Chapter 11: Armerria's post and old reunion

6 HOURS BEFORE THE NASCITA BELL RINGS

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"P-please let me go, sir, please let me go," pleaded the thief who was being forcefully dragged by Grats.

"Yes, I will let you go when we arrive at the Order Headquarters," Grats replied.

People on the street watched Grats dragging the man in the black robe; some of them whispered to each other. This was common lately in the city. The Miosmo Knights' Order forces had been overwhelmed by the increasing number of thieves recently.

"I only did it out of necessity! Please let me go," the thief begged weakly.

"Look, the Headquarters is already in sight," Grats replied with a relaxed expression.

The Order Headquarters in Miosmo looked like a large building almost equivalent to the Cathedral in the city. The first part of the headquarters that Grats saw was the outer area, which served as the barracks for the knights who were training

In the fairly large field, the knights were practicing and dueling. Then, next to the barracks, slightly separate, was the entrance gate to the headquarters. The gate bore a flag with the emblem of the Rinnovu Kingdom Order.

"It's over, everything is over, over over over over over over over..."

The thief began to lose control. He struggled, trying to escape Grats' firm grip. Then the thief bit Grats' hand; his teeth trembled as they touched Grats' skin.

He bit so hard that one of his teeth went into his gums. Blood came out of his mouth, and a loud scream escaped him. This scream triggered one of the gate-guarding knights to approach Grats.

"Hey, hey, don't throw a tantrum, calm down, little dog,"

"What's happening here, sir?" asked the young-looking knight.

"Well, in short, I found this person trying to steal," Grats answered, not wanting to give a long explanation.

Grats handed over the thief. Perhaps this was the young knight's first time dealing with a thief who begged for mercy to the point of kneeling.

"That's not true! I was only forced to do this!" the thief still struggled, even kneeling on the ground, making both Grats and the young knight feel disgusted.

"Thank you, sir. I will handle everything from here," he said, tying the thief's hands with a rope.

"Oh yeah, I want to go to the Armerria Post. Can you show me the way?"

The Armerria Post is a section of the Order Headquarters, only its location is separate; there are several in the city of Miosmo. This Post usually serves as a place for crime reports, weapon seizures, and internal city monitoring.

"Armerria Post? That building over there is where you want to go," the knight said, pointing to a building that was still about 100 steps away.

A civilian wants to go to the Post? What is their purpose? Do they need something after handing over a criminal?

"Oh, over there, thank you," Grats said, immediately heading towards the Armerria Post.

"By the way, are you looking to get a weapon permit?" the Knight asked, assuming Grats felt unsafe in the city of Miosmo.

"No, that's not it. I want to retrieve my weapon that's currently under inspection," Grats replied with his relaxed smile, resuming his steps that had been briefly paused.

When coming to Miosmo city using a regular train, passengers carrying weapons will have them confiscated. However, adventurers, citizens, or mercenary knights usually already have a weapon permit.

With a clean criminal record, the weapon will be returned immediately after a direct check. But specifically for an Animas sorcerer who possesses a Special weapon, the confiscation and check will take longer.

This is intended so that Animas sorcerers with criminal backgrounds cannot immediately cause chaos with their weapons. Animas sorcerers who have reached a high level would be difficult to stop by non-Animas knights. Therefore, the most logical way is to prevent Animas sorcerers from using their weapons.

This is just a hunch, but if it's true. This gloomy guy who looks like he has no purpose in life is an Animas Sorcerer. Heh... my apologies for underestimating you, old man!!!

"Forgive me... forgive me..." the thief whispered faintly.

"SHUT UP, YOU BASTARD! FILTH OF SOCIETY!!!" the young knight yelled.

"Stealing is a deviant act. Just pray that you don't get beaten to death in prison."

The Armerria Post building had walls made of limestone, a pointed roof composed of slate tiles, two large doors made of old Oak wood, and regular glass windows.

This Post was established to serve civilians in each city district; members of the Order stood guard here: from newly graduated knights, non-combat members with support capabilities, and also team captains.

"So this is the Armerria Post in this city; well, it's almost the same as in other cities," Grats said, looking at the building from bottom to top.

"Wow, what have I found here?" a woman's voice suddenly came from behind Grats.

"You know, Senior, this isn't a place for applying for a job," the Woman said, wearing dark silver armor, her back covered by a grey cloak, and the Order's emblem badge on her left chest.

