Quest of Automata King

Orphan's Expedition

“Expedition?” Mui raise his eyebrows in front of the two kids who have finished their meal. Instead now, they are eating fruit provided on house by the tavern. Aghya the big brother has his mouth bulging with a big chunk of apple as he nod, confirming Mui’s question.

After the boy swallow the food inside his mouth, he continue to speak.

“Aghya remember the conversation from the street, that guild will held another expedition to the village of Guar... Guarat...” stutter Aghya, he trying to find the right name for the place of destination.

“Guarvangat?” asked Emmellia, and the kid quickly nod in agreement.

“Guar-vangat! Big brothers at the guild said much monsters! Many robbers! That is why they said that place is their next destination!” he continue.

Mui and Betty looked at Emmellia, as she smile and nodding the statement that the boy has give.

“That’s probably what going to happen,” Emmellia placed her hand on her chin, thinking of the opportunity that they could take from this information.

Guarvangat is a settlement located to the northwest of the kingdom, and placed near the mountain range that border Human and Elves kingdom. This place is lush with bamboo forest, and known as a place that have many population of Byakkos.

Although living among one of the dangerous beasts, words said that villagers living there have exceptional battle skills. Since young, they are trained to be able to withstand challenges that come from the nature, that is why battling with Byakkos is one of their expertise.

“Well, I still don’t understand about them,” said Betty suddenly. She drink a juice from the wooden cup, and the slam it to the table as if she a drunken old man. “Those tribe are said to be one of the strongest that worked with Foumoda kingdom, but none of them are providing help to eradicate the bandit festering on their territory!” protest Betty.

Emmellia looking at her with a slight smile. “Sometime, we have to reconcile with other people’s wishes, so we can work together. Betty do you remember the Agreement of Celtis River?” asked her.

“Of course Your Highness! It is the agreement that... Um...” She close her eyes, thinking hard of the subject that they are talking about right now. Seconds later, she opened her eyes and smiled whiny as she scratching her head.

“Pardon me, I forgot...”

Emmellia let a sigh slip from her mouth. “This is why you keep staying as an appreantice attendant you know!” scold Emmellia. Betty feels those words stabbing at her chest, as if it was real sword.

“Kuh! Your Highness! Please excuse my incompetence!” cried Betty.

“Um... Pardon me,” Mui raise his arm, finally slipping through the friendly conversation between Emmellia and Betty. Emmellia which have drowned suddenly blushed, she totally forgot about the existence of Mui among them.

“I have heard little about the warriors of Guarvangat, but I interested with Agreement of Celtis River,” said Mui.

“Cough!” Emmellia composing herself back to the leadership position she supposed to be. “I guess there is no helping then. Let’s review our history lesson a little bit while waiting for Karas and Raul,” said Emmellia.

“When it comes to civilization, the race of Human can be described as one of the behind among the other. The Dwarves are known for their underground city and mountain castle. Elves with their songs, stories, and tale. Finally beastmen, who wandering the world as a adventurer, warriors, or merchants.

Hunded years ago, before the Kingdom is established, Humans are living in various tribes that are secluded to one another. That time, war among mankind is a usual thing, and every tribes prefer to make sure that their people is safe, rather than working together for greater good.”

Emmellia explain the history of the kingdom while once in a while drinking juice from her cup.

“That way of life is how us Humans have been living, at least until the first record is written under the name of Foumoda Kingdom.”

Betty, Mui, and even the brothers are listening to Emmellia’s history lesson seriously. If the first record is written under the name of the kingdom, then the way of live of people before can only be seen from the eye one party itself.

“Arturo Foumoda also known as the first generation, is the warrior that able to unified those tribes after years of battle. His influence is well known almost for the whole continent, and every other human tribes are given options to give up, or die in a bloddy battle with the tribe of Foumoda that time,” explain Emmellia.

“Although, there is one certain tribe that very powerful, even Foumodas can not defeat them in battle.”

“Are those, the tribe that living in Guarvangat that we’re talking about?” asked Mui which Emmellia replied with a nod.

“The Chungbaeks, are their ancestor name. Until now they still called themselves that, Guarvangat is just a name given for the region they are living now,” explain Emmellia.

“Able to live in the same habitat with grade three monster, is already amazing. Forces of Foumoda not only have to deal with dangerous habitat, but also the gighting ability that only the Chungbaeks could do.”

“Whoa, even a king could not defeat them!” said Malik cheerfully, they looks having fun listning to the story kings and war.

