One's Eden: Sword of Ren!

Chapter 18: Assassination (Part 2)

Ren and Hanayuki go back to Elulu's cafe.

As Hanayuki excitedly open the door. Hanayuki was amazed by how many people are eating in the cafe.

Most of them are adventurers but there are also some locals. Like some farmers and kids.

Seele is currently in panic in serving the food to the customers and Elulu I busy cooking in the back.

Instead of a cafe, this place is more like a restaurant in Ren's eye.

Seele notices Hanayuki and Ren and makes a request.

"Hanayuki and Ren... Good timing. Bring this food to tables one and two. I will prepare this for table five... What are you staring at with a skeptic expression?"

Ren was puzzled in the idea of why he needs to work here. Opposite to Hanayuki that excitedly gets the food and serve it with a smile.

The adventurers are happy seeing Hanayuki.

"Another cutie... This cafe is really awesome."

They muttered.

"What can I do for you master? Do you need a magic charm for your meal... Heart beam."

Hanayuki started acting like the girls in the maid cafe. The smile Hanayuki gives makes some adventurers love struck.

"What is she doing?"

Ren said.

Seele gets some dirty dishes and brings them to my arms.

"What's the big deal?"

"Stop complaining! You are a friend right! Go and wash those dishes fast. Customers need it."

Seele said.

Ren looked to Seele and just accept the job.

Hanayuki became a star with Seel. Serving the meal with their lovely smiles. Everyone loves it and everyone loves how Seele sings a song to the customers.

There are also loyal fans of Seele that is cheering her on in the cafe.

The cafe is lively and very happy.

This is evidence that Seele and Elulu are not a bad person. Ren was fully convinced that they are good people.

...

Meanwhile.

Princess Alicia accidentally lost sight of Ren and Hanayuki.

"Where did they go? Elulu... I need to see her... But where am I going to start... The sun is setting already... Elulu."

Alicia said.

Alicia aimlessly walked and sit down on the bench near the guild.

She stares at the beautiful sunset and looks at the dagger in her hand.

"This is my last chance to prove that I'm a worthy princess on the throne... This is also my last chance to prove that I'm a father's child. I need to live to his expectation."

Alicia remembers all of her flaws. Like she always has a failing grade in the exam, She can't control her magic, she is alone all the time, looking to yusael that have all the praise from everyone.

"Alicia is a failure" that is what they always say. Those words give Alicia anger toward herself and envy her sister Yusael.

Yusael is a kind sister when they are still kids. When Yusael turns 15. Yael became buy in her duties as a princess.

Alicia feels like Yusael forgot about her. That makes her sadder.

Alicia is currently looking back at her memories. Of her and Yusael.

"Elulu I need to find Elulu..."

She muttered.

"Elulu? Onee-chan... Are you searching for Elulu-nee?"

It's a little girl that is playing around came to talk to Alicia.

Alicia was very happy and hold the little kid's hand.

"Do you know where is Elulu?!"

"Y-Yeah..."

"Then would you mind teaching me the way to Elulu, I will give you a silver coin."

The little girl's eye's turned glimmer.

"It's a deal."

The little girl teaches Alicia the way to Elulu. they arrived at the entrance of the cafe that Elulu runs.

"So this is the Elulu cafe. It's just a few steps behind the guild... I'm so stupid."

The little girl hands her palm and smile.

"I know... I know..."

Alicia gives the little girl a silver coin. The little girl happily leaves with a big smile.

Alicia started to have an evil smile on her face.

"Hehehehehe... This is the place... This is the place... Elulu has nowhere to escape."

Alicia said and open the door with a slamming sound.

It caught everyone's attention. Including Seele who is playing the guitar with Hanayui singing.

Silence fall to the cafe and Alicia gets all the attention.

"What's with those stares? Ahem... Ahem... I'm the princess of the Island! Princess Alicia Archangel! I'm here for my princess trial and capture the red robe terrorist captain Elulu..."

Alicia started her mission.

Adventurers, travelers, farmers, and locals pointed out some sort of weapon around her.

Alicia became a little pale.

"I'm the princess... Why point shart things to me?"

She said with a trembling voice.

Seele also summoned a canon and pointed it to Alicia's head.

"Oi miss Princess... This town is on the border of the continent. This town is never considered as a part of the Island. That means everyone here is literally equal. We don't practice hierarchy in this place."

Said the chief of the town.

"Not only that! We can just give Elulu-chan to someone freaky like you."

"Freaky! You mean me!"

Alicia reply.

"That's right! What kind of princess wear dull clothes. You're lying earlier."

"Elulu-chan is like a daughter to us and a great help in many ways. We can't let you get her."

Weird sweat is coming in Alicia's face.

"I-It's a princess trial."

"We don't care about your princess trial."

Said Seele while intimidating Alicia with her canon.

Alicia might be royalty with high magic. The problem is she can't control it. In short, Alicia can't fight the people in the cafe.

Elulu came out from the kitchen and asked.

"What's the commotion about?"

"Elulu-chan a princess from arsland came to capture you we need to dispose of her immediately."

