I must see you, swordsman

"Golden Dragonfly, we're headed to the west, Ironhaven to be specific. Have your disciples stationed at Ior's forge...

...Be there and don't waste time, I have something to discuss." Fauna dispatches the message. The two walked for miles and have already left Priya. While the hunter stays on her guard, the prince simply admires the scenery he passes by. 

"Will there be someone to accompany us?" the prince asks.

"Yes, Golden Dragonfly received a message from the Superior Leader to assist me, I'm afraid I cannot deny her help." the hunter replies.

"Then, can you contact the Superior Leader too? You said earlier that you'll send her a letter. Why can't you just send her a message?"

"Our communication is based solely on accurate perception, as long as we know where the receiver is, the earrings will locate and send them a message. That's how we communicate despite the long distances. However, it's different for the Superior."

"How come?" the prince continues to ask.

The hunter kept replying to satisfy his curiosity. She answered: "As of now, none of us know where exactly the Superior Leader is. The leader works in the shadows, any tasks handled by the leader is almost never discussed with the four other leaders. That's why the only way to send the Superior Manor a message is through a letter."

"You mentioned the four other leaders. Who are they?" The prince asked again.

The hunter was starting to get a little irritated, but answered anyway. "The Cardinal Manors is a league of the strongest and most powerful wielders in Liberta, it consists of five manors, the Magus, Assassin, Marksman, Pugilist, and the Superior Manor. The first generation was..." The hunter hesitated for a few moments, but continued to explain somehow. "...they were murdered by the Asperities."

After hearing this, the prince fell silent, for a while, the hunter couldn't speak as well, but she was eager to explain further, so she continued. "The leaders now are the second generation, revived by the one who saved you, the second Superior Leader."

"Why? Were they killed?"

"The first generation acted as a resistance against the Asperities, they tried defending Liberta from those who wanted to harm the people. But they all ended up getting killed despite their strength."

"If they were all killed, where did the second Superior Leader come from? How did the leader revive the current Cardinal Manors?"

The hunter finally had enough and had to decline. "Too many questions, focus on walking faster."she said.

"Oh, right... S... Sorry." The prince responded.

After walking for a few more miles, they entered a small town. The two passed by a small tavern, which was filled with drunk men and women. It was noisy enough to reach the prince's ears despite the between him and the building.

"The Third Highest Commander, Lorelei of the Asperity Palace, was brutally slaughtered in the Capital!" a drunkard yells.

Hearing this, the prince's eyes widened. He stopped the hunter from going further, wanting to listen to the gossiping men. "Let's rest here for a bit." said the prince. Both of them then sat down on the chairs right outside the establishment. And while the hunter seems to not pay attention to the drunkards, the prince listens carefully.

"Damn, the Superior Leader is really going all out, huh. What a fucking legend!" another drunkard exclaims. "I've heard that the palace is in shambles right now, the Queen's son apparently got kidnapped by the Superior Leader, real tough shit. We haven't heard from the Queen herself in years, now they're all crazy trying to keep the palace intact."

"Hell yeah, I bet that leader beat the hell outta that bitch, Lorelei before killing her!" The third drunkard laughs as he pours booze onto his mouth. "Sucks to be her! But she fucking deserved it!"

The prince clenches his fist, wanting to stand up and confront the drunkards, but with the hunter beside him watching, he could only sit quietly.

Lorelei wasn't evil. Why would the Superior Leader kill her? She helped the people, she built safe places for them, why would she be killed? And why are they saying such things about her! Such thought angered the prince.

"Did you intentionally stop here so you could listen to them?" The hunter abruptly stops the prince's thought.

"Well, I..." The prince stuttered.

"Speaking of the Queen, you think she got killed secretly by the Superior Leader too?" The drunkard spoke once more, this time, they provoked the hunter as well. "I mean, even though none of the Asperities said anything, we haven't seen the Queen either."

"Nah, if she died, that Lucius guy would've replaced her."

"Yeah... yeah that makes sense too, heard a lot about that guy, man's as strong as the Queen herself, not to mention he's also a gigantic pain in the ass."

"Honestly, I don't give a shit about any of them, I just want them all to fucking die or something so we can finally taste some good fucking air again."

"Yeah, they can all go fuck themselves."

The drunkards laughed together as they drowned themselves in booze. At this point, the prince had heard enough and was wanting to leave. "Let's go." The prince impatiently said. The two went back to their long journey to Ironhaven.

While they trekked, the hunter noticed the grim look on the prince's face. She asks, "Carlos, what's with that look on your face?"

He replies coldly, "Was it true? Did the Superior Leader really kill the commander?"

"I am not so sure myself, we could ask the leader directly." The hunter replies. "Like I said earlier, most of the missions done by the leader are rarely discussed with us."

"Even if you aren't sure, is there a possibility that it is true?" The tone of the prince's voice became low and depressing. Almost as if he was about to cry.

"I'm afraid... Yes."

"Why would they? Lorelei had done nothing wrong." He turns to the hunter with his saddened eyes.

The hunter boldly refused to answer. "Let's not talk about this, I'll have to ask you to stay patient and wait for the leader to confirm it."

"What exactly does the Superior Leader do?" The prince kept bugging the hunter.

Tired of the prince's questions, the hunter struck him with her words. "Like I said, wait for the leader." She said in a scolding manner.

Finally realizing that the hunter was already irritated with his constant asking, he silenced himself. He held on to his cane and walked quietly.

If the Superior Leader really did kill Lorelei, then why would they save me? I'm the same as Lorelei, we both come from the Asperity Palace and served the Queen, but why was I saved? Why can't the leader save her too? We both suffered but I'm the only one who got out of the palace. This is unfair.

Who exactly are you, swordsman? What exactly is your plan? If only I could see you right now and find the answers I need to hear.

I need to hear it from you. I don't want to end up betraying you who saved me, but... I cannot neglect those who once took care of me in the palace.

I want answers. Or else I'll lose my mind thinking I'll have to fight you too.

I must see you, swordsman.