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We never know what lies under the surface until we discovered.
Sorey pov
Through the shopping streets lined with shops, I noticed that the sounds around me gradually disappeared, and the crowds around them became distant. We came to an empty place like a large square covered by forests and lawns. I have been exploring the city by following the crowds for a while and I have not found this place. Maybe there will be families or couples here on the holiday, or is this a place where almost no one comes at any time? Compared with the lively surroundings, it seems a bit desolate here, and even the wind that has blown is chilly. The only thing that exists here is the statue standing in the center, with the statue of Alisa and Sergei holding hands. I know they are respectable people. They all pursue peace for the people of their own country. They want to avoid unnecessary wars. When I am not in their time, they must work hard to pursue peace for their respective countries, for their people to have a better life.
‘May all the people fight for the country and better future rest in peace.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sI6Py8ydj
The foundation of society is fragile, we must be the guardians of our own civilization.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHJqmixUxO
We must bear the consequences of our own choices, whether it is honor or tragedy.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡombEb9bQyf
Remember, don't repeat the wrong history.’
The sentences engraved on the pedestal of the statue, to remind the people what had happened in the past, to prevent the future generations to repeat the war. There are lists of names engraved on the monoliths stands next to it.
“Looks like they did it.” I see at least there is peace in this age.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzN7Z0OIZd
“Hard to say, the history of humanity is the history of wars.” Velvet stated coldly.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaZPAs5AjK
“It is the history of civilization.”14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPB6qsfYMj
“The civilization grows by wars.”14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVg8UgW4UH
“Also the thought to improve their living.” I won’t deny any of the statement of Velvet, but there is also a good side to see.
“You have great trust in humanity.”14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡst9dNtUdeT
“Yes, always believe, even if they make mistakes.”14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcc3W5Vthtt
“I see.” Velvet stated with a little relieved, maybe she is still estimating me as a Shepherd.
Next to the memorial place, it is the national central library, guessed there is a concept to store the record of history and knowledge for all the future generations as remind so the library was built in such place. It is a great library that it appeared to have 10 storeys, there must be various types of books stored in there.
“Let’s have a look inside!” I pointed to the library.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTbMqL2bZc
“I don’t mind.”
The arch-shaped doorway atop the front facade of the National Central Library symbolizes the Gate to Knowledge, while having the Greek temple like the top and the front gate of the library symbolizes the accretion of knowledge through history. Inside, there is a large atrium to see all terraces of floors and all way of elevators and lifts. We tried to read all the unknown new concept in this age and to know the history of the world, but there are still many new words for us to learn, maybe most of the words we learned are only related to medical science.
I can only capture the simple trend of history, there were still wars after the time Alisha and Sergei died, the war of Aggressions, the war of Irredentism and the most ridiculous one: holy wars for Empyreans. History did repeat itself, but it doesn’t mean all the works Alisha and Sergei had became nothing, at least, the war didn’t repeat in their generation. People still remember their words and their history, the words passed on as the will of someone.
When the time comes, people like Alisha and Sergei will raise again and aid the Shepherd to stop the war. That’s why the status still standing outside.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyI9UhV0t8L
“You don’t plan to read the dictionary the whole day or take it with you, do you?” Velvet stopped my action when I just take a dictionary from the bookshelf.
“Of...of course not….” I put it back with a wry smile, she has discovered that I want to learn words again.
“You are going to the groups of towers, aren’t you?”14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcskmEJKNh
“Just have a look in close, you are curious too, right?”14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTHIVua8UY
“....Fine.”
The closer we go, the bigger the shadow of the building, the more it is like to devour all the darkness here. I can't see an external window, just like it is separated from the place where I stand. Two worlds, and I can't find an opening that I can't see its structure from the outside.
“I advise you two better not to go in.”
I don't know when, there is a girl sitting on the roof of a single-storey building overlooking us.
“But if you two go in, it seems to be very interesting.” After she finished, she disappeared. It seems that she is not human.
