No More Pain For This Villain.

The knight was going around asking if anyone saw Kale's group yesterday since they've been missing since yesterday. At last, he came towards the table where I was seated with Anabelle's friends and asked,

"This group of adventurers has been missing since yesterday, and we are looking for them; it'll be helpful if you know anything about them." The knight asked,

"Nope, I've never seen them. What about you, Ren?" Anabelle asked me if I had seen those goons. Who's going to tell her that I am the reason they are missing?

"N-no," I stuttered there—not a good move when dealing with a cop or an armoured knight.

"See, officer, we haven't." Anabelle answered, and she didn't waver even a little when she said those words. Most people tend to be soft-spoken in front of a government official.

"We recently discovered that Mr. Ren and these individuals were not getting along, so I figured you could have some insight into their sudden absence." The knight continued by bringing up the fact that I had a shuffle with those men, he sure is well informed.

"I take it you're not saying I might be involved in this, right?" I decided to control the conversation on my own. From the minute this knight appeared, I had a sneaking suspicion that he was focused on me.

And I'm sure that other guild members were the ones who informed the knight guards about my fight with Kale and his friends since they've been giving me an odd look from the moment I entered the guild, not that I hold them accountable for that.

"No, I am not saying that you were involved or anything; I am asking because there has been a register of your names when you entered the forest alongside the names of their groups, and we also found a few places where we think that some fight must have occurred." The knight pulled up a chair and made himself comfortable. It's like he is here for a full-blown interrogation.

"What does any of it have to do with me, exactly?" I inquired gently; I initially lost my cool because it had been a while since I had been cross-examined, but I believe I can manage this much.

"You are a fire elemental, and we found someone using fire mana there. Wow, what a coincidence, right?" The knight was being sarcastic; it's true that I used a number of fire spells to battle Dane and Kyle, and they did cause damage to the nearby tree and other objects, making it clear that someone had used fire magic.

"I am not the only fire mage in the Sephra, and I think it's quite absurd for you to think that I'd be able to fight some senior adventurers; I am quite weak compared to them; everyone here should know that." They don't have any concrete evidence and are just looking for any kind of reaction they can get from me.

"It's an old trick in the book." I know.

"Haa, that's true." I think I might be mistaken. Sorry for the inconvenience." The knight got up from his chair and decided to leave, but not without asking another question. "But are you sure you didn't see them anywhere in the forest yesterday?"

"I didn't; I think they might've been eaten by some kind of powerful mana beast in the restricted region." I said, 

"But I never told them about them being in the restricted part; how'd you know that they were there if you didn't see them?" He asked commandingly while leaning slightly against the table. He would not relinquish control so lightly.

"The only area of Balcker Forest where you must register yourself before entering is the restricted area, correct? You mentioned name registration there. So I made the assumption that they might have vanished from there." I quickly made up an explanation for my tongue slip.

"If that makes sense, then I'll take my leave today, and I advise you two not to go out of town for the next two days so we can contact you if we need any other information." The knight then turned around and left without asking any further questions.

.....

"Phew, that was quite tense, huh? The way that knight looked at you." Anabelle sighed out of relief; she was silent through the whole conversation.

"See what I told you? This kid is up to no good." It'll be a hassle to bring him with us." Ali complained. I don't know why, but this guy hates me a little too much.

"Don't worry, Ali; I assure you that this has nothing to do with Ren; he is a good kid."

Anabelle said,

"Tch, I don't need assurance from someone who's going to quit in a few days; I don't care; do whatever you want." Ali clicked his tongue,

This time Anabelle didn't argue back but went silent on her own; no one came to her side, like everyone in the group agreed with Ali's statement.

I think I now get what Anabelle was saying when she said her relationship with her friend is not that good. They are pushing her away because she decided to leave.

They don't actually detest her; they are just resentful of her decision. I hoped I was mistaken, but based on what I have seen up to this point, they are unable to understand that one of them is quieting down on their own and that they are merely verbally expressing their displeasure with her rather than engaging in bullying.

"That is also a form of bullying, right?" Blaze was also right, but until we learn what's going through their minds, we won't fully understand the circumstances.

"So anyway, what about the thing we were talking about? About me coming with you guys." I decided to change the topic.

"Besides Ali, no one has any objections, so I think you can come with us, but before that, there are a few conditions." Henry said, "Why does everyone have to have conditions whenever it's about me going on this journey?"

"And what are those?" I asked, and I swear if he says something unreasonable, I'll make him the next one after Kyle.

Henry outlined the requirement: "You have to work as a mercenary for the entire time you are with us; you can't resign just because you think the job is hard or whatever."

"Yes, that's alright with me." I had anticipated him saying something along the lines of I must train harder or bring him the head of some mana beast, but the requirement he presented was reasonable.

"And if you pass away, we won't be held responsible." When Henry said the word "death," his demeanour darkened.

"Okay." I said, I know that mercenary work can be dangerous, but I doubt I'll pass away so quickly.

"That's all, so make sure you're prepared since we're leaving in four days." Henry concluded the conversation.

"Umm...Ana, you okay?" I turned to Anabelle; she's been really quiet since Ali's previous comments.

"Huh? Me? What about me? Don't worry about me; I'm alright." When she realised I had called for her, she jerked back.

"Nothing; I just thought you seemed troubled. Is there something bothering you?" She seemed to be contemplating a complex issue.

"Nope, I'm fine." In a less-than-convincing voice, Anabelle said

"Then that's okay; I believe this topic is finished, therefore I was considering leaving." I remarked that it was pointless to remain seated because the mood had darkened after Ali had responded to Anabelle.

"I'll also come; I have some I want to buy at the market district." Anabelle said hastily, she also sensed that being here for more than a couple minutes is not good.

We both said a few words to her friends and walked out of the Demacia guild. A lot of eyes were on us, but most importantly, I saw the old man Clay smiling at me from the receptionist counter, and the words he said a day before yesterday came to mind.

'Kid, you should look out for yourself' I didn't get what he meant when he dropped those words, but I think I get them now. He was trying to warn me about the incoming danger.

'Doesn't that suggest he is keeping quiet to protect your ass even though he knows you are responsible for this entire missing group thing?' Blaze remarked,

I'm not sure, but if it is true that the old man Clay is trying to save me by not telling the whole thing to the knights and city guards, that means he's either doing me a favour or wants something in return, and if so, it's frightening to think about.

"Ren?"I was startled out of my reverie by Anabelle's voice, which appeared to be speaking.

"Huh? I apologise; I didn't hear. Could you please repeat what you just said? I said,

Please don't take what Ali said to heart; he's just occasionally stingy; he's not a nasty person."Anabelle claimed as she was making excuses for her friend's actions but she still seems sad.

"Hey Anabelle,are you free tomorrow?" It might sound out of context, but I think this might work to lighten up her mood.

"Yeah, I am," Anabelle said.

"Then why don't we go on a date?" I am sure this will help.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

[A/N: you know what? I am sick of all this killing and destroying evidence. the only thing that can cure my sickness is a good date with Anabelle hmph.]