The Book Of Flowers

A Child Named Remina (2)

"Repulina"

"Yes--?"

"Tell me about all that stuff"

"Vainzel's! This is not the right time" Ordelia said in an angry tone towards me

Zaphir and Luxor even fell silent to this conversation, not daring to interrupt between them

Remina was still crying. But, he slowly nodded, so Ordelia was shocked to see Remina's response

"No need if-"

Remina shook her head before Ordelia could finish her words

"This-the Oberon command. I-I have to say it now" He said, sobbing

Ordelia slowly turned towards me with a disappointed look. I just returned her gaze with a flat face, then turned to Remina

And just as he was about to start the story, Ivor and Lyralia had already returned from their quest

"We missed what?" Ivor asked

"none. You guys came at the right time"

I turned back to Remina and told her to start the story

He nodded slowly once more and began to say what happened during the time he was kidnapped

......................

"There were bad people who came to Miralius. They kidnapped me and Dad, then took us somewhere

The moment I opened my eyes, everyone was poked with weapons, and no one dared to move. We were then taken on the train, but my mother was separated from me...

Only Dad was with me at the time. He hugged me and kept saying that everything was going to be okay

Then we got to this town. But, we continued to be taken again, and lastly, arrived at that place

We were forced to do the work from morning until noon, and if I made a mistake, I was beaten by them

Then, when we wanted to sleep, we slept on the basement floor of the place

It feels cold... I don't want to sleep on the floor anymore...

We also only eat leftover food that already smells bad...

Sometimes my father doesn't eat for me...

Then-There were some men trying to touch me without permission. But my father suffered again because of me

Because he was trying to protect me, those people whipped him. I sometimes get hit by his lash occasionally, but my father still tried to block him as hard as he could

My father's body was covered in wounds. And yesterday she was sick. And-and-a

His breathing was getting heavier and his body was getting hotter. I asked for help in panic, and then the men took my father away somewhere, regardless of what I said

They said they'd bring him back, but my dad hasn't been back for a whole day

So, today. I tried to run away to find my father. I'm grateful Mr. Oberon happened to pass by and help me"

...

"I'll kill them all"

"Stop Zaphir. I command you to stop, right now" I said before Zaphir could move on

Zaphir who was angry and ready to kill someone immediately went back to silence on the spot hearing my orders

"We have to do something Vainzel" Ivor said

I turned to him, as he continued to say "The savage animals should be taught an occasional lesson"

All the faces of my friends turned into expressions of wrath and disgust upon hearing what they had just heard. None of them made a sound and probably just filled their heads in any way they could help ease Remina's burden

Zaphir looks alert. He already thought that I would refuse to commit acts of violence even if what happened to Remina was too late

"Don't ban us"

"... I'm not saying you can't do it" I said, cutting off Zaphir. "I just wanted to say that you shouldn't go straight ahead without a plan" I added

"... You're allowing us?" Ask Ordelia

"Yes. But, I can't come because of my pledge"

'I won't hurt people as long as they don't hurt me'

I made that pledge when I wanted to be a traveller. And now, I'm being a traveler, even though my intention is to save the Elves. That oath will remain in effect, until I completely stop wandering

I have never hurt anyone as long as I try to save the Elves. If violence is necessary to save them, I sometimes have to tell my friends to come forward

Well... At times like this, I always feel sorry for making that pledge. Because of that, I had to let my friends do something like this, while I could only stand behind

All my friends smiled enthusiastically at my words

"Then? What are your plans this time?" Ask Luxor

"Like that. The point is, we don't have to make a fuss"

"You mean-!?"

"Yep. Abduction and Interrogation. Then-"

I move my thumb as if I were doing a knife-splitting motion over my neck

"Stop them if needed" I added

My plan was immediately greeted with a grin belonging to Luxor and Ivor, as well as a nod from the others

Those people dare to mess with my race. As the king of that race, naturally I will not be silent looking at it for granted. And I'll give them a little message

You messed with the wrong king

Elves are known to be gentle and kind. But that doesn't mean we're going to let something like this get away with it

It was unthinkable to me that they could torture such an innocent child...

This has crossed the line. And as an Oberon, I'll make sure they get dragged back to where they belong

"So Luxor, I need you to make a new disguise for all five of you"

Zaphir, Luxor, Ivor, Lyralia and Ordelia had to do it together

"By pleasure. But, there's no way we're going to take those people to this inn, right?" Luxor said

"Just calm. We should also go out of this city because there are no Elves to be saved here anymore"

"so. Our job would be easier if so. Alright. Give me your talismans, guys. I'll have to fiddle with it a little"

All my friends took off the necklace-shaped amulets they were wearing and handed them to Luxor one by one

Luxor immediately did what I asked for and placed his Mana inside the amulets

"Oberon?"

"Yes, Remina?"

I knelt before him to listen

"... Please bring my father back" he said

...

"I can't lie, so I'll just say, I'll do my best"

Remina began to shed tears again when she heard my words. I smiled gently to calm him down

"Thank you Oberon-"

I just slowly rubbed his head

...!

My eyes widened, and I reflexively pulled my hand back when I realized what I had just done

Ordelia and Remina looked shocked at my actions

"What's wrong?" Ask Ordelia

I looked at my hand that had just stroked Remina's head

"... Ah it's okay. Just remembering something" I said while forcing my smile

Remina put on a confused face because of my words, while Ordelia and my friends who listened directly put on a sad face because they realized something

...

Ahahahah... I remember Verdea...

...

If I told him about this evil thing I was going to do, what would he think of me?

He's a gentle boy. His behavior alone looks vicious, but he can't even hurt a fly on purpose

Might as well... He'll be disappointed in me, huh?...

...

Never mind. I need to focus on Remina first. This is an emergency for now

Looking at my face, Remina could see straight into the depths of my heart. He immediately realized in one look, how heavy the burden I had been carrying all this time