Right now Arkanio and I were walking side by side towards the city center where I was before.

When we arrived at a slightly crowded place, Arkanio suddenly stopped in front of me. He blocked my path while looking at me with stern expression.

I tilted my head a little. "What's wrong? Do you need something?"

Arkanio fell silent, glancing behind me. The curious me followed Arkanio's gaze. There was a person in a familiar brown robe leaning against a wall and eating a... I don't know what's that- maybe some kind of apple?

He removed his hood, revealing his navy-black hair. I am now sure that he is Alvanio. Even though his mask has now changed to a bear, I still recognize his white eyes that always amaze me.

He smiled and waved, greeting me. I waved back, smiling a little.

He came over to me after finishing the fruit and threw it away.

Suddenly Arkanio pulled me back. His tall body and broad shoulders blocked my view from Alvanio.

"Hey now, aren't you being rude by pointing a sharp object to a stranger?" Alvanio's voice sounded calm, but seemed a little disturbed.

"I don't like talking to enemy. Tell me what do you want. Why did you following us? Did someone send you? Or are you just a shameless stalker?" Arkanio's voice sounded heavy now.

After that, neither of them spoke. It seemed they were staring intently at each other.

I tapped Arkanio's shoulder with my index finger lightly many times, but he didn't budge even once.

"Uhm... Arka? He's not an enemy, he's an acquaintance of mine." My words made Arkanio turn to me.

"This person? Are you not mistaken?" He glanced at Alvanio suspiciously.

I tilted my body, looked Alvanio up and down then straightened my body. "I'm not mistaken, he is my acquaintance."

Arkanio was silent for a moment then stepped away from me.

I saw Alvanio walking over with a smile. "Hello, Lady Squirrel. What are you doing here?"

"Walk. How about you?" I tilted my head a little.

"I'm looking for him." He said while pointing at Arkanio with his thumb.

Arkanio frowned. "Me? I don't even know you."

Alvanio put his arm around Arkanio's shoulders, tiptoeing slightly due to the height difference. "But I know this great white knight. Everyone knows you."

Arkanio pushed away the hand that was presumptuously wrapped his shoulders. "What do you want?"

Alvanio was silent for a moment, looking around. Then he pointed to one of the people in the crowd. "Can you catch that person?" He said to Arkanio.

"That man? Why should I catch him?"

Alvanio shrugged his shoulders. "I can't tell you. But clearly the crown prince is looking for him" He took out a pin and showed it to Arkanio.

The pin is engraved with a golden-red crown. Usually given to someone who receives a mission directly from the crown prince. If anyone duplicates the pin, torture and death penalty will be given.

But that doesn't seem to be a problem for someone, because he's never been caught once. And that person is Alvanio. The information guild leader who is very good at hiding his crimes.

Speaking of his criminal acts, I remember one scene on his route where he killed several people who wanted to destroy his guild. And to make matters worse, no one remembers them, as if they never existed. I don't know what he did.

I get goosebumps when I remember that. And the fact that I'm in the same world right now doesn't make me any better.

"How come his highness command you who couldn't catch just one person..." Arkanio sighed then he approached the person. Alvanio also followed him, and I couldn't help but following them.

Arkanio tapped the person's shoulder, causing the person to flinch and stare at him, surprised.

"Hey, you're wanted by him." Arkanio looked at that person lazily and pointed at Alvanio who was now crossing his arms.

"Huh? I don't know him." The man furrowed his brows.

"You know the crown prince right? He's looking for you. Come with me."

I gaped at Arkanio's words while Alvanio chuckled.

The man glared and was about to run, but Arkanio quickly grabbed his hand and slammed him down. Arkanio bent the person's arms behind his back and pressed his neck firmly, making the person unable to rebel.

Is this what is meant by 'talk about it first, if you can't then violence is the key' that my friends used to say?

"So, what should I do now?" Arkanio looked at Alvanio in annoyance.

"Now you have to help me catch the other members." Alvanio said lightly.

"Huh?! I have nothing to do with this. Aren't you the one the crown prince ordered?" Arkanio scowled in annoyance.

"Hm... then that's fine. I can tell the crown prince that the white knight refuses to help with state affairs. That way your name will be tainted. Maybe your title will be tarnished too." Alvanio smiled slyly.

"Does the crown prince know I'm here? He won't believe it." Arkanio snorted.

"Want to bet? Me, the one who is trusted to handle the case or you, who are just a knight. Who will crown prince believe?" Alvanio's words made Arkanio speechless.

