Chapter 7: V. ‘Rescue Mission’

Previously on 'Tale of the Demon Hero':  Hiiro successfully brought Harue back to the 'Main Island' along with Rai and the others while 'Iytherian Representatives' were held as hostages in the 'Mystic Garden' and Mr. Geno can only save them if he brings the 'Book of Prophecies' to her in exchange for their freedom.

In the 'Underground Prison'

East Wing

Cell Room #5…

"Let me go! I said let me go!" Emi said as she struggles while three Imperial Soldiers brought her to the 'Underground Prison'.

"Stop struggling and be quiet!" The first Imperial Soldier said as he yelled at Emi who flinched and looked away.

"Here we are. We have arrived at the Cell Room #5." The second Imperial Soldier said as he took out the keys and opened the door.

'Oh my, who is this?

That girl, the only witness

Of the Past

Is still alive?'

Someone said as it slowly walked towards to the light.

"Stay away! Or else we will shoot you." The second Imperial Soldier said as he cowardly ran out of the cell room.

"Hurry! Push her inside before someone can see us." The third Imperial Soldier said as he got scared and pushed Emi to the Cell Room #5.

"Don't worry! Nobody goes down in here to visit the prisoners." The first Imperial Soldier said as he was about to close the door.

'Within my given abilities, I command thee, Bore!'

Emi said as she used her 'Earth-alementalian Magic' and bore a hole on the ground and went to through an abandoned underground tunnel to escape out of the Imperial Court Head Quarters. The three Imperial Soldiers flew away out of the room and rolled over the floor. After the loud explosion, dust and smoke filled the air as the other Imperial Soldiers came to check what happened in the East Wing.

Inside the Advisor's Room…

"Master Hiiro, Mrs. Aya has arrived." The first Lower Knight said as he, his fellow Lower Knight and Mrs. Aya were waiting outside the room.

"Come in." Hiiro said as the Lower Knight opened the door, and they all went inside the room.

"Uh? Books and papers are scattered everywhere. What happened in here?" Mrs. Aya said as she asked Hiiro and looked around his messy room.

"Damn it! I thought I – We almost had it. I failed." Hiiro said as he grabbed the flower vase and threw it on the floor.

"Master Hiiro, please calm down. I suggest that we should retrace our steps in finding the 'Key'." The first Lower Knight said as he picked the 'Book of Prophecies' off the floor and placed it on top of Hiiro's desk.

"You found the girl named 'Emi'; thought she is the 'Key', but she wasn't. Nice try Hiiro." Mrs. Aya said as she approached Hiiro and pats his right shoulder.

"Then, what should I do?! I've done everything and I still cannot that person who has the ability to open this damn book." Hiiro said as he yelled and sat on his chair.

"The first thing that you should do is to calm down and then retrace your steps. Or else they will both hunt us down." Mrs. Aya said as she motioned the two Lower Knights to get out of the room.

"Hunt us down? Who? What do you mean?" Hiiro said as he asked Mrs. Aya who was looking at the 'Book of Prophecies.'

"I heard rumors that Mr. Geno and Ms. Akari were planning a rebellion against the 'Alliance'. They were planning to sell us out Mr. Sai and tell everyone the truth." Mrs. Aya said as she told Hiiro as he suddenly smiled and laugh hysterically.

"Akari too? Ha-Haha! Now they are planning to sell us out?! This is so interesting! Mr. Geno is so selfish that he only wanted to save himself and he also got Akari to play along with his crazy antics." Hiiro said as he continues to laugh hysterically, making Mrs. Aya uncomfortable.

"And another thing, Hiiro, the Council wishes you good luck on your rescue mission tomorrow. Don't worry. I will handle this matter while you are gone. "Mrs. Aya said as she walked away and went out of the room.

"Ha-haha! Things are now getting interesting! Soon enough everything will fall into their places. I will find each piece of the puzzle and fulfill my destiny." Hiiro said as he laughs hysterically while inside his room, looking at the 'Book of Prophecies.'

   'Master Hiiro,

I have arrived.

She asked me to

You this.'

The 'Black Hound' said as it walked out of Hiiro's shadow, presenting a white envelope on this mouth.

"Oh? This is from that woman, again. I will read it later. Thank you." Hiiro said as he picked up the white envelope and placed it on the top of his desk.

'Master Hiiro

I have bad news.

The 'Enchantress' got escaped.'

"What?! Then, don't let her escape. Find her immediately! She cannot tell anyone about our plan. Hurry!" Hiiro said as he panicked and then 'Black Hound' suddenly disappeared.

"Sir Hiiro, I have come to clean your room." One of Hiiro's maids said as she knocked on the door while waiting outside the room.

"Damn it!… Ah! Please come in." Hiiro said as he silently cursed out and then maid went inside his room

That night,

Inside the Matsuoka Rest House…

"Uh? Sir Yuki, I think you should calm down and we should wait for 'Princess' Harue inside the living room." One of Yuki's maids said as she noticed that Yuki standing in front of the main door for 20 minutes, waiting for Harue to arrive.

"I know! But I am worried for her. She just got back here in the 'Main Island' and there is the 'Candidates' Presentation'. …What if she got kidnapped?! No!!!" Yuki said as he got worried, grabbed his maid's shoulders and started shaking her.

"We received a word that the 'Fireiyan Representatives' found her wandering inside the 'Central Station' and now on their way back to the Rest house." His maid said as he stopped shaking her.

"Good evening! Hello! Is anyone home? We have arrived." Mr. Sai said as he yelled and opened the main door for the others, and they all went inside the Rest House.

"Good evening, Sir Yuki. We are the 'Fireiyan Representatives.' And we came in here to – Uh?" Mr. Mai said as Harue suddenly ran behind her, trying to hide from his big brother.

"We came in here to take Harue safely back to your Rest House." Ms. Akari said as Yuki crossed his arms and sighed.

"Good evening, Council members. Thank you for bringing my little sister safely back in our Rest House. Rest assured that this will never happen again." Yuki said as he and his maid kneel down on the floor.

"Don't mind it. Come on, stand up. This is your home anyway." Mr. Sai said as Yuki and his maid stood up.

"Good evening, I-I'm back big brother Yuki." Harue said as she bravely stepped forward to her big brother.

"Then, we must get going. Good night Harue." Mrs. Mai said as she, her husband and Ms. Akari went out of the Rest House, accompanied by Yuki's maid.

"U-Um? I would like to apologize for arriving back so late. I didn't mean to –"Harue said as she tried to apologize.

"So, where have you been?" Yuki said as he pats Harue's head and asked her.

"Eh? So, you are not angry?" Harue said as she smiled back at her older brother.

"The important thing is that you came back home safe. Now, go to your room and clean up yourself." Yuki said as Harue hugged him and ran upstairs.

Few minutes later…

                           In Harue's Room                           

"Hey... are you done?" Yuki said as he knocked while waiting outside Harue's room.

"Yes. Please come in." Harue said as she jumped onto her bed and Yuki went inside her room.

"I brought your new clothes. Uh? What are you doing?" Yuki said as he saw Harue lying downwards on her bed, still wearing her bathrobe and rubbing her eyes.

"Resting. You can put that on my table. Thank you." Harue said as she lazily tossed over to the other side of her bed.

"Get up. I will help you dry your hair." Yuki said as he placed the clothes on Harue's bed and grabbed the towel.

"Thank you, Big brother." Harue said as she suddenly stood up and sat on the right side of her bed and then Yuki starts combing her hair.

"So, where have you been?" Yuki said as he gently dries off her hair.

"U-Uh? I was wandering in the 'Central Station' with my friends and then Mr. Sai and the others came to apprehend a young man." Harue said as Yuki grabbed the hairbrush and start combing her hair.

"Oh…so the rumors were true then." Yuki said as the hairbrush got entangled with Harue's hair.

"Rumors? About what?" Harue said as she got curious, looked up and asked Yuki.

"I've heard that there is an on-going war between us, the 'Main' and the 'Common Combinations' Alementalian magic users. The war started after the former 'Imperial Prince' got exiled six months ago." Yuki said as he gently pulls the brush off Harue's hair.

