Endel Springs - upper path - morning

The water covers all of my body, save for my neck and head. It is quite warm but at a comfortable level. I can feel the stress and fatigue leaving my body.

“Ah, I can feel my body ascending into enlightenment.”

“Oh man, this feels great! It’s like all the soreness in my muscles are just floating away,” Elizabeth exclaims. “The water wrappin’ itself on my skin feels so damn good!”

‘You’re telling me, I can’t remember the last time I felt this good. How about you, Nunnalé? I know the way we’ve been washing isn’t the best.”

“I am fine with whatever conditions.”

Before Nunnalé entered the water, she just stood around doing nothing and had to be told to take off her clothes and come into the springs. Of course, she did it with no hesitation.

“Now ya just being modest. Admit it, this is better than taking a shower in a pond.”

“But I am not being modest,” Nunnalé quickly responds.

“Is that so? Then you’re too straightforward for your good.”

Nunnalé looks toward the edge of the spring. It’s high enough for no one to fall off from, but not high enough to obscure the view to the bottom spring.

“Is it bad for me to not be with my master right now?”

“Sorry, but that’s how it needs to be. You need to give yourself privacy for certain things, like when you’re naked, for example.”

“Or when ya weighing yourself.”

“Or when you’re sleeping by yourself in the wilds. Actually, you might not want someone you don’t know to find you out there. The point is: when bathing, it has to be a private thing.”

“What about our current position?”

“We’re all girls, so no harm in seeing the things we all have,” Elizabeth clears up any confusion.

“Ah, so it is fine as long as we share the same gender?”

“Pretty much.”

Elizabeth dives under the water. She stays under for about two minutes before rising back.

“Damn, nearly drowned.”

“What were you trying to do?”

“See how long I can hold my breath underwater. Try it.”

“I mean. . .Ah screw!”

I dive underwater. The heat immediately warms my head. It’s not intolerable but staying under too long won’t be good. After a while, I eventually rise from underwater.

“How long was I under?”

“Three minutes, just a minute over mine.”

“Damn, I was going for four minutes.”

“Are you competing?” Nunnalé asks us.

“We sure are. Wanna give it a try?”

“What would it serve me if I win?”

“Oh, so you a betting girl? Alright, how about this: the winner gets to buy me a drink in the kingdom!”

“Come on, that’s not even worth winning. How about the winner gets to ask the losers a question?”

“Aw, but then who’ll buy me a drink?”

“Hm, a question as a reward. I do wish to inquire with you about something. Very well, I shall partake.”

“All right then, let’s all dive into the water on three. The last one to come out is the winner. Ready, go!”

We dive into the water. The heat of it warms face. Three minutes pass, Elizabeth is the first to come out. Pass the five-minute mark. I’m feeling the heat get to me. Maybe I can go for a bit longer, but I honestly have no idea if that’s possible. Shit, I can’t do this any longer. I come out from underwater. I take in a breath of fresh air. Nunnalé still has herself submerged underwater. She comes out from under the water after another minute.

“I believe I have won this contest.”

“Man, how did I come out first!?” Elizabeth scratches her head as she’s having a hard time coming to terms with her loss.

“Guess you can’t take the heat.”

“Nah, I can manage the heat. I guess I ain’t good at holding my breath.”

I can normally deal with heat as long as I’m not all dressed up, but being surrounded by warm water is a different story.

“Well, it’s our loss, no matter how you look at it. So Nunnalé, ask any question you want?”

“Then I shall pose my question: Marie, why did you leave the Fire Wraiths?”

“Wait, wait, wait, wait. . .You were a bandit!?”

Great, never expected her to ask me such a question? But not answering is probably gonna bite me in the ass. Plus, I can’t have Elizabeth distrusting us because of me.

“You sure picked a good question. But why ask me that?”

“I wish to understand why you would leave such a force that has a stranglehold of the outside of the kingdom?”

“Oh, it’s because of my brother.”

“So your bro was a bandit?” squints her eyes.

“No, he was a prisoner.”

“Wait, then how were you a bandit, and he wasn’t?”

“I provided my services to keep him safe. When we found our chance to escape, we took it.”

“That’s it?”

“No. After that, we hid for a good while, but they found us in the end. Alexander made a deal with them. Apparently, they stole something valuable from a noble in the kingdom. To throw off the knight’s investigation they had Alex take responsibility.”

“What a bunch of shitheads, can’t even steal from the kingdom without shittin’ themselves.”

“. . .Alexander got thrown into Blackrock prison after that. I was alone for 6 months. I thought of plans to get him out, but nothing stuck. But 5 months after he was taken there, I heard about an interesting discovery in the Hell Mine. I was gonna use it as a bargaining chip against the kingdom to get him out of prison. Thinking on it now, I don’t think the Fire Wraiths would’ve liked that very much since Alexander could shed light on who really stole from the nobility.”

Right, now for this next part. I make eye contact with Nunnalé’s

“I’m sorry for using you as a means to an end. I’m also sorry for using Proxy and Richard to do my dirty work. If you hate me for it, then I’ll understand.”

