An Investigation and Another Encounter

The Kingdom of Moriai, the place known for having the best swordsmanship in the country. To become a warrior of Moriai, you must learn swordsmanship first, and after that, it's up to you whether you will be a swordsman or try another weapon. This place becomes more famous because of the strongest swordsman living here, Gavril, the living legend, the one who keeps Moriai peaceful.

Standing in the middle of our house, there's an old man in front of me.

"Do really want to protect her?", he asked.

"Yes!"

The old man walks toward me and pats my shoulder.

"Then, try your best to get stronger."

"Yes, I will do that."

The old man smiles calmly at me.

"Well then, see you again."

He turns around and starts walking away.

"Wait!", I shouted.

"What is it?"

"Is there no other way to--"

"No, there's no way. Also, try not to get ******"

The old man continues walking away from our house.

"Wait!"

________________________________________________________________________________________

"...."

As I open my eyes, I look at the window. It's still dark a little. I glance at the clock, it's four in the morning. I wake up one hour early than I use to. Instead of trying to sleep again, I stand and wash my face, clean my room and go outside. I notice, it's bright.

*Does someone already wake up?*

I walk to the kitchen and notice Ernesta.

"Oh, Hiroro. Goodmorning~!!"

"Goodmorning."

"Do you want some coffee?"

"Yeah, but I can manage to--"

"Come on, I'm here. Ernesta! At your service!"

"Thanks"

She makes a black coffee and passes it to me.

"Enjoy!!!"

"Yeah, thanks."

I walk outside, I notice Vinna practicing.

*Just in what hour did she wake up?*

I walk in the opposite direction to not to bother her. As I pass in behind of Headquarters, I notice Greg also practicing.

"These two should be training partners if they just going to practice at the same time."

*Wait!*

I imagine Vinna and Greg practicing together.

*No, forget about that.*

Two hours have passed. The commander calls us again to the meeting room. This is my second time coming here, and I wish there are no more party bombs. The Commander press the remote on her hand and the window automatically close. The image appears on the screen that shows the map of the forest where the Headquarters is in the center.

"As for your mission today."

She clicks the remote and the image switch to the two faces of two people. They look like in their forties.

"These two are the knights for the Kingdom of Novus."

*Novus?*

Novus is known for having advanced technology. They make the most effective and best weapon and other things in the country. Most of my weapons are actually came from there.

"They disappear three days ago and there's still no sign of them."

She clicks the remote and the image switch again to the map.

"Base on the report, they are assigned to this place."

The image zoom at the east-south side, 5 kilometers away from the Headquarters.

"I want you to find these two."

"Okay guys, let's go!"

Ernesta jump from her seat.

"Wait. Bring this."

The commander passes a huge bag to Ernesta.

"Uhm, Lisa?"

"Just in case."

"I see"

There's really a possibility that they dead since it's been three days but I hope not.

____________________

We walked for almost fifty minutes to reach our location. We already here. There's no sign of any living things, except us.

"Hmm. Is this really the place?", Ernesta asked.

"Yes. Based on the report, something is lurking from this place; that's why they send that two people here."

"I see. So, what's the plan."

"It's obvious, let's split and find them.", Rick said.

We split into four groups: me and Lulu, Vinna and Ernesta, Greg and Rick, and Darius solo. I and Lulu look at the east side, we didn't see anything suspicious, just plants and trees. Since we didn't find anything, we go further. As we walk further, Lulu notices something.

"Uhm"

"Lulu? What is it?", I asked

She pointed to the ground on her left. It's a footprint. We follow that footprint. I go first just in case it's really them and when we reach the huge tree, I saw two-.

"Wait!"

"What is it"

"It's them."

"Huh?"

Lulu trembles in fear.

"Don't worry, let's go back and tell them what we saw."

We went back and tell them what we saw.

"Bringing this is the right choice after all."

We carry the body into the bag.

"Okay, boys carry them."

We carry the dead body. Each body, two people carry. I and Darius carry the body. It's really heavy.

"Hey, Hiro.", Darius calls me.

"Yeah?"

"Do you often see a dead person?"

"To be honest, this is my first time or maybe I was but my mind childhood memory is getting blurred."

"I see."

"Why do you ask?"

"No, it's nothing."

"...."

"I just want you to be ready. Since you are now part of our group, you might see more of this in the future."

"Yeah, that's what I also think but"

"But?"

"It can help, I need to go further to this if I want to protect people."