"On-going war?! But why they would start a war?! Did we do something wrong?" Harue said as she got angry.

"The war aims to prove which 'Alementalian Magic' is the best and whoever wins will get to sit on the throne. That's what big brother Hiiro said. Damn it! I can't untangle it." Yuki said as he gave up on untangling the brush off Harue's hair.

"That throne, again. It is just an empty chair." Harue said as she clenched her right fist.

"Not for long. After the 'Candidates' Presentation', you will finally make your decision to choose the new 'Imperial Ruler of Alementalia.' The Council hopes that your chosen candidate will help us to stop the war before it gets worse." Yuki said as he, again tried to untangle the brush off Harue's hair but he got pissed off.

"I don't know, big brother. I can't even take of myself nor make a decision for the sake of our Kingdom." Harue said as Yuki looked at her and sighed.

"Then, select already your candidate and make the final decision. Anyway, I am amazed on how you can manage to comb your very, very long…hair. Uh!" Yuki said as he finally gave up and sighed.

"Select my candidate huh? Um…About that, I finally decided who is going to be my candidate." Harue said as she looked to Yuki.

"U-uh? You already have a candidate?  That's good news then. You must inform the Council about that."  Yuki said as he was surprised from what she said.

"I will, soon. But before that, please promise me that you will not tell big brother Hiiro what happened today." Harue said as she pleaded to Yuki who crossed his arms.

"Okay. I will not tell him about what happened today only if…You promise that from now on you will do your duty as the official 'officer-in-charge' in the Imperial Court Headquarters. Everyone needs you back in the HQ." Yuki said as Harue pouted and lazily jumped back onto her bed.

"Okay. I promise. Eh? What happened to my hair?" Harue said as she stood up and smiled.

"Alright. Now, wear these clothes and go to sleep." Yuki said as he also stood up and went out of the room.

"Oh no! My hair! Eh? The brush got entangled with my hair. Big Brother Yuki!" Harue said as she yelled out while Yuki was giggling outside her room.

"'Princess' Harue, I have come to help you." One of Harue's maids said as she knocked on the door while waiting outside her room.

"Come in. Please help me." Harue said as she pouted, and the maid went inside the room.

In the Imperial Court HQ's backyard…

"Did you find him?" The Imperial Captain said as he asked the Imperial Soldiers.

"No Sir. We lost him after he went inside the backyard." The first Imperial Soldier said making the captain angry.

"You fool! Continue searching for him. The 'Fireiyan Representatives' are on their way back to the I.C.H.Q. Find him or else we will be all dead." The Imperial Captain said as he yelled at the Imperial Soldiers who flinched and immediately ran away.

"Hey! I saw him went this way." The first Imperial Soldier said as he and the others were scouting around the backyard.  The other Imperial Soldiers followed him and went inside the forest behind the HQ's backyard.

"Finally, I outsmarted them." The injured, young man said as he was sitting on a branch up on an old tree inside the backyard.

Few minutes later, the ground began quaking as the young man fell off the tree. Beside the same tree, a hole has been magically dug out off the ground eventually guiding Emi as she escapes, climbing up back to the surface.

"Ow-Ouch… An earthquake? Hey! Are you alright?" The young man said as he saw Emi lying down on the ground, unconscious.

"Uh…Where-Who are you? Stay away from me!" Emi said as she slowly woke up and looked at the young man.

"I'm – No! Here, let me help you." The young man said as he carried Emi on his back even though he has an injury.

"No. Please put me down. Why are you helping me? I'm a fugitive -." Emi said as the young man ran away, carrying her.

"So am I. Let's get out of here." The young man said as he ran away and escaped to the other side of the forest.

"You are? Uh? I don't get -…" Emi said as she slowly fell asleep on his back. The young man finally found a hiding place, a cave and gently put Emi down on the ground.

"U-Uh? Where am I? Hey, are you alright?" Emi said as she finally woke up and saw the unconscious young man lying down on the other side of the cave.

"There you are! Don't move!" The Imperial Soldier said as he saw Emi hiding inside the cave.

"Oh my, you found us. This is bad." Emi said as she stood up and then walked towards the Imperial Soldier.

"I said don't move. Huh!? Where did she go?" The Imperial Soldier said as Emi suddenly disappeared in front of him.

"Sleep well, my dear Soldier." Emi said as she snapped out, mysteriously appeared behind the Imperial Soldier and pushed him away.

The soldier got startled and then accidentally slipped, rolled away eventually hit the tree. Emi approached the unconscious soldier, grabbed his neck and strangled him until he died.

Few hours later…

"U-Uh? W-where am I? Huh?" The young man said as he slowly woke up and looked around the cave.

"Finally, you woke up. Here, drink this." Emi said as he gave the cup to the young man.

"Thank you. Eh? What happened to my wound?" The young man said as he saw the bandages covering his right leg.

"I took his first aid supplies and used it to cover your wound." Emi said as the young man looked outside the cave and saw an Imperial Soldier lying down on the ground, unconscious.

"An Imperial Soldier?! They found us! Let's get out of here."  The young man said as he stood up but because of his injury he immediately fell down on the ground.

"Uh? A-Anyway, thank you for covering up my wound. I'm Marco." The young man said as he introduced himself to Emi.

"Marco?! You are big brother's Assistant." Emi said as she recognized the young man whom she met six months ago.

"Uh? How did you know that name? Have we met before?" Marco said as he wondered and asked Emi.

"Uh?! N-no! Sorry, I thought you are someone else. I'm Emi. Nice to meet you." Emi said as she introduced herself to Marco.

"I was trying to escape from the Imperial Soldiers before they bring me to the 'Underground Prison.'  How about you? What are you doing inside that hole? " Marco said as he asked Emi who flinched.

"Inside that hole? Well, I used my 'Earth-Alementalian' magic to bore a hole to escape from the 'Underground Prison' and managed to dig a tunnel to get out of the I.C.H.Q." Emi said as Marco suddenly approached her and pats her right shoulder.

"You escaped from the 'Underground Prison'?! That's amazing! No one ever thought of escaping from that 'Prison' and you got no injury!" Marco said as he cheerfully ruffled Emi's hair and sat beside her.

"You think so? Thank you. Now, what are we going to do?" Emi said as she tried to hide her blushing face and asked Marco.

"I really don't know. After what I've done in the 'Central Station', I'm sure the Imperial Soldiers will send search parties to hunt me. I murdered – Huh?" Marco said as Emi grabbed his right hand and stood up.

"Hey! Over here! They are inside this cave." The second Imperial Soldier said as he finally found Marco and Emi.

"What happened to him? Is he still alive?" The third Imperial Soldier said as he also arrived on the scene and looked at their fellow soldier lying down on the ground.

"Let's go! I will lead the way. Marco?" Emi said as she wondered why Marco gently pushed her away from him.

"I will buy you some time to escape." Marco said as he kneels down, touches the ground using his right hand and began enchanting his spell.

'Within the abilities

Given to me,

I command thee, combine!'

Marco said as his magic began crumbling the ground and combining it with the underground water to form a slippery mud pit outside the cave.

"A-amazing! You can manipulate both 'Earth and Water-Alementalian magic'. Wait! You are one of the 'Common Combination' users? With your abilities, you can easily overthrow the Kingdom –?" Emi said as Marco suddenly yelled at her.

"Emi, we are not here to overthrow the Kingdom but rather to save it from its demise. Hurry! Run away!" Marco said as Emi flinched and ran to the East side of the forest. 

The two Imperial Soldiers attempted to ran above the mud pit to chase Emi but as they cross, they eventually slipped and got stuck inside the mud pit.

"Mud? I can't move my arms." The second Imperial Soldier said as he panicked, trying to escape from the mud pit.

"Stupid! You are the not only one who can't even move. Huh?! What is happening? Help! Somebody, please help us!" The third Imperial Soldier said as he also panicked because they were slowly being absorbed by the mud pit.

"Sorry Master Maki, I failed to find your little sister." Marco said as his magic slowly drained his remaining magical energy, lost his consciousness and fell on the mud pit as well.

