《Archipelago: Relics of Wonders》 Unshakable little despair -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello and Thanks for reading, This is my first posted stories on Royal Road. I know I have a lot of weakness in portraying the stories but please bear with me :) I hope I can improve the longer this series go with your feedback. with that said have fun reading and sorry this is a very short opening which started this journey :P -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ¡°Ah ¡­..¡± I passed by another and noticing it too late. ¡° Hey hey what are you doing ! get it right¡± ¡° Yes yes, I¡¯m trying¡± ¡° Chee, young people this days...¡± ¡° I won¡¯t miss the next one¡± ¡° You better be, we have stayed here for far too long¡± ¡° Yes yes¡± ¡° Lupa ! you won¡¯t get paid if you don¡¯t catch anything¡± ¡° Mind your words now, cuz I¡¯m gonna get a big one and you gonna pay hell lot for it¡± I said with all seriousness now since my nonexistent payment was on the stake here, but still must the dam.. old man threatened to take my wage away if I couldn¡¯t catch anything. I was hella sure that I was being useful just by attending in his small boat. This boat was around four rakat long and one rakat wide. A wooden boxes made to contain what we caught from the seas could be found at the rear and laying nearby was a pair of grey wood spears, a metal hook was attached in the front of it while some sort of string was roped into the half end indicating it wasn¡¯t a one time use weapons to hunt, in other words a throw and retrieve weapon. In the middle of our boat was a small mast sandwiched by our makeshift sitting place which was of course made of woods that was connected across the side of our boat. Beneath it were a pair paddles and a small unused grey wind sail. The paddle was made from grey woods that can harden it self when met by salty water which is great in this situation. However, that was all this small boat could offer as a means of moving and I was often the only one who peddled us back and forth to the village. ¡° Just great¡± I grumbled while my hand now is back ,busy with my most skilled part in this trade as the old man was back to his old business, watching the calm seas with his eagle eyes that can found its prey easily or so what he told me. I mean come on, I already helped him butchered the one he caught, put it in the wooden boxes and even sprinkled some salt on it so it won¡¯t rot. I prepared food and water the night before our sail and I make sure that the boat was on passing condition to sail. I even went to some tavern that old pops with big boat often gathered and endure their random chit chat to found out the location of calmar, our specialty. ¡° Oh there, right there behind the collection of sea weeds¡± ¡° Hmmm¡± I squinted my eyes trying to find the calmar that pops mentioned, it was normally easy to spot calmar when it tries to hide within sea weeds since the color are much different when seen from above but right now the sun is shining so bright that it almost blinded me, making my hard task even harder. ¡° You take to long, here catch the spear¡± ¡° Oops¡± ¡° Get it right lad¡± ¡° Yes¡± I said short and clear hinting my willingness to catch this calmar. ¡° Now it¡¯s moving towards deeper area, you got only one shot lad¡± ¡°.....¡± I dare not to reply as all of my concentration was poured on this one chance The calmar was moving about randomly, it seems it had sensed being followed. Not long after it shot black tint from it¡¯s rear, making the area around it darker and the tint come afloat towards the surface blurring my vision of it. However I am not a newbie like years ago that got easily confused by calmar tactics. I tried to spot the current water burst that would naturally form after the calmar shot its tint which this time was rather easy since the calmar was on the big side. ¡° Haaa ¡° I shouted my war cry as I jumped from the boat, spear clutched in my hand tightly and my aim was clear. After the short duration of the disturbing current I could spot the calmar that was trying to head towards deeper part of the sea. My hand was trembling with excitement, my heart was beating fast at the thought of my first success. The world feels slowing down, I sensed every precious second as I was getting nearer and nearer to water. A professional calmer spear hunter could easily hunt it from the boats and just throw his spear but I was not, I had to admit it I am pretty bad with spear and the reason are now showing. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. I was trembling far exceeding my excitement, my vision getting hazy and darker even before I reach the water surface, my heart beats increase more and more, and I finally lost control of my body. I jerked, numbing feelings come bashing at every part of my body as I slammed into the waters. ah ¡­ again I experienced this devastating sensation, this unexplainable feelings that always come whenever I tried to let go my spear towards my target. It already haunted me for the past 5 years and no matter what I tried it never fades. I didn¡¯t even know why or how it happen. ¡°Are you alright lad ? you seems funny look at your pitch dark body now hahahaha¡± ¡°......¡± ¡° Come fast abroad this safe boat my dark lord¡± ¡°......¡± I silently climbed the boat, I already let go of my spears and it sunk deeper into the ocean as I could easily pull it later. I felt a bit uncomfortable since some of the ink get stuck on my skin. ¡°hahaha oh come on, that was funny¡± ¡°shut up¡± I finally snapped, this old man never got tired of making joke out of me whenever I failed miserably like this. Can¡¯t he understand that I tried my hardest in doing this. ¡° ahahahahaha¡± now tears come rolling down from his eyes ¡° Just stop it already, I tried you know !¡± ¡° But ..but .. but what time is it now 300 ? 500 ? ever since you worked for me hahaha¡± ¡° Shut up or I will throw you down to the sea¡± ¡° ahahaha okay okay I stop .. hahaha ¡­ okay¡± finally about time he shut up although I still couldn¡¯t stop my trembling hand as I still felt the feedback experience ¡° Lad, I think we had enough fishing today¡± ¡° well okay, I will close the boxes and retract the spears¡± I said grumbly since the way he asked me was sort of backhanded. ¡° As promised you won¡¯t get anything today¡± ¡° What ?¡± now did he really try to piss me off or what ? ¡° Didn¡¯t you hear me ? you won¡¯t get anything today, not a single share¡± ¡° It¡¯s not fair¡± ¡° What is not fair lad ? you were the one who fail, isn¡¯t there a saying that a man catch his own prey ?¡± ¡° Yes I fail, but I did everything else outside of that !¡± I retorted back trying to win some sound argument ¡° Sure enough but I never ask you to do those thing¡± ¡° grrrrr¡± now I gripped my fist tighter ¡­ I really want to punch him in the face, give him some beating so he understand more about hardship, long gone was my respect I had for this old man that he managed to score me years ago. ¡° hahaha however, I will still give your caretaker some share¡± ¡° Huh ?¡± now I lost him. ¡° What huh ? She sold some of my calmar with higher price to certain community, so why not ?¡± ¡° haaahhh ¡­ whatever as long as *WE* got some share all is fine¡± I really don¡¯t know what is this old man aiming, angering me again and again and never get bored of it. ¡° Deal , now sail us back ¡° ¡° You are not helping ?¡± ¡° Well, do you want to take your caretaker share home or not ?¡± ¡° Fine fine¡± I replied curtly. ¡° I still hadn¡¯t finished yet lad, only when you manage to get us back before the evening market open, otherwise there is no point in it right ? hahahaha¡± ¡°grrrrrr¡± this da¡­.. old man really can get to my nerve, but whatever I already lost it and I couldn¡¯t do anything against him. I don¡¯t want to give my caretaker a problem after all and I could save some energy from shouting against him. min pass by and we had said nothing but suddenly the old man broke my moment of peace. ¡°You dead on playing silent huh ?¡± His hand moved towards the small box that was tightly roped with one of the seat and he open it.Inside was delicacy that I prepared last night as a sort of emergency ration. ¡° Well fine, just enjoy your silence¡± [Crunch, Crunch] ¡°.....¡± This old man ¡­.. _________________________-_______________________--__________________________ For those who had read until the end this prologue I thank you again :) Also I am sorry for not putting the hype in the begging like other authors do as such making the stories seems bland :) I wanted to build it up slowly since with gradual progress I tough It would be more enjoyable. one other reason was also because I fear I would run out of juices if I kept the hype up since the beginning haha See ya on next chapter :) ________________________________________________________________________________________- A little bit of Known Past ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hii :) thanks if you decided to continue reading my unworthy stories :) I tried to make it longer this time and with more content and information as to how actually this archipelago world works :) If you find it unsatisfying please comment for it and tell which part :) I wanted to improve my writings and that would certainly help. Also a bit my rant about this one, making a flowing and natural conversation while keeping in mind of how the speakers would speak were actually very difficult things to do .... even writings a simple background stories already killed me ...help me with your comment :D and anyway thanks again and have fun readings. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ¡°Lupa !!¡± shouted a middle aged woman near the white sandy beach. She wore a light green tattered dress with bamboo conical hat, preventing the sunlight blinding her dark brown eyes. She then keeps waving her hands mentioning my name over and over again making me paddle faster to respond her wishes seeing me sooner. It was not a strange custom for us anymore ever since I worked as local fisherman. She would often pick me up in this sandy beach where fisherman often land their boat. None of the locals had the money to afford big boats and even though the ocean nearby are relatively calm and didn¡¯t have any big waves we still wouldn¡¯t risk our life saving, so we would pull our boats towards the small hut 15 rakat away from tides waters. ¡° Wait a bit Lisa, I need to pull the boat first¡± I informed her even though she should already know since it was nothing new and the old man beside me just smirked, he must thought it was natural for me to do so. ¡° Hup ¡± I jumped from the boats and landed in shallow water with a small splash. I then proceed to run towards the small hut while tapping the sand below checking the wetness of the sand. I need to make sure everything alright and I could safely place round logs without sinking to much. After feelings that everything was alright I then continued to walk towards the hut. with a screech I opened the small shed in the hut looking for the logs that the fisherman often share. We were the last to arrive today and they should have placed everything back in order. Most of the local fisherman were young people in their mid 20 and compared to this old man that I work with, they are much more diligent and nice. I sometimes wonder what happen with this old man. When we first met years ago and I started to work for him, he would show me the way things works with smiles and patience. He never scolded me even if that day we failed to get anything back to sell. He would just laugh at it and say we had no luck for today and just sail us back home. He would also share some of his stories when he was young, when he tried to fiddle with some goods that was not his or when he tried to win some maiden hearts. I didn''t think it was any important to listen to him but since he already share this stories why not listen ? I think I managed to develop my listening skills because of him. I could listen to the rattle of old people in bar for hours without feelings tired. I respected him so much before but what happen, he changed so much in the recent month. I fear that the day I would bad mouth him will come. Thus far I hadn¡¯t mentioned any bad words about him, not even when I¡¯m alone. I would try to curse him though from time to time but I always manage to stop myself before the words completed. ¡° Ouch¡± I wasn¡¯t being careful and pricked my fingers with some of the log chips. I didn¡¯t worry though since I always prepare small things in case like this happen. First I remove the chips in my finger then I moved my hand towards my hips, there I could find a small pockets with green herbs in it. Lisa have some of this medicine herbs prepared for me whenever I go out sailing. She already planted a lot type of it in the front yard too. We tried to minimize our cost of livings by planting some medical and seasoning plants. Now if I¡¯m not wrong, I just need to crunch this in my mouth and grind it with my teeth. Afterwards with small amount of my saliva I would splatter this grinded herbs on my fingers. ¡°there done¡± I muttered as i finished taking care of my small wounds. Lot of people would laugh at this if I do it in open space like market or bar but I care not for them. Lisa taught me that disease could spread even from small wounds like this and I had to play it safe. We got no doctors in our village although in the center of this island, where there is this one huge market with lot of people gathered we could find some but they cost so much. From what Lisa told me, one visit by them without their medicine could cost the wholesome amount of works I do for the old man for a week straight. Yup okay, now all set as I lay the logs in the path for the boats to safely arrive in the small hut. I looked left and right looking for the old man since I couldn¡¯t find him inside the boats. I wouldn¡¯t want to push this boats with the old man in it right. Its alone was already heavy enough to make me pants even though the distance was small. Never make light works done in the sandy beach. [chatter,chatter] I heard sound of a man and woman talking happily in some distance away and it was my caretaker Lisa and the old man. I don¡¯t know what they are talking about that it needs them to make more distance but I could guess they were talking about the share of today catch since the old man already brought the wooden boxes with him. That old man wouldn¡¯t even discuss with me first and went straight for Lisa, don¡¯t he know at least I would want to take a final look at our catch before they sell it. however suddenly their moods seems sour after the old man said certain things and Lisa just nodding her head acknowledging what the old man said. Well I don¡¯t really have the space to care for them at the moment as I still hadn¡¯t finished pushing this boat towards the hut. Min pass by and eventually I am done with the small boats. I am now proceeding to secure the small boots as not to slide down with a long square wooden log. I place it both in front and behind the small boat. Now all done I could finally leave this place and head towards Lisa. ¡°Oops¡± I almost forget about the emergency ratio box that I tied in one of the sitting place. After I loosed the tie and looked at the inside of the small box, I sighed as I found no left over in it. Never mind that let¡¯s head straight to Lisa I thought as I close the small box again and bring it with me in my right hand. ¡°Lissaaaaaaaa¡± I shouted and run towards Lisa. I didn¡¯t stop when I was near her and instead jump towards her. She just laughed and hug me whenever I did that. It was one of our special greetings after I¡¯m done with works. ¡° Ohhh my little Lupa¡± She said while humming my name. She then scratched my cheeks and stroked my hair. However not long after that she pushed me out while still keeping me in her hands and asked me question. ¡° So what did you today ? did you change your profession and become a dark lord now ?¡± She said with a joking tone after realizing that my body was still dark because of the tint from calmar. I didn¡¯t bother to clean it up like usual and just went ahead with the old man since he hurried me sail us home. ¡°Never mind that, let¡¯s go to the market.¡± ¡°Nope, with your condition right now I doubt people will come and buy our catch¡± ¡°you got that right Lisa¡± said the old man then he just wave his hand leaving me and lisa behind. He was heading towards the market and it seemed he was determined selling his catch today. ¡° Where is our share Lisa ?¡± ¡° Where ? with Juan of course. Don¡¯t you see him heading towards market ?¡± ¡° Why ? You could sell it way higher then when he does ?¡± ¡° Oh my, seems someone wants to embarrass me in the market¡± ¡° Urghh yes, I am sorry for being the dark lord¡­.¡± ¡° It¡¯s okay Lupa, let us go home now. I got something special already prepared for you¡± she said while smiling and drag me away towards a paved road with small bushes in the side of it. ¡° Special ? what special ?¡± ¡° By any chance, you forgot didn¡¯t you ?¡± ¡° Me forgot ? ahahaha no way no way it must be that isn¡¯t it ?¡± ¡° Of course, My Lupa would never forgot wouldn¡¯t he ? ¡°Yes , Lupa wouldn¡¯t even forget anything¡± I said with a defeated tone. I really hate this remarks whenever I forgot something, she would just use my name. I was once told by her that my name means someone who forgot in one of the ancient language here. ¡°Good since if Lupa ever forget about it then he wouldn¡¯t get that special thing¡± ¡° Yes yes¡­.