"Dispose of!"

Alicia was freak out after hearing Seele.

"Am I gonna die... I'm gonna die right... What is happening to me? I feel a little dizzy."

Alicia fell asleep.

Everyone is puzzled and turned their gaze to ren who just cast magic.

Sound magic: Lullaby.

"Let me have the princess, I bring her to my room."

Ren said and get the princess.

Hanayuki looks at Ren with cold eye's and asked:

"What are you planning with her body?"

"What are you thinking?! Your mind is too dirty!

Ren protested.

Everyone in the cafe also muttered:

"This guy is trash."

"I'm not gonna do anything bad to her."

Ren protested.

Ren brings her to Elulu's guess room and lies her down in the bed.

After the work hours. They might get some juicy information from Alicia.

Ren leaves Alicia in the room and goes back to cleaning dirty dishes.

The fun continues.

…

The day is over.

Elulu and Seele came to thank the locals that continue visiting the cafe.

"Thank you, everyone, again."

Said Seele and Elulu bowing their heads to the loyal customers.

"It's nothing, we loved eating here."

"We will come to see you again Seele-chan!"

Said Seele's fans.

Seele is s previous idol after all. She has that charisma that pulls everyone's attention toward her. Combine with Elulu's cooking ability and cuteness. The cafe is very successful.

Because of that Elulu and Seele are very tired every day after work. Even they close the cafe earlier very 6:30 PM.

Ren and Hanayuki are still in the cafe. Elulu invites them to eat dinner with her and stay in her place for a while.

"Elulu cooking is greatest!"

Hanayuki said as she eats her fried chicken.

"You might lose your memories but you're love in fried chicken never fades."

Said Elulu.

"Elulu-chan you are from my past. Can you tell me about myself? About the accident, you're talking about?"

Hanayuki asked.

Years ago there's an accident that happened to make Hanayuki lost her memories and cast away in a different land. The detail of the accident is making Hanayuki curious about what really happened a long time ago.

"I was still a kid back then... I don't really know what happened, but according to what I heard. Many captains of red robe terrorism were slain at that time... It's so chaotic and that's the first time I met Seele. Seele saved me back then. The next thing that happened is you we're missing."

Elulu told Hanayuki.

"I see, there was an accident that killed lots of people back then."

Hanayuki said and look down.

"How about you Seele any idea on that accident?"

Ren asked.

"It's a surprise assault. They are powerful. I guess comparing our power level. Those people who assault us before are in Elite sword level."

"Elite sword? I heard about it from Scarlet... Elite swords are the most loyal underling of General. They said to be more powerful than Pithon in terms of strength and abilities."

Ren said.

"Pithon? Scarlet? Are you with them?"

"Yes, we are working with them... Scarlet-san gives us this mission to capture Elulu and asked where is the base... But don't worry I can sense that some kind of curse is placed in your body. It's okay if you can't tell us."

Replied Hanayuki.

"A curse?!"

Ren was surprised that Hanayuki can tell.

"How do you know about that?"

Asked Elulu.

"It's like a talent. I can see this weird black thing... I don't know why but every time I saw this on a person. I can tell that they are cursed."

After cast away in a different land. She started to manifest this talent of figuring out a curse. This talent helps people especially when she is with Koyuki.

Koyuki was a traveler before. Hanayuki didn't know the exact reason Koyuki travel but she can sense that it's something very important.

Until one day... Koyuki just vanished in Hanayuki's side. Some of her memories of Koyuki became blurry. That one of the mystery that Hanayuki wants to solve.

"My memories are blurry but I can tell that mother is also cursed..."

Hanayuki said in low toned voice.

Ren and the others are busy eating and didn't catch on what Hanayuki just said.

"Why you suddenly became gloomy Hanayuki?"

Asked Seele.

"It's nothing... By the way Elulu, can you tell me more about my past? I might remember something."

"That's okay... Then that means you're staying overnight. Let's have a girl's party."

"Girl's party I always wanted to do it?"

The girls started to get excited.

Ren is a little out of place at the moment.

Then...

"Crap! We forgot something!"

Ren remembers the princess. Who is tied alone in the guest room?

Ren and everyone came to the guest room. But at the moment they arrived. They only saw the rope.

"She fled away."

"It's indeed bad news."

Said Seele.

"That's right we need to find her or else knight might come here to disturb our peaceful life."

Elulu said.

"Something is wrong here..."

Ren said as he looks around the room.

"There's no window in this room and the door is a lock."

"More like a lock-room murder..."

Said Hanayuki.

"No one is murder in here... I can't sense magic either."

Ren replied.

While Ren and the other solving the mystery. Alicia who is being trapped in the room is currently hiding under the bed. She has her hands blocking her mouth and she does her best in maintaining her position and hide her presence and magic.

Alicia is very nervous.

Hanayuki then sits down in the bed. Alicia saw her feet and became more envious.

"That's really weird... This bed is so soft."

Hanayuki started paying around in the bed. Hana Yuki even tried and jump around.

"How childish..."

