What is war?
————
Facing away from the guards who just arrived, I immediately put on my master's Clown Mask as the green haired guy shot me a curious glance.
The Guards had started questioning us about what happened here as me and the green haired guy—Whose name was apparently, Jenner. According to his introduction to the knights—told them about how he was attacked by three hooded figures suddenly when he was walking around in this alley. Underneath my mask, I stared at Jenner with a cryptic gaze, while also nodding to back up his statements to the guards.
Ah, why am I wearing a mask you might ask? It's because with the guards....I saw someone familiar. Long silky white hair, jewelled blue eyes, aura of a raging blizzard. It was the 1st daughter of Duke Arghain from The Eldian Kingdom. The 2nd ranker in The Academy, Yuri Arghain. She was also my Fiancé before I was banished. Right, each Country only have 1 dukes. Archanus Empire had the Duke of Valiere, Eldian had the Duke of Arghain, Arvendhale Kingdom had the Duke of Grande.
The Luvaxia Continent, or the Continent where I am currently in had two kingdoms and one Empire. The Eldian Empire is located in the north, The Archanus Empire is in the west, whereas the Arvendhale Kingdom is in the East.
The Eldian Kingdom is known for their excellent marksmanship, makes sense...Snow Elves are abundant in there. The Arvendhale Kingdom meanwhile has excellent craftsmanship, they are the first country in this continent who invented the flying ships as a mode of transportation to another continent.
Archanus Empire had been the first nation which has been founded in this continent which was why it is the only richest country here and had The Sacred Hall, the other kingdoms were just made right after that....after the first hero's companions retired. The Kingdoms were made using their name.
The reason why I was made to be engaged with a young duchess from the other country despite me being a person of Archanus, was because The Eldian Kingdom wanted to be in a good relationship with the Empire's potential Chosen One. Too bad, the potential chosen one actually turned out to be an evil incarnate haha. Not like we had love in our engagement.
Shooting Yuri a glance, I saw her scan the surroundings of the alley with her usual stoic gaze and even inspected the pile of broken crates with her touch. Then as if those things weren't enough she casted her gaze on the green haired guy and me, in which I swiftly looked away.
"Any ideas why this happened? Offended anyone or had a fight with someone?"
She asked with a stoic expression which made The Green Haired guy hum in wonder. The guards also started writing down something on the notes that they were carrying, as if they were given an idea. For some reason, her gaze on me was intense....so intense that I felt nervous of being found out.
"I did not offend anyone, they might have been just robbers though."
Jenner answered which earned him a blank gaze from Yuri. Then the lady of Arghain huffed and turned away.
"I see...."
She muttered and then told the guards that they are done here now, so they left me and Jenner alone.
——————
Yuri Arghain always loved the feeling of being challenged. She has been a big fan of mystery novels, so joining this investigation definitely lit up a playful ember in her childish heart.
'A mysterious masked man coming to save the day....cases of teenagers going missing. Hooded figures in the middle of the day...this is a criminal case, isn't it?'
Walking around the plaza with the Guard Knights, she strolled and looked around everywhere as though she was a knight on patrol. Well, technically she is...but that was not the reason why she was strolling around right now.
Since it is the weekend and the midterms are coming, She decided to go shop in town as she might need items during the exam.
'I heard that the theme for the midterm exam will be a survival battle royale which will last for a week'
As she was strolling around the town and look for any clues about the missing teenagers, she spotted figures entering a cafe. They looked the same age as her but the aura that they exuded was the same level as the ones on Orange Stage. They looked strong, and by the weird robes that they are wearing...they looked like someone not from this continent. Speaking of those robes, Yuri had an idea of that clown masked guy's identity.
'So that guy is from the other continent...I might meet with him soon in the School Exchange Tournament. I wonder how strong he was.'
Yuri fixed her gaze on the students from the other continent for a few seconds before someone jumped on her from behind and hugged her.
"YURII! Are you also here to shop??? Or just on Patrol???"
The one who jumped on her was a woman with long gray wavy hair and also had the same jewelled blue eyes as Yuri, this woman though had a darker shade than Yuri's.
