Because I Have to

I

The footprints stuck to the snow, leaving long trails. It runs with all its might. The wind blew him past, toward the other side of the mountain. When he thought he needed to go further, the investigator came to a steep descent.

He could see the northern world from the top of the mountain as well as the Middle Sea that separated the two worlds. Green plains with rocks adorn the northern world. A large river flows and splits into several smaller streams that lead to the sea. The streets of stone are invisible, showing how beautiful nature is without the work of humans. There was no one he saw, the investigator could feel the world he lived in was not filled.

Nazeir carefully descended the steep snow mountain gorge. He held the ground and slowly descended while looking at the green and beautiful scenery of the world. On his right there is still a long row of mountains, filled with green grass. The blue clouds added to the beauty of the northern world that was incomparable to what he saw in the south.

For hours the investigator tried to reach the foot of the mountain quickly through a steep path. He saw the scene in front of him getting closer. When he stepped on the pebbles, he was legally in the northern world.

The investigator stretched his body. Seeing the sun shining brightly during the day. He began to walk alone, accompanied by the song of nature. Birds were seen sitting on the mossy rocks, watching the probe pass them by. This vast grassy and mossy rock plain was not filled with a single person at all. There is only the sound of birds chirping and the river rushing downstream.

Nazeir jumped over the small stream, up an unequal rock. On his right he could see a waterfall coming down from the mountain, he paused for a moment. He looked at the scenery ahead, and to his right where the waterfall was. The investigator chose the latter and began walking on the boulders toward the waterfall in the distance. Although there is no forest to green his view, but the grass and flowers that grow wildly provide a sense of calm in the hearts of investigators.

When he arrived, he immediately took off his clothes and immediately sat under the falling waterfall. He meditated under a waterfall, closing his eyes. Reaching into his feelings that were covered with a fog of anger and hatred, and found a sense of pleasure he had not felt for a long time. He had been enjoying this taste for a long time, a taste that was truly genuine and pure. Not hindered or a mere happy smile.

Before long he harbored that pleasure, a feeling came back. Fear, sadness and hate. The anger came to cover his heart again, he opened his eyes and felt the fire burning. He hit the first rock he saw and cracked it. He shouted to the sky and his voice bounced off the mountain cliff. He could feel his body becoming exhausted, he bent to the ground.

"Why do I still feel this way?" he asked himself. He plopped down and submerged half of his body. He did not move all day, until the sun began to move behind the earth.

He stood with his body soaking wet. The man immediately put on his clothes and tied the waist. Not knowing where he was going, he walked without a map. And only in one direction, namely north.

Wandering in the dark was no problem for the man. He could feel the world around him, and with eyes that could see the darkness, everything was easy for him to see. He passed tens of kilometers, and his legs remained strong to walk on rough terrain. When he lost his way, he opened his torn map. He was confused about what happened to the paper, can't remember when it was torn.

He dumped the paper on the ground, then grumbled as he continue. Without a clue, Nazeir finally stopped after walking a day in nature without seeing a path.

He sat in a meadow and looked out at the sea far ahead. He could hear the rush of water nearby, and the sound of the sea crashing against the boulders on land. He sat down and closed his eyes, until the morning came. Time flies fast for him as he calms himself down.

The calm started to dissipate when he felt a tremor. He glanced to his right, saw the pebbles starting to shake. A bright light is seen, then a portal that looks dark comes to open a way for who is behind it. Nazeir immediately took cover behind a large rock. He peeked from afar, seeing what was happening.

From there, two people with four soldiers were behind them. Nazeir could feel the hair on his arm facing the two people rise suddenly. Without hesitation, Nazeir knew who they were.

"Sorcerers," he muttered. "What are they doing here?"

The investigator saw the group of people walking towards the mountains. Nazeir began to be careful. He remained behind the rock as the group of people passed the investigator. He kept his eyes on them and their movements.

"The vibration is in the mountain. I hope you are strong enough to climb the mountain," said the sorcerer to his guards.

"What's different about this vibration, master?" said the guard soldier.

"Yes. It could be an avalanche."