"Eh? The mud pit stopped from moving. Hey! Wake up! Wake up!" The second Imperial Soldier said as he can finally move his arms.

The other Imperial Soldier realized that he survived their ordeal and lost his consciousness while still stuck inside the pit.

"Captain! Over here!" The fourth Imperial Soldier said as he found the others trapped inside the mud pit.

"There you are! Huh? What happened in here?" The Imperial Captain said as he and the others found the mud pit.

"Hurry! Let's pull them out of the mud pit." The fifth Imperial Soldier said as he immediately grabbed the vines hanging down on the trees, tied them on their trunks and throws the other end of the vines inside the mud pit.

After one hour, they finally managed to pull their fellow buddies out of the mud pit.

The next day

In the 'Central Airport'

Inside the tarmac…

"Sir Hiiro, we have finished loading our supplies inside the Aerostat. We just need to do a maintenance check before we leave in 15 minutes." The Senior Aerostat Captain said as he reported to Hiiro.

"Good. Just approach me if we are ready to leave." Hiiro said as the Aerostat Captain nodded and left.

"So, we are riding on that Aerostat? It is quite different from the previous ones." Hikaru said as he wondered while looking at the Aerostat.

"Yes. The other one that I crashed into the 'Dark Forest' is used for leisure activities while that is used for emergencies or rescue missions." Eito said as he sighed and explained to Hikaru.

"Eh? That's amazing. I didn't know the HQ had that thing." Hikaru said as he got curious and began fixing his metallic armor.

"That is because this kind of aerostat IS only used for emergencies or rescue mission. That was on the 'Soldiers' Manual'. You fool!" Eito said as he snapped out and sighed.

"Yes. It has been a while since we used that Aerostat. She maybe looks old, but she can still fly. Uh? Is that?" Hiiro said as they saw a carriage stopped a few meters away from them.

"There he is! Big brother Hiiro!" Harue said as she suddenly run toward her big brother and hugged him.

"'Princess' Harue, please be careful and do not run while inside the tarmac!" Mayumi said as she got off the luxury carriage and saw Harue running away from her.

"Harue?! Ow-Ouch…What are you doing in here?" Hiiro said as he accidentally slipped, and they both fell on the ground."

"I came in here to say, 'good luck' and inform you that I've found my Candidate." Harue said as Hiiro suddenly trembles and gently lift her up.

"Y-you did. Well, that's good news. We must inform the Council about that after we came back." Hiiro said as he ruffled Harue's hair.

"Don't worry! I will inform them myself." Harue said as everyone suspiciously looked at her.

"But I thought you don't want to visit the I.C.H.Q ever again." Eito said as he wondered and playfully poked her right cheek.

"Yes! B-but big brother Yuki's maid asked me to bring his lunch to the I.C.H.Q since he left it back in the Rest House, so I've also decided to inform the Council about my Candidate myself." Harue said as everyone suspiciously looked at her.

"That's suspicious. Yuki usually eats his lunch in the cafeteria with his colleagues." Hiiro said as he wondered while Harue flinched.

"Finally, she has arrived." Hikaru said as he saw Mayumi who ignored him.

"Good morning, your highness. I would like to apologize for being late. I came in here to tell you that I cannot join in the rescue mission because Sir Yuki asked me to become Harue's attendant for today." Mayumi said as Hiiro giggled while Hikaru and Eito looked her.

"Ah! I forgot that. Don't worry. Yuki informed me about that earlier this morning and I approved because Harue really needs an – Eh?" Hiiro said as Harue suddenly pinched his right cheek.

"So, that's why she is here. Big brother Yuki lied to me." Harue said as she stopped pinching his cheek.

"Sir Hiiro! We are ready to leave!" The Aerostat Captain said as he run towards to Hiiro and the others.

"We must get going. See you tomorrow Harue." Hiiro said as he playfully poked Harue's forehead.

"Will you stop poking my forehead?! Move! They are calling you. " Harue shyly said as she tried to push Hiiro to walk away.

"Alright! Eito and Hikaru let's go. I wonder why I am not moving even an inch." Hiiro said as Harue blushed.

"Weak…How pitiful." Eito said as he looked away and giggled.

"Hey! About what I asked you during our fight-…" Hikaru said as Mayumi blushed and flinched.

"Don't you dare say another word or else I will shove this wooden spear in your mouth." Mayumi said as she threatened Hikaru with her spear.

"U-Uh? I was hoping that you can give you response when I got back." Hikaru cheerfully said as he pats Mayumi's hair.

"Huh!? Hands off! W-what if you do not come back from this rescue mission?! Remember you are dealing with 'Living Fiends'… Eh?!" Mayumi said as she blushed and asked Hikaru.

"Hey! Idiot, we have to get going." Eito said as he called out Hikaru and then ran away.

"Coming!... Then, I will make sure that I come back, alive. See ya!" Hikaru said as he gave her a light quick kiss on her lips and ran away.

"I saw that! Hikaru just kissed you. Hey! Don't tell me…Was that your first kiss?" Harue said as she grabbed Mayumi's shoulders and began shaking her.

"I-I…really hate you!" Mayumi said as she got flustered, snapped out and threw the wooden spear to Hikaru with all of her might.

The wooden spear flew and luckily hit on the ground few meters away from Hiiro who was outside the Aerostat waiting for Hikaru.

"Your highness, we have to get out of here. The Aerostat will be ascending any minute now and it would be dangerous if you stay around here." One of the ground crew said as she approached Harue and Mayumi.

"Hey, we should really get going." Mayumi said as she gently pushed Harue away.

"Please follow me. I will walk you outside." The ground crew said as Harue and Mayumi followed her outside the tarmac where their carriage was waiting for them.

A few minutes later, Hiiro and the others went inside the Aerostat then began ascending in the air and left the 'Central Airport'. Harue and Mayumi went inside the carriage and then also left the tarmac.

While on their way going to the HQ.

Inside their carriage….

"You are still flustered." Harue said as she looked at Mayumi who flinched while sitting across her.

"What?! Me? Flustered?! Uh?" Mayumi said as she denies and touched her cheeks.

"I guess that was your first kiss after all." Harue said as she giggled.

"Huh?! W-what are you talking about? O-of course not. I just let my guard down and I swear it will never happen again." Mayumi said as she blushed and then looked outside the window.

"Eh? That was not your first kiss? Then who was your first kiss? Tell me! Tell me!" Harue said as Mayumi ignored her.

"I'm sorry but I cannot tell her highness about that." Mayumi said as she looked at Harue.

"Uh? Okay. I understand. I'm sorry I didn't mean to pry with your personal life." Harue said as she went back to seat and sadly looked outside the window.

"Ah! Alright! Alright! I will tell you, but you have to promise that you will keep this a secret. Promise?" Mayumi said as she asked Harue.

"Okay! I promise. Now, who was it?" Harue said as she stood up and sat beside Mayumi.

"My first kiss was with Kenji." Mayumi shyly said as she got flustered and covered her face.

"Kenji? Oh! I remember him. He is one of the Hamasaki Twins, but I thought they are your best friends." Harue said as she wondered and then seriously looked at Mayumi.

"I know but – Ah! It's complicated. Kenji was my boyfriend of three years but we both decided to keep our relationship as a secret." Mayumi said as Harue blushed, grabbed her shoulders and began shaking her.

"B-boyfriend?! How about Kazuki? Does Kazuki know?" Harue said as she got intrigued and asked her.

"About that- please stop shaking me…Kenji said that he already told Kazuki about our secret, but he only laughs at him." Mayumi said as Harue stopped shaking her and then crossed her arms.

"What kind of response was that? I think he should at least support the two of you." Harue said as stood up and went back to her seat across Mayumi.

"There is nothing we can do about it. And I can't blame him for reacting like that." Mayumi said as she looked outside the window.

Two Hours later…

Upon landing inside this Village's sub-airport...

"Finally, we have arrived." Hikaru said as he and the others were walking out of the Aerostat.

"Uh? Are you alright? Your face is still all red and puffy." Hiiro said as he asked Hikaru looked at him.

