Beyond The World Plan

Tonight, the tavern is more crowded than usually do. Every adventurer gathering in here and have a party.

"Tonight we celebrate to our success defending the city!"

""Hoooo""

"Also tonight, we celebrate for our newest member. Our Rising Star, Ray and Lily that has rank up to E-Rank. Let's enjoy this party!"

And with that everyone began to ordering food and alcohol. And for us, we just ordering the food because we still underage.

When waiting our order come, someone approaching us. He is the one who gave the opening before. The one who in charge being the commander in last event.

"Good job out there, lad." (???)

"You are just overstimate us because you guys that held so many monster during the Monster Frenzy." (Ray)

"Hey, don't lower yourself. If you not coming to help us we have be a dead body. By the way, name's Crush." (Crush)

He offer his hand and we shook it alternately.

"May I ask you some question? I having interest on you two right now." (Crush)

I give a nod.

"Sure thing." (Ray)

"I curious since the first time you came to guild. You said you live in the forest. Where do you really come from?" (Crush)

It's the first time someone asking our home before. So I kinda sad remembering the past.

"Well.... to tell the truth I live in a village before but that place is no longer exist." (Ray)

"Why?" (Lily & Crush)

It's weird to see Lily asking it. But if I remember correctly, seems like I never told a bit about my past to much to her. Maybe it more suit to said I always avoiding that qusstion before.

"That place is destroyed by monster. I can say that I am the only one who can survive from that attack. Because of that I start live in the jungle." (Ray)

I looked down when I told them that. I still can't forget what happened and believe that someone was behind it. I can't forgive that person.

"I'm sorry for asking that." (Crush)

"Me too, I never know that." (Lily)

"That's not a problem. It's a past now, I can't do anything to change it." (Ray)

"Then, how about you Lily?" (Crush)

"I was sold by my village as a slave then Ray is helping me. He taught me many thing!" (Lily)

She hug my arm tightly. Here come again her 'Not Let Me Go' side.

"So thats why you two come together." (Crush)

"Yeah, you can say we are kind of apprentiece and mast...!!!" (Ray)

Something crushing my arms!

"Partner!" (Lily)

She saw me with a cold eyes. All I can do now is nodding her.

"I see.... Ray, your story remind me about the Erta village that has be destroyed by monster too three years ago. Unfortunately, no one survive it. Even my friend was killed on that incident." (Crush)

"Really?" (Ray)

He bring up my village to this case. I can't tell him I came from that village. It's not the right time.

"Yeah, suddenly a Bear type monster that never know their existed there attacking the village. It destroy everything in there and killing all people. My friend was a F-Rank adventurer killed there." (Crush)

Now that remind me, there was a group of F-Rank in my village in that 'Incident'.

"That village was completely destroyed. But no longer after that duke from Retilia Family come there and rebuild the village. That place has become a small town now." (Crush)

Retilia? I feel like I have heard it somewhere. Oh right, that was one of the noble family that Mathias said they have bought so many expensive thing from him before. And they was the one who ruling the land where the village built.

I wonder where they have much coins when the village in their land was poor. Seems like they was a corrupted noble. Is they the one who cause the 'Incident'? No, maybe only the head family. Their children surely not knowing anything about their head do.

I must wait till the quest begin. I believe the monster ruler was controlled by someone. If I can trace the controller mana, they have a chance the same person that cause the 'Incident'.

"Sorry to start asking. Looking the mood suddenly changed into like this." (Crush)

"That is no problem. I feel sorry for your friend." (Ray)

"Thanks." (Crush)

After that we ate our dinner with some small talk. But, I must suspect him too. Suddenly bringing up the topic about Erta, something feels off about him.

Around one month has passed. We take the normal quest regularly. Increase our Rank Point and try to Rank Up.

At a certain day, the night after taking quest Zack called us to his room.

"We have located all ruler's place. Thanks to you we have make it quickly. All need to do is preparing for the quest and departure on 3 days." (Zack)

Glad to hear it that they have found it. However, something still come to my mind.

"That's good, but I have something I worrying about lately." (Ray)

In confuse that I worried something, he ask me.

"What is it?" (Zack)

Zack has acknowledge my ability to analyzing some problem quickly with only limited information.

"I felt something off. Don't you feel that lately the monster suddenly calmed?" (Ray)

"Come to think of it, I felt the same. Isn't that a good sign?" (Lily)

"I agree with Lily. What are you worrying about?" (Zack)

"Haven't I told you about 'The calm before the storm', Lily?" (Ray)

She look at me with puzzled face. She like told me, "Suddenly bring up that matter now, are you ok?"

"You have told me that before. Didn't you said that just something that suddenly came up to your mind?" (Lily)

"I told you like that but seems like I understand it now." (Ray)

In curious with our talk, Zack joined our chat.

"What is it?" (Zack)

"Something big is coming. It's bigger than the Monster Frenzy incident. The moment will come when we set out to subjugate the rulers." (Ray)

Shocked with my word, they both have a worry face on them.

"How can you so sure about it?" (Zack)

"It also happened to me in the past. When the situation felt safe, suddenly a terror appear and destroyed everything I have." (Ray)

Again with remembering my past, I can't hide my regret on that time.

"But, because of that time I can come here. I thought that what someone called fate. But honestly, I not fully believe it." (Ray)

"I see. So basically, you want to told me to left some adventurer here to help guarding the town, am I right?" (Zack)

I relieved a bit that he can understand it without long explanation from me anymore.

"That's right. At least, the strongest adventurer you have. I have a feeling that this will be turn bad." (Ray)

"How about our subjugation? Don't we need it to take the quest that higher from us?" (Lily)

I understand it. To become a top Rank and gain freedom to travel around all kingdom on this continent, we really need it.

