6 A New Friend

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His words prompted Haven to jolty perked his head. Unable to comprehend where does those words came from as the cool gentle breeze sail across the silenced room. After along moment passed, Haven nodded with a short but seemingly adequate response "huh?"

But the king don't let himself bothered by his rare expression of confound. This is his chance to do something for troubled man. He muster every ounce of courage and wisdom to enlighten him about his proposal.

"Haven-dono, I may have no luxury to grant your long desired wish, but I can help you to achieve it" the king walk to the still crooked young man as he fixed his posture properly, to face him eye to eye.

"Haven-dono, if you become… If you become a well-known adventurer you can gain enough popularity to influence the rest to follow your will. All you must do first is to become a student on the academy. Then become an adventurer after you graduate"

(By making him a student, not only I can help him to become more socialize with people, but also, I can show him more the better life. This will clearly help him expand the small world behind those eyes)

An Isolated island inhabited with dangerous beasts is not a place for a young boy to spend his youth. He should be brought to the human environment and have normal life as a human. The king was trying to change his world back to its rightful place.

Haven smiled faintly with a hint of a bit of regret. He knew it will never work. It's because—

"I'm happy for that kind offer King Zagrus… but, I don't have any of the required papers to enter to school. It's because…" He sighed deeply and let a few seconds pass "I never once enter to a school. I never even seen an actual school. But I see them on pictures and TV"

Hearing his implausible answer, This time it`s King`s turn to nod with a short but seemingly adequate response "huh?". Not only had him, but his party also were the same expression –slacked-jaw in dumfounded manner.

'No' maids and 'no' educational and a 'suspicious' family background. Is he truly even a prince? The future-king must possessed all the wisdom he needs when his turn came to pass. That's why a prince or any royalty and nobles are obliged to go to school for the sake of the kingdom's future. Yet this man once again opposed the common law.

No one could blame the adventurers if they now starting doubting his words. Is he even saying the truths? Does what in those answers are true and false? Or does it even have true answers. But his undisputed power spoke the irrefutable truth which is enough to quell their doubts. And his next explanation had proved it.

"Teachers always says what they have in mind and they teach us based on their perspective. When the time I became literate because of the teachings of my sister, I read a certain book. It`s says that true education can only be achieve by your own efforts"

They could hardly believe that this a bit frail-looking prince had manage to become self-dependent. Disappointed by the minor but helpless problem. Just what can he do? the only question that fueled the gears inside his head. But after a short while, a belly laugh spilled out by the King. He smiled proudly at himself as if he realized something he knew but long forgotten. He's a king! A position that can naturally twist the laws of the nation or even make apparent wrong things to become right. A small problem like paper requirements from the middle school can be nullified by his royal words of power.

"Haven-dono, I'm an entity that rules a nation. You have the wisdom to discern what I mean"

"I can`t say I dislike the abusing authoritarian power" he sighed for last time before he answered with contented smile "I will take the offer then"

The light grew brighter in the dining room together with the smiles of the persons satisfied with result. They can now enjoy the time to finished their respective breakfast, which already gone cold because of the unusual long debate.

As soon as they finished their food, Haven stand up and give his final remark "you`re welcome to enjoy the beach. After you`re done were going to depart" And the party nodded in euphoria.

The adventurers enjoyed the scenery of bright golden sky and the rejuvenating water of the beach which stretches towards the horizons. The light shines at them, filled with excitement, over warm-tinted fines sands. The sun was already passed the horizon and they charges to the waters.

Haven left in the dining room fixing all the dishes. As soon as he reached to the kitchen carrying all used dining utensils, there was the owl standing over the countertop with mocking look in her face. She always donned with subtle expression which was unique to the birds. But even though, Haven knew she`s smiling at him now in mockery.

"Not partaking in their foolish game huh?"

"I am not" he groaned while not budging his eyes on his task. He put all the dishes to the kitchen sink and turned the faucet on. The water flowed down to the drain including removed stains as he washed plates gently with his hands.