¡± ¡°Lupa ¡­ you really forgot about it didn¡¯t you¡± ¡° Yes ¡­ I am sorry¡± ¡° Well don¡¯t mind it, you will realize it later on when we arrive¡± ¡° Okay, forgive me already¡± I begged her now since I know all she ask was for me to admit my mistakes and ask for forgiveness. It was one of her way to take care of me though this method seems so troublesome. ¡° Lupa now is forgiven¡± she said with smile in her faces ¡° Thanks¡± ¡° Don¡¯t worry about it Lupa, you will definitely remember about it later. Now let¡¯s continue¡± We continued to head home. Nothing special happened as we walked by the paved road before separating with it in the next turn. The paved road was something that was built for the wealthy fishermen and merchant that often traverse this path with their carriage. The big time merchant and fisherman were not from our village. They would only be here since the harbor for their big ships was located not far from our local fisherman beach. Outside of that the reason would be their visit to our market. They tend to bought some immediate supply for their goods when they fall short after all they could haggle our prices easily with a bit of force. I honestly despise them since they were not our locals and do whatever they want with our products but Lisa said not to mind them and she said that it was them that allow us to grow big like today. The big market in the central of this island was build by them and that would often attract adventurer to resupply in our island before continuing their journey. Lisa said that it was because of them that our small island appeared in the Archipelago map. I once asked her what is archipelago and why is it so important. She answered with pleasure and explained to me that Archipelago was collection of countless unnamed island in this regions. This countless island may or may not have names and only when the island could offer some major commodities or benefits would then they be charted in the worlds map. She also said that there is a big land that people call Benua. She explained that this big time merchant or adventurer often comes from this Benua. She herself never visited this so called huge island so she couldn''t said much however when I asked her how big it is, she described as something so big that when this island that I could run around in 3 days added with another one of it, it would just like adding a salt in the ocean. I couldn¡¯t really believe what she said but since I never really visit other places, but I guess that show how big the worlds is. Another things that piqued my interest was why did this people from Benua wants to venture out in out nameless island in Archipelago. This however was answered with a grim expression by Lisa. She told me that years ago before I arrived in this Island, the local people were surprised by huge tremor and in the morning they were surprised by the appearance of a small ravine in the middle of the island that span wide enough to split the island in two. At first the local people were scared and want nothing to do with it, some even went as far as migrating to other island that was already populated by people only to later on come back as the same things happen to the whole Archipelago. Then years pass by, the ravine slowly appear normal for the locals as they began to relax around them until one day a catastrophe happen. From the seas emerged creatures that walked slowly while bringing menace and disaster. They appeared like a fish but with hand and feet, none of our locals have seen anything like them. Their eyes were dark as if no light could ever penetrate through it. Their body was smelly like a decayed corpse that was already rotted inside out. In their hands was weapons out of all kinds that even the local folks didn¡¯t know how they can use them. They still retain their tails which they dragged offshore leaving an ooze green like liquid and when animal happen to touch it they died in that place instantly, leaving their carcase which rotted so fast inviting moth and flies to comes only to add the dead pools. They walked from all side of the island, leaving the local people in panic. Old people began to hide their wares and children in their houses. Lisa herself went hiding a top of some trees while her husband refused and gathered with other like minded people shouting they will protect their loved ones and so on. Lisa told me that she didn¡¯t understand why her husband had done so but I guess I could sympathize with him. I mean if something ever endangers Lisa I would fight it till my last breath. However, I had never ever once mentioned it to Lisa since I fear she would only be angry and sad to me. She might fears what had befall her husband could also happen to me. Lisa¡¯s husband then band together and proceed fighting this creatures but what unfold were just massacre. None of the creature Lisa saw died, only her husband and his groups that died miserably, butchered. Limbs were scattered here and there but none of the creatures pay attention to it. All that lisa could imagine was this were the island people ends but to her surprise this creatures pays them no heed. They were just walking towards the ravine, they would destroy what was in front of them, stopping them from their advance but they wouldn''t chase those who were fleeing, human and animals alike. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. They headed straight to the ravine from the open path the first creatures had showed and opened for them. They don¡¯t even went slightly left or right, they followed the ooze green liquid that was left behind by their vanguard and went straight ahead. Some unfortunate beings and buildings were not spared in their parade and they still went on and on. More and more creatures emerged from the seas as Lisa could saw the endless horde of them. They were unstoppable force that none can fight was what she thought until certain creatures also emerge following behind them. Compared to the first creatures that emerged, they were more fresh. She said that these creature were some kind of bubble of water capable of flying and hovering above the ground. I thought to myself then why should the emerge from waters when they could hover above the air but till today I still didn¡¯t understand. She continued on explaining that these creature directions were no different than the first one as they followed the ooze green like liquid. These creatures continued to hover around it but the place that these creature already pass by suddenly become clean. Lisa couldn¡¯t find any of the traces from the first creature, it had cleaned off every thing in its path and even the smells that surround her started to dissipate. Some of these bubble hover atop of the leftover carcass and also cleaned it off, leaving nothing. After them emerged nothing more out of the seas and Lisa started climbing down from the trees. She said to me that she went to look for her husband dead body, but she couldn¡¯t find it. She went on and on for hours while others began to join her looking for their partner. Lisa care not anymore about the creature as she focused searching for her husband''s remains, all she had thought was to be able to at least give a proper burial for him. She searched for him forgetting about her fears that consumed her before. Suddenly a huge tremors appear again and lisa stumbled to her feet. When she managed to stable her self and stand up, she heard a cry from the middle of the Island. The island was dead silent before the tremors happened as people and animals alike are likely still hiding and thus giving no noise. Lisa then run after the voice, she worried something huge happened there and by any slim chance her husband could be there. She hold her tears as she run and run. She was so desperate until she arrived at was supposed to be the middle of the Island where the ravine was supposed to be, but the long and wide ravine disappeared without traces. There she found many people crying and wailing, she still didn¡¯t understand until she got closer and only after she arrived in the center, she lost all her power in her feet. She stumbled down, tears rolled down from her eyes and she cried, joining the others as she saw her husband remains there in front of what appears to be a hidden underground stairs. Laying in there was ton of body parts and carcass of what hours earlier were full of energy, the joy of livings. She could saw her husband head laying blending together with others body parts. She understand what happened to her husband instantly without others saying anything. Her husband died like the rest of people who tried to fight the horde, got cleaned up and gathered here by the bubble creatures. Then small rumblings occurred and the people began to panic once again, but Lisa stayed still in her place, uncaring what might happen afterwards. It was just a small rumbling though nothing like what happen before. A stone suddenly appeared, pushed from the ground beside where Lisa stayed still. She originally didn¡¯t care at all about that stone until she could notice some writings that appear to be crafted in it. She said it was written with one of the ancient language of the locals she had learned. Not many people used it anymore but Lisa was different, It was her hobby to study the locals ancient language and by chance did she meet on of the people that could still use it and learned from her. She said what was written in it teared her hearts to shreds, she only defined the first few sentences before she stopped, she didn¡¯t want to continue reading it. She said what was written on it would something along ¡° Here lies what was once yours¡± in our language. I then asked her to stop and said why should I know all of this when it hurts her so much just by retelling it ? She then bitterly smiled and answered. She wouldn¡¯t want the same thing happens to me and if by perchance the same things ever happen again, she asked me to do the same thing she did, hide and save my self. She then continued her stories. Not long after she went and suggested a mass burial for the people that died at that day. Lot of people joined her in that and one of them was the Old Man, Juan. He was one of the few man that survived the attack or what it appears to be. He was one of the few man that refused to fight with the bands and went into hiding alone. His families appear to be killed by the same creature as their hiding places was in the way of the creatures. Years pass by after that and the people began to pick up their spirit again as new life was born. Through few men that were left new marriage proposal was offered since most of the survivor were woman. Lisa refused such a thing though but she still give her consent regarding that. They were not wrong in doing it since without a heir they might as well as being dead. They didn¡¯t feel like going to another land either because they guessed the same things happened in another island in Archipelago. Then good things happened afterwards. It was the arrival of a naval ship in their Island. They were asking ration since they had runs out of it. From them, the locals heard the situation of other island and even the naval homeland In Benua. It also turns out that the naval were a scout from their main naval flagship.They were tasked to find out what was happening in this archipelago, especially the populated island and if they can try to relieve the locals and help them. It was their official duty that was reported to us and we were happy to give them helps. Not long after people began arriving in our Island and business began to spring as goods and trades becoming our life line. Adventurer also arrived in our Island and when Juan went to talk to them in a special way, in which Lisa refused to tell me. From them Juan found out that the accident that happened in our island were in fact also happened in the whole worlds including Benua. However what was not told to us officially were the facts that people could benefit from it. The reason why there were so many travelers nowadays were because of this. What was before known to be taboo to even come near the underground stairs in the middle of the island became the central market and gathered a lot of attention in this Island. The adventures told Juan that this staircase lead us to sort of underground basement. They also informed us that in Benua it wasn¡¯t always staircase and the like. Some were waterfalls, some become volcanoes, some even appeared normal building but when people got near it they would either suddenly disappear only to appear on the other side of the places or repelled. People in Benua also shared our despair but they weren¡¯t defeated by it. Kings sending their army towards the site and began their expedition. Lot of people were drafted and offering them self to help the expedition. They also began to name the site as Eru. Juan then asked them why it was named Eru, it turns out it was to honor the first ever person that managed to enter the special site in Benua and succeeded conquering it. Then it piqued my curiosity as I cut lisa explanation and went ahead asking her more about this Eru but she returned my question with a frown and ignoring me while continuing her story at that time. She then told me that not anyone could enter this Eru sites. Only a select people could and even then they would need to prove it again on Eru sites. She also told me that it won¡¯t disappear with only just one people succeeding entering and completing it. This fact made people race to compete entering and conquering Eru sites in the worlds. It seems Lisa know my curiosity knows no bound and answered my question again even before I ask. She told me based from what adventurer said that this Eru sites said hold unimaginable rewards. Some would rewards power and some would rewards richness in form of golds, jewelry or magical artifacts. Magical artifacts, I frowned as it wasn¡¯t that rare since I could see many adventures have it. Lisa then said that before the appearance of Eru sites magical artifact was nowhere to be seen. Lisa also said that magical artifacts from Eru sites could grands many strange effect like healing someone or some magical spells capability like making thunder falls at targeted place where the artifact was pointed. Lisa still hadn¡¯t stopped her mind magic reading capability though as she magically answered my unasked question. She said what Eru got from the site was a relic. I asked her what relic is but she just shake her head since she also didn¡¯t know, but what she knows though that every first person who succeed conquering Eru sites would get a relic. Strangely, the adventurers who gave us this information commented that many kingdom hunted for this relic and pay a huge ransom for it. They said that the kingdom would paid a lot for every person that have it and willing listing it as one of the kingdom treasure items. They also said that a relic couldn¡¯t be parted with the owner, as when the owner died it would just disappear. Some argued that it went back to the original Eru sites when it was first acquired but none could prove it till now. Getting back to the topic Lisa said that every other person that succeed Eru trials afterwards were rewarded with either those 3 things that she mentioned before, but they could still choose it. She then explained a bit about the trials that she understood. She said that the trials to enter the site and to actually succeed conquering it and be rewarded were different. It was known that somehow both trials resembles the other but the difficulties were different. The method for when the rewards were given were also a mystery added the adventurer. Lisa then gave me examples of know Eru trials. She said that If the trials were asking for an items, then we could find some special plate to hand over the items inside Eru site, but if it was a challenge against something, a duel or something else to proves our worth then it had to be done in the trials special places inside Eru sites. It was estimated that the amount of people that already succeed the trials were 1 for every 1.000 people in all Eru sites. Not a small number anymore but when it was compared to relic holders it would be 1 in 100.000. Lisa then said that here in our island such trial also exist but since we got the taboo things from before somehow still running, it was harder for outsider to pass it. Also since till today there was never one that succeed completing the trials in this island, this island manage to grow big and could be charted in the world map. I then asked her a rather sentimental question, about what if I succeed in conquering the trial but she just nonchalantly said that if I ever succeed then that is good for me. I asked her again whether she could accept such a thing or not but she easily answer that yes, she also said that we shouldn¡¯t regret what had already happened and just let it go, proceeding with her life and enjoys it. However, despite all what she said I could still sense a sadness in her tone. Anyway she said, I could go and conquer it whenever I want since it could prove to be useful for me later on in life, but she also said that I must not hate the newcomers in the island, exempting the rude ones. After all the outsiders were the one that come to our help when we needs it. They brought us seeds and other commodity that helped us grow as we are now. Right now we could enjoy more luxuries compared to before, when we were still uncharted she said. We also could easily travel to another island or even Benua since we got a periodic ships for that in our Harbor, although it would cost a lot but that matters not. ¡°Ughhhhh¡± I let my voice escape from my mouth as I stretched my body. Any seconds now we would arrive home and I was glad I was busying myself thinking what Lisa told me years ago since I noticed her looking a bit stressful. I guessed that she was thinking on how to surprise me later on in our houses. Yup and not long after, there it appears our house. It was not big but it was humble and good enough to be my treasure. Located near a hill where I could hear the sound of waves hitting the protruding rocks below. Our house were quite far from other but it was Lisa and her late husband preference. It was made from some woods from the forest, it roof was from some dried soil near the forest. I don¡¯t exactly know how it was made since it was not my object of interest but It could serve its purpose well, protecting us from the sun during the day and giving us the warm we needs during the night. Lisa suddenly stopped me in my track and made a signal with her hand for me to stand by. I quickly followed her judgement and went on stand by. She then suddenly rushed ahead towards our home and stopped right in front of our door. Lisa then opened her arms wide and said loudly ¡°Welcome to Archipelago, The lands where wonders are found and also welcome home Lupaaaaaaaa¡± She ended her sentence with a smile in her faces, so bright that it almost did not suit her middle age ¡° Yes I am home, thank you Lisaaaaaaaa¡± I played along with her copying her tone. I now know what day is today. Today is the day I first arrived in this Island, the day I first arrived and met Lisa, my beloved caretaker and savior. For Her Truly ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I welcomed for those who had survive the voyage and manage to land safely in the third island of Archipelago you may now restock and rest here for the moment. :) But If I may , please notice me of any strange or failure that you notice during the sail, it might be the Ship was full of holes, or even The direction were wrongs. We don''t want to be sunken during the journey do we ? with that said thanks, and happy reading ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ¡° Ughh... my stomach hurttsss¡± ¡° That¡¯s what you got for overeating!¡± Lisa answered my ridiculous yelps as if it was not her problem. ¡° But it¡¯s not everyday I got to eat something that delicious !