Chapter 268: Familiar But Hostile (Part 1)

John Rigen's perspective

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"Urgh...". - I opened my eyes after a short time standing on the boat along with my men

Nothing unusual happened to the Palace that night. Right at the time it was night, we were ordered to follow a group of guards sent from Darker. They escorted us to a dock which is under the control of the military. We got in a ship after that, and started our journey to the land of God.

The prophet did not follow us. Yura will be staying in the Palace, purposing to discuss with the Demon Lord about the alliance. She's the representative of the entire elven people and nations, so has to accomplish that duty.

Let's get back to our journey. The sail to that sacred island is actually longer than I thought. We started departing from two days ago, but now haven't arrived at the place. At this time, it's nearly noon on top of us. Around us is filled with dense lines of grey fog, the black elven navymen are doing their best to read the island's coordinates.

The ship has been turning left to right, backward and forward many times that I really lost count. We are near the island but haven't seen its appearance yet, it's tiring. Luckily that no one of us gets seasick. We got seasick on the first day on the ship.

But it's over. The three of us are standing nearby the ship's exit staircase with our Alrotz backpacks on our backs. However, seems like we have to take a seat. It's no hope to wait this pointlessly, it's still a long road till we get there.

"Maybe we should get back, my Highness". - Reimi told my wife to return to the seats that were nearby this area

"Umm...". - Shera nodded to her, then signaled me by using her eyes

We slowly step away from the ship's deck, then walk to a nearby seat. I glance at the ship's bow for a while before following my wife to the seat. When we are about to reach the seat lines, we see a person sitting there. Nothing is special until we get closer.

"Prophet...?". - Shera was a bit surprised when the person who sat there was Yura.  "How...? You didn't stay there but followed us?". - She fastly took a seat beside the prophet

Yura is sitting, drinking a hot cup... maybe coffee. Her eyes tell us to be patient till she finishes drinking the thing. When Yura has drunk a bit of coffee, she lowers the cup to gaze at us, she makes a smile.

"Hey, guys... hi".

"You didn't stay there, Ms. Anderson?". - Reimi asked her

"We've had a small discussion, so I agreed to ally with her".  "But she said she should send messages to the Elders and Monarchs in my home to ask their opinion before heading to the next decision". - Great, this woman King makes the thing to complete before telling it to others

"Now we just need to wait for other races to send their own representatives".  "I asked her if I could follow you... and she allowed in the last moment". - Done saying, Yura returned to drink the coffee cup

A short time later, we feel something odd. The ship stops moving instead of moving forward, I don't understand. We look at the scenery around us, and still see the dense fog lines. However, the density of the fog has been faded away a little bit.

"Sir, we've arrived!". - Surprisingly a black elf navyman shouted at us, telling us we had reached the island of God

"Oh no, I have to finish it...!". - Yura was a bit worried when her enjoying time was disrupted.  "Wait wait wait...". - She slurped the coffee, trying to empty the cup

Done cleaning the entire cup, she drops it down to a black mini trashcan below her seat. Yura gets up and soon joins us to the staircase that leads outside the ship. We slowly approach the staircase.

"Thanks for the drive, soldie-".

"Nice to have your drive, soldier! Now you can rest!". - My wife was about to thank that navyman, but I did that for her instead

Honestly, I don't want my wife to... contact with men much even when she doesn't have feelings for them. I must do everything to prevent the "future consequences".

"It's an honor, Sir!". - He saluted before me

Done saying, I intentionally walk fast downstairs to make others follow me. When we reach the green shore, things around us still have fog lines. I look around with a hope of having someone to come and pick us up. But I only see a brown-cloaked and hooded man standing nearby us.

"She said there would be a group of guards to pick us up... they're late?". - Yura looked around and then wondered

"Everyone, we'll be returning here at night to escort you back to the dock when things are solved!". - A navy black elf stood at the staircase then announced to us

"Sir, where are they?". - Reimi turned back to ask the guy

"May be here later, Lady! They're on their way!".

"You're not goin' yet?". - I also asked the guy, I wondered why the ship hadn't gotten out of this area yet

"We're waiting for a doctor of our Kingdom, he's been sent here to visit the place days ago!".  "We'll pick him up!". 

(That's me! That's me, Sir!). - All of sudden, the cloaked old man raised his hand and said loudly at the navyman in the Deranic language.  (That's me, Dr. Hiro Hatano). - Did I hear something familiar earlier?

