None she could rely on, despair built inside her. Giving a few glances to her back, she kept running covered her wound at the same time. She was glad that the wound was not on her legs but arm instead. Or else she might have done.
Taking another glance to her back once more, hoping they didn't follow up however, she desperately doubted the chance she could survive under their hands.
If…if I can get back to village…!
Luck didn't seem to abandon her anyway, but when she thought about of the people in the village, her heart sank immediately instead of feeling hopeful.
Those bastards would never risk their life for someone like her. How stupid she was to even have a moment to think they would lend her their hands.
The only one she could rely on was Chloe, her only best friend. But still, her parents were displeased when they found their daughter got along with her, yet the spectacle girl still befriending her. And just because of this, how could she put her into this danger?
I know I'm not a good friend, but I can't do this to her.
...Speaking of which, she was here to collect woods in the first place…
"Then why am I caught up with these two damn bastards!?"
The more she thought, the less her despair and the more her furious. Gritting her teeth, she decided she's not going to die this easily without doing anything. At least she had to fight!
Pulling the whip that having a crystal sphere tugged at the end of the whip off from her waist, she jerked back turning to the assassins aiming the crystal sphere at them.
"Take this!" Green energy accumulated in the tip of the sphere. As she shouted, the green light—or bomb she had to say, shooting directly to the assassins. "Canon Ball!"
"What!?"
Out of surprise, the two assassins were unable to react on her sudden attack. The green light blinded them, accumulated energy exploded at their legs, causing the area shaking lightly. With the light still glowing, she supposed they wouldn't be able to see her. Recovering her pace, she added speed in her legs, hoping to get out of here before the light gone.
However, she was underestimated the assassins. Little did she know the one of them, the swordsman, was not getting influence by the still glowing light. He broke through the explosion and light, where she doubted if he could see without eyes, charged to her.
"Argh!"
His giant sword slashed opened her back with few inch maybe; it could rip opened her lungs. Bloods flying in the air, she coughed out a large amount of blood with grieved groan escaped out of her mouth. Not wanting to give up here, she crawled using her arms tugged on the ground to move her body. It's hurting her wound indeed, but better than giving up to the damn bastard!
"What a bitch…" The archer walked out after the explosion gone, not leaving a scratch on her. Her brows twisted when her gaze fixed on the wounded blonde. "Now what? Still want to run away?"
"…Such a weakling…what does he get from killing a little young girl?" The swordsman asked, more like talking to himself.
"Who knows what that guy is thinking?" Shrugging, the archer shook her head. "It doesn't matter right?"
"…Whatever."
Lifting his Sword of Light about to give her a final blow so they could end this deal, he let out a blood thirsty smile. His sword glowed in red, like reflecting his master's desire. She shut her eyes.
Am I going to die here? Am I…just dying without knowing why they want to kill me?
Biting her lips, she heard the sharp voice of the slashing sword echoed in the air.
"Hff!"
Jerking up from her sleep, Ulrika panted heavily. Looking around to check it out, she let out a heavy sigh after realizing that was just a dream.
What a nightmare…she thought as she wiped off the cold sweat on her face.
"Bad dream, huh?" Yeah, Tetri and Uryu saved her from the fatal blow at that very moment. They fought back the assassins and took her back to her cabin in the forest. With their help, her wound recovered in a week. While watching over her, Tetri and Uryu also kept an eye on the assassins.
None of the villager knew this, not even her brother and sister, except for Chloe who she later told her the whole thing after she decided to leave for Land of Renaissance. Chloe did her a favor by going all around in the village, but it appeared no one had seen these two people before.
Now she thought about it, the assassins mentioned something like the third person was hired them to kill her. If I can get to know who is behind this…
The faster way to know this was from the assassins but she doubted that would do. After all, she couldn't stand against them, let alone tried to dig this from them. Hell no. But then, she couldn't think of a way now.
Shifting her gaze to Roze that was sleeping on the other side, she felt doubtful. Though they're managed to get him from being executed, they still having no clue where to look for the probably murderer. Judging from what the Jerktown told them, she could imagine the one that killed the king was the one that trying to kill her.
But why targeted on him too? Was it because he's the one that protect her? She really was no clue.
Carefully not to wake up the others, Ulrika quietly took a walk outside.
They're currently sneaked within some bushes to take some rest before heading to their next destination. Up ahead there were two towns, and that's exactly their next stop.
"…The question is…who want to kill me and why? And Jerktown…is that just a coincidence?"
Perhaps she did offend someone like what Jerktown commented before (she didn't want to admit it though)…but as far as she knew, she offended EVERYONE in the village. So how supposed she knew who might the culprit be?
