THE RISE OF THE KNIGHTS OF SINNERS
#8# MISSED SISTER
The city of Valdia was a city of 50,000 people with a Valdia army of 20,000 people scattered throughout the Valdia region . Valdia was the fourth largest city in the kingdom of Gerelia. In the past this city was very poorly maintained because the leader pars was busy with war to cause various kinds of crises to occur in the city.
The city of Valdia frequented by pilgrims to rest was turned into a poor and dirty city because of the indifference of its leaders. This city turned into a dirty city where due to lack of bathrooms and lack of clean water made the residents forced to urinate in any place. Not only that, the river that flows in the city turns dirty and unfit for the residents to consume.
Various disease outbreaks began to attack the population and then followed by a food and clothing crisis that made the population slowly leave the city. However, after the second holy war ended, their leader, Marquis Aiden, began to tidy up the city.
Initially the town of Valdia began to be organized little by little, but it did not last long because of the tragedy that befell marquis Aiden and made him unconscious for several months. The city of Valdia returned to its previous condition. Although Boris as marquis Aiden and Yukari's advisor tries to reorganize the city, Valdia still does not step up a bit from that condition.
The city was finally able to recover slowly after marquis Aiden muttered. Over the years the marquis Aiden reorganized the city and the city began to be tidy and a little clean. However, the plague and famine remained a scourge for Valdia until it finally ended after a letter containing ideas of urban development from Leo came to Valdia.
Marquis Aiden made the city according to the direction of Leo's letter. It only took 3 years for the city of Valdia to end its poor condition and become the cleanest city. In addition, the city began to be filled with foreign traders and became a tourist destination for pilgrims and foreign tourists because in addition to its headscarf as a sacred land, Valdia is also a beautiful region with vast grasslands.
***
6 Days after his return, Leo spent his days in the mother's grave. Worried about Leo's condition, marquis Aiden tells Melina to take her sister around town so she can forget her mother for a moment. Even though he obeyed the wishes of the father and took Leo around.
Just in the morning, Melina banged on Leo's bedroom door and forced Leo to accompany her around town. At first Leo refused, but because he could not bear to hear the whimper Melina finally Leo wanted to accompany her sister.
" Hhhh...., So where are we going now? " let Leo glanced at Melina.
" We're traveling around town. Don't you want to see a city that succeeds thanks to your sister? " Melina glanced cynically at Leo while pinching her hand.
" Well, I'll take a bath first and take a horse, you wait in front of the palace gate. " Lo closed his room and rushed to take a shower. Melina nodded and walked out of the palace.
12 Minutes later, Leo came out of the stable on the right side of the palace on a white horse and approached Melina at the gate.
Leo thrust his left hand at Melina. " Rise up, " said Leo. Without a word, Melina grabbed the older sister's hand to ride the horse together.
" Sir do you need control? This city is very high crime. I was afraid that the young master and miss were wondering, " said one of the guard soldiers who came to them both.
" It's okay, just continue with your work. I can take care of myself and my sister. "said Leo while driving his horse slowly.
***
While touring the city, Leo and Melina who rode 1 horse became the center of attention of the residents. They whispered and thought that the one sitting behind Melina was her future husband. The residents did not yet realize that it was the son of their leader. When she reached the city center, where many food, clothing, and various kinds of trinkets were selling, there Melina decided to rest and invite Leo to buy food in the city center.
" Sister, it's someone selling grilled squid. I want to buy it. " Melina pointed to a food stall in front of her.
" Okay, but what about the horse? It seems impolite if we buy while carrying a horse. " Leo looked to the left right trying to find one of Valdia's soldiers on patrol. It was unexpected that he met some members of the Yurei army who were traveling around the city with his pairs and there were only 1 member who walked alone.
The Yurei army was actually divided into 10 divisions with members of each division numbering 20 men. There are 3 elite divisions in this army, namely the 1st, 4th, and 8th divisions, these three divisions are led by elemental magic users and while in Taiyoria, Taiyoria, These 3 divisions are always getting the toughest and most dangerous missions.
" Mister Leo? " greet one of Yurei's members while bowing down.
" you? Wow, just one week you guys have got a partner. By the way, what division are you from? " ask Leo.
" We are from division 2 sir. We didn't expect to see Mr. Leo here, "
" Hey you, "Lo pointed to one of the Yurei members who walked alone and not with a partner. " Can you bring this horse to the palace? "
" Sa-my sir? "
" Yes, "
" Well I will return the master horse to the palace. "
" Thank you, " said the Yurei squad leader as he handed his horse to one of the Yurei members he appointed.
" Then sir, we say goodbye first" said the members of Yurei. Leo just nodded his head and walked over to the food stall Melina pointed at.
