Chapter 63: Hamel (II)

I am back to normal posting. Reminder for everyone, 3-4 chapters / week, if more time for writing, 6-7 chapters a week. Enjoy!

Several characters introduced this chapter.

Giliath is back to demand your power stones!

*

A neatly dressed scholar wearing an overcoat followed the only active village guard along the one windy path, soon arriving on a plateau deep within the forest. A little village with houses made of stone and wood appeared before the two. The number of them couldn't even be counted with three or four hands.

There were a couple figures out and about. Seeing this immediately drew their attention. Several more figures up higher on the plateau also looked onward.

Among the children further up, one appeared to be a three year old brown boy with crimson eyes watching others play, seemingly a bit shy. Every time he would take a peak of the Professor at the gate, he would quickly turn his head away. It didn't neglect the interest shown in his eyes though.

As for the three villagers closest to the gate, two of them seemed to be around fourteen or fifteen years old. One was a boy with bright silver hair and lavender eyes. The other was purple-black haired girl with amber eyes around the same age. Holding onto the girl's hand was a child seemingly around six years old with pure black hair and the same amber eyes. The girl's eyes brightened seeing the village guard return, but also showing interest at the man beside him.

"Welcome back, Jon. It looks like the escort went fine. Did you encounter any monsters along the way?", The girl asked slightly worried.

"Well if it ain't Karin. Are you and Loewe keepin' the kids out of trouble today?", Jon said, revealing a smile.

"Karin, Joshua and I were watching over them until we saw you came back, Jon. But they know not to venture in too deep. There are some pretty fierce monsters further in after all.", The silver haired boy said.

"That's good to hear. And speakin' of the kids, how's Johan fittin' in?", Jon asked. This only earned a giggle from the girl.

"Hehe, Johan might act rash sometimes but we have placed our trust in him. The children have been playing with him too, he's been fitting in. I was a bit worried since Johan is one of the youngest among us, but even you like to play with him, don't you, Joshua?", Karin asked the young black haired boy beside her.

"Yeah. It's fun playing with Johan and the others.", The black haired boy called Joshua said, nodding his head.

"That's good then. I see that Joshua came down with ya too.", Jon said, looking at the black haired amber eyed boy.

"Hello.", Joshua responded, revealing a smile and gave Jon a greeting since he returned back to Hamel.

As for Professor Alba, who remained quiet after meeting these three, his interest soon took him to the girl. Or more specifically, what the girl was currently holding in her spare hand.

In her hand was a small device of sorts. It was completely golden too. Many little holes could be seen stretching across its center, while being held by some sort of metal. It was golden in color.

"I hate to interrupt our introducing but I couldn't help but be interested in what you're holding. Miss Karin was it?", Professor Alba.

"So this little thing drew your attention huh? It is definitely not like other devices that play sound. It carries a unique tune. If anything it behaves similarly to a flute.", the girl called Karin said, answering Professor Alba.

"Is that so? So it is an instrument of sorts. It's the first time I'm seeing one like this.", Professor Alba answered.

"That's because it's far from those more professional instruments. It's called a harmonica. It helps settle the children down when I go play it.", Karin answered Professor Alba.

"Which reminds me, we were about to go back over there so you can play it today, weren't we?", the silver haired boy called Loewe asked Karin.

"Sure was. You'll handle settling in our guest in, right Jon?", Karin asked Jon.

"Haha, I don't think that is necessary but do what you must. I don't want to interfere with what customs you may have.", Professor Alba said, also chiming in.

"Nonsense, we will look after you, Professor Alba. You'll be teachin' the kids for a day to repay for yer stay, aren'tcha?", Jon asked persistently.

"Well that is true...I did offer that. I have been traveling Erebonia for a while since I departed from Arteria.", Professor Alba concluded, which caused Karin's eyes to shine.

"You came all the way from the holy capital?", Karin asked in excitement.

"That I did. And I forgot to mention one more thing.", Professor Alba suddenly said, only to go into one of his overcoat pockets. He brought out an insignia of sorts, which depicted none other than the Septian Church. This caused a wave of surprise to the few who was looking at him.

"That's the Septian Church's symbol!", Jon exclaimed. "I thought ya said yer a scholar?", Jon continued to ask.

"I am. But I did say I came from Arteria, didn't I? It would make sense for me to be a priest. I am more than qualified enough to do a Sunday school here, even if it's just for a day.", Professor Alba explained.

"So that was the case. Should I address ya as a priest then?" Jon wondered.

However, hearing this, Professor Alba pushed the frames of his spectacles up a bit, before revealing a smile.

"Just call me Professor.", Professor Alba said, formally introducing himself to Hamel's villagers. This earned some confusion from them, but nonetheless, Karin, Loewe, Joshua, Jon, Johan and the others still welcomed the Professor with a warm heart.

As Professor Alba slowly got settled into Hamel, he couldn't help but turn his head back toward outside the village, to where a normal person's sight couldn't reach. Standing atop of one of the really tall pine trees further away, a sole armored figure of a knight could be seen. If one looked closely, this armored knight was actually currently observing Professor Alba...

If one was able to look into their helmet, a look of melancholy could currently seen.

"It looks like the Faceless has already begun to act. I know I am but a mere observer during this time, but I didn't think I would be joined by another so quickly.", the armored knight said.

At this time, a male voice suddenly spoke out to the armored knight.

"Haha, and here I was thinking to myself that I wasn't going to get spotted, Miss Knight.", the male voice suddenly said, sounding much younger than what armored knight presumed.

Turning around the armored knight became confused for a moment as the knight looked around, only to see nothing. Their eyes then focused, only to spot a small figure appear on a branch of a tree next to the one the armored knight was standing on.

In fact, this figure wasn't even a human, but a little silver-white two tailed fox. If one had a closer look, the fox's eyes could currently be seen as golden with a crimson hue. And yet this male voice seemed to have come from none other than this little fox.

"You were wanting to meet me, were you not? Your Highness.", the armored knight replied nonchalantly.

"So you already know who I am, even if I have come to you in this manner. While I have learned the incantation to project a phantom image, it is embarrassing to say I have not practiced it enough to be proficient in it. Thankfully I found a little fun alternative, especially after little Tama learned this skill. Pretty neat, huh?", the male voice said, speaking through the little fox.

"Tama is this fox's name? I presume it to be a familiar that has bonded with you?", the armored knight asked.

"Sure is Looks like you know about the Kin of Fire. But coming from you, that is to be expected. It was thanks to them I could come meet you like this. And if you were wondering if you could meet my real person, it is unfortunate to say I am in the center of the earth. Quite literally. I am in a giant hole as we speak.", the male voice said, explaining a bit to the armored knight.

"I wasn't planning to. Ever since I came across your household a couple years ago to check up on Him, I had found you intriguing as well. Even the Grandmaster hadn't quite figured you yet. You are definitely not normal, Your Highness, Naoto von Auslese.", the armored knight replied with interest.

"Haha, even someone like me is already under her eyes, eh? Well I could say the same to you, Miss Knight. Or should I say, the Seventh Anguis of Ouroboros, Arianrhod?", the male voice declared as it spoke out from the silver-white fox's mouth.