"Hey."
"Waaah!" Jumping up from her deep pondering, Ulrika stepped back a few feet before turning to Roze that was eying her with his usual annoying face. "I told you do not scare me like that!"
"…I did tell you not to leave without inform me, didn't I?" Roze replied coldly. "If you think it safe then do as you please."
"W-What? I-I'm having nightmare…can't I just catching some fresh air?" Her voice immediately went timid like a child that did something wrong.
"Yes you can as long as you're not being targeted."
Ulrika rolled her eyes at that. "…You don't have to remind me…oh yeah, why don't you accompany?" Her suggestion twitched his brows. "I can catch my fresh air, and you can watch over me. Isn't that sound perfect?"
Now it's the turn Roze rolled his eyes. God knew where this idea came from? I'll like to sleep more than watch over you in this late time, chick. Anyhow, he just kept this for himself for his own good sake. I better shut up, or else I won't hear the end of it.
"Hey Jerktown, I heard your past from Pamela. She told me you're an abandoned child."
That big mouth…
Shifting his posture, he acted unnaturally. "Yes I am. Is it anything wrong with it?" He didn't felt comfortable when someone talked about his past.
"I'm sorta like you." She shifted her finger point between them. "I'm an abandoned child too."
Okay, that surprised him, he had to say. He never met any abandoned child in Land of Renaissance before. Well, he could have imagined it due to the standard life people lived in that big city. He as an abandoned child had made quite a commotion at that time, according to his late grandfather and Pamela. But there must be some were like him outside of the city. He had heard from Vayne that far away from Land of Renaissance there were some small villages were always in deficient of food and necessity. Not that they didn't want to help out however, it took a long time to reach to those villages and some of them were quite isolated and dangerous places.
Ulrika continued on her talk.
"My late parents adopted me when they found me near their house in the village. They didn't want to, but their conscience didn't let them. So they're more like…forced to." Shrugging, like talking someone's matter. "I have to say, they're kind enough, despite their poor state and two children to take care to."
"…Late parents?" Rose asked uncertainly.
"Yup, they died ten years ago." She looked at him, and then looked away again. "The first few years since I was adopted, disaster and calamity kept happening in our village, making our situation even worst than it used to be. The villager blamed on me, yet my parents still raised me like their own child. Thanks to them, I lived there without a scratch for ten years, despite all the badmouth thing. When they died, I moved to the forest behind our village and started to live alone."
"You see, there's where I was attacked."
Without saying any word to the blonde, in fact he didn't know what to say, Roze only remained silence. He was lucky enough that his childhood life was peace and, because his grandfather was a baron, he too got much respect from the people. After his grandfather past away, he automatically inherited his place. Compared the both of them, Roze was much more lucky then her.
It's making him felt badly for unable to say a word to express his feeling. He felt bad for her.
"…I'm sorry." This was the only thing he could say out of all the words.
Ulrika smiled at him. Tilting her head, confusing replaced her usually cheering expression.
"That's why I can't think of who is behind this. If the one that try to kill me is one of the villagers, then it doesn't make sense at all." She could have died hundred times now. "But if those from outside of the village…I never leave the village before, so how come?"
Roze understood what she tried to tell. In that case, it could only consider…
"Someone you don't know at all, but he or she knows about you." He concluded.
She twisted her brows, didn't satisfy with the answer. However, she found no point to retort. "But…why drag you in this?"
"Why do you mean?"
"I thought your whole framed up things has something to do with this. Maybe because you protect me from this, so they try to get rid of you first…" Her voice trailed off at the end.
Roze's heart skipped a beat seeing her worried expression. Was she worrying him? He's secretly happy with that. I'm not the only one who worry like a stupid…wait, am I worrying her? Feeling awkward, he wondered why he worried her that much.
Ulrika on the other hand, didn't aware of his changing mood. "One more thing…" She tugged on his jacket, leaned forward to him.
He was taken aback by her action, stepped back a few feet but failed since she tugged his jacket leaving him no choice. She leaned forward and forward. Roze gulped seeing her face getting closer until their lips almost touched each other. However, she turned her face to his right part to his ear instead of what he was wishing. Wait, it's not like that!
"I heard a voice that similar to Vayne when I was chased up by the archer in Land of Renaissance. I didn't see his face, but that voice was absolutely Vayne's." Whispering timidly in his ear, she checked on if the others were up.
To his surprise, he widened his eyes. "What!?"
