Year 697, April 3rd, 05.00 AM
Prontera Barrack's Hall
"Good morning."
That greeting came from Eris Grisszier. The light purple haired blacksmith walks towards two of her comrades. They were waiting at the center of the barrack's field.
"Morning. Though the sun hasn't risen yet, it was another fresh morning to start the day."
"...morning."
As usual, while the crusader, Wayne, returned the greeting enthusiastically, Orveil the rogue just returned it as little as possible.
"Where's Dean?" Eris asks.
"Dunno. Perhaps he was late." Wayne replied.
"I know that he's late, alright. But my question is, where is he?"
"...over there." Orveil said as he pointed his finger at one direction.
At the hall surrounding the field, in there, Deanark Cunningham was walking weakly from one of the hall. His face was pale, as if he was a walking corpse.
"...is he dead, and resurrected as a zombie?" Eris asks.
"Perhaps so. Orveil, I've prepared some silver arrows just in this kind of case, fortunately." Wayne said as he took out a quiver on his bag.
"…thanks." Orveil said as he took out a bow.
He aimed, and shoots it without mercy at Deanark's head!
"Goah!"
Even though he looks weak, he evaded it with an unbelievable speed and...!
KRAUS!
...He bite it and spit it away!
He groaned, as if trying to mutter something!
"Waaayyyneee, Eeeerrriiiisss, Oooorveeeiiiilll... Yoooouuu damn baaastaaaaards..."
As if entranced, Deanark muttered those words like a curse.
"Yooouuu aactuuaally daaaree tooo leeeaaaveee meeee aaaloooneee wiiith thaaat ooold baaastaaard ...uuunfooorgiiiveeeaaableee!"
"It seems that bow and arrows are ineffective. Orveil, Eris, it seems we need to attack him directly." Wayne said as he took out another weapon from his waist, which is a dagger.
"Roger." Eris said, while she unsheathes her sword.
"...acknowledged." Orveil said that too, while tooking out his dagger.
"Well then, Dean. It's just been 3 months, but it was fun. But that has come to an end, today." Wayne said as if he was trying to mourn.
"DIIIIIIIIEEEEEEE!" Deanark shouts.
They charges towards Deanark, brandishing their weapons towards him!
"What are you brats doing?"
""""...!""""
As they heard that, they stopped their attacks and turned their attention at the voice. In there, the Royal Guard, Guldar was standing magnificently.
"It's just the dawn of a new day, and you guys already bickering?" he said.
"""General Guldar!"""
Hearing that, Wayne, Eris, and Orveil straightened their back and saluting the general. But Deanark...
"...I'll get you one day, old man. I'll fill your meal with so much pepper, that you writhe in agony." Deanark mutters.
"...seems like you've developed a bad history with the general." Eris muttered back.
"And what's with that kind of revenge? That's so petty." Wayne added.
"Ssshh... The general is going to speak." Orveil said.
The general watches them silently, making them straighten their backs. After that...
"Well then, you should have known about our mission today, but I shall explain it once more." the general said. "Our mission today is to scout a group of mages at a cottage in Prontera Woods, which is located at southwest of Mt. Mjollnir. The civilian who reported the army about this informed us that there are about ten peoples in there."
"A civillian? I've never heard of it before." Deanark cut-in.
"Yes, of course. He died, after all." the general said.
""""...!""""
"The target took notice of him and attacked. The witness was able to escape, but he was gravely wounded. The priests were trying to help him, but it was to no avail." the general said.
"Wait, the priests? But I've never heard of it!" Deanark cut-in again.
"You're an exception, Dean."
"You're too busy with the ladies, after all."
"...useless."
The other said that without hesitation.
"Ahem!" The general coughed. Hearing that, the other straightens their back again.
"Well then, at his dying breath, he told us that the mages were all powerful. They seem to be renegades, though we don't know where. That's why, should the situation turned to the worse, you have my permission to engage the enemy."
The Gwenfordt battalion became silent. They realize the seriousness of the situation.
"For this operation, I shall be the one to take command." The general said.
"Huh? We're going to be led by the general himself! ? Awesome!" Wayne said.
"There's no other choice. You don't have a sufficient number on your battalion, after all."
The general stare at Deanark as he said that.
"Gulp." Dean can only gulped at that.
But it wasn't long, as then...
"Well then, time to move. Let's go."
The general said that as he lead the battalion himself. But then...
"Wait! Deanark!"
"""...?"""
Someone stopped them in their track. In there, stand Clayton Age who was covered in sooth.
"...Clay? Why are you look like you've just been through some failed experiment?" Deanark said.