"Don't worry your highness. I'm feeling better now. The medicine that you gave me works perfectly. Uh? Where is Eito?" Hikaru said as they looked at Eito waiting for them on the tarmac.

"You idiot, after what you did to my metal armor, I want you to completely stay away from me!" Eito said as he got angry and yelled to Hikaru.

"But I already apologized. I really didn't mean to throw up on your armor." Hikaru said as he and Hiiro approached Eito followed by 12 Imperial Soldiers.

"Forgive him Eito. He is just not used riding on an aerostat like you." Hiiro said as he tried to convince Eito.

"Uh?! But-? Your highness, please stay away from me. I still need to clean up my armor." Eito said as Hiiro stopped walking towards him and wondered.

"Yes. You really need to clean up or change your armor instead. You stink." Hikaru said as he took out a damp cloth and covered his nose.

"Huh!? And whose fault is this?! Unbelievable!" Eito said as he stomped away from Eito and Hikaru.

"He is right. You should at least change your armor. You cannot fight wearing that." Hiiro said as one of the Imperial Soldiers approached him, carrying a rectangular wooden box. Inside it is his extra metal armor.

"Your highness, I-I cannot use your extra armor. I can just go back to inside the Aerostat and get my spare one." Eito said as he refused but Hiiro insisted, and the Imperial Soldier gave the box to him. 

"Hurry Stinky, we are here for the rescue mission -…Huh?" Hikaru said as he was interrupted by a carriage that have arrived inside the tarmac and stopped beside them.

"Good morning, your highness. I'm Nao, a resident of 'Iytheria' and I am here to guide you going to our borders." Nao, the coachman said as he introduced himself.

"Alright! Both of you are coming with me." Hiiro said as Nao opened the door and went inside the carriage.

"But? Wait! I need to change my armor – Eh?" Eito said as Hikaru sighed and dragged him to get inside the carriage.

"As you wish your highness. Eito let's go!" Hikaru said as they went inside the carriage. The other Imperial Soldiers surrounded the carriage, and they all left the tarmac.

60 minutes later

Inside the carriage…

"Are we there yet? Woah! What are those things?" – Hikaru said as he looked outside the window and saw seven, huge windmills around the area.

"No! We are – Oh, those? Those are the famous windmills of my 'Village'. Thanks to the Kozuki Family, those windmills can now generate enough electricity to power-up the entire 'Village' for 100 years." Eito said as he explains while removing this metal leg armor.

"100 years?! That's amazing! Then, I'm curious why those four windmills are rotating counterclockwise." – Hiiro said as he continues his observations. 

"Those are what we call the 'Four Reversed Windmills'. The Kozuki family used their 'Air-Alementalian' magic during the reconstruction of those windmills. Now, each of those windmills can generate twice electricity than the others. The Windmills also attracted tourists from the other, three 'Villages' every year." – Eito said as he explains and took off his leather, war boots. 

"Are we there yet?" Hikaru said as he got bored and asked Eito, for the third time and who was sitting across him and Hiiro.

"Not yet. Based on the reports, the landing site is about 90 minutes away from the airport. We will arrive there soon. Uh? What is that smell?" Hiiro said as he looked at Eito and wondered.

"Hey, why are still wearing that stinky armor?" Hikaru said as he wondered and asked Eito.

"Ha! Endure it since it was YOUR fault anyway." Eito said as he moved the curtains and then looked outside the window.

"Hmm? Come on! I will help you." Hikaru said as he transferred to the empty seat beside Eito and grabbed the wooden box off his lap.

"Hey, give it back! What?!" Eito said as he took the wooden box away from Eito.

"Come on! Don't be shy. Here, raise your arms like this so that I can take off your chest armor." Hikaru said as he insisted, grabbed Eito's arms and raised it up in the air.

"W-what are you doing? Take your hands off me! It would be disrespectful to change my armor in front of his highness." Eito said as he blushed and shove Hikaru's right hand away.

"Uh? What are you? A girl?" Hikaru said as Eito got flustered and Hiiro giggled.

"What!? Of course, I am not! You fool!" Eito said as he got, he grabbed the wooden box and shoved it to Hikaru's face.

"Ah! I see. Then, I will just close my eyes so that you can change your armour. Please pat my right shoulder after you are done changing." Hiiro said as he literally closed his eyes.

"Your highness?! That would not be necessary – Eh!?"  Hikaru said as he grabbed his right arm and began taking off his metal shoulder pad.

"Eh!? What are you doing!? Hands off! I can do this myself."  Eito said as he pushed Hikaru back to his seat and began taking off his metal chest armor.

"Wow! Wait! Is this customized war armor? Amazing!" Hiiro said as he opened the box and took the silver chest armor out of the box.

"Yes. I'm impressed that you easily recognized that. Each Council member has their own customized war armor designed according to their rank, skills and 'Alementalian magic'. And give me that!" Eito said as he suddenly grabbed the silver armor off Hikaru's right hand and gave him his original armor.

"Eh? I didn't know that. I wonder who crafted this." Hikaru said as he put the silver helmet back inside the wooden box.

"Now, give me the other one. Huh?" Eito said as the carriage suddenly stopped.

"What happened? The carriage stopped. S-Sorry! I didn't mean to peak out." Hiiro said as he opened his eyes and blushed as he saw Eito still changing his armor.

"Your highness, I think something is wrong – Huh?" Hikaru said as he sensed something eerie outside their carriage and someone knocked on the door beside him.

"Pardon my intrusion, your highness.  It is me." The Imperial Captain said as he knocked on the door while waiting outside the carriage.

"Ah, yes! We were wondering why the carriage stopped. Did something happen?" Hiiro said as Hikaru partially opened the door and Hiiro peaked outside.

"Yes! Something happened your highness. The carriage stopped because Mr. Nao suddenly fell asleep on his seat. The Imperial Soldiers are trying to wake him up, but it seems useless." The Imperial Captain said as he reported to Hiiro.

"Hmm? Then, I should go out and check it myself." Hiiro said as he got curious, gently pushed the door and jumped off the carriage.

"Your highness! Where are you going?" Hikaru, Eito and the Imperial Captain said as they all yelled out.

"Y-your highness, you must go back inside the carriage. It is for your own safety." The Imperial Captain said as Hiiro casually stretched his arms.

"Don't worry. I will be alright. Captain, come with me." Hiiro said as he walked away and being followed by the Imperial Captain.

Hiiro jumped on the driver's seat, sat beside Mr. Nao who is currently unconsciousness and checked his pulse.

"Your highness, please come back. Huh? Smoke?" Eito said as he immediately jumped out the carriage and tried to chase Hiiro and the Imperial Captain, but he suddenly stopped as he saw a mysterious, white smoke surrounding their carriage.

"Your highness, please stand back. Soldiers, be alert!" The Imperial Captain said as the other Imperial Soldiers raised their wooden spears and carefully observed their surroundings.

"Your highness how is he?" The Imperial Captain said as he asked Hiiro. Hiiro took off his long, light brown colored cape and used it as a blanket to cover Mr. Nao.

"Don't worry. Mr. Nao only fell asleep. Someone might have used a spell to put him asleep." Hiiro said as he jumped off the carriage and looked around.

'Help! Somebody

Help us!

Please…'

"Did you hear that?" The first Imperial Soldier said as he heard someone crying for help inside the forest.

You are reading story Tale of the Demon Hero at novel35.com

"Yes! I heard that. You two please stay put and guard Mr. Nao while the three of you are coming with me. Let's go."  Hiiro said as he ordered to the first two Imperial Soldiers and suddenly ran away followed by three Imperial Soldiers as his support men.

"Your highness! Where – Uh?" Eito said as he jumped off the carriage, tried to chase Hiiro and the others but they already left.

"He is still the calm and reckless guy that I knew." The Imperial Captain said as he sighed and approached Eito and Hikaru who also jumped off the carriage.

"So, what are we going to do then?" Hikaru said as he asked Eito as closed the door until he sensed something eerie surrounding them.

