Special Chapter III - Lyona (part 2)

"You're heavily targeted. Aren't you?"

I asked after figuring out the problem, and she nodded grimly.

"Due to my mission, there are going to be a lot of people that are after my life. I was quite worried that someone like you, who was very-very powerful, would also be aiming for me. Because if you do... then I surely won't have any chance."

She pointed out her worries, and I completely understand her point of view. If someone like me were to go after her life, then she had no options but to simply perish. That was why she was very concerned with my presence.

"Well, I am not after anyone's lives, at the moment. Does that answer make you feel better?"

"It does, and it also made me realize that someone so powerful was actually nearby. I won't want to miss this chance, so... I studied you closer to see if you have issues."

"I-Issues?"

I repeated her choice of words, but she seemed to be very sure. She nodded firmly at me, and she turned to the knight next to her. The knight, Eva, only let out a sigh and shook her head.

"Eva..."

"It is still ultimately your decision, my lady. I am only escorting you." 

The knight replied, and I am still quite oblivious as to what they're talking about. But, after making a firm decision, the young lady of the Amila family turned her gaze back to me.

"Before I ask you anything... I'd like to confirm something. Someone with your stature... with your strength, coming to Veldonia at such a timing cannot be a coincidence. Right?"

The young lady asked, and I chuckled at how intelligent this lady truly was. I was completely fooled by her act back at the carriage, thinking she was dumb. When in reality, she knows so much more than most people do.

"Smart girl. I see why you're the leader."

"Well... we are heading to war, you know? Obviously, you are going to have a massive role. No, I'm sure you already have a massive role for coming to Veldonia."

She pointed out exactly my situation, and I nodded firmly. However, she isn't done.

"I, too... had a massive role.

I was sent by the kingdom, to act as a middle ground for the two sides of Veldonia.

Thanks to my ability, I can tell people's true nature. I can easily see whenever someone is lying using my eyes. It allows me to see the truth behind the words of simply anyone. That's how I was able to notice that you were a female."

She explained to me her mission and specialty, which completely shocked me. For the kingdom to send someone with such a talent to an awkward situation that can very easily get her killed... that is very risky.

Not just for the lady, but also for the kingdom. One wrong move from her... and the two kingdoms can go to war. One wrong move from Veldonia, such as harming her, can also result in a massive dispute.

Her role... is so much more important than I imagined. To be the middle ground between Veldonia and the rebellion, as well as Mazino... that is massive.

Arguably, an even bigger role than mine.

"Why... did you go all by yourself? I can understand if you brought knights, but you have already seen what your knights can do. They're pointless."

I pointed out quite harshly, and the knight lady next to her turned very annoyed. The girl lifted her hand to stop her knight from attacking me, but I am only stating the truth.

"It seems like you don't understand... The knights are only cosmetic. I'm not saying they are completely worthless, but no one will deny that they are nothing in the face of a large kingdom like Veldonia.

A proper protection would be... something like a knight division commander, or even the vice general who was the strongest knight. Or perhaps a White ranked adventurer, if the kingdom was willing to spend extra cash.

However, bringing in a combat powerhouse as a middle ground to solve a dispute peacefully... that does not sound like a good way to make peace. That will only stir even more problems from a political perspective, bringing concern to the two tables because that powerful character could very easily turn against them."

A fair, but unfair argument. It may be true that the two parties might be concerned that the powerful guest might choose sides, but it's still wrong to leave a young lady like her completely unprotected. 

As of this point, this young lady from Amila is just a lamb to slaughter. If a White ranked opposition from either the rebellion or the kingdom were to target her, she'd lose her life instantly.

"Still. Sounds like a dumb idea sending out a young lady without proper protection. I'm starting to question the King of Mazino's ruling."

I blatantly pointed out, wondering if the female knight might attack me for commenting negatively on her king. However, she is surprisingly tame.

"That's not the king's fault. The one who is arranging everything was my family, the Amila Viscountdom.

I was sent to Veldon after my parents suggested it to the king. All the king did was give his approval, but everything else was under my parents control.

My parents... didn't even come with me. They stayed home, like cowards as they sent their daughter to war."

The young lady explained her situation quite closely, and I only felt a massive pity towards her. I'm still having problems believing her, but seeing everything that has happened so far tells me that it must be the truth.

"You've been sent all by yourself into a kingdom that is at war. You were given minimum protection, with low ranking knights and a knight captain, at best, as your only protection.

Are you sure you're not being thrown away by your family?"

My question was all too rude to be said. I was half expecting them to reply with annoyance, but the young lady only turned saddened. Instead, the knight lady nodded firmly to me.

"Believe me when my young lady has done her very best to ask her parents for assistance. However, it's clear to us that they are only sending her away for no good reason.

We both... knows that very well."