"Yes, your right. But if you can't handle it anymore, just tell me. Okay?"

"Sure"

After talking to Darius, I just thought that he is a gentle and caring person. I wish all of the people is like him.

After walking again for almost fifty minutes back to Headquarters. We bring the body to the empty room.

The Commander calls us to the meeting room.

"Good job guys for finding them even though they're dead but I need all of you to back again to that ."

"Eh? Why is that?" Ernesta asked.

"There's something off with the body."

"What do you mean?"

"Their body, don't have any sign that they have been attacked by Outsider."

"How so?"

"There's no any wounds."

"So how did they died in the first place?" Ernesta keeps asking.

"There's a hand mark on their necks."

"Handmark?"

"Yes, that means they killed by choking by a human."

"Human?"

"Yes. I want you to investigate the place to know who's the killer."

"I see, so we have to walk AGAIN! For almost fifty minutes from here to that place."

"Yes. Sorry for that."

"Ugh. Okay, guys! Let's go AGAIN!"

"Ernesta, wait for a second."

"Okay?"

After three minutes of waiting for Ernesta, we walk again for almost fifty minutes to reach that place again.

"So, Darius what's the plan again?"

*Is Ernesta really that mad?*

"You really that mad aren't you?", Darius teased her.

"Ah jeez, stop that."

"Okay, the usual group again and usual location okay?"

We split into four groups with the same partner and location. Lulu and I went to the same place. We didn't see anything suspicious.

"Mr.Hiro, it seems like there's nothing here."

"Yeah, that's might be the case or maybe it's really hard to find. Let's go back for now."

We went back to the group. I notice some leaves from the plant are scattered.

"Huh?"

I see Rick kicking some of the plants while Greg slashing them using his katana.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

"Finding some evidence? They might be here hiding under these plants."

*They might destroy some potential evidence.*

"Hey! You moron!"

Ernesta runs towards Rick and kicks him.

"Ouch, what's that for?"

"You stupid! You're going to destroy some potential evidence if you do that!"

*I agreed with her*

We're leaving so many traces here. We might confuse some footprints or any marks we produce.

*Sigh*

Ernesta let out a deep exhale.

"Okay let's go back for now. Let's continue this tomorrow."

We went back to Headquarters. Darius and I walking side by side.

"She's not in the mood huh.", I said.

"Yeah."

"Does walking, again and again, makes her mad?"

"No, that's not the reason."

"Huh?"

"To be honest, before we came here and found the body, Ernesta is really not in the mood at that time."

"Eh? Why?"

"Well, Ernesta is a bit creepy and crazy person right?"

*I can't disagree with that.*

"But, she is a kind person. Knowing that someone died makes her mad and also making them killed by a human is more painful to her."

"I see"

I feel sorry for her.

"So doing this is hard for her huh."

"Yes"

"So, how we should comfort her?"

"You don't have to worry about that. Let Commander to that job."

"Huh?"

I was confused about what he said.

"Well, Commander and she are very close. Commander knows that it's hard for her to deal with this, so I know she has a plan to make up with her."

"I see."

"Well, let's hurry, everyone is leaving us already."

We want back to Headquarters and Ernesta suggested that we should continue investigating tomorrow.

__________________

Nine in the night, going back to my room after dinner, I saw Ernesta outside, sitting while holding her knees with her arms. I walk towards her and sit beside her.

"Good evening Ernesta."

"Yeah, good evening."

She's still not in the mood.

"Hey, you okay?", I asked

"Yeah, why you ask?"

"Well, it's like your not in the mood since morning. Is there something wrong?"

"No, it's nothing."

"Really? Or perhaps maybe because of that two-person who died?", I confront her.

"Looks like I have to talk to Darius."

"No no no, I was the one who asks in the first place."

"Hehe, just kidding"

"It looks like that happy Ernesta is back."

"Happy Ernesta? What a lame name again Hiroro."

*Hiroro is also lame.*

"Hey, Hiroro."

"Yeah?"

"Lay down your legs on the ground."

"....."

I don't know what she's saying.

"Huh?"

"Lay down your legs on the ground."

I'm still confused but I do what she said.

"That's great."

"What's great?"

Ernesta lay down her head on my thighs.

"This feels good!"

"I see. This is what you want."

"Yes"

"Okay?"

"Hey, Hiroro."

"What?"

"Pat me"

"..."

I pat her head using my right hand.

"This is great!"

"Really? Does doing this make you happy?"

"Yes!"

