The man in guard uniform who is standing beside Erol was the one who saw my face back at 'The Hell Gate'. His head turned to my direction, I quickly hid behind the tall shrub.
Erol... I knew that he is suspecting me but he's quick for sure. Should I avoid them? But, I will have to walk past them if I were to leave the backyard. We will meet regardless. Currently, the witness thought I was a woman. He indeed saw my face but only for a split second. The painted picture of me was quite detailed but not one hundred percent of similarity.
"Oh! Sir Wynford" Muria exclaimed as she now noticed Erol. Erol and the guard now walking in our direction knowing us being here. I stay facing opposite direction from them while thinking.
["What are you going to do?"] Elly questioned to me telepathically. She seemed to be worried. I need to think calmly.
The guard didn't see Elly's face. But, if he recognized me. The only clue they have from another person, the height, will be as obvious as the clear sky.
"Elly... doesn't your feet hurt from all the walk?" I asked. Elly looked confused for a sec but then she spoke.
"Aaah, Yes, my ankle started to feel hurt!" She huffed as she shook her injured leg and then she opened her arms wide directing at me. "Piggyback!" She requested.
Glad she understood what I meant. Elly is pretty quick-witted sometimes
"Are you alright, Elly?" Muria asked while looking concerned at Elly. I crouched on the ground, facing my back to Elly.
Elly gave Muria a smile while she nodded as she rode on my back, "I'm okay! I got brother Yuu, hehehe." I straightened my legs up with Elly on my back. Despite the upcoming matter, she was thrilled when I raised her up. She swung her legs cheerfully. "Yuu... Go! Run Run Run!" She exclaimed while playfully pointed forward.
Good thing that she's light weighted...
"I think we will head back to the room for now" I suggested to Muria and she immediately agreed.
"Ahh, Yes, we don't want Elly to force herself, do we? Let's get her to rest" Muria agreed and we started walking toward the backyard entrance. Erol and the guard were walking toward us. I started feeling a little bit of tense as my eyes had met the guard. His eyes were scrutinized upon noticing me. But he looked unsure.
"Good day, Sir Wynford" Muria greeted and bowed at Erol as we now standing face to face. I nodded at him while Elly was lying her cheek on my shoulder and peeking from my neck. Erol didn't say anything except lightly jutting his chin toward my direction hinting to the guard. The guard lightly nodded and stared intently at my face. Muria realized the strange atmosphere currently happening. She was confused but regardless, she stayed quiet. Erol observes the expression of that guard, waiting for a reaction.
"Uhm... Is there anything I can help with?" I broke the silence and asked. The guard was staring quite intently. Any normal person would have asked about it. The guard was surprised by my sudden speech. He stepped back as he glanced at Erol. But, still looking unsure.
I guess, he imagined me quite womanly, didn't he? Now that I have dressed properly instead of that baggy guard uniform. My body didn't look as feminine as the effect of which the oversized clothing gave to me.
"This is Rogerdo, he's the witness of the criminal" Erol explained and the guard named 'Rogerdo' nodded to us but his eyes screamed suspicion.
"I see... did you find the wanted criminals?" I bluntly asked him.
"Not yet" Erol shortly answered. He paused for a while and continued" I told him that you looked like the criminal that's why I brought him to meet you" He spoke while his sharp cold eyes still glued on my face waiting for a reaction.
He is trying to stir me
"I thought so too, could 'she' be my lost twin sibling?" I talked back and smiled jokingly as though that 'she' is someone else I don't know.
"Did you know? That the criminal's partner is someone as tall as Elly?" Erol continued.
He's not giving me any break huh
"Really? Could it be a dwarf?" I answered.
I remember seeing that painting in the hallway during the tour. A short, child height adult with a majestic beard who looked like a dwarf straight out of a fantasy book. Although I can be wrong, the possibility is 90%.
"Dwarf?" Erol frowned and his eyes widened as he repeated my word. Muria and the guard also looked surprised.
Okay, so... it's the 10%
Elly suddenly smacked on my shoulder as she exclaimed, "Geez... Yuu, it is a 'Dwarfin'… Nobody says 'Dwarf' nowadays!" She explained.
