KENSHI
Searching for an artifact with no leads was one thing, but searching for an artifact with no leads and with the Dark Order attacking was a completely different story.
It was hard to focus our mind on our current task when the thought of the Sages fighting the Dark Order was also flooding my head. And when someone couldn't focus, they tended to overlook things and ended up not doing their task properly.
I really wanted to find that artifact. It was the only thing that would stop the evil cult from fulfilling their morbid and malicious plan. But how was I supposed to do the searching if I couldn't concentrate my mind on it?
"Gotta focus on the artifact, Kana! Gotta focus on the artifact!"
Looked like I was not the only one.
But we persisted and pushed through the ordeal. It was quite a challenge, but it was nothing compared to what we had experienced before. We survived several Dark Order attacks; a simple distraction such as this was nothing but a minute problem.
And just like that, sundown came, and so did our mood. Just like yesterday, we failed to locate and find the artifact. We had already asked several passerby for a suspicious-looking object, but none of them provided us with the relevant information that we needed.
We had already exhausted all of our brain juices thinking of where it could possibly be hidden.
Kana and I regrouped with Shino and Fo, and all of us had the same look on our faces—disappointment and hopelessness.
"Usually, the artifact would reveal itself to us when we least expect it. Should we stop looking for it and, I don't know, let the artifact come to us by itself?" Shino suggested. I knew she was joking, but we were so down that the joke failed to make us laugh or even smile.
"Let's try our luck again tomorrow. For now, let's go to where the Sages are," I instructed. All of them agreed, and we started our travel toward the northern part of the city.
Strangely, the people we passed by seemed relaxed and unbothered even though their city was attacked. No hint of panic or worry on their faces. Were they oblivious to what happened? Not even a single gossip nor conversation about the said attack could be heard from the bystanders, as if the attack didn't happen at all.
Finally, we reached the northern entrance gate of the city. One could tell even from afar that a battle broke out in this place. Smoke was soaring from various locations, and the ground was disturbed by irregular markings of either combat footwork or missed magic.
Nevertheless, based on the people left standing, I could tell that victory was on our side. I couldn't help but feel amazed.
Five of the Sages were here, and they instantly noticed our presence when we approached them. Behind them was a familiar face of a man tied by both arms. He was kneeling with his head down, but he then raised his head when we arrived. He must have detected our arrival.
An ecstatic smile curved Akihiko's lips before he uttered, "If it isn't the swordsman who reawakened as a mage. We meet again."
I stared at him in pure hatred, but I didn't say a thing. As much as I wanted to erase this man from existing here on Nodum, I couldn't. We made a promise with Tanshiro, and I was thankful that Poreito spared him upon my request. I only batted an eye at him before shifting my attention to Greygor.
Upon seeing my eyes land on him, Greygor asked, "How was the search?"
I shook my head both sides as a gesture of disapproval. "We couldn't find it."
"Were you looking for an artifact?" Akihiko interjected, still wearing his mischievous smile.
"Even if we say we were, I doubt you'll give us any information about it," Shino replied spitefully.
"I can make an exception. Besides, letting you know doesn't mean you can really stop the revival of Dolum, because even without the artifacts, the God of Darkness will still rise," Akihiko explained, and all of our brows furrowed and our foreheads creased at his statement.
"What do you mean?" Soreas asked.
"Fine. I'll tell you since you're all gonna die anyway," Akihiko insulted. "It is true that the artifacts can revive Dolum, but it's not the only way. The artifacts serve as catalysts to hasten the revival. They collect all the Evil Remnant in this world and channel it to the God of Darkness for him to consume.
"But one could still achieve that without the artifact. Though the process takes a really long time, that's no longer a problem now because the right time is soon to come. Tell me, how many corrupted beings have you killed for 500 years? Hundreds? Thousands? I bet millions.
"Each kill is a fuel for Dolum to regain his strength. And 500 years are enough to provide him enough fuel to achieve his revival all by himself. And with my contributions in achieving human corruption, the revival process will be advanced more.
"To make it short, with the artifact or not, Dolum is still bound to be back here in Nodum, whether you like it or not. And when that time comes, you all would wish you died right here, right now." I thought he was done, but he continued, "Oh, I almost forgot. There's no artifact here. You were just wasting your time here instead of going back to your own city, which I bet is already in chaos as we speak."
Akihiko laughed hysterically, and I was on the verge of unsheathing my sword to slit his throat when Varsia hit him at the back of his neck, rendering him unconscious.
"How can there be no artifact here when the map marked this place?" Shino asked.
"Because the mark was not actually referring to the artifact but their course of action. Geiya Village, Tragiffa Village, and Thorn were already checked out because they already went there. While Suttoh and Wset remained unmarked because they were yet to go to those places—until now," I explained. Why didn't I think of this earlier?
"Since there is no artifact here, then our next plan is to go back to Thorn. After what Akihiko told us, I couldn't help but worry for the people there," Kana said, with worry plastered on her face.
"But will we be fast enough to save everyone? I don't want to think about it, but half a month is already long enough to destroy a whole city. They even managed to cause a lot of casualties in just one night," Shino fearfully mumbled, and by the look on her face, I could tell she remembered the night when Thorn was attacked by the Dark Order and corrupted beings.
The Sages couldn't help but show their worry as well.
"We have to deliver a message to Grosi. Based on this man's statement, he was quite unsure if the plan on Thorn has already started. Let's hold onto the idea that it hasn't yet. The only problem now is how we are going to deliver the message?" Soreas spoke of the same thing Poreito told us earlier.
"I think I can help," Fo suddenly said. All of us looked at her, and she had this determined look on her face. "My wolves are excellent runners. We can reach Thorn City in just seven days if we only take short breaks in between."
"Are you sure, Fo?" Kana asked.
"We just met, yet you're willing to do something like this for us?" Shino inquired.
"I'm not just doing this for you; I'm also doing this for myself and these two. Stopping their plan on Thorn may not totally stop Dolum from coming back to this world, but it will buy us some time to plan and strategize on how to defeat him once he is revived," Fo explained, and she was right. "I'll leave tonight."
"Tonight?!" Drogin reacted.
"The sooner, the better," Fo convinced, and by the way she looked, no one could change her mind. "I'll just need to prepare some stuff to bring, and then I can go."
"We'll help you, Fo," Kana offered.
"I'll go as well so that I can tell you the content of the message," Greygor mumbled. "You go back to the hideout and watch over this man. I'll do the patrolling once I return."
Greygor's co-sages nodded in agreement. The four of us, along with Greygor, immediately left to go to Fo's house. With our pace, we reached the house in half the usual time.
The three of us helped Fo pack while Greygor wrote the letter for Fo to deliver to Grosi. As for Fo, she was busy installing armor-like regalia made of leather on both Suya and Sayu.
And it seemed like we were in sync when all of us finished simultaneously. Fo carried the backpack full of rations and necessary stuff before Greygor knelt to match his height with hers.
"Bring this letter to Grosi. Kenshi has already told you the name of the shop, right?" Fo nodded. "He is quite well-known, so asking for his name is an option as well. However, if you really can't find him or he's not around, bring this letter to the King instead. If he asks about the sender, tell him my name. I'm sure he'll recognize it. Got it?"
"Got it, Sage Greygor."
"I wish you good luck on your journey, young lady. Your parents must be so proud of you right now."
Fo smiled before facing us.
"Thank you for doing this, Fo," I thanked her, and she responded with a smile as well.
"We'll see you again, Fo," Shino prayed.
Kana sent her wishes as well. "Safe travels, you three."
"See you soon, friends."