Laura's Journey

Chapter 4: Departure

After the night of the tragedy.

The state knight stays in the village to do some investigation. Cries of the people who lost their love once were heard. The flames that burn each house were put off but the tragedy and trauma it leaves to the people was left behind.

Even I can’t believe what happened. I can’t believe the fact that the smile that used to put relief in my heart was now gone.

I was regretful at that moment. I didn’t even get a chance to make up with my mother after the fight we had earlier. I was so selfish and childish.

This is my fault, I have no one to blame but myself.

In Mayu’s arms, I continue to cry and cry until my heart out.

…

The next day.

Mayu and I decided to bury my mother near the biggest tree in the village. We made a coffin with the sapwood and made a pretty-looking coffin for her. We filled it with plenty of colorful flowers. After that, we lay her down.

Looking at her face, my mother was still smiling and her face was very peaceful. It feels like she didn’t regret anything at all.

But I still can't move on and cried. I hugged Mayu because of the loneliness I felt.

After offering our last flowers. We then buried her down.

We put out hands together and offer our prayers for her.

Mayu tries to calm me down by patting my head.

Some State-knights also came to my mother's burial and pay their respect.

"Luna-senpai were really sorry, we didn't make it in time."

"Don't blame you're self Lia, the monster attack is totally unexpected… I can't even believe that monsters break through the sacred forest surrounding this town."

"Luna is really awesome she slays hundred dark beings with her own hands. Even us can't handle that much."

I didn't know much about my mother. I didn't know that she is a former state knight.

What's the use of knowing that? The reality that my mother will never return is not going to change. My mother is gone and she's not going back.

This reality is really cruel. I don't like this at all.

After that, a state knight came running toward us.

"Captain! We have already finished the investigation."

Said the state knight.

"At last, we will know the reason the monster breakthrough the sacred forest and attack this town."

The reason monsters attacked the town?

Mayu and I followed the state knights because of curiosity about the reason the town is been attacked by monsters.

Upon arriving in the town, survivors of last night's tragedy are all there waiting for the answer.

They all have a thirst for justice from the death of their love once. Hey wanted to know the reason behind the chaos that happened last night.

I'm also curious and look to the state knights.

"My name is Kite Augustine paradise… I'm one of the captains of the State knight squad. I'm here to announce and put punishment on a person who breaks the forbidden law of the human empire."

The people chattered with each other.

"Person? That means someone brings the monster in this town?"

"How can they do such a terrible thing?"

"That person must be punished to death!"

"That person breaks the forbidden law, that means execution!"

"You're right!"

Hearing other people's opinions makes my heart race.

I want to know the truth about what happened last night.

State knight Kite walked to us and grab Mayu's hand. Dragging her to the center of the meeting.

Mayu’s face was very anxious as she looks toward the resentful eyes of the State Knight.

"... This girl is the one who brings the monster to this town. She breaks the human empire's forbidden law. She trespassed and enter the forbidden zone dark continent."

Everyone in the town is astonished after knowing Mayu is the suspect in last night's tragedy. They are all in disbelief at what they heard.

Knowing that a little girl is the one who brings this chaotic tragedy was very unbelievable. Mayu has a good reputation in the town as a good girl. The elderly can’t at her the same way anymore.

Even the priestess can't believe what's going on.

The priestess is a charge of taking care of the orphans. Step forward and tries to cover Mayu.

"Sir state knight… There might be a misunderstanding about it. A little kid can't possibly go to the dark continent."

"... Do you think I'm falsely accusing someone, then take a look at this."

The bandage I place on Mayu's left hand was torn apart. Reveling the wound she gets from the monster yesterday morning. The wound she got is no ordinary wound. The wound is releasing a black sinister aura around it.

"You're a priestess, I know you can sense it to right? The dark curse. Only a cursed weapon can inflict this kind of wound. In this country, only the higher state knights have the ability to wield a cursed sword. And it's impossible for a state knight to attacked a little girl. This only leads to one thing. This girl did go to the dark continent. This dark curse was traced by the monsters leading them to break through the barrier."

Dark continent? The big tree with starry leaves is in the dark continent? That means I crossed to the dark continent... I'm also guilty?

"I... I.. The one who killed them... I'm the one..."

Mayu started to blame herself and cried.

The citizen started to throw a rock at Mayu.

Mayu's forehead started to bleed. Mayu looked toward the guy who throws the rock at her.

"Kill that runt... I lost my family because of you. You should die!"

