Sheira's POV

I made my way to the commander's room, my footsteps echoing in the corridor, and knocked before entering.

The commander, deep in thought, gazed out the window. Like Eamon, he seemed absorbed in contemplating the unfolding crisis.

"Sorry for bothering you," I announced as I stepped into the room.

"Sheira, you're here," he acknowledged.

"Yes, commander."

"How's your rest? You good?" he inquired.

"Yes, thanks for your concern," I expressed gratitude.

"That's what a commander should do. I heard about Aria, Blair, Cara-"

Upon hearing those names, the weight of loss overwhelmed me, and I crumpled to the floor. Grief spilled forth in a torrent of tears.

"Sorry for reminding you about that. You okay?" the commander, bewildered, unsure how to respond.

Slowly standing, I wiped tears from my face. "I'm okay, sir. Sorry," I sniffled, still drying my tears.

"You can have some rest now, you really need it," he offered.

"Thanks, commander. I will take my leave."

I turned and left the room, the commander continuing to stare out the window. Like Eamon, both tirelessly worked on, even after the draining expedition.

I should take some rest now, I feel tired physically and mentally. I should try to let go, that way, I will be able to go forward.

I retraced my steps home, attempting to gather the fragments of composure.

Opening the door, I stepped into my house, found a figure standing at the entrance, a welcoming presence.

"Welcome home, Sheira. You must be tired after all the hard work," Yuri greeted.

"Thanks, Yuri. I'll go straight to bed," I replied.

He nodded and inquired, "Skipping dinner?"

"Yeah, I don't have the appetite right now. Good night, Yuri."

"Night. Feel free to share your thoughts with me, okay? I'm all ears," Yuri offered.

I nodded, entered my room and collapsed onto the bed. My body felt like a weighty sack of cement, barely movable. I just wanted to relax. Closing my eyes, thoughts of Aria, Blair, and Cara flooded in. I didn't complete the thought, drifting into a deep, dreamless sleep.

***

My eyes opened as the first rays of sunlight lit up my room. The dawn chorus of melodic birdsong drifted in. The just-risen sun shone softly on the floor. I rubbed my bleary eyes and walked to the window. There was a pearly glow in the sky. The rising sun cast a rosy hue across the morning sky. Golden fingers of sunlight lit up the scene. But in reality, it's dark, there's nothing such as light. What was that earlier? I scratched my head in confusion.

"New day," I mumbled, stretching my back.

I walked outside my room and I saw Yuri making breakfast. We have bread for breakfast and I feel that something is missing. Breakfast without a cup of tea feels imperfect. I started pouring the tea I made into each of our cups.

I immediately sat down on my chair and started eating together with Yuri.

The tea was so hot it blistered my tongue. I ate the tasteless bread as I continued to sip my cup of tea.

"Thanks for the food!"

After having breakfast, I washed the dishes while Yuri was getting ready to go out to do his duty.

"I'll go do my duty, take enough rest, Sheira. You need plenty of them."

I nodded and replied, "I will. Be careful."

The commander let me take some rest for a couple of days. I should use this opportunity to clear and relax my mind.

I went out for a walk and visited the garden next to my house. The garden is an immense oasis with a variety of flowers, trees, and bushes. Things worked a bit differently here. There is nothing that can beat nature in terms of making a person feel relaxed. I should be able to focus on my duty after a few days.

***

A few days have elapsed, and it's time to return to duty. As I opened the door, Eamon stood there, scrutinizing his sword.

"You're here," he greeted.

"Yes. Uhh, what's going on?" I asked in confusion.

"Yuri wanted me to wait in front of your house," he replied, still with that emotionless face.

"Oh, I see."

Yuri walked towards us and handed Eamon a piece of letter.

"Here, a letter from the King."

"Hmm," Eamon whispered.

The King? Really?!

"His Majesty gave me this letter yesterday to give it to both of you," Yuri added.

"Let me read it, Eamon," I requested.

He handed me the letter and I started to read from the first word of the paper.

-

Greetings,

Eamon Levisay, squad B captain. Sheira Zane, squad C captain. I am writing this letter to inform both of you about an important mission the two of you will handle. Only the both of you will handle this mission because I trust in the two of my kingdom's squad captains.

Sincerely, I want Eamon Levisay and Sheira Zane to investigate deeper about the recent problem where a lot of citizens are reported gone without any trace. Please handle this mission starting from the time you read this letter.

The one who knows about this is me, Yuri, Eamon, and Sheira. Don't tell anybody about this because you will investigate secretly without letting the perpetrator know. I will be waiting for your news. I gave both of you a badge that will be important in investigating. You could travel and enter anywhere inside the kingdom.

Thank you so much for your devotion to the kingdom. And please, burn this letter after reading.

King of Ziyou.

-

It seems that this mission is very important. The King trusted us to do this mission, we shouldn't disappoint him.

***

A month has passed, yet we haven't found the perpetrator until now. All troops led by Yuri are placed on the front line to guard the kingdom as I and Eamon investigate this problem deeply.

Eamon began, "We haven't found anything so far."

"Yeah, we should find the perpetrator as soon as possible before the same case happens again," I replied.

Eamon's POV

I must find that scumbag. Maybe he is the one who causes this problem. There is one place we haven't visited, and maybe he is there.

"Are you feeling better?" I asked.

"Huh? I... Yes, I am," She replied haltingly.

"Good, because I have thought of a place we will investigate," I stated.

"Haven't we visited every place?" she asked, seeming confused.

"Not yet, there is one place we haven't visited," I asserted.

"Where?"

"The castle."

To be continued...

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Thanks for reading, We've reached chapter 10! If you have thoughts about the story so far, please kindly drop a comment or direct message me. Your words are important to me and they really support me in writing this story.