"I'm doing this for our home. I'm won`t do anything foolish"

"Your Excellency, once your entity has been exposed to the outside world we can`t be sure that everything is going accordingly as you desired -chirp. There`s a plenty of reasons to object, but I am your humble servant. I support you in any way to gain whatever you want -chirp"

Nodded by the excellent servant. But there`s a hint of sadness on those mollifying chirping tones. He understood it very well. No one can predict the future but anyone can prepared themselves for it. He must prepared himself for anything that life would throw. His former life that covered his hands with blood has a chance to be repeated, only god knows.

He strides towards the owl, embraced her, caressing her head gently. Inadvertent small bead of tears flows form the corners of her bulging eyes. She must not have expecting this unforeseen touching event. She spent most of her time alone together with his master. As the time passes, the master-servant relationship developed into something more intimate. She gives back a hug, spreading her wings to his chest.

"May the all-knowing one guides you the safest path"

"Yeah…" he nodded "I'll bring you bird seeds when I get back"

And the two of them giggled and soon burst into a belly laugh giving life to the silent house.

oooOooo

The sun had soon to reach its prime, blinding light shines down to the 6 person standing on white fine sands. As everyone done with their own task, they had gone down once again to the same shore they enjoyed so much, but this time they were accompanied by the master of Island itself. The earlier lively water had once again became seemingly silent despites of the rustling of small waves. The cool sea breeze was still blowing across the crowd, bending the small braches of the rustling leaves on the coconut trees standing by

"I will produce a portal to the castle`s front yard garden by using [gate] magic" said by the king who`s seems more excited than rest of them. "My remaining mana should be enough to reach that place"

"I see, so gate magic`s mana cost was based from its distance huh" Haven murmured.

Zagrus had expend a substantial amount of mana from reviving three people from the brink of their true death. One day rest was not enough to regain all mana he lost. It may understandable if ever he collapsed from the fatigue after he used the [gate] spell that consumes mana based on the distanced and duration of the spell.

"Are you going to be alight?"

"No need to fret Haven-dono, I'm a demon lord!" he declared with confidence. He trust his both hands forward and followed by the appearance violet magic circles. No sooner had those shapes widened than the image of the castles courtyard was formed.

"Let`s now enter to my domain" he beckoned as his forehead becoming damped in sweat.

"Hold the fort for now. If anything happens, let me know immediately" although it's impossible for this place to have problems except mine.

Haven said as he turned his head to the seemingly smiling owl.

"I bow to your will, your command shall be done Your Excellency, Lord Haven-chirp"

"Im off" he said to the bird behind him. And he receive her cheering reply "good luck on your journey –chirp"

Haven goes first. He set his foot forward after another, slowly but surely until he passed the gate between him and his destination. He stop his tracks to view the said place thoroughly. The sun was a bit hotter than the island, giving light to an elaborate garden which flooded with trees pruned into circular shapes over the well-trimmed grass. They lined orderly to the surroundings giving an image of a border. The small pave stones he standing was fenced with plant box altogether stretches forward to an arching branches and vines filled with purple flowers before an ornament-covered gazebo. Behind were five more of them placed on a certain location, collectively surrounding fountain over the wide circular plot filled with variety flower in all shapes and sizes. If one performed an aerial viewing, this garden without a doubt was shaped in a hexagonal manner.

"So this was the best of their landscape architect could manage" he muttered "so simple and plain"

"Who are you?"

He was answered by the shrilly cry of an approaching young maiden beside him. Judging by her clothing, she seems to be one of the maids. Knowing stranger had successfully trespassed a heavy guarded place, she had instinctively leaped in a wide distance away from him and followed with an immediate incantation of her magic.

"O-o Holy fire-god that dwells from the abyss of the unknown, let fire song pleased the heart of thy believer and thy fire scorches against the wretched creatures before me"

(She still invoking the chanting words. An utter novice. Guess I shouldn't be expecting too much form a maid huh)

The maid save the triggering last words of the spell as she noticed the white man not even a bit threatened. Haven`s vision budge from her to the gazebo, he walk slowly with his bold, nonchalant stride, paying no heed to the harmless person gazing him with distrust.