Ren said.

As Hanayuki jump. She accidentally hurt Alicia who is beneath the bed. Alicia made a sound.

"Eeeckk!"

"That's very unfeminine sound..."

Seele said.

"I'm not the one who does it."

Hanayuki said and jump again and again.

Alicia who can't stand the pain anymore was forced to get out of her hiding spot.

"Okay, I surrender... Just don't hurt me, everyone."

Princess Alicia said at the same time her tummy growls.

"That's very unfeminine."

Alicia's face became bright red in embarrassment.

Everyone taught in their heads.

Because of Seels and Elulu's kindness. They feed the pathetic princess.

"Thank you so much."

"No need to thank us we will dispose of you after you eating that meal."

Seele said to scare Alicia.

Alicia started to get nervous.

"Don't worry Seele is just teasing you... Here eat more, yore so thin, are you really a princess?"

Asked Elulu.

"Yes I'm a Princess, but my family is a weird one..."

In the past, Alicia ever since she was born. She is always being target by discrimination. Even her other sibling doesn't like her and bullies her except Yusael.

She can't even eat normally in school, because of the bullies. Her lunch box I always snatch away from her money is being snatched away by her older siblings.

Because of that Alicia can't eat normally. She can only eat every night by sneaking in the kitchen and eating some bread crumbs.

Alicia's life is very painful that continues until now.

But Alicia didn't give up because of her mother. She promised that she will be a well-respected person in the future before her mother dies in sickness.

She stands tall even she failed mostly in everything.

Now that she is 16 years old. She has a  princess trail to gain merits to earn the throne. It's a chance for her to be the person that she wanted to be.

Alicia told to everyone.

Ren and Hanayuki were surprised in the life of Alicia's backstory and remain speechless.

Elulu and Seele, on the other hand, are crying so bad.

"Discriminated by your family because you're a failure...That's so sad."

Seele said.

"Then what is the princess trial given to you?"

Asked Ren.

"Well... It's to kill Elulu the red robe terrorist captain."

Silence fell in the cafe.

Seele and Elulu look into Alicia's eyes. Elulu stands up and gets a fork. She gave it to Alicia's hand and pointed it toward her neck.

"Here... Alicia can you really kill someone?"

Asked Elulu.

Alicia's hand started to tremble.

Blood from Elulu's neck started to drip toward the fork.

"Stop!"

Alicia said and let her hands away.

With healing magic, Elulu restores her self.

"That's what you're truly feeling... You can't hurt other people. Some might call its weakness but I think it's a great thing."

Said Elulu.

"But it's a princess trial my father gave to me. I need to finish..."

Hanayuki walked and make her words to Alicia.

"It's your life, decide it for yourself. Do you really want to be a cold-blooded killer?"

"Father will disown me if I failed..."

Said Alicia and turn her eye's away.

"Then it's a great thing... That means you're gonna be free to do your things. Being respectable is not always being royalty. You can become respectable by doing good things. Like helping people in need."

Alicia's eye's we're open with Hanayuki's words.

"Hanayuki like speech..."

Ren said as he drinks his juice and stares at the bright full moon.

The night continues.

Eluu and the other girls sleep in the same room and talk to each other. It's a girl's night party. Ren who is out of place is in the guess room resting for tomorrow.

"What's happening? What I'm still doing in this town?"

Ren asked himself.

A black butterfly appeared out of nowhere. Ren gets up immediately and gets the butterfly.

The butterfly transformed into a letter.

A message for Ren.

"A letter from Integrity knights..."

Integrity knights are the name of the unknown guild that works in shadows to defeat red robe terrorists.

He opens and read the content

"Castellina Ruins are attacked by Red robe terrorists... A rare stone is being snatched away. It might have some sort of connection in what happened to your town before."

Ren started to remember a stone that is used to be in Hikari's necklace.

After the general killed Hikari, he gets the necklace from her.

"Hikari used to say that it's a magic stone from her parent's... I feel that it's so important. I need to retrieve it back."

Ren continues to read the content.

"Scarlet's army take down the entire army of the second squad of the red robe. Unfortunately, the captain is missing they said... they can't even tell the base location. Every time they about to talk about the location of the base. They just die instantly."

After reading it.

Ren remembers Elulu and Seele curse.

"That might be it... Elulu and Seele might not be safe staying here. Even this area is not owned by the kingdom. The news of Elulu bing here is widely spread. It makes me sad that they might say goodbye to the friends they made in this town."

Ren get up and started to write a report to Integrity knights and Scarlet. Ren made up a story and write that the town is very peaceful and no one living here is named Elulu.

After writing, Ren gives the letter to the butterfly. The butterfly multiplied and make the letter vanished with it.

Ren lied to others to save the peaceful life of Elulu and Seele.

The same night The butterfly reached Scarlet and the Sleeping knight headquarters.

Because Ren is well known in the sleeping knight. they easily believed the story Ren made out.

Scarlet read the letter and look up in the bright moon.

"Ren is not a bad person, but why he need to lie? there must be a reason for it."

Scarlet said.