It looks like she's come back to her old self.

"You know Hiroro."

"Yes?"

"Those two, do you think someone is waiting for them?"

"I don't know anything about them but I sure there's someone."

"Really?"

"Yes, if there's not, no one will know that they missing in the first place right?"

"Yeah, your right."

"...."

"I wonder, why they have to kill those two. I mean we have our own enemy, the Outsiders. Why we have to kill each other?"

"Hey, Ernesta."

"Yeah?"

"I'm going to find the suspect."

"Me too."

Staring at the sky. I remember the eyes of the Outsiders, they really look alike. They're beautiful yet cruel.

"Hop"

Ernesta stands up.

"It's getting late. Let's sleep."

"Yeah"

"Want to sleep together?"

"No"

"Just kidding, your girlfriend might kill me."

"Vinna is not my girlfriend!"

"I didn't even say Vinna's name."

"Ugh"

"Hehe. Good night!"

Ernesta walks inside.

"I should sleep now."

________________________________________________________________________________________

Walking in the night while holding two strawberry ice cream in both hands. I'm looking for Ernesta. I know that she's really depressed right now because of what happened today, especially when she knows that the one who kills them is human. I can't find Ernesta in her room is I downstairs to look for her. I notice that the door is open.

*She must be there*

I walk towards the door and I saw Ernesta and Hiro sitting side by side. They talking about something. Ernesta asking something for Hiro.

"Hmmm"

Hiro lay down his legs on the ground.

"Wait don't tell me."

Ernesta lay down her head to Hiro's thigh.

It is the same as what she does to me. I let her lay on my thigh when she's sad. Well, at first, I don't like the idea but I don't remember how she convinces me in the end.

"...."

It looks like she's enjoying it.

*Should I go back?*

But before I could walk away, she already stands up. They talk for few more seconds and then finally she went inside.

"Oh, Lisa?"

"Hey"

I was trying to hide the ice cream in my hand.

"WOAH! Is that?"

"Yeah, want to eat before going to bed?", I suggested.

"Your so cute Lisa! Let me hug you, no!, I'm sad, so hug me instead."

"I'm holding something."

"Oh come on. Okay, let's eat that first before it melts."

*It looks like that I don't need to do this in the first place huh*

________________________________________________________________________________________

Early in the morning, I went to the office of Commander.

"So, Hiro, what do you want."

Commander sitting on her chair while Ernesta cleaning the room.

"Well, I have some suggestions regarding the investigation."

" What is it?"

"Well, I want to investigate alone."

"What?"

"Well, since were-"

"No"

"Eh? Wait let me finish first."

"It's dangerous. Especially to someone like you who didn't know his amulet's power."

"I know but if we're too many to investigate, they might destroy some potential evidence there."

"I know, that's why you should go with Ernesta."

"Eh? Me?"

"Yes, I know it's hard for you but to be able to free your mind with this, we should find the culprit immediately."

"I see. Okay! Hiroro, let's go!"

"Ernesta. Don't do any weird things there."

"Don't worry, I won't. Well, I only act weird if there's an enemy nearby. Okay, let's go!"

"Okay"

"But first, let me help cleaning."

"Eh???"

After cleaning for twenty minutes, we ready ourselves to go to our location again. Walking towards outside, Vinna and the others saw us.

"Where are you two going?", Vinna asked.

"Investigate."

"Why only two of you?"

"Woah, sounds suspicious. Only two of you huh."

Rick hold my shoulder.

"I never thought that you can get Ernesta's heart that fast."

"Huh?"

*What he is talking about?*

"Oi"

Ernesta pushes his face and grabs my arm.

"Don't worry, you won't be invited when we get married."

"Just what in the world are you talking about?"

"Hey, you two, I'm being serious here."

Vinna looks like going to explode her anger at us.

"Well, about this, I suggest that I should go alone but the Commander didn't agree but instead she order Ernesta to go with me."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, seriously."

"Okay, bye!"

"Vinna, don't worry, Ernesta is with me."

"Okay, but are you two really not-"

"Really? You too?"

"Oh, forget about that."

We walk away to Headquarters and went to our location. Another walk again towards that place. After walking for almost fifty minutes again, we reach our location.

"So, what's the plan Hiroro?"

"Let's look at the trees where we see the dead bodies."

Went to the huge trees where we find the two dead body. We look for something that can lead to the suspect for fifteen minutes but there's nothing.

"There's totally nothing here Hiroro."

