"He was called by Lord -..." another person that also looks like a noble answers her, though his words are not clear.
"The Lord himself?! Such imperfect being?!"
"There's no other choice. We just have to accept him as another one of us for now."
The other person said that. Come to think of it, the place itself was a building painted in white. A grandeur hall of white. On the outside, one can see the cloud swimming freely, while the wind blows gently, filled with the orange colored sky.
Yes, It was like a hall that stand in the sky.
...
...
...
"Master! Now that I became your subordinate, please let me assist you!"
Suddenly, the situation changes. Instead of nobles, a female swordsman was standing alone. She was a blonde beauty with a long hair.
"Huh? We won't join the other? But why?"
The female swordsman looks confused.
"I see. That's your call, master. I shall always follow you!" the female said again, now with a cheerful face.
...
...
...
"You shall decide on where you will stand. With me or against me."
Suddenly, the location changes again. One can feel that it was still the same building, only the location changes. Instead of hall, it was now turned into a throne room, complete with the throne itself. But not like the hall, the throne room was dark. Only few of the lights could come inside it.
At the throne, an old man sat. He was an old man with scars across his face. His hair was already turned grey, with beard and moustache as decoration. But his body posture indicating the muscles insides his body was trained well. Well, though his armor that he wears on his body hid that. He looks like someone important, with an aura one can feels as it exudes around the room.
But strangely, one doesn't feel any fear at all. If anything, one was brave enough to stand against this old man, face to face.
"Answer me. Lo-..."
"Hey, Clay!"
"...?!"
Clay was stunned. He suddenly realizes where he was. On his side, Deanark was standing.
"This is not an exact time to daydreaming, you know." he said.
"(What is that? A dream?)" Clay thought, still in daze.
But it wasn't look so blurry. If anything, it looks so real, one can say that it was like an important memory.
"Hello? Can you hear me?"
"Ah, yes. I've decided."
"Really? That was fast. What's your answer?"
"...I won't join the military."