17 Warning (1/2)

(Behind me!)

Naota turns behind him and unsheathes his blade. His blade clashes with that the sword of a person who wears a mask. A strand of red hair can be seen right on the persons left eye.

”Who are you?!” Naota questions the person.

The person kicks Naota's chest and flips back.

”You have good reflexes.” The person says to Naota.

(With that voice, it's hard to tell whether that person is a man or a woman)

”Thanks for the compliment and all but who exactly are you?” Naota questions the person.

”I am just an assassin.” The person says. ”An assassin? You don't say.” Naota readies himself.

”I am not here to fight or kill you here.” The assassin says to Naota. ”What?!” Naota seems confused. ”Put it simply, I am here to give you a warning.” The assassin says to Naota. ”What kind of warning?” Naota looks right into the assassin's eyes.

The assassin sighs. ”Stay away from that woman.” The assassin warns Naota. ”A woman? What are you talking about?” Naota seems to be confused. ”The woman you were talking to just now, that's who I am talking about.” The assassin says. ”You mean Rochel? What about her?” Naota seems confused.

The assassin sighs. ”Do you even know who Rochel is?” The assassin questions Naota. ”Nah and I don't care to be honest.” Naota says as he walks past the assassin. ”If you're done with your chattering I need to get going, people are waiting for me.” Naota says as he continues walking.

”Rochel was born of a nobleman and she left them as she didn't like the way the nobles treated the poor.” The assassin says. Naota turns his neck around. ”What does this have to do with your warning?” Naota looks confused.

”You see...Few months ago sunshine star guild used to be a guild where all the adventurers in the city used to find themselves quests. It was a prosperous guild until one day...He came.” The assassin seems sad. Naota turns around. ”I am listening.” Naota says to the assassin.

”Who is he?” Naota then continues to his question. ”He is...Pistom Mortel, he is the city lord of Bluemoon and he arrived to the city.” The assassin reveals. ”You don't say.” Naota had a smile on his face and was excited to hear that name after a long time.

”Pistom Mortel was going around, disgracing the weak and hence why Rochel stood up against him. It even went to a point where Rochel unsheathed her weapon against him. Rochel did beat Pistom but Pistom had already planned that battle. He never intended to win it. Through city rules, if another city lord is mistreated by the current city lord, it means war and our city lord had just arrived from a war against a demon clan. We didn't have the firepower to go up against the Bluemoon's city lord.” The assassin's explanation gets interrupted. ”And let me guess, Pistom asked for the guild girl's hand in marriage for the city to be safe.” Naota says with a smirk. The assassin nods.

Naota sighs.

”Whatever I have had my share of things today but if it is as you say. Then there is more of a reason that I would love to provoke that bastard of a city lord.” Naota says with a smile and leaves.

”What does that mean...? Are you saying that you are not afraid of something as huge as a city lord's army? If that is what you are implying then you-” The sight of Naota staring at the assassin with his neck turned towards them stopped her in her tracks. ”I told you that I can handle things if they get out of hands.” Naota says to the assassin. The assassin looks away.

(So strong...)

The assassin thinks.

”I am on my way home now. See you in the guild.” Naota says. ”Huh? How did you know I was a member of the guild?” The assassin seems confused. ”Because the way you spoke about that guild girl is a dead giveaway.” Naota says and disappears from the assassin's sight. ”What an idiot, that's such a bullshit reason. Everyone knows her story.” The assassin pouts.

Naota reaches the inn. ”Your late, everyone already went to sleep.” Mason says to Naota. ”Yeah, there were some interruptions.” Naota says. ”Don't tell me you did things to Rochel.” Mason smirks. ”Nah!” Naota sits down in front of her. ”Just give me my mango juice.” Naota says. ”Coming right at your table, son.” Mason says with a smile. She begins creating the mango juice in a glass and gives it to Naota. ”Thanks.” Naota says. ”Thank you for staying here.” Mason says.

”You know, it's been only two days since you guys have been staying here and you guys have already made an impact.” Mason says to Naota. ”What does that mean?” Naota asks Mason. ”Well, when you were away, your friends had quite a fun time with some of the other members of the city. They were enjoying themselves like it was their last day in this world. Funny, right?” Mason chuckles. ”I wanted to thank them for bringing smile on everyone's face after such a long time.” Mason's eyes sadden. ”I wish...There was something I could do for poor Rochel...”Mason, the woman who is so tough...She had tears in her eyes, even though she tried to hold it back.

(I realised something while talking to both Mason and that assassin this town...It maybe a silent and calm place with people working comfortably but...This town has no happiness. Everyone seems to be sad...For the person who saved them.)

Naota sits on the rooftop of the inn and looks at the moon.

(Mother...If it was you, would you have got involved in the lives of this people? Or would you have stayed back and just be on your way?)

Naota gets down and begins to take a walk in the town in the middle of the night.

(All these people, they are most probably feeling guilty for Rochel...)