Chapter 36:
Doppolia: A New Magical World
I had limited time before Captain Yuro started to attack. I doubted whether my plan would work. If I failed, then it would have been over for me. Thinking about it raised my anxiety through the roof.
Being stressed over my thoughts was not getting me anywhere. Actually, on second thought… screw it!
I became aware of my surroundings, leaning against the hole. The smoke lingered for a while. This was the perfect chance.
Hinabe and the others noticed the damage I had suffered. Their bodies were tensed up so much from worry that they could almost bite their nails.
“We must help Takumi!” Hinabe declared. “He needs healing.”
Anojin strongly suggested that she stay with him for her safety. While they conversed, I began making my move.
I strategically walked back into the smoke. Nothing came out of the smoke for a long time.
Yuro was growing impatient, yet he kept his bubbly manner. “C’mon, Satori. You can’t keep hiding. I know you’re in there. Just come on out!”
My team attempted to grasp my plan.
“What’s he thinking?” Amada pondered to herself.
From their position and the layout of the damaged house, the front and back doors were in their view. As they wondered, they heard the back door of the house opening. The creaking blew my cover.
Retreat! I utilized the smoke to escape the fight. My peers spotted me as I secretly tiptoed my way out the back door. Disappointment smeared around their faces.
The smoke eventually cleared up. Captain Yuro squinted his vision towards the inside of the house, only to see me disappear like a magic trick.
“Woah! Where did you go!” asked Yuro with his eyes widened.
No one responded.
He hastily looked around, trying to find me. Luckily, Yuro couldn’t sense my presence at all. I left my weapon back at the battle, so he assumed I would still be around to retrieve it. He could keep the Tri-Carver… for now! I had to retreat to create a plan.
The stronger elves arrived at the scene. They saw that the demon was distracted. Captain Yuro once defeated them. Nonetheless, they decided to take advantage of the situation and prepare their counterattack against him.
“Attack!” one of the elves declared, taking the lead. The powerful elves obeyed the command and cast offensive spells, using different elements and types of magic, toward the demon.
Yuro brushed off their threats and focused his attention on finding me. Their attacks tickled Yuro’s body, unable to harm the suit he wore.
“Hey, stop throwing that stuff at me! I’m busy playing with Satori right now!”
The elves ignored him and persisted in throwing more spells. “Attack!”
…
I dashed around the village, trying to create space between us. My team shortly followed behind me, tagging along with me. My stamina was damaged from the attacks, causing them to catch up with me.
Once they ran alongside me, Hinabe proceeded to heal my injuries on Amada’s back.
Amada curiously asked, “Takumi, where are you going?”
“Anywhere but here!” I exclaimed as I sprinted with all my energy. As Hinabe healed me, I gradually regained my strength.
However, my body stopped feeling better. I glanced over at the elf, who fell asleep on Amada’s back. I despised her horrible timing to fall asleep!
Anojin smirked, “Wow, that was an amazing fight. You really showed that guy!”
“Shut up, I had no idea he was that strong.” I retaliated, keeping my focus on the road ahead. “I thought he was weak since the King ignored him.”
“The king is allowed to do that because he’s strong… unlike you.”
“I don’t have time to deal with you… You scrap of bolts! I need to figure out how to use the Tri-Carver.”
Hinabe’s older sister, Naima, interjected with some information. “I don’t know if this would help, but we can head to the library to see if there’s information about using the Tri-Carver.”
“Library? There’s a library in the village?” This was the first time I ever heard about a library. Why didn’t she mention this earlier?
“Yeah, we have the largest library in the world. It contains every spell in existence. We elves sought that knowledge and can use a multitude of spells.”
I had no idea how valuable the library would be. I recalled hearing about how many spells elves had in their arsenal. Now it made sense.
Would they even have any information about the Tri-Carver? Mr. Satori wielded this weapon. Were there past successors?
Garlan only taught me the basics of swordplay. At first, he was supposed to teach me more, but I couldn't master even the basics.
That was the only lead we had to uncover the requirements to master the sword. Soon after, “Alright, that sounds good. Let’s head there.”
…
Captain Yuro grew slightly impatient. After an awkward game of hide and seek and fending off the spells from the elves, Yuro flapped his wings and soared into the air to get a better view of the scenery.
He focused his gaze, staring down at the village as if it were a maze. He investigated every alley and crevice, yet couldn’t find me. After a minute of searching, his eyes locked onto us as we ran away from the scene.
Captain Yuro’s cheerful gesture confirmed his suspicion about our group.
“There you are!” the demon exulted as he charged towards us.
Naima led the charge toward the library. It was several blocks away. I felt Yuro’s immense pressure slowly fading away from us. I exhaled a sigh of relief as I headed towards safety. Finally, I could get a break!
Before I could celebrate, the powerful captain of the demon king’s army landed in front of us, stopping us in our tracks.
“That was a nice trick you pulled back there. Phew, I thought I was never going to find you,” smiled Yuro as he exhaled a sigh of relief. “Now, let’s keep the fun going!”
My eyebrows twitched after hearing Yuro speak. That demon’s annoying grin on his face pissed me off. Stop looking at me like that! I clenched my fist to hide my irritation, but everyone saw right through me.
He was so full of himself. He treated this fight like we were playfighting. However, to me, this felt like a matter of life or death. I slowly began to understand the king’s attitude towards the captain.
King Endo had not rejected Captain Yuro because of his strength… it was this happy attitude!
Yuro took his stance, ready to challenge all of us. Half of us stood no chance against this powerhouse.
My rage got the better of me, and I let out a scream, venting to the captain. “Listen up, you devil or whatever you are! I'm done fighting with you!”
Yuro’s body jerked, causing him to lower his guard with a disappointed look. “What? …Why not?”
“I just came here after training. I’m tired. And now I don’t have my sword. I don’t have time to deal with you. I only accepted your duel because I felt sorry for you.”
A subtle frown creased Yuro’s mouth. I could feel the mood surrounding us turning gloomier. “Oh… I see.”
I wanted to say no and walk away. However, I realized something. If I rejected him again, he would throw a little tantrum and attack the village again.
After considering the potential disaster Yuro could cause, I couldn't reject him again. I knew I might regret this later, but it was something that had to be done.
I built up the courage and asked the captain, “We can continue our fight tomorrow. If you really want a good fight, I need to charge up and prepare.”
Once I suggested the idea to Yuro, his frown instantly turned upside down. He repeatedly nodded his head. “Yes! You have a deal! I’ll leave for today and return tomorrow.”
Yuro pushed himself off the ground with his black wings and jumped into the sky. He gazed down at me, stationary in the air.
Before he flew away, he sent his goodbyes to us. “Satori! Make sure you’re in top condition for tomorrow! See you soon!”
…And just like that, our match was postponed.
…
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