"...I've just been returned from West Prontera Forest."
"""...!"""
Hearing what he said are shocking to the group.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" Guldar shout.
"(Damn, his shout are too loud.)" Clay thought.
Clay then explained what happened last night, including the attack from a mysterious person. But of course, he lied about how he ended up in West Prontera Forest.
"...I was really unlucky. I was planning to train in somewhere quiet when I stumbled upon them. It was fortunate that I was able to escape." he said.
"So there's about eleven people, huh? One of them seems like wasn't an assassin, but still a dangerous foe. Well, that's if the one who got caught in explosion survived." Deanark commented.
"But there's a good chance that the mysterious attacker was injured from Clay's Holy Light. Although it couldn't attack lethally, a burn should be remaining." Guldar said.
"Orveil, since you're a Rogue, you should know about this better, right?" Wayne said.
"...huh?"
Orveil looks dumbfounded. It seems that he was thinking about something else.
"...oh. Forgive me. About the attack, I believe that it was too early to deduce that the attacker wasn't an assassin. It might just a play of them to cast the suspicion away from them."
"(...he was right. But is it really like that?)" Clay thought.
That was too ineffective. If they were aiming to kill him, then they shouldn't do things like that. At that time...
"Say, what is this Tyrfing they're talking about? The guy whose soul got sucked out might be the witness that told us about the mages in the first place." Eris asks.
"Hmm... Don't tell me that it's one of the cursed blades..." Guldar murmured.
"Cursed blades?" Clay asks.
"It was said that there's three cursed blades in this world. There was Mystelltain, Tyrfing, and Grimtooth. Each of those has a legend on its own."
"A legend?"
"Yes. Mystelltain was famous as the cursed blade of the past. With its unique property, it was used to kill the God of light, Baldr, where there's no other thing that could kill him. Grimtooth was known as the cursed knife of the future, where it was prophecized to appear in the future when chaos was born into this world."
"And Tyrfing?"
"It was the cursed sword of the present. Known to hold malevolent power, it was said to control the soul of the victim and turn it into a puppet, or destroying it without mercy."
"...control?"
Clay murmured that words.
"By controlling, does it means that it could the source of the attack in Geffen?!"
"...it seems so. If they could control the leader of the monsters, then that should be enough to spark the attack. Added it with Glast Heim monsters, and we got our suspect. We're actually planning to investigate further, but this information might be already a solid proof of them being the culprits." Guldar answered.
"Wait! But how could they even control the sword if it was as dangerous as Clay claimed?!" Deanark said.
"We don't know that much. That's why we need to investigate this matter more."
Guldar readied his shield.
"With that said, we need to begin the mission now. Gwenfordt! It's time to move!"
""""Yes, sir!""""
Deanark and the rest of Gwenfordt are rushing forward first, leaving Clay and Guldar behind.
"General. Can I go, too?" Clay said out of nowhere.
"Out of question, boy. You're a civilian, and wounded, to boot. We can't let someone like that to join the risk!"
"But I was an experienced veteran in war, sir! I might not look like it, but I've been through many wars before!"
"We have a priest, already! You should rather take a rest, instead! Leave this matter to us!"
"Please, sir! I need to unravel the truth!"
"...what truth?"
"The reason behind the war at Geffen! If there's really anyone who was behind that, I wish to catch him with my own hands!"
"That was just an egoistical wish! Just so you know, you're not the only one who wishes to do that! Should they know the truth, many of Geffen's survivors are wishing the same thing with you! I can't let such people to follow me and died in vain!"
"But...!"
"No more words, boy! Leave the rest to us, and rest!"
Tap, tap, tap...
After saying that, Guldar leave Clay behind, who was trying to form his words.
"...my sister died in that war..." Clay murmured hopelessly.
But...never had he thought that he would receive a response from the general.
"...there are so much people who were despairing just like you, even greater."
"...!"
"I've saw so many death at the recent war. People who lost their children, children who lost their parent. Lovers who was separated with each other, and many more."
"...that's..."
"You see? You're not the only one despairing. But I cannot let a youngster like you to die. You're still young. You still have so much future in front of you. Now just go and get some rest."
Tap, tap, tap...
After saying that, the general continue to walk, leaving the barrack and Clay behind.
Year 697, April 3rd, 07.00 AM
Prontera 2nd floor Infirmary
"Damn..."
Clay clenched his hand tightly.
Of course, he was dissatisfied with the result.
"Well, the general wasn't completely wrong. You should just rest for a while." Milena said while tending his wounds.
"But still...!"
"Clay, the general lost his wife and daughter at the previous war."