Continuously receiving the rocks. Mayu started to blame herself even more for what's happened.

"Stop!"

With the terrifying voice of the state knight. People stop throwing a rock at Mayu.

"This girl will be executed eventually, so stop doing inappropriate things."

They hand-cuff  Mayu and take her away.

Before Mayu ride the dragon and was executed in the capital city. I run forward and said:

"Stop! Sir commander state knight? Are you sure the curse is placed on Mayu?"

"You're Luna's kid… Of course, I'm sure, We have solid evidence after all."

"What if the curse is placed on someone else?"

"Someone else? Are you saying someone here also trespassed to the dark continent?"

Mayu looks toward my brave eyes. She already knows what I’m about to say. She knows that I can’t let her take all the burden on her own.

"Yes, I'm the one who trespassed the dark continent… If you're going to kill Mayu… I should be punished in the same way.

"Luna's kid didn't fear death, you're also admirable like you're a mother… Go chain her up."

"Commander Kite, we don't have proof that Luna's kid goes to dark continent and... Have mercy to children."

"What are you talking about Lia? People who break the law must be punished according to the law."

A State knight named Lia walked toward me with a sad face.

"I'm really sorry Luna-senpai, I didn't manage to protect the girl you protect with your life."

Mayu looks at me and then grits her teeth. She looks toward the Commander State Knight with her raging stare.

"Stop--!! Don't chain Laura. Why are you arresting someone with a lack of evidence... I'm impressed that all of you have the gall to say that you're a state knight. This wound in my left arm is concrete evidence that I trespassed to the dark continent and I'm sure that I'm the only one who goes there. Laura is a kind-hearted girl and she also used to blame herself, when something wrong happened."

Mayu said with an aggrieved tone.

"Are implying that this girl is just lying."

They will go and execute Mayu. I have to do something.

I saw a metal pipe on the ground and take it. I don't care if going to be labeled as a criminal. I can't lose someone important to me anymore.

The peaceful life that I grew up in.

Mama... Mayu…

I run toward the commander and using all my strength I swing the metal pipe toward the State Knighthead.

But before the metal pipe hits his head. My body suddenly stops moving.

"Spark Shock."

A Skill that paralyzed the target's body.

My body became immobile and I fell to the ground.  

After that, I saw Mayu having a peaceful smile on her face. Just like the smile my mother give me before dying.

"Mayu! Mayu! Mayu!"

I hate this, my new reality, why you all left me alone? Why?

I started to shed tears once again. No matter how much I struggle. I can’t reach Mayu. I stretched my hand as far as I could.”

“Don’t leave me alone!”

I scream.

...

Weeks have been passed and people in the town slowly recovered from the tragedy.

I'm currently staying at the orphanage where Mayu used to live. I became a loner and never really tried to socialize with others. I drown myself in reading the book Mayu left. I especially read the book she presented to me before. It’s the book that contains the adventure of Emily.

We didn’t notice it before but the title of the book was “Emily’s adventure in a dark world.” the dark world referred on the story is the land called the dark continent.

When I saw this book. I always saw Mayu's cheerful smile. I make me have a mixed feeling of happiness and sadness.

Then after doing the fieldwork on the farm. I lay down to the thick moss like I used to do with Mayu.

"The sky is so bright and this farm is still peaceful after all those tragedies."

I wonder what to do next.

I started to remember the times Mayu started to tickle me and play together. after that, I remember something very important.

“I dream of traveling around the world.”

I indeed lost my love once, but I still have something inside of me.

I still have my dream to fulfill. A dream that I want to be realized. Things that I want to learn. Things that I always love.

I also promise Mayu about this. I will get stronger and venture all places in this book. To become the person I want to be.

I started to feel a little better and stand up.

"That settles it, No matter what happed I will fulfill my dream!"

I said and yell to the vast sky.

After that, I go back to the church and started to pack my things. Pulling all my courage I decided to leave the orphanage.

With my few savings, I think it's enough for 3 weeks. I almost forget. My dagger, I need this to protect me from any possible danger.

In the time orphans is asleep. I sneak out and crossed the gate.

Before I truly left the village. I visit my mother's grave and offer her flowers and prayers.

It's a long peaceful time, I'm really happy with the memories I made in this town.

"Thank you for everything."

Since I lost everything in this town, I think I have no more reason to stay here.

This is the time to take the first step toward my dream.

"Goodbye Mama, goodbye Rum town."

I turn my back and run toward the southeast.

My adventure begins.