The Last of the Miras

XXXII | San-Jū Ni

Hours before the break of dawn, Axel and some of the palace troops went to travel southbound towards the city of Etania. The city where their subject, Rhinos was talking about.

My main goal in this journey is to capture a useful l'aci for an interrogation. The rest who are considered a threat to every citizens of the city should be eliminated. The heir recalls the order which directly came from his parents.

•

The king tapped his son's left arm as if to ease up his anxiety for the journey.

Lead yourself well. Remember that our citizens need you, for you are the next monarch in line.

He reminds him of his duty as the crown prince.

Be careful my son. He faintly remembers his mother's worry for him.

Hai, okaa-san.

•

In two days time since their departure from the capital, the crown prince's party arrived near the borders of Etania and was greeted by the awaiting mayor of the city.

The head of the city who sat on a brown colored horse waited for almost an hour hopped off the stud as he personally greets the palace troops being led by the future monarch of the country.

Greetings to you, crown prince. I welcome you to Etania.

Axel nods in appreciation to his greeting and replied.

I thank you for your patience in waiting for our troops to come.

As he scanned the terrain around him then, the young monarch immediately adds thereafter.

Show me the way.

Of course, my prince.

Minutes before they arrive at the city proper, the future king observed the current state around the place. He was looking for any clues that may help on his search and mission.

Since when did the l'aci's started their attack? It was his first question to the mayor.

At the same time, the city mayor himself blew something on his palm creating a magical yellow dragonfly as he also whispered to the creature before it flew away from where they are.

All I remembered that those demons' last attack was six days ago, where everyone in the city was drunk from the city's annual celebration. To count including today, it's already a week since.

Annual celebration? Axel pried for more information whereas the city head nodded as he continued.

The death anniversary of the first Hahanaru Shizen's husband, Anton Carla.

At the mention of the guardian's husband, the crown prince stopped his white horse from moving forward as he also was caught off guard from what the mayor mentioned.

The prince's talking companion was the only one left walking making both their distances, the city and kingdom's heads further away from each other. Simultaneously, both of them were left unfocused for awhile and right after came Rhinos' arrival, who called out for the two heads' attention.

Kōtaishi, shichō. Your humble subject at your service.

Tell me, Rhinos. What happened during the attack?

The first to call for the witness was the royal who donned his personal military regalia of the kingdom. The mentioned subject faced Axel and started his tale.

While the witness of a l'acian attack was giving out his testimony, the city mayor excused himself as he made several steps away from where the two were talking.

When the city head was a good distance away from the crown prince, the witness and the kingdom's half of the main troops without anyone noticing, he passed out for an enemy struck down his back. However, neither the people who were left within the area knew that the enemy they have been looking for already made a move.

As the crown prince and the kingdom's subject are almost done talking, Axel got curious and asked Rhinos where he last saw the l'aci to which the witness mentioned in his testimony.

At the back of Etania's city mayor's mansion, Your Highness.

Now that he mentioned it, the heir himself got curious and asked out loud.

Where's the city head?

One of the troop's soldiers answered somewhat with uncertainty.

I saw him walking to the west side, my prince.

Are you sure?

Hai, oji-sama.

Came the soldier's reply and right after, Rhinos bowed to Axel as if taking his turn to speak and said.

I think I know where he is.

He motioned his hand seemingly in an inviting position.

Please follow me, Your Highness.