"Ah yeah, sorry" I awkwardly smiled as I continued, "I mean, it could be a Dwarfin." I shrugged it off. Almost messed up. It would be troublesome if he found that I know nothing of this world. I mean, type of races is what a normal commoner should be aware of, right? Erol didn't deny, in fact, he seemed to have thought of that as a possibility too, which is a good sign.
Alright, I am on the right track
"Or… it could also be a human child with a battle sense like Elly” Erol tried stirring the topic again. He’s persistent. The guard now staring at Elly who’s peeking from my neck.
"Yeah... there's a lot of possibilities. Hope you will find them soon. Well then, I will excuse first" I answered and implying on leaving the place. The more I stay, the more the guard will be aware of me being the actual person. I can't afford to let him further recognize me. I stepped away with Elly still on my back. Muria also excused herself and followed us. At the moment I walked past him. Erol stopped us.
"Wait." He said. I turned around as a reaction, to see what else he's going to say. Erol looked at me solemnly as he continued with his usual deep voice.
“Do you know… that Ray is dead?” Erol declared.
Ray?
It didn’t take long for me to remember about this person he called ‘Ray'. Whom we said the person we visited and also got our uniforms from. I don’t have any clue about this ‘Ray’ at all. I thought Elly forged the story.
"Huh?" I acted as though surprised by his declaration. If 'Ray' is a friend of us, I should be shocked and probably not going to be straightforward believing his saying. While my hands were carrying Elly, I poked my finger to her legs. Hoping to get an explanation.
["Actually, Ray is the soldier I killed, Yuu. I overheard the other guard calling his name"] Elly realized and immediately informed me.
"Ray is dead" Erol repeated his statement. His sharp eyes remained as observant as before.
"No, you're lying! He was just fine yesterday!" Elly screamed beside my ear acting all agitated.
Good job Elly
"Yes, he looked healthy and lively the last time we met" I questioned him with an unbelieving tone.
"He was killed by the criminals we were searching now" Erol continued.
"What?? Nooooo" Elly started to sob, in fact, she was the killer herself.
I stayed silent. Partly, because I didn't know how should I react toward this matter. Another side, I believe there are people who choose to grief inwardly. Somehow, I was relieved to know that 'Ray' is the dead soldier. If not, we will be exposed if Erol actually searched for the person called 'Ray' in that place. I tried to be shocked externally. Hoping my face won’t give me up. A moment later, the quiet Erol suddenly grinned.
I don’t have a good feeling about this…
Erol stepped closer. His hand slowly traveled to his waist, touching the sheath of his sword. “How did you get that uniform again?" He asked. I could feel Elly getting tensed up from my back. Her grip on my shoulder tightened. She stopped sobbing.
"What are you implying." I spoke.
"That 'Ray' person didn't have his uniform on when he's dead." Erol stated with a not so friendly tone.
"Why was that?" I asked while briefly glanced throughout the area. My mind started to think about possible escaping route. Behind the mansion is a whole forest. Instead of going toward the city through the long-exposed road. Hiding in the forest is the best option.
"Well... I thought you might know why." Erol uttered.
At that moment, the wind conveniently came whirling through the backyard. Muria pressed her puffing skirt down. While our hairs fluttered into a mess. The guard suddenly widened his eyes. As though the wind sent him an inspiration. He raised and pointed his finger at me.
"I-It's her!!" He exclaimed. Erol smirked as he swiftly pulled his sword out. Elly bounced off my back and stood in her usual fighting stance, ready to pounce. The guard shouted again while he saw Elly. "I remember that stance! T-That short person!" He added and worsen the situation.
"Eh? Heh???" Muria yipped in confusion.
["Killing time!"] Elly leaped forward but Erol just smirked.
He was just testing us!!
"Elly!! Wait!!" I shouted at Elly. Everything went so fast. Erol dodged and swung his sword up.
"STOP!!" A familiar sound resonated throughout the backyard. The wind unnaturally swished in between them and causing both of them to jolted back. Erol looked surprised. He knew who did it. I looked at the source of the sound. A few meters away, Rhoselyn was standing with her white staff pointing at us and a displeased expression put on her face.
