Chapter 7: Journey to Tabou (2)

Taka PoV

“We must avenge our fallen friend.” Seele whispered.

“No we must not!” I said firmly. “You only get yourself killed. Even with my help you cannot defeat it. Those monsters are rank B+ monsters even adventurer, knight, soldier with C+ ranks are can be defeated easily by those monsters.”

“He’s right Seele. There’s no point we died here today.” Noa regained her mind. “Let’s go back quietly and tell what happened to them.”

“At least we can tell the tale to the villager not to enter this dangerous forest.” Noa said.

“Urgh, I-I want to avenge them. But you maybe right. At least we can go back home safely and tell their family.” Seele said.

I casted silent steps magic to us and quietly leave the deep forest area. Seele fell silence for the rest of the days. She doesnt want to eat anything after we back at Rita house. We told Rita everything,

“You should call help from the knights guild or the adventurer guild. We’re just a bunch of D ranks soldiers.” Noa said to Rita.

“Deepest condolences for what happened to your friends. As a token of thank you saving my husbands and revealing that the deep forest are dangerous. I’ll already let the Inn Master to let you stay for free there.” Rita said.

“Thank you.” I said.

Noa and I going out from Rita house and clearing our minds playing with village children. We both spend time playing with them until afternoon. Seele are still completely silent and practicing her archery skills alone in the village outskirts.

“Can you say something to soothe Seele or to make her back to normal?” Noa asked.

“I’ll try my best.” I said and approach her.

She stopped her practice after seeing me approaching her. She sat on the grass and wiping her sweat. I sat next to her gathering my strength and thinking carefully of my words. With a calm tone I said.

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“I know it feels like a hell loosing our comrades. They were more than a comrade for us. Maybe a close family in our little going home party. We laughed together, shared our meals, we dreamed of making home together.”

A brief pause I grab Seele hands.

“Now it just us. The pain and trauma that you feels are out of the words can reach. But you’re not alone, there’s still me, Noa. We will making it home and tell their family what happened and finally can give them a news that they are waiting for. Even it’s a sad news. We carry their name and suffering with us. We can make sure that their death are for nothing.”

Seele look at my eyes. We’re standing up at the same time. “Let’s go back to Inn, it’s almost dark. Thanks Taka, but can you and Noa leave me alone for a while?”

“Sure we can. Just tell us when you ready again. You’re still our leader.” I replied.

Seele smile on her face are returned. “Right, I’m the leader. I’ll make sure that we will making it home.”

Three of us still fell on silence while walking back to Inn. I and Noa using Tuckers, Sammy, Netz rooms to sleep. While Seele will alone at her rented room. When we go out eating for dinner, Seele didnt came out from her room.

“Seele, your dinner is here.” I knocked on her doors.

She opened it and take her meals. “Many thanks Taka, see you tomorrow. Thanks again for comforting me.”

She locks her door, faintly I can hear the sounds of her cry. I’m back with Noa to finish our dinner together. We ate deer meats with a vegetable soup for tonight.

“Hey Taka, will you accompanying me to the nearest river to take a bath?” Noa asked.

“I’m a man you know.” I replied.

“I just need you to stand guard while I taking bath.” Noa said. “And vice versa if you want to take a bath too.”

“Alright.” I said and agree to her demand. “I’m might need to take a bath too.”

We lend a torch from the Inn Master and going out to the rivers. Noa seems happy that she will take a bath. “Finally I can have a proper bath again. When we drafted in the army there’s no option for a bath.”

“Unless you’re noble or a high ranking knight.” I replied. “So what torture they do to you?”

“Mmmm, my arm are beaten with a mallet. But in the end Seele rescue us and we’re abandoning the army. They punish us for failed to take enemy strong point and coming back alive.” Noa answered.

“Fool military doctrine. No wonder why the Holy Eturuks Army experiencing shortage of new soldiers.” I replied. I read it on the newspaper this morning.

“I agree with you.” Noa nod her head. “It’s better to retreat and saving the army rather sacrificing your soldiers in a foolish ways. Those noble general are stupid.”

We finally arrived at the river side. Noa take a bath first while I stand guard. The skies are pretty clear too today. I sat down on the grass and observe it. Imy mind wandering remembering the night Miyuki big sis pick me up on earth. I was trying to sleep on a carton inside public park. When a warm hands offered me a hot buns and a warm drink.

“Mi-Miyuki big sis hope you’re okay.” I muttered. “I’ll try my best to search you.”

“Done, it’s your turn.” Noa face appeared in front of me who still oberseving the stars, her fresh face with water still dripping and her blue long hair tied up in a bun. “I’ll stand guard and waiting for you done.”