¡± Yep, she had outdone herself today. There were many of my favorite dishes prepared. It was all seafood with lot of different spices. There was this crispy small fish that was heavily seasoned with salt and chili. The flavour was just heavenly. There were also Calmars which were roasted to a golden yellow with its oil still dripping on the plate. Clams were already peeled off from its shells and was pricked together, the dip sauce was prepared beside them and ready to be used. She also went out of her way with the vegetables. Some were made into soup together with the other side dish while some were prepared raw, fit to be eaten together with the clams and calmars. The aroma that those dishes release were just unbearable. My stomach hurts but my hands never stopped, now it moved towards one of the soup. My body seems want to relish the pain in my stomach by adding some water and attempt to quicken the digestion process. However not long after I gulped down the soup I hiccuped. ¡° Hey that is rude !¡± now she got agitated ¡° Sowwwyyyyy.¡± ah... I slurred my voices and my hiccups still hadn¡¯t stopped. ¡° You always said sorry but never mean it¡± ¡° I do mean it!¡± I Stiffen my voices and my hiccups stopped. what does she mean I never mean it anyway ? I am a man and a man stays true to his words. ¡° Okay, just remember your own words¡­. and regret always come late.¡± She suddenly sounded mellow. Lately she always had this kind of atmosphere. If Juan became very rude for the past months, Lisa on the other hand would suddenly become gloomy for no reason. ¡° Lisa ? are you okay ?¡± ¡° Yeah ¡­ no problem.¡± she said but I can¡¯t believe her, she never told me what is haunting her all this time. ¡° Let¡¯s go to the rear porch.¡± she mentioned to me while starting to stand up, moving towards our backyard. She didn¡¯t wait for me at all and just open the door that separate this middle room with the rear porch before sitting down while leaning on the side wall. Her eyes looks gloomy again but this time she focused her eyes towards the full moon. The wind was blowing slowly and playing with her hair, making her hair flew, destroying the calm demeanor she usually had. She is around 50 if I am not wrong, although she never once told me. She had asked me in the past to call her as Andung. I had asked her at that time why should I call her as that and she said that it was more fitting for her to be called as such compared the name first name basis we had used. I still didn¡¯t understand though and I asked her again what is the meaning of the word, and she answered me easily, it meant grandma or old woman with family ties. At that time I refused her blatantly and said it didn¡¯t fit her at all. From what little experience I had with woman at that time around 4 years ago, I could tell that woman didn¡¯t like to be reminded of their age nor would they like to be called old, but Lisa seemed different on those regards. I wasn¡¯t aware though at that time it wasn¡¯t because of that reasons. Then when I refused to call her as such, she just laughed it off and start walking towards our rear porch and just stare blankly at the night sky, much similar with what she is doing right now. She would stay silent all night unmoving like a statue. ¡° Do you want me to get you anything ?¡± ¡° Lu...pa.¡± she mutters while turning her head towards me ¡° Yes Lisa ?¡± ¡° Would you mind coming here ?¡± I didn¡¯t answer her and just come striding towards her before sitting beside the wall that was used as her support. ¡° Come closer will you.¡± now she moved her hand up and down, asking me to come closer in which I obliviously comply. Then she reached my head with one of her hands, pushing my head down towards her tight and forcing me to lay my head there as well as resting my tired body that I tried to hide from her. She then started to stroking my hair while looking at every inch of my body. If I had to describe it , what people call motherly aura was emitted from her. ¡° Lupa, you did it again today didn¡¯t you ? ¡° ¡° Did what ?¡± ¡° Throwing spears ?¡± ¡° I didn¡¯t ¡­. I couldn¡¯t¡± ¡° You tried.¡± ¡°......¡± ¡°Lupa, just look at how big you are now¡± She said while checking my body once again. It was not dark anymore, rather a tanned yellow skins much different to Lisa white pale skin. She then grabbed my right hand with one of hers and squeezed it tightly. ¡° You have turned around 15 now¡± I stayed quiet, I know at time like this, she just want me to listen. I didn''t even complain that she told me I am only 15, after all even I don¡¯t know how old I am. She might have compared myself with the other youth in the village nearby. ¡° You are much different from 5 years ago¡± ¡° Look at your palms with lot of calluses, you worked hard didn¡¯t you¡± ¡° Your hairs had gained it¡¯s lush black radiance, compared to 5 years ago it is so different. ¡° ¡° Your body is becoming muscular, have you tried seducing some young girls in the village ?¡± She then paused for a while while still caressing my head and sometimes gave me a little massage in my stiff shoulder. ¡° Your veins in your hand and body, it¡¯s bulging.¡± ¡°You must have tried really hard this morning.¡± ¡° You didn¡¯t have to you know..¡± ¡° Lisa I ¡­¡± I need to let her know but I ¡­ don¡¯t really know how to say it ¡° You really liked my name don¡¯t you Lupa ?¡± I thought to myself it is not like that ... ¡° You could have done anything other than being a Calmar spear hunter Lupa¡± ¡° Why would you still force yourself ?¡± ¡° Lisa I ¡­ I want to ¡­ repay you.¡± Ah ¡­ it comes wrong ¡° Repay ? me ? why would you think I need it ?¡± ¡°.....¡± ¡° Lupa today is your birthday.¡± ¡° Today was also the day you got your names 5 years ago¡± ¡° You who had arrived at this Island with nothings...¡± She then gulped her next words, I know she didn¡¯t meant to say it but she still couldn¡¯t let it go ¡° Lupa... would you grant one of my wish ? ¡° What is it ?¡± I asked her softly, I just hope it is not about that again. ¡° Call me Andung.¡± ¡° An¡­.¡± ¡°An .. An ¡­¡± she began to smile a bit but then it disappears as I couldn¡¯t complete my words. ¡° I ¡­ I am sorry.¡± ¡° There you go again Lupa.¡± ¡° No .. I really am ¡­ I don¡¯t know .. I just can¡¯t say the word.¡± I really don¡¯t know why I can¡¯t say it, much like when I tried to let go my spears towards my target. This words Andung, Grandma or anything that meant like them could never left my mouth for the past 5 years. I felt like something was preventing me from saying it...for whatever reason and I feels like something could broke if I ever say it. ¡° It¡¯s okay .. don¡¯t force your self Lupa ¡­ I know you still did not want to acce¡± ¡° No !¡± I cut her words and sat up, facing her and holding her frail hands. I grasped her hands tightly, my eyes facing hers and I focused my mind, concentrating and thinking on how I could deliver this feelings of gratitude that I¡¯ve held for 5 years. ¡° Lisa .. I for the past 5 years, ever since you named me, ever since you saved me¡­. I thank you ¡­ without you I would have died ...without you I would have been nothing.¡± I lied not with my words. I tried to convey my feelings to her so she would accept it. ¡° Lisa ¡­ You were there for me when I was alone, you were the one who teach me anything.¡± ¡° I felt like that was what being loved means ¡­ I¡¯ve never felt anything like that before not that I¡¯m sure ...but¡± Her tears began to fall down. She must had hold her tears and emotion for far too long since we headed home from the beach. ¡° Lupa ¡­ I know you ¡­¡± ¡° Lisa listen, no matter what I felt an eternal gratitude towards you but I felt only that is not enough ¡­¡± ¡° I want to prove ...and maybe you don¡¯t need it .. but I felt that if I don¡¯t do that ¡­ something that brought me to this island will happen again ¡­ I just couldn¡¯t shake this feelings¡± ¡° Lupa ...everything would be fine ...even if you do nothing ..¡± ¡° No Lisa ¡­ I know ...it will happen even though I don¡¯t know what is it.¡± If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡° Lupa ...you are like a family... no¡­. a family to me.¡± ¡° I know Lisa ...and that is why I need to go tomorrow.¡± Yes I know what makes her especially desperate this time, although I felt that she shouldn¡¯t be. As far as I remember, she told me that I can do whatever I want, I can conquer Eru sites whenever I like it if the chances ever arrive, and it does...tomorrow. I had prepared myself for the past 3 years only for this. Ever since I heard of the news that Ra kingdom would send their expedition teams to this island to try and conquer Eru Sites here, I had been looking for information on how to join them. ¡° Lupa ¡­ we don¡¯t need richness ..nor power ..nor any artifact ¡­ we could just live like what we have done for the past 5 years.¡± ¡° You are right Lisa, but I felt that something bad is going to happen ¡­ something that make me lost everything I had, my memories, my past , my names, my very beings and I don¡¯t want that to happen again to me, to you, nor anyone else on this Island.¡± ¡° Lisa you taught me everything and you accepted everything that already happens, loved everything that was left from it ¡­ and I wish to protect that ¡­¡± It¡¯s not like I need anything either, It just my hunch, my feelings and my callings. I don¡¯t think there would be a second chance to do this either. It had to be tomorrow when the expedition teams finally going to enter Eru sites and completing the entrance trials before trying to tackle the true trials inside it. From what I¡¯ve heard, the entrance trials needs to be done with at least 2000 people and that number is not small for this island. I also heard some rumors though that whenever Eru trials demands whole lot of people, there would be high number casualty as well. This time, the Eru trials in my island also demanded a set of profession to be listed in those that tried and one of them is being a local Calmar spear hunter or fisherman. For whatever reason Eru sites always know when people try to cheat the entrance and whenever people try to force it, they would just get thrown back. Most local Calmar spear hunter were uninterested in this event though said Juan. And based from that I could force my way and joined the expedition tomorrow. I also heard that Ra kingdom would sent some of their experienced conqueror that already conquered Eru sites that have similar condition with the one on this island. ¡° I understand ¡­. Lupa bring me those long wooden box in the bottom side inside my wardrobe.¡± I don¡¯t understand why she asked me that,I just stayed still looking at her and she just nodded back at me while wiping her tears, implying that I should go and bring her this wooden box. I went ahead to her room where the wardrobe was. Her room was small and nothing much could be found here outside of the standard needs. I rarely got the task to clean her rooms when she was gone and I never knew she had something like long boxes inside the wardrobe. She is a very tidy and clean person. She would put out things inside the drawer before cleaning it inside out, erasing any speck of dust she could notice and therefore I considered it strange that there is something that she had which I don¡¯t know. True enough though when I opened her wardrobe, it was clean with a bit or fruit aroma in it. I am guessing she left some of the fruit skin dry inside it before throwing it out. I then looked at the bottom side of the wardrobe but I couldn¡¯t find any long box that is until I tried to grab the bottom side and notice there was some sort of string on it. I then proceed to pull it and with a screech sound the hidden lids were opened. I then noticed a few big items laying there and some old cloth. I am guessing it belongs to her late husband. Not long after I found the long box she mentioned. It was quite big but not to wide. I thought it would be heavy at first time I tried to pick it up since my arm can reach the top side of it easily and I am confident with my arms strength. However to my surprise it was so light, almost as if there was nothing inside of it. It matters not though as I just bring it towards Lisa, placing it beside her and I also sit down nearby. She then moved her hand towards the box, caressing the box surface as if trying to calm herself down before she faced me with a bit of bitter smiles. ¡° Lupa ¡­ I want you to know something.¡± ¡°Yes¡± ¡° I¡¯ve been lying to you for all this time.¡± I didn¡¯t answer her as I don¡¯t know what is she talking about. ¡° I was never content with what happened to this island¡­. what happen to my husband ¡­ what happen to my child.¡± at her words I tensed up a bit¡­ I also didn¡¯t know she had a child ¡° I had lost all of them ¡­ and now you were going to ..¡± she waited for my response, but I just stayed silent urging her to continue ¡°But I could sense you are serious this time, like my husband ¡­ you felt something had to be done and nothing will stop you from doing it.¡± ¡° I tried to rise you, teach you not to be like that ¡­ but I guess my very presence urge you to do that.¡± Now I just smiled at her words ...since no words I said will comfort her. ¡° Lupa hear me this time, I truly felt you were like my very own child, you are someone dear to me...and because of that I respected your choice.¡± ¡° I don¡¯t know what circumstances you are facing right now ¡­ I don¡¯t understand at all but ...your arrival to this island was already a miracle itself.¡± ¡° You were washed here by fate ...no matter how cruel it is ¡­¡± ¡° You who had nothing at time...not even a cloth was a lie from me¡± ¡° You arrived here with one thing¡­. a stick that you held so dearly¡± ¡° A stick that saved your life by staying afloat for how long that even I don¡¯t know¡± ¡° A stick that might have warded off the sea predators.¡± ¡° A stick can do that ?¡± now I am bewildered and she just chuckled seeing my reactions. ¡° Yes , at that time I too was confused.¡± ¡° I was striding by the beach at that time alone.¡± ¡° I wanted to wash away my sadness as I remember the day I lost my husband and my child.¡± ¡° Both of them was taken from me by creatures that emerge from seas.¡± ¡° I¡¯ve never told you this but my child died when our village was ravaged by sea pirates¡± ¡° I guess my husband was pained by that fact too, and when the sea monster emerged, he sought revenge after them.¡± ¡° It was silly if we think about it¡­ but the dread he feels at that time might have awoken his instinct for revenge.¡± ¡° And I felt the same thing in you too ¡­ so I will not prevent you from doing it ...but just one thing ¡­ stay Alive no matter what.¡± ¡° I will be waiting for you here.¡± ¡° I will, ndung¡­..¡± I almost had it ¡° No need to force yourself anymore Lupa¡­ I know you tried giving your best in everything you do.¡± ¡° Lupa, about the stick¡­..¡± ¡°yes ?¡± ¡° I think you should bring it with you tomorrow ¡­¡± ¡° Whhyyy ?¡± I really am dumbfounded, I still couldn¡¯t believe that the stick could warded sea predators and what not stay afloat and drag me to this island. ¡° That stick was glowing dimly when I saw you stranded.¡± ¡° And when I come near to find you, it died off and turned into a normal stick¡± ¡° When I tried to separate you from it, you clutched it harder ¡­¡± ¡° And then you carry me piggy back style towards your home even though it is far away right ?¡± I cut her sentence tried to lighten the mood, we had enough of this tiring atmosphere and it succeed as she laugh afterwards. ¡° Yes, I carried you and nursed you.¡± ¡° You were asleep for a long~ time.¡± ¡° Never once you let go of that stick but once you wake up¡­¡± ¡° And once I wake up ???¡± ¡° Once you wake up ¡­ I was there beside you nursing you¡± ¡° Oh come on¡­ I am very curious about this stick.¡± She then smiled after successfully teasing me and continued with her words. ¡° Once you wake up, I asked your name.....¡± ¡° For a long time you didn¡¯t answer me and just look at me blankly repeating my words.¡± ¡° You said name, name, name many times.¡± ¡° Then when you said you don¡¯t know, the stick naturally comes off from your right hand.¡± ¡° I see ...but how come I don¡¯t remember such a thing ?¡± ¡° What do you remember Lupa ?¡± ¡° Uhmm¡­ I guess starting when you feed me with porridge ?¡± ¡° That is a week after you first time woke up.¡± ¡° Ughh¡­.. I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡° Just sleep for now, I believe you need to wake up sooner tomorrow.¡± ¡° Are you fine already Lisa ?¡± I asked her worriedly¡­ truthfully I am dead tired right now but my sense of responsibility forced me to stay awake and stays with Lisa. ¡° Yes I am fine just go to sleep.¡± she said while smiling and her hand urging me to go inside towards my bedroom. ¡° Okay, I will then. Good night.¡± ¡° Good night Lupa, have a nice sleep and you can just open the box tomorrow alright.¡± ¡° Got it Lisa.¡± Then I forced my body to stand up, eww... pain stills linger in my joint. I hope a good sleep will heal this. Promises ___________________________________________________________________ Good Day to you sir, We are approaching our next destination soon, and It seems to held some surprise there haha anyway thanks for reading it thus far and have fun continuing to do so, btw for anyone who got confused what is Andung. It basically means grandmother or mother to some cases. ____________________________________________________________________ ¡° Hoaam~¡± With a yawn I began my day. I could see a hint of daylight from the slide in my windows. Lisa must had let me overslept today. Sitting a min or two and letting my soul come back to my body, I tried to activate my mind. I began to form a plan on what to do today and where to begin with. Normally I should had prepared all of this before I sleep, but yesterday was a special occasion. ¡° First thing first huh.¡± I get up from my bed and began to stretch my body. Lisa taught me to be a tidy person in which I tried but when I am comparing myself to her, it¡¯s like comparing a toddler works with that of an adult. I don¡¯t felt ashamed by it though, since I did my best. Thus began my morning routine, from tidying my bed, folding my blanket, and throwing out some bugs that managed to get inside my room and nestled near my bed. I had to do this every morning otherwise I risk getting bitten by them when I sleep and that could lead to a deadly disease sometimes, although that rarely happens. Done with my bed and the surrounding, I went to the water basin in the back yard. There I washed my faces and brushed my teeth. I also spared some time to refill the water by drawing it from the well nearby. Our house located near a rich underground water source after all. We could use a lot of it to take a bath, which is a bliss since I don¡¯t like my skin to be sticky from the seas water. ¡° Should I take a bath first ?