Chapter 4
Moving On
[The next morning]
Hngghhh.... oww.. oww... Sleeping on the floor despite being in Efais form sure brings a hell lot of body pains. In any case, seems like Triela is lying beside me on top of some leaves. Guess she plucked them from the surrounding trees. Sorry guys.
After stretching myself up, I transformed into my human body and decided to pay the Esruds a little 'visit'. Running up, I was presented with the scene of the considerably damaged cottage. Truly nothing can be done about this since I didn't know complex reconstruction spell while Triela said its fine. I wonder why.
Anyway, the moment I reached the lake, I released a sigh of relief as I saw it being intact from yesterday's fight. I have thought of a better way of catching the Esruds without needing to go into the water so I needed them to be there to test it out. Reaching out my hand, I opened my palm as I tried to bend the will of the water.
I didn't want to stress the spirits of water for doing too much of my works, so I ended up doing it myself. Rising up my arm, a water sphere came out following with an Esrud in it. It worked! Now, I'll just engulf it in a weak fire, since if it was too strong, the Esrud would just disappear.
After allowing the water to fall, I slowly enveloped the Esrud in fire to cook it. It frantically struggled to escape from the mana that binds it in the air, but to no avail. In the end, it got eaten by me anyway. And then I went for another couple round of Esruds because I felt really hungry.
Soon enough after being fully satisfied, I made the choice to return to the laboratory and check on Triela. Along the way, I managed to greet some of the animals and monsters that helped me yesterday. A few of them even gave me wild berries that are hard to be found in the forests where even Triela can't make them out of magic. It's as a farewell gift they say.
As I arrived back, I can see that Triela appears to be preparing some bags. Now it makes sense why some of them said these berries are farewell gifts. Seems like it's time to move, eh? But, there's one major problem, for Triela and I.
For Triela, it would be that her aura pretty much exposes her Witch identity regardless of how she attempts to hide. On the other hand, I always speak ending with 'nya' every single time which pretty much gives away that I'm an Efais. So, won't living in a human city prove to be a challenge?
"Shuuu, come here for a bit." (Triela) Waving her hands, she called out to me.
"Yes, Triela, nya. What is it, nya?" (Shu)
Coming closer, she then grabbed a hold of my bell that is tied to my neck. And then after a few seconds, I can feel something different is entering the bell. Being clueless, I can't do anything but to watch as she fiddles with it. Soon enough, she was done.
"There, you should be fine by now." (Triela)
"What do you mean? Huh? Wait, what?" (Shu)
"The slight changes in the bell should prevent you from ending the word 'Nya', alongside retracting your tail and ear when being a human." (Triela)
"What? My tail and ear? NOOOOO IT'S GONE!" (Shu)
Rubbing my back and my head, I tried to look for my tails and ears but failed. It is in a matter of fact that they had perished, just like that. Experiencing the sudden and unfamiliar changes, I got a little panicked. Slowly, my control of mana started to fail causing a soft aura burst to be discharged.
"Whoa, whoa calm down Shu! They are still there, but only when you are in your Efais form." (Triela)
"Is that so? Thank goodness..." (Shu)
"Now then, since you have calmed down, try detecting my aura." (Triela)
"Huh? Well, if you say so." (Shu)
Through focusing, I tried to look for her aura, but for some weird reason, all I felt was the aura from a human. Confused, I kept looking but I still see no other but the human aura. As she noticed that I appear to be dazzled, she patted me on the head and started to explain.
"You see, Shu. Thanks to the humans you captured last night, I was able to a closer look on their mana composition. With that, I created something that is similar to it so we would look, act and feel like a human." (Triela)
"Does that mean, no one will ever notice the existence of us and we can live in a human city?" (Shu)
"Correct! We can live a normal life like humans now, without having to worry about getting killed." (Triela)
"If that's your wish, then I will simply follow you." (Shu)
"Hehehe, thanks Shu!" (Triela)
Wait, now that if I think about it, what happened to the humans that got captured? Did they perhaps, died from the experiments? With curiosity of a cat, I can't help but ask about them from Triela.
"Triela, what did you do to the humans?" (Shu)
"Hm? I released them, why?" (Triela)
"Aww, why didn't you just kill them?" (Shu)
It would have been better off to kill them once they served their purpose, and yet Triela allowed them to escape. A little angry I was since those humans attacked us and deserved death, but it was Triela's wish, so I can't disobey it. Then, she started to explain why.
"Well, if I did, the King would notice something's strange is happening and send even more soldiers. Actually, the effect is the same for when I release them, but at least they are afraid of us now." (Triela)
"I see..." (Shu)
"Anyhow, Shu, do me a favor and burn that cottage to nothingness." (Triela)
"Burn it? B-but don't you want to keep at least some of its remnants?" (Shu)
"No I don't, and I also don't want the humans to steal my knowledge I have gained so far, so do what I say. Destroy it." (Triela)
"Very well..." (Shu)
Reaching out one of my hands, I opened my palms and began channeling my mana to manifest a fire ring on the ground around the cottage. After a few seconds of accumulating mana, I released them from under the fire ring, creating a blue inferno, or what I'd prefer calling, Hell Fire.
