The Musafir
Suspicious Old Man
The old MAN nodded slowly. “Alright, verily it is better than the Son defying death, seeking death.”
The mantel smiled awkwardly. “Thank you for understanding, Father. Again, I apologize for not being able to help this village too much.”
“Ya, yes. No why. No need to think about. Precisely I feel the actions of the Son have been very wise.” The old man then laughed bitterly. “Be so at this time I can beg myself? There are many other things that demand I finish.”
The mantle spread his hands to the side. “Please, Father. Sorry for interrupting Father's precious time.”
“No. Not bothering at all." The old man shook his hands. "Goodbye. May the gods shower you with health.”
The mantan only nodded in return. Then the old man left. Mantingan closed the door again and went inside. The North River's angel came straight to him.
“I heard your conversation a little bit. What amazes me is your unwilling attitude to help the villagers.”
Before issuing an answer, Mantingan first occupied a nearby chair. “He said that he was from the village post.”
“Yes, I heard it.”
“And he said also that each store must pay 10 gold pieces every month.”
“And the original price is 5 pieces of silver only, after the robbery then they ...”
“In the Wind Bell Village, the mention of trading shops is more often transferred to ‘toko’ than ‘gerai’. Even the pronunciation is also applicable in the village hall.”
“So Brother, mean to accuse him or what?”
“I don't accuse people without certainty.” The mantle hesitated.
“Brother, you cannot accuse someone simply because of the mention of a different word ..”
“Did Sister hear when the old man explained about the arrival of the robbers to this village?”
The North River Angel nodded slowly. “I can hear it quite clearly. The robbers came to the village hall armed with poison-coated kelew.”
Then Mantingan nodded slowly. “And from where did he know that the kelewang is poisonous? Moreover, he said that the poison was very deadly. And there's something else that makes me suspicious. Why does he seem so worried that he will attack the robbers? I never said I would attack them. He also said that I would perish if I dared to attack them. My current guess, asking for taxes is just the guise of the old man, he just wants to make sure of myself and make sure I don't attack.”
Suddenly the North River Angel paled. “Brother, is he ...”
Mantingan took a long breath. “I originally thought that way too. However, I cannot accuse people without definitive proof. I feel the need to investigate this matter to the fullest.”
“Brother, if that old man is one of the robbers who attacked the village, then you are in danger. All your movements must be monitored. Before you can attack them, they will attack you. Do not seek danger. Forget about this problem. If you have a lot of money, pay taxes that will satisfy them. They will not disturb you. Remember that every step you make has a big impact.”
“I do have a lot of money, Sister. But what about those who have no money? Wouldn't the tax from the robbers strangle them to death?”
“Didn't you think about your own life?”
“Ajal will definitely pick up every human, sooner or later. There was turned on until he was old and senile, some were turned off as young as he was. Since death is certain to invite, then a human being will be calculated based on his actions during life.”
“Repeatedly Brother says this.” The Angel of the North River sighed slowly. “But if you die as a hero without anyone knowing it, isn't that just a waste?”
Smiling coat. “Then my benefits will be eternal.”
The Northern River Angel seemed to agree with that, but on the other hand he could not let Mantingan walk towards death. Recalling as well, Mantan was still in the dark shadow of the Unnamed Poison. The mantle cannot use a lot of energy inside if it is not wretched.
“I will change my identity, so that you, Kana, and Kina will be safe.”
“What if you are arrested, held captive, and forced to admit everything?”
“If it will harm the people I love, then I choose to die.”
“Suffering will make someone want to do anything for the sake of regardless of it.”
“Couple sure myself won't do that.”
The Northern River Angel bit her lip. He could see Mantingan's confidence, but he could not let Mantingan go anyway. “Then what about your previous promise? You promise to take me to the port?”
“Sure I will deliver you if this whole affair is done.”
“What if you don't come back?”
“Then use the Book of Lotus and all my treasure to return to Champa. Or go to White Wind College. Meet Chairman Rama, tell him that you are my best friend. Please also send the help you want.”
The North River Angel breathed in worry. Now he had no other reason to refute Mantingan. And indeed there really is no right reason to block Mantingan's good intentions. The North River Angel was only worried for the safety of the young man, nothing more.
“Then, I'll come with you. Kill all enemies.”
“I'm afraid Sister will only trouble me.”
The Angel of the North River widened his eyes. “Remember you about my ability to eradicate nine evil warriors in the Auction Market back then?”
“This time their number is more than nine warriors.”
The North River's angel widened his eyes. “And Brother intends to go forward alone?”
The mantan only nodded in response.
“Not usually I see the stupid attitude of a Mantingan.” The Northern River Angel said weakly while shaking her head.
“Of course I won't progress without careful planning.” The thin smiling mantle. “Did Sister not remember that I could still make use of Magic Throw?”
The North River Angel seemed to wake up, but a moment later shook his head. “Lontar Magic still needs deep power to open the spell.”
“Maybe that was the sacrifice I had to make for this beautiful and peaceful Wind Bell Village.”
“I can donate some inner energy for you. Obviously I know how to do that.”
The mantel looked at the girl's eyes straight. Back said, “I'm worried you're just troubling me.”
Also offended by Bidadari Sungai Utara. “Bothering in what sense?”
“In the sense of many,” reply. “You can't move quickly and precisely. In a close combat, what is needed most is speed and accuracy. Three days ago when we practiced catching flies, you lost to me.”
“I need more training. Do you think someone can become an expert with just one practice?”