“Several years after that, Foumodas keep suffering loss, no matter how hard they wanted to conquer Chungbaeks. Until finally, we have come to the third generations of Foumoda,” said Emmellia. “This is where our previous topic take places, Agreement of Celtis River.”

“Modred Foumoda, the third generation of the kingdom decide that the tribes that once bow to the king would have given option to develop their region according to their prefered tradition. These were welcomed by the people, especially tribes that living in the farther reach of capital, surprisingly, even the Chungbaeks agreeing with the term, signaling that the first time those region assimilated into Foumoda.”

“Therefore, that was the story of how Kingdom of Humans merge as one. Although Foumoda standing as the representative of the race,” told Emmellia.

As if a storyteller that have ended their tale. Mui, Betty, and the Brothers are clapping, welcoming the end of the history lesson that Emmellia told. Although it clearly more sounds like a tale than a formal history lesson.

“But if they are so powerfull, why don’t the Chungbaeks deal with the monsters and bandits?” asked Aghya.

“Good question. Well, the Chungbaeks are kind of secluded tribe, outside of their business activity. One of their demand to the goverment is that they wanted to us to leave their way of life alone. The problem is the kingdom are relying to Chungbaeks ability to defeat Byakkos, and sell their valuable materials,” explain Emmellia.

“Oh! The adventurers are talking about that too!” suddenly Malik cutting in. “They said that is a looot of treasures that they would find! If the adventurers get lot of treasure, we are also going to get lot of money too!”

Emmellia flinched when she hears that. ‘We?’ and ‘Money?’ aren’t they just a chid?

“Um... Malik, Aghya. With the news about guild’s expedition, what are you people going to do?” asked Emmellia.

“Of course we’re going to work, big sister!” said Aghya motivated. “Kids from other blocks too, they are waiting for time like these! The adventurers would need someone to carry their stuffs, tending the horses and many more. It will be a worth job to take!” he continue.

Emmellia starring at the brothers face. They speak innocently as if they got no fear of what they are going to face.

“But... It is a adventurer’s job you know... It is possible that you will meet robber, and monsters!” said Emmellia. “It is dangerous!” she unconsciously lifting her voice in front ot them. Emmellia not only surprised Mui and Betty, but also other people that enjoying their food in the tavern.

Aghya and Malik looking at each other when they hear that. They turned to Emmellia with confused face.

“But big sis, if we’re not working then we will not get money right?” asked Malik.

“Yeah, and without money we can’t buy food. We might asked nice people from the shelter, but sometime they also struggling with what they have,” continue Aghya.

“Malik did not want to steal anymore... If people are angry, they are... Scary.”

Silence. There are no more words coming from either Emmellia and the brothers. Those kids looking down, while sometime glancing at Mui, Emmellia, and Betty. Both Betty and Mui too, don’t know what just happened to the princess behaviour.

Her eyes opened wide, and Mui could see the sparkling on the surface of her eyeball. She tries to hide it, but tears are rolling down of her cheek.

“Big sis?” asked Malik, but what comes from Emmellia are just sobbing.

***

“Now is your chance!” suddenly Goettia speaks to him. Mui almost surprise, but knowing that Goettia have held his promise to make their relationship closer, Mui started to talk without much thinking.

“Emme...”

But suddenly from the entrance of the tavern, a boddy pass through the wooden door. It fall to the ground, and shifted to the direction of tavern counter.

Everyone on the table, including every other customers are gazing in surprise. That body is grunting, and he had bruises all over his face. Second later, Mui realize who is that poor person.

“Raul!?” shout Mui, quickly run to his direction. That Elf is still closing his eyes, grunting and breathing fast.

“Raul what happened!” shout Mui, this time, he finally opened his eye.

“Mu-Mui?” said Raul. Mui surprised and slightly gratefull that his friend is still able to speak. Mui shifted Raul’s body and supporting his head, he turn to every other customer and scream.

“Healer! Are there any healers here? Please! My Friend is in the trouble!” shout Mui, but none of them wanted to come closer. Every other customers are starring in fear, to the direction of Mui and Raul.

“Please! Help my friend!” he starting panic until someone appeared beside him.

“Mui, calm down. Let me check on him,” Emmellia quickly reassure him. Just like before, she stretch out her arm, and let a green mana flowing through Raul. “I feel that there is nothing wrong with his body, just some bruises after he being thrown at that distance,” explain Emmellia.

Mui glancing at the direction where Raul coming from. He have difficulties to see since day have turned into night, but a voice signaling presence of someone.

“Students of Magusica! Come out here and face me!” shout someone outside of the tavern. Mui squinting his eyes furiously.