After treating the wounds of the boy, Ananke went out to look for the teen who he met just to find no trace of him left behind.
The only information he got was from a villager who told him about how he travelled alone to the village and had already left.
One thing that stood out was how he was the one of the two people who put a bet in favor of the boy and won but in the end never took the money.
When someone followed him, he smiled and said to use it for the village before walking off, without another word.
Ananke thought 'Gambling—' but paused as he smiled 'No, I mean betting and that skin tone… Only one person is stupid enough to gamble at most random things and walks away knowing he would win.'
Ananke looked at the direction where man pointed to and thought 'Capital huh? I could caught up but I have have to stay at the village for now'
He sighs and scratches his head 'I really have no idea what is on his mind. I guess he is showing me that he trusts me…?'
'Well, it`s not like I didn`t know' said Ananke as he smiled.
Meanwhile at the guard camp, the leader gathered up all of the five members from the group in charge of the kid into the camp.
He walked back and forth repeatedly as he flipped through their reports and stories of what went on without giving them much time to discuss it among themself. The tension raised in the air with the turn of every page. He put down the papers, patted his pocket searching for something and let out a sigh.
The members were ready for harsh punishment or even losing their license for the mess and drama they caused. It was already all out even if they planned to cover it or tell it after the Veil was settled down.
'So which one of you is responsible for that cause?'
The leader looked up at them only to find their eyes looking down from guilt for there was nothing else to add as he already knew it all. But among them only two people were different. The pink-haired guy named "Anthenee" who was "naturally villainish looking" for his sharp features and hooded eyes seemed unbothered and distracted staring blankly into the air and a Black haired man named "Radibo" who was almost unresponsive.
Leader gave them all drill punishment for not reporting it instantly while Anthenee and Radibo got severe punishment as those two were the one sent to the village carrying the boy.
A few moments after, the black haired man stopped in the middle of it all and walked up to the leader. He had dark, tired eyes, and wore dark black clothing.
His height was taller than the Leader who stood in front of him, almost seeming intimidating and said hesitantly in a low voice "I want to—' but was cut off by the Leader who asked that man 'Why did you hit him?'
"I thought… he could have been faking it as he woke up before and— might be making a fool of us to not face questioning so I must had- hit him a little harder to see if he was faking it or not'
The leader rubs his eyes as he tried to cool down his anger
'And what gave you the right to do that?'
"For the—' he paused as he breathed heavily as he stared at floor "suspicion of—'
'I am not asking about the cause but the right, He was unconscious or not, he had not been proven guilty. never was. On top HE was wounded. I told you guys to treat his injuries. Not to inflict more! You really think what you did was morally right?' said the commander with anger in his voice.
Radibo looked up "It was…'
But was once again absurdly cut in 'Is that why you still have a smile on your face?'
The commander noticed him having a curve on his face as he tried to suppress it.
'Get back in the line right now!'
He immediately got defensive instantly speaking out "But this is not my fault. I am —' while trying to grab his scarf and slide it upwards to cover his mouth but he was not wearing it any.
'You are the one having no guilt after being the one who hit him even in his unconscious state and now you dare to stand up here and find excuses instead of admitting them?'
The leader took on the paper which had listed the members name and he struck out the name of his from the paper.
Seeing him being steadfast and not backing off, the leader said 'You are no longer be part of this group and will temporarily be released from duties upon returning back to town'
The man dashed out of the camp while taking his high neck black coat with him as the pink haired glanced at him.
The leader called out 'Anthenee!'
Anthenee suddenly panicked as he was not taking his punishment seriously and was even skipping a few when Leader was not paying attention.
"Yes sir!" as Anthenee stood up and spoke up.
'Learn how to write a proper report. This is a mess' he paused and put the pages down 'But good work, and you all can stop now' said the leader as he walked out of the room.
This confused him more as he was sure he would be kicked out.
Anthenee followed and confronted him to why he was speared.
The leader looked at him 'Do you want to be listed off?' as he cracked a smile before following up with another question 'Tell me why you should be listed off?'
"I wrote in the report of how I was the one who carried the boy with Radibo. You must have heard of the report of the drama that went on in the village."
The leader calmly replied 'Your report was false… You see, I went around talking to the village guards and found out how one of them explained and that someone not only diffused the situation but is also the reason why the tension was not raised between us and the village guards. It`s thanks to "that someone" we are allowed to camp outside the village in peace.'
They were instructed to leave the boy under watch town guard but Anthenee acted out and made him rest in Tavern after seeing Public Outrage. He had calculated just enough to shift the Public Opinion towards their favor.
Leader said 'I wonder who convinced Radibo to leave him at the tavern. While it was indeed for the protection of the boy to be left with Guards as the third offender was not found, it also caused misunderstanding as I failed to take into account how "That Stickler" would literally take things that seriously.'
Leader patted him on his shoulder 'But knowing this, you took the burden to go with him despite your lower rank and handled it better than most ever could.'
The leader smiled, still holding onto his shoulder tightly as he extending his palm outwards asking for something 'Ironic isn`t it? how Radibo`s report said he was cuffed in his room yet he was roaming freely.'
Anthenee froze as he heard Leader say 'My Keys'.