"Shh! Don't be this loud!" She reprimanded. She desperately wanted so much to find someone to tell this. Not because she wanted him to believe in her assumption, but to share, hoping he would tell her his opinion.
Though she believed that voice belonged to Vayne, she still doubted it. She knew she shouldn't make stupid assumption due to just a voice. It could be someone else with the similar voice.
Roze pondered at her words. Vayne was supposed in the castle accompany his family at that time. He was together with Lily and the queen when they came into the King Chamber. Roze saw his almost crying face when he faced his father's death. Vayne was not coldhearted. He didn't think he'd be able to do that.
And more of this was Anna. That nimble captain could be calm but not when thing linked to Vayne. He doubted how she would act if this reached to her.
"…Let's just keep this between us. Don't tell anyone especially Anna before we find out any proof."
She obliged. Letting out a sigh, she was tired with all the thinking.
"I'll go back to sleep…" Parting from him, she walked back to the bushes.
Feeling empty with her part, Roze followed behind her. It's not like I feeling empty without her…nonono. I probably imagine things.
The next moment he regret for not dragging her back to sleep earlier. Mentally cursing, Roze pounded over the blonde, shielding her head from hitting the ground using his arm.
Having no idea what was happening, Ulrika only felt her body being pushed and pulled and finally in his arm. She screamed inside when they both falling aside. While that happened, like a slow motion, she saw an arrow flying through above her head.
"W-Waaaah!?"
Thinking her heart was ripping out, without given any second to recover from such a shock, again she was pulled and rolled a few times on the ground. Feeling dizzy in her mind, Ulrika could barely stand up. Ignoring her dumb, Roze pulled her up to her feet by force while the hand grabbing his dagger activating the ring.
"Urgh…why there's always someone getting in my way!?"
The high pitched voice along with stamping foot caught back her mind. Lifting her head, Ulrika cursed after seeing this crazy woman again.
"That's what I should say!" Ulrika barked. "Who hire you to kill me?" This was a good chance to question her…only if the stalker woman answered.
Snorting, Sasalina raised a wryly smile.
"What? You expect an answer from me?" Chuckling, it's obviously wouldn't tell her. "Now I have question for you boy. Where do you get that ring?" She pointed at Roze.
"W-What…?" To Ulrika's surprise, she was absolutely displeased feeling she was being ignored. What's wrong with this woman!?
"Answer me, where do you get that ring!" Sasalina asked again, adding force inside her tone, making it more like an interrogate than a request.
Frowning, Roze felt annoying with this woman. But still he answered the question, only because to shut her up.
"…I have this since I was a child."
"If so…if I say…hand me the ring and that bitch…" While saying, Sasalina loaded a few arrows on her bow. "…I doubt you'll do it."
Leaning forward with the sword ready, Roze told Ulrika to stay away from them. Glaring at the archer with sharp eyes, he replied.
"Of course I'm not doing that."
Then, a battle started.
Roze be the first to charge. Sasalina quickly shot the arrows on hand, not direct to Roze, to the sky instead. Rapidly loaded another group of arrows, she shot again and repeated this for three times, while leaping to dodge the attack from the baron, at the same time keeping some distance from him.
Feeling odd why she did that however, Roze decided to leave that behind for now. Raising his sword when he closed their gap, he gave her a few slashes, aiming at her every corner. Archer was weak against close range attack, and this woman was no exception.
Not striking back, Sasalina only ducked and dodged his attacks. Turning around, she formed a smile. A sudden urge rose up and sent chill down to his spine. Hearing the sharp voice as if the voice was cutting through falling down from the sky, without time to check it with bare eyes, Roze relied on his instinct to dodge the falling arrows.
Not letting him got away so easily, she again loaded arrows and aimed them to Roze. She shot while leaping behind, created a good fighting area for her. Busying in dodging the kept coming arrows, Roze could only watched the woman getting far and far away from him.
She is fast…her arrow is like they're moving instantly…! She is a skillful archer…
"How is it boy? Getting tired already? I'm not done yet!" Sasalina loaded five arrows on the bow, shooting when she was ready, and repeated for five times. This time, they're directly to Roze. "Take this!"
At least twenty-five arrows shooting at him in the same time, Roze used his skill Shadow of Light to create an avatar and used that to shift him away from those arrows. He rushed to Ulrika, thinking she might be in danger and his instinct just proof him right. Sasalina shot a few arrows to her as if one arrow was not enough to kill the blonde. Pouncing over the blonde, he managed to keep her safe.
"Wow…you're skillful young baron. No one can survive under my Bee-ly Killing Shot. You're the first." Surprising written on her face, only one she knew could take this and no scratch leaving on him. That's her partner, Reicher, the man she loved.
