Chapter 15
The latest information that they got is the name of the bandit leader. That night, Volya and Romain looks at the paper and Volya says,
"At least that pesky hawk does his job really well."
"Felipe Gomes... I can't believe I will hear his name again," says Romain
"Huh? You know him?"
"Yes. Sir Villias once catch him on one of his mission. But, because of Wraitus Empire also wants his head, we send him there."
"Let me guess, it's either he runs away or they let him go."
Romain shakes his head. Volya quite surprised and asks him,
"Then how did he could stay alive until now?"
"A man with a white robe," answer Romain
"Huh?"
"He suddenly stops his carriage and says that even someone like him could repent. At first, none of us believes him."
"..."
"But, suddenly Felipe becomes really kind and smiles a lot and that makes us from Haegia and Wraitus becomes uncomfortable with him. In the end, we agree to let him loose as we believe him already change just like that man says. But, my guts are right all along."
Volya then sits down at the chair and looks at the fire at the candle. He then mumbles,
"A man with a white robe..."
"Huh? Did you know him Volya?" asks Romain
"I'm not quite sure as the Church people also wear that kind of robe."
"Yes, we are thinking that he is part of the Church. We must follow his plea as the Church influence is really big at this island."
Volya only sighs and looks at the ceiling. The Church is the organization that believes there is a G.o.d that made this world and one day will come back to the world. They will gather many scripture and artefacts from around the world to prove what they believe. In the process of searching those artefacts, they share their belief in every village and become as big as now.
But, some people think that they are aiming for something. And from some of the rumour, their target is the Library of Knowledge that resides inside Wildespring Forest. No one knows their reason for that, but the leader of the Church always says that it's for the greater good.
Romain looks at Volya for a while and then asks him,
"Volya, do you remember that girl back then?"
"That girl? Oh, the Old Man's daughter. Yes, I remember her." answer Volya as he continues to look at the notes in front of him.
"From the information that I get from her, most of the woman here are already sold as a slave. Not only the woman from this village, but even any female adventurer also sold as a slave when the bandit attacks them."
"A slave, huh..."
"And the one who always buys them is a woman with a name Alma Taylor."
"Huh? A woman?!"
"Yes."
"Wait, how in this world that girl knows it?"
"She is spared before being sold as they know that she is
Volya sighs and rubs his forehead while thinking a bit. Romain smiles a little bit and then asks again,
"How about your preparation at this village?"
"It's enough."
"Did they find your magic circle around here?"
"Yes. They know that I am a mage and immediately look around the village. And with some of my circle preparation are broken... Then, I would a.s.sume that they have a mage in their rank."
"That's bad news."
"But, you don't need to worry as I already move some of it outside the wall of the village and hide it well. And the last time I check it, they are still intact. So I could say that it isn't a big problem until now."
"Ok... That's good news. But, we need to stay vigilant with their action."
"I know... Then, what about you? Did any of the knights will help us when they come?"
"I just got an information that Lady Ludmila and Sir Albert units will come to help us. The nearest one to this village is Lady Ludmila's unit."
"Alright. With all of the preparation already set, we will start it tomorrow. Just remember that you are only going out to gather some wood."
"I know. Just make sure that you stay home until evening."
"I will."
"But, will they come to this village?"
"They will come as they have a prey here. But, this time the prey could bite back at them."
Both of them smirks and goes back to their room to take some rest, with Volya takes all the scroll with him. The next day, nothing happens in the village and that makes Romain really surprises. He continues to act like normal at the forest and get a piece of information from Volya's hawk,
'There is no suspicious movement around the forest.'
Around 4 pm, Romain going back at the lodging and could see Volya that looks at the outside of the house. He then smiles and says,
"So... That what they will do, huh..."
"What is it, Volya? Did you know that your hawk just tells me that there is nothing suspicious around here," asks Romain
"Ah... I know about that."
"Then, what did you mean by they will do something?"
"It seems someone really suspicious with us and some of them find out the knights that suddenly making camp around here. With the addition of they already find my magic circle, of course, that will add more on their suspicion."
"It seems..."
Romain then looks outside from the house and could see the villager walking in a group of two. Volya then says,
"It seems they already find out that I am not from royal blood."
"Huh? How did they know that?" ask Romain that really surprised
"Every act that I did while at this village after that meeting didn't show that I have royal blood. Even when I am eating with them, they know that I am not comfortable with that thing like royal usually do at dinner."
"Well, we are on rush back then. Should have asked Lady Ludmila to come with us."
"That's the worst choice from any person from your Kingdom, you know." mocked Volya
"Well, I must agree with that."
Both of them laughs together and then they gather in the main room. Volya takes out his paper and then tells him about what he found in the village. Romain nods after hears most of the information and then asks him,
"Then, what should we do next? They are on high alert, of course, they will not attack this village with both of us still here."
"Hmmm... I am thinking that you should back to Haegia."
"Huh? Of course, I will reject that!" says Romain quite annoyed
"No... No... What I mean is, let me alone in this village in order to lower their caution"
"Why did you ask me... Wait..."
"So, it seems you already know what inside my mind, huh."
"Haaa... But, it still really dangerous for you."
"You don't need to worry about it. I'm used to doing everything alone."
Romain looks at Volya and then sighs. He then walks towards him and hit his head really hard. He then says,
"Alright, I will follow your plan. But, is your preparation will be alright?"
"I already move some of them outside from the village wall. So, it should be alright... I hope."
Romain then sits down and then looks on the note in front of him. After that, he takes a deep breath and then says,
"If you say so... Then, how much ruckus that I must make tomorrow?"
"As big as you can," answer Volya with an evil smile
"Let's make them confused with this..."
Both of them nods together and with that Romain starts to pack his belonging while looking outside his room. Meanwhile, Volya stays in the main room and mumbles,
"I must do it... In order to free them... From the chain that holds them. I will change their fate for the greater good. That's what you hope right, Father."
Volya then walks back towards his room and start to sleep for his plan tomorrow.