It was Aleah Eldian, The 2nd Princess of Eldian Kingdom and Yuri's bestfriend and cousin.
"Ali. I am here on patrol, but we can shop together if you want."
Yuri smiled softly at Aleah as she held the other girl's hand, then shooting a glance at her knights. She gestured to them that she will be off for now, and investigate while also having fun.
The knights just nodded as her personal Knight, Carmellia accompanied Yuri and Aleah on their outing.
——————
So, because I helped Jenner survive that attack, the guy had taken quite a liking to me as he offered to buy me coffee or tea. Of course, since I did not have such sweet beverages for a long time—My master only had liquor on his pantry, I do not drink Liquor— I did not hesitate to accept it.
Sitting in a cafe, I watched as Jenner bring a cup of frappucino to our table. Seeing the sweet icing on top, my eyes lit up as I discarded my mask and did not hesitate to devour the sweet icing on top and greedily drink it.
Watching me passionately drink the sweet coffee, Jenner just chuckled as if he found me amusing. I did not care though, I had enough of my master mocking me so I did not find his laughter as annoying as my Master.
"Right, why did you wear the mask?"
While drinking the sweet coffee, I glanced at Jenner and wiped the leftover icing on my mouth with the back of my hand and licked it.
"To look cool infront of the guards"
I answered with a playful grin, and shrugged while adding the following words.
"Isn't it cool to be a mysterious masked man?"
I chuckled as Jenner had a surprised expression in his face but then let out a loud chuckle. Moments like this made my Master's attitude really come in handy.
"Are you also a student from the Academ—"
I was about to ask Jenner that question when suddenly I felt something inside me which made me grit my molar and...I blacked out.
——————
Staring at the passed out figure of Roanoke, Jenner's smile turned wicked as he looked around the shop. Seeing that no one threw them suspicious looks, Jenner just chuckled and carried Roanoke as if he was carrying a drunk person.
"Goodness, Friend. Your sugar rush must have acted up. Come, let's get back to the inn"
He chuckled and once they were outside of the cafe, a carriage then arrived infront of them. Basing on how Jenner and the Coachman looked each other, they seemed to be acquaintances.
With a nod, Jenner got on the carriage with the body of Roanoke as the Coachman then drove off somewhere.
———
Arriving at a worn down factory building in the back alleys, Jenner stepped out of the carriage while carrying Roanoke's body and soon others approached them and helped him carry Roanoke's body.
"We finally have another test subject. He looked quite strong too, The Hero will finally have a worthy subordinate"
Jenner chuckled as he talked to the guards who helped him carry Roanoke, then when one of the Guards tried to grab [ Flesh Eater ] from Roanoke's waist...they were soon then met with a punch in the face as they were sent flying. It was Roanoke who had punched them.
Stretching his wrist, Roanoke kicked Jenner and sent him flying to crash into the wall.
"Y-you! How?!!"
Cried out Jenner with a terrified gaze on Roanoke. Whereas the latter, just sneered at him.
"Ah, how did I not get drugged? Hm..."
Roanoke hummed and then opened his mouth wide as he tapped on his left cheek.
"My master always spike my food whenever he is the one cooking, he said that it was a prank. Fucking bastard, really...so ever since that day, I made it a habit to put an antidote in my molar. Surprisingly, the guy actually kept all kinds of drugs in his stash, from Antidote, poison, sleeping pills, hallucinogenic pills and other shits....really made me wonder if he was a drug dealer"
Roanoke sighed while clicking his tongue as another guard tried to attack him by swinging mana infused sword at him, in which Roanoke just easily evaded and countered by hitting the guy's liver with his knee.
Then he turned to Jenner and slowly approached him with a smile. In Jenner's eyes, Roanoke looked like a demon trying to devour him as he could not help but tremble in fear.
What does he mean by his Master putting laxatives? Is that even a master? What kind of a monster master does this guy have?
Those were the thoughts that rambled inside Jenner's mind as Roanoke just slowly put his palm on Jenner's face and grab it.
"Now, let us start the interrogation...shall we?"
Roanoke chuckled, unbeknownst to him...He sounded like his Master now.