“Do you have any idea where he escaped to?”
I ask inquisitively towards Kel who is deep in thoughts. I managed to get his attention from the question itself. Following m question comes another deep thinking. Senya who also heard my question started contemplating herself.
“Obviously, he can only escape on land. We are searching blindly as everyone was alerted. We don’t have any solid plans for this circumstance yet since we are confident that no one can locate our city. However, as the previous elf king, Kran knows that in and out of this forest as he is a frequent visitor in our place.”
“It is as Kel said, for the past hundred years, this is the second time someone broke in into the fairy city and stole an Yggdrasil sap. It’s a little shame that the same incident occurred…”
“We cannot pick on your household, Senya. As it is stand, both of our community has an agreement of mutual trade and peace, the protection is secondary, almost a non verbal deal. If I must, we are greatly indebted to your people.”
“I appreciate such words, Kel. Anyway, considering that the fairy continent, The Rainforest of Healing, is the smallest continent to ever exist, his escape route is already limited to two.”
“I see. He must have fled north, to the boundary of the Dragon kin or to south, to the boundary of the Demon kin. Narrowing it down into these two options is the best that we can assert for now.”
The dragon continent to the north and the demon continent to the south…
If he plans to escape, the dragon continent is the most ideal as it is vast and has a lot of cities and towns that he could stay in. However, unlike the fairy forest the topography in the dragon continent fluctuates to warm to hot.
If he plans to escape to the demon continent, it only means that he is rushing as the border of dragon continent is really far that it would take weeks walking and running inside the forest. If you take the route to the south, you can reach the demon continent in days. Beyond the border of the fairy continent is a snowy plains. It would be ideal to bring the sap towards that place as it can be used in more ways than one as the land there is rich in magic. It is also the center of magical research.
He could not have escaped westward as beyond there is mountains and as long as I remembered, the map hasn’t extended out beyond that. If he escapes eastward, what awaits him is the ocean. It is an ideal escape path if you have your own boat but he would be in great disadvantage as I have Merissa standby on the shore.
I could control a fleet of pirate ships after all.
“I have a suggestion.”
I boldly stated and their attentions spans towards me with great expectation. Kel and Senya looks at me with a serious countenance and Ichirou only scratches the back of his head.
“What is it?”
“It’s a simple one. If the criminal hasn’t gone that far, we might be able to track him down.”
“That’s given. It was only hours ago since he stole the sap. Before sunset, I believe.”
“We just need to form two search teams, however, we need to create a balance formation. We are talking about a man who is known as the previous elf king and now, an arcana magician.”
“Arcana Magician?!”
“Yes. Ichirou and he have fought before. Ichirou loses and he lost his soul weapons in their battle.”
“Unbelievable…what could have happened to Kran? Why did he stoop so low?”
“That doesn’t matter now. We need mobility as our main priority but fighting isn’t optional too.”
“So, what is this plan in your mind?”
“To the north is the dragon continent, however, it is a longer and vast route. Fang would be the most suitable option to chase after him in such duration. Since Fang is here, I take it that Senya would go too and ride him, right?”
I quickly tell while glancing over at Fang. Senya gave me a thumb up as I devise the plan. She looks like a mother being proud of her daughter. Kel only nods in agreement as he thought how viable the plan is.
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“However, even if Senya is strong, her use of Excelsior is limited. If a fight broke out and Senya didn’t managed to defeat the enemy, there should be someone there to back her up. Fang is strong but, at that moment, Fang needs to hold back to carry Senya to safety.”
“I see. Safety first, no, more like, if I have to choose between a sap and Senya, I would choose Senya’s safety. However, an yggdrasil sap being stolen is a disgrace for us fairies and worst, if the sap falls into the hand of wrong people, it could stir a bigger problem.”
“Ichirou and I will go south as it is only a shorter path. After all, those two directions are the places he can only leave. The trivial thing is that who will go with Senya and who will go with us as we aren’t familiar with the forest.”
“As for Senya, I would accompany her and keep her safe at my utmost ability.”
“Thank you, as for the one who will come with us…”
I turn around to look for someone just to find a grinning Mimi. Knowing how she smile, she thinks of the situation as interesting rather than dangerous. She is one of the guardian of the forest, Behemoth, in disguise of this maid girl. I couldn’t do anything anymore but to point her…
“Mimi…”
“Yes!~ Yes!~ I am, right?!~”
“Please don’t become a trouble…”
“YES!~
Ah…it’s kind of frustrating and at the same time, I feel so pissed off.
My eyes wander towards Topaz who was in the corner. Come to think of it, since Fang is here, she becomes docile and quiet. It seems she doesn’t do well in the presence of someone who attacked her. I too would feel perfectly uncomfortable around someone who hurt me.
Her eyes look lonely as her gaze met mine. I can’t endure it anymore because of how she looks at me with watery eyes as she holds down her stomach. I start walking towards her and as I got in front of her, I started to speak.
