When Darrion reported to Cronn what he had found, the knightess was shocked.“I-I thought…” She muttered.“I don’t know where Miss Lesley heard of it. But it’s not true. Although it’s not a very good news since Kuro is still in a coma.”Cronn nodded. “No, thank you. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have learned.”Darrion frowned. “I can’t believe people would assume the worst.”“It’s natural for people to assume the worst so that they would be prepared for when it really happens. We’ll put aside Kuro-kun’s wound for now. How is Arimura-kun’s condition?” She looked worried.Darrion bit his lower lip, unsure what to say. “He accidentally injured his leg. But I can say that I got him out of his room and now he’s staying with the neighbors.” Darrion pulled out a key from his pocket and gave it to Cronn.“What is this?” She asked.“It’s the key to Kuroda’s room. It was quite messy, so I tidied it up a bit. But, I didn’t take out the thrash yet. I don’t know if I should.”She kept the key
“What is this thing called again?” Jai asked Harris as he examined the square thing in his hand. They had just bought another one like Glibert had instructed.“Rune Picturesk.” The brunette emphasized the ‘sk’. “Yeah it’s the ‘res’ in ‘resilience’ and it’s as resilient as it’s referenced… Uhh… It’s referred to.”It is square, seems made of metal, and the size is ¾ of his hand. There are reliefs on its sides and a single pentagon shaped gem with indigo color embedded on the center. There is a small screen on the back side that reflected one can see through to the front. There’s a transparent purple spot in the middle of the screen. It was faint, but it’s there.Jai kind of know how this thing works, but the problem is, there is no button to press. How is he going to take picture?“You mean ‘Picturesque’?” Jai asked.“No, Picturesk. With letter K in the end. Do you know how to use it?” Harris asked before munching on a big piece of dango. His cheek bloated up like a squirrel.“I don’t.
“Why are you looking like that? Is there something in that direction?” Jai asked as he stopped.Harris was staring at a direction with suspicion as he walked, and then bumped into Jai unconsciously, startling no one but himself. “Ah!”“Shh.” Jai shushed him calmly. “Is there a monster coming?”The reason Jai asked that question was because Harris is also a good wind elemer. He didn’t really know just how adept he is in wind element, but he was able to hear Arata mumbling even before the senior windlet entered the office. That at least speaks something about his capability to Windtalk.The brunette patted his own chest before calming down. “Ah, no there isn’t. There’s a uhh… I can hear some beasts around us, but they don’t look like they’re coming here. Oh there’s one, it’s coming here. But it doesn’t seem rushed.”Looking around, he didn’t see anything coming. But maybe that’s because the trees are just too gigantic to see anything pass through. So yeah, he can at least count on this
Claude crossed his fingers and trusted Lord of the Wind to protect Jai and his current companion. He just wished that the thunder elemer’s trouble magnet is currently deactivated so he could peacefully follow this suspicious guy.He had heard of this guy’s voice before. It was coming from that house that Jai and Darrion was visiting in Takenoko. He didn’t know if he is one of the people they’re looking for, but there’s no way of knowing except following this guy. He knew his way around this part of the kingdom, so he would know how to get back to Jai.‘If he’s one of the keypoints, then their investigation would end soon and I can go back.’ Claude thought.He was already missing Aeronvein. He has a duty to fulfil there, not here. If only she wasn’t so close to him that he felt like helping her all the time, he wouldn’t have come. But she asked him herself, so he will do his best.Claude watched the skinny man walking to a district slightly to the southeast. Claude remembered this plac
Darrion put back the books in their respective places in the bookshelf. These books consist of the geography surrounding Fire Kingdom, monsters inhabiting certain areas in the forest, the villages and towns’s area map and the descriptions, also the records of the Guild’s previous missions.The blonde didn’t feel sure why he was chosen to help with things like these. It might probably be fine with the other books unrelated to the Guild, but the latter, the mission records, he didn’t think he should be involved. Should Lady Cronn learned of his superb memory, would she still hire him as her temporary assistant?Then again, did she ask Harris to do this too?“I asked for someone having a better handwriting and he was right to have send you. Your handwriting is better than Harris.”Darrion turned around after he put the last book in shelf. She was reading the papers he had written into, admiring his handwriting.“My mom would prick my thumb with needle if I don’t write beautifully.”She l
Like he said, Jai didn’t puke when they arrived at the North Branch Adventurer’s Guild. It was as if it’s a normal occurrence to him by now. Although his head is slightly off when they arrived, it was almost the same as the fifth time his dear friend the speedy windlet had taken him to the places in the Wind Kingdom. Though, it wasn’t as bad.The North Branch Adventurer’s Guild is only slightly smaller than the South Branch from the outside. It’s also a two storey building with a balcony on its side on its second floor. Like its South counterpart, the roof is also red in color. There were three different flag colors above the door, just like the South. The only difference is that there’s a logo of a shield with two swords behind it above the entrance door.They entered the building and Jai was taken aback by how different it looked. Unlike the South Guild that felt homey and adventure like, this one is… Luxurious. The walls are in a lighter theme, the guild’s mission board is also ado