"You're strong too." Roze told the truth. This woman was the first archer he thought a pain to handle so far.
"It's my honor to hear that…now, will you hand me the ring?"
"…Hey stalker woman, I remember that guy has the same ring. Why don't you get it from him?" Ulrika asked, panted slightly.
"Why a stupid question…that will be meaningless if I do so." Glaring at Ulrika like she was glaring something disgusted, Sasalina raised her left hand showing them the ring finger. "What a woman wishing for is the love from the one she loves the most. I'll be his bride when I get that ring and out it here…I'll be his only woman!"
The two grimaced, having no clue what the woman was talking about.
"Is she truly insane?"
"…Maybe."
"Geez…"
"I'm not insane! You both are rude!" Sasalina over heard their talk, pissing her off and loaded her bow with another bunch of arrows. "You'll pay this kiddo!"
"Step back." Pushing the blonde behind, Roze held firmly on his sword ready for second round. Concentrating all his attention on the archer, he swore he would never let the arrow reached to that chick.
Forming wryly smile, Sasalina paid no attention to the blonde. The young baron filled her sight as she started to lift her bow; surprisingly she caught a glimpse of another 'thing' coming to her way.
"What—"
Her agility proved her as a skillful archer as she managed to dodge and leaped before the attack hit her. Regained her posture, Sasalina found a hammer-like weapon was smashed on the position she was standing a moment ago. She face twisted immediately after she saw the person that broke into their fight.
Unknown to Roze where the chick got a hammer-like weapon, she acted without listening him. They all stunned, both the crazy woman and Roze himself.
"I haven't forgotten the pain you have given to me, crazy stalker woman!" Holding a hammer on hand, Ulrika was not going to hide like Jerktown told her to. She was not that type. How could she go to hide and letting him fought alone? No. Way!
"…I should have kill you first, bitch!" Furious caused Sasalina's face became ferocious and scary. Raising her bow not even attempting an aim, she shot the target in front, loading it and did the same thing, at the same time she closed their gap.
Running and dodging the kept coming arrows, while seeing the stalker woman came into sight; Ulrika lifted her hammer and smashed. Sasalina took out a dagger from her waist, flicking the blonde's attack, giving a kick on her belly. Groaning, Ulrika was sent back and hit the ground.
Taking the blonde's position, Roze replaced her as he flicking the arrows out of his way, splitting his Sword of Light into two thin swords, slashing the woman without the way she could resisted. That's his Twin Calibur. Though Sasalina kept a distance with the baron, she still received quite an amount of damage due to the intense and non-stop attack. Covering her wound around her arm, she regained her strength, shooting again.
Standing aside, Ulrika felt useless for not be able to back him up. Breaking into the battle could be dangerous. She wouldn't want to risk that.
Is there no way I can help him? I just can't stand here and watch!
Turning her hammer back into whip, an idea hit her as she staring at it. Thinking it's worth to try, she held up the crystal sphere and closed her eyes. Green light illuminating at the tip of the sphere and grew brighter and brighter, at last the light was absorbed into the sphere. Smiling, she let down the sphere, staring to the battle field.
"Let's get dance!"
She swung her whip, to the left to the right, turning around and knelt down, like she was truly dancing. The green light bursting out everytime she swung her whip, heading straight to Sasalina. The light moved directly to her without touching Roze. With the double up attacks, Sasalina soon couldn't hold it anymore.
"What are this…!?" Knowing her attention was getting distracted, Sasalina started feeling fidget and frighten. Those green lights burned her skin when she got touching with them. Why they won't attack the guy!?
Catching a glimpse of the dancing blonde, Roze was pleased with her backing up. The woman couldn't concentrate on dodging and attacking in the same time, Roze kept pushing the archer into the limit. Soon, the woman panted. Her strength had gone down almost to the limit. Cursing, Sasalina leaped back a few feet, seeing a dark skinned man rushing to her with the flaming claws. The flame burned her right leg as her leg touched the ground.
"Urgh…!"
"Captain Anna, Pamela and Yun!" Ulrika shouted happily.
Anna flicked Sasalina's dagger out from her grip using her katana, Yun followed up, and then Roze. The three of them switched their position in great coordinate. Sasalina was forcing to back down again. Having no intention to get caught, she aimed her arrow on the ground, shot it and causing a small explosion. Yun almost got caught up in that when he attempting an attack. The smoke blurred their sight. They all called each other's name to make sure everyone was alright.
"…She's gone." When the smoke cleared out, they found no trace oh the archer anymore.