"You never fail to surprise me, eh?" (Triela) She came closer then began patting me.
"Ehehe..." (Shu)
In the past, casting Hell Fire will usually cause me to faint due to the large mana consumption and the stress it leaves on my body. I was unconscious for a week for using it and since then, haven't used it at all. But today after using it, I don't feel anything at all. I guess I should really fear my mana capacity.
Soon enough, Triela and I decided to change cloths since if we waltzed into a human city like this, we would get attacked to death in a matter of seconds. Naturally, Triela took the laboratory and I just changed under the coverage with the help of a tree. Coming out, Triela was in her new cloths and mine was the same as hers, again.
A white robe covering the outside body and then added with another layer of white shirt within the inside, and a hood to cover the head. Additionally, I noticed that her hair became blonde, her eyes red and so did mine. It's probably just me, but I think my human form gets affected when Triela changes her bodily features. Anyway, what came next was something I didn't thought was going to happen.
"Shu, take this mask and keep it. Just in case you need to do 'something', wear it to keep your identity hidden." (Triela)
"Ohh.... well, okay." (Shu)
For some reason, I felt excited when I received the mask. Well, deep inside I probably got excited due to thinking that I can finally kill anyone without having to hold back and fearing for the exposure of my identity. Nevertheless, I don't think I'll be doing that anytime sooner.
"Oh and Shu, here, lift both of this bags with magic. It'll help with your control training. Use too much magic, and it'll fly away, and doing the opposite will just make it fall on the ground, got it?" (Triela)
"I see! Then I'll start without further ado!" (Shu)
With that, we began walking heading to a pathway located not so far from the cottage. While leaving, I can hear a few voices and noticing that the trees within the area waving at me with their branches, slowly. Additionally, some animals and monsters can be seen lurking behind them, simply watching. I will surely miss these guys, even if the time I spent with them was only a short while.
"(Farewell, Protector. Everyone have been notified of your existence and will obey to your commands should you tell them to)." (Trees)
"(It has been an honor to serve you, Protector)." (Animals/Monsters)
"(Worry not, we shall always keep our eyes on your surrounding to ensure your safety)." (Sky)
"(And we shall ensure that every step you take will be on the correct path)." (Land)
"(For you are the last descendant of Efais, and our Protector)." (Animals/Monsters/Nature)
Feels like I've become a god of nature or something. Well, it's not that bad to be backed up by them rather than by humans who can back stab me when things takes a turn for the worst on them. Regardless, I need to reply to them, or else I'd be considered self-centered.
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"(I had fun here. We may not meet again in the future for some of you, but I shall remember your service till the day I die. Thank you for everything, my friends. With this, I bid my good bye. )." (Shu)
Slowly, Triela and I disappeared from the view, leaving behind the forests, the land where the cottage used to be, and far behind it, the lake where I would often eat the Esruds. Many memories were made here, but Triela decided it to be quite hard in some ways if we were to keep living in solitary, so she made the decision to move on. To a human city.
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[3 hours later]
*GDUM GDUM GDUM GDUM*
If someone's wandering what that sound was about, it's the carriage moving actually. How we got on it? Well, one hour ago, Triela felt like it was taking way too long to reach the city. So in the end, we waited in the bushes to catch a carriage on the way to the human city. It took a few minutes of our clock, but then a carriage came.
Instantly, I commanded the land to rise in the way of the carriage, performing a wall that prevents it from moving. Triela's job was easy, knocking out the coachman. We were lucky that no one were in the carriage or else unnecessary blood could have been spilled. The horses naturally recognized me and willingly carrying us to our destination, so it is a smooth sailing.
Anyway, we are back to the present and have already reached our destination. Saying my thanks in silence to the horse, I burned the rope and melted the chains that had them shackled to the carriage and off they go. Triela, praising my kind act to the animals, gave me a small piece of Esrud and of course, while no one was watching.
"I was wondering Triela, what do we do with the coachman?" (Shu)
"Just leave him be. He'll be awake soon and forget everything that happened." (Triela)
"Unnn.. if you say so then." (Shu)
Heading to the entrance of the city, I can see the guards are checking everyone that wishes to enter the city. I really hope we will make through this, because I feel lazy to fight all these guys. Anyway, as soon as I was about to join my master who is already lining up for the security check-up, a faint voice came from the trees behind me.
"(Protector, please be careful. Inside the city, there won't be many of our kind, so we can't protect you as well as we can outside here)." (Trees)
"(I'll be fine, so please, do not worry about me)." (Shu)
"(Very well, but please Protector, do take care of yourself well)." (Trees)
"(I will, thank you)." (Shu)
Running back to Triela's side, it appears that it is almost our turn to be checked. Just making sure that I have a backup plan ready, I accumulated a faint mana on my left hand while hiding it inside the robe to ensure it doesn't get detected. Slowly, it radiated a dim light. Okay, my 'flash grenade' is ready....
"Clear, you may enter. Next please!" (Inspection Guard)
Ah, it's our turn it appears. Silently, Triela walked forward and I just followed her. Then, I felt some sort of magic enveloping my body. Seems like they are inspecting me thoroughly eh.... Nevertheless, I easily passed the inspection and so did Triela, thanks to her results of the latest experiments.
