Chapter 152 -

The next day, Archie found himself walking along the streets of the Demesne. His hand was in his pockets. His face was shined upon by the sun. The road was still covered in snow. His boots were half buried as he trudges through. There were others walking behind and in front of him. The snowfall covered the sidewalk and on the road, a vehicle was clearing the snow as the motor vehicles pass. There was a walker escorting the snow clearer. The pilot wore a fur coat as his beady eyes looked at the street. Archie stopped for a moment to look at the walker, before continuing down the road, taking a right, reaching this place where a long-winded building was standing.

Archie reached into his pockets and took out a piece of paper. He was handed to it by a messenger and was told to go and check the building out. He looked at the building. It was certainly a worn out building. It had the appearance of the buildings around it. But inside the walls of the building was another building that was made of wood and stone. It was poorly maintained and he could see green in the cracks of the building.

He wondered why the Princess sent him here. Lately, the Princess has started overworking herself. Mia was assisting the Princess so she was overworked as her. She has told Archie about the Princess and she herself worried that the Princess’ heartbreak causes her to distract herself with work and responsibilities. Mia wanted to make sure the Princess was not pushing herself too hard. But the Princess asked for Archie to take care of this matter.

Archie could refuse. But Mia asked him to look at it so she and the Princess could drink. Archie saw the bag in their eyes so he could not help but let them relax why he sees what the fuss about the building. He approached the building with mild steps. He looked upward and saw a rather ancient flag with a Fleur De Lys and a sword.

It was a gently waving along with the cold breeze. It was hoisted up on a rusted pole that seemed like it was made of some metal he didn’t know. He looked at the door. It was as battered as the building. Though what caught Archie’s eyes was how it was slightly opened. The lock of the door was busted. It looked like it was just recently pried open by something.

“Not normal,” thought Archie. The building was desolate and old. There was no one that would enter here unless they own the place or they have some specific business to do here. It could be that the owner lost the key and decided to pry it instead. But Archie raised his guard up. He gathered the runic energy swirling his body and concentrated it.

He took a step inside the door quietly. He crept carefully until he reached this dusty and webbed passage. There were dust prints on the ground. He judged that there were about four people. He didn’t know what they were up to, but for now, he just wanted to ask them.

...

The interior was dusty and webbed. It was strangely empty and there was no furniture’s around. There was only an obelisk with blue glowing lines. Archie could feel the energy from the obelisk as he peeks behind a wall. There were four people standing around the obelisk, their palms pointed at the four round stones.

They were mumbling a chant that was incomprehensible to Archie. The chant was mildly fast and the people that were standing seemed to be struggling. The veins on their arms were glowing red. There was a difference of color on their arms. But all of them were concentrating on doing something to the obelisk. Energy gathered into the round stones. The obelisk made a humming sound as it started rotating counter-clockwise. The four started to back away from the obelisk. There was a rumbling sound. The obelisk suddenly lowered down to the ground. Then a pod-like object manifested out of the obelisk. It opened and there Archie felt like the surrounding hummed with a song. The wind quivered and the earth seemed to be in wonder at the thought of the person that appeared.

The person that appeared in the pod was a blue-haired girl with long ears. Her face was so pristine and delicate. She was curvaceous and her skin was like snow. Looking at the person, Archie felt his heart thump furiously. But it was calmed down by the water-like stream that filled his heart. The people near the obelisk felt the same. But they awoke from their daze. One of them howled at the long-eared woman. He pulled her blue hair and shoved her into the ground. The long-eared woman jolted awake. She was about to react but the man stomped on her stomach. Her face contorted badly, she started tearing up. She was too weak so she could only crawl and reach for anything or anyone. Archie was stunned by their actions. But he saw the blue-haired woman reaching out to someone or anything. He could not hear her voice. But the miserable face she was making made Archie’s body move on its own. He went out of his cover and produced a spear made of earth. He threw it and used the wind rune. It flew to the man’s hand. The other three looked at where that spear came from.

The three of them tried summoning up energy. But Archie clapped his hands and released flame arch that made them stumble. Using that chance, Archie jumped at them and summon three spears made out of the earth. The three were able to form energetic barriers around them this time. Archie was surprised but he still threw it to them. The three were able to deflect the attack. They made gleeful smiles, only to see Archie pointing a pistol at them. Before they could react, Archie had emptied his magazine at them, killing the three.

He landed with finesse next to the long-eared girl. He darted his eyes and saw that she was slowly standing up. He assisted her up. But then he felt an electric shock his brain. He was stunned for a moment. The long-eared woman looked at him.

“I am Eiya, thank you for helping me.”

Her smile was like the sun melting the snow. It was bright. It made Archie want to protect her. Of course, he would now soon that doing so would put him into despair and a choice.