"Qyufal, huh... long time no see," Grats said, ignoring her, and then was about to walk into the Post's door.

"SENIOR!" Qyufal hugged Grats from behind. Shrkk shrkk, her silver armor rubbed together, making a sound like metal grinding against fabric.

"Let go... and don't call me Senior. I quit a long time ago," Grats said, bracing against Qyufal's weight.

Qyufal released her hug, "What... you'll always be my Senior, won't you? Besides, take a look at my uniform."

Qyufal stepped back slightly from Grats, then stood like she was at attention. The city streets were very quiet that day because the civilians in that district were holding a religious ceremony at the Cathedral.

"How is it? Is there anything different about your cute junior here?"

"Wow, congratulations... you got a promotion, Unit Captain," Grats said, giving a thumbs-up.

"Also look at my weapon." Qyufal pulled out a short spear with a sharp tip from beneath her cloak, then pointed to a souvenir hanging on her weapon.

Judging by its shape, the base material was Bersian. A medium-range combat type weapon, the Longinus spear. Well, that was the right weapon for a sorcerer knight with the Anima flow Qyufal possessed. Besides, why did her weapon have a cat-shaped charm hanging on it?

"Wow, a great weapon..." Grats said, giving a second thumbs-up.

"You say that, but change your expression too, Senior,"

"Well, I'm busy. I don't have time to praise someone," Grats said, then entered the Armerria Post, followed by Qyufal.

The Armerria Post was currently quiet. There were only a few receptionists and young knights. Everyone inside could be counted on one's fingers. When Grats and Qyufal entered, the young knights saluted Qyufal.

"Senior wants to retrieve the confiscated weapon, right? That's impossible, you know," Qyufal said, walking towards one of the reception desks with Grats.

"Huh? What do you mean? I have my weapon license here. Look." He took out his license card from his pocket, which was in a poor state.

"Even with a weapon license, a former Captain like Senior still won't be able to," Qyufal said, covering her mouth and chuckling softly.

"I need my weapon for protection. Are there new regulations or something..."

The young knights started paying attention to Grats and Qyufal, even though they continued their work related to piles of paper.

"Still, if there's a Unit Captain here who says no, then it will... s-still be no," Qyufal said, moving her index finger right and left.

"Alright, I understand what you mean. Here, sorry I'm late paying your debt," Grats said, about to give some coins to Qyufal from his wallet.

"Wow! I almost forgot Senior owed me money," Qyufal replied, happily accepting the money.

"But that's not what I meant just now..."

"Huh... so what do you want?" Grats asked, confused.

"I haven't seen Senior in a long time. How about lending me some of your time?"

"Lending you my time... I didn't come to this city just to relax, you know," Grats said, annoyed.

"I know, Senior, that's why I invited you,"

Grats and Qyufal arrived at one of the reception desks. Qyufal asked the female receptionist to retrieve the weapon stored in the numbered storage.

It didn't take long; the receptionist went and returned quickly. But when she came back, a knight came with the receptionist, carrying the weapon Qyufal meant.

"Here, Captain, the weapon you mentioned," the female knight said, handing over a long wooden staff with both hands while bowing. Her blonde hair hung down, almost touching the staff.

"Is this really a Bersian weapon, because it looks like a regular wooden staff?" the Knight asked.

"Huh? What do you mean by insulting my Senior's weapon?" Qyufal replied.

"No, I didn't mean that, Captain Qyufal, but it really looks like a wooden staff," the female knight said, looking curious.

Grats took the wooden staff. He held one end—the end that was different—with his right hand. That end had a softer and easier texture to grip. Then, the aura of Anima energy slowly became visible coming out of his body. The aura quickly focused on his right hand.

The aura reacted with his weapon, and then near the end of the staff he was holding. A line slowly formed like a crack. Grats held the other end with his left hand. With his right hand, he slowly pulled the weapon out of its sheath.

"Some Bersian weapons also have this form. Talented Architettu always give strange designs,"

It turned out that the long wooden staff was the sheath for a thin sword. The sword's length was probably equivalent to Grats' chest to his feet, with the sword tip having a unique texture.

"It looks like a wooden staff, but it's actually a sword," Grats said, showing his weapon to the female knight. Qyufal could only watch with a smile, as if remembering the admired senior she once knew.

"You're right, sir, but why couldn't I pull the sword out?" the knight asked again.

"The sword must be flowed with Anima energy because the tip has thousands of tiny hooks holding the sword inside the sheath," Grats replied, pointing to the sword tip.