"Okay, you're clear, but before that. Can you please place those two bags floating up in the air on the ground? We need to inspect those as well." (Inspection Guard)
"Very well..." (Shu)
Slowly, the bags descended and was placed on the ground. Looking back to the guard, his face was unexpectedly surprised. What did I do? In confusion, I tried to think of what I might have possibly done to the point the guard was shocked. But, it wasn't just him, it was everyone that was within the area. Suddenly, I heard Triela snickering. Whispering, I asked her.
"Triela, what did I do?!" (Shu)
"Kehehe.... they thought I was elevating the bag, but I wasn't. You see, kids are not supposed to be able to use magic until they are 12, kehehehe...." (Triela)
"What?! Why didn't you tell me that sooner?!" (Shu)
"I wanted to show them my Shu proudly, and you didn't ask, so I didn't answer, hehehe..." (Triela)
Laughing silently, Triela closed her mouth with her hands while she faced the other way. I was instead, bombarded with shocked eyes from the surrounding and it was silent for a few seconds. Feeling awkward, I just fidgeted in the center and looked down to avoid the stares.
"Hahahaha, splendid, very splendid! A child that surpasses the magic law!" (???)
All of a sudden, a loud laugh can be heard from the distance within the crowd. Coming to the center, the jaw of the surrounding pass byers simply fell to floor as that person came into their sight. Then, they all just kneel on the floor for no reason. Huh? What's happening? Then, what the guard in front of me said finally made me understood.
"My King! It is an honor to meet you, your highness! I'm truly sor-" (Guard)
"Enough, I do not have any business with you, so step aside." (King)
"Y-yes and my apologies, your highness!" (Guard)
As the guard stepped aside, he walked slowly in front of me. Triela, on the other hand, is still laughing. Gosh, I really wish she can help me with this. Giving off a majestic aura, he wore a red cape embedded with what appears to be gold and under it is a golden plate armor with an unknown crest that is on the chest part.
On his head, as every king has, is a crown with three gems that seems like diamonds on the front on the crown, covering his black hair. His pants on the other hand, is pretty much a pair for the plate armor so no need describing there. A white platinum rapier can be seen, attached to the left of his waist.
Walking around me as if checking, he simply stared at me in silence while walking in circle. This is really making me uncomfortable, seriously. Soon enough, he discovered that Triela was with me, but he only looked at her for a matter of seconds then turned back to me. Suddenly, he stopped and started speaking.
"No need to inspect this boy and his older sister any further. I will personally allow them to enter." (King)
"Very well, your highness! Let them pass!" (Inspection Guard)
With the guard's command, the rest of his men simply stood by, allowing Triela and I to walk through the gate. After a while, she finally recovered and regained her momentum. I wish she had done that sooner, though. Regardless, what stood at the end of the gate was uncomforting.
The King and his horse carriage. I tried to distract him by commanding the horse to run away, but there weren't any respond. What? Did they do something to the horses' will? Grr...... humans.... how dare they. It's weak, but I purposefully emitted a blood lust targeting only the King. But there weren't any response as well. I guess he's not as weak as he looks like.
"Trielaaa, what do we do?" (Shu)
"Stay put and just walk to him, we can't afford to do anything else that may compromise our situation currently. Plus, this is exciting!" (Triela)
"Trieeelaaaa....." (Shu)
Reaching the end of the gate and thus inside the city, Triela and I was the focus of the surrounding attention as the King stood in front of us. Opening up the door was a servant, and with that the King invited us to enter the carriage. Without a word, we just entered the carriage with the King and soon enough, it began moving.
"First of all, welcome to the Capital City of Lisenburg's continent, Mavral. My name is Charles De Harlequin, the 7th ruler of the Lisenburg's continent under the Harlequin's family. I'm sorry that I had forcibly dragged you here, but I hope you will listen to my story." (King Charles)
"It's fine and please, do continue, your highness." (Triela)
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After a few minutes of discussions, it has been concluded that the King didn't have any descendant that may succeed the throne once death claimed his life. The reason was twisted in a way, he simply didn't want to marry any woman from the nobility and it is not possible to marry a normal woman.
Filled with greedy and the desire to control the kingdom, every noble is corrupted. As such, to ensure that they are not given a chance, the King has avoided to get married until now. But the situation has changed, the citizens began voicing their worries for the possibility of the kingdom to be in turmoil once the king passed away.
"I don't get it. So what did you bring us with you for?" (Shu)
Sitting on Triela's laps, she just hugged me while I talk to the King in a serious manner. Triela is not the type of person to handle this kind of conversations, so she gave up halfway and just hugged me for no reason. Then, a sentence from the King made Triela crack in laughter real hard and my jaw dropped, rolling on the ground.
"It's simple. I want you to be my son." (King Charles)
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Author's Note :
With this, the life of Triela and Shu among the human will finally begin.
In any case, thanks for reading this chapter. Hope you enjoyed it! :)
And as usual, advices, comments, suggestions etc. are always welcomed.