He's so sly... poor Arkanio. Lemme pat you in my mind.

"Ugh! Alright! Where are the others?" Alvanio stood up, holding the collar of the person who seemed to have fainted from the impact he received.

"Who knows." Alvanio shrugged his shoulders.

Arkanio widened his eyes. "Huh? Then? You want us to look for them one by one?!"

Alvanio walked over to the fainted person and reached into his pocket. He took out a paper and showed it to Arkanio. "More precisely we can catch them in one place at a time after reading this letter."

Alvanio opened the paper and it's written... a set of numbers?

I tilted my head slightly, looking at Alvanio in confusion. "25CB90701? What's that mean?"

He smiled brightly. "A very important clue. They are stupid, but I didn't expect them to use such an easy-to-read trick."

"This is a trick? I don't understand." Arkanio said to which I nodded. I must admit we're not sma- I mean not used to this kind of thing.

Alvanio turned his back on us and walked leisurely. "On the paper it says 'Bar at 12 PM'. Let's go, it's almost noon. According to my calculations, we will arrive at the bar located near the border at noon if we leave now." Arkanio and I followed him.

On the way to our destination Alvanio explained the contents of the letter.

Well, for geniuses who have high IQs, they must have solved it a long time ago. I admit I'm not a genius because I can't solve this commonly used trick.

So, the explanation starts from the letters A=0, B=1, C=2 and so on. If it reaches 9 then it returns to 0. Like- J=9, K=0, L=1 and so on. Numbers are replaced by letters, and letters are replaced by numbers.

25CB90701 is MP 21 TA RAB. Well, after that we read from the back. So BAR AT 12 PM. Got it? No? Not my problem.

Anyways- now the three of us are standing in front of the bar. On the door hangs a 'closed' sign.

Alvanio opened the door and barged in, followed by me and Arkanio who walked in front of me. There were about a dozen people inside. They looked at us in confusion.

Alvanio waved his left hand. "Hello! Mind if we join?"

They were silent, no one made a sound.

"Does that mean no? Hm.. then.." Alvanio walked towards me. He took off his bear mask and put it on my face.

What is this? Did you just took off your mask? And again, what is this?! You look so handsome when you take off your mask! Why are you all so handsome?!

"Lady squirrel." He turned me around and pushed me out. "Wait here ok? Don't go inside." I turned around and he ruffles my hair for a second then closed the door.

Aish! Don't just touch someone's head! And don't ruffle my hair! It'll get tangled!

I pursed my lips.

"Lady Lavenia..." Someone's call made me turn around and find Helios running towards me breathlessly.

He took my hands and examined my hands and face. "Are you okay? Where have you been? Why are you here? And... why are you wearing a mask?" Helios looked at me worriedly.

I blinked twice "Can you ask one question at a time? Not all at once-" I was cut off by the sudden pain I felt in my chest. I crouched down and pressed it.

"Lady!" Helios crouched down. "Give me the crystal ball, we are going home now."

Huh? Now? But I haven't tried all the snacks here- ugh! Forget it! The pain is getting worse, I give up!

I gave Helios the marble and he took it and rolled it a little away from us. Suddenly the marble emits smoke and changes shape.

It's very similar to Damarius! His appearance and clothes were like Damarius from this morning, but this clone had neither face nor color.

Helios crouched behind me. "Get on my back."

...wait, you mean me? Don't want to!

I shook my head. "I can walk." I said despite knowing I can't stand.

Helios sighed. "You're not very good at lying. Get on my back before the magic wears off. You don't want to stay here for a whole day, do you?" On the door hangs a 'closed' sign

Well, not being able to go home is a bad thing... UGH! OKAY! Just this once! Pity my pride if it's too often...

I get onto Helios' back, wrapping my arms around his neck. He took Damarius clone's outstretched hand and we immediately teleported to the mansion's entrance.

Sigh... I'm still not used to this, it always gives me a headache.

The clone turned into smoke and disappeared. Helios stepped inside, still carrying me.

Wait a moment! I still don't know what happened to Arkanio, Alvanio and that group of people.. What happened to them?

I looked at Helios' face from the side. He looks down and tired.

Sigh.. I'm curious but it can't be helped, I'm already home. I guess now I'd better relax, because those two aren't easy to beat. And again I have nothing to do with those two.

I rested my head on Helios' shoulder and accidentally fell asleep.





A/N: Sorry my dear readers, I'm sad to say this but I have midterm exams. And there will be no update for next week. But dw, to make it up, you can request for the next chapter:)