"I see... so there are Bersian weapons like this too," the female knight said.

"How about it, Fyariel, do you understand?" Qyufal asked, with her sweet smile.

"Y-yes, Captain!" replied the female knight named Fyariel.

"Thank you for explaining, sir," Fyariel said, bowing slightly in thanks.

Grats and Qyufal then left the Armerria Post and walked along the city street towards a small restaurant that Qyufal wanted to visit.

But without them realizing it, someone from the top of a tall building near them had been watching the whole time. That person wore a black cloak and a black knitted mask. The mask only left holes for the mouth and eyes.

"Qyufal, you're a good Captain, huh? The young knights now all seem to respect you," Grats said, feeling that the young knights in the Order were now different.

"When explaining something, Senior always looks serious, huh?" Qyufal replied.

"No, I was just reminded of someone with the same curiosity," Grats said, covering his mouth, seemingly holding back his laughter.

"Ha? Is that so? Was I-I not like that before?"

"If anyone understands you the most, it must be me, right?"

"I know you realized my arrival in this city, especially since I saw you following me earlier," Grats said to Qyufal, who was about to enter a small, simple restaurant.

Grats' words made Qyufal pause for a moment, her face flushed. Before she moved again to enter the restaurant with Grats.

"Since you are now a Captain in the Order, you should stop that habit of stalking people; it's scary, you know," Grats said, as he followed Qyufal into the restaurant.

"Senior is mistaken!" Qyufal exclaimed after she and Grats sat at a table in the corner of the restaurant.

"Anyone would be suspicious if there was a person with a gloomy face. Senior should go to the barber soon," Qyufal said, finding an excuse.

"Huh? Is my facial aura that gloomy now?" Grats replied, feeling his light beard.

"Compared to before, yes, clearly, Senior."

The customers and waiters inside the restaurant started glancing at Grats and Qyufal, realizing that someone as important as Qyufal was near them.

"Maybe it's true that the hair on my chin is growing thin," Grats muttered faintly.

Meanwhile, Qyufal reduced the size of the spear under her cloak. She felt uncomfortable with the spear's position under the cloak while she was sitting.

One of the waitresses slowly approached Grats and Qyufal's table. Her face looked a bit shy.

"Excuse me, are you Captain Qyufal?" the waitress, dressed in a white shirt and a long black skirt, asked politely.

"T-that's right," Qyufal answered.

The waitress was surprised that someone like Qyufal would visit a simple restaurant.

"It's an honor for our small restaurant to serve you," the waitress said.

The waitress's words made Qyufal a little uncomfortable with such special treatment. Grats, realizing this, tried to break the situation by attempting to order from the waitress.

"Ahem, waitress, I'd like a black coffee and—"

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Huh, I've been following this Grats guy, but nothing seems to be happening.

Is Grats not the driving force behind the Scenario?

Also, climbing this tower is a bit difficult; it requires a little more effort. Although after climbing, the wind here feels cool. I should take off this mask slightly to feel the cool city wind.

"Damn it! It feels so hot!" I exclaimed when my palm suddenly emitted a reddish vapor.

The lines on my left hand moved on their own, forming a picture like a compass. This is not the first time this has happened; this is my bond with the person who reincarnated me.

The lines of my hand, forming a compass needle, spun aimlessly. But if I flow it with a little Anima energy, the needle will point towards someone or something. Maybe... that's my temporary hypothesis. I'm very curious why it pointed towards Grats.

The compass needle spun aimlessly again. I tried to check it again by flowing Anima energy. The needle stopped spinning and pointed towards the east and west.

This is confusing. I should have pointed my hand towards the restaurant Grats entered.

Usually, the needle would stop at North and South, like a regular compass, right? I should have studied compasses in my previous life. In my previous life, since childhood, I had ambitions that led me to learn several martial arts.

This reminds me of my friend back then, Ri... Rio—hah, I forgot. I hope I can meet him again because he was the only one who had the same ability as me since childhood. Forget that... I better focus on this compass.

Maybe if I turn my hand in the direction the needle is pointing, then...

So it turns out it's facing North and South, but now it's not pointing towards Grats. If it's like this, is it the god or Goddess? Let's just call them... X.

 X wants something in this direction.

"What Scenario does X want to give me? Very interesting... HAHAHA, X!"

5 HOURS BEFORE THE NASCITA BELL RINGS

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