"Erol, explain the situation!" Rhoselyn moved closer as she questioned Erol in anger. Erol glanced at me as he clicked his tongue. He then walked toward Rhoselyn and quickly heed her question.
"Miss Rhoselyn, they are the wanted fugitives!" He exclaimed.
"What proof do you have?" Rhoselyn bitterly asked. As they were talking, I beckoned Elly over to my side.
"The witness, he recognized them, Miss Rhoselyn" Erol confidently answered as he signaled the guard to speak. The guard stood forward and bowed at Miss Rhoselyn.
"Can you tell me that you are one hundred percent sure?" Rhoselyn questioned the guard. The guard stuttered as he nodded, "Y-Yes, Miss Rhoselyn"
"Do you know that giving false accusation will be punished with death?!" Rhoselyn, with an intimidating gaze, she stated. The guard seemed to be surprised and he started to waver. Sweat trickled down his forehead.
"Are you... one hundred percent sure??" Rhoselyn repeated the question again. The guard was flustered. He glanced at me and Elly. His eyes darted left and right in confuse.
"Answer me" Rhoselyn further pressed on the guard.
"I-I..." The guard stuttered.
"Miss Rhoselyn, we have other proof that has yet to collect. The truth will be cleared after that" Erol cut in to ease the guard and proudly declared as he now glanced at me, coldly.
Proof?
"Answer me first" Rhoselyn ignored Erol and questioned at the guard again. He was silent for a while and then he peeked at Erol. Erol was giving him a threatening glare. The guard looked back at Rhoselyn.
"I-I... I am not one hundred percent sure" The guard finally stated and Erol wasn't pleased with his statement. He glared at the guard and the guard gulped anxiously. His survival instinct wavered his mind. It was clear that the guard is more afraid of Rhoselyn than Erol. But I can see the guard also won't go unscathed after giving away on Erol. He's standing on a thin ice.
"Alright, what is your proof, Erol?" Rhoselyn smiled at the guard and now questioned at Erol formerly statement.
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"It was the uniform, Miss Rhoselyn" Erol spoke.
"And why is that?" Rhoselyn asked.
"Yuu and Elly were wearing a guard uniform when I met them in the forest. They said that the uniform belonged to their friend, Ray. At the crime scene, two guards, one killed which is their friend 'Ray' and another one fainted without their guard uniforms on. The fact is that both guards have different body size and so were the missing uniforms. If what Yuu said is the truth, we can find the uniforms they wear and see if they were both belong to one person or not..." Erol explained and now turned to me.
"Where did you put the uniforms?" Erol interrogated at me.
Right, the uniforms... they are in that house. I should've burnt them. Damn.
"The uniforms... they are on the way here" Rhoselyn stated.
Huh?
"And I believe that they were innocent" Rhoselyn continued.
Great... Now, I have to think of an escape plan.
"I also told them to investigate the uniforms count of the deceased guard ‘Ray’. To check if his uniforms really missing. There are numbers marked on the garments, aren’t they” Rhoselyn added. Erol smirked as he was satisfied with Rhoselyn’s action.
“Yes, indeed, Miss Rhoselyn” Erol agreed as he confidently glanced at me.
“They will come report to me this evening. Let’s wait before jumping to any conclusion first.” Rhoselyn suggested as she now walked toward Elly. Rhoselyn held Elly’s little hands in her palm as she gently smiled at her. "It will be alright." She said. Elly was surprised at first. But then, she nodded and reply her a smile.
“Yep!” Elly cheerfully answered.
“Come with me Yuu, Elly” Rhoselyn asked us to go with her.
“Erol… I will inform you when the information come” Rhoselyn stated.
“Yes, Miss Rhoselyn” Erol bowed. I looked at Elly.
We need to leave before the information come...
As though she read my mind. Elly sent her thought, [“Yuu, It’s okay. Trust me. Let’s go with Rhoselyn for now”] She said. I was confused. Elly stared at me. [“Trust me”] She added. Her eyes showed confidence.