¡± I questioned myself, yesterday after I just arrived, I was told by Lisa to take a bath since my body is tanned black with Calmar tint and she didn¡¯t like it. But then I decided against it and just went back to middle room. I hadn¡¯t seen her when I walk towards backyard. She is either still sleeping, which is impossible since she is a very diligent person or She could be in the front yard, attending her herbs. I walked by the dining table in which was filled with food the the brim yesterday all clean of the mess I caused and tidy. In it places though I could see some folded clothes and a set of clean robes. I could also saw some fresh vegetables,breads and few red slice of fish meats. ¡° One should be okay Right ~¡± I said playfully. If Lisa saw this she would smack me saying that I have no manner and I shouldn¡¯t eat while walking. She often emphasize to eat while sitting down wherever I may be. She had told me that once, a friend of his husband died because of choking. He had been running at that time while eating his food and he stumbled onto some rocks. He couldn¡¯t throw out his choked food and died shortly after. I guess he couldn¡¯t breath, which is scary indeed, but I am walking so it should be okay right ? And it¡¯s only one. Okay times to look for Lisa, any evident had been destroyed. I had cleaned my hands of any left over from the bread, all of it had been professionally crunched and gulped down. People wouldn¡¯t guess that I am such a gluttony. Well they weren¡¯t wrong although it only applied to Lisa¡¯s foods. She is a wonderful cooks after all. I had reached the front yard by now but I still couldn¡¯t see Lisa. let¡¯s just shout to I could find her easily. ¡°Lisaaaa.¡± ¡°Lisaaaaa.¡± no reply. Hmm where is she ? [ Tud ] Ah there she is, leaning on the terrace wall. A water can was by her side and her head was supported by her shoulder. The tud sound from before must have been from when her head fall to her shoulder, but why is she sleeping here in the terrace. Might she still felt tired and fall asleep here or was it because she didn¡¯t sleep at all yesterday ? ¡° Lisa~ Lisa~ wake up.¡± I shake her body slowly. She then opened her eyes, still not focused as she was still trying to grasp what is happening. ¡° Oh Lupa, good morning~¡± ¡° Morning, let¡¯s go back inside.¡± I said that while reaching my hand for hers. I helped her get up and walked her towards our dining table. After I make her sat down on the chairs I went to get a refreshment for her. A glass filled with some fresh water is all she needs to fit again. ¡° Thanks Lupa.¡± she said as she finished her waters. ¡° Anytime, so Lisa why were you sleeping in terrace ?¡± ¡° Oh yes, I was watering the plants but I suddenly get tired and want to rest a bit, so I sit near the walls and just happen to fall asleep.¡± ¡° It¡¯s not good you know sleeping in place like that.¡± ¡° Yes I know, but I have too.¡± ¡° And why is it ?¡± ¡° You will just leave the house without saying farewell otherwise.¡± ¡° Okay right sorry, but you still avoided my question.¡± ¡° Perhaps you means why I didn¡¯t sleep ?¡± ¡° As I thought, I should have stayed with you¡­¡± ¡° No no, It wasn¡¯t anything like that Lupa.¡± ¡° Then why is it ?¡± ¡° I was busy finishing your robes, medicine and dried food.¡± ¡° I have already prepared that a week before.¡± ¡° Yes, but I want to add something.¡± ¡° And ?¡± ¡° I couldn¡¯t finish it in time, I wanted to give it to you as your present yesterday.¡± ¡° Thanks ¡­ Lisa you know, you don¡¯t need to.¡± ¡° There are no Andung who wouldn¡¯t give her son gifts for his journey and birthday.¡± ¡° I ..I¡­. I will accept it and treasure it.¡± She just smiled after I answered her and we keep still like that before a noise disturb us [ rumble, rumble ] ¡° Seems, someone is hungry again ¡° I just blushed when she said it like that. Was the bread already completely disappeared from my stomach ? Impossible, if its like that I wouldn¡¯t be able to travel since my ratio would just disappear. I then tried reassured myself that its only happened since Lisa food were so delicious that I unconsciously forced my stomach ready to be filled again. ¡° Lupa, promise me this will the last time you do it here alright ?¡± I just throw her a confused look at her marks. ¡° Don¡¯t think that an Andung will not know when her son does something mischievous okay.¡± She said with an eerie smile as she wipe my mouth and the left over from bread around mouths fall off. It was a trap after all, off all things she had to make the breads dry and hard today. ¡° Y-yes, I promise.¡± ¡° Good, as long as you promise me, a man didn¡¯t break his promise was it ?¡± ¡° Yes, I promise not to eat while walking in the house anymore.¡± She then let a hearty smile decorate her faces, and from her expression I could tell that she was joking all around. I was just glad that I won¡¯t get punished from it. ¡° Lupa listen, I know you work hard and try to be careful all the time.¡± ¡° But you need to know that troubles come when people aren¡¯t prepared.¡± ¡° Take those leftover breads from before, you tried to hide it right ?¡± ¡° Yes.¡± I shamelessly admitted it. ¡° Those are the fine example of your misdoings and it comes back, biting you when you think you were prepared for it.¡± ¡°.....¡± It hurts when she said it like that. ¡° That kind of thing also invite troubles, be glad I noticed it.¡± She paused a bit afterwards, letting me to have the time to and accept her words. ¡° Lupa, try to be Honest with everything you do, lies rarely solve problem.¡± This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. ¡° You also needs to promise me with this.¡± ¡° Okay.¡± ¡° But you still need to know that lies are sometimes helpful.¡± ¡° For example when friends or family fight because of something, you can lie to them and help them mend their relations.¡± ¡° When you know that without lying, it could endanger someone , then lie is good thing to do.¡± Moment after she finished her words, she suddenly became stern with her expression. I know that the next words she said would be important, so I reacted the same way she expected me to do. ¡° With that said you must not lie to me, not even when it hurts me, you must not lie.¡± I just stayed silent, I couldn¡¯t promise her that part. ¡° Whom do you think could accept every failure that children make if it¡¯s not their Andung ?¡± ¡°.....¡± ¡° Lupa look at my eyes, and promise me.¡± She then placed her hand on my shoulder, forcing my head to rise. Her eyes locked onto mine. I could tell that she wants an immediate and true answer. ¡° I can¡¯t.¡± I can¡¯t lie to her, in which this case I tell her the truth. ¡° Good.¡± Huh ? why she said that as if she was satisfied with my answer. ¡° You were being honest with me.¡± ¡° Yes.¡± ¡° I just hope when the times comes, you can do it again.¡± I didn¡¯t answer her since I really don¡¯t know if I can do that when the time arrives. _____________________________________________________________________ An hour pass by after Lisa told me to promise her that. Afterwards I went to prepare myself, things like taking a bath, putting what Lisa had prepared for me into the bags that she had also sewn for me, and other miscellaneous stuff. I looked at the mirror in my rooms. It is an expensive stuff but we have it anyway. I could see my black hair was hidden with a hood that connected to my robe. I could still clearly saw my faces though as I didn¡¯t really like to pull the hood all the way to the front side and covered my forehead with it. In my back, I could see the top side of a long sheath just like what people use for weapons. In actuality though, what was sheathed on my back were just a long thin stick which was finely wrapped with cloth. A leather belt was connected to the sheath and I wore it across my right shoulders towards my left hip. It appears that Lisa had prepared this for me since weeks ago. She had also meddled with my robe which I''m checking again right now. ¡° Woahh, no matter how many times I see it, it¡¯s still cool.¡± My robes was light grey colored and a few stripes of green lime line could be found on it. Some were sewn on my chest on the outside part while some were also sewn on my shoulder part, although the later were shorter and smaller. I could also fine the same stripes on my waist height both inside and outside of the robes. It weren¡¯t without purpose too. Lisa knew that I like to have many available pocked on my cloth, so she had make this especially for me. All of it were a special slot pocket for me to put my things like some herbs, or items. Since the size and weight of items may differs, Lisa had adjusted the robes to have the bigger pocket in lower side, where it won¡¯t disturb much of my movement. My cloth and my pants too were modified the same way with the robes but with more thickness. She knew that I would only put the significance items near my saves spot, which is my body, and the nearer it was the betters. Now I look at my hand, I wore a gloves although nothing special could be felt from it. Just a hand made leather brown gloves which fit perfectly to my hand. I also wore a special sandals she made. It was from a compounded lion weeds. Lion weeds are a grass that grew in the thickets near beach. I often found her walking home with some of those weeds, but I never knew she would use it as this. It was neatly bundled and sewn is crosswise patterns to make it stronger. It also covered my foots up to my ankles, although there are some blank spot here and there as it was handmade and I assumed she didn¡¯t have enough time to make it as a boots, so a sandals was her choice. The bottom side of this sandals were made from grey woods, the one that can be harder when it get in touch with waters. Although it wasn¡¯t finely fitted as I doubt she know the way but she had chipped some part of it, thus making it less likely to slip when I use it as a foothold. It would surely become a reliable partner I thought ¡° Okay all set, now let¡¯s take my backpack and head out.¡±. I look at my right side, where my bed was. I would surely miss this when I journeyed as I don¡¯t even know how long it will takes. Hopefully a month would be enough. As I wore my bag in my bag, the weight began to sink in my shoulders. I then began to image the inside of it and how it was placed to make things easier for me alter on. Folded atop of each other were my 2 set of changes, both long sleeved clothes and long pants. on the right side of them were some small utensils for grinding herbs, and a small stone glass made to store it. On the front of the cloth sets were some dried herbs and small box of dried salted fish. It should stay edible till next week. I also bring some small knives with me in my bag. I would use it later on as a tools craft or prepare foods, handy things. A kind of quills could also be found near it with a small wooden tube for it¡¯s ink. I don¡¯t know how they were made since Lisa just bought it from the merchant that comes from Benua. She said it won¡¯t spill and get dry easily though so I just bring it. If the chance ever permit it, I might write my journey on the yellowish paper that comes with it. Lisa is a literate person, so why should I not ? she is the one who taught me everything after all. All of this were done as I walked to my front terrace and again I found Lisa there sleeping. She must be extremely tired and since she waited for me and got nothing to do, sleepiness won over her. I better say my farewell or she would follow me inside Eru sites. ¡° Lisa~ Lisa~ wake up.¡± She gave a slow respond to my calling and woke up while rubbing her eyes. I could see her wrinkles clearly up this close. My heart began to ache, should I really leave her here alone and so on. But I already stalled my will long time ago, and I can¡¯t turn back now. ¡° Lupa¡­ you are ready ?¡± ¡° Yes, I¡¯m going now.¡± she then stand up on her own refusing my hand. ¡° Come here Lupa.¡± She waved her hand ,giving me signals to come closer and I did as I was told. She then hugged me, embracing me for a long time and I swear I could hear her Cry. ¡° Lupa ¡­ Good luck and come back save kay.¡± She said full of love, her tone was like heavenly for me. It gave me the strength to move forwards which I honestly barely able to before. She then kissed my forehead before letting me go. ¡° I promise¡­ I will come back safe and sound¡­ and I would stay with you.¡± I said full of determination as I turn my back while waving my hand towards her. I dare not to turn back again though since I could her weeping sound as I leave her behind. ¡° Luuppaaa ¡­.. visit Juan in the beach before you go to the central Market okay !!!!!¡± By now I was already proceed downhill towards the paved path. I couldn¡¯t see her face anymore but I still could hear her voice just fine. Seems she had calmed down as her tone was already normal, how fast could she change her moods I wonder ¡­ ¡° Okayyy. ¡° I shouted back to reply and run fast towards the beach. If I went straight for the central it would taken me around 6 hours, but If I went to the beach first it would take me 8 hours, so I better make it fast or I would be late to the volunteer assembly in the evening. Weak Heeyyyaaa thanks for reading up this far, and I hope you will continue to do so :) __________________________________________________________________________________ [ Huf, Huf ] I stopped and breathed heavily in the side of the paved road just before it turns right towards the beach area. I couldn¡¯t believe that carrying this stick in my back would tire me this much. I mean it is just a simple stick but the longer I walk the heavier it become. The straps that I wear to carry this Stick also left a mark in my shoulder, It left me to wonder just how heavy it could become later on. I might really leave the stick at the side road if its keeps going on however, I decided not to do that yet ¡­. yet. It was the only clue I got about my origin after all. I was also unaccustomed to travel with a huge robe full of slot filled with items, and on top of that it come with an adventure bag. ¡®Should I gave up my adventure here and turn back ?¡¯ The magical words began to flow in my chest, blowing doubt to my heart. I then became shocked that my will could be bend easily just with a little inconvenience. ¡° Okay, let¡¯s stop thinking about that. Focus~focus.¡± Five minutes after, my ragged breath become normal. I swept my sweat with my robes. I also drank a bit of water from a wooden water can that was tightened to my side holster which Lisa had previously stuffed it inside my bag, without my knowledge. ¡° To actually forgot something important this early .... ¡° Lisa words sounds true that it become scary. okay, let the bygone be gone, just focus on what lies ahead and avoid the same mistakes. Feeling good enough to continue my journey, I let my right foot stepped on the sandy soil beside the paved road. With a bit ssssh sound my foot sink a bit, making it more natural since it was not a hard solid ground . I then marched on while still feeling a bit sluggish since walking on uneven ground such as this one makes things harder. I could felt my body sway a bit since the path I walk on began to descend. ¡° I hope the old man already here.¡± [shrek, shrek] Not long after I could hear the sound of woods getting grinded and from sound it produced, I could assume it was the old man doings. My expectation weren¡¯t wrong as not long after I could see the old man back, He was rubbing something to the logs beside his small boats. [Shrek, Shrek] I was now within 20 rakat apart from him. I felt weird that he still didn¡¯t notice myself yet as I was carrying a bag full of items and it produced noises. I didn¡¯t really think about it though and just went ahead and call him. ¡° Old man.¡± still no response. ¡° Old man, Ooolllld maaannn !¡± I shouted his name even longer now as I kept getting nearer to him. ¡° Ollldddd maaa¡­..¡± [ Swish ] I was around 10 rakat from him but suddenly I felt my body tensed up and it jerked off to left. In split second after something quite fast just flew by me. I was a bit late though as my right cheeks bleed a bit, but it was nowhere alarming. [ Crack ] It seems that something get stuck on the wooden pole beside me. From the way it sounded as it made contact with the wooden pole, it must had stuck deep inside. I shivered imagining what would happen to me as my head was there a moment ago, In front of the pole. Then times felt really long for me as I try to comprehend what had just happened, however the old man just continuing whatever he was doing before although the sound he produced right now was different. It felt more rough as the object he rubbed again the woods might be different, something that was large and blunt. After I calmed down, I began to stare at him. I think the way I glare at him right now could produce a hole in his back. I kept staring on him and I felt it was like 5 min already and he still ignore me. I had hoped for some explanation at least before I could leave this place but it seems I won¡¯t be getting any. 10 min passed by and I decided to finally left this place. I thought to myself that I have little to no reaction to the way the old man treated me. I really didn¡¯t know what to feel tough. I just somehow felt it was void. Ah¡­ It might have gone past my limit and I just decided unconsciously that the old man was never there, and It never happen. There is no way the old man would try to kill me after all. He might hate me, but killing me off with no reason should be impossible right ? As I thought that I began to turn my body back, facing the ascending lump of sands, heading back to the paved road. I better just leave this place and go to my original destination. I then began to walk while ignoring the accident that just happens. I was now around 10 more rakat from my place before, at the exact same spot where I began to shout, calling the old man. I still could even saw my fresh footprint undisturbed. ¡° Where ya going lad ?¡± ¡° ¡­.¡± I don¡¯t even feels like I need to reply him and I just continue on walking. ¡° 4 more rakat and you won¡¯t be able to walk.¡± He said something that might have been a warning he throws at me, I didn¡¯t care though. He wasn¡¯t supposed to be here after all and the hut was empty, no one was there. ¡° Huh ¡­.¡± Suddenly I limped down, my feet gave up and my body losing its supports fall down helplessly. I tried to put my hand down first to soften my fall in this sandy beach which was supposed to be okay but I couldn¡¯t move them too. ughh now my faces fall down first hitting the sand, it was a bit painful but I managed to avoid getting sand in my eyes. My mouth though couldn¡¯t escape the bitter taste of the sand as it also bleed, grazed by some mixed small stones. I felt iron in my mouth too now. ¡° Your own fault Lad.¡± ¡° What did you do to meee !¡± I retorted back to the old man. I don¡¯t know what is happening anymore. ¡° You are one of the worst ungrateful brat ever walked on this Island !¡± ¡° What did I ever do to you !¡± I waited for his reply but he doesn¡¯t answer me. I felt unfathomable rage brewing inside me. I never felt this angry before in my life since Lisa always told me to be patient in life. I don¡¯t know what is happening, my emotions runs rampant when it shouldn¡¯t be. I have faced far worser situation, but my anger never reached this threshold. I need something to vent on, I turned my head towards all direction, Uncontrollable. My thirst to feed my rage somethings was so unbearable that I began to move my paralyzed hands. At this sight the old man only smirked at me and moved his fingers up and down, challenging me. I lose to my thirst and went ahead crawling towards him. Slowly I get nearer to him as some sharps tiny rocks that was hidden in the sands sliced my palms. Small drips of blood began to flow from my palms but I care not, I felt no pain from my hands as I was crazed by my rage. ¡° Raarhhhhh.