It was something of a relief to see Amako back to her old self.
Just then, a huge ringing reverberated through the air. It was so loud that I covered my ears. I spun to the source of the sound and saw that it came from the bell in the huge tower.
“That came out of nowh . . . huh?”
The sound continued to echo through the air, but all the hustle and bustle of the city had dissolved into complete and utter silence. I looked around and saw that everybody was on their knees in prayer.
“What is going on?” I uttered.
Everyone except for the people in our party were praying.
“Now you know why it’s called the Prayerlands,” whispered Aruku.
“It’s so strange,” I said.
“Well, yes, I suppose for us as visitors, it looks unusual.”
It didn’t seem like just prayers though. It felt like part of a deeper faith or religion. Even the children had their hands clasped as they prayed fervently. The Prayerlands. I hadn’t thought very much of the name when I first heard it, but I couldn’t help but be struck by how strange it all seemed now that I was seeing it for myself.
“This, uh, it kind of freaks me out,” said Nea, looking uncomfortably at the tower.
“What’s the matter? Feel like the sound of that bell’s going to purify or cleanse you?” I teased.
“I’m not that evil!” spat Nea.
So you will admit to being a little evil after all.
The bell stopped ringing suddenly, and as soon as it stopped, the people of Samariarl returned to what they were doing. The city was bustling just like it was when we first got here. I couldn’t believe how quickly it happened.
“Well then, Usato,” said Aruku, “let’s take Amako and Nea back to Blurin, then visit the castle.”
“Sounds good. We’ve sent word to Llinger, so let’s go.”
The letter is the whole reason we’re here, after all.
I checked my luggage to make sure I still had my three letters and the spares.
“Everything’s ready,” I said.
Now all we had to do was leave our luggage with Amako, Nea, and Blurin.
“Alright then, Amako and Nea, let’s . . . huh?”
The two of them were gone. They’d suddenly disappeared, just like that.
“Oh, please tell me they haven’t pulled an Inukami-senpai and gone off wandering somewhere,” I muttered.
But neither of them seemed like the type to disappear without saying something. Especially not Amako.
But this is Samariarl, and they don’t like beastkin here.
Unsettling thoughts began to flash through my mind. I felt suddenly panicked and turned to Aruku for help.
“Aruku, the girls, they’re gone!” I said.
“Not good. Let’s put the letters on hold for now and look for them.”
I nodded. We couldn’t afford to wait until it was too late. The letters were important, but we could hand them out at any time. Our companions were a higher priority right now. But just as I was about to move, Aruku grabbed my arm.
“Sir Usato. Stop,” he said.
“What’s wrong, Aruku,” I said. “We have to hurry.”
“Look behind you.”
I did as he said and saw a group of knights walking toward us. It was clear from their gazes that they were heading for us. The knight leading the others had a long sword and wore armor that included a flowing robe. There were white streaks through his hair, and he spoke in a deep voice.
“A moment of your time, if I may?” he asked.
“Yes?”
Who are these guys?
Whoever they were, I wanted to get them out of my hair so I could get to searching for Amako and Nea. The knight bowed politely.
“Am I correct in assuming that you are Ken Usato, member of the rescue team at Llinger Kingdom?” he asked.
“What?!”
How does he know who I am?
We still hadn’t been to the castle yet. The only thing I’d said to the guards at the entrance was that we’d come from Llinger.
Do these guys have something to do with Amako and Nea disappearing?
I felt my fists clenching. That was when Aruku put a hand on my shoulder.
“Calm down, Sir Usato,” he said.
“But Aruku . . .” I said.
“These men are Samariarl’s knights,” said Aruku. “That, and . . .”
I followed his gaze to the sword hanging from the lead knight’s belt. At the end the sword’s handle was a large sphere. It pulsed with light at regular intervals.
“Now I know why Amako disappeared,” Aruku said, softly enough that only I could hear him.
“Huh?”
“I can’t explain it in front of these knights, but they’re safe. So let’s keep calm.”
“Okay.”
I let my shoulders relax and unclenched my fists. Judging by what Aruku said, Amako must have taken Nea and left.
Are these knights the reason why?
Perhaps Amako saw the future and knew that she had to steer clear of them. That would explain why they left without warning. If that were true, it meant that I could not easily trust the knights who stood before us. I was happy to hear them out, but if they tried to strongarm us, I would meet them with an equal level of resistance.
I calmed my heart and faced the knight before us.
“Who are you?” I asked.
“I am Fegnis, General of the Samariarl Knight Corps,” said the knight, showing the slight hint of a smile. “We are here to escort you. We know how long the journey is from the Llinger Kingdom.”
“An escort? But why?”
A general? The position sounds different from that of the same rank in Llinger, but it’s clear the man is of high rank. In any case, he knows exactly who I am. This doesn’t make sense.
“Our king, Luca Ould Samariarl, would like to see you.”
My jaw dropped.
“What?!”
First there was Amako and Nea disappearing. Then there was Fegnis, the Knight Corps General, who knew exactly who I was. On top of that, the king himself wanted to see me.
It was my first time delivering a letter from Llinger Kingdom and already there was something very ominous in the air.