***
" Miss Melina!? " shock the grilled squid dealer when Melina and Leo visit his shop.
Melina waved with a sweet smile, "Uncle, I want to buy two grilled squid. "
" Well miss! I will make the best grilled squid for the lady and future husband! It is an honor for me to serve Miss Melina directly, "
" Prospective husband?? " Melina looked to the left right because she did not understand what the merchant meant.
The squid dealer pointed his index finger at Leo, "Sorry lady, isn't this handsome guy a future lady husband? " other buyers also took notice out of curiosity about Melina and Leo's relationship.
Melina chuckled and replied, "Have you forgotten the second child of marquis Aiden? "
" Wh-whataa!? " shocked merchants and buyers shouted at the same time.
" A-you're Mr Le-Leonard!? " ask one of the buyers.
" Ahahaha, yes I am Leonard von Valdius, " Leo answered while scratching his head.
The buyers immediately patted the bidat. All this time they assumed that the blond man in the palace was Melina's future husband, but it turned out to be Leo, the person they were talking about lately and they wanted to see.
" But when he was a little boy, Mr. Leo's hair was red. Why is it now blond? " ask the merchant.
Leo held onto some of his front hair and replied, "My hair is blond like my mother's. It's just that when I was a kid I was jealous of Thalia's brother and the valdius family members who had red hair, so I dyed my hair red. "
" Is that how it turns out, for decades all we've seen was hair paint. But the master's blonde hair was as beautiful as that of the late marquise Yukari. Be kind, sir, sorry to invite the master and the lady to chat. I will immediately prepare the order of the ladies and gentlemen. " The merchant hurried to make Melina's order.
A few moments later, two roasted squid were ready. " This is miss two special grilled squid for master and miss, "the merchant thrust 2 stewed squid to Melina.
" How much is it? " Lo reached into the pocket of his pants.
The merchant shook his head, "Special to masters and misses for free. Consider this my return for the good of the Valdius family and because thanks to Mr. Leo who has repaired the city of Valdia, "
" Waaaaaah! Thank you uncle! " Melina directly devoured the grilled squid. " Sister let's continue walking around. "
" Thank you uncle. We go first. " Lo slightly bowed in gratitude and went to Melina who had gone first.
They continued to tour the city while enjoying the grilled squid. News of Leo's identity in the tavern was immediately widespread. Along the city streets, residents greet Leo and many residents give various kinds of food and trinkets to Leo to make Leo have to rent a horse carriage for the gifts of the residents.
" I don't know why it's like this, "it's upset that Leo saw a pile of presents on the horse-drawn carriage.
" That's their gratitude to brother. Thanks to the sister's underground canal project, the city became clean and this is what the residents coveted" Melina replied.
A few meters later, Leo stopped in front of a large house not far from the city center. That house is the headquarters of the Yurei army.
" I know where to bring these gifts, "Lo knocked at the gate of the house made of wood. Before long the gate opened and a man was seen from behind the gate.
" the Lamart? Incidentally, "said Leo when he saw that opened the gate was the chairman of the 1st division, Lamart the water element magic user.
" Mister Leo!? It's an honor to come here. If you may know what made you visit us? " ask Lamart.
Leo flicked his finger and the coachman of the horse-drawn carriage drove his carriage beside Leo. " Lamart I brought something for the Yurei troops. Let's just say it's a gift from me before you get back on duty tomorrow, "
Lamart was surprised because the horse carriage was full of goods and food, "Tu-master, are you sure? "
" Yes, have a party tonight. Then I'll go first. " Leo pulled Melina's hand while waving the other to Lamart.
" Thank you, Mr. Leo, "reply to Lamart from the gates of the Yurei army headquarters.
***
They continued their journey and stopped in the middle of the road close to the main gate of the city of Valdia. Along the way, besides merchants, there were also many street painters. Leo was astonished because the painters painted many of Thalia's faces and to his astonishment, many visitors outside the city bought the paintings.
" Melina why so many paintings of Thalia's sister's face? And everything sold, "asked Leo as he looked at one of the painters painting his brother's face.
" Whataaa!? First champion!? " surprise Leo.he did not expect his brother who was very careless and acted at will to be the most beautiful woman in the world.
" Yeah. Thalia defeated the princesses of the kingdom and the daughters of other nobles. He excels in all areas. For the achievements of Thalia, she became an idol of many people and it became an attraction in itself to attract foreign tourists to our city, "praise Melina.
" It's amazing that Thalia's sister. Behind his recklessness he can become an idol. Who are champions two and three? "
" Champion two is the grandson of king Gerelia, princess Licia, and the third champion is the daughter of king Hanaria, I don't know her name, "
" Waah Yuki's daughter? It is only natural that she can become a champion because she is very beautiful and talented, "praise Leo to the daughter of the king of Hanaria.
