"Don't you notice how...? I get all quiet when no one's around."
- Laufey
Coming back to the bar, Xiaomao and Daisuke entered the bar with their disguises.
As usual Xiaomao now had white long hair still wearing her mask, while Daisuke had a hood over his head.
Going into the bar, they noticed how deserted it was, having only a few adventurers pile up in the corner.
"There you are, The Untitled as been waiting for you. You can go on straight to the back, it'll lead you to the fields where your team is." Atticus stretched continuing, "Unless you want a drink of course."
She gave Daisuke a quick look and then nodded, "No thank you, we'll be off on our way. Good day."
She walked in front of Daisuke leading the way, occasionally fitting her mask back at a comfortable position.
After walking for a bit, she finally noticed three people on the field.
The field was vast to say, but deserted. There was no one else to be seen except three figures hidden in the shadows.
One was holding a cigarette, he had a tall and muscular figure, his hair was also up in a bun.
Xiaomao presumed that it was Ren.
And next to Ren was Matsuri resting her head on this unfamiliar face.
But yet to Xiaomao it was ever so familiar.
She wasn't sure if she could put a name to the person's face, but she knew they met somewhere.
She just didn't know where.
"Oi! Newbies over here!" The unknown figure shouted, waving to Xiaomao.
Xiaomao and Daisuke walked over to them with a bit more speed, finally showing face to them.
Panting, they stopped and bowed until Ren nodded his head.
"Welcome, I presume you heard the introduction from Atticus, correct?" Ren began, his eyes began to chase every visible feature on Xiaomao and Daisuke.
"Correct." Xiaomao responded, trying not to look away from Ren. His impenetrable gaze looked them down, making it unbearable to stand.
"What is your name traveler?" Matsuri questioned, leaving the side of the unknown figure.
"This is Daisuke of the Daylily." Xiaomao spoke, pointing towards Daisuke.
"And I am called Amane Ibuki of the Rose clan. We both derive from the Shengyu Kingdom." She stopped, carefully noticing their expressions.
"I see, may I ask a question?" Ren asked, walking closer to Xiaomao and Daisuke.
"Are you the same Daisuke that burnt down Raison Villa"
He demanded, stepping infront of Daisuke.
"No he is not." Xiaomao spoke, standing infront of Daisuke.
"Let the boy speak." He glared at Xiaomao, trying to push her aside.
"Let the boy be." She snapped, putting more force on her hand to stop Ren from speaking directly to Daisuke.
The boy moved back more, slowly freezing in place.
He was unable to move more, with his thoughts running left and right.
Are they fighting because of me?
...
No- no not again.
He scrambled his words to try and utter a word, however once he opened his mouth he was only able to utter a faint sound.
"The boy is unable to speak." Xiaomao spat, looking directly at Ren's eyes. After staring at them she quickly looked away to Daisuke, motioning that nothing had happened.
Ren huffed and slowly moved to Matsuri and the unknown figure. "Well you can't blame me, I have to know who is coming on my crew."
"Well? Has it proved to satisfy your standards?" Xiaomao asked bitterly, staring over to the unknown figure.
"Um, aside from that. I am Matsuri of Kalanchoe Clan. Nice to meet you." Matsuri introduced herself, bowing to Xiaomao and Daisuke.
"I am Zixin of the of the Zixin Clan. Pleasure to meet you at last." He replied.
Xiaomao was finally able to tell why he looked so familiar.
It's not that she knew him, but it was from his appearance.
Zixin's face was so lethal, that in a thumb wrestling contest with Ren. He might have a chance to win.
His blond hair riveled his face, his face gushing in caramel. His specks of light shined of copper.
"Anyways, since the introductions all been taken care of. Let's talk about our first mission." Ren spoke, standing up from the ground.
He pulled out a scroll and began to read from it:
"Patrol the cities. Make sure all villagers get customed and have a place to stay."
Everyone groaned thinking to themselves,
You got to be kidding me.
They have us doing patrol??
"Is that a complain I hear?" Atticus yelled from bar, making everyone turn their attention towards him.
How did he hear us...
"I actually don't know... let's not focus on that though." Second Reality said in his usual floating stance.
"This is merely the first task, but still make sure you put all your effort in." Ren spoke, holding himself in a confident posture.
"Alright boss!" Zixin acknowledged following Ren.
Matsuri followed Zixin, motioning Xiaomao and Daisuke to come as well.
Besides, now they were actually a team.
- A few hours later -
The team had patrolled the western side of Santyr Rise for around 6 hours now.
As of now, Xiaomao made herself be acquainted with Matsuri again.
"Say Matsuri, wasn't it annoying being the only woman on board? It must have been quite troublesome." Xiaomao asked, while keeping an eye on Daisuke whom she let roam around to explore.
For some particular reason Daisuke had some interest towards the mulberry bushes that surrounded the corridor of gates. So as a kid he was, Xiaomao let him do whatever he pleased.
Matsuri nodded placing a hand on her head, "You are absolutely right. Oh dear where to even start." Contemplating she spoke,
"Well first, me and Ren go way back. We knew each other even before the apocalypse. But he was tolerable, you know since he was a prince and all."
Xiaomao scrunched her eyes, "A prince? Him?"
"Yes? Where did you live in the Shengyu that you don't know?" She asked suspiciously.
"Right on the outskirts of Zhaoliang..." Xiaomao answered still astonished.
Meowzers how much changed from the Original?
"I forgot to tell you this one. But apparently once you were burnt to a crisp, his Imperial Majesty decided Ren would be a good heir. Since the consorts couldn't give him a perfect heir." Second Reality replied, checking his notes he nodded again.
"I see... you were one of those medical freaks weren't you?" Matsuri said bitterly then continuing,
"God people from there are so... off-putting."
Xiaomao stood there awkwardly, only managing to let out, "Oh..."
"I'm not saying you're off putting, but there was someone I knew who was just obsessed with medicine and they came from Zhaoliang." Matsuri let out in a defensive tone.
"I see, may I ask if the person was called Xiaomao?"
Matsuri froze for a split second, then laughed fakely.
"Ahaha... yes why it was her. Do you perhaps know her?"
"Why yes, she taught me medicine a few years back." Xiaomao responded eyeing Matsuri's expression. Xiaomao could tell she didn't want to speak about this any longer.
"Ibuki... you mustn't speak of that name anymore. That girl, was thrown in the White Room, only the Flora know if she is alive." Matsuri scolded, turning her to Xiaomao.
Even with her back turnt, Xiaomao could tell Matsuri was trembling, her hands shaking faintly.
But Xiaomao said nothing.