"I think we should follow them. Uh? What is that smell?" The Imperial Captain said as he and Hikaru smelled something foul in the air.

"Look on the ground! What is that?" The second Imperial Soldier said as he and his fellow buddies saw a mysterious, gray fog surrounding the 'forest'.

"Fog? Wait! This is not a fog. Everyone, cover your face! Do not inhale this smoke!" Eito said as he recognized the mysterious fog; he, the Imperial Captain and Hikaru immediately covered their faces.

Unfortunately, it was too late for these five Imperial Soldiers, guarding the right side of the carriage. They inhaled the smoke and immediately fell asleep on the ground.

"Damn it! I should have noticed earlier. Keep covering your faces." Eito said as he ordered to the remaining four Imperial soldiers.

"Sir Eito what are we going to do?" The third Imperial Soldier said as he approached and asked Eito.

"We do not know what this place is so let's observe and be alert. Hey are you- Huh?" Eito said as Hikaru said something moving behind him and immediately pushed him away.

"Eito! Behind you!" Hikaru said as he pushed Eito away from the carriage and he fell on the ground.

"Sir Eito! Why did you –Eh?! Help!" The Imperial Captain said as he and the other Imperial Soldiers suddenly slipped and being dragged by moving, green vines away from the carriage.

"Eito, don't move." Hikaru said as he approached Eito and pulled out Eito's Long sword and immediately cut the moving vines around Eito.

Sadly, all of the remaining Imperial Soldiers were dragged going inside the forest.

"Hey, cover your face! This is not an ordinary 'fog'. Do not inhale it!" Eito said as tried to warn Hikaru, but it was too late, Hikaru already inhaled the 'poisonous smoke' and fell on the ground.

"I-I can't move my arms. W-what happened?" Hikaru said as he was lying down on the ground. Eito picked up his long sword and approached him.

"This is a 'Poisonous Smoke', one of the oldest 'Air-Alementalian magic'. It will paralyze your arms and legs but eventually the 'Alementalian Magic' will wore off after 10 minutes. Luckily, it does not have an effect on an 'Iytherian' like me."  Eito said as he tears off his shirt and used it to cover Hikaru's face.

"T-thank you. How about the others?" Hikaru said as Eito stood up and saw Mr. Nao still sleeping on the driver's seat.

"Everyone expect for Mr. Nao were gone. For the meantime, I will carry and get him to safety. Stay in here." Eito said as he ran away and left Hikaru, now lying upwards on the ground.

"Okay. And you still stink! You forgot to change your chest armor."  Hikaru said as he yelled out.

"Shut up! Now is not the time for that. Huh? Where did he go?" Eito said as he looked at the driver's seat and realized that Mr. Nao was gone.

"Alright! I can now move my right arm – Huh?!" Hikaru said as he gently moved his right arm but suddenly it was seized by a moving, green vine and immediately dragged him inside the forest.

"Hikaru, Mr. Nao is gone – Eh? Hikaru?! Where are you?" Eito said as he went back to Hikaru's place and found that he was also gone.

"There you are my Child." Mr. Nao said as he suddenly appeared behind Eito.

"Mr. Nao? When did you -?!" Eito said as he turned around and was surprised to see Mr. Nao standing behind him.

"Please come with me. The 'Yellow Queen' wants to meet you."  Mr. Nao said as he was about to strangle Eito, but Eito suddenly pulled out his Long Sword and cut his right arm.'

"Please do not touch me. Who are you? Where is the real Mr. Nao?" Eito said as he seriously asked the man who flinched and laughed out.

"So, my hunch was right. You are an 'Iytherian' that's why this magic does not affect you. But I wonder what happened to your friends who went inside the forest. "Mr. Nao said as Eito cursed under his breath and immediately ran away going inside the forest to find Hiiro and the others.

"Oh no, he got escaped. Well, that's fine. You can come out now." Mr. Nao said as 25 'Yellow elves' came out after hiding on the top of the trees and began disassembling the carriage while Mr. Nao ran away and hide under the bushes.

Few minutes later…

Hiiro and the three Imperial Soldiers went back to the carriage.  The first Imperial Soldier was carrying Mr. Geno on his back while the other three remains on guard.

"Captain, everyone we're back! Huh?!"  The first Imperial Soldier said as they ran back outside the forest and saw these 'Yellow Elves' destroying the carriage.

"Everyone! Cover your faces. Do not inhale this 'smoke'." Hiiro said as he tore up his shirt and used the cloth as a mask to cover his face.

But sadly, the three Imperial Soldiers already inhaled the 'poisoned air', lost consciousness and fell on the ground.

"Everyone! Eito! Hikaru! Where are you? I wonder where everyone went." Hiiro said as he called out Eito and Hikaru.

"Your highness! Please help me!" Mr. Nao said, pretending that he was scared and still hiding under the bushes.

"Mr. Nao! What are you doing in there? What happened?" Hiiro said as he heard Mr. Nao and approached him.

"Your highness! I'm glad you're alive. When I woke up, I saw Sir Eito and Sir Hikaru arguing if they should follow you to the forest or not, but Sir Hikaru insisted to help you and followed you to the forest. Few minutes later, Sir Eito and the remaining Imperial Soldiers decided to follow Sir Hikaru to the forest." Mr. Nao said as Hiiro listened to him while they are looking at the 'Yellow Elves'.

"Honestly, those two. I told them to wait in here, but they insisted to help. But I wonder where these 'Yellow Elves' came from". Hiiro said as he sighed and scratched his head.

"I-I don't know either your highness. I was feeding my horse when they came and attacked me. And then, they lost interest on me and began destroying the carriage instead. After that, I immediately ran away and hide in here." Mr. Nao said as he continued his made-up story and Hiiro helped him to get out of the bushes.

"Anyway, please behind those trees.  I will fend off those 'Yellow Elves'."  Hiiro said as he turned around and drew out his long sword.

"But! It is dangerous your highness.  Please allow me to help you." Mr. Nao said as he grabbed a long, wooden stick and offered his help to Hiiro.

"Mr. Nao? My first priority should be your safety and you do not have a proper weapon so please stay in here." Hiiro said as he insisted and yelled at Mr. Nao.

"As my 'Queen' predicted...Now sleep." Mr. Nao said as he intentionally hit Hiiro on the back of his head with the stick.

"Mr. Nao? W-who really are you? What have you done?" Hiiro said as he loses his consciousness and fell on the ground.

"Okay! That's enough. Let's bring him back to the 'garden'." Mr. Nao said as the 'Yellow Elves' stopped destroying the carriage and he gently carried Hiiro up on his back.

The 'Yellow Elves' slowly walk away from the carriage and lead Mr. Nao as they went inside the 'forest' and disappeared as the 'fog' slowly dispels.

On the other side of the forest…

"Your highness! Where are you?" Eito said as he tried to call Hiiro and the others while wandering inside the forest.

"There he is.

Now!"

The first 'Yellow Faerie' said as he was hiding behind the tree and telepathically commanded the other faeries to throw round pebbles at Eito's back.

"Hey... Pebbles? Where did this come from?" Eito said as he picked up the pebble, looked around and wondered.

"Next are the twigs.

Aim,

Fire!"

Yellow Faeries and Elves' - Yellow Faeries are small creatures that have a distinct amber colored wings and clothing while the Yellow Elves are shy creatures that wears an amber colored, pointed hat. These elves and faeries protect the forest and fond of deceiving/playing tricks with humans as they visit the forest.

The second 'Yellow Faerie' said as she was hiding up on a tree and commanded the other faeries to throw small twigs at Eito's head.

"Hey! Not again. Twigs? Come out, show yourself!" Eito said as he draws out his long sword and tried to call the 'Yellow Faeries'.  But the 'Yellow Faeries' did not listen to him and continued throwing pebbles and twigs at him.

"Okay. That's enough." Eito said as he got pissed off and using his superb ability, he caught a pebble using his right hand.

Eito found the 'Yellow Faeries' hiding up on the tree and threw the same pebble back at them. One of them got hit by the pebble and fell of the tree.

"Found you. Now, play time is over." Eito said as he approached the tree, picked up the fallen 'Yellow Faerie' and swing it back and forth.

