Chapter 17

Author: Thanks for reading and for supporting. Please comment.

Anonymous: I have no plans of ruining innocent lives.

Author:..............Mmmm, who the heck are you? And how did you find me? Are you here for the debts? Are you one of the creditors?! Let me tell you! I have no money!

Anonymous: Am one of the characters.

Author: Hahahaha, okay.

Anonymous: Are you okay?

Author: Tell us about yourself.

Anonymous: Us? I can only see you.

Author:............Are you sharing or not?

Anonymous: Not.

Author: You can leave now.

*********️️*********

Before searching for Den, Mira had to first go find their bags which she left behind, somewhere on the streets.

She had to drop everything and pursue the lady when she saw her.

Afterwards, they searched for her master, and finally, found him.

At the shore.

He sat on the ground, close to the river while lost in his own thoughts. Back to them, they noticed Mira's sword beside him.

Noticing their presence, he turned to face them, giving them a smile. His eyes, revealing the fake smile.

"Sorry I didn't tell you I'm leaving" he said and looked back ahead, staring at nothing.

"I wonder if the master is depressed, thinking he killed innocent people. Did what he hated the most" a concern Mira whispered but Yuuki heard loud and clear.

He looked at Den, concerned and without a word, walked to his side. Taking a seat on the ground beside him.

"I already called for the boat, it should be here any moment" Den said.

Ah, Yuuki wasn't good at this.

He wasn't good at comforting people, but then,......he wanted to try.

"Master Terio, he was no innocent man. He has been selling his swords to bandits. Which in turn, is used to destroy the lifes of many people. I can't say the same for his students and workers but, surely, they must have known about his evil deeds and still stayed quiet"

Huh? A surprised Den thought, looking at Yuuki.

Hold on, what was this supposed to be?

"What I mean is, you don't have to feel so guilty. Those people were not that innocent, however, I am not saying killing them was a right thing. Well, they were dead anyways. Let's just say, karma gave them what they deserve"

This guy......he........

"Are you trying to comfort me? You suck"

Annoyed, Yuuki countered, "Just take what you've been given" and Den burst out laughter.

"Yeah sure, thank you, I feel a lot better" he said and Yuuki looked at him. Their eyes met.

Mesmerized, he couldn't look away from Den's eyes. Something........ something didn't feel right.

Mira, watching, couldn't help but smile.

This was the first time. Her master is not pretending to be in a good mood after an experience like this.

Wasn't acting.

He sounded so much better.

Guess,......this man was the one. The one her master has been waiting for.

"We're really fated to be together" Den said, drawing Yuuki out of the moment, the weird feeling and realization he was having.

"Don't put it in a weird way" he replied, lifting up the 'Playfulness' in Den.

"Come on, admit it already. We met in Ric Town and we meet again"

Uh, that......how Yuuki wanted to tell him that wasn't so.

Truth be told, he planned on meeting one of his former comrades but he didn't show up.

Having this strong urge to be close to Den, he went back to Ric Town.

However, he also didn't want to meet him so soon.

He'll look uncool and desperate. That's what he believed.

In the end, he decided to follow Den and Mira and then fake a coincidence.

He followed them here. Given a chance, he showed himself to Den.

But, he did not see this coming. The wiped out of the school and the mess. The lady's appearance and her accusations against Den.

He was curious, who was it that Den killed?

Well, he'll never know unless he asks.

Also,.....he had no plans of telling Den about their meeting.

He'll definitely take that to the grave.

Getting up, Yuuki announced, "I'm leaving"

He had to share the demise of Fall with his former group. This could mean trouble.

And they had to be prepared for anything.

"Huh? So soon?"

Huh?

Yuuki looked at Den, taken back.

How can someone sound so devastated and adorable at the same time?

This guy...........

He had to leave.

"At least, tell me your......." And Yuuki disappeared into his shadow again.

Leaving Den dumbfounded.

This guy.........he never say goodbye.

Did he know the meaning of goodbye!!

Doing as he pleased!

He really has c........

"He's the one you've been waiting for, right master?" Mira asked with a smile, interrupting his thoughts.

Den got up, picking up her sword before turning to face her.

"Yes" he replied. His eyes shone with happiness, excitement.

"I see" Mira replied and they stared at each other, smiling.

**********️️*******

ON BOAT

As usual, the boat was sailing on its own while the passagers relaxed, enjoying their ride.

Mira couldn't stop staring at her master after noticing the good mood he was in.