" Uh? Sister knew him?? "
" When I stopped returning to Valdia, there was a prayer room to find Yuki's daughter's partner. I was forced by my grandfather to come and I went with the saimbara. And I was lucky to be a champion. I was also betrothed to princess Yuki, but unfortunately the matchmaking was void because princess Yuki was forced to marry her own relatives to quell the internal conflict of the kingdom. And in exchange, I got five hundred thousand gold coins, "
Melina was surprised by the nominal prize that Leo got, "With that much money you can buy a castle belonging to a baron and even a count. "
" Ahahaha may be right but I purposely saved the money as an emergency fund because I know of a massive city renovation a few years ago to spend our family money right. "
Melina replied with a nod of her head and they continued on their way. A full day the two brothers went around the city and they rested on top of the main gate of the city until evening.
***
The sun began to sink, the sky was slowly turning dark decorated with starlight. Leo and Melina were joking with the soldiers guarding the city fortress. They exchanged stories and experiences. In the middle of the engrossing torch, there was a commotion under the gate. The uproar involved the soldiers of the Gerelia kingdom with the townspeople.
Seen Gerelia soldiers were acting at will by kicking a small shop containing fruits belonging to one of the residents. Leo who saw the incident was about to jump straight from the gate but Melina forbade it. Melina fears that Leo's actions may damage Valdius's relationship with the king's family. Leo followed the advice of his brother. He just looked over the gate until the noise was over and the soldiers left, and Leo went down.
" Aunty is okay? " tanya Leo approached the owner of the tavern that had been damaged by the army earlier. He also picked up the scattered fruits.
" It's okay, sir. It's just that I am confused tomorrow to find money how, "the shop owner replied while picking up fruits that had been damaged by being stepped on by the soldiers.
" Why are Gerelia's soldiers here? " leo murmured a glance at the Gerelian soldiers who were walking away.
" Hhhh since the tragedy of the massacre of the pilgrims due to the impact of the civil war of the kingdom Iris lord. By then the kingdom's sacred trust in the Aiden marquis had begun to decline and over the tragedy, the, king Gerelia and the nobles urged that marquis Aiden would sign a treaty that the care of the pilgrim path would be fully held by the kingdom and would be commanded directly by the crown prince, Prince Theo, " the shop owner's office.
" Prince Theo?? Wasn't the crown prince the prince of Jian? " ask the blonde youth. King Gerelia raised his first son Jian as crown prince when Leo was 6 years old.
" Sister, prince Jian got leprosy and 3 years ago he died of his illness. Therefore prince Theo was the last candidate as crown prince. "intercepts Melina.
Leo was a little surprised to hear his sister's words. Prince Jian used to be a very nice person to Leo even he became a teacher as well as Leo's adoptive father while in the capital. Until when he was 7 years old, Leo was not allowed to approach the Jian prince because at that time the prince was exposed to various diseases, one of them leprosy or leprosy.
" Now a quarter of the territory of Valdia began to be governed by the soldiers of Gerelia. While our own soldiers can only patrol according to the lines made by the team leader Gerelia in Valdia" continued the shop owner.
Leo put the fruits he picked into the shopkeeper's basket and reached into the back pants pocket and took 5 gold coins, "Let's take this money aunty in exchange for the damage to the aunt's shop. " Lo gave the money to the aunt of the owner of the shop.
" Eh!? Mister? This is gold coins!? Are you sure you gave it to me? " shock the aunt because 1 gold coin is equal to 100 silver coins and Leo gives 5 gold coins.
" Yes, take it. Use this money to buy the needs of the aunt's family and also to rebuild this aunt's shop, "Lo pulled the shop owner's right hand and gave him 5 gold coins.
" Thank you, sir. I will use this money as best I can. Looks like Miss Melina is lucky to have a future husband like this master, "
" Yes-openiaan! Hhh.., how many times should I say to the residents, "Melina pointed her index finger at Leo. " Aunty, this is my sister! Leonard von Valdius, "
" Whataaaa!? Ja-so you're Mr Leo who the Valdia soldiers and residents talk about? " shock the shop owner to drop the fruits in his arms. Leo just laughed and nodded his head.
" I am very lucky to have met you in person. B-but I'm sorry sir for not being able to give you anything. I wanted to give you these fruits but these were already dirty and damaged by the soldiers, "the owner of the tavern took the fruits he dropped.
" It's okay aunt. It is my duty as the son of the leader of this city to help his own people. Then we'll go home, hopefully the money will be useful. Let's Melina. " Leo waved at the shopkeeper while holding Melina's hand.