"Perhaps... and something like that must have a cause. It's possible that the Brindorian soldiers will come back."

"Through the mountains? That doesn't make sense."

As the men passed Nazeir, he changed positions. The inquisitor accidentally bumped into a small rock. The rock fell into a deep slit and made a loud echo.

"Shit," said Nazeir.

Everyone stopped and looked at the boulder where Nazeir was hiding. A sorcerer raised a hand, and all the soldiers stopped and held their spears.

"Everyone, scatter!" the sorcerer orders. "Keep your eyes on the rock."

All the soldiers kept their distance from each other and fixed their eyes on the rock where Nazeir was hiding. The two sorcerers nodded at each other, and the sorcerer leading the group allowed his sorcerer comrade to lead the soldiers. He walked first, approaching the boulder. His hand began to create a flash of lightning that emitted electricity to the ground. He was getting closer, and closer than ever. And he was in front of the boulder that the inquisitor used to hide.

The mage took a deep breath and jumped to see the investigator behind it. His eyes were wide open, his heart was beating fast. His breath was in and out, his face was confused. There was no one behind the boulder.

"What?" said the incomprehensible magician. "The sound is coming from here, but-" he said to his friend when he saw something behind the rock. He lay on his stomach and tried to see what was in the boulder. As he lay down, he saw a picture. Not an ordinary picture, but a symbol. His bulging eyes immediately opened in panic.

"Oh my god, there's-!"

Nazeir behind another boulder snapped his fingers, and an explosion could be seen from the boulder where the mage was. The soldiers panicked, seeing the fragments of the rock and the sorcerer's body thrown in the air. They stumbled as they moved away from the exploding rock.

"No!" shouted the sorcerer.

With anger that blinded the sorcerer, he threw fireballs at every boulder he saw. Nazeir could see the boulder explode as the fireball hit. As he peeked, the sorcerer pointed the fireball at him. Nazeir jumped, dodged away from the fireball. He was out in the open, and the sorcerer saw him. He didn't know what he had just seen when he looked at the inquisitor, what he caught in his head was a man in battle armor.

"You four, catch him!" the man's orders.

The four soldiers were immediately on alert, wielding their long spears. They ran towards the inquisitor hoping to catch him. Instead, Nazeir did the opposite of what the soldiers expected. He strikes back.

Nazeir stormed a soldier. The man shouted for the inquisitor to stop running towards him. As the inquisitor approached, the soldier got anxious and thrust at the inquisitor. Nazeir with his lightning reflex, stepped aside and held the man's spear. The soldier tried to pull back his spear, but was unable to resist the much stronger Nazeir. The investigator broke the tip of the spear with his knee. When the spear broke, he stole the soldier's spear which then fell the soldier fell backwards. Nazeir walked to the soldier who was lying on the ground and stepped on him on the head.

The rest of the soldiers started charging at Nazeir at the same time. The inquisitor threw the tip of the spear he was holding at one of the soldiers, hitting his leg. Two other soldiers came to face the inquisitor. Nazeir jumped away from one of the spears, and the other hit the investigator in his arm. He saw that his armor was scratched, his eyes fixed on the soldier who shivered when he saw his eyes that pierced through his soul.

Nazeir grabbed the soldier's spear and pulled it. The soldier held on to it and was kicked by Nazeir when he still wouldn't let go. The other soldier attacked Nazeir again, the man lost quickly to Nazeir. When he attacked Nazeir, the investigator deflected it with the spear he was holding. The, the soldier stabbed in the stomach and fell lying on the rock bloodied.

When he looked behind him, the soldier he kicked ran back with a sword in his hand. Nazeir stood motionless, and the soldier came and stabbed Nazeir in the stomach. The sword hit Nazeir's armor, the soldier who stabbed Nazeir smiled into the investigator's face. However, he sensed that something was wrong. The sword... didn't pierce the investigator's armor. Nazeir just stood there unfazed by what the soldier was doing. The soldier kept thrusting back into the leather armor, yet it couldn't get through. However, he feels something even stronger is hidden behind the leather, then he realised what it is. The investigator dealt a blow to the soldier and ended with a slam of the head against a rough rock. Blood splattered on the stone.