He has taken his mask off, showing off the visible good mood he was in.

He was smiling from ear to ear, thinking about heaven knows what.

Mira was curious.

What made her master so happy?

Surely, it wasn't because of the battle or the current situation in Fall.

Mmmm,.....it had to be that man.

Not even the prettiest woman could bring this kind of expression to her master's face.

That guy must be really something.

"Mi, we're going back to peace town"

Oh, he came out.

She wondered, what was he daydreaming about?

Grinning none stop.

"Seeing what happened to Fall, I am worried about our people. I want to send them a message. They should be extra careful"

And suddenly her master was in serious mode.

Well, she kind of liked it.

He was cool this way.

However,........

"Master, why not Blue Town? Is the closest"

True.

Blue Town was the closest. They also had spies overthere. They could easily send the message.

Just like in Peace Town, they also had an inn in Blue Town.

Called 'Safe House'

Opened for business and gaining profits, however, the main reason why it was established was to spy on Blue Bird.

Gather information and find out if they were in danger or not.

Blue Bird wasn't the only place. There was four more places and it all went by the same name, 'Safe House'

Den had a problem with Blue Town where Blue Bird was located.

A magic school, well known for generations.

One of the most famous and powerful schools in this world.

Of course, they were also involved in the death of the demon king.

But then,......the one Den had a problem with was the chief of Blue Bird who was also the leader of Blue Town.

He didn't want to cross paths with him.

However, this time, he had no choice.

Mira hasn't had a good rest since they set out on this journey.

She must be exhausted. And she also exhausted her energy. At the moment, she was in the weakest state and had no strength to journey a long distance to Peace Town. Even though she was acting fine.

She needed a familiar place to rest and their inn in Blue Town was the best place.

It felt like home and Mira was familiar with it.

Including the people there.

He had no choice but to agree. Mira was more important.

"Blue Town will do just fine" he said with a smile and Mira looked uncertain about it.

He only had to make sure, not to run into that man.

That man should no longer affect him, yet, the one within had other thoughts.

He promised.

He will not take revenge.

"Okay, as you say"

"No trouble, only business. We only have to do what we have to. Let's leave the rest to fate, shall we?"

Master really believed in fate.

She wondered if that guy (Yuuki) did too.

They looked good together. In battle, and beside each other.

More like they've been friends forever.

She felt left out.

And this, devastated her.

*********️️*****

MORNING ⛅

In a hidden dimmed lighted room, a man in his 60s stood before a closed safe. It was made of wood and his magic power, being the only thing that could unlock it.

In it, was a treasure. One that could make a world or destroy it.

He was fully aware of this yet still possessed it.

Standing attentively, he stared at the safe, saying,

"Twenty-five years, it has been here for twenty-five long years, yet, the location is still unknown, I wonder, if this is good, or bad "

He knew the answer. It was a bad thing.

The location being unknown was driving him crazy.

Almost taking over his sanity.

However, it was only a matter of time. He had a clue on who might know.

At that moment, loud screams, yells came from outside.

"Thief! Catch the thief!!"

The time has finally come.

Someone took the bait.

He thought, smirking.

**********️️*****

Traveling all night by a rented carriage due to the weak state Mira was in, they reached their destination the next day.

Which is, today.

Arriving, they immediately made their way to Den's inn, 'Safe House'.

Den might own this place but he was not in charge.

Instead, one of his most competent people was.

In Peace Town as well. Even though he was always around, it was someone else running the business.

Den and Mira were welcomed. Given comfortable rooms for their stay.

******️

DEN'S ROOM.

The one in charge, Juliana, then presented herself before her master.

In the room, Den sat at the table, Mira beside him and Juliana before him.

Before the people he was familiar with, Den felt it wasn't necessary to wear a mask and so, his mask was taken off.

The very moment Juliana announced her presence.

Coming back,

He has already written the letter, containing the message he wanted to send to his people and has already handed it over to Juliana.

Done with this, Mira knew they'll leave right away as her master didn't like this town.

They'll continue their journey.

Mira didn't mind, however, she didn't exactly like the thought of her master being away from his people for so long.

Bad things were happening lately and she worried the people might get involved as well.

"Master" Juliana said, head bowed.

Using the tone which showed superiority and no joke, Den ordered, "Send this"

And heavens, did he look cool.

Mira always liked this side of him. And it was this side that he normally didn't show.

"As the master says," Juliana replied, bowing.

Guess, he should share the news now. He wrote it in the letter but Juliana, who hasn't read it and never will, didn't know.