"Shouldn't we chase up on her?" Ulrika asked, tiding the whip at her waist.
"With that wound, she won't go too far away. We can wait until tomorrow." Anna reassured her. Moving at the night was not a wise take. Monster could be lurking around. "Listen, we'll set out as early as we can. You all got me?"
Winking, everyone blinked at her tone, her so captain-like tone. Pamela let out a sigh.
"There you go again. Anna, we're not your soldier…"
The captain sank into brief silence. A moment later her face was wrapped up with pinky red. Turning away her head avoiding their eyes, she stammered.
"W-Whatever…just make sure you guys get up as earlier as you can. Y-You don't want to lose trace of that woman, do you?"
"Yeah…ma'am…"
When they're about to go back to their sleep, Anna and Pamela blocked Ulrika and Roze from getting away. Their eyes was written with different emotion, Anna was suspicious while Pamela was curious.
"W-What?" The two of them was taken aback by their glare.
"…What are you two doing in the time like this?" Raising her brows, Anna asked as if interrogating the two using her captain tone.
"What is it between you two!?" While the ghost was interesting in their thing more than to know what's going on.
Sweat dropping, Roze and Ulrika exchanged a gaze, having the same question in their mind: How to get out of this?
Yun only shrugged at them; obviously wouldn't lend them his help. Smirking, he whispered 'good luck' timidly, went back to the bushes without further waiting for them to finish.
"…You better remember this Yun…"
… …
When Roze almost fell into deep sleep to meet his perhaps sweet dream, suddenly he felt a presence right beside him with low sound like afraid someone would find out. It jerked him up, hand almost reached to his dagger. With the intense battle with the crazy woman just now, his fighting instinct was still activated.
To his surprise, he saw Ulrika sneaked to his side with her belonging. Ulrika stopped her action after seeing him awoke from his sleep, only winking at him with her innocent emerald orbs.
Brows twitching, Roze shifted his position. "…What are you doing?"
Face reddening, Ulrika flustered as she didn't know where to drop her gaze, quickly turned away her gaze off from his face.
"I-I'm…I want…I am…!" Her small faCE had turned to whole red now, stammering like a child. She almost bit her tongue. Why the hell he woke up from his sleep!?
Roze crossed his arms, waiting for her explanation. She better give me a good reason…though he doubted she would with that fluster.
"I-I…!" No proper word could squeeze out from her blank and fluster mind, Ulrika decided not to think it anymore. She slammed against the belonging that used to be her temporary pillow, buried her head inside. "I'll sleep no matter what you say!"
Blinking at first, Roze saw her turned her back facing him, obviously she wouldn't back off. Restraining the urge to scold, he gave up on protesting because he didn't want to explain to Anna what's going on again. He had enough for this whole night!
Laying down, he forced himself into a sleep.
Ulrika fought away the embarrassment of being found out by Jerktown that she sneaked to his side searching for ease. After the battle with the crazy stalker woman, she couldn't fall in sleep despite how hard she tried. She would jerk up whenever she heard sound. It's scaring her. So she decided to secretly, slowly and carefully move to his side…but look, what she got from that!
Feeling her face burned with heat, Ulrika closed her eyes tightly, told herself not to think this anymore! Sleepsleepsleepsleep…! I'm going to sleep!
"Hey Anna, do you remember what's the name of the town that Jess is outstation?"
At the fork, there are two paths leading to two different towns. Up ahead was a town named Villnore, a modern town with many young peoples gathered in there. Now they're in front of a small town named Coriander that rather smaller but peace looking town. And Coriander was truly the most peaceful town with almost zero crime happened in this place. People from here didn't seem like fighting, and making this place the most tranquil place in this nation. No soldier was needed to guard Coriander; though there were still some soldiers would come here on the way of patrolling; they mostly leave after doing their job.
And this was just perfect for them.
Hoping a reconfirmation from the captain, that's why Pamela asked in front of the town. Jess was a doctor like Vayne in Land of Renaissance, sharing a same clinic and offering their help to the people in that big city. Before the murder of the king occurred, she went out to a small town for a child patient. Pamela remembered the name Jess was outstation was…
"Coriander, I think." Anna reassured the ghost, along with the nod from the baron, adding more confidence in her answer. "Anyway, it seems thing haven't reach here yet."
Too slow, she thought.
She could imagine the imperial and the noble must be alarmed and bewildered with the 'murderer' escaped from the execution, and the worst was, right in front of the public. This would be the shame for the imperial and whole nation, and Anna could totally consider how fluster they were in this.