"Don't worry, we still participate it. I just told him that to give some warn. I am sure that whoever he choose is the best to protect this town." (Ray)

I patted her to give her some calm. She seriously had come to like it so much.

"If you said it so much then I will cooperate. But in this town, not many adventurer with that capability, also many strong adventurers joining this quest." (Zack)

"Then, can't we ask for help from another town. Also we have Royal Academy here. I am sure if we tell them the reason, they will understand and help us." (Ray)

We must get every help we need. This is serious problem. I want to say it but seems like he understand it before I told it. But he looks distracted.

"With only three days, how we do it? We also can't postponed this matter or the same incident will happen again." (Zack)

I see.... With that short time, we cannot get much help.

'There is nothing that can be saved, you cannot do anything to save them. Everything you do is useless.'

That voice again. I wonder where that come. When situation is dire, that voice always come. It told me that what will I di is futile. Whatever we choose, both of them have an end on the town is destroyed. It really gave a feeling of despair. Is there really not a single thing we can do?

In that despair, once again something screaming at my mind. It told me "Calm yourself, analyze what the situation you are in, remember everything you learned, use everything you have, and make the best option to change the destiny."

It told me like I have done it before. It is the same one that told me to "Run away, don't let their sacrifice become useless". Because of that, I still alive and met Lily. Also I can live in this town right now.

Believing what my mind said, I calmed myself, remembering everything I learned and everything I can do. Learning the situation, every single thing in detail. Use anything I have to reach the goal. Make the simulation on my mind and choose the best outcome.

The room remain silent. Everyone in here don't know what can we do. Both Zack and Lily has surrender with the situation. I believe there is something we can do. I trust in myself and in my mind.

I open my eyes and look at Zack.

"We can save this town!" (Ray)

Both Zack and Lily surprise with my sudden declaration.

"What do you mean?" (Zack)

"Like I said, we can save the city. Even with only 3 days, we definitely can make the best outcome!" (Ray)

Lily stand up from the couch and glared at me. She is ready to outburst what in her mind.

"I don't know what come in your mind but whatever it is, it definitely one of your illogical methods that bet on your life! I refuse it!" (Lily)

"Can you at least calm a bit? Rather than risk, this is the safest way that I can come up." (Ray)

"So, what is it?" (Zack)

Zack curious with my method. It absolutely hopeless if only one thing we can do, but...

"We will do them both." (Ray)

Zack and Lily seems puzzled. Well, it is something impossible if we do it normally.

"First, we still calling help to the academy. Explaining the situation right now they surely will help us." (Ray)

He gives a nod, I know for sure that he can make it happen.

"Next, make one more group to protect the town secretly. For the quest, we will split the group equally. We need it so there is no clash between the adventurer. Make sure to choose the leader for the group and for protector group, you can pick anyone you trust. We can't let anyone know about this. Then, make a contact with the government and soldier." (Ray)

"I got your point but what about the academy, there is still impossible to negotiate with them if I negotiate with the landlord first?" (Zack)

"Just believe, we definitely make it. I am sure Sana is the one who suitable to negotiate with the academy. Just make the important letter and believe her. She has some hidden talent when come to it. With that, we can make a faster move." (Ray)

I said that because Sana has a skill to interact with other, although she is irritated with us when we first met. But I must admit it she had a talent. She can reconcile a clash between adventurer in instant. It surely a talent that not everyone have it, even fir me. Stand up from his seat, he already has make a decision.

"All right, I put my trust on yours. We will make sure to protect the city." (Zack)

We leave the guild at night. Still, we need to take a preparation for tomorrow.

"How can you always have an idea with the hopeless situation?" (Lily)

Suddenly bring up the matter, I can't answer it surely too

"Yeah, just try to grind my gear. Analyze and make a plan, just that." (Ray)

We walk through the night, surely today is different. Tonight is so quite, because today is the day of God. Many people believe that if we pray all the night, then our hope will happen.

When thinking of it, I take Lily's hand and carry her. She is surprise but not have intention to fight it. We secretly leave the town to somewhere there no one can found us. I stop at a lake that shine tonight.

"W-What's the matter s-suddenly take me to here?" (Lily)

She looked down and waving her tail.

"Have you ever heard a voice that make you felt a despair?" (Ray)

She shook her head. Is it mean, I am the only one who can hear it? Then, what was that sound really is?

I look at Lily, she seems disappoint with my question. Maybe she is have a high hope for something?

I look around then look at the sky. Tonight is a full moon. It rays reflected on the lake and make it look shining. The wind is breeze strong too. Even though like that, it really give a peaceful air.

"Tonight is surely beautiful." (Ray)

"Y-Yeah." (Lily)

This is awkward. I must think something.

"You know, tonight is surely quite. This give a calm, right?" (Ray)

She nod. I collect my courage and take a deep breath.

"In this night, I want to tell you something. I want us to stay together, no matter what happen we will be together. So, I want that You and I will always together. Just believe that we will meet again if we are separated. Even the world against it, we will fight through it together." (Ray)

After that I look at her. She is blushing and then look at me with a joyful face. Her tear is dropping from her eyes

"I glad that that you said it. Then I also hope that we will always together too." (Lily)

I hug her and she rub her face on me. I am glad too that I can say it. Tonight, we spend it in front of the lake and slept there.

"Tonight I have pick my interest to both of you and for that, I will give you two my power and with this we three have make a contract. I hope you can show me that I am not wrong to give this to you."

Suddenly I hear a voice. I open my eyes bit no one there. But there is something strange, the lake is no longer shining like before. but I too sleepy for this so I ignore it and continue my sleep.