Here is chapter 11
special thanks for Tivanenk (^_^)/
please enjoy
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The flight takes us a whole day.
When they said headquarters, I was imagining a very big building with many guards, like a castle, barracks or something similar. But we land in front of normal house, instead. The house is located right beside the cliff, in the middle of the sea. I'm pretty disappointed.
In the front door, a little human girl greets us. She has a small body; big round, green eyes; bob fluffy, dark brown hair, and a slender body. She reminds me of a hamster.
"G-good job everyone!"(???)
"Lila! The heal of my heart!"(Kena)
"Argh!"(Allan)
Kena suddenly dives in and hugs the little girl. She tosses Allan aside as if he is garbage. They have a very bad relationship, don't they?
"L-land! Ohhh, my beloved land! I will never apart from you again!"(Allan)
Allan is kissing dirt. It can't be helped if you go through such a terrible flight. Flying with Kena is much more worse than any thrill rides you ever know, even my heart stopped when I saw her dropping Allan from high on purpose. It's no wonder if Allan is afraid of heights after this.
They put us kids in a line before we entered the house. Like usual, no kids dare to stand near Kiel except for me.
"Um...I already prepared food and blankets for everyone, s-so please tell me your name and where you live. Please give us your cooperation, we will make sure to send you back home"(Lila)
At first, the kids don't trust her. Their eyes are full of suspicion. But after they see the warm food and blankets, one by one they start to state their name and their village. All except me and Kiel.
"U-um..... y-your n-name is.....?"(Lila)
She's trembling while asking my and Kiel's name. Is silver eyed demons that scary?
"Rune and this is Kiel."(Rune)
"U-uh....you...uh...where do you live?"(Lila)
"..........we both are not going home."(Rune)
"...eh?"(Lila)
"Aah! Right! Lila, these two want to join us."(Allan)
"E-eh....Eh?!"(Lila)
"What?! Are you crazy?!"(Kena)
"Well, these kids don't want to go back home."(Allan)
"We're not some orphanage who would accept a run away kids!.....e-even if she looks cute!"(Kena)
"I know! But she doesn't want to go back no matter what I say!"(Allan)
"You just have zero persuasion skill! Watch me! Hey kid!"(Kena)
She suddenly grabs my shoulder firmly.
"I will give you some sweets so go back home, okay?"(Kena)
Is she trying bribing me?
*SMACK*
Aa....Kiel slaps the sweet from Kena's hand. She just stares at Kena with eyes full of killing intent.
"............"(Kiel)
"W-what..?"(Kena)
"Trying to bribe a kid. Is that what you called persuasion skill, heh..you just fail as an adult"(Allan)
".........Why don't we bring this matter outside, huh? Pervert."(Kena)
She's smiling, but I can see a vein pop up on her head.
"We're already outside you brute woma-?! "(Allan)
*TWACK*
Kena just showed us a clean uppercut.
"...........*groan*...."(Allan)
"Um...miss Kena, I'm sorry to interrupt, but I'm really have strong reason to not go back. So what ever you do, I won't change my mind on it."(Rune)
Teary eyes, check!
"Uu...you're just cute! Of course I would let you join us if I can. But....it's our leader's decision to make."(Kena)
Said Kena while patting my head.
*SMACK*
Once again Kiel slaps her hand.
"Kid, you're starting to irritate me"(Kena)
Kena is smiling, but her eyes aren't. There is a deadly aura coming from her.
"U-um...t-then we should bring them to meet lady, right?"(Lila)
"Yes, you two, follow me"(Kena)
She leads us to the edge of the cliff.
"Can you two swim?"(Kena)
S-swim? Why we're swimming?!
"N-no"(Rune)
"........."(Kiel)
"Hahahaha, just kidding, no need to make such a face! Hey Arke, can you give us two more [Xarka Cristal]?"(Kena)
".........here"(Arke)
The red haired demon just passed two necklace with clear crystal marble as a pendant from a very small pouch.
"Wear this, you two follow what I'm about to do"(Kena)
She suddenly jump off from the cliff.
She has wings so she will fly right? My eyes follow her body as she fall into the sea.
"W-what!?"(Rune)
She didn't fly?!
"....just..jump"(Arke)
Arke just looks at the both of us and jumps just like Kena. Just what is going on here?!
"Don't worry you two. As long you wear the necklace, everything will be alright. Just jump!"(Allan)
Allan suddenly jumps while pointing at the [Xarka Crystal].
This kind of height is not laughing matter, you know! You can't just tell people to jump!
"Rune? Are you alright?"(Kiel)
Just think this as a water park, just jump right? Just jump... no good! It's too high! I'm scared.
"Uh...Kiel, can you hold my hand?"(Rune)
"I will be glad to."(Kiel)
Uh...here we come.
I just jump while holding hands with Kiel.
"AAAAA!"(Rune)
I keep close my eyes as we fall. But then, my body suddenly stops falling.
I try to open my eyes and peek. Then a fish just swim right in front of me.