Finally, the investigator saw the sorcerer standing across from him. The two of them looked at each other a couple of meters away. The sorcerer with his magic in hand, and Nazeir with his sword.

"Who are you!?" asked the sorcerer in fear. His voice trembled.

"Death. The end of your life."

The sorcerer grew angrier and began to attack Nazeir. He raised his hand and shot a fireball at Nazeir. The investigator jumped away from the fireball and saw that the magician had already started shooting another fireball at him.

Nazeir raised his sword behind his head and threw it at the magician.

The fireball was thrown at Nazeir. The sword and fireball clashed with each other. The sword pierced the fireball flying towards Nazeir. The Investigator rolled out of the way, when the magician was surprised to see a sword fly out of the fireball he threw. The sword pierced his stomach, and the person fell to the ground. His mouth began to bleed as well as his stomach.

Nazeir walked to the man who was dying on the stone plain, he stood and saw him trying to speak. Nazeir took hold of the sword grip and started to move it, making the magician scream in pain.

"You bastard," he said, his breath starting to become unstable. "How can a sorcerer lose to an ordinary man?" he asked. Shortly after, he died after blood loss.

Nazeir left the bodies of the people. And when he left, a soldier who was still alive was seen trying to get up and running with one bleeding leg. Nazeir took a spear and walked over to the soldier. Approaching him, the investigator pushed the soldier down slowly. The person could look frightened.

"Which soldier are you?"

"W-w-what?" his voice trembled.

"Who is your king!"

"I don't have a king," he replied, closing his eyes.

"Then who do you guys work with?"

"With the Sorcerer's guild!"

"Sorcerer's Guild?"

"Right," he began to cry.

"What exactly is this Sorcerer's Guild?" Nazeir pulled the man by the collar. "Who's the leader!?"

"They want to rebuild the sorcerer order. Just like in the olden times. That's all I know!

Nazeir held the man's open wound. He screamed in pain.

"Are you sure that's what you know!?"

"I don't know, I'm just a soldier. We're just mercenaries getting paid by the guild."

"Good. Now. Listen to this last question."

"Yes?" his head entered his own collar.

With the last question. Nazeir questions what is the basis for normal people to survive in the wild.

"Where can I find the nearest tavern?" his brows furrowed.

II

Nazeir jumped into his hot spring pool. The maid came and sat beside the investigator in his bathing pool. She brought a cloth to wash the investigator's body. She tied her hair up and glanced at the investigator. Nazeir, who was silent in thought, directed his sharp gaze at the woman.

Nazeir shifted his body forward from the edge of the pool, letting the woman sit directly behind him. The two of them soaked in the hot water, and the woman wrung the warm cloth and looked at the investigator's back. Her body was covered with wounds that the woman didn't recognize, some of which were like claws and up to a bite.

He swallowed his saliva, frightened by the wounds, afraid to hurt the investigator.

The investigator was in a shop that had a bath. He bought a room with a bath pool and the service of a maid. The place is covered by tall bamboo and wood, ensuring that people can't see inside. Behind the hot pool was a small building, rooms for the investigator and the woman.

The place is comfortable, not noisy and smoky. Maybe because he was in a small village in the middle of nowhere.

"You understand me?" Nazeir asked.

"I do," the woman replied.

"Sorry my language is not very clear. But I try to speak as best as I can," said Nazeir. "Northern is not my first language."

The woman who was washing the investigator's back stopped the movement of her hands.

"That's good! And... are you from the south?"

"Yes," Nazeir nodded.

The woman again washed Nazeir's body.

"I heard people in the south stopped worshiping the gods," she paused. "Is it true?"

"Some of it is true."

"Do you still worship the gods?"

"I worship, but not your gods."

"If people hear that, you will be excommunicated. Maybe, expelled from this village."

Nazeir looked back. "Are you going to send me out?"

The woman froze. "No," she answered nervously.

"Thank you. I like people who understand the existence of respect for the beliefs of others."

