Chapter LXIV - Departure (part 1)

After the meeting with Valon, I went straight back home. 

Or hotel, inn, whatever.

I should buy a house.

Today I don't feel like doing any missions, because tomorrow is my departure. Departure for the secret mission I was assigned at the meeting. The mission that I wasn't quite sure I will succeed.

Which means, I won't be in the kingdom for much longer.

I headed back to the inn to prepare things early, that way I can have some fun during the evening. Hod and the others are planning to have a feast during dinner tonight, to wish me good luck.

I have tried to object to them wasting their money, but they insisted. And I do want something special during the night before I leave.

I guess it's not that bad having friends.

.

Valon had alerted the knights about the capture of the traitor, the one who created the contract for the assassins, somewhere around yesterday.

While he was telling me and Klane, the knights were heading to capture the traitor as we spoke. And as a result, we were able to obtain a bunch of information.

The traitor was actually one of the henchmen from one of the nobles who were present at the meeting. He must have eavesdropped during the meeting, and obtained very important information regarding the topic.

Valon guessed that this traitor is a member of the rebellion group of a neighbouring country. Which is the group that was supposed to be my target for the secret mission.

Which is why he told the knights to capture him alive. We need to know how much that traitor knows, and how much he told his friends.

And after capturing the traitor, Valon had received much information. He sent a letter to me regarding what he has found out.

First, he wasn't being clear about which side he is from, but he is certainly related to the whole Veldonian civil war issue.

Second, he has not actually been in contact with his people for a long time, meaning that he probably hasn't said anything about me or the mission to anyone.

Third, there are actually more spies within the kingdom that work for their group, but the traitor did not know how many.

It's really unsettling not knowing what methods Valon is using to pry information out of that guy. Because he definitely dug up a gold mine from a poor spy. He probably took the soul slowly out of the poor bastard.

Aside from the information, he told me to come by the office tomorrow before leaving.

That's all the letter has told me.

After reading the letter, I dropped my body to the bed and closed my eyes. I just finished cleaning up for tomorrow before the letter came from a messenger who knocked on my door. He looked quite surprised when he saw how sweaty and smelly I am from cleaning.

I opened my eyes again and took a deep breath.

The mission tomorrow will not be easy.

It was mostly political, so it must be anonymous. And my mission was to stop any attack from the rebelling group to the kingdom. Basically like an extra man power for the kingdom.

But… I don't want to kill people.

Valon did mention that the one who will do most of the attacks will be monsters, since a lot of the rebellion members actually know demonic arts to control monsters or something. Thanks to that, I won't have to kill anyone. I just have to kill the monsters and knock the enemies down.

But there will surely be some obstacles along the way.

Valon will explain more details to me tomorrow, I guess. For now, I should get prepared for dinner.

I stood back up and got changed to new clothes. This time, I'll wear the best casual outfit I have. It is my last day here, after all.

After preparing things like taking a bath and stuff, I looked at my room one last time to make sure everything is in place.

All my clothes are already stored in my ring. Books, and other stuff are also stored. Basically, all items I have and own are already stored inside my ring.

After making sure everything was fine, I left my room and headed to Hod's.

.

The evening was very loud.

Before I even arrived at the diner, Valey and Cony had already grabbed me in my wrists. The wide grin in their faces says it all.

As soon as I entered, Hod and Barett were already waiting at a table right at the end of the room.

Hod started to say some stuff like tasty food and feast, which made my stomach very hungry. Then, after talking for a while, food finally came. And tonight, I learned one thing. 

When Hod said it's a feast, it's a feast. I mean, look at the size of each plate.

Everyone around us looked at us as some random group throwing a party. But they had no idea that the blue haired guy right here is the owner.

It was very unnecessary for Hod to throw this much food on his treat, but he just wants to do it. After all, I have been through a bunch of hardships recently.

I lost my magic for two weeks, and even got hunted by assassins as soon as I healed.

I really suck at living here, aren't I?

Hod saw that and realized throwing a party is the least he can do. Everyone else also supported him by helping pay for the food.

And tonight, we had a great time.

The others kept asking about the mission, but all I can say is that I won't be doing most of the stuff. They were pretty confused by it, but it's true. It won't be 'Rize' who will do stuff. 

It will be someone else. No one besides me, Valon, and Klane knows about this mission. There are also other people like the nobles from the meeting.

And then there's the traitor… Well, at least he is in custody now. 

Aside from the mission, we are also talking about what they will do while I'm gone. I asked them if they are going to continue missions, and obviously they answered yes, but they will most likely not do any too high-ranking missions.

I nodded to that, agreeing that they should limit themselves. But I do realize that with me being there, they could have done much harder missions.

I let out a sigh at the thought of them being in danger. I just hope nothing bad will happen while I'm gone. And I also hope that nothing problematic will happen during my mission either.

The rest of the night is very chill. Talking with them about this stuff... Simply makes me not want to leave.

But don't worry, I'm not planning to take another mission like this anyways.

And since none of us wanted to leave, we all chatted until midnight, way past after the store closed. Hod and his mother closed the shop while everyone else seated the table. Hod's mother wished me good luck before she went to the back, and I thanked her.

I always wanted to know what happened to Hod. Judging from how everyone is acting, he must be some sort of noble, right?

But he and his mother lived out here like some commoners. I wonder what is the story behind it. But I can find that out later, after this mission.

After midnight, Barett decided it's time to end it here, because if it gets any later I will have trouble sleeping. I said it's fine because tomorrow is at noon, but everyone else agrees.

Then, we all went back home. Valey and Cony accompanied me to my inn before they went back to theirs. I asked Valey how her house was before she left.

"It's fine, we have more than one house!"

I… guess I was wrong for worrying.

Her father is a high-ranked noble, one of the highest positions in the kingdom. But I never asked what her father's position in the kingdom was. I assumed it's a Duke, but I shouldn't jump to that conclusion.

Doesn't matter, her family is definitely crazy rich.

After seeing them off, I went inside and headed to my room. I checked my stuff up before going to sleep, that way I can relax tomorrow morning.

After making sure everything was in place, I went to bed.

Tomorrow is the departure day. And just like any night before something crazy happens, I dreamed.

It wasn't really a dream. It was a message. A reminder.