“.......The sun is setting, let’s turn back to the inn.” Velvet reminded me to be aware of the time. She said that with our limited offer in exchange with her work as a temporary servant, we got the inn offer of a single room for half a day.
We went back to the inn and rest after discussing the plan for tomorrow, we stared at the only single bed in the room.
“I will sleep on the floor, you may use the bed.” Velvet said before I planned to say the exact same thing as she said.
“What?! No! How can I let you sleep on the floor?” I exclaimed as I think it is unacceptable to let a girl sleep on the floor and she must be tired after working, so I hope she may have a good rest.
“No, it is fine. I am used to sleeping on the floor.” She said while sitting on the floor with one of her knees crooked.
She then leans her head on the crooked knee and sleep in such seat position.
“.............” She just cut my choice to let her have the bed and I feel sorry to have the bed even if she refuses the offer.
I tried to sleep on the bed but I can’t fall in sleep as I keep in mind of letting Velvet slept on the ground.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gNHP2YKme
I go outside to cool my brain down and run around the city to get myself tired. It is not like the past Ladylake, the market still works popularly in the night, it is like the normal daily life of people.
“Hey, I saw you in the afternoon. Are you cosplaying the ‘Grand Shepherd’? You are the best cosplayer I ever saw. May I take a photo with you?” The girl already assumed me as the cosplayer and she requested to take a photo with me.
“Yes….”
The girl took out a small device from her pocket, she asked me to look toward the camera, but I have no idea where is the camera or what is the device in her hand.
“Yeah!!! Thank you!!!”
“You are welcome, may…” I wanted to ask about the device she held to take the photo but she has already gone. I sighed, what a fast-paced city, but it is a good thing that the tales of the Shepherd and the Empyrean become a well-known story, the faith in Seraphim is not extinct.
After a certain time, I return to the inn. I heard some groan when I walk through the corridor. People will say it is a phenomenon caused by ghosts but I know they are not truly ghost but a kind of hellions. I tried to find the sound source and I find it is from my room, it is from Velvet.
She is tossing and turning in her sleep and I focused to listen to the words she mumbled in sleep.
“I am….sorry…..I….have….no...choice…..I…..need to...survive…..it….is you….r …..fault…..no…...it….is …….my fault…….I….cannot…...I must eat…….” Velvet mumbled repeatedly in a way to let me feel heartbroken. Her voice is soft and weak, almost like crying and begging, she has never forgiven herself even it has been millennium. The sadness and pain she brought to the world has gone long yet lived in her heart.
I can't say it is not her fault but I can say the fault lies in everyone. So she doesn't have to blame all things on herself.
Her expression twisted into painful and struggling as I observed closely. She is wide opening her eyes and looking at nothing, not as she has noticed me. It is no way I continue to sleep on the bed and left her on the floor.
To think about the possibility that every night she sleeps in this condition, suffering from nightmares and act like normal every day. It is terrible, and I never notice it until now.
In how many times she fights against it without anyone, never showing her weakness and never search for help. I can't imagine how harsh will life be for the everyday nightmare. What is the thing support her now? She had experienced many harsh works and she nearly loses everything now.
I am well aware that she never wants salvation. I feel sorry about that and I should say she is really strong but also…...fragile.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BdMI08UxQ
“It's alright. It's not your own fault.” I whispered to her ear.
I cannot do much but to accompany. I pull the blanket from the bed and cover it on her and me lightly. I sit next to her and lean my head on the behind wall. I hear that Velvet’s mumbling is slightly and slowly vanishing so I start to sleep comfortably and hope that she will have a good dream.
In the next morning, sunlight penetrates into the room through the Windows, Velvet is the first one to get up. As she said, she used to prepare stuff in the early morning and she tends to have light sleeping.
“Sorey?” Velvet asked as she doesn't expect me to sleep next to her and…..leaning head on her.
“Velvet…...good morning….ah….I am sorry, I unconsciously lean my head on you.” I slowly awoke and said but I quickly apologize just after noticing myself leaning on her body. I wonder if she will be mad at me for that.