(Welcome home, Doctor).  (Come in, come in). - The guy said something to the cloaked man, as if to ask to get on the ship

So... the cloaked man who is standing near us has some kind of affliction to the Kingdom, huh? He seems to be an important man. The navyman said this guy is a doctor working for the nation. By the way, we don't know much about him so I'll choose to neglect him. Now must focus on our mission.

(I've been waiting for you guys for hours, cannot believe that you came this early). - Then the man started approaching the ship's staircase, he slowly passed us

(Who are these people?). - He glanced at us while walking on the stairs

(They're guests of Her Majesty, Doctor, they have missions here to accomplish).  (I cannot tell you, their profiles are top secret).

(Oh, I see...). - The man returned to walk on the stairs.  (Wait... did I just...?). - He surprisingly returned to glance at us, then deeply gazed at the prophet without blinking

I feel a bit dangerous when the cloaked man slowly approaches us. More right to say, he is heading to the prophet. Right at the time he reaches her, I stand before Yura then scare him by using my intimidating face. He neglects my existence, and focuses on the prophet.

(It's me, Hannah, it's me!). - Suddenly, he spoke in some kind of language that looked like Japanese, he even removed the hood.  (I'm your husband, it's good when you're here).  (I've been looking for you since I came here, n-).

"Back off!". - I yelled at him then shoved him away

The man is easily shoved away, he even takes a few seconds to maintain his standing's balance. This man appears to be an old man, oddly looking like an asian. About 50 or older, to me. Yura's a bit scared when this unknown mysterious old man approached her. However, she seems to care about him.

"Is he some kind of lost...? Maybe he thought I was someone he knows, like his daughter?". - The prophet asked me in her nervousness.  "Mister, please c-". - She tried to speak up to the man, but I pushed her back a little bit

(You don't remember me, Hannah? Your memory must be lost... yeah). - Again, this old man kept saying something in Japanese while attempting to come to Yura.  (We have a daughter, no, two of them).  (They're waiting for you, so do I, sweetie... you went missing, and now I've found you, we'll be happy t-).

"I said fuck off!!!". - I jabbed him a very hard blow to his left jaw, the old man lost his balance and slowly fell, his head touched the ground

"John... I think you shouldn't be that too serious". - Shera, don't tell me what I have to do, I know what I'm doing

"What if that man has issues after this...?". - Reimi, we'll be fine, he messed with us first

"We could've explained to him that he misunderstood...". - Yura confessed that, everyone except me looked at her then nodded to agree.  "We must do something to help h-".

"Sir, Sir! What're you doing?!!!". - Some elven navymen ran down from the ship, they backed up the unconscious man

"I protected her, keep that guy away from her quick!". - I demanded them to bring that man on the ship and make sure to keep that jerk away from the prophet

"What's going on here?!". - All of sudden, a loud voice came out from our back

A black elf navyman carries the unconscious old man after his team members lift him up. But we soon focus on the dense fog behind us. About ten figures can be seen walking on the fog, then slowly stepping out. They're soldiers in white armors and bunches of protector plates on lower and upper bodies.

Their faces are all covered by their metal helmets, only see two big round holes up there for their eyes. One man approaches us and looks around, as if to suspect us. Nine others form a wide circle formation. Like they are saying they're surrounding us to make sure no one escapes.

"You know this is the sacred place, this is the land of God".  "No violence is allowed... what's going here exactly...?". - That leader guy stood guard while asking us, using his serious voice to threaten us

"Nothing happens, Sir...".  "Just a misunderstanding, but it's over now". - The navymen replied to the leader guy with a respectful tone, they later carried the old man to the ship in silence, the other guards silently stepped away to let them pass

When the navy guys and the old man are gone, only the four of us left. The white guards return to form the circle line, while their leader glances at every one of us. Maybe these white guys are guards of this God's island, they're big and look fierce.

"What's your purpose for being here, wanderers...?". - He glared at me, I could feel it though his eyes weren't so clear from the helmet's holes

"Following the Demon Lord's mission, we come to see the Apostles, we want their help". - My wife answered them on behalf of me

"We know what you want for coming here, we'll sure to send this message to them as soon as possible".  "Follow us, we'll lead you inside the Palace to fulfill the mission".

"But at first...". - His speaking's pacing slowed down a bit.  "No weapon and violence are allowed".  "We need your weapons and things on your backs, everyone". - Alright, they'll strip off our weapons

I silently remove the strap of my machete's holster, then throw it on the ground. Following me are my wife and Reimi, they also put down their weapons. Yura doesn't have anything, so there's no need for her to do the thing.

