Typer’s room: Hello guys. I’m a jerk, and deserve to be burnt on a stake.
I promised releases on Thursdays, yet… Well… Anyway. Seeing how this isn’t working anywhere as well as I wanted at first, I decided to give the choice to you. Should I simply post everything I have up already then simply post as I write, which should be every two weeks with my current plan (No promises there. I’m starting to regret promising something and not keeping it up), or should I try once again keep up the whole Thursday thingy till I reach the end of my stock?
Anyway, storywise, things are about to take a turn for seriousness. While it was all fun and games up to now, things will probably change in the next few chapters seeing how there will be some things happening. But it should be back to normal before long. (I’d guess by the end of 30 or middle of 31).
As I said before, this is VASTLY a work in progress, and wasn’t made to be posted initially, so there might be some inconsistencies. If so, please do tell me, as I want to make it an enjoyable read ^^
May your reading be enjoyable.
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Lady Tian and I ran back to the main building, and after a brief search with my senses, I confirmed master Bo's location talking with the head of the Song clan. Noticing our approach, he looked surprised, but seeing our expressions, his face soon became serious.
"I’m sorry old 'friend'." He said putting strong emphasis on that word friend. "But it seems that something serious has happened."
"Hooh, and your daughter brought you such news?" The head of the song clan asked doubtful, making Bo nod in agreement.
"It seems to be the case. Don't your daughter bring you serious matters on her own too?" Bo asked with a taunting tone, but his opponent kept his facade.
"Why, yes! My cute Aria indeed does that! She even gave me help with some serious matters with the Song these days!" He replied while laughing proudly.
"It seems that we were both blessed with wonderful daughters!" Bo said laughing as his large frame shook.
Both noblemen started laughing together in a scene that looked very friendly if it wasn't for all the bloodlust oozing from their interaction. As much as I enjoyed watching this kind of thing, which I actually don't, I had to interrupt them, by taking a step forward and lowering my head.
"Master Bo." I said in a serious tone that made the two cringe in surprise. "It is my regret to tell you this, but this might not be the time suitable for pleasantries."
Looking at me in awe, the head of the Song's simply stared for a moment while Bo quickly cleared his throat and put on a more serious look, understanding that I was being completely serious at the moment. Nodding after seeing his change, I quickly spoke up.
“I… Got knowledge that there’s a group of people gathering at the forest nearby.” I told him, and with my words I saw him widening his eyes. “And there seems to be a Spiritualist amongst them.”
“You…” Bo said surprised before stopping to think. “Are you sure about that?” I nodded while briefly extending my senses once again.
“If I’m not wrong, one of them is scouting just outside of the garden right now.” I told him and it seemed that he understood my meaning, frowning slightly and nodding.
Xiang, the head of the Song household, was still nearby and hearing our conversation. I could have called master Bo somewhere else and talked to him there in private, but since this was the Song’s house, it might be good that he also hears this.
Bo seemed to notice my idea, as he nodded lightly. Xiang simply stared at me dubiously for a moment as if he wasn’t accepting my words directly. Taking a deep breath, I looked towards Bo and awaited as he made his mind on what to do next. Sharpening his gaze while looking towards me, he soon made his question.
“How many?”
“Around… Nine I guess.” I said while searching for them. “One spiritualist and the rest are normal people.” I said after confirming.
“Any idea how strong the spiritualist is?” He asked me, but I shook my head. I was still unable to gauge the opponent’s strength yet due to lack of references. With a sigh, Bo once again looked focused as he turned towards his aide. “You, go to the carriage and bring ‘those’.” He said. Hearing that, I quickly tugged his robe, and after a moment he added. “Hers too.”
I smiled a bit cheerfully once he complied to my request, seeing that, he smiled a bit before turning towards Sui, who was still sitting on our table. They made a brief eye contact and soon enough she raised from the chair and started walking towards us.
Seeing, that, the head of the Song household looked confused for a moment before turning towards Bo and asking curiously.
“Are you really going to believe her in that?” Hearing that, Bo frowned and turned back to him. “She is still just a kid, so it wouldn’t surprise me if she had only seen things.”
Although I feel really angry that he is saying that, he does have a point. I AM only four years old right now, so taking everything I said at face value is a bit odd. While feeling slightly depressed over that fact, Bo simply turned towards Xiang and said.
“She has proven herself to me. You might want to increase the guards, though. Just to be sure.” Xiang crossed his gazes with master Bo for some time before finally nodding heavily and calling the butl… The Head aide from his house.
The old man sent me a brief curious look before turning to his master. I simply turned away wryly because I somehow knew he would see through me no matter what I did. Still, after hearing to Xiang’s orders, he finally nodded and walked away towards the guards.
“What happened, dear?” Lady Sui asked as she approached us and put herself besides master Bo.
“Cute plebeian got information on a group of humans approaching the party through the garden.” Tian said briefly.
“People approaching?” Sui asked surprised before frowning. “Why would they come here?”
“That’s a good question.” Bo said while nodding. “It might be nothing at all for all we know, and they are only passing nearby.” As he said that, he gave a brief glance towards Xiang.
“I don’t think I made any enemy who would dare attack me during this party.” He replied briefly while shaking his head.
“Then, what about bandits?” Bo asked curious. “I’ve heard that just recently the Hon disbanded a bandit group near our territory.”
“It could be that...” Xiang nodded in agreement, but I couldn’t help but feel doubtful. Shouldn’t Spiritualists be all rich and powerful? Why join bandits?