Okay… If she said so… It’s better than standing around Erol…
Erol and the guard parted with us. Erol gave me a glare while the guard had an unsure expression on. We followed Rhoselyn back into the building leaving them behind.
We walked into the West Wing of the mansion and into a room that seemed to be a workshop plus study. At the left, there was table consist of glass with many glowing liquids like the one Muria gave us earlier. At the right, a few tall bookshelves covered the wall forming a mini library. At the inner center, there's a desk placed before a tall clear glass window. While at the center of the room, there’s a magic circle painted on the floor.
“Welcome to my research chamber” Rhoselyn spoke and signaled the maids to wait outside. Muria and Fetallina both bowed and moved back to the outside of the room. When the door was closed, Rhoselyn expression changed. She stood in front of me as she uttered.
“I believe you are confused” Rhoselyn spoke in a solemn way. I stayed silent to see how thing goes.
“To be honest, I knew the fact that you are not from this world, Yuu” She confessed.
Huh?
I started to tense up and subconsciously glanced at the closed door. Rhoselyn noticed me and continue, "Please don't be alerted. I will not put any harm on you. Instead, I will help you out in this case, Yuu" She explained.
I guess… There’s no reason for me to pretense anymore.
“How did you know and what is your motive?” I asked without denying.
“It was my fate to help you, Yuu.” She casually answered while gently smiling like she usually does.
“I don’t see any reason for that.” I stated.
Rhoselyn walked to the center of the magic circle. She spoke, “This is the reason.” She closed her eyes and muttered a spell under her breath. The floor was glowing and shining so bright under us. Rhoselyn opened her eyes and looked at me as she declared, "...Hereby I open the gate to Sylph!" My head went blank.
“Arrghh!!” I grunted as my head was ringing so bad that it hurt. I clenched on my temple. My vision was replaced and I saw myself in the vision. I saw a green mythical bird in a forest. “Come-” The green bird spoke but it was cut off. The vision abruptly faded as Rhoselyn stopped her chanting.
“What did you do to me!” I yelled while my vision adjusting back to the current room.
“Did you see him?” She calmly asked despite my aggression.
“Who?” I asked as I gradually calmed down. The ringing in my head has gone away.
“Sylph, The Wind Spirit” She answered.
What... Spirit?
“The bird?” I asked after a short ponder. The green mythical looking bird which flashed into my head just now.
“Ahh, so you can see him!!” Her eyes sparkled as she leaned closer. She held both my hands up and clasped into hers. Rhoselyn excitedly stated. “It is true after all!" She seemed to have forgotten her manners and jumped in excitement around the room. She went to Elly and hug her so tight that Elly gasped, “..Y-Yuuuuu”
“I succeeded! No. What's important is that I knew I was right!” Rhoselyn happily declared.
“Please explain?” I straight forward requested. Rhoselyn realized and cleared her throat. She calmed down and back to her usual facade.
“I apologize for my unsightly manner. I will explain. Why don’t we take a sit first?” Rhoselyn suggested as she now moves to her desk.
Wait… what about the earlier case.
Before I opened my mouth, Rhoselyn stated. “About the uniforms, it’s alright, I had arranged everything. You will be fine. Even Erol will be convinced” She spoke as she smiled playfully.
“I understood”
After that, Rhoselyn started explaining. She said that for the past year. She had been frequently dreamed of the same thing. In the dream, she was standing in the forest and a sound called her. She couldn’t see but she heard the voice whom he claimed himself as ‘Sylph’ The Wind Spirit.
“…But, I couldn't hear what he was trying to say. It was not clear. Sometimes I can hear a word or two and the rest were hazy" Her eyes were looking straight into mine, "...Until I met you" She said.
"Me?" I questioned.
"Last night at that village when I was in deep sleep. You appeared in my dream although I never saw you. The voice is the clearest on that night. I can hear what The Wind Spirit was saying..." Rhoselyn said.
"What did he say?" I solemnly asked.
"He said, 'Rhoselyn, my child, please aid this man and bring him to me'..." Rhoselyn answered and I stayed silent. But, in fact, I was quite interested.
Why would a spirit of this world want to meet me?