We slowly drop our Alrotz military backpacks on the green grass. Done the process, the guards start approaching our weapons and backpacks to seal them away from us. However, four men suddenly come to us. They get closer, as if to demand us to stand still to let them check more.

"Stand still, raise your hands". - The leader guard demanded

I raise my hands widely to both sides, then stand still like others in my group. Those guys start touching our bodies, checking for weapons from our upper and below bodies till they see nothing. They nod to their leader after the check. He nods back, then starts stepping toward the fog lines with his men.

"Follow us, everyone, remember to oblige to the rules here, only do things when you're allowed to". - One guard with one of our Alrotz bags on his shoulder reminded us with a fast tone, then started following his leader

We step into the fog lines with those guards. Reimi leads the way to protect us, while I walk alongside my wife, holding our hands together. It's kind of weird when Yura keeps looking back. She even walks behind us, and seems to be walking quite slow.

"What's wrong?". - My wife asked the prophet

"I just... I hope that man will be alright". - Yura replied to us, her eyes just gazing at me.  "............". - She stayed silent for no reason.  "Nothing...". - The prophet looked away, then moved forward faster

Maybe she was trying to ask me to calm down and go slowly in every situation.

"Haizz...". - I made a short sigh, then kept my eyes on the road ahead

Around us from four sides are just grey fog lines. However, the density of the fog is getting weaker, fading time by time as we move forward. However, no one of us makes a fuss at all. We stay silent to make sure not to cause unnecessary troubles.

A few seconds later, a wide green ground with colossal trees from afar appears before my eyes. We've gone away from the grey fog's perimeter, now the things around us are just full of green. The natural scenery here is very gorgeous. Yura seems like to stop a bit to watch the natural scenes, but she can't since the guards are walking.

"I see... so it's like a barrier". - My wife said to herself when she was walking, her eyes kept looking behind

I look back and see the dense fog lines are still there, away from us about dozens of steps. Now I truly conclude that the fog surrounding the island is like a circular barrier. Since it was created by the Goddess, this place is set to be isolated from the outside world.

"Please, Sir, can you stop here a bit?". - All of sudden, Yura's voice came out when I was thinking about the island

"Excuse me, Miss?". - The entire guard group stopped, their leader asked Yura

"Can I have some view with this area before we move forward?".

"Yeah, of course".  "The time is yours, Miss, we will move on when you feel like to do".

The prophet bows to them to thank them. Then, she starts enjoying the natural scenery. Shera and Reimi also look around although they don't intend to do it. They check on the greenery of the grass and the small trees, bushes, things they see around them.

I want to investigate this place a little bit. Must get rid of these guys, I must investigate the place even when my time to do that is very short.

"May I go around here alone? I want to see more about this place than just standing here looking". - I talked to the leader guy

".......".  "Alright, Sir". - He went silent for a while before answering me, I'm sure this guy is quite unpleasant

I nod to the guy then move forward, I head to the left side of the forest. I keep walking without looking back, but cautiously keep my ears perking and my eyes glance behind a few times to check in secret. When I make it to a certain distance away from the sight of the guard, I look back.

It's good when they did not follow me here. I must finish the thing fast then return. That was just a lie. I intentionally want to find something small as a weapon. Since our weapons are sealed by them, we only have these bare hands. Getting rid of guys who have armors and weapons like them is not easy.

I look around to find a small tree around me. Luckily that there is one tree that seems to be very fit for my standard. After I approach that tree, I tear out a branch. This thing is a bit long, I must shorten it.

"Hey! Can you tell me about this place and what are these?!". - All of sudden, I was startled when I heard my wife's loud voice

I look back and spot a guard with his back opposes to me. He is away from my position not so far, my wife's loud voice has drawn his attention. Although I didn't tell my wife about this, she knew it when I behaved like that?

"Hey you... come here and tell me about it!". - That man's hand was later dragged away by my wife, he got away from my sight

I immediately break the branch in half. And I've made this wooden thing has a pointy tip on its top, excellent. This thing will be used for stabbing only. Its material isn't strong enough to kill a person, but combining it with my hand's strength to do the job is possible... I must hurry.

I immediately hide those two sticks behind my green camo Marine uniform. I turn around, and walk outside like nothing happened earlier. Actually, I wanted to look around this place for more to learn and understand it further... but the time for me to do it wasn't enough.

"Hey, I've seen many nice stuff back there". - I pretended to be normal to those guys, I pointed my thumb behind.  "This place's huge, I just wonder where are we really heading to".