¡± I shouted my cry as I forced my body to crawl faster. ¡° I will kill you !¡± ¡° I am waiting.¡± ¡° Rraarhhhhh.¡± Now I already went past the pole that was struck by something. Closer, closer I shouted in my mind. I can¡¯t wait any longer. I need to kill him and vent this thrills to bathe in his blood. 5 more rakat ¡­.3 more rakat ¡­ 2 more ¡­ and I blanked out. ____________________________________________________________________ ¡° Ughh my head.¡± ¡° Finally wake up boy ?¡± ¡° who ???¡± ¡° your mind lost again, hahahaha.¡± ¡° Ju..Juan ¡­ where I am ?¡± I asked him while turning my heads left and right looking for clue. ¡° Inside the hut.¡± ¡° Why ?¡± ¡° You crawled here hahaha.¡± ¡° Crawl ? ah ¡­¡± Finally I remember, I had tried to kill Juan before, but I didn¡¯t know why. ¡° Finally eh ?¡± He said that and stood up while dusting off some of the sand he got on his thigh. He was sitting on one of the small boat before. ¡° Get up, don¡¯t be lazy otherwise you will be late.¡± ¡° I know and besides its your fault.¡± I forced my body to get up, strangely I felt refreshed and my back pains from before had disappeared. ¡° Huh¡­¡± I was panicking a bit since my body felt so light that I couldn¡¯t feel any weight on my back. I was late to realize that my bags were not equipped and my stick was missing. ¡° Here.¡± Juan said while throwing my bag and warped stick. ¡° Thanks¡± I said to him since I don¡¯t feel any remorse towards him anymore. ¡° You better be and be careful with that stick, it is not normal.¡± ¡° Don¡¯t worry about the stick.¡± I also waved my hands to make him ignore my stick. ¡° It get¡¯s heavier when you wore it didn¡¯t it ? You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. ¡° How did you¡­¡± ¡° Don¡¯t belittle me ¡­ anyway you better avoid to wear it in your back for now.¡± ¡° Why should I listen to you.¡± ¡° I warned you.¡± ¡° Alright I got it, anyway what did you called here me for ?¡± ¡° You are leaving aren¡¯t ya lad ?¡± ¡° Leaving ??¡± ¡° Don¡¯t play dumb.¡± ¡° No, I''m not leaving anywhere from this island.¡± ¡° Dumb kid, you are going to Eru sites right ?¡± ¡° ¡­ Yes.¡± ¡° That means you are leaving this world.¡± ¡° Huh ?¡± ¡° You are too stupid to understand even that ?¡± ¡° I am not !¡± ¡° You are with your skills, you will die lad !¡± I gasped when he said that, I think I know why he called me here now nevertheless I shall press on. ¡° I won¡¯t and I already promised Lisa to comes back.¡± ¡° Chee, cheeky brat.¡± ¡° ¡­..¡± ¡° Fine have your way.¡± ¡° What do you mean by my skills ?¡± ¡° What ? you don¡¯t know ?¡± ¡° I don¡¯t know what you mean.¡± ¡° Yer weak lad.¡± Now he sounds strange with his words, his tone also changed ¡­ I never knew he could speak this way. ¡° Weak ?¡± ¡° Very weak indeed that you gonna leave this world soon then others.¡± ¡° ¡­.¡± ¡° Yer can¡¯t even avoid a simple throw properly.¡± ¡° But you throw it without warning !?¡± ¡°....¡± ¡° Okay, so how am I weak ?¡± ¡° Yer failed ma test.¡± ¡° Test ?¡± then suddenly the old man expressions changed to what I remember him the most, when I first met him. He now wears kind expression. He then smiles and continue his words. ¡° Yes Lupa, Do not takes Eru sites lightly.¡± ¡° I had only shown you a glimpse of what Eru sites could do to weak people.¡± ¡° You might have qualified the entrance by being a local Calmar fisherman, but you survival and battle skills are far lower compared to others.¡± ¡° You might have a toned muscular body, but you don¡¯t even have the essence nor true way to control it.¡± ¡° I had parted you with a lot of my knowledge but even so I don¡¯t know if you can survive what Eru sites will brings you.¡± ¡° Knowledge ?¡± ¡° Yes Lupa, Knowledge is power.¡± ¡° I don¡¯t remember you ever doing that ?¡± ¡° Ever since you were looking for me to become a Calmar fisherman, I had known.¡± ¡° Had known what ?¡± ¡° I had known that you want to enter Eru sites someday.¡± ¡° Lisa had also came to me, asking for me to change your hearts 6 month ago but it was for naught.¡± ¡° Lisa ¡­.¡± ¡° You are weak Lupa, so pitifully weak that you won¡¯t win a match against those of Benua.¡± I stayed quiet now, he kept reminding how weak I am that it begin to hurts. ¡° I know you are pained by my words Lupa, but you need to bear it.¡± ¡° For pain that comes with patient shall bring power.¡± ¡° You keep saying power, power, knowledge ¡­. I don¡¯t understand.¡± I began to get frustrated by his words. ¡° Yes, for words alone shall help you, but your thirst to attempt might kill you.¡± ¡° I don¡¯t care, I want to complete Eru trials and stop something !!! I need to do it ! I know something bad will happen if I don¡¯t and I don¡¯t want Lisa to get hurts !¡± ¡° I see, then mayhaps, parting with you now is the right choice.¡± Juan expression then changed again, now he wore his past 6 month usual expressions. With his grin and the facial trait that I hate the past 6 month he continued his words. ¡° Lad, definitely take my gift with you.¡± ¡° Gift ? what gift ? ¡± ¡° You had received it before, though in the wrong way.¡± Now he grinned wider while pointing the direction at the pole behind me. The pole that was struck by something. ¡° That thing ?¡± ¡° Hey don¡¯t call it that thing, it wasn¡¯t easy to made.¡± ¡° what is that then ?¡± from the way I could perceive it from here, it was nothing big. A sort of grooved dagger with a wooden crafted handle. The handle was brown while the dagger itself was grey, sort of ash color. ¡° It is a weapon can¡¯t you see that ?¡± ¡° Yes I can see that but why ?¡± ¡° Since you are weak and what kind of master give no gift for his pupils when he parts with them.¡± ¡° ¡­.. the truth please ?¡± ¡° You can tell ? good good.¡± ¡° Yes, now go on.¡± ¡° Cheeky brat, It was Lisa request.¡± ¡° She wants something to keep you safe so I made those.¡± ¡° Lisa¡­.¡± ¡° Stop that lad, few hours gone by and yer like that ?¡± okay now his tone and expression changed again. ¡° That dagger ain¡¯t normal.¡± ¡° Yer were its first victim.¡± ¡° was it the cause I can¡¯t move ?¡± ¡° yep...now lad u better be careful. It got poison in it.¡± ¡° then why you aim it at me.¡± ¡° to test you lad, it can¡¯t kill yer.¡± ¡° It will if it stuck in my head.¡± ¡° Whom dya think ye is ? my disciple.¡± ¡° Since when ? ¡° ¡° since yer wanted to fish.¡± ¡°.....¡± ¡° Yer too stupid to realize it don¡¯t ye ? ¡° Yer think it¡¯s normal yer had to watch the movement of Calmar all day long ?¡± was it the eagle eye things he said before ? ¡° Yer think counting the pace and distance was normal to do in yer situation ?¡± Oh that one was when he told me to keep predicting the distance for every object that I could see compared to my position while moving years ago. The hardest one was when he brought me to stand behind a waterfall and told me to count the distance of moving animals that was running relatively fast in front of the waterfall. ¡° Yer distance estimation is way better then others, yer can even do it in any situation.¡± Now he mention it, it was kind of not normal. I could do it with precision as long it was under 50 rakat. No matter if there was a water in the way or anything, I could perceive movement and distance without problem in any environment so long I could see the object. ¡° Yer still far from good tough, yer need to be able do it like me¡± ¡° You mean facing backwards and just rely on noise ?¡± ¡° smart boy but wrongs, yer need only presence no noise, though yer might need to do that first.¡± ¡° Okay okay ¡­. so can I leave now.¡± ¡° Good, I¡¯m tired seeing yer ungrateful face too.¡± He sighed afterwards, seems he was trying to be serious and I played him, better to watch my mouth. ¡° Hey ¡­ I¡¯m feeling grateful you know for all you have done although ¡­¡± ¡° Yer still can¡¯t accept it don¡¯t ye ? Ughh he got it right, I still want my revenge for his deeds. ¡° Fools, remember that being patient,sincere and forgiving is key to succeed any hunt. Yer can¡¯t win if yer can¡¯t control yer emotion which, yer failed too before..poisoned a bit and yer go crazy.¡± ¡° ugghhhhh ¡­. okay fine, thank you ! I will be careful bye !¡± I am tired of his way to ridicule me ...really. ¡° Grahahahaha good, begone !!! Come back if yer dead !¡± ¡° Ha !! I will come back alive ! and I¡¯ll beat you when I do.¡± I straightened my back and wore my bag. I didn¡¯t put my stick on my back though, I brought it with my hand. Then I ran leaving this hut behind with a crazzy old man on it. I was amazed at my own feats to not notice that Juan was crazy and strong ¡­.scary. I didn¡¯t forget my gift tough, as I plucked out the dagger out of the wooden pole. I then went straight towards the paved road. I estimated by the time I would arrive in big Market in the middle of the island, I would barely come in time and get drafted to join the expedition. The sun positions was already hanging slightly on western horizon after all. ¡° Lad, don¡¯t forget, mine and Lisa words is power for you ! you also need this !¡± He shouted again, reminding me of his and Lisa advice. I thought to myself, sure sure I won¡¯t forget about it and I was also ashamed that I kinda accepted him as my master just because his words before. He also threw something half rakat away in front of me. It was a scabbard that I guess he made for this dagger. I went ahead and picked it off, turned my body back towards Juan and his grinning faces as though he knew I would turn back. ¡° Old man thank you for the gift, I will make better use of it then you !¡± ¡° Che cheeky brat, don¡¯t lose the scabbard you hear me ! The dagger needs it to keep it¡¯s poison.¡± ¡° Yes , I will and thank you and I will come back alive !¡± He didn¡¯t reply and just smiled, erasing his grinning faces. Strangely I could somehow notice he was smiling with 3 different vibe. crazy I thought but I better watch my words, he might become really crazy if I told him he is crazy. Unwelcomed Help... Really ? _________________________________________________________________________________________ Hey ya :) we meet again dear passengers Opps nvm that, I am glad to announce that on avarage 78 viewer had so far read this fiction, I thank you once again :) I hope you all will stay with me till this journey ends. with that said enjoy reading :) __________________________________________________________________________________________ Walking on this wet mountainous path sure is a hard, even with years of experience serving Ra kingdom as its general. I need to keep my mind focused on my current task though. Right now I¡¯m looking for Ra kingdom fourth princess. She was sent here as an emissary also as Ra kingdom symbol of authority. We already hold a favorable position in this nameless Island and I am sure with a little bit push they would gladly join our mighty kingdom as one of the frontier garrison, thereby broaden our influence and dominance. The majority kingdom in Benua had long since hundred years ago not fighting among them self. Our ancestors were wise and already held a peace treaty between each kingdom. It prevented us for waging a huge scale wars against each other. The first aggressor would be squashed dry by the other kingdoms and risk losing all of its land. Since none of them had enough stupidity to do that, for years we managed to avoid major wars although there often occurred some small squabbles here and there between nobles. Life were still lost though in those squabbles. I truly don¡¯t understand these nobles that love to fight either. I was raised from a military noble family, I often found myself in position to fight against those nobles under his majesty command to subdue the chaos they made. I was granted land and authority because of that, but even after all of that my main concern was still on how could I serve his majesty and the royal family better, to the utmost of my ability. That is also one of the reason I am walking in this mountainous path that is still wet from the rain that pour before. I am looking for the fourth princess that I accompanied for hunting. She had told me she was tired of all the squabbles the army brought to her and she needs rest, thereby she was hunting until I lost vision of her. A lot of her suitor joined this expedition squad, fighting for her grace, her favor for her hand and that creates never ending cycle of problem. She is 15 this year, and that is a prime age in our country to begin looking for partners and marry when they turned 16 or 17. Some nobles had shamelessly even sent their son when she was still 8 years old, forcing her to do their bidding''s thus making her very stressed till now. She is what one would say like a winds, maybe because of her past. A moment here and a moment later who knows where she goes. It is not like she is childish or anything, despite her age she has a good grasp of her responsibility. I suspect she would accept one of the proposal after our journey here is done. Hopefully it is not one of those barefaced bastards. Our purpose to journey here, beside to amass power and authority, were to conquer any viable Eru sites. This Island had one of the easy fulfilled requirement thus making this our priority. We weren¡¯t the only troops that was sent here actually, there were also troops from other kingdoms which had left this island early because the arrangement that was made in Benua. They need to head to other directions, leaving us with this Island to conquer. I don¡¯t exactly know what is the arrangements about, but the princess advisers just showed them some letters and its done. I would say that it was caused by the strife we had in Benua so the Kings and Queens held meetings there and had reached an agreement regarding how to split this vast archipelago. I sometimes wonder why they didn¡¯t do it since years ago, but the appearance of Eru sites might be the cause. I had heard some rumors stating the rewards or relic that could be found in archipelago Island were special and different from what we had in Benua. There were rumors amongst the intelligent troops of my kingdoms that Eru sites actually had level. Because of that they concluded that Eru sites in archipelago were of higher level and thus it was normal for it to held more rewards. I don¡¯t know much about Eru sites too even though I already succeeded in conquering 8 different Eru sites back in Benua. Of all 8, 2 were done with crowds which resulted in many victims, 3 were done in small experienced groups and the rest were solo. Even from all of that, I got only 1 relics which hold the rarity as one of the kingdoms treasure. My hips then grows warm as my belt tighten it self around my hips. This belt were the relics I got from my solo trials. In it were some ancient writings that I couldn''t understand although I remembered when I received it. There was a voice saying something but I couldn¡¯t understand it and thus I forgot. ¡° Hiimeeee !!!¡± ¡° Hiimeeeeee!!¡± I shouted aloud that even the leaves around me trembled. I then looked up, noticing the sun position, I thought the time is closing and we need to go back asap. I fear not we will be left behind by the troops but what I fear was the commotion it would cause since their general and princess were missings. We had leave the troops behind without noticing anyone since the princess don¡¯t want to get interrupted by her suitors in her hunts. I immediately complied to her wishes as long as she takes me, since she would still need a guards even though she is also strong, stronger than me. She is renowned in Benua as a famous Eru sites conqueror. She had successfully brought 3 relics backs in her hands for her kingdom after all. Okay this takes very long. I really don¡¯t want to do this since I want to stay hidden unnoticed by the army experienced squads and suitors, but I really need to use one of my skills that I had acquired on Eru Sites. I began to stand still, stopping all kind of movement and focused my concentration on my throats. In my mind I shouted the words { Lion Roars }. It was the steps I needed to enchant my voice with power, making it louder thus enabling it to reach wider distance. I began to sucks air into my lungs which growed to inhuman size that was allowed by this spell. I could hear a hiss sounds around me, as I forcefully pull the air inside. [ Pr¡­¡­.]. As the first 2 words left my mouth I stopped abruptly since I could hear a loud rumbling steps nearing me. I doubt anyone would attack me recklessly seeing my huge posture but there is still a chance he or she would since I wore a shabby clothes as a disguise. I turned my focus towards the noises while letting my chest returned to normal size as a shadow suddenly leap from the rocks in front of me. I infused power towards my right hand that was formed like a sword, to chop someone head. I almost said the words { Magnus Break} , one of the skills I had that was capable of slicing sharp reefs bare handed without any injuries when the shadow suddenly stopped, lifting his hoods and showed his face. It was a young man in his teens with a glowing black hair. His eyes shows radiant and hope that any normal young man should have. What bothers me though was the amount of sweat that was dripping from his faces. His breathing was also haggard, similar to when my scout returned back, full of despair reporting a huge enemies waiting for us. ¡° Are ..¡± I wanted to ask his condition forgetting about my duty, as it might be more important but he cut my words. Then come his barrages of questions. ¡° Are you okay sir ?¡± ¡° Are you lost ? I don¡¯t think you are a locals that often traverse this path.¡± ¡° I could help direct you towards the main paved road or I could take you with me towards the central market with me.¡± ¡°.....¡± I didn¡¯t reply to him and just look at his erratic breath. This young man is interesting for stopping his journey just because of a random old man that is walking in this unpopular path. He was probably doing something very important that forced him to run like crazy, something like late in joining an expedition but still he stopped for a stranger. ¡° Are you perhaps tired, We can rest a bit further ahead. This area is a bit dangerous since wild beast often roam this area.¡± ¡° Tired ? hahahahaha¡­. no, if that word means something, it would fit you more than me.¡± He showed an understanding look and proceed with his question without a hint to continue his journey...strange indeed but interesting, he should have understand the situation now and go his way. ¡° Then what are you doing in here sir ?¡± ¡° Did you saw any young lady around your age when you go here ?¡± ¡° I am sorry but no, I didn¡¯t saw anything that could resemble a human on my path.¡± ¡° Ohh ¡­ that''s fine then ¡­ continue with your journey young man.