She could expect a wanted, yet it seemed they're not yet recovered from such a shame. Flay must've done his part in this. But that's just the matter of time. Checking around once more, she told in mind.
Thinking she as the Imperial Royal Captain was under wanted, it really pissed her off. But she swore to herself that she would find out the murderer, and cleared her name for this. As for now, she was doing this for the sake of the imperial, the nation, and of course for Vayne.
"Really? Then what are we waiting for? Let's go to find her! We might as well find out that woman!" Pamela's eyes shined in bright light like they're glimmering. Floating up, she went into the town by herself.
The soldiers will be here soon and after. If we need information, now is the best time before they issue the wanted to every town. Following behind the ghost, Roze thought to himself.
They went around the town asking people about Jess; finally they arrived in a small wooden house in the corner of the town.
Knocking the door, the one who came to answer was not Jess, but a middle aged woman. She looked surprised when she saw them. After some explanation, they at last be able to meet the pink haired sunny girl Jessica.
"Anna…Pamela…Yun and Roze?" Jess covered her mouth in shock. Though she was happy to see them, but surprise was more than happier. "Why are you guys here? And this girl is…?"
"Jess, can we go inside first?" Anna took a step forward while glancing behind as the sign of something bad to the female doctor.
Jess got her massage, offering them into the house after getting the permission of the owner.
"…Okay." She took them to her temporary bedroom prepared by the owner. After everyone had their sat, she crossed her arms in front of her chest. "So can you all tell me what's up? And who is this girl?"
"This is a long story…" Roze started up telling the whole story. To avoid confusion, Ulrika, Anna and Pamela helped him in explanation like Ulrika escaped from the crazy stalker woman when she tried to get to Roze, Flay's plan on rescuing Roze from the execution and the thing from yesterday night. Of course, Roze and Ulrika kept the matter that involving Vayne as the suspect. "…And that's what had happened for now."
Resting a finger on her chin, Jess dropped her head in pondering. "I heard about that too…rumor spread recently that the king was assassinated. I thought that's just a joke but…and Roze is the murderer of killing the king? That's just too much!"
"Everyone could have thought that if you saw that scene." Anna corrected her. Jess said that because she hadn't seen what happened that night in King Chamber.
"But I can't believe he's the murderer…" Peering at the baron, Jess sounded uncertainly.
"That's why we're here Jess!" Pamela said after some time she tried to dig out the belonging of Jess. "Wow Jess, you got a bunch of new bomb!"
"Oh that's my new creation…wait stop there Pamela! Don't rummaging my things!" Jess pulled the ghost away from her bags and hugged them dearly in her arms.
Rubbing the bridge of her nose, Anna started feeling annoying. "Stop over there, Pamela." She shifted her gaze back to Jess again. "Anyway Jess, did you see a woman wear in white clothes with black fur? She's an archer and injured."
"Hmm…" Tilting her head, Jess furrowed her brows tried to recall. "…No, I don't think I see one."
The others let out a sigh after hearing her answer.
"Don't give me that face!" Jess protested. "Why don't we go to the inn and ask? They might know something."
"Okay then. Jess, can you go with me?" Anna asked. "You all wait for us and don't get out of this house."
"No problem. I'm done with my job here." Warning the ghost do not touch her bag before she went out with Anna, Jess told Roze and Yun to watch over her belonging. She was pissed to know that Pamela stole all her bombs.
Letting out a light groan, Sasalina checked on her wounds that caused by the fight with the young baron and the bitch. Washing them with clean water and wrapping with bandages, she grabbed her dearly bow, opened the door and walked put of the room.
Yesterday night after she escaped from the battle, she went straight to Coriander and had a night here. Though she wanted so much to rendezvous with her dear Reicher, her condition didn't allow her. With that, she was forced to stay here to treat her wounds.
Thinking the group would chase after her, she hoped to leave before they could do that. Fighting the five of them was something irrational in the time like this. When she almost down to the stair, she overheard some talks in downstairs, and that stopped her walking down further.
"Good morning, Mr. Basshum!"
"G-Good morning, Miss Jess…" The shy guy nodded slightly to Jess. "M-May I help you with t-today?"
"I'm here for some questions. May I?"
"Y-Yes…o-of course…"
Jess looked over to Anna. Anna took a step forward which scare Basshum quite a bit.
"Do white clothes with black fur wearing woman staying in this inn? She's an archer and injured."
They thought he might need some times to recall or, they had prepared the worst where the woman was not here but Villnore. To their surprise, the shy guy nodded hardly to them without a minute to think about it.
