The Adventures of Clara

Kenzi Fortress

The sun almost sank as they finished cremating the corpse of Blackjack.

After awakening, O'hime immediately returned to Denia City. Everyone understood and gave him time to himself.

"Is this okay?" ask Darton. "The higher-ups must be very angry if they find out about your arbitrary actions."

"Obviously they'll be angry. But I don't mind. Think of this as my repayment to Uncle Jack" replied Epsilon

Darton who got a reply like that nudged Detective Greyhorn's shoulder.

"Heh. What do you think of him as a father?"

"He's an adult. I don't need to interfere with his affairs," Delta replied indifferently.

"By the way, do you know who's behind all this?"

"Do you know about the Wise Sage of Ozin?"

Hearing the name slightly rang the bell on Darton's head. He had heard rumors that had been around since when he knew that there was someone who lived and lived with monsters. Reportedly this guy was raised by a herd of lightning wolves.

"Yes. I've heard a thing or two about him."

"According to my estimation, he is the head of this mysterious organization" Greyhorn explained.

The detective stared at the high mountain in the distance. His failure to prove his deduction not too long ago still irritated him.

"If I fail to meet him in person, the probability of my guess being correct is quite high" he continued.

"Then the empire is in danger. There were Estarosa and the Friede brothers. Who knows which other great people are in it" said Darton, worried.

"Heh. Since when is this country not in danger. Just the addition of one other factor doesn't change the big picture."

Darton was amazed at how confident the Detective was.

Will a third party really emerge and create a balance between the human empire and the demi-human kingdom?

Who knows.

"Well still here I want to ask you. Don't you want to continue the Blackjack fight?" ask Darton.

"For what?"

Darton jerks. It seems he also does not intend to continue the struggle of his best friend to create an ideal world.

"Something ideal is called that because it is not real. I don't understand their way of thinking. Why pursue empty dreams in broad daylight?" greyhorn said, cynical.

"Oi, oi. Isn't your speech too cruel?"

"Think about. All the effort and energy I put in, even today I lost a friend, all just because of that stupid dream? To hell with the bullshit of the ideal world" he said.

For several days, Darton understood that someone named Delta Greyhorn was not as apathetic as he seemed. In fact, he may be emotional. This person only hid the emotions behind his cold mask.

Obviously, he also felt sad after having just lost a friend. It might be a good idea to give him some time alone.

Unfortunately, there is still a lot of work. There is still clean-up after the incident. Not to mention the news of the appearance of S-rank monsters.

Really, old people like them need rest too.

Not long after, Epsilon left for an army camp.

Darton should leave soon, too. But before that, though,

"Em, miss Anna. Can you heal my wounds too?"

Darton's previously lost wounds are now back. He should get help immediately. Especially his chest wound from a sudden attack of Blackjack.

"Eh. Don't want to."

But unfortunately Anna's answer was negative.

"Why?"

"You're not sweet at all. Come back in the next life when you're a sweet girl."

"Hum."

Darton felt like crying.

It's called discrimination! The discrimination!

Fortunately, there are still people who care about him.

"Here, please use the healing potion as first aid."

"Oh! Thank you, Elaine. Don't worry, your salary this month will double."

"If you could multiply three."

However, something still stuck in Darton's heart. He felt like he was forgetting something.

"What is ...?"

"If you don't remember it may not be something important" retorted his aide, Elaine.

"Well, I hope so."

In the opposite direction of their position, a group of people whom Darton had forgotten were fleeing towards Kenzi Fortress.

Pedro leads up front. Followed by Lial who carried the Rhino. In the last row is Clara.

Their journey this time was pretty smooth. Very smooth to the point where they met nothing.

“Something feels awkward.”

It is very strange considering they did not find a single animal in the depths of this wilderness.

Whatever the case, their goals remain unchanged.

The sun had already set as the silhouette of the wall revealed itself. The fort is small in size and is one of the six protective forts of the Night City. It is estimated that the fort accommodated about five hundred soldiers.

"This place is a bit rundown" Clara said.

"Something seems to be happening."

"Let's check first."

Pedro left first. After receiving a signal from the hunter, Clara and Lial entered the fort.

Clara looked around. Everywhere—land, wall, building—all there are black marks due to burning.

"Clara's feeling is bad."

"Either."

At the moment Pedro was talking to a soldier with a distended stomach. The soldier had a thin, armored whisker.

“Heh. Because there's already a cover letter there's nothing I can say. Do as you like. But remember, don't make a mess.”

