Inside the main hall of the inn the question from Alice dumbfounded everyone.
The room became heavy.
Anna coughed a bit to lighten up the mood.
"He shall answer that tomorrow. Go outside and play both of you" Anna said sending them. She then turned the sign board to closed.
Jon the Smith then snapped his fingers silently uttering 'Silentia'.
"I've cast a no sound barrier. Just as you asked I've already gathered everyone here Rey",
"Sigh, I'll keep it to the point. The north has fallen. The reinforced castle couldn't amount to much. King Charles is presumably dead. We hope he isn't. The demons have not acted yet but the vampire lords are not backing up. I've already slain Count Dracula and Julius killed the witches. It seems like the the Union still doesn't want to take action regarding this topic",
"How much do they intend to push now, Tch. Rey I've told you to not overexert yourself. That too with your demonic curse in your body it's best to stay put" Jon said.
"Reynolds, do you know their objective??" A bald man asked. He had a huge hammer hung on his back.
"It seems like they want to occupy the whole of Evernia. Viz I want you too prepare your mercenary squad for an expedition to the mage tower." Reynolds said answering the bald man.
"Tch, they want the whole of the North. We can't allow that. They are violating the treaty. It's only about time before the demons begin to move." The bald man cursed. "My mercenaries will be ready by tomorrow. We will departure this Friday".
"Captain, you have the blue pearl right?? What do you think we should do with it. Considering the properties of this pearl the dark arts bastards wouldn't hesitate to get it back." Nara interweined.
The room became extremely quiet.
''I am planning on giving it to Roy or Alice." The crowed was flabbergasted.
"Rey, I get that you are worried but it's the blue pearl. They can't withstand such power. I'm not telling you to give it to us, we are already too old to use the essense of blue pearl but giving it to-",
"Jon, I don't have any other option. You already know it. The dark faction is already on the move. I cannot fight the leader due to my injury, if they ever get to know I was the one who stole the blue pearl then they won't stop until they've massacred everyone present here. The best thing to do is to let it nurture under some young wing",
Jon indeed knew it was the right thing. When everyone were asked for their opinions, all the guys gathered seemed content with Reynolds decision. They weren't greedy, having seen the ruthless side of life they could relate to what Reynolds had told.
"The question is who should we give it to? Lady Alice or the young lord", a man said.
Reynolds sighed, it indeed was a tough decision to make but he knew both of them couldn't get it.
________________________________________
When we were kicked out by Anna for whatever reasons, I couldn't help but wonder the strange awe to the air when my father was asked that question.
I had to find out what it was, but right now let's focus on the current task.
I was watching Nero and Alice in a small swordfight.
You might call it just two kids playing but, Alices' every strike was very smooth and precise.
Nero on the other hand was holding a broadsword and it was more rougher and barbaric than what Alice was displaying.
I couldn't guess which was right and wrong but it looked like Alice had the upper hand.
I was mesmerized by her sword, it was beautiful and elegant.
An eight year old kid with such brilliance indeed surprised me.
A so-called genius perhaps. That made me wonder where I stood.
The friendly duel ended on Alices' side with Nero loosing his sword at her strike.
We then headed back to the inn. Alice was definitely in a good mood.
"Mhmmmmm", she hummed.
"Yeah, you can stop Alice, it's irritating.",
"...Hehe, you are JEALOUS" she said playfully.
I clicked my tongue. I swear to god I hate kids.
Time flew by fast. I repeated the same routine daily. Nara also started to teach me basic swordsmanship. I hate to admit it but she was a good teacher. She taught me everything in an easy and understanding way. She was a pro.
My bond with Alice also deepened in the said 3 months. I also learnt quite a few things from my father.
Everything was going well, but there's a saying, never expect life to be smooth.
It all began today. The first month of winter, the day I got to know how ruthless people can be.
*****************************
Hey guys,
Sorry for the rushed ending this chapters. But I feel it should be like this.
The next chapter truly begins the main plot of volume 1.
The Slums.
Have a great read :)