The other 'Yellow Faeries' were enraged from what Eito just did to their friend and immediately flew out of their hiding places.  The first 'Yellow Faerie' again, threw a pebble to Eito's chest to get his attention.

"Ouch?... Hahaha! That didn't hurt me." Eito said as he stopped and laugh out.

The third 'Yellow Faerie' picked up a short, wooden stick on the ground, flew near Eito and start writing something on the ground.

"Uh?  Pot…hem…donw?  What?" Eito said as he tried to read what the 'Yellow Faerie' wrote on the ground.

The same 'Yellow Faerie' threw dust on his face and then starts rewriting something on the ground.

"Uh? Pit…Ham…donw? Ham? I, too like ham." Eito said as he again tried to read what the Yellow Faerie' wrote on the ground.

The third 'Yellow Faerie' got pissed off and threw the wooden stick on his right cheek instead.

"Ouch! What did you do that? Just tell me what do want." Eito said as he got angry and yelled at the 'Yellow Faerie'. 

The third 'Yellow Faerie' again, picked up the same wooden stick and then rewriting something on the ground.

"Let's see…'put him down.'. Oh, Okay! But before that, tell me where his highness and the other are and I promise that I will let him go." Eito said as he looked at the third 'Yellow Faerie' who again threw the wooden stick on his forehead and then nodded.

The 'Yellow Faeries' flew away and forcefully pushed Eito to walk going to the forest with them.

Inside the 'Mystic' Garden…

"Hey! Where are you taking me-...Your highness! Hikaru!" Eito said as he and the 'Yellow Faeries' arrived inside the 'Mystic Garden' and saw Hiiro and Hikaru both tied up on a tree.

"Your highness! Are you alright? Please do not move. I will untie both of you." Eito said as he put the 'Yellow Faerie' on the ground and drew out his long sword to cut the green vines around them.

"No! Eito, stop! You must get out of here. She will be back and – Huh?" Hiiro said as 'Queen Faeya' with Mr. Nao walking beside her.

"Welcome to the 'Mystic Garden', 'Iytherian' child. I am 'Queen Faeya', the ruler of this garden. I assume that you have changed your mind and finally brought us the 'Book of Prophecies'." Queen Faeya said as she stood up from her wooden throne and welcomed Eito and the others.

"H-how did you know that? That 'book' was destroyed after the former Imperial Prince threw it on the river." Eito said as he scratched the back of his head and wondered.

"Then, you are lying after all." Queen Faeya said as she magically commanded the vines to bring forward the Hiiro, 12 sleeping Imperial Soldiers and the other two 'Iytherian Representatives' and tied all of them up the tree branches.

"Your highness, what is she talking about?" Eito said as he wondered and asked Hiiro.

"I told them that I asked you to run away with the 'Book of Prophecies' to divert their attention, but it seems that my plan failed. Huh?" Hiiro said as he was disappointed and wonders while looking at Hikaru and Eito.

"Return the 'book' to me, my dear children." Queen Faeya said as she insisted to Hikaru and Eito. Hikaru silently pulled out his pocketknife and began cutting the vines around him.

"Hey! Stop squirming or else we will be eaten. What are you doing?" Eito said as he asked Hikaru.

"Alright! I will give you the 'book'. Ah!!!" Hikaru said as he successfully cut off the vine and fell off the tree.

"What?! You fool!" – Eito and Hiiro both yelled out as they tried to untangle the vines off their armors. 

"Wait, that 'book' was back in my room. How did he-?" – Hiiro said as he whispered to himself.

"You fool! What are you doing? You are going to get yourself killed." Eito said as he tried to untangle the vines off his legs.

"I have that 'book'. I will give it to you in one condition." Hikaru bravely said as he looked at Queen Faeya.

"Interesting. I am listening." Queen Faeya said as she walked towards Hikaru.

"Okay. But first…what kind of 'book' are we talking about?" Hikaru said as he wonders and asked Queen Faeya.

"Five second silence for this idiot." Elfie said as he sighed.

"Hahaha! You are really something." Queen Faeya said as she cheerfully laughs out.

"We're finished." Eito said as he lost his hope and stops untangling the vines.

"Hahaha! What an interesting fellow." Hiiro said as he cheerfully laughs out.

"Our Queen is laughing. She is laughing. It is a miracle!" Elfie, the 'Elder Elf' AKA 'Mr. Nao' said as he and the other 'Yellow Faeries and Elves' look at their Queen.

"S-stop laughing! I aspire to become a 'Hero', a 'Hero' who wants peace even with his enemies. Oh! That's a rhyme." Hikaru said as Queen Faeya smiles and goes back to her wooden throne.

"Very well. Then, my dear children please bring everyone down on the ground." Queen Faeya said as she commanded her 'Yellow Faeries and Elves' to untie their hostages.

Using their razor-sharp wings, the 'Yellow Faeries' flew up on the trees and cut the vines that binds their hostages. One by one, the hostages safely fell on the ground except for Eito.

"I guess we are not welcomed in here. Are you alright?" – Mrs. Saki said as she stood up and asked Ms. Annie.

"Here. Please allow me to help you, your highness." Hiiro said as he offered his help to Ms. Annie.

"Thank you. But I am fine. See?" Ms. Annie said as she suddenly stood up and dusted off her skirt.

"Sir Hiiro! Are you alright?" The Imperial Captain said as he and the other 12 imperial soldiers approached him.

"I am alright. Soldiers! Take the 'Iytherian Representatives' to safety and out of here." Hiiro said as he commanded the Soldiers.

"Yes, sir! Your highnesses. Please come with us." The Imperial Captain said as Mrs. Saki and Ms. Annie followed the 12 Imperial Soldiers out of the 'Garden'.

"How about you, Your highness? We cannot just leave you in here." – The Imperial Captain said as Hiiro sighed.

"Don't worry! I will be fine. And I still need to help him." Hiiro said as he and the Imperial Captain both looked above and saw Eito.

"Hey! Get away from me. I can untie myself. Enough! Hey! Do not touch my hair!" Eito yelled out as some mischievous 'Yellow Faeries' kept poking his face.

"Now soldier, leave! Wait for us outside the forest." – Hiiro said as the Imperial Captain ran out of the 'Garden'.

"Thank goodness! everything went well." Hikaru said as he sighed and ran going to Hiiro's place.

"Hey! Odd fellow, not bad. Just like your Father." Hiiro said as he pats Hikaru's right shoulder.

"My father? Thank you, your highness." Hikaru cheerfully said as the 'Yellow Faeries' finally cut off the remaining vines and Eito fell on the ground, behind Hikaru and Hiiro.

"Ow-…Stay away from me. Shoo! Shoo!" Eito said as he suddenly stood up and gently pushed away the 'Yellow Faeries'.

"Everyone is here. Let's leave." Hiiro said as he commanded Hikaru and Eito. The three was about to leave the 'Garden' when…

"Please wait, my dear children." Queen Faeya said as he called out Hikaru and Hiiro.

"Uh? What is it, your highness?" Eito said as he stopped and asked Queen Faeya.

"Please remember this: 'THE PROPHECY MUST NOT COME TRUE'."  Queen Faeya said as Eito and Hikaru wondered and then ran out of the 'Garden'.

"Hey, woman. You really don't need to say that." Hiiro said as he stayed and got pissed off.

"Hey! Watch your mouth, traitor." Elfie said as he and the other 'Yellow Faeries and Elves' got angry to Hiiro.

"I am not talking to you. I do not know who told you about the 'Book of Prophecies' but you really, really need to shut up or this sword will make you." Hiiro said as he got enraged and pulled out his Longsword.

"Oh my, someone is being afraid. I am pretty sure those children did not understand my warning." Queen Faeya said as Elfie and the other 'Yellow Faeries and Elves' grabbed their sharp weapons and surrounded him.

"My apologies. Little, faery and elf children must not play with sharp objects. I shall now take my leave. Excuse me." Hiiro said as he kneels down, gently grabbed the sharp knife away from a 'Yellow Elf' and threw it away.

