(I Can't Think Of A Good Name)

Chapter 9: Mission

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"......That's the entirety of what occured 8 years ago."

"You've truly kept it well hidden, Dion."

Dion remained silent.

"This complicates matters further, the enemy has possibly been within our ranks for 8 years now. For the act of lying and deceiving even the royalty, how would you like to be punished?"

The crown prince said with a slight smile on his face.

"I will accept whatever punishment you put upon me."

"In that case, your punishment will be to personally seek out the enemies. I'm sure there are no objections, yes?"

Dion's eyes became sharp after hearing the prince's words. Naturally, he accepted the "punishment". The punishment was something he would gladly receive even if it weren't an order from the royalty.

"I accept my punishment, your highness."

The crown prince smiled.

"Your journey shall begin the day after you arrived at your residence. I will promptly send my men there to pick you up."

"Yes your highness "

"You are dismissed."

Dion left the crown prince's chambers with hope in his eyes.

If the crown prince were to assist him in finding his enemies, he would be able to swiftly take revenge.
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The next day came by quick. Dion woke up from his slumber feeling more refreshed than usual.

He washed his face, straightened his clothes and headed out of the inn with Lia.

Outside, he found Red standing by the doors waiting for them.

"Ready to head home, Sir?"

"Very much so."

"I see you are in quite the cheery mood today!"

Lia had thought the same thing, but couldn't bring herself to say it out loud.

Red had used half of the money he was paid to buy a new carriage. Though he had to settle for a cheap one.

They climbed into the carriage and prepared to head back.

In the carriage, Dion glanced at the inn for a bit. Lia saw this and wonfered if her dad got attached to this inn.

Very soon, they were already out of the capital, it was a once in a lifetime experience for Lia, though she didn't get the chance to do much there, which was to be expected.

"We're using the official pathway to Vivida now, Sir."

"The road is safe now?"

"Well, it should be safe now, though we don't have much of a choice."

Red thought back to the mysterious creature in the forest of wonders. He had a feeling that they should never return on that path again.

They rode on for 2 days, with a few breaks in between. Finally, Dion and Lia had reached home. Lia never could've imagined that reaching home would be such a pleasant feeling.

"It was a pleasure serving you two!"

"Likewise, Red. It was a great pleasure hiring you to be our guide."

(Not very pleasurable for my wallet though.)

Dion secretly thought to himself.

Red laughed and left for the capital again.

Returning to the familiar sight of Vivida was quite refreshing after the action packed 4 day journey they had.

The servants of the Noe mansion were already awaiting their arrival.

It was already evening by the time they had arrived at the mansion. Dion returned to his room and took a short break after a hectic journey.

He knew that this was only the beginning. His wife's murderer was still out there, in this country.

All of a sudden, a sound rung out from within Dion's pockets, it was the orb the crown prince had given him this afternoon.

Before he had been dismissed by the crown prince, he had been given a communication orb, to receive orders and pass on information to and fro.

He answered the orb and an image of the crown prince shone in his office.

"Good evening Dion. I assume you've arrived at your residence."

"Yes your highness."

Dion respectfully answered.

"Very good, I'll now pass on the information my scouts have gathered from the other towns."

Dion marvelled at the crown prince's authority. The meeting had just been held 2 days ago and he already has information regarding the spies hidden within their ranks.

"Currently, the northern side of the kingdom is the most likely to be infiltrated according to your information."

"That is where you will begin investigating. Make sure to keep good relations with the other governors, and never let your guard down."

"You'll first investigate Orion. After which, inform me through the orb what you've gathered from there."

"Yes your highness."

"Very good, you are dismissed."

The crown prince cut off the connection between their communication orbs.

Dion leaned back at his chair and sighed.

This journey would be a long one for him.
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The next day, Dion took from within his closet his old clothing. It was used during his younger days when he often engaged in battles.

And now it was time to relive those days.

He put on the clothing and covered it up with his formal wear to hide it.

"Dad, are you going somewhere?"

Lia asked in curiosity.

"Yes, I'll be off for a few days for important matters."

"Can I come?"

Lia sheepishly asked.

"Not this time unfortunately."

Disappointment instantly appeared on her little face.

Dion could not help but chuckle at how similar she was to him in his youth.

"I'll bring you somewhere special when I come back, okay?"

Lia's eyes brightened up like the stars. A smile formed on her face.

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

Lia smiled brightly and happily ran off.

Dion smiled at the sight.

It was 9am, the group that the crown prince had sent to be assist him was already outside the mansion waiting for him.

Dion instructed the servants on what to do while he was away before heading out.

"Ready to leave, sir?"

Dion nodded and they started moving towards the town on the edge of the country. Orion.

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<short chapter because I'm bad at writing stuff like these.>