"What happened to our village…" The old man mumbled, then took a deep but shaky breath in. "It all started with people getting kidnapped…"
"Eh? Kidnapped?"
"Yes… It started over a month ago. People started going missing in the night. Our home was filled with kids running around. It was a self-sufficient village." He continued clasping his hands together, then suddenly shook his head. "We had hunters, they went in the forest hunting for animals. They were the first ones to go missing.'
"That sounds… Rothie, do you think what happe-"
"Can you stop interrupting?! My old man's trying to tell you wh-" There was a loud slap and a cry from him. He started holding the back of his head as crocodile tears formed in his eyes. "Wh-"
"Quiet, you're also interrupting them."
"It started off with one going missing, we assumed he just got lost in the forest."
"Well, that tells ya something was wrong… Even a little baby could tell!" Haru interrupted, a smile appeared on her face. "This half eared fox could tell, and she's pretty wimpy herself!" She pointed towards Fei. Her movement and words caused everyone to give her a raised eyebrow.
"Ignore Goldie Locks, she's-"
"Oh shush you fatty!"
It took some time, but Haru was finally quieted down. Roth felt a temptation to tie a rope around her mouth to quiet her for good, but after a long time back n' forth she shut her mouth for good.
"Alright, continue with your story." Roth said whilst covering his face.
"Where was I... Ah, right. After we lost our hunters, we set a curfew for all. When the night sky appears, everyone must stay in their homes…"
This curfew did not matter, the old man recounted hearing screams. Both of women and kids, these screams pierced the veil of night. One so shrill, those who heard shivered in fear. They only lasted for a moment, befalling silent afterwards.
The three individuals both shivered after remembering how it sounded, everyone noticed this. All of them looking each other in the eyes, understanding it was not best to push this matter further for the moment.
During their period of distraught, Lucian and Fei hopped in the carriage to separate from the rest.
Once settled, Fei brought her knees up to her chin. Her tail wrapped around her stomach, and her mouth twisted into a small but nervy frown.
"I-I'm sorry…" She apologized suddenly, there was a shiver in her voice. "I'm sorry… I-I freak out so much…"
Her sudden apology caused him to look at her with furrowed eyebrows. 'What's she apologizing about?' he wondered, there was no need to apologize about that. This feeling cemented in his mind a long time ago. "It's fine. What's bothering you? Is it Haru?"
"I-I don't know… She keeps, keeps wanting to touch my ears…"
"Has that been bothering you? She's not doing it out of hatred or to bully you."
Fei quietly mumbled a yes, slightly nodding to his answer. Her heart jolted to his question. Will this cause issues with everyone? Will this end our trip? Her mind joggled with questions that gave unknowable answers.
After a moment, she heard a sigh come from Lucian. Then, a hand touched her own, releasing warmth from it. Slowly, lowering the pace her heart beat at. "I think it's just… A temporary thing with Haru."
"W-What do you mean?"
"She's acting completely different… Than before. You notice it too?"
"Y-Yes…This… Is a different, different version t-to ho-how she acted…"
"Mhm, maybe tomorrow she'll stop. Just try to ignore her, alright? And if needed, we'll just ask Roth to scold her like he's always doing with Bronya."
"O-Okay…"
After her final word, they fell silent for a few minutes. Eventually, Fei's own heart calmed to a normal pace.
A question popped into Lucian's mind whilst sitting there. His head tilted to the side, looking towards her one ear. Unconsciously, his mouth opened, releasing his curious mind.
"I-I-I'm sorry… C-C-Can you r-repeat that…?" Fei's eyes widened, releasing an intense jolt of electricity to attack her heart. Instantly, her ears vibrated and her breathing picked up pace. Was it due to what happened earlier? His mind lost all control, making his curiosities leak out without issue.
"Ah… I was just wondering what happened to your ear…" Lucian mumbled. His question caused Fei's breath to halt. 'What am I asking…?' His realization struck suddenly,. "W-Wait, Sorry, I didn't mean to ask that!" He removed his hand then scratched the back of his head.
S-Should-S-Should I- …
"I-I'm sorry, you don't need to answer that question…"
"I-I-I…"
"You don't need to… I'm sorry that was a dumb question."