"Yeah, that's more suspicious. It's impossible not to leave any mark here when you kill someone."

"Yea-, huh?"

Ernesta freeze for some reason.

"Hey, what is it?"

She's not moving.

"Hey, Ernesta stop acting weird."

*Huh*

I remember something.

* I only act weird if there's an enemy nearby*

"Don't tell me. Where is it, Ernesta?"

"Here"

It's not Ernesta but someone replies to me instead, he appears in the back of the huge tree.

"I shouldn't underestimate the Vice Commander in the first place. I can't believe you will notice me immediately."

"So, it's you. Lisa is right. A pure-blooded Outsider."

*Pure-blooded?*

"Yes, I feel bad for them of course, but it's necessary for my plan."

"Your plan?"

"Yes"

"Hey."

"Yes?"

"Move back, I will fight him."

"Huh? Wai-"

Before I could finish my word, Ernesta immediately pulls a chain that hiding from the plants.

*When did she hide that?*

She swings the chain towards the Outsider. The Outsider immediately jumps backward to dodge the chain.

"Woah. Attack her."

Many Outsiders appear from his back. They are the same figures in our first mission. Monkey figure with gray-skinned and eyes like the sky at the night, and also, the blue line on both hands and feet.

"Looks like there's more hiding there huh."

"Don't worry, I'll make your death painful as possible for you to enjoy it."

"Hiroro, run."

"Eh?How about you?"

"You don't trust your Vice Commander?"

"Okay. Good luck."

I run as fast as I can to be able to escape. It's not that I'm afraid, or trying to run away but instead, I'm going to lure him to me. I know that Outsider wants me not Ernesta.

"Ahh, ahh"

I'm running out of breath. I stop running and rest a little.

"You sure your fast."

He's already here.

"Hello, Mr.Sage."

An Outsider the looks like an old man, he has gray-skinned and eyes like sky at the night. I don't see any blue line on him, maybe it's been hide by his clothes.

"You"

"Don't worry, I won't kill anyone of you."

"What do you want?"

"Nothing, I just want to see you."

"What?"

He turns around and starts walking away from me.

"See you again."

*What was that about?*

He already disappears from my sight. I keep starring from where he goes when I remember Ernesta.

*Wait*

I run back to her. I run as fast as I can but.

"Huh?"

*Bang!*

"Ouch"

"Hiroro, are you blind?"

" I should ask the same question."

"You still alive huh. That old man Outsider just disappears and leaves me with his monkeys."

"Really? Wait, that's not the issue here. Are you okay?"

"You really don't trust me aren't you?"

"Of course I trust you but it can't be helped."

"Oh! You're so sweet. Come here! Let me give you a pat in the head."

*She really jokes at the time like this.*

"We already identify the suspect. We should go back now."

"Wait, that Outsider, he follows you aren't he?"

Looks like she notices.

"Yes."

"So, did he do something to you?"

"No."

"What? Don't tell me he just wants to see you if you're okay?"

"Yes?"

"Seriously!"

"Yeah, seriously."

"You gonna be kidding me."

*Sigh*

She sighed.

"Let's go back."

"Okay"

Before I could start to walk, she pulls my sleeves.

"Wait"

"What? Is there any problem?"

"I'm totally tired. I mean really tired. I don't think I could walk now."

"Then let's rest for few minutes."

"No, we don't have time to rest."

"Eh? So your still gonna walk?"

"No, not that. I mean, carry me."

"Seriously?"

"Let me borrow your words. Yeah, seriously."

"Ugh"

I carry her from that place to Headquarters, walking for almost fifty minutes. My body is so hurt that I couldn't take a step but Ernesta pulls me towards the office room of Commander and reports what happened.

"I see, that's what really happens?"

Despite reporting something weird, the Commander's face didn't change at all. She really believes us.

"Yes"

"Okay, Ernesta call the others, were having a meeting."

"Wait."

"What? Do you still have to report?"

"No. I just want to keep it secret to others."

"Why?"

"Well, it might give them panic especially Lulu."

"I think that's a good idea, Lisa, Hiroro might make Vinna worry so much."

"I see. You two, go back for now and have some rest."

"Okay"

"No. I'm going to stay here."

"Get some rest, Ernesta."

"Don't worry, I'm really planning to rest. In your lap."

"Your kidding right?"

"I'm not."

Ernesta grabs the other chair and places it beside to Commander.

*I should leave now so I won't disturb them.*

I went to my room and give some rest.