Anthenee had not only stolen the keys from Leader but also when walking out the tavern, he secretly put the keys on the counter, leaving it with Rhina as he showed a slight gesture, hiding from Radibo but in others eyes, it seemed like the decision of the soldiers.
The problem is Anthenee no longer carried the key with him which the Leader asked for…
Anthnee smiled professionally 'I will get going—' as he tried to pull his shoulder but his weak body could not free itself from the leader's brute strength.
Leader sighed 'You know it`s a crime to steal from your superior?'
Anthenee 'Duely Noted… Sir'
Ananke remarked 'But~ It is your fault to be hanging them out in open like that'
Leader thought 'Well… I can`t argue with that since I only just now noticed' and sighed 'You still haven`t changed since that day…'
The leader continued 'You know, you always looked weak, unmotivated, lazy with that carefree smile of yours. You never had any will to work or ambition as you pass your time. I didn`t expect much from you when I took you in…'
Leader smiled 'But time after time, you have proven yourself. And now once again I doubt anyone would have handled this situation as well you did."
Anthenee said defensively 'I still lied about it in the report. That offense alone should get me at least "some" time out.'
Leader smiled as he said 'I would rather have a doctor who has accidentally killed someone and feel the burden, than a rookie who will cause someone`s death and may never feel the burden of a life.'
The Anthenee looked at the leader with confusion and thought "I was not really saying I "regret" it…"
The leader instantly replied 'Don`t get me wrong, you did not cause any injustice nor are you a doctor. I just thought of that for a long time ago but never got a chance to…'
He coughed 'Anyways I am not letting you go. Your own kindness worked against you and you do have to work an extra year now to just pay off for that key' with a smile of a scammy merchant.
He patted Anthenee on shoulder saying 'You are now promoted to the group leader'
"This is a punishment isn't it?" Anthenee replied as he sighs, acting completely unprofessional.
'You act dumb but I guess you are smarter than most of us…' commented the leader but Anthenee simply just replied "Nothing like that sir. I just got lucky"
'Lucky huh? I am sure you can even become awakened with luck such as that'
"I would rather not, that sounds tiresome."
The leader laughed, 'Ha, I hope you work just a little harder and manage the team as I hope you to.'
"Yes Sir…" said Anthenee lazily and thought "I will make sure he demote me again"
Leader looked at him 'And also learn how to hide your disinterest. It makes me feel like I am forcing you'
Anthenee thought "I mean you are" and asked "Captain about Radibo. Are you going to kick him out?"
Leader asked 'Why, is he a friend of yours?'
Anthenee replied "Not exactly. He is strict about doing things by the book so it is weird how he acted out earlier and even now."
The leader replied 'I guess you are not wrong about that either. I will keep that in mind'
The leader stretched his arms and said 'Well then I will get going. I still have some work to do'
The leader started to walk off somewhere but paused and turned around to ask 'but before that… Anthenee, What is your dream?'
"To retire at age of 22" said Anthenee with no hesitation.
'Aren`t you 21 already…' asked the leader with confusion.
"I am. I just keep on increasing it by one till I retire."
The leader let out a laugh 'Hahaha. I guess… that can be a dream? I wish you luck in this dream of yours' as he walked off.
As for Radibo, after being listed off, he went to the tavern and complained to himself while drinking, mumbling to himself "Man… If only it was not for this accursed smile of mine…'
He laid his head on the table staring at the alcohol, whispering 'Ah… I already feel sick already' as he babbled about his misery to himself. Just then he heard the people at the tavern talking about the rumors of the Mad Hero.
Someone from another table talked about 'Did you guys hear of "The Mad Hero"?'
Another spoke 'Who hasn`t, he came here just a few hours ago carrying the injured ked, the same boy who fought against that adventurer little earlier.'
'I saw him myself being carried in. He was badly injured and that tavern owner told the hero to lay him down in the first room upstairs. He hasn`t woken up since, I bet he can not even move a muscle from how bad it looked.'
'I heard he went to the Veil.'
'But why would he go in there?'
'Ha who knows what children these days are thinking, maybe he just wanted to avenge his group or fulfill the last mission'
'Still—'
Radibo stood up and slammed loud on the table upon hearing that which studdled the men.
Radibo stood up drunk and he went to Rhina as he asked 'I want a room next to the stairs or one next door"
Rhina who was completely unaware of the incident said 'Sorry but the Inn is already full'
She spoke up like a merchant making a deal 'But If you want, you can stay—' but was cut off by Redibo who glanced around and spoke out coldly 'Forget it, I will find another way" and walked off.
Rhina whispered 'But– this is the only Inn… unless he plans to sleep in the horse stable.'
It striked midnight and soon the people started going back home leaving the tavern empty.
A man walked up behind the tavern as he looked towards the windows of the room where the kid rested.
He had a cloak that covered his face and pulled out a rope with a hook at its one end and a blade that was hidden in between his clothes.
Behind the tavern struck the moonlight and three wooden crates, one stacked up two and other junk in the shadows.
The man scaled the window and picked up the rope ready to throw it up.
'Blame it on yourself ked. You are the reason why I had to go this far. I am not in the wrong boy, the world is for letting you exist. Blame yourself for the suffering your existence has caused." as he smiled with no guilt and his eyes were dull and tired.