"It- It's okay…" She clamped her hands, and took a deep breath in. "I…" Her mind flashed to a certain past, screams and begs filled her mind. "My-" Her fears kept digging into her throat, blocking every airway.
Without another second, she was pulled into his embrace in an attempt to comforting. Adversely, it caused her heart to ache.
"I'm sorry… It won't happen again."
"M-My… Ear…" Fei choked out, her entire body shivered immensely with each choke. "H-He.."
"Hey… You don't need to force yourself." Lucian assured, holding her tightly to his body.
"H-He did it…"
'He?'
"My- My dad…"
"..."
"I-I-" Lucian felt her body shudder, and muffled cries resounding from her. "It was… It- It was just suddenly… He."
"Stop, you- You don't need to say anything…"
For a long time afterwards, her body kept shivering, and cold tears stained Lucian's shirt. A pang of regret lingered in his heart for asking. 'Why did I have to ask that?' Why did he have to ask such an uncomfortable and absurd question about her?
He kept whispering to her, trying to ease her mind and anxiety. Despite his sympathy, her words left a fire in his heart. What kind of father would do that to his own daughter? What kind of person would do that? 'What a rotten piece of shit…' Someone doing that to his own child was absolutely abhorrent.
Such a long time passed, that they could hear the sobbing from the three newcomers cease. Fei's sobs stopped just after, and her frantic heart had calmed to just above the normal.
"Hey, you two. I need you to come over to the campfire." Roth's voice poked in, causing them to separate from each other.
"W-We'll be right there."
"Make it quick."
They left after Lucian made sure she was feeling normal. Aside from the blush written all over her face, he could see she was feeling fine and dandy. From the cold air cooling down, he could tell she felt ten times better.
Outside, everyone was still around the campfire. Though silent this time, Haru had tape over her mouth, whilst her wrists were tied with rope. Behind her eyes, there was a crazy look, as if she wanted to say something abhorrent.
"Ay, welcome back you two lovebirds!" Bronya waved at them with a small smile. Bags sat under her eyes, either exhausted from the darkness or dealing with a certain someone for some time. "Don't mind Little Haru there. She was getting a little rowdy."
"Only way she'd shut up."
"Mhhm. Anywho, come sit down. We're just about to get to the juicy parts. C'monnn sit faster!"
"Don't treat-"
"Boy, you need to keep your mouth quiet. These people were kind enough to spare us, and give us supplies."
"Fine."
"Seems like your "boy" hasn't been disciplined much, huh?"
"..."
"Yeah."
Slight grumbles came from the "Boy". Bronya just chuckled at his frustrations, then leaned back slightly. "Can you continue your story?"
"Yes…"
From their story, the kidnappings stopped. People stopped going missing, but only thirty percent of the village had been left. Only the elderly, the men were left alone. They sent one of their own to send a report/request to the adventurers' guild.
He had never returned, they knew he had gotten nabbed. Their recounts of the nearest village fit onto their map. By foot it would only take four days. That messenger went missing and has not returned for ten mornings and nights.
Three days ago, a group stopped by. They were friendly, cordial. That disappeared just the day before. Everything had gone up in flames, smoke bloomed in the sky. Many of the healthy men were slaughtered, their wives were beaten and chopped to bits.
Throughout his story, his own wife started to shiver and tears welled in her eyes. He had to stop his story many times, as he himself started to show his fear and worry.
They were the last survivors of this village, two men and a woman. Their numbers reached nearly two hundred at its peak. Now, they had barely any remnants of that once thriving village.
"Wow…" Was what Bronya could muster. She held her chin, looking at the floor taking in what he had said fully. "That- That's a pretty dark story."
"Yes it is, but that's the full story."
"How did you three make it out?"
"Pure luck. We were out on a supply run, we heard the rage of the fire when we were on our way back." Their son explained, he rested his chin on the palm of his hand. "That's when we saw you guys. Those two guys right there if they stayed back we wouldn't have attacked."
"Well, you're running out of luck." Bronya shrugged. "What should we do about you attacking us?" Her tone was in a playful way, she leaned forward with a mischievous grin. "Hey, Rothie, what do you think?"
"Long ears, don't scare them."
"Aww, why not Rothie? You don't want to be one of the first discoverers of Land Pirates?"
"There are no such things as "land pirates"! You're just trying to call us bandits!"
"Oh, so you can catch on quick! I thought land pirates were poorly educated."