¡± I said a bit dejected since I had hoped he could at least give me a hint. ¡° Thank you sir, but I would like to remain here a bit longer¡­ I am a bit tired like you say.¡± ¡° It is your choice young man.¡± I said that as I walk further away from him, I want to use my skills but I don¡¯t want to use it near him. He could say words in central market after all and risk our sneaking to get known, bringing trouble for the princess. ¡° Sir, let me accompany you a bit as I think a weak tired young man like me is an easy prey for any wild beast.¡± ¡°..... Fine.¡± This boy is smart I thought, he sensed that I don¡¯t want his help but he forced his way to me in such a way that it was difficult for me to reject, interesting. ¡° Hiimee.¡± I shouted and was followed by the young man too. ¡° Himee.¡± a while after that we still couldn¡¯t locate princess and we rested a bit sitting down under a tree. I had slipped and fall down and broke my right foot. Right now the boy was busy massaging my foot, he said he would remedy it. with a grin then he said. ¡° It¡¯s going to hurt sir, are you ready ?¡± ¡° I don¡¯t need your warning kid.¡± I retorted back since I don¡¯t like his grin at all, my pride won¡¯t allow me either to succumb to his remedy, even if he doesn¡¯t help me I could still walk just fine for a day. ¡° As you wish sir.¡± [ Crack ] [ Crack, Crack, Prek ] [ Crack ] . ¡° There done.¡± ¡°....¡± ¡° I am sorry sir, that¡¯s all I could do with my nonexistent skills.¡± I imagine my face must had turner purple right now, I was withstanding this immense pain after all. I don¡¯t know what method he used to fix my broken leg. I am used to be treated with artifact in the army and even before that, I would go to the medic tent and they would fix me in less harmful way. ¡° It is okay Kid, but let me rest a few min.¡± ¡° Yes sir, I will stay with you.¡± This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. ¡° Hah ¡­ hahahahaha¡± I laughed hard because of this boy. ¡° I am sorry sir ?¡± ¡° Hahaha ¡­ nah no problem kid, I just found you are funny.¡± ¡° Funny ? may I inquire why ?¡± He showed me a confused look, contrary to the Image I had for him, the smart all knowing type. ¡° Ah boy, before I answer that, let me know your name.¡± ¡° It is Lupa sir¡± ¡° Mine is Galahand, a random old man that was traveling with his granddaughter but right now he was looking for his missing granddaughter that slipped of his view¡± I lied a bit, not wanting the truth to be spread later on. ¡° I see, then we need to make haste and find your granddaughter.¡± ¡° No need, there are nothing around here that could endanger her.¡± ¡° Is that so ?¡± ¡° It is young man, the world is vast and why do you think an old man like me could survive traveling ?¡± ¡° Your granddaughter is it.¡± ¡° Smart, and you should already understand your own question.¡± ¡° I am sorry again sir, I still don¡¯t.¡± ¡° Hah don¡¯t play dumb kid, I know you stopped doing your urgent matter just to help me, and even forcing your self after I kindly refused you.¡± He just smiled , giving no agreement nor denial to what I said. ¡° Still boy since you are here already, Why won¡¯t you help me a bit longer ?¡± ¡° That was my intention.¡± ¡° You might come late for the screening to join the expedition though.¡± I said playfully, understanding his true intentions since the beginning. ¡° You know all along ?¡± ¡° Well, from your equipment and the way you carry your self, yes.¡± ¡° And you and your granddaughter not going to join ?¡± ¡° We had already passed the screening, so just worry about your self.¡± ¡° Ugh ¡­ Okay, but I will still help you though.¡± ¡° Now that¡¯s a man¡± I gave pressure to my words, since he decided to help me already I will make it a lesson for him to not easily gave his hands for others while risking his own purpose. ¡° Yes.¡± he answered my bait with a simple straight word. He must be either very stupid or just have a big hearts I thought. ¡° Okay, I will wait here for a bit, please continue searching.¡± ¡° Before that Sir Galahand, if I am not wrong, perhaps your granddaughter were hunting here ?¡± ¡° Yes, how did you know ?¡± ¡° What can a traveler that already passed the screening of Eru sites expedition team doing in this wild jungle ?¡± ¡° Gathering herbs ?¡± I replied back, curios of his argument. ¡° Yes, perhaps but I don¡¯t think a strong person like her would want to do that here, since herb could be easily found in the river banks or the outside parts of this forest.¡± ¡° And your point is ?¡± ¡° If she is still hunting I could probably find her easily.¡± ¡° Then why don¡¯t you do it ?¡± ¡° I need to make sure first.¡± ¡° Okay, just do it.¡± I said with hurry, he is indeed weird. Why would he ask for my permission first ? ¡° Then wait for a bit.¡± He then suddenly leap towards the three in front of me. The tree began to sway as he leapt left and right from one tree to another. He sometimes stick to one like a Saru (monkey) and climb it very fast until he was out of my sight. Well height certainly would help you to find someone in an open land or desert but not in this lush jungles with a lot of trees that have different high. Snake would also become a concern when you are climbing in a forest like this, was he not feeling afraid at all ? Poisoned by snake is one of the worst thing that could happen when you journeyed through forest like this, and even one does survive its poison, one would be left with a crippled limbs or weak body. It would take very long for them to be healed up. However he said that he had an Idea, and I would trust this young boy that had spared his non existent time to help me. I was sure that we got only 100 place left and the chance is very slim for it not to be filled already when he arrive there by his means. I could however help him a bit if there was a place left but I won¡¯t promise my self that. The army is not such a place for charity, although we showed the people here that it was one of their job but actually it wasn¡¯t. Our supply were also limited so we cannot accept numerous adventurers even if we want to. Well maybe I could place him as one of lackey that help cook or transport our supply but I am not sure he would accept it. He would be stuck behind the army and although it is one of safest position available if everything is in order but, they would be the first one we dump to enemy if the situation ever arise. They would also be the one who would receive less rewards from Eru sites, since it seems Eru sites asses our ability and participation in succeeding the trials. Never mind that, it''s been a while and he hasn¡¯t returned [ rustle rustle, BRUUK ] Something suddenly fall behind the trees that I was leaning. I don¡¯t bother to get up and ready myself though as based from the sound of the fall, it was at least the size of human and from the rattles of equipment, whoever stupidly bring it with him would suggest me that it was the one and only young man that I had meet early in this forest. ¡° So Lupa, did you find her ?¡± ¡° Yes¡­¡± ¡° And where is she ?¡± ¡° When I arrived there she was a bit busy.¡± ¡° Busy ?¡± ¡° Yes, she was hunting ¡­..fighting a Marghor¡± ¡° You sure ?¡± ¡° Yes, She seemed to enjoy her self tough.¡± ¡° ¡­..¡± Well seems my princess was really venting her anger to the Marghor if she decided to play around with it and not kill it instantly. Marghor was known for its tender delicious 4 legs. they also had big horns, as big as a human arms. They would often use it to prove dominance over other male Marghor but they also use it to fight their hunter. Thier body were also bulging with muscles, not fat since they did eat a lot but they also move over a wide area with high intensity. Overall they do looks like a normal livestock but with huge horns, and bulging muscular body, making them a prize among prize in a hunt competition. ¡° So have you talked with her ?¡± ¡° Yes.¡± ¡° And what does she told you ?¡± ¡° For you to wait her in your current position.¡± ¡° Did you tell her about my leg ?¡± ¡° Yeah ¡­¡± ¡° And how did she react ?¡± ¡° She just laughed and told me to leave you alone.¡± ¡° As I thought ¡­ what do you think about her ?¡± I am curious about his personality now after he is done with my task, I will use this as a reference between helping him to join the expedition later on or not. ¡° Strong ¡­. very strong¡± ¡° Yes, she is very strong to be able to duel with a Marghor without any weapon.¡± ¡° How do you know she didn¡¯t use any weapon ?¡± He was surprised by my answer. ¡° Well, Who do you think I am ?¡± ¡° Right, her grandfather.¡± ¡° Anyway I am not asking you about that.¡± ¡° Then about what ?¡± He inquired me now, he is confused. Perhaps his experience with woman is lacking or did he swing to the other way ? ¡° What do you think about her as a young man ?¡± ¡° Uhmmm¡­.¡± ¡° Just be honest with me boy, I won¡¯t bite.¡± ¡° well okay. She is how can I say¡­ beautiful, riveting, enticing ¡­.¡± ¡° Stop, not like that either, describe ! I already know she is very beautiful and you don¡¯t need to sell your words like that to me ¡± I know for sure that Hime the fourth princess is beautiful and there is no doubt about that. I couldn¡¯t imagine what would happen to me if Hime know what I am asking this young man now. She would surely punish me, maybe even strips my rank as general but still I want an opinion about her, a honest one since he doesn¡¯t know of her standing and I rarely meet chance like this. ¡° O-okay, She is wild ? yet calm at the same time. Her smile is beautiful, her straight red hair that was floating as she turn around fighting the Marghor was heavenly ¡­ I guess ?¡± ¡° I guess ? why did you sound like you are not fascinated at all ?¡± ¡° Uhmmm how do I say it ? ¡° Speak boy, I won¡¯t mind it you see. She had trouble with boys her age or even older as she was simply beautiful and lot of man wanted her hands .¡± ¡° I see¡± the boy give an acquiescent look. ¡° Hmm, I am not sure if my opinion will matter since I am a nobody but what I said about her before was all true, I completely understand about why would a lot of man wants her hand but I for me, that is not enough ?¡± ¡° Elaborate.¡± I commanded him ! How can he feel not satisfied ? ¡° For me what was important is the inside, the true beauty lay inside. Her outside beauty of course matter but it isn¡¯t something that important. Her family background and her wealth too doesn¡¯t really matter for me.¡± ¡° I was enticed by her for a few sec but after that I felt normal, Just like enjoying the beauty of flowers in the side road as I passed by, I am sorry if any of my words hurts you as you are her Grandpa.¡± ¡° If I hadn¡¯t been helped by you I would have chopped you head right now speaking about someone with royal ra blood like that.¡± ¡° Royal ra blood ? what is that.¡± ¡° Never mind that, but you are very strange boy. First you helped me and now this.¡± Added with the fact that he knows nothing about the word of Ra Blood, I suppose it is a blessing for me for him not knowing about royalty. Well later on he will still know about it if he join the expedition. ¡° Ahahaha, well what can I do ? I was taught like that by my master and my And¡­.. urghh my savior.¡± ¡° Savior ?¡± ¡° Let¡¯s not speak about that but since my business is done here, I would like to take my leave.¡± ¡° Okay, good luck. I hope we can meet in the expedition as I haven¡¯t given you my thanks yet.¡± ¡° hahaha, I¡¯m not even sure though I could join them now¡± As he looks towards the sky ¡° But I will still go anyways, I will scratch and grab any chance that was left.¡± ¡° Is that so ? then just go, surely we can meet again.¡± I said with a reassuring tone to him. Now I got his direct approval from his words to give him the position as lackey. I grinned a bit thinking about the revenge I could do to him when he accept those position. I was known for my dignity and power afterall but this boy had seen the other side of me, and I need to make sure he didn¡¯t let it out. A few back pain from overworking would surely shut him up. ¡° Sir Galahand you are making a scary face¡­..¡± ¡° Oh ..sorry I was reminded a bit about old enemies seeing your attire.¡± ¡° Pardon me then, but I really need to go now.¡± ¡° Yes you may leave and next time if you ever meet me, use a polite tone again, otherwise you will be in trouble.¡± I said to him but he just grinned and leave me behind. Well I warned him, and if he didn¡¯t abide by it, I won¡¯t even need to lift my hand for revenge hahaha. Words are Power... Right ? ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Hey :) thanks again for having sailing with me so far, Sorry to cut this chapter short as I don''t have enough time but I will make it up later :) that said have fun and enjoy ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ¡° Please make it in time.¡± This pebbles and wild grass is annoying as hell, Why are they here ! for Fu¡­ okay calm down, remember words are power, I better spent my energy for running then grumbling. The sun almost disappear in the horizon and I¡¯m still here, descending the short cut path that cross the island immediately. Since this route was uncommon and hard to traverse, it becomes less popular for the majority of locals, only few hunter knew this place and I am no exception since Juan would take me here whenever I missed the count of rakat when we were in the sea. He would point out certain object and asked me the guess distance, then he would if possible throw or hide that object out of my sight but he would still make sure, that the object was clearly audible to me. He then would asked me again what was the distance but meh I was wrong most of the time. Oh no¡­. why did I remember about Juan now off all the time ? Focus focus !. [ Slip ] ¡°Aaaaaaaa ¡­..¡± Good bye my dear life I thought in my hearts. I wonder if Juan or Lisa ever heard that I died because of slipping, would they feel sad or pissed ? I was too preoccupied remembering Juan and I didn¡¯t notice that the earth below me was weak since its wet. I didn¡¯t notice something simple like that and I chose to walk where there was much soil rather than plant ! Yeah ...now I know that words are power¡­ shouldn¡¯t have badmouthed the pebbles and bushes that would save my life. ¡° No NO NOO !¡± In front of me I was a row of random rocks and trees. what can I do , what can I do to keep my dear life now. My but hurts¡­ ¡° That¡¯s it !¡± My but hurts means I can still control my slipping I mean sliding. I then look for a moment towards the stick that I got in my right hands. I had always abide by Juan words up till now for not wearing the stick in my backs outside yeah, when I was climbing to help find Hime, but now it proved to save me !. If it was stuck in my back what can I do ? I felt a bit tingling and regret for wanting to use the stick right now since it might break and the warping will definitely get ruined, but I guess my life is more important to bring back to Lisa rather than a gift from her. Okay let¡¯s use it. ¡° Haa¡¯ !¡± I tried to make the stick got caught to some trees and rocks. I dare not to immediately broke my sliding tough. I used it to slow my sliding speed first. There was hardly any dust involved on my slide since the ground was wet and the soil that fall with me already long disappeared, merging with the surround soils. They unlike me, stopped right after I went past some wild bushes and now I was just sliding with the leftover speeds that hadn¡¯t decreased at all ! ¡° Hap Hap Hap.¡± I still hadn¡¯t gave up though, I kept trying to slow my slide even when my buts felt so hot and ruined my focus as I often miss the chance to help me slow down. I got no more time to think just focus on my task, my life depends on it ! ¡°Uhuhuhuhu.¡± I cried inwardly 5 more mins already passed, strangely I hadn¡¯t stopped at all and my speed just kept getting faster ! I then instead of trying to break my speed, decided to just stick with it and navigate my way through this unfortunate path. [ BUK ! BUK ! BUK ! TAK ! ] Now that more times had passed I somehow enjoyed this occasion and even considering to do this again in the future if the chance ever arise. I felt quite excited that in fact I forgot, I had already ruined the stick warping for both of the stick tips. They even already showed up bare naked clearly without any protection. Well I suppose my stick didn¡¯t need any added protection since It still hadn¡¯t break yet... My robe also hadn¡¯t been ruined as it was flapping gingerly in my back while my pants somehow had gotten an additional layer of protection. Now that I realize it, A huge wide leave was stuck in my bottom. It acted to soften the friction that I should have gotten when I skidded down and it had liberated me from ever hoping to stop, so long the path keep descending ! ¡° Oryaaaaa ! ¡± I shouted as I could see a sudden light after the thick of bushes and trees disappeared from my vision. Right now I was floating as the descending path ends and was replaced with nothing. Oh no, if this keeps up I will either fall head first or bottom first which both of them is a bad news ! Struggling to stabilize my self in the air which I imagined to look silly, I managed to change my position into somewhat resembling what people do when they want to land safely after jumping a long distance. ¡°YEESSSSS !¡± I was really happy that I stopped shouting oryaa and said yes instead. I couldn¡¯t be more happier, right now I already arrived in the central market. I still hadn¡¯t landed tough and it seems I was in the residential area, which located in the south side of the normal entrance that I always took whenever I went to central market. ¡° HAP !¡± I landed safely in squatting position. Then I tried to stand up, a numb feelings in my legs stopped me from an immediate recovery. After some time I felt better and I cleared some soil that was stuck within my robe. I also went ahead and grab my body here and there to check if anything broke and mysteriously nothing was ruined ! Even my sacred tool in my bags stays just fine. ¡° Huh ?¡± I felt goosebumps as I realized many people look at my appearance. I imagine I must look silly and dirty since I just come out from the cliff that acted as their perimeter that they never thought someone would ever use it as a means of entering their area. However, contrary to my expectations some people began to clap while others smiling ! ¡° Mama !!! that person looks cool !!¡± Said one of the children nearby while pointing out at my direction. Not long after others children also began pointing out at my direction. ¡° I want to do that too !!¡± ¡° Not bad young man !¡± said some old man while giving me a thumbs up. ¡° Keep it going !¡± said others young man. ¡° Young man, you are an adventurer right ? Then you must hurry otherwise the expedition recruitment will end before you got there, I heard they got only 15 places left.