"We'll be going to the Palace, Sir, it isn't far from here". - The leader guard looked around us, then gazed at me for a long time.  "Everyone seems to have enough time to enjoy the place, we should go now, as fast as possible...". - Then he turned around, then moved forward

I hope he doesn't know that I'm hiding a weapon.

From this time, my group returns to walk alongside those guards. There is a small dirt road below us, it leads to an area where has many trees standing together, they block the scene from the other side. We walk in silence, then we start going on the road surrounded by those gigantic tree lines. Their tallness has created a big line of shadow, covering us from the sunlit.

When I am going, my wife squeezes my hand a bit hard for no reason. Wait a minute. I glance at her a bit, then she taps my thigh gently as if to ask me if I have succeeded. Only a squeeze on her butt as a green signal. Although Shera does not happy when I do that so freely, she smiles when my plan has succeeded.

"You two, ahem". - A young guard suddenly came to us.  "This is a sacred place, things like this aren't allowed so... watch your moves".  "Do it when you're alone, not here". - Done saying, the guy moved forward to catch up with his leader.  "Sir, these people act so indece... nevermind". - But he soon shut his mouth

We are about to go out of these tree lines, I feel something ahead. Something mysterious, and can may also be gorgeous and luxurious. We step one more step through the path, and a giant white Palace can be seen before our eyes. Around the place has many other tall white buildings.

So this is what will be shown beyond those dense tree lines.

The Palace and those buildings can be seen filled with guards. They stand there guarding with spears on their backs, bows and arrows held tightly in their gloved hands. Those guys see us heading to the Palace. They do nothing, just stay there, standing guard to follow their own duties.

"Welcome to the land of God". - The guard leader said back to us, then kept moving forward to the entrance

On our way to the Palace's entrance, I notice that Yura and others are watching the place's scenery. They seem to be impressed by the place's vastness of natural scenery. However, I'm doing the different thing. I glance around to check for the exits, the gaps for me to use, etc... to investigate the place.

"Who are they?". - A guard who stood guard at the entrance asked the guard leader, his voice made my ears perk up carefully

"Just new visitors, they come here to speak with the Madame Deities". - Madame Deities...? Could that be the name used to call the Apostles?

"You know strangers like 'em can't do it, madames won't like to see them". - That guard glanced at every one of us.  "That guy doesn't look too friendly, keep your eyes on him, got it?". - He told the guy to be cautious about me

"I never say to them that they can meet them".

"Just... c'mon, get the job done quickly and return here". - Two white guards slowly opened the Palace's gate widely, giving us a wide golden path

"Move". - The guard leader swung his hand forward, asking his men and us to move inside the Palace

All of us move inside and the gate is later closed, we keep moving forward. The yard of the Palace is full of green on the yard sides, while the white path in the middle is long and thick, like rocks. Following the guards to get inside the Palace, I realize that this place is quite aged.

Some scratches can be seen on the walls. But most of the materials of this Palace are well built through time, so they're still very durable. Palace, roads, walls, most constructions are built in thick grey stones. This Palace seems to have been staying here for a thousand years.

Or that's what I assume.

Not so long after that, the front doors of the Palace are opened for us. We step inside, then follow the guard leader and two other white guards. We step into the hallway ahead, then soon realize that this hallway only has the four of us and those three guards.

"Where are they going to?". - My wife asked the guy, she looked back to watch the stand-still guards who were carrying out Alrotz bags

"They'll go to a place to store your belongings, they'll be given back to you when you get out of this place". - Then the guy kept walking without no more explanation to us

I follow the three of them, staying silent, trying to grab more intel. The guards suddenly stop at a door when we were following them from behind, they later look back. The leader slowly opens the wooden door. He lightly swung his hand toward the interior of the room, as if to ask us to get inside quickly.

"Wait, we come here to see the Apostles". - I spoke up to the guy, complaining

"Since you are new travelers, you're not secured enough to see the Madame Deities".  "Instead, you'll come in here, we'll send your messages to both of them".  "Come in, Sir... don't waste your time and ours, we will have to deliver the messages, so both sides must work together...".

"I want to see 'em myself".

"A private meeting...?". - That guard asked me, I nodded

The silence shows up in the long hallway. The guards look at each other for a while, then only take a deep glance at me. They nod, but still ask us to get inside. Yura steps inside first, then one by one, every one of us also comes in.

"We'll see what we can do, Sir, the messages and the proposal for the private meeting with you".