"Y-Yes of course I-I remember!" His brows twisted in quite unhappy. "S-She bumped into our inn in late night when we already done with all the cleaning and about to rest. S-She insisted she needed a room. W-We saw her wounds a-and all, so we let her stay here…"
Jess and Anna exchanged a glance. Jess raised a smile. "Thank you Mr. Basshum! You really give us a big help!" She smiled sweetly to the shy guy, almost gave him a heart attack.
"N-Nononononoooo…"
Sasaline cursed mentally, quickly ran back to her room without making any sound that would catch the girls' attention. Closing the door behind, she walked to the window looked out from there, trying to find an escape route. She had to run before they came.
Peering outside, not paying any attention on the beautiful scenery of the small town, she concentrated on looking for a way out. Suddenly she saw some soldiers getting into the town and coming right to this way. Smirking, looks like here my chance.
Upon hearing some voices, Anna quickly went to hide after taking a peek to find soldiers coming to the way of the inn. Jess begged Basshum pretended he never saw Anna and let her some places to hide. Couldn't resist her sweet smile and teary eyes, Basshum let Anna hid in the kitchen behind the cooking stove where there's a big shelter, enough for nimble Anna.
Jess pretended as helper in the kitchen so she could back up Anna in case anything happened. When the soldiers came into the inn handed Basshum a wanted warrant, Basshum almost fainted from seeing Anna's face was printed on it.
"Now, may we search a bit in this inn? Just in case." The leader of the soldiers requested. Basshum didn't hear it since he was in deep shock. He just treated as permission to enter. "Now, search every corner."
"Yes!" The soldiers went off to the duty.
Anna recognized the voice. That was Wilson, one of the leaders in her team. Biting her lips, guilt built inside her as she kept tightening her grip on the katana.
Will I end up fighting them here? She hated this idea. She didn't want to fight any of them. They're just on their duty; she knew it more than anyone else. But what if…what if they found her in this place? A fight would become unavoidable. That's what she was trying to prevent.
It's not like I don't trust Jess in this…but there's still chance they'll find me. No, stay calm. Stay calm. Don't think of something like that.
Her imagination took over her again. Shaking the worry, Anna continued stay in that position until they went into the kitchen.
"Hmm? What is it Mr. soldiers?" Wearing a pink apron, Jess really looked like a helper and chef in the kitchen. Her appearance lightened up the situation as those soldiers almost jaw dropped seeing her in this place.
"M-Miss Jess!?"
"W-Why are you here!?"
Jess only smiled, adding more sweet into her smile.
"Oh I'm just help put in the inn when I'm free. The child is all up now."
"Really? Then you'll get back to Land of Renaissance soon?" Some of the soldiers started to ask to out for date. They only back to their duty when Wilson coughed behind them. "S-Sorry sir!"
"Hello Wilson!" Jess walked near to Wilson, blocking the possibility he would see Anna behind her.
"It's nice to see you again Miss Jess." Wilson's face softened. "As you can see, we're here for job. I believe you already know the news which our Majesty was killed. Currently the murderer and his crew are escaping. To prevent them from getting away, we distribute the wanted warrant to every town. So if you find them please let us know."
"…Wilson, what do you think in this?" Jess suddenly asked, still having that smile on her face however, it seemed a bit sad. In her corner of eyes, she caught a glimpse of white clothes with black fur wearing woman running outside of the inn. She wanted to see more but Wilson's voice caught her mind back to the topic.
"…To be honest, I don't want to believe Captain Anna is involving in this. But I saw it with my own two eyes…she rescued the murderer!" His voice suddenly hardened. "I believe she has reason in doing so…but I just…"
"It's alright Wilson. Everyone has their own judging in this." Patting his shoulder tried to ease his uneasy, as well as stopping him from saying more. "Don't let your emotion get over you. Trust Anna, please."
"…Thanks Miss Jess." His took a slight bow to her as a show of his appreciation. "Alright, I think I should leave now. Their work should have done. See you in Land of Renaissance."
Jess waved him goodbye as he walked out from the kitchen. Then she turned to the back of the stove, seeing the nimble captain walked out from there with gloomy face.
"Don't take his words too seriously Anna."
"I know…but look. What a captain am I to worry her men?" dropping her face refused to looked at Jess, Anna clenched her fist tightly in front of her chest.
"Anna, you're doing this for our nation, and for Vayne don't you? So have faith in yourself!" Jess clapped Anna's small face, making the captain protested.
"…Thanks Jess." Sometimes Jess was such a caring sister, always looked after everyone of them. Anna felt warmth across her heart.