"WHY-"
"Calm yourself. Uh.. Miss, what's your name?"
"Call me Long Ears."
"Miss Long ears? We apologize for the attack on your group." The old man apologized whilst bowing. His wife and son followed, the latter being forced to. "And we are grateful for you sparing our lives and listening to us."
*************************************************************************************************************
"Lady Noelle, are you ready?"
"I just need to grab my weapon. You can get a head start, I'll catch up." Noelle said while throwing her jacket onto her shoulders. Her words caused Sai to give her a weird expression. Why would she need to use her weapon? This question lingered on his face, causing her to shrug. "Just go, you'll figure it out sooner or later."
"Okay."
'That old fool, he really thinks he can do that to the guild?' Her mind traced the King's words.
[ Dear, Guildmaster of the adventurers' guild. Allow me to give you my sincerest apologies; we did not mean to frustrate, and offend you. Due to an investigation sent out by our own intelligence department, we found those spies you foretold.
This coincided within your own investigations. We forgot to inform your employees of this. If you disagree with our actions, please travel to the castle, we'll make due with the request.
Yours truly; Mavis Gold King of Vertealle.]
Noelle felt suspicion arise when reading the letter. There were many white lies, and untruthfulness hidden beneath the surface.
If he truly found them, why did it take so long for him to act? Her mind questioned. After slipping her second arm through the sleeves, she bent over and attached her rapier to her hip. An empty feeling assaulted her gut, every nerve of her body warned of danger.
Once outside, Sai kept his arms across his stomach. Next to him stood Allen, and Alice.
"What's wrong? Something giving you a bad feeling?" Alice inquired whilst taking Noelle's left side. Moments of no answers, she leaned forward making eye contact with her.
"Yes, there is Teacher."
"That fool of a King won't do anything, and can't. And y'know, even if he tries to do anything you can just cut him down. I'm sure Kazusa would agree to that, and won't report it."
"He has a lot of guards, Lady Alice." Sai butted in standing to Noelle's right. "Even the Speed Demon will struggle." He continued with a confident tone in his voice. Once they all stood in their formation, they set off.
Thanks to the adventurers' guild headquarters being just a few minutes from the castle it was rather short. The white paved road rebounded the sun's glare, illuminating their expressions. Those who were outside their homes watched them slowly trod to the castle.
They passed the infamous farm the King keeps. Mossy bricks stood high, and a wooden pathway led to the farmer's home. Many types of demi-humans walked in and out of the side door. Going down under the bridge, to an unknown underground.
A disgusted feeling entered Sai's throat, if they were dressed properly, he wouldn't have felt the same. They were all draped in sacks, or rags. Even kids went there. 'What a disgusting freak.' He thought then averted his gaze.
"Ignore it, Old Dog. They're getting paid for their labor." Alice claimed upon seeing Sai's head lower. "That king made a whole spiel about it, that was a while ago."
"If he doesn't, we'll deal with his perverse actions."
"Thank you."
"Wow, taking charge where it's-"
"Teacher, if this meeting doesn't go the way you think, you'll apologize to him."
"Ugh… Fine."
After Alice's groans stopped, they went up the steps of the castle. It was much grander than any building in Vertealle. Pointing high to the sky, one would be able to stare over the Kingdom's walls. Countless guards littered the stone paved pathway.
Tension filled the air as they walked on this path. Half-way on this path, one guard sprinted inside. Then, the magnificent doors flew open. Multiple guards held it open, once all four of them entered they shut the door.
With one leading them, taking them down a large corridor with strapping banners on each side. 'Guess we can see what that king can focus on.' Sai pondered. The striking difference between the farmers' land, to this it was night and day.
Maids, butlers ran throughout this corridor. They bowed vehemently upon realization of who they strolled by.
"The King will be waiting for your arrival in there." Their lead, a young man donned in a guard's uniform, confirmed. They stood outside another large pair of doors. This King really loves his giant doors, huh? All of them thought, staring up at it with frowns.
With one push from Noelle, they flew open. The king, a lanky old greying man sat across a long table. It was clear he wanted to discuss this matter over dinner. As there were four seats, welcoming them with open arms. In front of them empty plates sat. Across the entire width of the table, many dishes sat. Above the cooked ones, steam rose to the high heavens.