The woman smiled shyly and returned to bathe the investigator's body. He took a dipper and wet his entire back.

"Are you still praying to your god?" Nazeir spoke up.

"Sometimes I pray to them. Sometimes I lose hope in the gods," the woman's hand movements slowed. "And lately, I feel like they're not listening to what I'm saying," the woman looked at the investigator. "What about you, are you still praying to your god?"

"Just like you, miss. We are the same," Nazeir smirked. "This tavern owner, what's his name? Remind me again."

"Mr. Danil?"

"What kind of person is he. From your perspective, Ada."

"Mister Nazeir," she laughed uncomfortably. "I don't seem to have the freedom to talk like that to my boss."

"No one is listening to us, Ada. You can talk to me all you want," Nazeir held her leg, she gulped in surprise. "Relax. I want to know these northerners."

"The answer is confusing enough for me to answer easily."

"Please be clear, we have time."

The woman calmed herself, letting out a worried breath.

"My life is full of debt with Danil's family. At first I was just a fisher. Life went on as usual, no problems. And that was enough for me, and not for my little sister. For the past three years, my sister held her fear very close. I didn't know at the time, she turned out to be accidentally burning a house while playing with her teenage friends. And guess whose house it was?

When Mrs. Danil found out what my sister did. I started collecting money to pay back their house. It might be hard to get it, but I can pay it back. And from there it all started to fall apart. My debts are starting to rise again, and I have no home. For several years I lived in a hut, my sister and I alone. And at that time they came, the head of the village and the local government head came to take my sister.

They say I am not worthy to take care of her and give her a decent life. She was the only one who left, at that time they said I had grown up. That's why I was separated from her. Having no money and a sister, this heart is broken. Lost, not knowing what to do, I finally went to her house.

I came to Danil's family and begged them to help me. They paid the debt I had. On the condition that I will serve him until the debt is gone. Which is ten years."

"How much do you owe Danil?"

"Five thousand gold pieces."

"Five thousand for the debt of the people in the village?"

"Originally a few hundred, but they raised him because of my background having a brother who burned his house down."

"So what do you mean they are loan sharks then?"

"If master wants to put it like that, then sure."

The sound of running water closed the silence.

"I had run away from all this if you didn't know, just a few days after working here. For about five months I joined and live like a nun. When a group of nuns came to this shop to stay overnight, I stole a dress that the nun was wearing."

"How?"

"When they went to the bath, I took one of their clothes. Then I put it on and went to the temple of the god Ukodottir about five kilometers from here, and I lived there. Pretending to be a nun, helping and serving the people. And until now I still remember some parts of the codex that the nuns had to read every morning. But in the end, I got caught."

"How did you get caught?"

"The nun I stole her clothes from. She came to visit the temple."

"Shit," Nazeir looked at the woman behind him. "Ten years to..."

The girl nodded sullenly. Nazeir shook his head dumbly.

"But, everything will be fine from what I'll see," she tried to please herself again.

When the woman showered Nazeir one last time, she grabbed the man's shoulder.

"Turn around."

Nazeir stood up from the pool and turned around to face the woman. The woman was surprised to see there are other wounds on his front body, especially on his chest. She looked at Nazeir uncomfortably. She began to wash the iqnuisitor's shoulders and descended to his crotch.

"You have a lot of wounds," she said, placing her index finger on Nazeir's body.

"Every wound has a story. Point to one and I'll tell you."

The woman pointed to a wound that looked deep and wide.

"What's going on here?"

"Did you hear the creature called 'the faceless'?"

She shook her head with a smile.

"Imagine you meet someone. But they never clean their long and sharp nails. Tall, thin, and of course... faceless."

Nazeir could feel the woman's heart beating a little faster and her body shaking. Nazeir grabbed her by the shoulder and made the woman jump a little when she tried to picture the description.

"I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. How about we talk about something else. How about you... um. What's your name?"

"Aida or Ada"

"Nazeir. So, Ada. Do you know why I'm here in the north?"

"No, what are you doing here?"

"I'm looking for my friend."