"Huh?"(Rune)
I and Kiel are under the sea, but I can speak or breath normally. Then I realise, there's a barrier around us.
"Surprise? It's because of the [Xarka Crystal]. It's a magical tool that creates a barrier to prevent water to come contact with you. It also provides air for you. That's why you can breath underwater."(Kena)
"It's a special item created by our leader. We can also communicate with her with it and it can track down our location too."(Allan)
"And you lost it, didn't you? That's why we had a hard time to track down your position."(Kena)
"Uh...b-but I leave you a map!"(Allan)
"There's no one can read your scribble!"(Kena)
"....let's....get moving"(Arke)
The five of us swim to a big cave under the cliff. It's a pretty long swim. Then, as we swim near a surface, it gets brighter.
When we reached the surface, I was stunned.
There are many light crystals embedded on the wall, that's why the cave is so bright. The cave is so vast and the ceiling is so high up. There are many tall building made out of earth magic and there's many kinds of people, just like a small city. There's even a water road for fish like people such as water lizards and mermaids.
"Welcome to our Ancagon's Headquarters, population: 217 people"(Kena)
Kena, Allan and Arke lead us to the biggest bulding in the center. There are some people who have a surprised look once they see Kiel, but then, they just continue their activity.
"Our headquarter were built in just three years by our leader five years ago. The greatest magic tool inventor in the world, we often call her 'Lady'. We have theater, bar, tavern, farm, and many kind of shops just like a normal city. All of our members are people who Lady recruited personally. My friend and I were helped by a lady when some bandit group raided our village. We lost our land and many people from the raid, but then Lady helped us defeat those bandits. Since then, we pledged our lives for Lady. We will follow her whenever she go."(Kena)
"As for me, I asked for Lady's help to find Arin in exchange to joining her. Lady is interested by my skill as a locksmith, that's why she agreed to help"(Allan)
"Locksmith? Aren't you just a petty thief?"(Kena)
"Hey! I used to be noble thief, you know, not a petty thief! I only steal from the rich!"(Allan)
"Then, you would distribute money to the poor?"(Rune)
"What? No, where did that come from?"(Allan)
Then what's so noble from your act?! If you want to steal, you would normally choose rich target! And here I thought you just like Rob**hood and such!
"For a guy like you, to reach the highest level in locksmith...there must be some mistake"(Kena)
"Heh, like it or not, I'm the one with [Hand of Grand Thief]! You can't do anything about it~"(Allan)
"If I cut your hands, you can't use you skill anymore right?"(Kena)
"W-what?! Don't you dare! D-dont come near me! Put that sword down will ya!"(Allan)
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Allan and Kena kept bickering as we reached the highest floor in the building. We stand in front of a very big door with a very expensive design.
*Knock*Knock*
"Come on in"(???)
As the big door opens, there a young girl in her teens sitting in a big chair while drinking her tea. Her eyes are gentle, bright purple; her hair is long, wavy light blue; small, pink lips; and a thin slender body. She's a cutie.
"Allan, you just lost another [Xarka Crystal] don't you? Do you know how many hours I need to make one of that?"(???)
"Y-yeah...uh...I'm so sorry!"(Allan)
Allan is bowing his head really low, while Kena is smiling wide beside him.
"*sigh* Just don't lose another one. If you do, I will embed the crystal into your body so you won't lost it anymore"(???)
"Y-yes ma'am!"(Allan)
"How did the operation go?"(???)
"Everything finished as planned, even after someone almost ruined it."(Kena)
"Good then, did you find Arin?"(???)
"No, unfortunately, Arin isn't there"(Allan)
"I see, we still have two more people on the list. I'm still waiting the report from the scout team. We will dispatch you once they give us the report"(???)
"Yes ma'am"(everyone in unison)
"......So, who are this kids?"(???)
"Ah, these kids want to join us"(Kena)
The girl narrow her eyes. She put down her tea and walk toward us.
"You two? Want to join? Why?"(???)
"I was sold by my village, I can't go back to them"(Kiel)
"Then, what about you?"(???)
"Uh...I...."(Rune)
Just, how to explain it? I can't just say I'm a reincarnated person and this world used to be a game I played! If I lie and say I was abuse by my family, it won't be good either. I can't lie by badmouthing my family.
"Uh....."(Rune)
"Is it something you can't say to us?"(???)
"....uh yes..."(Rune)
"Then everybody, leave both of us alone"(???)
Kiel just holds my hand tighter. Now I just realise, we kept holding hands since we jump from that cliff.
"You too kid"(???)
"........"(Kiel)
There is no sign of letting my hand go.
"It alright, I won't hurt her or anything"(???)
"......."(Kiel)
She's still not letting go.
"....Kiel, will you wait for me outside"(Rune)
"...okay.."(Kiel)
There is just me and the girl sitting face to face. She offer me bowl full of candy.
"Some sweets?"(???)