"...!"
"I don't know the reason why you're so obsessed with finding the truth, but I'm sure the general have equally the same wish with you, if not greater."
...He hasn't told Milena about his younger sister, so of course she doesn't know about it.
But so do the general.
He never tells Clay about his family, even though he might be in more pain than Clay.
"(...have I been too selfish?)"
He contemplated his action for a bit. At that time...
"Which reminds me, have you seen Sir Orveil?" Milena suddenly said.
"Orveil? Oh, that silent guy? He went with Deanark and the rest of Gwenfordt to Prontera Forest."
"Is he okay?"
"...?"
Clay was confused by her question. Milena then explains...
"Last night, we've met each other by coincidence. At that time, I realized that one of his legs got burned."
"...burned?"
"When I ask him about it, he said that he was trying to do some new trick at Prontera Forest, but failed and got burned as a result."
"...!"
Is this a coincidence? That Orveil was in Prontera Forest at the same time?
...A rogue was able to handle knives well, but not well enough to throw them. But that might be the reason why...
"(...no, it's still too early for me to suspect him.)" Clay thought.
He might just get burns by coincidence.
But then that creates another question.
"(What kind of trick is he trying to do? A rogue was adept in knife fast attack and range using bow. But they didn't use explosion or something like that.)"
"Well?"
"...he's fine. I didn't even realize that he was wounded in the first place."
"Is that so? Well, the wound shouldn't be obvious with his trousers, but if you say so..."
She then gets up.
"Then I shall take my leave. I need to accompany the children. It was time for their snacks."
"Yeah. Thanks for the help."
Milena then moves away from Clay, and going out from the room.
"..."
Clay was deep in thought, trying to figure out the connection between Orveil and the mages. But then...
"Hey, mister priest!"
"...?"
He turned his attention at the voice. From the infirmary's window, a green-haired girl was smiling in there.
"Yulie?! This is the second floor! What are you doing in there?!"
Hurriedly, Clay opened the window and letting her in. It seems that she climbed to the 2nd floor by using the gap between the stones in the barrack's wall. Below her, he saw the white haired boy was also in there. The boy seems scared since he was shaking as he climbs up.
"Y-y-y-yulieeee! Can't we just go the normal way?!"
"We've already arrived! Stop being such a scaredy cat, already!"
"I-i-i'm not scared!"
Clay hurriedly takes the trembling Erkard inside.
"Milena's gonna kill you guys for this. Don't do this again, okay?" Clay said, smiling a little at them.
""Okay!""
...Though he wasn't entirely convinced, Clay let them off the hook for now.
"So? What are you guys doing?" Clay asks.
"We've found something awesome!"
"It's not that awesome, though..."
BLETAK!
"Ouch! What was that for?!"
In response of Erkard's comment, Yulie hitted his head. And when Erkard retorted back, Yulie simply ignored him.
"What is this awesome thing?" Clay ask curiously.
"It was something awesome! It was shiny, cool-looking, and mysterious!"
"Uh, yeah. So what is this awesome thing?"
"I don't know!"
"..."
Clay can only watch silently at Yulie who was just smiling innocently. Erkard then explains.
"It was just a golden colored plate." he said as he give something to Clay.
It was the item that Erkard just said. But it seems that it was a shattered piece from its original form. On its top, a holy symbol of the church was carved, but since it was shattered, Clay doesn't know the full symbol.
"...but still... this is a part of rank uniform's armor."
Most likely, it came from the knight or crusader's rank. They're the only ranks that were heavily affiliated with the church while wearing armor.
"Where did you find this?"
"We found it at Prontera Forest! It was lying on the ground near Mjollnir Mountain!
"...! Prontera Forest?!"
Clay was shocked. But...
"What are you guys doing in there?!"
"Eh? What's wrong, mister priest?"
"Don't you know?! There were monsters that still lurking outside! You shouldn't do that anymore!"
""Eeeeh?!""
Both kids look disappointed by Clay's response.
"But why? There wasn't any monster in there!" Yulie said, protesting.
"How did you guys even able to sneak outside in the first place?! Just what is the gate guards doing?!"
"They're didn't let us out."
"...? Then how did you...?"
"We're going through the city wall. There's a hole big enough for us to get out behind the previous Acolyte Guild."
...He needs to go and tell those with authority about this. Or else, these kids are just going to waltz through it again...!
"Anyway, please don't do that again. It's not good for my heart. By the way, Milena is preparing snacks for you guys. Find her."
"Snacks?! Oh yeah, it's about time for lunch! Erkard, come o-... Hey! Erkard! Don't leave me behind!"