Darrion dashed back to the clinic after he’s done with his work at the Guild. He didn’t even visit the Post Office first, he just dashed straight to the clinic. He needed to pick up Shoru and checked on Kuro’s condition after all.“Oh, windlet-san.” The other doctor greeted when he arrived. “Doctor Myoga’s out at the moment.”“I want to pick up my dog. Where’s she?” Darrion asked.“Oh she’s still in the Recovery Room. She hasn’t left there at all.” The doctor got up and took him to the room. “I can’t let you be back here for too long though. Doctor Myoga is in charge of this room, and I don’t want to overstep him when he’s absent.”Darrion nodded. “Alright.”The doctor opened the door and Darrion saw Yuzu the lizard and Michi the Mousling in their respective beds, currently sleeping, while Shoru was lying right in front of Kuro’s bed. She had her back to him, and her tail was wagging ever once in a while, which shows that she wasn’t sleeping. Darrion could see two small things on Kuro
Jai blinked his eyes and re-read the letter’s content. He wanted to make sure he didn’t misread the entire thing.‘There’s an old magazine shop in the town’s southeast. Just across a field. The owner knows someone called Hayate.’As far as he could remember, Jai had never mentioned the names of the kidnappers other than to the windlets of the South branch. Those two windlets who just left couldn’t possibly know, because the ones who know about the problem are this branch and not the smaller branches.“Who sent this?” Jai asked Gilbert.“A young man. He’s wearing dark outfit. He didn’t seem to hurry but he wanted this letter to be sent quickly.” Gilbert asked.“Did he mention his name?” Jai asked that because neither the envelope nor the letter has the sender’s identity. There’s just a name under the ‘sender’ word, that is ‘Person’.“Anonymous. Could it be from someone you knew? What is it about?” Gilbert asked.“I-It’s a…” Jai was confused on how to say it. “I-It says about a lead. Bu
Jai felt something wrapped around his stomach from behind. He immediately looked down to his waist, spotting two smaller sized hands coiling on his waist.‘A kid, obviously. But who is it?’ Jai wondered. This was a baby shower event, so he wasn’t feeling weird if children attend too. The question is, who is this kid?He tried to turn around to look at the hugger, but the kid was hugging him tight. It wouldn’t be hard to push it, but he was reluctant because it’s a kid. He knew there’s nothing he could do but ask.“Oh? Hello? Is there anything you need?” Jai asked with a friendly tone.He could hear giggles, but the kid didn’t answer his question.“Oh are we playing guess?” Jai asked.More giggles.“It’s a boy.” Someone whispered from his left side. A familiar voice yet he could not name.“Hey!” The boy protested.But from that tone alone, Jai could already figure out who it is. So he said. “Hello, Ruta-kun.”The kid let him go and Jai could finally turn around. True, it was Ruta. The
On the day when the baby shower was held, Jai arrived at the place with Baji.The venue is in a mansion in the North Town. Jai hadn’t been in that certain neighbourhood, but he finally understood that the North Town is the place for the riches, and the neighbourhood they were in is probably among the richest. The mansion building is tall, and the garden is so wide. There’s a medium sized pond with two gazebos on the side, and then there’s also a small orchard on the right side of the mansion.Baji leaned in to whisper something. “The party is in the back garden. And keep your mouth shut, please. You’re a famous guy and I don’t want you looking stupid.” Then he leaned back.Jai immediately closed his unconsciously parted lips and recited the plan. He couldn’t, of course, confront an important figure of a clan in a crowded venue. So Baji and Gilbert had made a plan to help him talk alone with Fuuji Fu in the venue. He just have to make sure he could deal with the ‘fans’, though he hoped
It isn’t a doubt that Cynthia was reluctant to share that information with Harris because Jai was there. So Jai proposed to the brunette to re-visit the place later in the day to ask about it.Baji was there when they returned, and Jai immediately told him about the findings he got also to consult about the Fiery Lotus.Baji crossed his arms on his chest and nodded in acknowledgement. “It’s fortunate that a promising lead is finally here. We’re sorry for the late initiative from our part. We should’ve worked harder.”He didn’t think that he would receive an apology from Baji. But it showed that the man is a responsible person. Jai shook his head. “It’s alright. From the start, it was already a scavenger hunt. But do you know anything about either of those?”Baji fixed his seating before he explained. “Well about the Chief of Fuuji, he’s a strict person on males. He’s nice to females, and he’s really into babies. There’s only one male person he had shown his friendly side to in public,