The woman put her feet behind Nazeir's body, tying the investigator's body with her.

"Who are you looking for?"

"Do you know where the An-Ru family's mansion is?"

"I might know. The An-Ru family might be famous in the north. However, the family is covered by a thick fog. There are only rumors going around, and that's all that we hear and we have never seen An-Ru in real life."

"You think the An-Ru family still alive?"

"I don't know. Yes? Maybe?" the woman hesitated. "In all my life, I've never left the village. Maybe go to the neighboring village, and that's all. I'm only here to raise money to find my sister who went to the city. Earning money in the village may be difficult, but it's the safest thing that I know. Whatever it is, to sell yourself to someone you don't know," the woman glanced at the investigator.

"You whore yourself!?"

"This is the first time, you sir."

Nazeir was strucked in the heart, he immediately released his body from the woman's leg lock.

"By the gods! I never asked you to..." Nazeir sighs. "I just want your service, Ada. Service, help. Got it?"

"You saw me naked, isn't this what you want?"

"It's natural to see naked people while bathing. This is just a natural, and you are my servant for one day."

"In my entire life I have never heard the word service to be used like this, is this a culture shock? Then, what should I do now?"

Nazeir stood up from the pool, holding out his hand to help the woman up. The girl saw the man who was full of wounds on his body. She held Nazeir's hand and stood up, he was fixated on Nazeir's gaze.

"What you can do is sleep. Tomorrow morning I will wake you up."

Ada looked up at the still bright sky, the sun was blinding her eyes.

"But night has not come, sir. Is there anything I can do while waiting for the night to come?"

"I need you to be really full of energy tomorrow."

"What happens tomorrow?"

Nazeir just kept quiet and started to put on his underwear. The girl just gaped in a daze. Soon she came out of the pool and put her clothes back on.

III

Before the rooster crows in the morning, the pool of water can still be heard, its water flowing from the mountain to the bathhouse and towards the river. The man just sat quietly contemplating. His head was down, his hand was holding his head. He rubbed his face and submerged his whole head in the pool. After soaking his head, he immediately put on his armor.

The dagger he placed on his calf and back waist tied with a belt. The woman was still asleep in her bed. Nazeir left her and the tavern, seeking some high ground. He climbed a building, Nazeir sat on the roof and waited for the sun to rise. Looking into the distance, thinking where he is going next.

"Damn it, Tabot. Where are you? I should have taken the boat. Going through the mountains is..." Nazeir gripped his hand tightly, regretting what he had done. "An-Ru. Tabot An-Ru..." Nazeir was daydreaming for a long time until the sun started to wake up from their sleep. The rooster crowed, he immediately came down from the roof of the building.

He walked back to his room, already found Ada awake and looking confused.

"Master Nazeir. I thought you were gone."

"Come on, Aida. Get ready."

She was silent for a while, and Nazeir grabbed her shoulders, then the girl got ready. She changed her clothes and tied her long hair up, a few strands of untied hair could be seen hanging down beside her eyes. She seemed a little rushed about Nazeir's presence. He could see her slightly frightened face.

"What do I need to prepare?

"Yourself. We're going. Wear something comfortable to move around."

Aida, who was moving quickly, immediately stopped and looked at the inquisitor.

"We are going?"

"Right. Come out quickly," he said as he walked out of the room.

Aida immediately refreshed her body quickly, and wore a long-sleeved shirt that was rolled up and the same trousers made of white cloth.

When she came out, she saw the man talking to an old man and woman. Aida walked beside Nazeir when she saw the two pairs of faces looked depressed. The man's mouth seemed to want to speak.

"Come on, say what you want to say," said Nazeir with his arms crossed towards the people.

"What's the matter, Mr. Daniel?" Ada asked the man in his mid-year who was reluctant.

"Aida..." said old man Danil. "I apologize for what I did."

"And me too," slipped old lady Danil.

"These past few years, we've made you work non-stop. It was our fault. Ukodottir would certainly be happy with people helping those who are in need. The helping god would surely smite us if we were to treat you like this."

Ada glanced at the smiling investigator.