Hiiro ran away and out of the 'Garden'.

"Tch! That damn brat. Are you alright, your highness?" Elfie said as he asked Queen Faeya.

"I am fine. Hiiro's ambitions took control over him. I am afraid that things will get worst after this. I apologize that I, your Queen cannot even stop him." Queen Faeya sadly said as she apologized to her subjects.

"Your highness, you must not apologize. I failed my duty as the 'Elder Elf'. We, I, let those strangers enter the 'Garden'. I failed! I must be punished." Elfie cried as he kneels down on the ground.

"I will not punish you. So, please stand up. By the way, how are we doing with the preparations?" Queen Faeya said as she asked Elfie.

"Yes, your highness! We are done with the preparations. We can now transfer to our evacuation centers." Elfie said as Queen Faeya stood up.

"Excellent! My loyal subjects, we leave our 'Garden' and go to your designated evacuation centers. Bring your necessary things and young faerie and elves must be our priority." Queen Faeya said as she commanded her subjects.

"Yes, Your Highness!" the 'Yellow Faeries and Elves' yelled out and they began running away.

"Hurry! Faster my fellow 'Yellow Elves'. How about you, your highness?" Elfie said as he guides everyone out of the 'Garden' and asked Queen Faeya.

"I will stay in here. You take the others to safety. Hurry!" Queen Faeya said as Elfie sobbed and joined with the other 'Yellow Elves'.

"What is happening? Mother!"  Faiye, the 'Faery Princess', eldest daughter of Queen Faeya said as she went inside the 'Garden' to find her mother.

"Faiye, my dear child. What are you doing in here?" Queen Faeya said as Faeya approached her.

"I've heard that strangers have invaded our 'Garden'. I immediately flew I here hoping to stop them. Where are they? Where are they?!" Faiye said as she flew up the 'Garden' to search for these invaders.

"Calm down my dear child. I let them go." Queen Faeya said, making Faiye disappointed.

"Princess Faiye! We must evacuate immediately." Elfie said as he grabbed Faiye's right hand and dragged her away.

"Eh? How about my mom? Mother!" Faiye said as she looked back to her mother who smiled at her.

"Hurry princess! Your safety is my utmost priority." Elfie said as he continues to pull Faiye out of the 'Garden'.

"Wait! Stop! Why do we need to leave the 'Garden'?" Faiye said as she asked Elfie.

"The Annual Golden 'Faery Hunt' begins tomorrow. We must hurry." Elfie said as he continues to pull Faiye out of the forest.

Ten minutes later

"The prophecy must not come true. Or else… Who is there?"  Queen Faeya said as she heard the green bushes rustles, five meters away from her.

"Woah! Calm down! It's me. Your husband." King Philip, the 'King of Elves', said as he jumped out of the green bushes to surprise his wife.

"Darling!? I thought you were helping the other 'Yellow Elves' back in the evacuation centers." Queen Faeya said as King Philip approached her.

"I was. But Faiye suddenly flew away without finishing her tasks, so I followed her to the 'Garden'. As we predicted, things are getting worst from now on." King Philip said as he looked up in the sky.

"I wonder if my warning is enough though." Queen Faeya sadly said as King Philip tousled her long, wavy hair.

"Don't worry! Everything will be alright. I hope so…" King Philip sadly said as he hugged his wife.

"Then, you stay in here and by guard on duty for tonight." Queen Faeya said as she gently pushed his husband and walks out of the 'Garden'.

"Okay. Wait!? Me? I still need to help the other 'Yellow Elves'." King Philip said as Queen Faeya went out of the 'Garden'.

That night, back in 'Iytheria'….

Hikaru, Eito, Hiiro, the 'Iytherian Reps.' & the other Imperial Soldiers arrived safely back at 'Iytheria'.

Outside the Yoshiyuki Family's Official Residence

"Is that Master Eito? Eh, Master Eito! I must immediately leave and tell the others." The male gardener said as he saw Eito and the others walking in the front yard.

"Good evening. I-I'm back! But before that…Eh?" Eito said as he was about to approached him, but the overjoyed male gardener suddenly ran away.

"The young Master has arrived! Hurry!  Open up the front gates." The female gardener said as the 'Lower Knights' immediately opens the gates.

"I apologize. I should have brought something for your family." Mr. Geno said as while Hiiro was carrying him on his back.

"You don't need to apologize your highness. We must immediately bring you to the Infirmary room. Knights! Please assist and lead them to the Infirmary room." Eito said as he commanded the two 'Lower Knights' who immediately followed his order.

The 'Iytherian Reps', Mr. Geno, Mrs. Saki and Ms. Annie were immediately brought to the inside the Mansion while Eito lead Hikaru and Hiiro to the front doors.

In their Front yard…

"T-this is your house?! A-amazing!" Hikaru exclaimed as he saw Eito's house.

"Amazing! it is really huge. But not as huge as our Estate." Hiiro exclaimed as he also remembers their Estate back in 'Aethyria'.

"Well, it is not actually that huge. My father designed it to become – Uh? Mother?!" Eito said as he was interrupted by his mother who suddenly opened the front doors and hugged him.

"My cute little boy is home! I missed you. And you brought your friends too." Mrs. Azumi Yoshiyuki, Eito's mother said as she hugs his son.

"My friends?! No, you are wrong. He is just my fellow Imperial Soldier." Eito said as his mother continues to hug him.

"Good evening Madam. I am Hiiro Matsuoka. It is my pleasure to meet you." Hiiro said as he introduced himself.

"I'm Hikaru Hashimoto. Nice to meet you Auntie." Hikaru said as he introduced himself, making Hiiro and Eito flinched.

"A-Auntie? Ha-ha-ha. I'm Azumi Yoshiyuki, Eito's mother. It is nice to meet you – Wait! Hashimoto? You have the same last name with Mr. Kai." Mrs. Azumi said as she recognized Hikaru's last name.

"Uh? Actually Mr. Kai…No! Mr. Hashimoto is my father." Hikaru shyly said as he introduces his father.

"What? You're Mr. Hashimoto's son?! Dear! Come here quick. The 'First Imperial Hero's son came to visit us. Look!" Mrs. Azumi said as she dragged her husband out of the front door.

"Oh, my really? Sorry for the late introduction. I am Eiko Yoshiyuki, the Head of the Yoshiyuki Family. It is my pleasure to meet you." Mr. Eiko said as he introduced himself to everyone.

"Good evening Sir. I am Hiiro Matsuoka. It is my pleasure to meet -..." Hiiro said as was interrupted by Mr. Eiko.

"Shut up. I am not talking to you." Mr. Eiko said as making Hiiro flinched.

"Eh? So much for a welcome greeting, old man." Hiiro said as he teased Mr. Eiko making everyone flinched.

"I-I'm Hikaru. It is nice to meet you too sir." Hikaru said as also introduces himself.

"The son of the noble Hero came to visit us. This costs for a celebration! Butlers! Immediately prepare the dining hall and ask the family chefs to cook their best dishes. Tell them that we have a special guest. Hurry!"  Mrs. Azumi said as their butlers ran away and went inside the mansion.

"Welcome to our humble abode. Don't be shy! Please come in." Mr. Eiko said as he gently pushed Hiiro and Hikaru away.

"Come in! Come in! Don't be shy. And Eito, may I have a word with you? Privately." Mr. Eiko said as Eito stopped from walking.

"Yes, Father." Eito said as he looked at his father.

"I personally went to the 'Main Island' to watch your demonstration and honestly, what a lousy performance. I expected so much from you." Mr. Eiko said as he was disappointed with Eito's performance on their last field training.

"I apologize, Father. I assure you that it will never happened again." Eito said as he humbly apologizes to his father.

"With your 'Special Ability', you could have finished the fight easily. I am disappointed. Anyway, I have guests to attend to. Go the Infirmary and ask your elder sister to come down and help us in the preparation." Mr. Eiko said as he commanded Eito, walked away and went inside the mansion.

"Yes, Father." Eito sadly said as he also went inside their mansion.

