Problem 1

Rai's POV

*Pant, pant* I was running fast in a back alley, looking scared since I didn't know what to do in this situation.

"Stop right there!" I looked back and saw three guys chasing me. I turned left but didn't expect it to be a dead end.

"It's useless running away, little girl."

"*Pant, pant*" They had surrounded me already, so I panicked in terror.

"Don't scare her, Rall." A female voice can be heard walking slowly towards us.

"*Tch* Why are you here, Vestrah." She walked closer and closer, but I couldn't see her face.

"The master sent me here personally, since he knows it will take days for you to find her." The Vestrah girl answered.

"Heh! Too bad. I already found her." Rall proudly said with his chin up high.

"Don't come closer!" I screamed in fear. They grabbed both of my hands and dragged me.

"Let me go! Somebody help!"

"Hahaha!! No one will save you, little girl!" I cried helplessly when they put me in a sack.

If someone can hear my voice, please, please help me! I don't want to be like the other girls!

Please save me!!

Waking up, I gasped for air. My gaze strayed across the space. In the same way, I raised myself and groaned. I was looking in the mirror and sweating a lot. I was perplexed and trembling all over my body.

*Chirp, chirp*

*Chirp, chirp*

I soaked for approximately an hour as I considered the vision I had witnessed. I changed into my clothes, and went downstairs.

With a smile, the receptionist said, "Good morning." Five beast men were eating breakfast when I turned to look around.

"Good morning," I said in a low voice and handed her the key.

"How was your stay?" The receptionist asked giving me a fake smile.

"Its..... Great." When the beast-men stared at me without saying anything, I hesitated for a moment.

"That's great. Is it okay for you to fill this up?" She handed me a paper.

"Uhm... What is this?" I asked, skeptical on what he handed me.

"Oh.... As our inn has only been open for three days, we figured you could provide us with some feedback regarding your experience staying here. She calmly said.

Did these punks really think I wouldn't realize they were lying to me? Some of the equipment and furniture in this space are dusty and old, giving the impression that it was built five years ago.

"Have you heard the renowned saying that is circulating throughout the kingdom?"

"I apologize, but I'm not into that kind of thing, so I haven't heard anything about it." She smiled at me.

"Even when you know the truth, there are moments when you simply have to listen to the lies." The five beastmen stopped eating and turned to stare at me, and the receptionist fell silent. I gave the quill and the piece of paper to her.

"Thank you for your hospitality," I said, leaving them dumbfounded, and turned to leave. I walked over to the back alley and stretched my arms.

"*Yawn* Now, where to start?" I turned and headed toward the area where the young girl was stuck. I remember from my dream that she was holding a wooden butterfly, so I looked around to see if she had dropped anything.

"Found it." I examined the wooden butterfly that I had picked up. I made another attempt to use my vision to comprehend the entire circumstance.

I saw a girl as my eyes closed. A young child joyfully running alongside her dog. The young girl went to her mother after receiving a call from her own. Abruptly, the light faded and the scene shifted. She was crying, and her parents were fighting. I heard her family calling her name as she ran outside, but she ignored them and kept running.

And once more, the scene is altered. This time, she fled while sobbing in terror. She tripped over a rock, but got back up and continued running. She proceeded to the back alley, holding the wooden butterfly tightly. Unfortunately for her, it had already come to a dead end; she dropped the wooden butterfly, was grabbed by the people chasing her, had her hands and feet tied, and was placed in a sack.

My eyes opened, and I walked out into the back alley and went into the forest.

"Lily." She appeared in front of me and kneeled.

"Yes, my lord?" I handed her the wooden butterfly.

"Track down every girl who vanished and discover the name of their organization." I coldly said, and she accepted the wooden butterfly.

"As you wish."

I turned away as she vanished from sight. I went to the largest tree, which is located in the middle of the forest. According to some accounts, this tree is among the oldest on the continent. Glancing up, I ascended the tree. The vines assisted in getting to the tree's summit.

Upon reaching the summit, I reclined, shut my eyes, and concentrated. I opened my eyes and saw the world tree in front of me.

"Hello again, child." Ellen gave me a kind welcome. I approached her and touched the trunk.

"Hello, Ellen." I smiled.

"I see. You also dream about it." She said and I wasn't even saying anything.

"Does it mean something, Ellen?" I asked.

"Yes, the gods want you to do something for the sake of your people."

"Ellen, what should I do?"

"It is your duty to protect your people and guide them toward a better life. Remember that this is your role as an Alexio, Rai, even if you are the hero hiding in the shadows."

"I will, Ellen."

"However, you have to make sure you're safe because your death will have a significant impact on my well-being. The plants, animals, beasts, and sky will all cry out for you, not just me."

"Thank you, Ellen."

"Good luck, child."

"My lord, my lord." I heard Lily's voice as I awoke. Upon rising, thousands of flowers were visible beneath me. Ellen seems to have made a bed for me in my subconscious during our conversation.

"Did you find it?"