“Topaz…I’m sorry that we got held up but…I don’t think I can go back with you.”
“…Unpleasant.”
“I’m sorry…”
“Hmph…”
“Ah…”
“…There will be no next time, okay?”
“Ah, yes!”
Good thing Topaz is a good girl. Despite her rumbling stomach, she was able to think decisively. She is putting the situation in consideration and obediently follows my plea. I don’t want to disappoint her again. After all, despite of how mature she looks, she is only a month old or something. I want her to learn properly and feel loved anytime.
Giving me a last displeased look, Topaz walks away towards the mansion. Since I more or less resolved my woes with Topaz, I turn my attention back to Senya and the others.
“Then, our group is now finalized. I will go with Fang and Kel while Asagao will go with Ichirou and Mimi. It is really simple like what Asagao said.”
“Then, let’s depart immediately.”
“Yes, Fang, if you will.”
Fang lowers his body to the ground and Senya immediately leans on him. Her legs are quite shaky and aren’t capable of doing big movements so Ichirou and Kel rushes to her side to help her. After that, Kel also leaps above Fang.
“Let’s go now, Fang.”
“Yes, Miss Senya.”
WHOOSH!
Like that, Fang rushes like a gust while gently running for Senya’s sake. It made me think of how everyone thinks of Senya and her treatment is cut above the rest. I look at Ichirou who is looking at me and Mimi who is standing side by side.
“Okay…they are gone.”
“Yeah. Let’s go.”
“No, you two go back.”
“Eh?”
What did he just said?
“Hey,for…you heard the plan right?!”
“Yes, loud and clear.”
“Then why?! We are strong as one! Ichirou, we’ve been in several fights now and I’ve proven myself to you, right?! Do you still think that I am a burden, that I am someone to be only protected?!”
I shouted at Ichirou with frustration building up inside me. Mimi just scoffed at our conversation as she finds it hilarious but Ichirou’s face just broke out in a smile which made me more vexed.
“What are you smiling at?!”
“No, on the contrary, I think that you are a trusty and strong partner, Asagao. I feel like staying by your side as long as I can but, this time, our enemy is Kran, the Arcana of Envy.”
“Isn’t that the reason we need to go with you?!”
“No, I want to settle this by myself. I’ve gotten stronger and…I want to get my soul back. I want to you to be relieved of worries towards me. You always knit your brows when you think of something hard, you know, nonetheless, it’s still cute.”
“Wha--?! So…this is a matter of pride, huh? Also, stop saying cheesy lines like that in this situation. That’s why you boys are…”
Eh?
What am I talking about? I was previously a boy too but, I kind of naturally acted like a girl talking to a guy. This is really bad. I am slowly turning into a full pledged lady?!
“A-Anyway! We are going to come with you whether you like it or not!”
“Asagao…”
“We can…cheer you on in the middle of the battle if you want. Isn’t that fine?”
“If you put it that way I guess I get more motivated! Also, I don’t think you’ll simply back down so it was kind of stupid of me to ask in the first place.”
“You already knew…well, let’s go now.”
“Ufufufu!~ How romantic and awkward!~”
It was Mimi’s commentary. I kind of hated how she treats this situation as anything but fun. Is she really that bored that she will make everything around her fun and appealing situation in her eyes? To be honest, that’s the kind of character I can’t get along with.
.
.
.
A man as tall as Ichirou appeared from the wooden house that we located.
He wears traditional Japanese ceremonial clothes with black skintight inside. His long hair that is tied in ponytail glimmers like that night sky and his eyes are filled with starry void that is as black as the darkness itself. His facial feature is obviously handsome with a natural asian chiseled slender jaw and skin as fair as a noble.
His eyes are dignified and definable even though it is pitch black. He come flying towards Ichirou with hostility that could compete with a raging beast.
In his hand is a spear that expels green light and has Japanese carving on it and his power is visibly cut above the rest. His body isn’t as buff as Ichirou but it still has some defined lean muscles that made him looks swifter.
“Who are you?!”
Ichirou shouted as he parried the spear that was thrusts violently at him. However, the man didn’t utter a word and keep up with his assault.
CLANG!
CLANG!
His spear moves in quick succession as he swings and sways it while Ichirou tries to keep up with the fierce but agile movement of the man. Ichirou may be stronger in terms of raw strength, however, this man doesn’t exhibit a good feat of power play but ferocious and almost conclusive swift thrusts and swings.
His use of spear is mesmerizing as if he is actually dancing with the spear itself. Ichirou could keep up with his attacks but in return, he could not go on for offensive and kept his stance in defensive.
However, the longer I stare at the man, the better I realize what he is. The clothes and hairstyle, the stroke of his spear and the familiar footing that I usually see back in the Astlan Castle, though it is now more deadly and agile that my eyes couldn’t keep up with it.
I realize the identity of the man who suddenly engages Ichirou in a fight…
“Shouta! Shouta Murayama…right?!”