It was better to tell her than caught off guard.

"Fall was wiped out" Den shared, shocking the living life out of Juliana.

She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"That place, also known for their tight security? Who could have done this?"

Not only that. They also had a strong tie with the five heroes.

Who would dare offend them?

Jumping in, Mira said, "Is true sis Juli. Also, there were petals of red roses everywhere. Indicating........."

"Demon Island" Juliana stole her words, eyes widened in shock.

This couldn't be.

"That's impossible! It can't be!" She exclaimed, still in shock.

Already dealt with his emotions, Den calmly stated,

"This could only mean two things. Could be, someone is pretending to be demon Island or......." And before Den could complete, yells from outside interrupted.

"Thief! Stop!" He glanced out through the opened window and saw many Blue Bird guards running, their eyes on the roof of the very building he was on.

Judging by their clothes, he could tell they were guards from Blue Bird.

The thief they were calling out to, was on his roof. What a mistake.

A thief, in broad daylight. Who would steal something in broad daylight unless it is important.

Or, they're desperate.

Den wanted nothing to do with the magic world or with Blue Bird.

But at this moment, curiosity was getting the better of him.

It was always like this. This was the very reason why he hated himself.

He turned back and met eyes with Mira who smiled, knowing exactly what he was thinking.

"You want to check it out"

*Sigh, Den sighed, and a smile graced his face, "As stupid as I am, I really want to"

"Then we should," Mira replied, smiling.

Ah, this student of his,.........she should know when to stop him.

Still,.......who said he disliked it?

************️️********

The same man from earlier could be seen again.

However, this time, he was not in his secret room where the safe was.

He was in his room. Seated at the table in it while calmly sipping his tea.

This man was Sim Daunt, the chief of Blue Town and Blue Bird Magic School.

Bird Blue, was one of the five most powerful, well known schools in this world.

You get that right.

Twenty-five years ago, this man was involved in the destruction of Demon Island and the death of the demon king who was none other than 'Six' introduced in the beginning of the story.

And as we all know, Six isn't the real name of the demon king.

This man, was One. One of Six's best friends. Remember, excluding Six and his wife Seven, there were 7 more.

Guess they're all force to exit their so-called comfortable worlds after twenty-five years.

The thief from earlier came into the school. Stole something important.

Yet the man didn't look worried. In fact, if anything else, he was calm, as if he expected this and he did.

After hearing of what happened to Fall, he had a feeling he was next and intentionally left a bait.

It was taken.

And now, he knew, someone was coming after him.

No, more like...... coming after what he had in his possession.

The golden key.

The fake key was stolen by the thief earlier and he knew it won't be long, they'll find out it was fake.

And then, they'll be forced to face him head-on.

Sim didn't know who they were.

Fighting an enemy with no knowledge or whatsoever was suicide. And it also looked like they knew everything about him.

If they could infiltrate his home which was heavily guarded, it meant they knew something.

So then, he had to find them before they made another attempt.

"Master" his right-hand man's voice came through from the other side of the closed door.

"Tell me"

"The thief escaped"

Now this was bad news. If they could catch the thief, they could learn something about who they're dealing with.

"However, he has been wounded by a poisonous arrow and the effect should take over. He couldn't have gotten far. I'm sure he's still in town. We'll catch him soon"

Hmmm, this was good news.

"Make sure you catch him alive. We need him"

"Surely, it will be done master"

Now, all he needed was the thief. He might as well find out the location.

That will be a blessing.

*********️️******

WOODS.

The right-hand man of Sim was right.

The thief was wounded gravely on the arm and the effect of the poison has kicked in.

But he was wrong about one thing, the thief has gone far.

He was out of Blue Town, running through the woods and though the voices of the guards from Blue Bird could be heard, they were nowhere close to him.

He ran, like his life depended on it and it did.

Getting caught meant death.

Not bringing the stolen item meant death.

Not getting back also meant death.

If only he could safely deliver the item, then he would be saved.

Definitely, his master would find an antidote for him.

But.....now he wasn't so sure. His body was going through so much pain due to the poison.

He was weak, getting weaker each passing second.

It was hard to run. Hard to walk. Hard to breathe.

He.......He won't last long.

As he ran tirelessly, he saw something that forced him to make a stop.

This......This wasn't happening now. He had no strength to fight.

No strength to walk.

What was he going to do now?

The stolen item,.......he had to deliver it.

However, at this moment, his life was close to an end.

Right?