When they're about to leave, Pamela got through the wall of the inn to them. It finally caused Basshum collapsed from shock.
"Anna, Jess! The soldiers are here in the house! What are we suppose to do!?" The ghost screamed.
Anna and Jess looked at each other, bad feeling hit them in the same time.
"…Where are the others, Pamela?"
Resting on top of the tree with half closed eyes, Yun leisurely looked around. He left the house when the soldiers approaching the town. He knew this would happen after they rescued Roze from the execution.
Don't call me cold hearted. Of course he had to think for himself first instead of the others. If he couldn't protect himself, how he could protect the others?
"Hmm?" Catching a glimpse of someone, he straightened his posture as he narrowed his eyes to see clearly. "This will be interesting…let's see it."
"Stop that!" Pouncing over to the young baron—or the supposed died 'brother' on the bed; Ulrika yelled out of her lungs with hands covered the blanket avoided the soldiers from taking it down.
Putting her ponytails down to a messy look, she was forced to act like a crazy the moment the soldiers came into the house, with Pamela the ghost went to find Anna and Jess, and the mercenary left them, only thinking of his own safety. That's how they ended up in this!
I swear I'll kill that two cold-blooded ghost and mercenary! Ulrika thought in her mind as she continued to act.
"My brother died due to a strange ill…he looks terrible when he took his last breathes! You know…his face is all putrid up…I won't let you guys see that!" She cried louder, shaking her head, making her hair covered her face. The soldiers look hesitated. Seeing the blonde crying like a pity child, hitting their sympathy. "He already died! He's dead!"
"W-We're sorry for your lost brother…w-we'll leave now…please don't be too hard on yourself." Comforting the blonde, the soldiers left the room quietly.
After the soldiers finally leaving the house, Ulrika lifted her head in exhausted. She wiped off the tears on her face and started to tie up her hair back to usual, like the cry just now was an act show.
Kicking the blanket off from his body, Roze got up from the bed to catch fresh air. He almost died in that blanket!
"…Good act, huh?"
"It's hard you know? Shut up since you only sleep on the bed." Tiding the scarf on her head, she snorted. "I won't forgive Pamela and Yun for leaving us in that very moment!" She exclaimed.
Same here…I want to cut their head down…if I can. Thinking this would never come true, he shook it off. Getting down from the bed to the window, he found all the soldiers were gone, and Anna, Jess and Pamela were coming back.
"…Where's Yun?" He asked.
They looked around. No one saw Yun. They explained how they managed to get away from the soldiers, earning laughter from the ghost and the female doctor. Ulrika blushed…more like angry. Roze sighed since he already knew the reaction from them.
"Yo. Nice story indeed."
Unknown to when Yun has back to the house; he leaned on the wall leisurely. Smirking, he greeted them.
"Yun, where have you gone?" Almost grabbing his dagger up to the mercenary's head, Roze tried to restrain his desire to do so.
"I saw that woman." His answer choked them. "I followed her for a while, and she's heading to the Hill of Memorial."
"Hill of Memorial?" Out of all of them, Ulrika was the one who asked the question. The others only kept silence. "What's wrong?"
"…Hill of Memorial is holy place where the dead souls return to the earth. There's a Monument aloof to commemorate the dead people." After a brief moment, Roze answered her. He secretly stole a glance at Pamela.
The ghost only remained silence, a peaceful smile hanged on her beautiful face. She was the first to break the awkward silence.
"Then let's head there! We can't lose trace of her."
"Are you alright with it Pamela?" Jess carefully asked. The ghost only nodded firmly to everyone there.
"What's wrong with these long faces?" Pamela threw her teddy bear to the air and then hugged it tightly in front of her chest. "Come on!"
Little did they know, the one who was there was not Sasalina, but some other people. The moment they met them face in face, none of them would be able to turn their back on this, to find the truth behind the dark history.
Ta-da, I'm back!
I'm sorry for taking so long! I'm terribly sorry…I have hard time on arranging my time from working, studying, watching anime and playing games…and I have writer's block. I dragged my friend to brainstorm the plot for me. I already have 75% up, and she helped me with the rest 25%. Thanks to her, I have the completed plot now. Give her some credit as she knows nothing in this fandom, nor she's a gamer like me.
The Bee-ly Killing Shot is the skill I made it up by myself as Sasalina's skill. I couldn't find any of her useful skill to write this chapter so I just simply made it up. As for the name of the town Villnore and Coriander, if anyone of you have played Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria, the name are actually from there. I'm too lazy to come up with new name so I just took it as I think they suit the most.
Then, until next time!
