The Adventures of Clara
Their Reason
It was late at night but Mayor Darton was still sitting in front of his desk. Lights made of shining obsidian illuminate important documents relating to the future of the city.
"Hufts. Finally done, too."
As if waiting for this moment a man with a cigarette pipe in his mouth entered the study. The man is the famous detective, Delta Greyhorn. The detective came with a stack of new documents as if he wanted to destroy Darton's old bones.
"Uhs. It can't be tomorrow" complained Darton.
"Just for a minute, this is important" Greyhorn replied.
After smoking his cigarette several times Detective Greyhorn's explanation began.
Greyhorn began to explain things. But the point is, “Observate him and him. Ah, she's also suspicious.”
“Wait. There is no way we can keep an eye on all of them,” declined Mayor.
The number of people who needed to be watched had exceeded the hundred mark. It was impossible for the city guards to keep an eye on all of them.
“No need strict supervision. One for one is also enough,” Greyhorn replied.
After negotiating the details for almost half an hour, finally the task of Mayor Darton today was completed as well.
“Huft. My old bones are no longer strong. Maybe it's time to retire,” sigh Darton.
“Indeed so it should be. I'll also retire after the case is over. Let the younger generation replace us."
“Hahaha. Unfortunately I still haven't found a viable replacement. Different from you who already have a very capable person.”
“Who do you mean? My daughter? He still has a lot to learn.”
“No need to go low. I heard he was the youngest person to successfully become the chief justice.”
“Trust. He still has a lot to learn.”
Both have many achievements, famous, and admired by many people. But today they are no different from the grandfathers in general, gossiping and talking nonsense. Remembering the distant past.
“Before talking about retirement, shouldn't you be focusing on catching that guy.”
“Yah no need to mess around too much. Everything will go well.”
“Heh. I remember a few days ago someone spoke in such a way but the result ..” sneered Darton, shrugging.
“Not really. From start to finish all still dancing on my palms.”
“Ya, yes. Dancing on the palm of your eyes. Do you not like to admit defeat?”
Greyhorn was silent not responding to the City Mayor's cynical comments; he looked at the night sky from behind the window.
“With silence means I was right, ‘kan.”
The detective exhaled his cigarette smoke.
“Cantique as you like. If you want to blame someone then start from the adventurer side,” the pretext. “In addition, there are many unexpected factors that distort my deduction. Good thing there's a backup plan.”
The Adventurers Alliance is indeed to blame because it is too half-measure in taking action. Darton also knew what he meant by backup plans. Or more accurately called the original plan.
After all, the Mayor did not seriously insult Greyhorn and only wanted to make fun of him a little.
“Apredictable factor do you mean that boy? I happened to catch him when he was secretly trying to go to the northern region.”
“Ho. What a naughty girl. Reminds me of someone.”
“Kahaha. But I still don't understand. Among so many suspects, are you the most suspicious of this naughty girl? What's reason?”
“Insting.”
The reply to this question can be said to be unexpected but acceptable.
As a person living with danger, instinct is often far more important than anything else. The longer a person is near danger, then his instinct will also be honed.
As a military man Darton knew how important instincts were.
The Mayor let out a heavy sigh. For a long time he had not felt this feeling. The feeling of bearing the burden of the entire empire, the entire human race. So important was this mission that the fate of the empire hinged on their success or failure.
"What is your purpose?" ask Darton.
“What? Of course catch Blackjack.”
“Sure. But what's the reason you want to arrest that guy? I heard earlier you've announced retirement.”
The room became quiet. After a few breaths passed, the detective finally gave his answer.
"Simply put, an answer."
Hymne Blackjack was born into a family of fallen nobles. Small blackjacks grew up in harsh environments.
His father was a gambling and alcohol addict. Since childhood Blackjack has often been owned by his father. While the mother night after night sold her body to meet the family's expenses and rarely paid attention to her son.
Thanks to his genius he was able to get out of the living hell called the family.
He collected the money bit by bit and used it to enroll in the imperial technician school. He entered with the highest grade. Since then his career has skyrocketed.
His warm nature makes him liked by colleagues and superiors. He also set up child protection agencies and many orphanages because he did not want to see children suffer like he did.
"You know, I've known Jack for a long time. His brain was a bit troubled, but, this me dares to guarantee that he is not a bad person. Or at least the last time we met he was still a good person" Greyhorn explained.
"So you mean, something affected him? It's possible that he hid his true disposition very deeply."
"Maybe. But I do believe him. My judgment is rarely wrong."
"So ... why? What answer are you looking for?"
Smoke billows from Detective Greyhorn's mouth. He replied, "Just like you, I have my doubts about our beloved empire."
Darton's eyes widened. He looked at the Detective in disbelief. A moment later he started to chuckle.
"So so. If the greatest detective himself begins to doubt, then perhaps my guess is correct ... The empire is starting to rot."
Nothing is eternal in this world. No matter how tall a tree may be one day it will start to rot, wither, and eventually die. The tree named empire is also not separated from this nature.
"The preparation is done. Tomorrow I'll go see the mastermind behind all this. Please take care of the problem here."
"Yes. Leave it to me."