Yulie ran, following Erkard who has ran first. Clay doesn't know how much of his words are listened by them, but still, he just let them be again.
"(Oh yes, this plate was still on me.)" Clay thought as he watches the golden plate on his hand.
But, after a moment...
"(Oh well, better keep it for now.)"
He might find the owner of it if he kept it for now. So he put it into his pocket.
"(I should investigate about Orveil for now.)"
Year 697, April 3rd, 09.00 AM
Prontera City
"Sir Orveil? Nope, he never talks much about that."
"Sir Orveil? He was far too silent. We can't seem to approach him."
"You know, if we judge him just by his look, he might actually the enemy's spy!"
"Now that I think about it, he always talks in a mechanized order. Perhaps he was actually a robot like those in Scwartfalz?!"
Clay asks almost the same questions to many peoples in Prontera. But most of them unable to give any clue since Orveil seem to be shrouded by mystery.
But not all of it.
"Are you serious?"
In front of Clay, stand an old man with a hectic face. He seems furious for some reason...
"I don't lying! I've saw Sir Orveil went and met one of the Schwartzvald's minister in secret! They must be plotting something sinister!"
"…where did they meet?"
"They went into the inn there!" The old man said while pointing to some building. "I was curious, so I eavesdrop on their conversation. But it's a pity that I unable to heard all of their conversation."
"What did you heard?"
"Some words about taking back Geffen."
"...! (This might be a good clue!)" Clay thought.
"When did this happening, old man?!"
"Three weeks ago, the night before Geffen was attacked!"
"Hmm... That seems interesting enough."
But he still needs proof. There's no guarantee that it wasn't a lie, or worse, a rambling.
"Old man, do you have something that proofs that Orveil really met with this minister?"
"No, I don't."
Just what he feared. And it was already three weeks ago. If there's any evidence left, it might have been thrown out or something.
"(Guess I should just ask the innkeeper.)" Clay thought.
Year 697, April 3rd, 10.00 AM
Prontera Inn
"Yes. It was about three weeks ago that they came here."
That was the response from a woman who was in charge of the inn.
"Back then, the minister was covering his face with his hood, but I'm positive that it was Minister Talos!"
Gregory Talos, or also known as Talos the Silent Earth, is the minister in charge of internal matters at Republic of Schwartfalz. He was known for his mastery over earth magic as a wizard and his silent, mysterious demeanor.
"How could you be sure that it was him? Isn't he hiding his face behind the hood?"
"I saw that his fingers are decorated by a strange, green gem ring. I've seen it before when he came to Prontera with the Schwartzvald President. As far as I know, he was the only person eccentric enough to wear that."
"(So it was really him, then? But what is Schwartzvald's minister of internal matters doing in Prontera?)" Clay thought. "...anything you could add?"
"It seems that they're discussing something very intensively. Sometimes, a sound of argument could be heard at the time."
"Did you hear what they're talking about?"
"I'm sorry, but I didn't."
Clay think about the matter for a while, and then...
"Did they leave anything behind?"
"No, they didn't."
Exactly what he feared.
"...thank you for the information. I'll try figuring out the rest by myself, for now."
As he said that, he leaves the innkeeper by herself.
"(But I guess it was true that the minister was in here.)"
Now, what should he do?
"(...should I ask about it to General Guldar later?)"
Since he was on the same boat like him, he might be willing to help.
...
...
...
"...?"
From the inn's window, he saw a group of people are going to barrack.
"(That's the General and Gwenfordt...! They've arrived far earlier than I expected!)"
This is renseiryuu. It's been a while, everyone. Just when will hendlou ever fix his computer ==;? We're sorry for the long update. The task in college are really delaying our progress to write at all. Nevertheless, we would still continue this fanfic, so for hendlou's fan, don't worry. If you find any typo or misinformation, please tell us somehow. Lastly, thank you for continuing to read this fanfic. Let's meet again at the next chapter!
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But before that, I would like to asks some questions to you guys. You know? I was kind of curious whether the reader (you) understand our fic at all. So my question is : What kind of change we've just made to this fanfic? (from ch.1 to this one). If you don't find it out, then don't bother to search for it. It wasn't meant to be found after all, lol. If you did found it, you could :
1. Send us a PM.
2. Put it on the review (if possible, don't do this. The review board wasn't meant to be used that way, after all, lol.)
3. Keep it to yourself.
The decision is yours. Just for your information, we did that change to fix this story, because the previous one was seemingly already out of "Ragnarok Online" realm. This way, we hope that you could experience this story while still enjoying the world of Ragnarok.