¡° said some old woman after she take a look at my attire. I just nodded to her information and mentioned thanks with my hand while smiling. I then continued to walk the path towards the center of the central market. A large space should already be prepared there for the large crowds that will undertake the Eru sites trials today. As I ran and arrived in the market area, I could saw a large mass of merchant and adventurer chatting or doing their business. My eyes darted left and right looking at the merchandise they were selling or trading. What keep my attention the most was the rare sight of magic scrolls that somehow appeared abundant today. I always want to buy on of those scrolls, a magic scrolls that capable to instal and bestow magic to an artifact. Both the scrolls and artifact were rare, and seldom adventurer wants to part with one of those but the merchant somehow managed to secure a way to do that in a good way, otherwise there would be riot everywhere over those artifact. An artifact from what I¡¯ve heard originally only got 1 spells that was ready to be used at the time they were acquired, but an artifact were also capable to be bestowed with some magic from magic scrolls that was somewhat compatible with the main spells. I also know that an artifact normally had the ability to store maximum 5 spells and using magic was not as easy as it looks to be. They said something like storing some kind of energy inside the artifact beforehand and it would take days if not weeks depends on the person before it was ready to be used without fear of running out of energy immediately. Well it doesn¡¯t really matter to me since I will get my own artifact later on after I joined this expedition. It is not in my must have agenda but if I ever get the chance, why not ? My responsibility in joining this expedition was to stop whatever bad feelings that I got. ¡° Huh ??¡± I noticed a familiar figure running pass through the crowds. One got a big body and the other one got a small body, similar to what we would found on girls. Then I noticed a flock of red hairs flutters as it escaped the hoods that the owners was wearings. They went straight ahead to the center where the military encampment and Eru Sites were supposed to be. ¡° Those hair ¡­¡± Oops bad, I remembered the time girl I saw earlier today, her name was Hime if I am not wrong since her grandpa called her that. She was the epitome of outside beauty for me. She got everything I want from a girl, long silky hairs, huge round eyes radiating with bravery and dignity. A hint of kindness could also be seen within her expression. Well the first time I saw her was when she was hunting something, so If I saw too much kindness radiating from her, It would be strange would it not ? Her body ? well I didn¡¯t notice it since she was busy fighting but it seems she was rather fit and nice to look at, even with all the blood that was drenched in her cloths at that time. Now that I mention it, weren¡¯t those two hooded figures resemble the old man and his granddaughter a lot ? ¡° 5 Place left for those who wish to join us, the Ra kingdom expedition !!!! come here register your self !¡± I turned my head right and I saw a long line of people, if I count it, it would be around 45 rakat long standing in a straight line. I immediately joined them though since I knew it was the line the announcer had mentioned for the expedition recruitment. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Actually In my hearts I almost gave up though, since they only got 5 place left and I imagine only strong adventurer would be picked, even with the boost of me being a local Calmar spear hunter, I wouldn¡¯t Imagine the expedition needs more version of me. They should have already secured those in the first place and just add some extra slot for those who weren¡¯t selected by them. ¡° Stop ! better not give up now, I will even grab any left chance that was provided for me to join the expedition !¡± I muttered when the people around me smirked after hearing that. I care not for them though as I tried to refocus my mind that was began to slip away into some sort of yielding, surrendering before fighting mental kind attitude. Okay I got time now since the line only shorten around 5 rakat, what should I do ? looking at the people nearby ? nah it would just make me more nervous. Ah better remember what Lisa had told me¡­.. 10 rakat away and my mind began to think about the beauty that I met in the forest. Why, I couldn¡¯t stop my mind to think about her ? Lisaaa help me, I don¡¯t want to get captured by those sly women you often mentioned to me ! Well Hime might not really one of those sly girls, she might be just as kind as Lisa ¡­ oh no, I am captured already, what was it called again ? Love ? I don¡¯t know, better think about her grandpa. I had said those mighty words to him before but look at me now, 20 more rakat since I first lined up, I kept remembering his granddaughter. Shame on me huhuhu. I cried in my hearts for not being manly. Man should stay true with his words but why I couldn¡¯t ? It was the truth though that It felt like I was just enjoying some beautiful flower that I passed by in the road, but right now I got the feeling to turn back, visit that flower again and maybe pluck it out gently and brought it home with me so I could enjoy its beauty whenever I want. ¡° Ugghhhh so bad¡­.¡± ¡­.. ¡° Young man can you hear me ?¡± ¡° Young man, place your hand in this table stone.¡± ¡° Young man ??¡± ¡° Okay I gave up, guard bring him out of the line ! we just need one more person anyway and he was definitely not him !¡± [ Snap ] ¡° Sorry, Sorry, I will place my hand now ! let me !¡± ¡° Finally, don¡¯t you see the irritated people behind you.¡± ¡° Yes, I am sorry.¡± I beg for his forgiveness while trying to put my hand towards the stone tablet. I don¡¯t know what is it for, I will just do it and wait anyway for his next command. I am still frustrated for not being able to make Hime goes out of my mind and I almost got disqualified without trying because of that. [ DING ] Suddenly I heard a strange sound as an even more strange thing followed it. A blue screen had appeared in front of me and the test giver were busy reading it right now but suddenly he laugh. ¡° HAHAHAHA ¡­ Young man you better give up now.¡± ¡° Yes ??¡± I was surprised by his words. ¡° HAHAHAHA ¡­ I¡¯ve never seen any worse wannabe that tried to join a huge expedition like this with this kind of profession ! You can¡¯t be serious hahaha.¡± the guards beside him too began to chuckle as they could see the blue screen and read it , I was curious and asked the test giver If I could see what was written in it. ¡° Of course you can ! Hahahaha but after that you better scram young man.¡± I didn¡¯t reply to him and just went ahead to take a look at this blue screen from his sides, on it tough was written something that surprised myself as despair showed up in my faces.
Title : None
NAME : Lupaage16
ProfessionA novice with a Stick
RelicsNoneArtifactNone
Magic AptitudeNoneFamiliar WeaponsCooking knives
¡° Now scram young man Hahaha..¡± I don''t understand nor care about the other parts but why is my profession not a local Calmar spear hunter, but a novice with a stick ? I at the very least knew that novice was someone who doesn¡¯t know anything from left to right. What is wrong with me¡­ I began to despair but a hope shined within me. ¡° Wait, you don¡¯t know about my skills !¡± ¡° Really ? It is no use to lie young man! this stone table are one of the artifact with the ability to read a person memories and with the spells that I¡¯ve installed on it, It is capable to extract important information from anyone who touched it.¡± ¡° But It Showed nothing about skills, just weapon familiarity and Eru sites things.¡± ¡° And you got nothing ! that means you are worthless.¡± ¡° But is it not true !¡± ¡° What is not young man ? please don¡¯t joke around me like that, this thing could extract any amount of information who touches it.¡± ¡° What ! then that is dangerous !¡± ¡° Not at all, only we of the royal adviser got the permit to use this kind of artifact from the Benua Kingdom Alliance and it is limited in number since the magic scroll was very rare¡­ what am I doing telling you this ...just scram !¡± ¡° No No no, please let me join the expedition, I ll do anything even being a chaperon, lackey, cooks or anything.¡± ¡° Nope, we got that covered already, Guards take him away from me !¡± ¡° Sir, yes sir.¡± now the guards walk towards me, taking both of my hand with them and all I could do just gave up and get dragged by them. I had no intention to fight back at all. My resolve was crushed easily like that until¡­ ¡° Now now, take it easy Fesgur.¡± ¡° General ?¡± I then turn my heads towards the new guy that was speaking, from toe to necks. He seems very familiar until I stopped when I look at his faces. My jaws dropped and hang in the air. I wanted to say something but the general quickly send a murderous glance towards me which make me shut up and just nod. ¡° Yes, It is I am.¡± ¡° Where have you been ?¡± ¡° Just walking around the market.¡± ¡° Are you sure ?¡± The general just nodded at his question. This Fesgur guy seems skeptical towards the general words but he just let it go afterwards without any pursuit to justify his doubt. ¡° So why did you stop the guards from taking the young man away from my presence ?¡± ¡° I had bought a few more supplies when I was walking in the market, I think I might need someone to bring those supplies ?¡± ¡° Didn¡¯t we have enough for 3500 people to feed a whole month ?¡± ¡° Yes, just precaution in case we couldn¡¯t finish the trials in time.¡± ¡° Nonsense, we of the Ra Kingdom never fail to complete Eru trials in time !¡± ¡° I know , but that is back in Benua, here in Archipelago everything might be different right ?¡± ¡° ¡­. Fine, you can bring him with you but if he makes any trouble, I won¡¯t be responsible, you will be the one to be blamed in front of her majesty the fourth princess.¡± ¡° Sure , now guards, I want one of you to take him towards the army supply camp, tell the main cooks to take him under his wings, I heard he was willing to even cook before.¡± He said that short words before he turn back towards the army camps with an aura of dignity around him that make the guards stumble in their words before compiling to do their task. I in the other hand feels that the general, Sir Galahand was grinning when he turned back. I better watch my words about him in this area, his advice now ring the truth in my ears and it is not pleasant but, well he helped me I guess. Now we are equal in term of favor, I owe him nothing and he owe me nothing...hopefully ¡­ I did inflict some pain to him when I helped him so I really hope he won¡¯t do the same to me. But of he is the general of the army ? who is his granddaughter then ? I was busy thinking all of that after the general left and the guards finished saluted towards him, which they happen to forgot doing so when he arrived. No one is perfect I guess and he just let it slide too. My thought was interrupted though by the guards as he was about to do his task. ¡° You there, follow me I will take you towards the army chef.¡± ¡° Yes sir, thank you.¡± The guard that takes me then proceed without replying to me and just went ahead doing his task, dumping me in the cooks tent and after a few words with the main chef, he left me behind. The chef suddenly smiled to me and I felt a chills in my back. He wore a gray suit with what I would categorize as not that much different from what the soldier wore, but he did wore a huge and tall hat, with a cook tailored on it. ¡° Welcome welcome, your bravery to join us shall not be wasted.¡± His big white long mustache shook and trembled as he grinned while ending his words of welcome. ¡° Y-yes..¡± I stumbled with my words, an unexplainable fear shrouded me. ¡° Now put your belongings over here in this box and register your valuables or weapons in the camp next to us.¡± I then put my bags, robe in the boxes the chef had pointed out, while I bring my dagger that I got from Juan and the stick with me towards the next camp. ¡° Young man, your name ? you sure a rude one.¡± ¡° Ah yes I am sorry, I am known as Lupa.¡± ¡° Lupa is it ? your first task is to find out my name after you register your weapons ¡­ If you failed to do it, beg pardon from the general to left this expedition HAHAHA ! ¡° ¡° Sir, yes sir.¡± My fear seems wasn¡¯t wrong after all, the chef looks like a devil to me, even more scary than the general of this expedition that I suspect wanted to have his revenge on me. Boy ? _________---------------_______________----------------________________________________ HI Guys, as always thanks for reading :) BTW Got a nice number of 99,9 average readers :D so happy. This time I want to say sorry :( I couldn''t write longer chapter as I am still busy after moving to a new rooms or what to say home ? I released this one so I could keep my self to write ...well anyway thanks and enjoy. _________---------------_______________----------------________________________________ The smells of burnt candle and oil began to disturb my nose as I lined up top list my weapon. I had wondered why one should register their weapon, what was so special and important that someone like me would also be needed to register my own tools ? wasn¡¯t it supposed to be private kinda things ? The world seems doesn''t care about my question though as the line getting shorter and my turns come. ¡° Next.¡± ¡° Yes, here you go.¡± I handed the daggers that I got from Juan towards the weapon administer guy. He then placed my dagger on some sort of soft small pad, after a few sec passed he reversed my dagger and write something on his pile of faded yellow papers before turning it back to me. ¡° Just one ?.¡± ¡° Nah, here is the other one.¡± I gave him my stick, which he did not easily accepted unlike my dagger before and accompanied with a sour look, he then asked my intention. ¡° Are you mocking me ?¡± ¡° By all means no Sir, I really want to register this one too.¡± He didn¡¯t answer me though and just continue his works as usual, with a blank look again. I wonder where was his anger from before ? Was it normal for soldier in an army to behave like this ? I shrugged my shoulder and proceed to leave the line as my business there was already finished. I walked back towards the cooks tent intending to look up for a clue that would help me find the chief name but my footsteps was stopped by someone as whoever he was, caught and held my shoulder back. ¡° Wait !¡± ¡° Yes ?¡± I turned my body back only to find a short boy wearing the Ra kingdom armor. It was kinda slugish on him as the armor was on the big side compared to his actual body I guess. His hair bangs tough makes it harder for me to see his face. His voice also seemed funny, something on the higher end notes I guess ? ¡° Ah ¡­. nothing.¡± ¡° Well okay then ¡­¡± I then turned my body back again towards the camp but he stopped me again. ¡° Wait !!¡± ¡° What is it ?¡± I raised my eyebrow hinting my displeasure with it since I was stopped again, he better get his words straight now. Also it bugs me that he could stop me easily. I am bigger than him ¡­ was it some sort of skills Juan often told me about ? Nah ...I dismissed the thought easily though since, what I can say. He looks and stand on the weak side when compared to the soldier I had seen around here. ¡° Uhmm ¡­¡± ¡° Oh come on, if you takes any longer I will leave you here, I got something important to do !¡± ¡° Wait wait wait.¡± ¡° I am waiting now, would you please elaborate ?¡± ¡° Uhmm ¡­ I .. need ¡­ your ....¡± ¡° Help ? Yes, but sorry please find someone else. I can¡¯t help you, I got something important to do !¡± I turned my body backs again wanting to leave this short boy alone. I am usually nice to people but I can¡¯t stand his stutters. I also got my own task, can¡¯t wait all day and help him. ¡° Please listen to me, I will help you whatever you are doing afterwards.¡± ¡° Nope, told you bye !¡± Who needs him ? I need a name and He shouldn¡¯t know by his looks that was strengthened by the big and weary armor. The cook had made finding his name a task, so it shouldn¡¯t be easy. I think I might need to find some experienced cooks helpers and befriend them before finding the chief name. Yes, work work works .. I am but an underling after all, a nobody that got lucky joining this expedition which should be Impossible with my profession. Not even a Calmar Spear Hunter that I already painfully worked my self without giving up, even though I couldn¡¯t really throw a spear and taint myself black as I tried to jab the Calmar by throwing my body towards them which I had to admit impossible, since I would be slowed down upon hitting the water surface, far far slower compared to a thrown spear that can easily slipped through it and hit the target. Ah bad .. I was standing still and the boy was just looking at me, doing nothing. Ok, times to go. I had said so a while ago and I was still here... ¡° It¡¯s the general !¡± A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. That word perked my interest though, the general ? something about that old man ? ¡° Speak little boy.¡± I felt a little bit funny my self as I let the words boy escape my mouths. I was called that a lot today by 3 different people and 2 of them were someone that I had never met before. It actually felt annoying. Well let¡¯s just assume it was for his rude behavior from before. ¡° litt-little boy ? boy !¡± He now stutters with his own words ...what is wrong with him ! ¡° Rude ! where is your eyes !¡± ¡° Opps, my bad I didn¡¯t wear it ! WRONG, what is with you !¡± ¡° AH ¡­ I forgot ..¡± ¡° Fine, forget about it, BYE !¡± ¡° No NO NO NOO Wait !¡± ¡° What ? Say it fast.¡± ¡° U No bout genpa ?¡± Ugh this one is almost as bad as Juan ¡­ why is there no one normals around here that I can speak with easily ? ¡° Again, fast and clear.¡± ¡° Do you know my Grandpa ?¡± ¡°....¡± Grandpa ? How should I know. It was the first time I met him and he ask me about his grandpa ? I couldn¡¯t even see this boy face as it was hidden with his hair bangs, so how should I know about his grandpa ? even resemblance become impossible¡­voice recognition is it ? fucngggg¡­. ¡­ saveeeee !!! Wait Grandpa ? I had meet someone old today and he turned out to be the general of this expedition. This boy asked me about his grandpa right and he told me something about general before ¡­ was it his grandpa ? Oh this is bad, I need to change my attitude, otherwise I might accidentally anger the gramps. ¡° Mayhaps , you mean the general ? His lordship Galahand ?¡± ¡° Huh ¡­.¡± Now this boy stare blankly at me ...which make me more confused what is happening here ! Sweat began to fall down from my head. Was it my mistakes ? It was someone else entirely ? I began to creep back slowly, wanting to run from this embarrassing situation. ¡° Sorry got the wrong person ...bye !¡± I wanted to run but again I was stopped just in the nick of time by his fingers. What kind of skills does he have to be able to stop me from running easily. ¡° No ...you are right ! I was just surprised you know his family name.