"So, we both apologize. And we consider all your debt erased as a gift. Please," Danil took a bag containing gold pieces and gave it to the woman.

There was amazement at the gift of the two people, and of course to Nazeir who was beside him.

"Mr. Danil. This- this is too much. This-"

"Take it, Aida. This is my payback to you."

"If you don't take it, we don't know what Ukodottir will do to us."

Aida, who hesitated, finally accepted the money and nodded.

"Thank you, I'll keep this money."

"No. We thank you."

Nazeir freed his crossed arms and walked out. The woman chased after the investigator who was just walked outside by himself without speaking.

"Where are we going?"

"I'm just asking you to walk to the front of the shop, just to invite you to talk to Danil's family," he explained. "You're free now. Use the money for something or other stuff. The important thing is that you don't work there with them now. Of course Ukodottir will be happy."

"But I don't have a home."

"Then buy a house. Of course that's enough to buy a large piece of land here. The rest, I'll let you choose."

Aida was silent for a while and watched the investigator walk back.

"How about I come with you, Mr Nazeir."

Nazeir stopped walking.

"You don't know the northern world. Maybe I can say the same as you because I've never ventured out of the village. But I know the local customs."

"And what is the use of the local customs of these northerners?" Nazeir looked in doubt.

Aida is silent.

"Right. You'd better stay here."

"Surely you can't leave me here?" Aida kept the investigator from walking. "I want to get out of this place! I want to see wider things in this world."

"No."

The woman crouched down and dragged the ground to stop the investigator from walking. However, it was in vain. Aida saw the person starting to drift away and walked towards the north. She was confused what to say to persuade him and finally called to the inquisitor.

"I know where An-Ru's house is!"

Nazeir stopped again for the last time.

IV

The two of them walked in the middle of a wide, deserted street. The woman walked beside the investigator. The vast plains of grass were the only thing the two of them saw. They didn't speak the whole way, the investigator kept his mouth shut.

They had traveled a dozen kilometers, and still not a single sign of human life could be seen. While walking, Ada fell onto the gravel road. The investigator immediately examined the woman.

"What happened?" Nazeir asked.

"My ankle," Ada said groaning in pain.

Nazeir grabbed the woman's ankle and when she held it, she screamed in pain.

"You can't walk," said Nazeir.

"Yes, I can."

Ada tried to force her sprained leg to stand up. When she was half-standing, she fell again, and the investigator caught her. Her breath was starting to get weary, the investigator came to his senses. He picked up Aida and carried her right on his back.

"You should have told me to rest."

"Sorry, sir. I didn't want to slow you down."

Nazeir carried Ada and continued walking in the desert.

"Who's master's friend we're going to meet?"

"I feel old being called master. And the people we are going to meet were more than friends, I could almost call them family."

"A reunion?"

"Yes. Reunion."

"You must be close."

"Closer than you think. It's rare for me to have someone close to them."

"Is this a small reunion?"

" A massive reunion. You'll see when you show me where they are."

"Really? We have about a couple of days to get there."

"Carry you for a couple of days?"

"If mast- I mean Nazeir-" she corrected his words. "If you don't mind. If you mind, I'll be back walking on the road."

"To meet them, I wou? I would sweat all over."

Mid-afternoon started to go fast. The two of them spoke pleasantly while passing the time.

"Nazeir, are you afraid of the deep sea?"

"I don't really go down that rabbit hole. Why do you think that."

"Imagine you are swimming in the . Our bodies are above the water, looking out of the water. But, when we direct our eyes downwards. We see something darkening when it is deep, then the fear of seeing the depth comes. The fear of what we don't know."

"Yes.. I know what lies deep in the sea."

"Is that true?" said Aida. "And what is it?"

"Do you know Tanihwa?"

"No. And I honestly don't want to know what it is."

"Come on, you really have to hear this."

"No!" the woman covered her ears.

"They're big like sharks. But much bigger, I've seen one-"

The woman kept her ears tight and echoed continuously as the investigator recounted her experience. When Nazeir stopped talking, he tapped her on the back. Aida immediately shut up and opened her ears.