"Hold it Josefa" grunted by Henry "he`s with us, low your arm"

"H-Henry-sama" she briskly nodded as she dispel her magic.

As soon as rest of the gang passed through, the gate spell was dispelled and vanished on the thin air. The king was the last to enter. No sooner had the maid`s bulging eyes were fixed on the king than she genuflect before him.

"Y-you're Majesty, please forgive me from the rude conduct"

"Don't fret over the little things, what you've done was the appropriate response" he said placatingly

"just prepares something for our dear guest here. And also set me up an appointment to principal of [Aslea Gifted Academy].

"As you wish your majesty—"

"No, I want to see the best places of the city" haven brushed it off flatly. He was inside the gazebo, probing the structure and elegant ornamental plants dangles on it.

"Sasuna-san you`re going to become my tour guide"

"Huh? Why am I going to—"

"I can do whatever I want with your body isn't it? You're already my servant, just follow my order and get on with it" he said tersely with coldness

Those words felt like a cold water splashed on her. She make herself believe that sword had taken its place for her, and that, unwittingly forgotten the words she said. Everyone knew what she`d done but Haven wished for the sword and still gained the least amount. Henry knew that there`s something more. Even the "becoming a student" proposal was very little since 'he' himself will do all the effort. Obviously no equality he had ever gained. So they, the party, including the king wasn't flummoxed about this scenario of Sasuna to become his servant, much better than a slave at least.

Then again, they can't helped themselves to feel guilty, like treating their colleague as a sacrificial pawn. They can`t do anything but to dropped silent.

She grimaced on the helpless situation she put herself into. She had no choice but to nod "yes Haven-sama"

"If my orders doesn't gladden you, you`re free disobey, I won`t punished you. Just spare me some few coins, there must be some stuffs in the city that will please my eyes."

Once again the adventurers was taken aback by his deviant nod. Just how many times they had donned that expression? It seems they still can get over his strangeness no matter how they would expected it.

He stopped his activity and stride towards her. He raised his hand open, beckoning her to gives some gold coins.

Am I really a servant to him? She can hardly believe that her new master was not the typical master she used to be expecting. But her master was surprisingly nice. Too nice actually. One can never see a master letting his servant do as they please. Until now.

"You're sure going there alone?" she said, producing a purse from her summoned [void storage]

"Like as if I was never alone" he said as he take purse from her and store it from his floating [void cloud] device. As soon as he get what he needs, he face every to say good bye "I'm off… I'll be back before sun down" he walk casually towards the gate exit.

Everyone's seems contented what had been transpired. All well ends well as they say. They can rest easy and do what errands they may have after. As they go together towards their respective direction, the enchanter Sasuna, was freeze on her position, gazing the fainting image of the young boy to the distance. She felt a mixture of joy and guilt at the same time. She can have her rest without problems and she was told to disobey him whatever she likes, as if she was never become his subordinate at the first place. Yet, why was she troubled for no reason. She grip her hands to her chest, hoping somehow to ease her pain. A few heartbeats later, she realized something.

(I see… How can I forgotten he spent three years in solitude on that island? Maybe… just maybe he wants me to go with him, wanting someone to talk to or share a laugh with. And maybe he was afraid to ask for having enough distance between that`s he using his authority over me. He must be for a friend. And I, the first person, his subordinate should helped him.... but I rejected him, I'm so stupid not even realizing something so simple)

"Hey? what`s wrong?" Henry inquired as he stop his tracks. He must have noticed his friend was still fixed in her place.

"I really can't let myself leave that man on his own devices" intoned with seriousness "I'm going for him"

She dashed out forward leaving standing but smiling Henry alone.

oooOooo

It`s already high noon. The kingdom`s central building district overflows with joyful voices. The wide main street was filled with horse drawn carriages. Different races such as: the humans, demi-humans, dwarves and elves and other travelers with their traveling gear are going about their business.