"But, how did you know that I am not from this world?" I asked. I was suspecting that she might have the same perception as Elly.
Is that a common ability in this world? But from the way the others react, including Erol, they didn't seem like they know about me coming from another world.
"That is because, Sylph, The Wind Spirit, he also told me about your real identity..." Rhoselyn uttered.
"So, The Wind Spirit told you that I am not from this world?" I tried to confirm but Rhoselyn gently shook her head.
"No, it wasn't like that. In fact, he told me that you are 'that person'…" Rhoselyn paused, she took a long inhale in before she continued.
"You are The Moonlight Sorcerer..."Rhoselyn declared.
"Huh?" I couldn't process what she said about me being a sorcerer. I don't remember having any kind of that fancy title on me. "What do you mean?" I asked again to reconfirm what I heard. Elly also looked as clueless.
"I am not sure but I am certain about Sylph calling you The Moonlight Sorcerer..."
"Wait, who and what is The Moonlight Sorcerer. What is Sylph exactly." I bombarded her with questions she seemed to have expected about. "Why do I being The Moonlight Sorcerer have any connection with you knowing where I came from?" I added again. Rhoselyn chuckled while looking a bit overwhelmed.
"Because, The Moonlight Sorcerer himself came from the other world, Yuu..." Rhoselyn stood up from her seat and walked to the bookshelf. "…in this world, we called your world 'Alteius' and the people who came from that world were called the 'Alte'..." She browsed through the book and finally found what she wanted.
"Did you actually believe what Sylph tell you? I can tell you for sure, that this is my first time arrived in this world while myself don't have any clue about why I ended up here at all..." I honestly explained to Rhoselyn.
"Yes, of course. His words are absolute. Every living in our world will bow before The Spirits, even The King himself. They give blessings to the land and the races. All of the resources that we have enjoyed until now were all thanks to the blessing of Spirits..." Rhoselyn said.
"They?" I asked.
"Yes, there are many spirits reigning all over the lands and the sea. But, only four spirits actually communicated with people and they also held the highest authorities of all the spirits. They are Sylph, The Wind Spirit... Undine, The Water Spirit... Igaea, The Earth Spirit... and ...Faiya, The Fire Spirit" Rhoselyn explained.
"But still, I don't have any recollection of this world at all..." I stated. Rhoselyn slightly frowned. "Hmmm..." She indulged in deep thought, she opened the book she got earlier and searching through the seemingly old book pages.
"…After bringing peace to this world, the heroes were vanished and never seen ever since…" Rhoselyn softly read the line in the book. "Old rumors said that they lived a peaceful life in a faraway small village unknown by people... some said that they returned to their own world 'Alteius'… other said that they were dead after the last fight with the demon king... hmm..." Rhoselyn muttered and now glanced at me. She looks puzzled.
"Well, regardless, it was The Wind Spirit, Sylph himself, addressed you as The Moonlight Sorcerer. That can't be a mistake. Maybe... we should go to The Wind Temple. He might reveal himself if I bring you there. Yes... That's it!" Rhoselyn was getting pumped up. Whenever she talks about the spirit, her eyes brimmed with excitement.
Now that it has come to this... I might as well as told her about everything happens in the caves, including the children corpses found below that waterfall. She might know something and about the other people that came with me too.
"Rhoselyn... I-"
*knock *knock *knock
I was interrupted by the sound at the door. Rhoselyn fixated her eyes to the door behind me. "Yes, come in" Rhoselyn gave her permission. The door opened and Fetallina walked into the room.
"Miss Rhoselyn, The Lord has returned to the manor and requested to see you." Fetallina explained.
"Father?" Rhoselyn reacted and she stood up from her seat. "Yuu, Elly... I am sorry, I have to go first. I will find you later and we will continue what was left." Rhoselyn daintily smiled. But, then Fetallina interrupted.
"The Lord also requested for Mister Yuu and Miss Elly to come with you, Miss Rhoselyn" Fetallina added and immediately got a puzzled respond from Rhoselyn, she awkwardly glanced at me as she let out a weak, "Eh?"
That was not a good sign, wasn't it?