“What the fuck do you think we troublemakers what?” thought Clara.

It seemed like this man was the type of person who humbled adventurers. I'm upset, but let it be.

Such thoughts are not wrong, anyway. Because most adventurers often make a mess everywhere.

“Aa. What are you guys doing. Don't enter. Stay in the field,” forbid the soldier when they want to enter the barracks.

“By in hajar ga?”

“Do.”

Since the host did not allow it then they could only sleep in the corridor. That's not. At least it's better than sleeping in the wild.

Clara wanted to fall asleep soon but before that first they had to eat dinner first to recover. His feeling is very unpleasant.

Let's call today Clara's day.

While chewing her food, Clara expressed her opinion.

“Kak Lial, Brother Pedro. It feels weird, ya~?”

“Agot bland indeed. Just hold it for tonight,” reply Lial

“No! Clara no longer talks food,” hardik Clara.

“Oh, are you also aware?” Lial leaned against the wall and then yawned. “This temple is too quiet.”

“Ah.”

Clara finally understood the strange feeling she had in her heart. The fort and the area around here are too quiet. There was no sound of birds or crickets. They didn't find anything on the way here either.

More burn marks around the fort ....

“Pedro, let's go while we can,” said Lial.

“Ya.”

It seems that the two veterans have realized something strange. Clara looked at the two with shining eyes.

Lial rubbed his nose arrogantly and began to explain, “As an adventurer you should be sensitive to the environment. You notice the black stains around the fort? It seems that not long ago the fortress in the fire that is certainly not a human act. So chances are there are fire-type monsters attacking this fortress.”

“Oho. So so.”

"Because there are still warriors around means there are only two possibilities, between them successfully killing that monster or-"

“Or the monster went away by itself. If it's the latter then it's better for you to escape immediately," the distended soldier said from before.

This guy, Clara somehow really wants to beat him up.

“You could have fought ... or escaped while there was still a chance,” said the fat, cynical warrior.

"Who attacked this fortress?" ask Lial.

"Evil and scary monsters. You better leave while you have time."

500 Army garrisons are not just for display. Not to mention the defensive weapons inside the fort.

If the horde of monsters did so then their numbers would at least reach 300.

But if only a monster makes Fort Kenzi until it becomes like this ....

"Hey, man, can't you tell me who this is?" pinta Lial's.

Suddenly, the sound of birds chirping echoed deep in the sky.

The starry black sky just a moment ago was now dyed a smoldering red. Temperatures rise greatly degrading.

"I don't seem to have to explain it."

From the source of the sound appeared the figure of a bird like a fusion between an eagle and a peacock dancing in the sky gracefully.

The feathers are yellow to burning like the sun. The width from one wing to the other reaches ten meters. On the tail there are seven helices, symbolizing its proximity to the Sun God.

“Phoenix.”

Clara's feathers stand up. For a moment he did not believe this reality before him.

Phoenix yes. The legendary bird was in front of him.

It just so happened that Clara did want the ashes of this creature. But if possible he only wants his ashes, not his creatures.

"Eh, this is a coincidence, right? It's not because of a certain annoying white-haired creature, is it?" thought Clara.

“Awawa.”

“How could the creature be here!” peeker Lial, looking not to believe it.

“How do I know,” reply soldier bloated, lifting his shoulders.

The phoenix darted in the air. Burn everything around it.

The army garrison seemed to have given up on the fight and ran away. Surprisingly, the fat soldier was presumably acting too calm given their current situation.

“Bung, aren't you too relaxed?” ask Lial.

The soldier just shrugged, not caring.

Pedro lifted his bow. He then fired nearly ten arrows in less than three seconds.

His firepower was beyond doubt. Not long ago Pedro's skills had reached a higher level and now he was able to penetrate the astral body like a physical body.

So theoretically, his arrow would be able to injure the Eternal Bird.

But unfortunately, even long before reaching his target the arrows he fired were already charred into ashes.

“Free,” tease fat soldier. “The only weapon capable of hitting it has been damaged in the previous battle. All we can do now is just surrender.”

Clara tried to shoot magic but immediately abandoned her intentions. It's just a waste of energy, anyway. There was no way Clara's attack could have injured this legendary bird.

“Now what?” ask Clara, calm down.

“What else? Yes run away," replied the distended soldier.

“Ni people can be beaten no heck?”

“Do.”

They decided to follow the fat soldier into the barracks, then escape through the underground channels.