Despite of the [strangers] invasion to the [earthlings] last millennium, the only technology they gained were the use of wireless communication or the so called 'cell phones' device and televisions and other cyber gadgets. Their buildings was still the same as ever like medieval era and the vehicles doesn't improve much.

The only reason why didn't they improve much of their way of life was because of the fear of the exploding vehicles. After a month since their first attempt to drive the steel vehicles and also the aerial type on the three conquered nations, ten million people had died due to the mysterious sudden massive explosion of the vehicle they had just recently learn how to used. After two weeks since that incident, they didn't expect that earthling buildings which had they became their settlements also had the same scenario. The fear of using earthling stuffs had forced them to wipe the entire area clean and build a new city. And the only things they gained was cyber gadgets they assured safe to use. They didn`t even try to reverse engineer the thing knowing the possibility of another explosion. They had use the captured humans to do maintenance but they didn't spill their knowledge about it and whenever they attempted, they, themselves also explodes.

(Looking at people wearing full armors and mage garments while using cellphones is really weird. They no idea how the grave the risk of that technology on their part)

"I thought you don't want to be my tour guide, why change of hearts?" He said while not budging his to his surroundings. It's seems the people were staring at them with slacked-jaw and sometimes casually raised their phones as if taking pictures accompanied with their gossips. "And why there's so many eyes are focused on us?"

"Its Sasuna-sama of the Royal knights…. I can`t believe she come to the city. So cool"

"It's the greatest enchanter… I wish I can be like her, she so beautiful"

"But who guy beside her? I can't believe she got herself a boyfriend with that stern expression she always wear"

"Seriously? Lucky…"

(I'm not his boyfriend!!!)

"I'm now your servant, I'm just doing the befitting act" she muttered sullenly. She glancing at him at corner of her eyes, he still wearing that apathetic look. "And for the other question, I am greatest enchanter here and one of the royal knights. Its natural response for them since they didn`t expect such rare event"

"Aren't you noble?" he said stopping his tracks in front on a novelty store, "Don't force yourself in something you don't want… I'm troubled of people walking on eggshells around me"

(Troubled?... He really is nice person)

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"Pfffmm…. No I`m not. I'm came on my own volition" she chortle "Besides it would be troubling if you got lost your way back."

"Impossible—the castle was the tallest building on the city" he said flatly, pushing the double glass door to enter.

"Hrk…" she grimaced knowing she said something stupid.

A black bald man was standing at counter spare a glance on them. He must be the store owner. But his glance sudden became an intent gaze after the young man clad in white overcoat.

The shop doesn't have a single customer inside. But it was filled with different things such as regular books and grimoire place orderly on the shelves, chanted weapons and armory hung on till mannequins and walls, and things that were never seen before. But his eyes solely fixed on one thing –a creepy looking mask with 'X' mark as the eyes and cross-stitch pattern as the mouth. It was enclosed inside a glass cube over the pedestal.

"It doesn't have a price tag" he murmured

"I can`t believe you like such creepy things as this"

"I don't care... I love the design" he curtly retorted.

She sighed at her weirdo master seeming she can't do anything on this. "let`s ask the shop owner about the price and—

Ka-Boom!!!

Her words were cut by the sudden ear-piercing explosion that reverberated to the area.

"What was that?" his tone doesn't change, as much as his vision, still focused on the enclosed mask.

"Whatever it is, it's definitely not good" Susana rush outside and soon followed by the store owner leaving Haven all alone inside.

Throngs of people were running in havoc. Soon the bystander adventurers together with the city guards, are dashing forward to the scene. A collapsed building, billowing with large smoke and dust up to the sky, giving its position throughout the city. A silhouette of large figure of an unknown entity was visible behind the mass of smoke. With its vicious sound "Grrrrroooo" he step into the light then he roared furiously "Mooaaaaa!!!"

The load roar was filled with blood lust, causing an inarticulate terror to the adventurers"

"It's a [Chieftain Minotaur]!" Inadvertent cry by one of the bystanders, visibly shaking with the clatter of his armor.