At first, I figured it would be that bad to sell her off to the Kingdom. However, as I had gotten to know her, the thought became a disgusting idea. It would make sense if she hated me for it; I already hate myself for it.

“It is okay. I do not feel such emotions about it or any at all. Judging by the situation, if you had not sent them, I would’ve stayed in the container I rested in. So I owe you my thanks.”

I feel as if a weight has been slightly lifted from my body, making it slightly easier to breathe. Even with her thanks, it doesn’t make it any less terrible.

“Wait, why were you in a container?” Elizabeth harps on the container part.

“It was my resting unit. Any damage I would’ve sustained would have been healed in there. However, since the container was lost with the destruction of the Hell Mine, I no longer have that option. Albeit, I do possess a healing factor that is a fraction as strong as the container’s.”

“Gotcha. Wait, why were you in it in the first place?”

“I have no recollection of that. It was before my contract with my current master, so I do not know.”

“So you had other masters?”

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“Most likely.”

“Then does that mean anyone else right now could be your master,” Elizabeth pushes the question.

“No, I already have one, so the only way that can happen is if they kill my current one. Even then, they must fulfill the criteria to use me.”

“If they did?”

“Then I would serve them. My memories of my previous master and my time while serving him will disappear.”

I don’t want to imagine what would happen if she turned on us.

“Thinking about it like this: my current master is only one of a few who could use me, so he’s not special in that regard.”

Damn, just hearing her say that is a punch to the gut. I’m glad he isn’t here to hear this. Still, I don’t like how this conversation is going, so we should change it up.

“But how do you feel about your master, Nunnalé?” I ask her

“Yeah, call me curious about that as well.”

“Hmm, If I were to describe him, it would be: lacking in confidence, not willing to take the incentive in a battle, he over worries about me, even when I am capable of taking care of myself. He recklessly puts his own life on the line. All these traits about him baffle me. Yet, I find him to be interesting. He treats me kindly, and is considerate of me, more so than himself at times. And most of all, he seems to be concerned over my life, even if I’m not human. He is a person who puzzles me.”

Kids nowadays, always making things a tad more complicated than they should be.

"Um, then why don’t you try to talk to him and figure him out?”

“Should I?”

"Jeez, how are ya this dense? Of course, you should. Right, Marie?"

"Exactly. I think you should try to act a bit more open with him, try to act like friends."

“Friends. . .Proxy said that we were friends. Do you believe master would like to be friends with me as well?”

“Of course he would, but you’re going to need to establish this.”

"How so?"

"Try striking up a conversation with him about anything."

Nunnalé takes a moment to think to herself.

"Hmm, I never asked him about his homeworld."

"See, there ya go!"

"You should ask him when you get home."

"I shall do so. But upon that, I wish to ask him many other things, but I don't wish to trouble him with my questions."

"It'll be fine, just get in there and start talking to him."

Elizabeth puts her arm over Nunnalé's shoulder.

"Little girl, you got a long way to go before you understand the heart of a man," Elizabeth says, laughing at the fact.

"And you think you can teach her?" I point out.

"Course, stick with me and I'll show you the fastest way to a man's heart."

"His stomach?" Nunnalé responds with a dry tone.

"Haha! You said it! In the metaphorical sense, of course."

Anti-bandit army camp - morning

I take a seat across from Legion. He has a proper, well-mannered decorum to himself. Yet, there’s no weakness in his posture. He gently picks up the cup of water in front of himself.

“Thank you for the water.”

“No problem, sorry for not having any fancy drinks.”

“No need, I am a guest, I shouldn’t complain about what I don’t have.”

Humble as well, you can tell he’s not a bandit. That begs the question of who this guy is.

“All right, before we begin, I’d like you to consent to me recording our conversation via transcript. Don’t worry, this is just for my eyes only.”

“I see. Very well, I shall allow you to record this.”

“Thank you.” I take out the paper I’ll be writing on. “I’ll start by asking your name again.”

“I am Legion.”

“Okay then, Legion. Where do you come from? It’s obvious you aren’t a knight, let alone a non-civilian of the kingdom, so do tell?”

“It’s that obvious? Well, I am not obligated to tell you about my origins, but I can say that I am not from this continent, and I am also not a knight. I am a representative of the Church of Mana.”

“Church of Mana? What is that?”

“An organization that aims to reign in stability throughout the world. We act as a police force that takes on threats to society."

Police organization? Does he mean something like the knight? Also, reign in peace for the entire world would mean that there is just as much or more violence on the other side of the ocean?

"I see. So what would a representative of this organization be doing here? Something tells me it's more than just surveying the continent."

"In truth, I am here for other reasons, but I am not at liberty to state such reasons."

"Fine, let's just continue with the fundamental questions."

"I am ready."

Okay, keep onto what questions need to be answered the most.

"The book, why do you want it?" I open with the key question.

"I wish to acquire it and return it to the church."

"How did you locate it here? Judging from Proxy's account, he found it in his world."

"A few months ago, we picked up a large Source reading coming from here. I was the only one assigned to retrieve the book."

"Why are you alone?"

"The matters are. . .complicated, but in short, I was the only one eligible to come as a representative of the church."

