Life in the Kingdom (2)
Things have been going smoothly, as everyone filled some kind of form with the job they were interested in and handed it to the responsible Guard.
Anny, Lisa and Rena filled a form as well, refusing Link's offer. He wanted to take care of them, since he had no issues with money anymore. They even stopped him when he wanted to upgrade their home and surrounding streets, telling him to save his money and they'll take care of it. Although Link reluctantly agreed, he still paid for furnishing and fixing the house. It became quite the eye catching sight in their area.
Sal and Robart claimed a house together not too far from Link's home and their job choice was as you'd expect, hunters. Unbeknownst to Link, Robart and Sal were in a relationship, which Link was surprised and happy to hear.
People felt the safest when they surrounded themselves with the ones they knew. The situation was similar to when they traveled and camped together. Each person from the same village stuck with each other. Some spoke to others and traded homes just to be closer to their friends.
The survivors from Toula village surrounded Link's home, as each one claimed the house nearest to him. Link did not realize such a thing was happening until it was too late. "Are we forming some sort of gang or something?" Link muttered, seeing the place full of people he recognized.
"To them, the others are nothing but strangers" Samuel approached "They would probably feel more at ease like this. Plus, why wouldn't they want to be close to the 2 mages from their village? I heard some speak of us, especially you like we're gods or something" Samuel giggled. Link looked at him and felt relieved. Since finding out about his family's death, Link was afraid that the incident would have some sort of negative impact on him, so he was glad that Samuel was doing well.
"Excuse me" A Royal Guard approached them "Are you both Link and Samuel by any chance?" He asked.
"Yes, how can we help you?" Said Samuel.
"You two are students of the Military Academy?" He asked with the same unmoving face expression.
"Yes we are" Samuel answered. Link didn't like how Samuel was answering everything straight away without making sure what was the purpose of the guard's visit, but he decided to not say anything and only watch for now.
"I have an invitation from Duke Arkin to give you two" He said, handing over two envelopes, The guard then proceeded to turn and walk away.
Link recognized the name. Since that incident back in the Academy, he looked into the kids and their families for when the day came that they sought revenge. Duke Arkin is Lyrius's father, the kid that came after him with his friends and in which Link ended up killing them all. "Did he find out?" Link thought "No, if he did, he wouldn't be this nice about it"
Opening the envelope and reading its contents, Link sighed in relief. "He didn't find out anything, but he is trying to" Link thought to himself, closing the letter.
After hearing of Link and Samuel's arrival in the Kingdom, Duke Arkin sent a letter inviting them both to his castle tomorrow morning to ask about the incident, he also promised rewards for any useful information they can provide. "Well, i wouldn't say no to free stuff" Link muttered.
"What would he be asking us about?" Samuel asked, confused.
Link pulled Samuel somewhere secluded and told him about the whole thing, leaving out some details. "What?" Samuel looked at Link with worry "You think he knows?"
"No, but he's trying to find out anything about that day. I think this invitation is going to end up more of an interrogation than a nice chat"
"Do you have a plan?" Samuel asked.
"Yes, here's what we'll tell him…" Link proceeded to tell Samuel of the story he had been preparing for the longest time. He worried about them finding out and what they would do to him or even his family if they did, so he lost some sleep over it.
The day passed normally, with Anny and his sisters receiving a letter informing them of their acceptance in their new jobs. In the morning, everyone headed somewhere, while Link and Samuel found the same guard waiting for them in front of the house with a carriage. "Wow, fancy" Link muttered, jumping in with Samuel right behind him.
The two were led through the streets and a while later, they felt the carriage stop. Looking out the window they saw the glorious castle standing before them, with guards and servants welcoming them. "He's putting on a show just for us" Link thought.
Inside the castle, Link thought that it did not differ much from the City Lord's castle back in the other continent, with the only difference being the furniture, guard and servant wear with the throne room being a giant dining hall.
They were led inside it where the Duke sat with a couple people. Link did not know who they were but had his suspicions.
"Welcome!" The man sitting at the head of the table spoke, gesturing to the 2 empty chairs next to them.
"He's trying his best to be as nice as he could to peasants huh" Link thought, seeing the forced smile on the duke's face. He had silver hair with an average face, his hair was long, tied into a ponytail. The other two men had average but sharp faces, one had long hair resting on his shoulders while the other had short but neatly styled hair.
"This is Viscount Jinko and this is Baron Julin. We invited you here to ask you some questions about that dreadful day, please tell us about everything you may know" The duke said with the same forced smile still on his face.
"I will be speaking for the both of us" Link spoke, turning the attention solely to himself. "Lyrius and his group had some rumors spread about them after that incident.
It was said that they regularly hunted and killed commoners and peasants in the forest, these rumors already existed before that day of course and many commoners knew to avoid them if they encountered them by chance out there.."
"What does this have to do with their deaths?" Baron Julin spoke with an annoyed expression.
"If you let me finish then you'll understand" Link said.
"Excuse Baron Julin, as you can tell, the loss of our children has been devastating. Please continue" Duke Arkin said.
"As i was saying... Many commoners knew to avoid them if they by any chance encountered the group.
These rumors were the cause to stick every death of a commoner or peasant onto your children. Be it the real reason for their death, an actual accident or killed by a beast.
This made many people to speak up about it and hatred towards them was not something uncommon.
That day, when they were all reported as dead. Instead of the usual reaction of pity. Students said that they got what they deserved…"
"WHAT?" Baron Julin stood up, slamming his hand on the table.
"I understand your anger, but me and my friend here are nothing but new students at the Academy and only heard these stories and rumors after the news of their deaths spread" Link said.
"What are you trying to say?" Duke Arkin asked.
"I'm saying that there might have been people that actually fought back, or their death was planned by the other party." Link said.
"Are you certain of your words?" Duke Arkin said, as the Baron sat back down.
"That day, from what I heard other students say was that they went out without taking a Mission, which was odd.
Plus, their bodies were never found yet but their life force was gone. It means whomever or whatever killed them cleaned up after themselves.
It also means that it was either planned or they got killed by some beasts that feasted on their remains" Link said with a serious face.
The men did not speak further, they each looked like they were thinking about something as silence filled the room.
Link and Samuel looked at each other, then looked back at the 3 men. "That is all we know that might be of use" Link spoke.
"Ok, thank you" Duke Arkin said, gesturing to the guards to escort the kids out.
"From what we understood, you promised rewards for any useful information provided" Samuel said.
"Even as prestigious mages, you commoners are still as greedy" Baron Julin said "All your information was heard from others, you had nothing that you discovered yourselves, why do you think you deserve rewards?"
"Coming from others or discovered by us does not matter. You heard that information from us and it was something none of you were aware of, or are you trying to go back on your words?" Link said, frowning.
"No, we do not plan to" Duke Arkin said, gesturing to one of the servants. A bit later, the same servant came out with a ring in his hand which he gave to Link.
"The promised rewards are all in that ring" Duke Arkin explained.
Link and Samuel left the castle with smiles on their faces. "That went better than expected" Samuel said.
"It went well because we are probably the only students they managed to find and speak with. Also they are no idiots, it won't be long before they find out the truth, or at least figure out that i had something to do with it" Link whispered.
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