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??? POV
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To think he managed to survive that forest.

That little boy from 3 years ago. Surviving in the forest known for its ability to kill even the best of soldiers.

I wonder how strong he's gotten. After all, he was weaker than a water flea when he was with us.

Although, that look in his eye hasn't changed one bit. Those eyes of pure, unbridled rage.

Almost like a beast.

He still can't hold a candle to me however, but it does seem that he'd gotten faster, judging by that little dash he did.

Its a shame though, that measly little attack dampened my excitement a little.

I was hoping he had grown a little more, body-wise and battle-wise.

I should probably report this, after all, they'd like to know about this.

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"Come in." (??? Male)

I push open the door, revealing a dark room, lit only by 4 candles at each corner.

"Ah, Kagei." (??? Female)

Bowing my head, I shiver for a second under the immense pressure they exude, before feeling it retract, relaxing instantly.

"Your Graces, I have some... Interesting information I believe you would like." (Kagei)

"Is that so?" (??? Male)

"I believe so." (Kagei)

...

"You may speak." (??? Female)

I release my breath, taking a moment of calm before speaking.

"Ryu has emerged from the forest." (Kagei)

...

Silence washes through the room, before it is swept away by a hearty laugh.

"Hahahaha! So he's started moving, has he?" (??? Male)

"I guess so! About time, huh?" (??? Female)

My Graces' atmosphere seems to completely relax when they start speaking about Ryu.

"If I may ask, for people who have done what you have to him, how can you speak so... Light-hearted about it?" (Kagei)

My question seems to put them into deep thought.

"I wonder. Maybe you should figure that answer out yourself." (??? Male)

"Yes, yes. Think about it for yourself. Now, leave." (??? Female)

"As you wish." (Kagei)

As I open the door to leave, I can hear their continued laughter over the boy named Ryu.

I wonder... Do they still feel regret?

No, impossible.

"Oh, Kagei." (??? Male)

Hearing my name called, I turn back towards them.

"How about you do us a little favour?" (??? Male)

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Ryu's POV

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Searching for the mage seems reckless. At least, that's why I think.

If that spell truly took so much mana, then why hadn't we found them in the entire west side of town?

And going off that, if we couldn't find them because they weren't exhausted from the spell, then they must be a dangerous mage, considering they were able to fire the spell and still be able to move fairly quickly.

That's why it seems reckless, because I don't think we have the ability to take on a mage who can fire off powerful spells as if they were fireworks.

So why? Why had I agreed to search for them?

Hell, I don't even know myself. Was it to figure out the connection between that man and the group the Knight and others were chasing?

Who knows?

Maybe I just wanted to test myself.

These thoughts swirled around my head as I ran through the streets and alleyways of Alzibria, looking for anyone-- anything that could give me a hint to the mage.

I round corner after corner, coming no closer to the location of them, before I hear a group talking down a small street.

My ears can barely make out small pieces of their conversation as I hide against a wall.

"--ured it out. We need to-- ve now--" (???)

"--can't, Captain's orders. We need to carr--" (???)

The conversation was short, cut off by a wall crumbling to their left.

The dust cleared as a large, muscular man walked through the wreckage.

Why's the Captain here? I thought he was supposed to be guarding the main gate of the town?

I step out from the corner as I hear shouts from the group, obviously unprepared for a fight as they scramble for their weapons.

I don't even have time to draw my sword before they all go flying, a gust of wind knocking them back.

I look over at the Captain to see his sword still in its holster, but in a position where you could see it had been swung.

He was trying not to kill them. He wanted answers.

Seeing him walk over to the two who had crumpled on impact with the other wall that encompassed the street, I came out from around the corner and called to him.

"Hey, Captain. What happened with the other trader?" (Ryu)

Hearing someone call out to him, he looks over in my direction.

"Ah, Ryu. Don't worry, Etsu found him." (Captain)

Hearing that, I felt an invisible weight come off my shoulders, relieving me of the slight tension I held.

"What's with these people?" (Ryu)

"Thugs. I think they're involved with The Cardinal." (Captain)

I look over to the thugs to see them struggling to get up from the impact of the wall. One was using their sword as a cane, supporting himself as he stood.

"L--listen, please, we don't know anything." (Thug 1)

The one who stood up claimed ignorance, and the hesitation in his voice rung alarms in my head.

It seems the feeling was reciprocated for the Captain, as he landed a punch into the thug's stomach.

"Now, I don't like liars." (Captain)

The thug's face twisted in terror as he looked into the Captain's eyes. He seemed to curl up under the intense gaze.

"Please, please, don't kill me." (Thug 1)

"That depends on your answers." (Captain)

A few seconds pass as the thug was making his decision.

"In a few days from now, something is going to happen at the pier. That's all I know." (Thug 1)

The Captain let the thug's confession swirl around in his head before he nodded to him, allowing him to go.

"What about him?" (Ryu)

I look towards the one still lying on the ground.

"He's not going to be helpful. Look at him, barely conscious." (Captain)

The Captain turned and headed down the street in the direction that I came from.

I follow behind him, not taking a second look at the thug behind me.

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Author Notes
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We get our first look into the other side. This is my first time ever writing from the villain/antagonist view, and I think it actually helped me set up the future, with the look into how they react about Ryu.

This was surprisingly hard to write, mainly because I actually forgot why I had written about Ryu being conflicted in the last chapter. Thankfully though, I think I managed to remember, but it didn't show up as the story kind of just flowed out.

But thanks again for reading!