“Then, what about someone else in the party?” I asked my doubt. “Couldn’t they be targeting another noble instead of you?” I asked doubtful. The two widened their eyes briefly before nodding.
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“Someone else? Who would it be then?” The two heads asked in synchrony while quickly scanning the room.
However, it seemed that they either didn’t find anyone who caught their eyes, or they found too many to get a definite answer to the question. Sighing loudly, the duo looked dejected while exchanging hopeless glances at each other. It seemed like they had reached the same conclusion as before.
As they started to exchange hypothesis again, I saw as the aides from our household came back while carrying two large packets and a smaller one with them. They approached our group before passing the smaller packet to me.
Smiling widely, I opened the packet and revealed the small crossbow-slingshot I had made some time ago and the strap I used to stick it to my leg. Happily picking it and a small bag with some pebbles, I turned towards Bo and Xiang, seeing as the old aide approached while accompanied by a woman around SuI’s age.
Wearing a simple white robe and with dark-blue hair, she had an extremely serious look to herself. Standing as tall as Sui, but with a more curvy body (Still smaller than Ping...), she held herself with extreme dignity even when amongst the two nobles. Not that it was strange, seeing how she’s an spiritualist.
“Greetings, Lord Xiang.” She said respectfully towards the blond noble before turning to Bo. “I believe you must be Lord Bo and family then?” She said while looking towards us. “My name is Dia Son-lao, and I’m acting as a teacher to Young lady Aria.”
“Oh, so you are her teacher?” Bo asked surprised before smiling and nodding. However, he soon put on a grimace. “I believe you have heard of the situation?” The girl nodded before giving me and Tian a glance.
“Dia, would it be fine to count on you to take care of the spiritualist?” He asked discretely and the woman nodded. “Thanks. If possible, try to take care of it in the garden. It would be bad if the guests got around knowing what’s happening.”
The woman nodded before looking towards the two aides from our households who were still carrying the packets, and then to me who was carrying my small crossbow happily.
“I take it that they will join me?” She asked briefly and Xiang nodded.
“Yes, we can’t afford sending many guards and having the guests attention brought towards the matter.” He explained briefly. “And should the spiritualist prove to be a worthy opponent, it would help having someone to take care of the smaller goons.”
“I see...” She said with a nod before turning towards the heads. “And are you sure about a spiritualist approaching this house?”
Xiang hesitated on her words, looking troubled as he chose his words, but Bo quickly intervened and nodded.
“I’d say that it comes from a trustworthy source.” Bo said while holding his belly for a moment and putting on a confident look. I smiled a bit awkwardly to that while scratching my cheek.
The woman seemed to accept his words because she nodded briefly before turning towards the aides and signaling for them to follow her. Going right behind her, I followed the aides, receiving a confused glance from Dia who seemed suspicious, but luckily she decided to ignore me, which left me a bit sad, but I guess that it would be better in the end.
Luckily, it seemed like our actions didn’t gather much attention from the others as I had expected. They had probably seen it as something like our household delivering presents to the Song. While wondering about this, I also wondered whether this would make the Xiang indebted to us or not. If so, then I guess Master Bo would get really happy with it.
Once outside in the garden, I saw that there were a couple of guards outside already, although only a few as Xiang had said previously. In the end Lady Tian decided to stay behind so she wouldn’t be much of a burden, but I followed them because there was one thing I wanted to see in action.
As soon as we confirmed that no one else was out there with us, the aides opened the packets they carried, revealing something that Master Bo had been buying in bulk recently.
Crossbows.
They had a very rudimentary look and mechanism, with the fanciest part being the lever reloading system that I recommended, seeing how it was easier than pulling a string. The Song’s guards looked at the two aides with confusion as they quickly set the weapons up and readied themselves.
“What manner of bow is that?” Dia asked curious seeing our weapons.
“Crossbow!” I commented slightly sullen for having my invention mistaken for something else.
One of the aides smiled wryly at my reaction before turning towards Dia and saying.
“These are crossbows, Master Dia. They are a kind of bow that is easier to use and aim. Stronger too.” The aide said while remembering my explanation the earlier days. “It uses a very unique method that allows for one take aim and shoot without the need for much training or strenght. It’s so simple even an amateur can use them with ease!”
While Dia raised an eyebrow amused, the soldiers all looked at it in awe and admiration, as they had more idea of what that meant in practical terms. Some gossips started running amongst them as they tried to get a closer look on the weapons, so I couldn’t help but smile smugly to myself.
But I didn’t have the time to rejoice on those feelings for much long, because I soon felt as the people I was keeping an eye out earlier approach the area. Getting more serious while discretely hiding myself behind some guards.
Sadly, this time Dia didn’t miss my reaction, and she soon raised an eyebrow at me before widening her eyes as if she understood my reaction. Then she turned to the opposite side and strained her eyes. I could feel as she converged the chi towards her eyes, probably enhancing them.
“They… Really...” she said shocked before turning to me with a confused look. I cursed in my mind for my slip in revealing my ability.
Luckily, she didn’t have the chance to ask me about it, because soon after we saw some people approaching the fence and climbing it with ease before jumping towards the garden and landing lightly.
They immediately started running towards the door, but the moment their eyes landed on us, they screeched to a halt and stared at the formation of soldiers and aides that stood still in front of the main door. As they stared at us, a shadow fell in front of their group without even lifting a single speck of dust from the ground.
Turning towards us, the figure wearing a strange cloth around its head stared at us and cursed.
“Someone explain me what the hell is happening here?”
… Sorry for crushing your secret raid?