“So uhh, this person whom you mentioned before with Tsubasa is a very important person. And you want to ask him about Alex?” Darrion asked when they were in the carriage, heading back.Jai narrowed his eyes. “Why aren’t you being straightforward?”“I’m a bit tired from today. There are so many deliveries like yesterday. But ahh… I’m more tired in trying to understand what they say.” Darrion said with nervous smile.Jai forgot that his friend is not adept in Shouha language, it must be hard to work without understanding what anyone is saying.“Sorry.” Jai apologized.Darrion nodded. “It’s fine. Let’s just stick to no name for now, if possible. I… Can’t really erect a barrier right now.”“Sure.” Jai nodded. “The… Family, you know, told me about him. Saying that he is the first person we can ask about Alex. But he has a very high standing, as you’ve listened to me and the father talked about him, so it won’t be easy to talk to him.”“I see. So that’s why you go to them. They can be consi
"Sorry if it's too much of me to ask." Jai said."Oh no, no. It's fine. But my mother is not at home though, is that alright?" Yuta asked as he turned to Jai and Darrion behind him."It's alright. It's very sudden after all." Jai said."Alright then. Would tea be alright?" Yuta asked."Yes. It's fine. Thank you." Jai answered.Fu Fuuji is the head chief of one of the notorious Ten Guardian Clans, the Fuuji clan. After leaving the Komatsu’s residence, he was thinking about how to get in touch with this person. And the Akamine clan is the first thing that came into Jai’s mind.While they don’t really owe him a favor, this family is the closest connection that he has to the Fuuji clan, because they’re also one of the Ten Guardian Clans.Also, he knew that it’s not guaranteed that he would get an audience with Fu Fuuji through the Akamine. There’s a possibility that they are enemies with each other. But he would at least try to ask. So here they were, in the Akamine clan’s residence.Yuta
Returning to the present.“Little Sparks. Fiery Lotus. What the hell are those?” Jai asked as they left the compound.“Quiet down. You’re gonna get us killed for that.” Claude remindedJai turned around and talked in slight whisper. “If it’s associated with the Queen, that means it’s very private. In the North Town, in a community place like thing. It doesn’t ring any bells from the previous search. Do you know anything about it?”He saw an empty horse mount coming in their direction and waved it.The mount stopped in front of them and they immediately climbed in the carriage. “Southeast Windlet Post Office.” He told the horse mount driver.Weaving the air barrier thicker, Claude replied. “I don’t. I’m a hunter, not a mercenary. How do you suppose I know these things?”Jai smiled shortly with a shrug. “Maybe? Ah… But this is a major progress in the case. At least we know he’s not dead, and it will take more effort to rescue him now.” Jai smiled.Claude stared at Jai suspiciously. “Why
They were led to a corridor which have several doors across from each other. Alex immediately knew they are resting rooms, because he could see a bed from one of the opened doors.One of the committees, the previous guy who shot the Cloud Viewing Rune in the ceremony, pulled his hood down, showing his blonde hair. Then he turned around while the other committees went past him, leaving him to deal with the new freshmen batch.“Good morning. My name is Liam. I am one of the guild members and I am one of the supervisors of the freshmen. Well, not really supervisor, but I’m the one they put in charge to look after you when the super seniors are out. Like right now. Oh and umm, I’m not alone. I have my friends with me to look after you. So please don’t do anything rash, because we outpower you by a lot. And we prefer not to hit you, because you’re a potential junior. Please be nice to each other, okay?”Alex didn’t really pay attention. He stopped listening when he uttered the fourth sente
That morning on the day when Jai went to the Komatsu’s house, Alex had already settled in ‘the place’.He wasn’t familiar with the kingdom, as such, he didn’t know where he was taken to.And since he was late, he was grouped with those who were also late. Many eyes stared at him when he entered the room—it was an average room with beds—reserved only for those who arrived late.Apparently, those who arrived first had attended the ceremony and the first phase—and those who were late had to attend on their own. But they would be gathered together after that, and he would be able to meet his roommate. That was what Master Fu said yesterday when he dropped him off. But the old man wasn’t lying.He went through a sleepless night—because there were many others here that he didn’t know and he wasn’t keen on getting surprise attacked in the middle of his sleep. But the night went by uneventfully, fortunately.He and the others were given a tray of scone and tea to start the day. He didn’t eat
“Don’t. Test. Me.”Jai’s eyes glowed brighter for a second as he emphasized the last words.The civilians, of course flinched at his threat. All of them knew him as a humble and righteous young man. Always smiling and looked very kind. They never knew this side of him. That’s why they were very surprised. The Kizuato group wasn’t included though, they were there exactly to prevent Jai doing what he planned to do.Akane, who had have enough of her parents’ plan, stood up.“Akane-chan!” Rio tried to stop her, but she went anyway and spoke.But instead of retaliating at the guest in their house like the rest of her family, she was looking at her mother instead. “Just tell him, mother!”Rio frowned deep at her. “What are you saying, Akane?”Akane gritted her teeth. “Just tell him!! If you tell him, no one will be hurt!”Rio shut her mouth and swallowed, but she didn’t say anything.Akane looked at her mother with bewildered expression. “If you don’t, then I will.” She turned to Jai. But