"What is it?"

"Look."

Nazeir and Aida passed a troop of five soldiers carrying spears. And in front of them, there was someone leading the small army. As they passed the soldier walking, Nazeir growled.

"Have you seen them, Ada?"

"Yeah, a few days before you came. I saw about two to three groups of soldiers coming and going from the tavern. Some were rude to me."

"Do you know what did they do?"

"One person is talking about a Brindorian attacking a mine in Grobern."

"Mining, you say? Is he talking about other mines?"

"Drunk people talk a lot. If I'm not mistaken, there's another mine he said. Kuln, maybe? Keln? I forgot."

Nazeir felt the hairs of his neck rise as he passed the troop leader, he recalled the experience. About a kilometer after passing them, Nazeir encountered another group of soldiers. Then he encountered several more groups of small troops. He sensed that something dangerous was coming.

They walked for two days. Nazeir didn't stop at all, and she fell asleep on his back. They stopped when the woman wanted to have some privacy, then resumed walking. The woman ate and drank in the investigator's arms while pointing the way.

When night came, Nazeir and Ada were exploring in the bushes. Ada fell asleep in the investigator's arms and Nazeir just wandered off by himself. As he passed through the branches of a tree, a branch slapped Ada in the face and woke her up.

"Ow! What's that?"

"You awake?"

"Y-yes?"

"Good. Because now I don't know where we are, and the sun is starting to go down in two hours. We don't have much time, Aida."

"Ok, did you do what I told you to do?"

"Yes."

"Then, keep going straight."

"I've been walking straight for half an hour, and we haven't met them yet."

Nazeir stomped his foot on a leaf, he heard a voice in his ear. A sound that sounded like wood moving swiftly towards him! Nazeir stepped out of the trap and fell down with Ada losing his balance. The woman fell on top of the investigator who was lying face first. The woman panicked and immediately got away from Nazeir.

He groaned softly with his face pressed into the ground. Ada rolled it over and looked at the investigator.

"Are you all right-"

Nazeir pulled the woman's body closer to him. There was a scream, and an arrow crossed the woman's head. The investigator saw the arrow fly and looked in the direction it was coming from. Deep in the thick bushes, he saw a soldier wielding an arrow. From behind, Nazeir was jumped by someone who then strangled him from behind. He slammed the man forward who he overpowered, and came another soldier with a spear.

"Stop! Don't-" he said with the tip of the spear in Nazeir's face.

When he saw Nazeir's face, his body shook knowing who he was. He pulled his spear away from the investigator and swallowed his saliva.

"Boss!?"

"Boss?" out of nowhere, dozens of soldiers came out of the bushes around him and walked over to the investigator.

"We've been waiting for you since a few days ago."

"Is it true?" Nazeir stood up and lifted Ada into his arms who is clueless of what is happening. "Then where are the others?

"Over here," the soldier walked over to lead the investigator. "Groups two and three stay here. The others, follow me with the boss."

"Yes, sir!"

Nazeir and several soldiers walked towards a large building in the distance. When they came out of the thicket of trees, the investigator finally came to the mansion.

An-Ru's mansion, left behind and dirty. Outside the house that was once big and majestic, it was filled with a large campground. Nazeir and other soldiers walk there. Aida, who was in Nazeir's arms, was mesmerized by the large number of people in one campsite.

"There must be thousands of people there."

Nazeir stopped, greeted by Tabot and Jurko.

"Because there are thousands of people here," said Tabot. "Welcome to the mansion of An-Ru. I am your host, Tabot An-Ru."

"And also our extended family. The march of thousands, I hope you like our big family," Jurko greeted Ada.

The woman could only remain silent and look at Tabot who was standing in front of her.

"What's wrong with your leg, my child?"

"I sprained my leg."

Tabot glanced at the investigator.

"How about you take her to a tent. Let the doctors help her."

"Sure, Tabot," Nazeir nodded and took her.

V

Jurko, Tabot, and Nazeir were in a large tent. This place is filled with a large table and chairs surrounding it. Nazeir spoke to the two, recounting his journey.