..."...."...
On the hillside of the city, stood a hundred-year-old ancient temple. This building still stands strong even though the fact has never been renovated since the beginning of its establishment.
At the back of the temple a woman was playing a stringed instrument. The pond and trees are lush as a background with the moon as its lighting, plus his robe that swings in the wind presents a view like an angel from the heaven. However, the song he played was very heartbreaking to the listener.
"What's wrong? tonight your music is more pathetic than usual."
A man casually appeared from behind a tree. The girl stopped the game and turned to face the man
.
"Don't surprise me like that" he said, cold.
"Sorry, sorry."
The man sat on the temple porch and asked, "So what's wrong?"
As if ignoring the man, the woman returned to playing her instrument. Seeing him like that, the man sighed.
"Tomorrow I'll go."
"Where?"
"Nagara Falls. Not long ... It seems you already know this."
The girl stopped her game again. He looked at the man before him with a strong sense of urgency.
"Capro ... Don'tgo. I don't feel good."
The man, Pedro shook his head weakly. He looked at the sparkling stars in space and then once again sighed.
"I can't."
"Why!"
As if realizing his mistake, the woman immediately turned around. His normally ice-cold expression slowly began to melt.
"Don't ... My feeling is that this is not going to go well" he whispered.
Pedro approached and hugged the woman warmly as if to calm his worries.
He whispered in his ear softly, "What's wrong. Everything's gonna be okay."
"Then take me with you." Seeing his persuasion not succeeding the woman immediately changed her tactics.
"No. Lial and I had enough. Just wait for my return here."
"But-"
"Hiyori ...."
The woman, Hiyori, closed her eyes tightly. Even if her cold mask had been removed, she still did not want to cry in front of this man. Because after all, Hiyori was a strong girl. At least that's what he wants to say.
"Egoist. I hate. At least tell me why."
"This is Mr Greyhorn's personal request. Besides, there was a little girl ... It reminds me of Sasha."
"After siscon what now do you want to be lolicon?" ask the girl, nosy.
"Don't spread any more strange rumors." Pedro took a long breath. "That girl, Clara, if not closely watched will seek her own death." Pedro looked at the distance blankly. "Since I happened to meet him, the same mistake I won't be repeating."
The woman who was usually cold looked at her lover unwillingly. He buried his face in Pedro's chest.
"return. I'm waiting for you."
"Surely."
..."...."...
In the corner of a small alley, an old man was lying facing the moon. He was alone, but did not feel lonely because he was surrounded by so many dolls.
Yep. He is not lonely ....
Or that's how he convinced himself.
She is often ridiculed for her feminine hobby. But let.
It started with the discovery of a broken doll from a garbage can. Although dirty but has a beauty that will never fade, he became very fascinated by it. Because after all the puppets would not yell at him, would not hit him, they would not change and would always be the same, let alone they were extremely obedient and loyal
That's why he loves dolls.
"They greatly underestimated this old man. Right, right, Cici."
He spoke to the female doll in his hand. Of course there will be no reply.
"Just because this old man was old and weak, he made a very clear trap."
The man breathed helplessly. However, he was like a cornered animal, biting anyone who approached, but still could not escape.
His body screamed in pain. Moving is very difficult. It is a miracle that he has survived to this day.
However, the hole in her heart was much more unbearable. A hole that can never be filled. Leave an empty trail in it.
Dolls are indeed very obedient, unfortunately they are too obedient. It was so obedient that it could never fill the hole in the lonely man's heart.
This made him miss his beloved doll.
He found it in the trash, just like his first doll. The doll was very beautiful and obedient, it could also ease her loneliness. Occasionally he would whine but that added to his charm of timidity.
The man loved this doll so much that he ignored the other dolls. He's very happy. He thought that this happiness would last forever. However, it proved to be just a naive thought.
Time keeps turning.
Her sweet doll started to defy, starting to go against her words. Although it became increasingly beautiful, it was not the same puppet as it used to be.
The man was forced to realize it.
That his favorite doll is gone.
Time has turned him into something he does not recognize.
That's why he left the doll. Thinking that he doesn't need it anymore.
The days continued with monotony.
Wake up, eat, do research until night, sleep. Wakeup ....
Slowly he began to lose his way, walking aimlessly.
But let it be, he's old. His age won't be long.
Sometimes he envies a good friend. An extraordinary person. Recognized and admired by many. Having a harmonious family. Even lately often bother him about plans after retirement.
In short, he is a winner of life.
And it was here that he, Hymne Blackjack, the empire's top researcher, was pondering the meaning of his life due to a fight with his beloved daughter.
When that worry comes someone. The man reminded him of his promise. Re-awakening the passion of his youth.
Although he was skeptical but what's wrong to try.
Once upon a time he made a promise. The promise he made with his teacher, also with his sworn brother.
That promise ... does it still apply?
Who knows.
What is clear now is that it is his turn to realize that promise.
"Haa. Although the trap is clear but still ... There's no other choice."
The man was lonely, sitting in a daze, but at this moment he finally had a purpose.
Dreams of the teacher. Hope from his brother. He will make it happen.
Sure.