"Widespread her voice, letting all people know that the Goddess is about to destroy this world".

"Understood...". - Done nodding to me, the guards closed the door

"Everyone, I'll be out here to guard your room". - A voice of a young white guard came to us.  "You need anything, call me and I'll send them here to you... food, water, anything you need".  "When you have a need for a restroom, I'll call one guy to escort you there". 

"We have to stay here like this for hours?". - I asked him

"No, Sir, but this time, going out isn't allowed".  "At daytime before afternoon - the 3rd bell time, visitors aren't allowed to go around here".  "When it's afternoon till the nightime, you're allowed to go around freely".  "Everyone, sorry for the inconvenience, you come here right at the wrong time and the difficult moment, we also can only provide you with this old room...".

"What really happens out there? Something difficult?". - I asked him again

"We're not allowed to reveal it, Sir...". - The guard guy later shut his mouth off

At this moment, we've been left alone here. It's a good time for me to search around. I hope I can find something good, something that can really save my two deceased subordinates. But I can only do it when the main mission here is done, I think so.

"It looks nice... although it's quite old". - Yura commented about the room, she later sat on a stone chair, next to her was a stone desk.  "See...? There's no dust, very clean". - She wiped around the desk's surface to prove the fact, then she started wondering when she started touching a small stone bookshelf.  "Okay, let's see...". - She randomly chose a book, then started flipping the pages slowly

"They seem to have cleaned this place very carefully...". - My wife said to us

Reimi is bewildered a bit, she later comes to the door's frame and stands there straightly, as if she is guarding the room. Shera looks around the room before she comes to a bed, then sits on it lightly. Everyone seems to be silent at this moment. We are in a stone room, but it looks like nothing but a jail room to me.

"We'll be in here for hours, everyone...". - I told my group members about that

I approach Reimi, then tap her shoulder. She looks at me in confusion when I pull out a stick from my Marine green camo uniform, I give it to her. Reimi confusingly receives the stick. Maybe she doesn't know about my plan, huh?

"Use it to defend... I wanna go out a bit to investigate the place...". - I whispered to her

"Wait, you m-".

"Shhh...".  "Say low, and keep your low profile all the time".

"But we're told not t-".

"You remember the plan I used to tell you?".

"Yes... about savi-".

"Shhh...". - I told her to keep silent, Yura is nearby

"I believe this place has things like that, things that help us to save 'em".  "Would you help me...? I want to go outside to investigate, then will return with no trouble around".

"Understood, my Lord".

"Good...". - Done saying to her, I slowly returned to Shera

"I haven't told you about it but you knew it already?". - I asked her when I was standing before her bed

"I saw you... wanting to do something...". - She looked up, trying to understand me.  "Those jewels, you said something that they can be used to save...". - She avoided saying it out since Yura is very near us.  "I hope I can do something to help you, John".

"I'm searching for a way to get outta here...". - I started looking around the room

From what I see, this stone room seems to be old, but it's quite wide. Windows are wide open, we have the sunlit and can also look outside to see the scenery out of the place. Up there on the wall has a big rectangular hole. I see it as a vent to give us enough oxygen when we stay in this room.

But the vent is too small for a person to come in. Small women can't even get through that thing to come outside. Maybe I should make another plan now. I intend to look out of the windows but my wife does it on behalf of me when she knows I want to do it.

"Hmmm... there are two out there...". - My wife replied to me after a short moment looking out of the window

That means we can't try to get through the vent up there, it's quite difficult. Those guards will spot us if we try to use that vent as an exit door. Unless those guys are away from the area when we are doing that. But I think they won't do that, they're missioned to guard there.

I mean... they won't be dropping off their duties, those guys are not easy for us to fuck around with.

"We'll find another way...". - Done saying to my wife, I looked around to find another exit way

No, I found nothing in return, it's impossible. This room looks like nothing but a jail room, the difference is that it has a wider space in a blocked room from four sides, that's it.

"Hmmm...". - I shook my head to reply to my wife

"Let me join and help, my Lord...". - Reimi came up to me, asking me if she could help

"What are you guys talking about...?". - I almost forgot about the prophet, she may highly be the one to break our escape plan if we don't remind her of anything

"Hey, Yura... it's just...". - My wife got to Yura, then whispered to let her understand what we wanted.  "That's it, please d-".

"But what's that for?".