"So they went to the mountain border for listening to you make the snow slide down?"

"I don't think it's because of that. Earlier, the woman in the tent told me that there were soldiers patrolling the mountains while passing through her village."

"Are they soldiers of the Talmyra kingdom?"

"I don't know. She doesn't know. What I do know is that there will be guards on the mountain frontier. And they're there to guard the mines."

Jurko strolled around in thought, placing his hand on his chin.

"Okay, let's see the bright side. They take soldiers to the border and not to the mines."

"But they are guarding deep in the mountains to guard the mines?" said Tabot. "What are they planning?"

"Perhaps waiting for the Brindorian soldiers to attack? Surely they were on standby after you went with them, Tabot."

"I doubt that," Tabot thought. "I've spoken to the leader of the Brindorian raid into the sorcerer's mines here. It may be land that belongs to the sorcerers, but the kingdom of Talmyra legally owns it. They only lend the land to sorcerers."

"They're ready, Jurko. I saw them. They're gathering a large army group right at the foot of the eastern mountain," Nazeir commented.

Tabot leaned on the table and clenched his fists.

"Damn!" Tabot hit the table. "If they attack Talmyra with us here, and manage to take control of some parts of the northern world. We might tear the balance of power between the two worlds."

The three were silent, glancing at each other without a way out.

"Then, what are we going to do?"

"Like what we do, what is the purpose of life of an investigator," Jurko was silent. "Kill." The veteran investigator drew his sword, wielding it like a pointing device. "Nazeir will take troops to the mine in Keln. Meanwhile Tabot and I wiran investigator drew his sword, wielding it like a pointing device. "Nazeir will take troops to the mine in Keln. Meanwhile Tabot and I will look for another mine."

"They're in Grobern," said Nazeir.

"How do you know?"

"."

"That girl? Do you believe her?"

"After he brought me to you guys? Yes."

Jurko looked at the Tabot. The veteran investigator just shrugged his shoulders.

"Okay," Tabot sighed.

"Good," Jurko sheathed his sword again. "We're leaving Grobern as soon as possible. Tabot, you'd better get some sleep."

"Fine, you don't have to remind me of t

"Good. Anything extra?" Jurko glanced at the two.

"Yes. There are ." Nazeir took out a paper and gave it to Tabot.

"What's this?"

"An acquaintance of mine . said what in the paper could help us. Now or sometime in the future."

Tabot who initially read it casually, turned to a serious and fixated look. Nazeir and Jurko just looked at the scientist who was reading the paper carefully.

When he stopped talking, he glanced at Nazeir.

"This is pure diamond," Tabot stood up and faced the investigator. "How did your friend get it?"

"If these trees could talk, Tabot."

"Impossible" Tabot gasped. "But..."

"Looks like we need a break. Reading the paper can be continued tomorrow, Tabot."

"No. I-need-to-read it now!" Tabot answered while looking at the contents of the paper. "Go back to your tents! I need to be alone," Tabot kicked them out of the tent.

Jurko and Tabot did not dare to argue and left the tent. Nazeir walked out of the tent before Jurko. When he took a few steps out, he felt someone behind him. He turned around.

Aida walked clumsily out of hiding behind the tent where they were.

"Can't sleep?"

Aida shook her head.

"You must. Tomorrow we will go," said the investigator quickly.

"Wait, we're not splitting up?" Aida froze.

"Of course not," Nazeir glanced at the woman's feet. "I can't leave people with feet like that here. And look at the good part, you'll see the world with us. It's been a long journey."

The woman smiled and was grateful in her heart. When Nazeir turned back walking, he heard the woman's mouth move as if to speak. The investigator turned and looked at the woman. His eyebrows were raised as he waited for her to speak.

"Why are you helping me? We only met one day. And you and your friends have given me service that I shouldn't deserve. Especially if you're a southerner," she remained uncomfortably quiet. "I heard the lips that talked about how bad you southerners are. However, after meeting you in person. This soul feels more fond of you than my own people. Why is everything like this? Why did you come to help?"

"Because I have to."