A Mission to Fulfill

In true Eleanor fashion, our disguises might as well have been clown uniforms. From top to bottom, we donned a lion’s mask, a green coat, a pair of red trousers, and torn sandals. Still, it got the job done as demonstrated by a test through the village plaza. Not one single person recognized us, except for Rebecca. Speaking of which…

“Rebecca, can I have a word with you?” I asked, kneeling down to match her eye level.

“A word? Sure! What do you need?”

“Your mother helps manage the money for the village. Right?”

“Mhm, she sure does! Papa says she works very hard and that her work is very important!”

“Perfect! Now I have a big task for you; can you pass this note to her? Don’t open the letter: simply hand it over to her and let her sort the contents out. Sounds good?”

“Yep! You can count on me! Bye now!” With a twirl of her flower dress, Rebecca skipped away with the envelope, her pigtails bouncing like a fishing lure.

“Veri, what did you give her? Don’t tell me you did it again,” Eleanor questioned as she rubbed her face.

“And what if I did? Can’t I have discretion over how I spend my gold?”

Removing her mask, Eleanor replied with a firm voice. “Why not enjoy life every now and then? Sooner or later, someone’s going to take advantage of your generosity.”

God, what part doesn’t she understand!?

“Eleanor, you should know better than anyone that I can’t break my vow.”

“The vow you swore by over fifteen years ago? We were only children back then, without a clue of how the future would unfold. I’m sure they’ll show leniency, especially after all you’ve done for Mirefield.”

As much as I respected Eleanor, even I had my limits with her preaching. And yet… she was my most cherished companion.

Heh, what a predicament to be in.

“Put this on hold; we have a task to attend to tomorrow, so let’s get some rest,” I said as I started walking home. Telling Eleanor of the atelier didn’t sit right with me. She would probably freak out and go to town retrofitting it with her own flair. Or maybe she would tear the whole thing down and start from scratch.

“I’ll drop the topic this time around, but don’t think I’ll forget it,” Eleanor answered, letting out a big yawn before joining me.

Our home was effectively a shack barely large enough for the two of us. With most of the space inside dedicated to our magical and alchemical equipment, we only managed to fit one bed. I settled for sleeping on the floor, which I didn’t have qualms with, not even during the winter. It was nothing magic couldn’t solve—provided I didn’t burn everything down.

“Goodnight, Veri,” Eleanor whispered before blowing out the last candle.

“Night…”

Now wrapped in my blanket, I stared at the creaky wooden ceiling, picturing how tomorrow would go. Just as I was about to hit the hay, Eleanor murmured something in her sleep.

‘She should know the truth,’ or so I heard, although I’m sure it was nothing.

Surely…

* * *

We departed first thing in the morning without so much as breakfast. As the world championship had concluded, the roads were less busy this time around. Only there was a new problem. Stretching for miles, a wall of magical barriers cut off access to the city. The only way through was a narrow checkpoint in the woods backed by an armament of cannons and ballistas.

Since when did they set this up? In all my years, I’ve never seen such a thing, let alone this far outside the city.

Seeing no other choice, Eleanor and I approached the guards. One of them sized us up, staring at our outfits from head to toe before unsheathing his sword.

“Halt! In the name of the law, stop right there and state your business!” demanded the warden, his face obscured by his helmet.

“Good morning, sir! We’re just a simple pair of travelers heading to see family, so if you would excuse us, we’d like to pass by,” I responded through my mask.

“Oh, really? Then why the getup? A lion’s mask? Brightly colored clothing? Explain now, or else!”

My entire body began sweating, causing me to shiver in the morning’s chill. Fortunately, Eleanor came to my aid by placing herself between the guard and me. “Sorry, sir! She’s still a little groggy, so allow me to explain: We’re part of a circus act, hence our attire. But given our schedule, we’ve had zero time to change. I sincerely apologize for any misunderstanding.”

What kind of excuse is that?

“Hmph. Do you mind if we search your carriage and possessions? There’s been a rash of illicit activity lately. You aren’t smuggling contraband, are you?”

My stomach dropped. Great, now we’re both in—

“Sir, let me conduct the search.”

Huh? Who was that? Wait—that voice!

Turning around, the warden puffed his chest out. “Alear, just what do you think you’re doing!? Did I give you permission to speak out?”

“No, sir, but I could use the experience. Besides, it’s your midday break, so why don’t you grab a bite to eat?”

The two locked eyes in a standstill, only for the gruff man to give in and leave, shoving his way past Alear’s shoulder. Permission granted, Alear proceeded to search us, but not before striking up a conversation.

“I know it’s you, Verity. You have nothing to worry about. I’ll, I’ll, I’ll—make this quick,” he whispered into my ear.

“You know it’s us? How?” I answered back.

He could only shrug as he patted Eleanor and me down with the back of his hands.

“Alear, what relationship do you have with Verity?” Eleanor asked, stepping forward ever so slightly.

“Uh! We met briefly during the Fossilium finale. Nothing more than a fleeting moment. Right, Verity?”

“More or less. Wait a second, what’s with all the security now? We were here only a few days ago,” I replied.

“Sorry to say, but the mission details are classified. I’m in the dark as much as you are.”

When it came to the carriage, Alear feigned the search, being careful to block the view of his comrades. All said and done, we were able to make it through the encounter unscathed before completing the final leg of the trip.

Passing through the city’s inner gate, we encountered a commotion on the streets. Stacked a dozen crates high, three naked men were protesting the recent law enforcement, their voices strained as they incessantly clamored.

“What? The heck is going on?” I mused before Eleanor told me to hush.

“Everyone! Listen to us! We’re all going to die! They’re going to usher us in like cattle before locking the border! The—The darkness is coming for all of us! Each and every one of us will die! Here! Die! Here! Die!”

“You three, get down! You’re all under arrest!” declared a knight. Everyone scattered in his presence except for us. We hid behind a tree to watch from afar.

“For what!? What charge!?” laughed one of the offenders as he danced.

“Indecent exposure, spreading heresy, endangering others, and property damage. Now surrender or pay with your blood!”

“We surrender, we surrender!” begged the protestors as they climbed down the crates. Before they could be detained, however, all three of them took off running—

In our direction.

The knight gave chase, blurting into his mana crystal. “Requesting backup! Three naked humans at the front plaza are heading towards the Market District! Block all exits! Send in the dogs!”

“Hey… Eleanor, I think we overstayed our welcome,” I whispered.

“Thought so too. Well, time to pay a visit to our secret destination!”

As we traveled down the cobblestone streets, I couldn’t help but contemplate what the three men said…