“Humm, it is fine….but why did you sleep here?” She seems perfectly fine and carefree for my close touch in such a sleeping position. She is obtuse about this kind of things.
“I...just can't sleep alone on the bed(when seeing others sleeping on the floor).” I shut my later part of the sentence and swallowed it.
“Puff, are you a kid?” seems that she has mistaken something but let it be it.
“Did you have a nice sleep?” I asked as I saw her struggling in the nightmare and I don’t know how her dream continue.
“Yeah, sure.” she smiled. Whatever it is a lie or not, good to hear that.
We then prepare to work in the inn for another hour for breakfast and lunch and start our adventure again. The owner of the inn has praised Velvet having good cleaning skills and efficiency that she wanted to hired her immediately. Of courses, Velvet refused as we are travelers.
We go into the underground ruin as I suggested to search my dear friend Mikleo.
Clearly, Mikleo is not here. I am surprised that I got into the Vivia Subterranean Aqueduct without the royal sword and the purification flame.
I suppose there is no hellion under the field of Uno.
“I heard some sound of steps.” Velvet warned me to leave.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepO2vORkgT
A giant shadow cast over me, I see red bright eyes. I draw my sword out and chop it immediately.
“What in the---- Why?!” Empty, that is all I can think of at the moment. There are packs of hellions chasing us.
“Everything is possible, good to have a fruit knife at least.” Velvet took her fruit knife out of her package. She bought it with me after we left the sanctuary, but I don’t expect she use it this way. She did want a weapon cause that way is safer, but there is no direct way to buy a true weapon in modern society. At least we can buy kitchenware from tool stores but only small tools can be brought with us along in legal. It is too obvious if we buy a cleaver and bring it with us in our way, we will get caught by the police.
“That can’t be enough to fight the hellions!” I thought Velvet was joking at this moment. Using the fruit knife to fight? No way!
“True, have you any idea?”14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6xK7UxW6B
“Let’s run away!” I know there is no way to defeat hellions by human’s hand.
“Agreed.”
We ran without really check the route, and end up with heading to a place certainly unlike any of the ruins, but more like those entrance of a modern building with some kind of shabby steel facade.
“You sure to go in? Cause it not like we may get out easily again.” Velvet reminded me of the tower Uno mentioned.
“.....Seem that we have no choice.” I look back, the Hellion is not far from us, besides, I did want to have a look in the tower.
The gate is unlocked, so we get inside and close the door. At the moment I felt relieved until I heard a locked sound of the door. Seems there is another issue we have to face.
I sense a weak level of malevolence around here, maybe this is why hellion presence in the ruin and the ruin is opened without the key. Someone opened it and set their spot in the ruin.
Velvet prepared herself with the fruit knife, it is not a great weapon but it is the only hope for her I think.
We got into the building, it is more like a building complex, those messy wire connection provide the resource to buildings. Walking through the dark alley, we see some thin and weak people are looking at us with strange eyes. We are weird to this place. Suddenly, a group of people present in the end of the alley, stopping our routes, when we looked back, another group is there, taking out their weapons, ready for a fight, we are trapped.
The gang fight began, they planned to take us down with the bat. Velvet uses her knife to cut other, I want to stop her, but I am too busy of handling the gangs fighting against me. It is easier to take down them than the hellions, but I don’t want to hurt them seriously. There is no mercy in their eyes, their clothes are rotten, no doubt that they are poor, I guess they do this to survive. When people think they do this just to survive, they don’t think it is wrong, which is also why this place is not completely corrupted in malevolence.
“What’s going on?! Can’t take down two people with a bunch of people?” Their leader shouted out, then I see Velvet is heading towards him, what is she trying to do?!14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvWguRxGwz
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Velvet pov
Brawling, robbing, or even worse, there are still people living in this way in this building. It is like the seraph Uno said, better not to get in, here is not as peaceful as the outside city. Even under the blessing of Laphicet, the world is still like this, I see sin is born with the human.