"Ummm...". - Shera felt a bit difficult to answer.  "To see the Apostles by ourselves, that's the plan". - My wife is very wise, I wouldn't be that good to cover up the death of my subordinates to get the trust of the prophet

"But they don't allow us to...".  "................". - Yura wanted to continue her voice, but she stopped it suddenly.  "I know you guys won't listen at all".  "Alright, we can try... but we must not do anything bad if they don't want to speak with us if we come to them".  "I don't understand why you guys think about this, we just need to complain too much to get the chance".  "Is that too long for you to put your time in...? I can't... nevermind".  "Now I hope that they will kick us in this room again if they catch us, hope they're nice enough to give us a second chance".

Right after we have the response from the prophet, I think about the plan... hmmm. I must find the way to get out of this place. I accidentally look down, and see the floor is full of yellow lines of cloth.

I wonder if this room has some kind of basement, I hope so. A door that leads to the underground, the door is covered by these cloth lines. That's what I think. I must do something fast, right now.

"Reimi, Shera, call up for food and water".

"?". - Both of them were confused

"If that guy comes in with the plate, he's alone and we'll crush him down".

"I'll try...". - My wife and Reimi nodded, then they started heading to the door

"Prophet, help me to check on these cloths". - I asked Yura to aid me, then I started crouching and lifting up and down every line of cloth

"Knock! Knock! Knock!".  "Hey, our tummies are calling for food, could you bring us some?". - My wife knocked on the door, then started ordering food and water

"What do you need, Miss?".

"Whatever you bring here, please make sure they're tasty and of course, bring water for us too".

"Things you ordered are on the way, Miss".  "I'm goin' to order soon, will be back".

When my wife's group has done the mission, I focus on my seriously. We've checked on every cloth line that we found, but haven't found any door leads to the basement. When I am about to get tired of my hope, the prophet taps me lightly. I look at her position, then see a door.

That door is on the stone floor, leading down the place. It's now locked by a big stone lock, but at least we've found a door to the basement.

"Urrrrrgggghhhh...!!!!!". - I grabbed the lock, trying to squeeze it hard then tear it out but I couldn't, its durability was still very good

Then I pull out a stick from my uniform. I compare its head to the size of the stone lock's hole, mine is bigger. That's sad when we can't unlock the door. Reimi comes to me then slowly compares her stick's head to the size of the lock's hole, and she fails.

"Don't worry, John, Reimi's an expert on this, she may find out a good way for it". - My wife encouraged me

Wait a bit... Reimi's an expert on lockpick stuff? Although she's trained to be a Knight?

Hmmmm... no, Reimi used to work as an intelligence collector for my wife. Maybe those skills were necessary for a Knight like her, I think.

"We need something smaller, like a spoon with a broken head, perhaps". - Reimi turned to explain to me while raising the stick to my face.  "Broken spoon, its neck may get through the hole, we n-".

"Knock! Knock! Knock!". - All of sudden, someone had just knocked on the door

"Meal's arrived, Miss, open the door". - Alright, we must set up an ambush

I use hand signals, telling Yura and my wife to stand still and away from the area near the door. Then I move forward to the door, Reimi moves to the left side. When I open the door, she'll follow my command to pull the guard in. We may have to hurt the guy badly, since we can't choke him, it's impossible, he's in armor.

"Only do it when I nod". - Reimi nodded to answer me

Then I open the door, a guard with a white plate appears before my eyes. I make a fast check to search for the key. But I can't see the guy has the key anywhere. And I wonder if that guy is the same guy who guards the room's door.

"Let's drink some when we end our shift, man". - Wait, a voice came out from where wasn't in my sight

"Yeah yeah". - That delivery guy replied

We can't fight against two, that's impossible.

I silently grab the meal plate, then shut the door. Back to us, Reimi's eyes ask me why I didn't call her out to attack. Others in the room to silent as if they understand why I had to do that. I put the meal plate on the table, then just stare at every dish on it for a while.

"We'll eat a bit before having our journey, plan B". - My wife grabbed a metal spoon from the plate, then tapped me lightly as if to encourage me

"Thanks a lot, my Highness". - Reimi received the spoon, she broke its head swiftly

"Sometimes small is better...". - She compared its head to the size of the lock, and the spoon won the comparison

"That guy said he would send our messages to the Apostles... I wonder what he is doin' ". - Yura suddenly asked us

"He may have left his job, prophet... or maybe he's on his way". - My wife replied to the prophet

If my wife is right, then we have to do both things, huh?

"By the way, let's eat before we start...". - My wife started taking out every dish from the plate, she gently handed them to every one of us