"So it's a ruse?"

"Yes, and no. I am here to establish relations."

"Why now? Did you guys not consider coming here before?"

"That too is quite complicated."

"That will not do, I wish for exact details."

"My, you're quite the pushy one. Very well, I will answer honestly." He straightens himself in his seat. "For the longest time, this continent has been inaccessible to us."

"Why?"

"Ships that traveled close to this place would end up destroyed."

"How would they, and what are 'ships'?"

"Ships are vessels that cruise on the water, trailing along with the current of the wind, and the waves of the sea."

I see, so such a thing exists? Vessels that can travel across the water.

"Fascinating, this is just fascinating.” No, control yourself, you must control yourself. I need to understand how the ships were destroyed. “. . .Can you tell me about how the ships were destroyed?"

"Reports stated that a massive tree root from the bottom of the sea lifted a large vessel."

"Really?"

"Again, I haven't seen it for myself, I only read what was reported. It is plausible that it sank into the sea."

"And you came by ship?"

"I did."

"Then why did you survive?"

"That is something I cannot reveal as well."

It’ll be useless to push for answers. Right, time to get back to the main questions.

"So about the book: why do you want it?"

"I wish to capture it and return it to the church."

"I know your aim, but why?"

"The item in your possession is a dangerous relic."

"Why is that, or can you not reveal that?"

"Ordinarily, no. But you seem to be the type of man who will push for an answer no matter what."

"Read me like a book.”

"The book is said to be an item containing secrets that can cause an upset in the world if they fall into the wrong hands."

"No specifics?"

"No, we haven't been able to confirm its secrets, but we have records on the item, from a document that was discovered from an archaeological project to uncover a hidden library."

Incredible! An underground library. This only makes me more and more curious about the other side of the ocean!

"Incredible, so do these records go into any more depth?"

"It only said that the book is an object of great importance, holding secrets that can change the world, as I have said. However, since you told me the book brought Proxy and his friend here, I'm concluding that this is its place of origin."

"Seems plausible. If it wasn't, then it wouldn't have brought them here." I think I've gotten most of the key questions out of the way. I suppose there are no more questions to ask. “Seems like we’re done. I thank you for your time.”

“You're welcome, but I must collect the book, it still is my mission to retrieve it.”

Damn, it slipped my mind that he was gonna ask for it after the questioning was over.

“I understand that, but I wish to study it a bit more, come to an understanding of it. After that, I’ll hand it off to you.”

“No, I cannot wait. I must take it now. Even if it means by force.”

He has a hand on his blade. I can tell he’s serious about cutting me down. As much as I want to fight back, something tells me it wouldn’t end in my favor. I need to deescalate the situation.

“Will you calm down, I don’t wish to fight you.”

“Me neither, but I will do so if I have to.”

“What will you do when you take the book?”

“Take it back to the kingdom with me, place it somewhere safe, then carry on with my other duties until I am cleared to go home.”

“I see, so you wish not to investigate it?”

“What?”

“How will you be able to investigate the book in detail if you don’t understand it?”

“We will do a thorough investigation on it to unlock the secrets of it.”

“But how will you know to unlock it if you don’t understand its history, or why it was made, or who even made it?”

“Well. . .”

“That’s why you should let me study it a bit more. As of recent, I have been reading books that dwell in the studies of rare and mystical items. So far, nothing has mentioned the grimoire. However, there has been a mention of a mansion that has been used to test, experiment, and study things that are beyond normal.”

“You plan to go there?”

“Yes, but not by myself. It’s in an area that is teeming with bandits and dangerous animals. That is why I am staying with the anti-bandit army.”

“I see, and you won’t tell me where this mansion is?”

“No, I need a reason to keep it, after all. So, will you permit me time; anything I learn will be documented and given to your organization.”

His hand moves away from the hilt of his sword to his chin. This is the only thing I can see working as a deal, so if he says no and tries to take it by force, then I’ll have to fight him. Though, judging by how he carries himself, it would be wise to assume he’s a seasoned combatant.

“. . .So you will give us any information you learn about the book?” he reiterated what I said.

“Indeed.”

“Hmm. . .Fine, I shall allow this.”

A sigh of relief leaves my mouth. The stress building in my body dissipates as the situation calms down.

“Thank you, you will not regret this,” I assure him.

“But, I’d like for there to be a deadline.”

“Understandable. How about after we defeat the bandits, well, if we do?”

“How long would that take?”

“We’re marching for their home base with vehicles, so I reckon a month or two. If I learn nothing by then, I’ll give it to you. Is this acceptable?”

“Yes, I can agree with these terms. Let us shake, to seal the deal.”

He extends his hand as I am. We shake to seal our deal. To be honest, I thought this would not go well, but it turns out that not only did I extract some info on the book, but about this world as well. This is why life is worth living. There are so many things to learn about, to experience. I want to learn about the book, but more importantly, I wish to learn why no one not from this continent is allowed access except for Legion? That being said, that manor mentioned in one of the books from the royal library is my best bet to learn more about the book. I hope it’ll bring a result. But one thing is certain: I’m glad I didn’t go to the springs.