The shopkeeper was moved and nodded his head, " Again thank you sir! I will not forget the kindness of the master and until home what I experienced I will tell my children. "
Leo and Melina left the tavern owner and rushed back to the palace as the day started late at night. Although it was night, but the city of Valdia was not as big as other cities because along the road already installed lanterns for lighting.
***
Upon arrival at the palace, Melina immediately went to sleep to her room while Leo went to the mother's grave while carrying 2 cups of warm tea.
" Mother I'm home. Sorry to be home this late because Melina whines all day and asks me to accompany her around town. Oh yes mother I brought a glass of warm tea for mother, " Leo sat in front of the tombstone and put a cup of tea.
" Mother, do you know since my return here no one knows me and when Melina asked me to buy grilled squid, then they knew me. The residents suddenly gave various gifts but since I could not bring them to the palace so I gave them to my troops hehe. I forgot to bring one of those gifts to you. I'm sorry mother. "
Leo looked up at the sky at the flickering star and the bright crescent moonlight and said, "Mother, I read various history books and most of them were about the wars between two religions. Didn't you ever tell me that the goddesses Grecia and the Cilia were brothers? Why are his followers at war? I once asked my grandfather if I was trying to reconcile the two religions, if war would never happen again and Grandpa replied that I should become stronger. And now that I am stronger, mother, can I achieve peace in the two religions? "
Leo continued to say alone as if he were talking to his mother. But in his heart he realized that his mother was dead and he did this so that for a moment he could assume that his mother was still alive. Shortly after talking alone, Leo stood up again and a warm embrace clutched the young man's body from behind abruptly.
" Mother must be very supportive of your ideals to realize that peace. Mother is calm in heaven. Instead he will be sad if you continue to speak for yourself in his grave and always think of your mother as alive, "said the soft voice of a woman who sounded soft from behind Leo.
Leo was speechless, his body was slightly trembling and tears were slowly drenching his cheeks. The voice made Leo aware that his mother had died and would never return.
" Mother is dead, but I promised my mother that I would replace her for you and Melina. Therefore do not be sad and please let go of the mother. I know you are lonely in that far country, but now I will not let you be lonely anymore Leo" continued the soft voice in Leo's ear.
Leo let go of the hand that was embracing his waist and then turned around. There was a beautiful woman with long, unraveling red hair standing right in front of him. The woman wore purple pajamas like a dress and a necklace that was familiar to Leo. Yeah, it's the mother's necklace.
" Ka-sister! " Leo hugged the woman who turned out to be Thalia. She cried in her brother's arms because of all she missed in Valdia, only Thalia was the one she missed so much. Because from childhood Thalia was like a second mother figure to her.
Thalia was a little surprised that Leo suddenly hugged her. " You're a big boy now, "
" I miss my sister a lot, "
" I miss my bad sister too. Forgive the brother who never visited you in Taiyoria, "
Leo let go of the wound, "Let it pass. At least now I can see my sister again. "
Seeing Leo's cheeks wet with tears, Thalia took a handkerchief and cleaned her sister's face. " Even though it is big but your crybaby still does not disappear yes, "
" I don't want to be big in front of my sister, " said Leo, who spoiledly let Thalia clean her face.
" When did you come home? " so Leo asked for Thalia's arrival.
" I arrived this afternoon. I was looking for you in the palace but Boris said you were traveling with Melina so I waited until you guys came home, "
" Has brother started taking off from the academy? "
" It's my third year at the academy and well there's been a bit of learning that I've had so much free time. I used that time to come back and help Dad take care of Valdia, "
Thalia brought her face closer to Leo and kissed him on the cheek, "Happy birthday Leo. "
Leo is surprised to get a kiss from Thalia. Her face was reddened because it was only this first time that she got a kiss from a girl.
" I-this is my birthday? " ask Leo holding the cheek of Thalia's kiss.
Thalia lowered her head and shook her head, "Hhh..., your own birthday forgot? "
" Isn't my birthday still next week? "
Thalia was surprised.she immediately picked up a small notebook in her pocket. He realizes that Leo's birthday is still next week after seeing the book. Thalia's cheeks are flushed. He took a few steps back from Leo while blushing in embarrassment after giving a kiss.
" A-ahaha.., "Thalia's awkward laugh.
" I think I was wrong the other day. I-I guess that's a welcome kiss from me. Then I'll go to sleep first. " Thalia immediately walked quickly leaving Leo with embarrassment. While Leo is still confused by the nature of the brother.
Soon, Leo turned to his mother's grave again. This time he did not consider his mother alive, but he said goodbye to her. He then returned to the palace to rest.
^^^To be Continue.^^^
