Unexpected Destiny: The Half Dragon and The Nine Masks

Chapter 12

A few days ago, the atmosphere in Grassland was serene and peaceful. Residents do not need to be afraid at night and can sleep well. Because the citizens believe in the strength of the royal army that can handle this problem, but last night, there was an attack targeting the house of a village chief from the Eastern region. A magnificent house in the middle of a rice field, there are no houses around it, only a stretch of rice field. A group of people dressed all in black and covering their mouths and heads with black clothes came to tear apart the magnificent house. No one came to help, and the screams of the householder were not heard, because there were no houses in the vicinity. Only the snakes who wanted to eat the mice that were eating paddy were surprised and chose to run away, making the mice full of eating paddy without being disturbed.

The case is the same as before. The group of people just tear apart the house, with no intention of stealing silver coins, gold, or other valuables. It seemed their only goal was to make the citizens of Grassland restless all night. The presence of the royal soldiers on guard every night did not frighten them. 

The village head was angry and blamed the kingdom for only placing soldiers in the area that had been the target of the perpetrators who did not know yet what the purpose of their attack was. The village head named Denis went to the noble king, suggesting spreading the royal soldiers throughout the Grassland region, even to areas where there were no inhabitants. Denis's opinion is well received by Dustin and is being negotiated with the ministers and the soldier chief. 

The news certainly made Andres think about it. He is the crown prince, one day he will become the king who leads the Grassland. Although no one knows his name and face, except for King Dustin and a few friends he trusts. Rumors about him being a spoiled child who could only read books and ride horses in the palace, made many people doubt if he can become king in the future. But all the accusations are wrong because he secretly formed a group of talented people to help him named Quivermu. Even though Quivermu has only been formed for 1 year, they have managed to solve various cases that help the performance of soldiers. Because Quivermu members blend into the residents, it makes it easier for them to find information. 

"They entered the eastern region. How dare they. Aren't they afraid of the palace warriors?" Andres paced back and forth while biting his lower lip. He was thinking hard. What kind of way should Quivermu do so that they can immediately catch one or find the base of the perpetrators? He was very angry and wondered if he was allowed by his uncle to go out at night. 

Anthoni and Almeta who was sitting on a long chair made of wood were dizzy and saw the crown prince who didn't want to sit down. The two of them just glanced at each other, not daring to disturb the crown prince's concentration. They also thought because Andres needed advice from them? 

"I can only think. If uncle would let me out at night." Andres stopped while looking at the blue sky, his actions made Anthoni and Almeta relieved. "What do you guys think?"  He looked at his two friends questioningly. 

"According to me." Anthoni scratched his itchy chin. "That's impossible. King Dustin will not allow you." 

Almeta nodded, agreeing with Antoni's opinion. "That's right. King Dustin doesn't want to take any chances. Because he wants you to be king." 

Andres let out a long breath. "I can take care of myself. I can fight with sword and bare hands." 

Anthoni approached Andres, then gripped Andres' shoulders tightly, making the crown prince feel a little pain. "You know better, what is the real reason that King Dustin won't let you go at night." Anthoni's brown eyes looked deeply at Andres who was wearing the mask. 

Andres sighed through his mouth. He moved away from Anthoni, ruffling his black hair, frustrated. 

Anthoni feels concerned, but Andres must always be made aware of the fate that ensnares him. "You know what can make you lose control?" 

Andres glanced at Anthoni out of the corner of his eye. Why was his friend so curious? "I don't know." He shrugged his shoulders. 

Anthoni's eyebrows rose one. "Why can't I believe what you're saying? Aunt Bryonna must have told you." Anthony is very sure. "Aren't you going to tell Almeta and me, for fear that we'll take extra care of you?"

Andres looked at his feet which were wearing sandals made of straw. Anthony will not stop asking questions until he gets the answers. "It's ambiguous. It's just like Belanca said. Aunt Bryonna doesn't want to look into my future, for fear that they'll find out about me." He turned his head, looking straight at Antoni. "You don't believe me? If you don't, you ask Aunt Bryonna yourself. I hope you get the answer and want to tell me." 

Anthoni closed his eyes for a moment. "Then why are you surprised by what Belanca says, if it's like Aunt Bryonna's tell." 

"Because Belanca promised not to fortune-telling me. She must have seen something." Andres guessed. Belanca is a member of Quivermu, although she is a great witch and can predict the past and the future, she doesn't use her abilities to find the information Andres needs. Because Andres forbade it, Belanca used her place as a source of information seekers. Not everyone came to Belanca's house to make fortune-telling, some came to tell stories and get advice from Belanca. 

Almeta is pensive. What could make Andres lose control? Should she force Belanca to tell the truth? 

"What about the talisman?" Anthoni spoke very quietly, afraid that someone would hear. 

"Couldn't work. If something Aunt Bryonna and Belanca meant come to me." Andres continued his activities, pacing back and forth while thinking about what steps and strategies your Quivermu members had to carry out to find the perpetrators. 

Anthoni and Almeta looked at each other. It was as if through their gazes they were communicating. Andres' words made them think hard. Did he mean that 'something that came to Andres' had a bad purpose? They had to be more vigilant and take care of Andres. Don't leave the crown prince alone wherever he is. 

The sound of a crash hitting the ground startled the three of them. A man wearing a mask typical of your Quivermu members came to this place by leaping over the two-meter-high wall swiftly and unharmed. 

"Q-Six?" Of course, Andres recognizes all of Quivermu's members, even though they are wearing masks that cover the entire face except for the eyes and nose. 

"I apologize for surprising you." Q-Six bowed his head to apologize.

"That's okay." Andres didn't mind.

"I represent Q-Three and Q-Five. Is there order from you, Your Majesty?" Q-Six straightened his body and put his head down, he didn't dare to look the crown prince in the eye, because it was disrespectful.

Andres inhaled deeply. "I was thinking about that. Did you bring news? From Q-Five, Q-Three, or you?"