"Thank you for your offer."(Rune)
"My name is [Shena Vonclad], what's yours?"(Shena)
"....Rune"(Rune)
"So, will you tell me your circumstance, Rune?"(Shena)
"Even if I tell you, you won't believe me"(Rune)
"Why don't you try?"(Shena)
".....if I say I'm not from this world, will you believe it?"(Rune)
"..........."(Shena)
Shena just stare at me with narrow eyes. See? Nobody will believe me if I say so.
"So you're from another world?"(Shena)
"Yes..w-wait! You believe me?"(Rune)
"Ah...you reincarnated person too right?"(Shena)
"What do you mean by 'too'? Is there another person? Don't tell me that you too?"(Rune)
"Heh, bingo"(Shena)
"Aa....comrade!"(Rune)
I just jump and try to hug her. But she moves from her spot and I end up hugging air.
"So, you can tell me now, right?"(Shena)
"Eh, yes!"(Rune)
So I told her all about the game I play, about the character and about me.
"Like a game? That's pretty hard to believe.."(Shena)
"What are you saying? Don't you know game name 'the Ectria'? That game is pretty well known"(Rune)
"No, I never played a game before"(Shena)
"Are you serious?!"(Rune)
"Even in past life, I used to be orphan child, I like to fight at street and be come pretty well know. Then someone took me into their family after saw me fighting."(Shena)
"F-family? You mean adopted?"(Rune)
"Well, something like that. At a young age, I was trained to kill and put my life on the line to protect the boss. I didn't have time for a game. I used to be a bigshot, even the other family didn't dare to mess around with me."(Shena)
"B-boss? K-kill? You mean..."(Rune)
"Yeah....that kind of 'family'...but, that's all the past. Now, I'm trying to create my own guild for my own interest"(Shena)
"I-is that so...."(Rune)
"Now, about you.... why do you need to after this 'good end' from the game? You could just ignore it and live your life normally"(Shena)
"No, I can't do that....I must make my brother to be knight in Almare kingdom or we will facing the 'bad end' "(Rune)
"The 'bad end'?"(Shena)
"Yes, in the 'bad end', the prince army is defeated and the prime minister start war between continent. My village is near human border, so when the war start, my village got destroyed and everyone is killed. Then, the prime minister succeeds in taking over every kingdom one by one"(Rune)
"But still, there's no need to fake your death, if your brother doesn't go to the capital and applying as knight kingdom, you can just take his place."(Shena)
"That, won't be good either. [Esta Revanna], one of the main character become the vice-captain because of my brother. If I take his place, she wouldn't even go to the Almare kingdom."(Rune)
"Then, why don't you just ask your brother? Ah, but the result would be different"(Shena)
"Between training for revenge and training because your sister ask you. The result would be completely different"(Rune)
"......that's why you fake your death"(Shena)
"Yes, and now I'm searching a place to live"(Rune)
".... but, would your fake death really solve anything?"(Shena)
"What do you mean?"(Rune)
"Even if you say this world incarnation of the game you used to play, but, right now this world is the real wolrd. You said it yourselves, 'one wrong move would create the bad end'. Even if your brother goes to the capital now, there's no guarantee he will be the strongest knight. Or those important quest you told me, there's a chance the prince and his group came late or miss those quest"(Shena)
".........."(Rune)
I could fell my hands grow cold as I hear Shena explaination. She's right, in the game, every event will be triggered the moment you enter a certain place. I used to go training my character before I do the quest. Even if the quest is seems urgent and need to deal immedietly, If go around for two or three days, the moment I finish the quest it would be told as the same day when I accept the quest.
"Beside, don't you think it's a bit weird?"(Shena)
"Huh?"(Rune)
"The prime minister, why would he act now? From your story, he's seems strong. So, why don't he take over long ago before the prince was born? And why he have to wait until defeating the prince's army to take over another kingdom?"(Shena)
".........that's...... I don't know"(Rune)
"You mean it's not mentioned in the game?"(Shena)
"......yes..."(Rune)
All I can do is hang my head low as Shena's question struck me. I never really thought about it before. Why the prime minister need to defeat prince's army before take over the world? Why did he suddenly kill the queen and the king? It never occurred to me. All I know is that it's just a plot the developer made.
".....there might be some connection between prime minister action with the Denca's tribe annihilation"(Shena)
"Denca tribe?"(Rune)
".........I still need some evidence to prove me right. Heh, this is sound really interesting"(Shena)
I could she Shena giving an blissful smile as if a kid found a new toy.
"Is this mean you would let me and Kiel join?"(Rune)
"Huh? Ah, yes of course. I need to test what are you two capable of. I will prepare the new room also a new clothes for you and your friend. I will test both of you tomorrow. You can take rest now."(Shena)
"Yes!"(Rune)
"But first, you need to take a bath"(Shena)
Now she's mention it, I haven't take a bath since those slave trader kidnapped me. My body is full of dust and dirty, my clothes tattered and my hair is messy. I wonder how can Kiel still smell so good after locked longer than me.
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Thanks for reading (^_^)/