I saw that a man is exchanging something with the other in the dark narrow alley, he received the money and he gave out a large bag that seems that it can contain a person. The man then saw me watching them. This is bad, I pretend I see nothing and continue to walk with Sorey, let’s don’t tell him anything about this.
However, it is useless, we still got surrounded by the gang. It seems I accidentally get into trouble, and now they want to eliminate witnesses.
To protect myself, I use the fruit knife to cut them and pierce them, it doesn’t make much damage but it still buys the time. Their leader is shouting at them, if I make their boss unmovable, maybe they will stop, so I approach their boss and quickly pierce my hidden cutter to him. It may not be a good weapon against a hellion, but good enough to hurt a human.
His blood flooding out from the wound, so he called his gang to leave with some of his unconscious members left behind.
It is not a good idea if we continue dressing like ourselves, especially not a good idea to wear a Shepherd cape in here. I suggest we pull those losers clothes on ourselves.
“But this is their properties! Why did you do that?” Sorey opposed my idea. I know his reason, I used to travel with an exorcist who has a kind heart like him too.
Really, a piece of work like someone.
“What done is done, if you are going to approach more fight like this, you continue to dress your cath.” There is no excuse for my actions and I don’t think it is wrong at all, it is what we need to do to survive. That what I have learned from Titania, the Island Prison in the 3 years I stayed. I killed numerous of daemons, even I knew they were human, just to survive and have my revenge.
“..........Alright.” I got his idea to avoid unnecessary fights. If he is a kind heart person, he won’t want to hurt anyone, so he will choose to avoid fights. And this place clearly doesn’t need a Shepherd presence, people in here work for themselves because they are abandoned by the government. A Shepherd will be existence to be hate, for not being able to help them.
We change our clothes, which dragged from the losers and we gave our only clothes in our package to the losers as the compensation. As Sorey insisted we can’t just leave them nothing and I don’t want to hold a bad relationship to him. Then our old set of clothes in our journey will be the only set of clothes we left apart from the rotten clothes dragged from the losers.
“....u….!umm!!!.....!” I heard some sound behind us, I see a large bag abandoned in the rubbish bags is moving like someone is struggling inside.
Now the kind Shepherd sees the bag, I guess he must go rescue the person inside, now it is unavoidable to be involved in some incidents among groups.
It is a little girl in the bag.
“...ha…...ha…...Thanks….Beta! Are you Beta? You finally back! This is great! We miss you so much!” The girl breaths heavily after being released from the bag, she is very excited to catch and hug me tightly.
I guess she recognizes the wrong person, but maybe the identity can be used, so I didn’t declare immediately.
I asked: “Yes, what is going on?!”
She must have been shocked by the capture and she is still shuddering. I slowly smoothed her back to appease her emotion, she has a value for me. Now, I know none of the names and information here, but I will try to get the information later.
“Vel….”Sorey is trying to ask but I shut his mouth with my eye to not let him reveal my true name.
“.......Lots of things happen, maybe not to talk in this place?” The girl asked.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC8RWWoWjX
“Sure, just go anywhere you want, somewhere like your spot.” I tried to let her lead us to her spot.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEU86koiYL
“And who is he?” The girl suspected.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuCZEFdU07
“Just a friend meet on the ground.”
I hope we get a safe place as soon as possible.
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A.N.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgzICYpbVA
I am not really good at writing fight but it is necessary to write with tales characters, I hope I can skip every fight like this but it is impossible…..I know there should be some difference between Sorey and Velvet, some of them may lead conflicts, I try to show some of them in this chapter.
By the way, no gun stores in my country, it is illegal, I applied this in the story.
PS. some settings like the setting of malevolence is like the 御都合主義, that sometimes I am afraid I can’t give a proper reason to explain the setting like why people are/ are not releasing malevolence, so it completely works for the plot. Good thing is that it is still not a very important problem in the story now.
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