The knight lady said quite apologetically, and I opened my eyes widely. It seems like their situation is so much more complicated, but I still know nothing from the parents.

"Which leaves us... with only one option. After we arrived at Veldonia, or if a chance were to occur... I'd use it to escape and fake my death. I'd just live somewhere as a commoner, away from my parents eyes."

The noble lady said confidently to me, which surprised me even more. For someone like her to have such courage, to abandon her past life for a new one... that's difficult.

"It's definitely not something that I'd do, but given that I have no other choice, it is what I have decided. But, another option seemed to have appeared in front of me.

You."

The lady pointed her finger at me, and I understood what she was going to ask. Her hand turned into an open request, asking for a handshake.

"Help me with my mission. All I ask is simply protection. And if you do assist... I'm sure it will help yours too."

The young lady states her wish, and I only closed my eyes as I laughed a little. Deep inside my chest, I only cursed myself for not realizing things.

My mission was to ease the situation at Veldonia, either by clearing the rebellion or by mitigating the situation. My goal was to use violence or any other method that may come up in front of me.

And for whatever reason, a young lady just appeared in front of me, telling me that she can read minds. She has a mission that also requires her to be the middle ground between the two factions, but she is lacking protection.

Meaning... she has the same goal, but with different capabilities. I have the muscles, but she has the key.

Surprisingly, this is all falling into place so incredibly well. 

That must be what you're planning, right? Master Valon?

After figuring everything out, I lifted my hand and shook her hand. The young lady was surprised that I shook her hand so easily, but I only tilted my head to the side.

"Are you by any chance close with the Master of the Adventurers Office?"

I asked her to see if it's true, and both the knight and the lady were widely shocked.

"H-How did you know??"

Yeah... it's very much obvious now that all the pieces have fallen into place.

Valon gave me the specific date as to when I should depart from the kingdom. It was him who made me leave Mazino today, and who would've thought that there was a reason for it?

It's as if he realized that I'd be joining the Amila family group for the trip. Or rather... he made sure that I am present at the group by setting both of us up on the same day.

That Office Master... is one scary man. His brilliant mind just cannot be guessed.

"You can thank him once all of this is over. For now, feel free to rely on me for anything that involves combat."

I said to her quite easily, and the young lady turned very surprised. The knight lady stepped forward with a curious look on her face.

"Are you... an adventurer?"

She asked, but I only lifted one finger to her.

"Anonymously. It's best if nobody knows that I'm an adventurer."

I said while taking out a card from my pocket, and the two of them opened their eyes widely after seeing the card.

"W-White ranked!?!?"

"I-Is this real!?"

Both the lady and the knight was shocked. And sure enough, the position of a White ranked adventurer isn't exactly commonly found.

"Again... I must ask for your cooperation to keep my identity safe. In return, I will keep the both of you protected."

I said even to the knight who was meant to protect herself. Seeing just how important my presence was, the young lady turned very-very excited.

"T-Then, may I... learn your name?"

She asked carefully, not wanting to rile me up. However, I have decided to trust her, so there's no reason to keep any secrets.

I lifted my right hand and took off my hood. I lifted my left hand and removed the mask, showing both my red hair and face at the same time.

"Rize. Rize Violet. Adventurer. Publicly, I am Purple ranked. But, I am anonymously White ranked."

I introduced myself to the lady, and she turned even happier seeing my real face.

"Lyona Amila! Nice to meet you, Rize!"

After that, my relationship with Lyona went pretty good. She respected my decision to act as a guy to hide my identity. Eva, however, isn't exactly as bright as her. She just glooms around us like a shadow every time me and Lyona chat.

Lyona and I ended up chatting about many things regarding our mission. She has to become the middle ground, then that means many assassins will come for her life. She needs me to look for any suspicious people around her, and I told her not to worry since I have dealt with assassins before.

I told her I was one of the task force who apprehended the assassin's federation at Mazino. She was quite shocked when she heard it.

"Really? That's so cool! You know, I always wanted to be an adventurer. But my parents were really strict about honing my abilities. Therefore I can't really do anything aside from reading people. Now, I'm sick of people and weak."

Because the two of us had talked for quite a bit, and since we're no longer keeping secrets from each other, we began to grow closer and closer. Without realizing, I too, began telling her things I normally wouldn't say to just anyone I've just met.

"I can pretty much understand that a bit. Back then, I was told to only study, study, and study. I got bored, and now I decided to fight monsters. Best decision I ever made."

That story was an unfortunate lie. 

However, the part where it's the best decision is true. Life being a student and becoming an adventurer really turns your whole world upside down. It's no longer monotonic, that's all. 

Except the part when one can die easily on the missions. But we don't talk about that part. Nobody does.

We both talked about how bad our lives were, that we forgot that we are still on a trip. 

Without us realizing, the carriage group had already left us behind. 

And now, we are stranded in some random village. In the middle of nowhere.