¡± ¡° Oh ¡­ then what is it do you need from me, Young lord ?¡± I changed my tone again back to a humble one. I think I was already infected by Juan multiple craziness. ¡° Ssstt ¡­ don''t call me that here.¡± ¡° pardon me ?¡± ¡° We will talk again later, find me in the academics camps after you are done with your task.¡± ¡° Boy ?¡± [ SLAP ] ¡° You are a rude one you know !¡± He then stomped his way out ...and I was left dumbfounded here while people began to look at my direction. THey began to chat around and ask what happened however I could also make out some sounds that disregarding my manliness ! Yes they were wondering why a soldier slapped an adventurer like me just like when lovers quarrels !. BOY X BOY Urghhh ¡­. And worse of it, he still doesn¡¯t gave me the chance to ask my question about the cooks name¡­ and he stomped his way out just like a girl .. those bangs, short structure body ¡­ Wait, a girl ? so that¡¯s why she was mad at me. But why was she in disguise then ? It also happen to favor her since the chatters get worse and worse now. What is a little girl like that doing in here ? She could be kidnapped and no one will knows or bother ..oh wait she got a monstrous strength that capable of stopping someone running from running easily .. but I was slapped ¡­ and I am still alive ? I should have flew back a bit right ? or maybe even went as far as hitting and breaking one of the boxes nearby. She held me with fingers and I couldn¡¯t run nor budge ! I could have easily died by that slaps ? Oh wait .. was she ordered by her grandpa to take revenge on me, making my reputation crumble right away now ? Huh ...why is my minds full of random question ...arghhh dam* ¡­ save ¡­ this is very tiring ..what had she done ? She owes me an answer now, my mind getting absurd. She told me to find her later but meh who cares, I will just go to the camps now and find her ! She better be clear about her reason, she had called me and disturb my minds ...which getting more random and random now, since a lot of image began to scramble in it, just like when I was drunk once¡­ ¡° TO THE CAMP !!!¡± I shouted and everybody just think I was crazy since I got dumped by a short soldier. Well I don¡¯t care ¡­ I need to find her now, I need my answer and my calmness back. Plan is it ? AHAHAHAHA Finally I could fight my Laziness and managed to finish this chapter ! I won''t give up mwahahahaha !!! thanks for reading thus far and enjoy, I am sorry for any mistakes or boredness that grow after reading my story :( ______________________________________________________________________________________________ It is around 7 in the night, normally most people would have long gone as they packed their wares and went back to their own settlement, yet tonight was special. Tonight finally someone or better to say a big group of people finally decided to conquer one of the main attraction in this Island. It should have been an exciting yet dreadful experience for the locals there since it was their first time witnessing such an event. The calm feelings they experience right now could be compared as what one feels before a huge storm comes. Yet even these calmness was disturbed at the sight of young man that keep shouting words that sounds strange. He speak words that would normal once means girl or woman yet he combined with a rather harsh full marks that wasn¡¯t even completed. At the sight of this young man running around the academic military camps like crazy while every now and then stumbled with some of the material boxes that was tightly tied with another boxes or carts, everyone just laugh with wariness in their faces. Even the local soldier which should normally apprehend such person refuses to meddle with this young man. Indeed it was supposed to be strange and warrant an attention at last from the perspective of soldier in order to maintain the tranquility in their own area. However this young man had shown a distinctive mark that one would have after getting hit with a certain technique that was developed by their own general famous genius granddaughter. Most of them had once suffered such a disdain and therefore they refused to meddle with the genius business once again if not ordered. They had slightly trembled as sometimes the young man would pass near them, fear of being infected dawn upon them when actually they had known such a thing was impossible, yet they still fear the unknown. ¡° UWWWAAAA !!!!¡± ¡° ORAAaaaaa !!! where r you !!! ¡± ¡°GIiIrrllll !¡± Such words were repeated for god knows how many times as finally a calm female guards went near him and gave him a shocking punch towards his guts and decided to throw the filth towards a certain camp entrance that had the big woods planks with Academy written on it. Inside the tents ¡° Representative, here is the one you wanted.¡± ¡° Thanks Aloy.¡± ¡° No worries however representative, I suggest you put your emotion under check, I fear that some days you will get bitten by your own mistakes.¡± ¡° B~But this person dares to.¡± ¡° If you excuse me ¡­¡± said the girl that was called Aloy by the other one as she slowly turn her body back towards the camp entrance, before exiting it with such calmness surrounding her, assuming her guard duty in the entrance while ignoring the rattles her Representative keeps mumbling. ¡° Now what to do with this one, He still hasn¡¯t come out of it.¡± In front of the small representative was a young man that keep mumbling unclear words while clutching his body, withholding the pain in his stomach. ¡° Just what grandpa see in this guy !¡± ¡° Even I could do better job then him thousand times.¡± ¡° Ugh ¡­¡± ¡° Finally ¡­. just how weak are you.¡± ¡° You gah .. YOU YOUU !¡± ¡° Not you ! I have name you know.¡± ¡° Grrrrr what have you done with me girl !¡± ¡° Again with such remarks¡± ¡° What of it ! you were the one that was at fault !¡± ¡° Really ?¡± ¡° What ? want me to remind you ?¡± ¡° Oh sure, I can test my new abilities on you while you explain it to me.¡± At this words, the young man stopped his remarks, fatigue could be seen in his faces as he was waging war with his own emotion whether he wants to be polite with the girl he was speaking with right now or just be frank about it and give her some paybacks. With a huge sigh that he repeated numerous time he finally seems to accept the fact that he needs to be polite with the girl in front of him. Of course the fact that 2 fingers were nearing his neck and shoulder helped him to make the decision faster. ¡° So what is it that you want my lady ?¡± ¡° M~my la~lla~lady !¡± Now was the girl turn to get startled and embarrassed. The boy seeing this sigh again as he realize this won¡¯t get anywhere. ¡° Fine, my I have the honor to know your name ?¡± ¡° It-It is Aluca von Galahand.¡± ¡° Such a beautiful and gallant names befit you my lady.¡± He said with teasing tone and at his remarks were the exploding face the small girl showed as he mutter the word beautiful, forgetting the fact that the boy had actually emphasize his tone on the word gallant rather than beautiful. ¡° Th~ then what is yours ?¡± asked Aluca back after she regains control over her emotion although her mind was probably still flying out there, repeating the words beautiful that keep resounding everywhere after her names. ¡° This one is known as Lupa.¡± ¡° So then Lupa , You should be honored to be allowed to meet me and enter this camp !¡± It seems she was back from her own worlds now as a hint of haughtiness and arrogance could be felt in her tone. ¡° It is indeed o~ fair Aluca, What does actually you warrant from me to actually provide this lowly one a chance to enter your camp and have the chance to talk one on one with you.¡± ¡° Mmmph ! Be grateful that I actually need your helps.¡± ¡° and what is it ?¡± ¡° I need you to snuggle me inside Eru.¡± ¡° Pfffttt ¡­ HAHAHA !¡± ¡° WHAT ?¡± Aluca said as she was startled when Lupa suddenly burst out laughing, she seems she couldn''t comprehend the reason for such a loud laughter. ¡° forgive my rudeness ahh... forget about it ! what , you can¡¯t even enter the sites ? then why should I act humble before you ? you don¡¯t deserve it hahahahaha you can¡¯t even enter hahaha.¡± [ SNAP ] ¡° Okay, if you won¡¯t help me then I will make it so you can¡¯t enter the site either !¡± ¡° How ? pfffttt.¡± ¡° I can just speak to grandpa ..or ¡­¡± A sight of small fist getting pummeled, colliding with other small open palm in the hand of the small girls would normally resulted in lot of laughter since what can a small fist do towards a grown up adult ? but at this sight, Lupa lost his color once again as sweat began to pour down from his backs. ¡° Ahahaha forgive me ahahaha¡­¡± ¡° Hmpph know your place !¡± ¡° Y-yes¡­¡± ¡° Now here is the plan.¡± Aluca then takes a scroll from one of the boxes inside the tent. She then open it and lay it on the table. ¡° Take a look at this, this is where we are.¡± ¡° Okay.¡± ¡° Here is your cook camps.¡± ¡° How do you know I am in the cook camps ?¡± ¡° Is it that fascinating huh stupid ?¡± ¡° Gah fine.¡± ¡° So shortly after the announcement which the princess will do in another 2 hour, you will head this way.¡± ¡° You will then notice a large box with holes on it, inside would be me.¡± ¡° You would take this box with you and load it into your carts, you would be tasked to pull one.¡± ¡° Is that so.¡± ¡° Then you would just enter the line in front of the Eru site normally, joining with others that were also tasked to pull such carts.¡± ¡° Afterwards just act and stay low, there would be inspection but we should be fine.¡± ¡° Are you sure ?¡± at this remarks, Aluca just glare at him before continuing her explanation. ¡° Just do your parts, Now we will discuss about the smaller details¡± ¡° Okay.¡± ¡° now listen ¡­¡± ~O~ Ten minutes passed as Aluca slowly closed the once opened map describing the army''s encampment and the formations they would take once they proceed to enter Eru site. The sight of nodding Lupa accompanied by a humph sound from Aluca was all there to see after she had finally tied the small string in the edge of the scroll before she went ahead placing it in the original place. ¡° Easy right ? even someone as weak as you can do this.¡± ¡° Indeed however ..¡± ¡° However ?¡± ¡° Now I have the hand to play against you Aluca !¡± ¡° You dare to !¡± a fist get formed again in the small hands of the girl. At this sight again Lupa trembled however this time he stand straight. His eyes looking at the girl own eyes. Fear that could have been found easily before in him now disappeared as if there was nothing like that before. If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. ¡° Hold on, don¡¯t get hasty.¡± although his next words failed to express what he had steeled his determination for. ¡° Speak ! I don¡¯t have anymore times for the likes of you !¡± ¡° Then you shouldn¡¯t come for me at the first place !¡± ¡° Grrr ...fine¡± ¡° I need to make sure of your intention, I refuse to do this if you had unclear motive.¡± ¡° ¡­.¡± ¡° You might not answer me but just so you know Aluca, I won¡¯t compromise about this no matter what. I don¡¯t want to ruin what my benefactor had done for me after all.¡± With all seriousness, Lupa tried to express his thought towards Aluca which fortunately succeeded. ¡° Fine, but know this once you heard what I will say, if one words of it leaks outside I will have your head separated from your body, you still willing to do so after this ?¡± ¡° Yes !¡± ¡° I heard some nasty rumors that could befall my Grandpa and Her Highness the fourth imperial Princess once they enter the site.¡± ¡° Is that all ?¡± ¡° I won¡¯t compromise much more than this.¡± ¡° Fine, then why me ?¡± ¡° I had witnessed your exchange with my grandpa and decided that you should be safe to an extent for my plan.¡± ¡° Clear ? and what plan ?.¡± ¡° Clear, since you are new and you had only interacted with my grandpa in such a way that normally he won''t show towards other people, after all he is a general that rarely favors anyone including me.¡± ¡° Really ?¡± ¡° It is up to you to decide.¡± ¡° as far as the plan go to smuggle you inside the sites, why couldn¡¯t you just ask your grandpa to takes you with him ? ¡± ¡° Are you stupid or what ?¡± ¡° What do you mean.¡± ¡° I had all of this planned exactly since he won¡¯t allow me to go inside with him no matter what.¡± ¡° As far as how wise and clever he is, he is still stubborn and I fear that it will be his downfall." " ..." "I ... I fear that I will be left alone again ..and this time no one will be left beside me ..¡± " I don''t ever want to feels that dread again ... I ... I ... " At this words tears began to fall from her eyes, her cheeks becoming wet. She starts sobbing even though it is clear to Lupa that she didn¡¯t want to do it in front of him who is a stranger. Lupa could understand that she must have struggled quite had to get this far, even to accompany her grandpa that she said won''t favor anyone easily, including her. She must have held her grandpa highly in her heart and yet when she heard such rumor, she couldn''t do anything since she was held back by the very person she wish to accompany. Lupa though didn¡¯t know what to do and just walk closer towards her, holding her small body closer towards him before letting her continue her wailing. Lupa felt that he would probably did the same if he was prevented to save Lisa when she was in danger. He would definitely regret not trying to be there to help her. It should be a strange occurrence for Lupa as she rarely interact with younger girl but at this sight, he could only remember the tears of his savior. So he had instinctively did that. After a while Aluca had finally calmed down and separated from lupa with a red face hinting her maximum embarrassment that she had felt. Lupa just smile at her and starts rummaging his numerous sacks. He was clearly looking for something that could help him in this situation and indeed he had found that one important object as now he walk closer towards Aluca that was still busy rubbing her wet eyes. He gently wipes the tears that was left on Aluca face and afterwards, gripping her hands before leaving the small blue handkerchief that he had used before in her hand. ¡° I am sorry for doubting you Aluca, but now I know how righteous you are¡± ¡° ....¡± ¡° Know this Aluca, I promise you that I would help you no matter what.¡± ¡° Hmmph of course you should do that !¡± ¡° Hehehe and you also need to know that once a man promises, he would never break it !¡± ¡° Is that so ¡­ just like grandpa aren¡¯t you ?¡± her words now sounds weak again ¡­ every time she would mention her grandpa, her arrogance would disappear somehow. ¡° Really ?¡± ¡° Stubborn and caution yet stupid at the same time ¡­¡± ¡° Is that a compliment or a harassment ?¡± ¡° Hmmph¡± she just snorted at Lupa retort ¡° I will leave now to prepare for the plan, you have my words and don¡¯t you fail on your parts.¡± ¡° Obliviously !¡± Lupa then turned his body backs, his long mantle flutter inside the camps. Normally it should be weird after all there were no winds inside the camp but Aluca didn¡¯t notice it as she just smile towards his backs. Light shone in her eyes as hopes began to glimmers showing her the paths she really needs so she could help her grandfather. She had actually felt frustrated about the fact that she wasn¡¯t allowed to enter the sites. Much like before her grandpa was doting her to much yet he also separate the county matters with family matters. He had acknowledge her strength but at the same time he had also acknowledge her cleverness in dealing with my situations. He had considered the pro and cons between bringing her inside and leaving her outside. \ However, the comparison was clearly showing him that leaving her outside would benefit the army more since she could deal with my diplomatic matters while he is gone inside for a month or less. Fighting to conquer the Eru site could be done with anyone after all but not with diplomatic matters. As Aluca mind began to immersed deeper, trying to figure out for what true reason her grandpa had left her, the sound of the entrance cover shifting disturb her mind. This could folly her plan, she had not expected any guest at this hour entering her camp. She had cleared all of her task today and should have announced not to be disturbed with the sign hanging outside, even more with Aloy guarding the entrance. Yet the unfolding sight just caused her chuckled which she immediately hide. ¡° Sorry to disturb you again shortly after I left.¡± ¡° Yes, what is it now lupa ?¡± ¡° I had forgotten to ask you something as a rewards.¡± ¡° Hoo~h, you would eat your own words for rewards ?¡± ¡° It - it is nothing like that !¡± ¡° so ? what is it ?¡± ¡° Remember you promised to help me once I decided to help you before ?¡± ¡° Ughh ¡­ yes what of it ?¡± ¡° I happen to need it now.¡± ¡° I hope it won¡¯t disturb our plan ?¡± ¡° It won¡¯t I promise you.¡± ¡° Then be clear about it.¡± It seems the table was turned again, as clearly the pride and self confident that was radiating from Lupa before was nowhere to be found, even more if we remember his words that asked Aluca to state her needs clearly before. Well what should confuse Lupa was actually the fact that the girl in front him right now behave completely different from the short soldier version he had met before. Gone was the constant stuttering she had except when he had complimented her frankly. One could perhaps guess that all of that was an act or mayhaps Aluca own weak points when conversing with stranger while assuming a new identity in the area she had no control of. ¡° Do you happen to know the Cook Chief name ?¡± ¡° He is at it again huh ?¡± ¡° again ?¡± ¡° You should really be grateful now since you meet me, normally he would enjoy torturing you to be his personal lackey afterwards. Failing such a simple task he would say tsk.¡± ¡° Is it ?¡± ¡° Well, very few knew of his name and I happen to know.¡± ¡° Then please let me know¡­¡± ¡° Hmpph, if you beg for it then perhaps ¡­¡± ¡° Please help me O~ fair maiden Aluca.¡± ¡° M-mai-maiden ..fair ¡­¡± ¡° Aluca ?¡± ¡° huhuhu...hihihi¡­¡± ¡° Aluca ?¡± ¡° y-yes .. He is known as Gentong, be careful not to spread his name though, hell awaits you if you do that.¡± ¡° I will, thanks Aluca oh yeah ¡­ I am serious now, please be careful with your loose and easy baited personality.¡± ¡° Hmpph .. I was just playing around beside I am always careful unlike certain someone that easily forgot his own purpose !¡± ¡° Ugh ...fine ...just be careful and once again thanks.¡± ¡° Just go already !¡± said Aluca with anger and bitterness in her face. Well hopefully Lupa learn from this that warning a lady in front of her as frank as he does would warrant him a slap or two, but he was just lucky since he wasn¡¯t the first to warn her of such a thing, Aloe had warned her beforehand shortly before he does so he was pretty safe.