Inside the Yoshiyuki Mansion,

On the third floor

10 minutes later…

"Eito! You're back!" Lilia Yoshiyuki, Eito's older sister, yelled out as she saw Eito went out of his room.

"Big sister? Hey, stop squishing my cheeks." Eito said as he gently pulled away Lilia's hands off his right cheeks.

"Welcome back! I missed you. Let me see, did father scold you again?" Lilia said as she asked Eito who seems upset from what happened earlier that night.

"I-I'm back. I am fine, thank you. Yeah. He did scold me earlier. He seems really upset." Eito said as Lilia hugged him back.

"Don't worry! You did your best and that's enough. Now, let's go downstairs and eat." Lilia said as she gently pushed Eito in the hallway.

"He-hey! Big sister, please do not push me. How about the 'Iyhterian Reps'?" Are they alright?" Eito said as he asked Lilia.

"Well? Yes! They are alright. They have some minor injuries, but they will live." Lilia said as Eito suddenly stopped from walking.

"There you are! Man, this mansion is huge. Your father, I mean, Mr. Yoshiyuki asked me to get you." Hiiro said as he found Eito and Lilia in the 3rd floor Hallway.

"Your highness. Uh? Big sister? What are you doing?" Eito said as Lilia suddenly hides behind him.

"Don't move. Hide me." Lilia said as she commanded Eito.

"Um…Good evening, Ms. Lilia. I am Hiiro Matsuoka. It is nice to meet you." Hiiro said as he introduced himself to Lilia.

"Ignore him. Just ignore him. Pretend that he is not here." Lilia whispered to herself.

"Anyway, I am also here to check on the 'Iytherian Reps', so you go on ahead and enjoy the party." Hiiro said as he was about to run away but Eito suddenly grabbed right arm.

"Sir Hiiro, please wait. Allow me to go in the Infirmary instead." Eito said as Hiiro looked at him.

"Hm? Okay. Go ahead."  Hiiro said as he agrees, and Eito runs away.

"Hey! How dare you leave your older sister with this despicable guy?"  Lilia said as she got disappointed and looked at Hiiro.

"Hello! It is really nice to see you again. Lilia." Hiiro seriously said as he tousled Lilia's hair.

"It's 'Ms. Lilia' remember? And hands off. I bet you're still upset after I rejected your marriage proposal last six months ago." Lilia said as she taunted Hiiro, but Hiiro just looked at her.

"Oh? That was six months ago. Well, I am not disappointed, and I have Akari to support me." Hiiro said as he proudly crossed his arms.

"Ms. Akari is stupid enough to support you. I pity her." Lilia said as she proudly crossed her arms.

"From what I remembered, you refused to join in the 'Alliance' because of her or was that you are just jealous that I REJECTED our arrange marriage. I bet it was the latter." Hiiro said as he taunted Lilia who got pissed off.

"Shut up. Why would I marry a traitor like you?" Lilia said as she got pissed off and suddenly threw her small, medieval knife onto Hiiro who caught it using his bare, right hand.

"I knew it. Hahaha! You are still jealous. Don't worry! After I become the new 'Imperial Ruler', I will assign you to the I.C.H.Q and work as our child's handmaid." Hiiro said as he teased Lilia who suddenly yawns in front of him.

"Jealous? You mean 'hatred'.  And you as the new 'Imperial Ruler'? I highly doubt that." Lilia said as she smirked and walked away from Hiiro.

"Well, let's see about that. Oh, Eito's back." Hiiro said as he saw Eito and the 'Iytherian Reps.' Walking behind him.

Downstairs

Inside the Dining Hall…

"Oh my, you are late! Come in. Please join with us." Mr. Eiko said as he welcomed the 'Iytherian Reps', his children and Hiiro. Lilia ignored everyone and went straight to the dining tables.

"I apologize. We already started the party without you." Mrs. Azumi said as he approached the 'Iytherian Reps'.

"No. Not at all. Thank you for taking care of us. By the way, where is he?" Mr. Geno said as he looked around trying to find Hikaru.

"Your highnesses! I am glad that you are all alright." Hikaru said as he saw the 'Iytherian Reps.' and ran towards them.

"There he is! Our young savior has arrived. I've heard that you used your superb communication skills to convince the 'Yellow Queen' to free all of the hostages. Amazing! Your late father will be so proud you." Mr. Geno said as he pats Hikaru's right shoulder.

"Thank you very much! But Sir Hiiro and Eito were also there to help me." Hikaru said as everyone looked at Hiiro and Eito.

"Yeah! That's right. It is not fair to give him all the credits in this rescue mission." Hiiro said as he pouted, making Ms. Annie giggle.

"Ah! Yes, I almost forgot that. Thank you for saving us, Sir Hiiro and Eito." Mrs. Saki said as Hiiro smiles while Eito blushes.

"Now, lead me to the dining table. I am hungry. Come join with us, Young Savior." Mr. Geno said as he, Mrs. Saki, Mr. Eito and Mrs. Azumi walks away and went to the dining table.

"But I already ate – Eh?" Hikaru said as Mrs. Saki grabbed his right arm and dragged him going to the dining tables.

"That man, honestly…" Hiiro said as he sighs making Ms. Annie giggle.

"Sir Hiiro, the 'Candidates' Presentation is just around the corner. I wonder if 'Princess' Harue has made her decision." Ms. Annie said as she wonders.

"Uh? About that? She finally managed to choose her 'Candidate' after six months. I just hope He will be the right person who can help this, Kingdom." Hiiro said as he crossed his arms.

"Then, that's good news. The Second 'Imperial Council' will be overjoyed with this." Ms. Annie said as she walks away and joined the others eating on the dining table.

Back in the 'Main Island'

In the 'I.C.H. Q'

As Hiiro's condition, Harue and her maid were both transferred to the I.C.H.Q. 

Inside Harue's bedroom

"Why? I-I cannot! This ruins my skin care routine." Harue said as she rolls back and forth on her bed for the 5th time.

"Your highness, it is way past bedtime. I suggest you go to sleep." Maid #1 said as she stood by on the door, watching her to fall asleep.

"Then, I want you bring me some warm milk and cookies. Immediately!" Harue said as she commanded her maid.

"But? Your highness. As you wish your highness." Maid #1 said as she opened the door and went out of Harue's room.

"1,2,3 Go! I must find that book." Harue said as she jumped out of her bed and sneaked out of her room. Harue went out to visit her big brother's room.

Inside the Advisor's Room…

"Excuse me, I'm coming in. Eh? Wow! This is the Advisor's room." Harue said as she gently opened the door and went inside the Advisor's room.

"Let's see. I wonder where is that book." Harue said as she quietly walks inside the room, checking each bookshelf for that book.

"There you are, your highness!" Maid#1 said as she suddenly appeared behind her.

"What?! Hey! When did you-? You found me." Harue said as she suddenly flinched and turned around.

"I told you to always close the door after entering the room. What are you doing in here?" Maid#1 said as she asked Harue.

"Now you are here help me find that storybook. The ones big brother reads to me every night." Harue said as she commanded her maid.

"I will help you, your highness. So, what is the title of that storybook?" Maid #1 said as she asked Harue.

"Uh? About that? I forgot the title of that storybook." Harue said as Maid#1 sighed and began scanning the bookshelves.

There are five bookshelves inside the Advisor's room. Harue and her maid began scanning each bookshelf. Each bookshelf houses 100 books and journals Hiiro used to collect and read before he got busy with his duty.

Upon searching, Harue looked around and got curious on the 'book' placed on the top of his big brother's desk.

"Huh? What is this?" Harue said as she ran towards the desk and grabbed the 'book'.

The 'Key'

Found the

'Book'

"What? The 'Key'? Who's there?" Harue said as she heard the voice out of nowhere.

"Your highness? Is everything alright? Oh my! You found the storybook." Maid#1 said as she approached Harue.

"Who's there? Who are you?" Harue said as shed got afraid and asked the mysterious voice.

"Your highness, who are you talking to?" Maid#1 said as she wondered and asked Harue.

"Let's get out of here." Harue said as she grabbed Maid #1's right hand and ran out of the room.

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