The place where the enquiry to the wise man will be held is located at the separated and innermost of the forest, rather than being held in a clan’s village. A wide and empty space can be seen abruptly soon after passing through the thick forest which have been guided by the beast’s trail. In there, the stone were lined and the plant were also grown in an unnatural way. Although the stone were still rough, it was polished enough for a titan to sit it down and it were arranged in an encirclement for such event.
Granted, from that old and mossy condition. It was certain this place has been used many times in the past.
From that place, two persons from the Kaellous Clan were the fastest who comes earlier. When the enquiry to the wise man occurred, usually the ones who called the conference would be the first one that comes first.
“・・・・Umu. For such old body to endure this”
A four-eyed old woman immediately sitting down as soon as she has reached the conference place. No matter how much muscle the titan can have, it seems their muscle will decline after living for a long time. Yes, just exactly like this old woman.
“I must have troubled you Brave”
“My Sorcerer, please don’t hide your eyes. This is also my duty as a Brave”
The Three-eyed Brave who has escorted the Sorcerer from this far, shook his head while showing his smile to her. As he said, it was normal for him to do his duties.
After that, the Brave went through the lined stone and stand in the center of the place. In there, a blank space without any stone was left alone and replaced by piled-up ash that already changed the ground’s color.
The Brave start to piles a firewood he brought and then he starts handling the beast which is he already hunted on his way before. He was already skilled at handling the beast by doing it every day. The beast was quickly dismantled and lined after skewering each part of them.
The Sorcerer comes over him after resting her body and place her hand on the firewood.
“Come (Venit)”
Along with her muttering, a swirling flame has appeared on the edge of her hand. Eventually lit up the firewood, and begins to burn up.
“・・・・I suppose, this enquiry will become major turning point for us”
Said the old woman while gazing at the burning flame.
The Brave who had already faced the burning firewood nod in agreement.
“Indeed. There is no history where the Truth of Eye’s Disorder occurred within our ancestors before”
“I can’t return to the Hundred Eyes side while my eye still reflected that evilness”
The old woman who was covered with wrinkles slowly gathered the strength in her eyes, as if she was looking at the future inside the flame.
And then, while they were waiting, the titan began to assemble one after another. Although every clan who had comes here were in a small number, the number of various clans that have been gathering here were far too much to count. Also, each one of them were bringing their own baggage. Soon after that, only a few stone seat now remains.
In the center of the place, the firewood that had been brought by everyone delivered into wavering flame. Besides of that, there is a clan who began to grill the meat other than Kaellous Clan.
Looking at the titan who have gathered there, most of them have two pair eyes which can be said as the ‘Four-eyed Seat’. Although among that group, a small number of ‘Fifth-eyed Seat’ arrogantly mixed between them.
On the other hand, there is no ‘Three-eyed Seat’ other than from the Kaellous Clan.
“Hm? Have you returned to the Hundred Eyes sides yet, the elderly of Kaellous Clan?”
One of the Fifth-eyed titan comes to Kaellous Clan seat. He was glaring at the Sorcerer while smirked with a devious mouth. Before the old woman began to open her eyes, the Brave already stood between them.
“I will not allow any insolent mouth before our Sorcerer”
“What did you say. Don’t dare you interrupt me for a mere three eyes!”
The five-eyes of his were staring down intensely above the Brave. Not only he has two additional eyes, his body size also bigger than the Three-eyed Brave. Although, the Brave didn’t falter to look back at the Fifth-eyed Seat without any pressure at all.
Because of that, the tension between them increased significantly. Eventually the titan around them slowly shut their mouth after sensing their intent. In the amidst of the quiescent, all attention was directed toward those two.
Before the tension reach its peak, the old woman began to stand up and put her hand on the Brave shoulder. As if she wants to displace the Brave and face the Fifth-eyed Seat.
“Fifth-eyed Seat. This is the place for enquiry to the wise man. A place where we convey our word, there is no need for such standing”
“Hmph. I see, for such dictum really exist didn’t they”
While he was taking breath from his nose, the Fifth-eyed Seat has lost his interest on those two. As if he was trying to walk away by pushing the Brave, he finally sat down on the nearest stone seat.
The surrounding titan who have saw the scenery before them leaving an astonished looks on their faces.
“Promptly, there are already many of us gathered here. Let’s us begin the enquiry to the wise man”
Taking the advantage on the focused attention, the old woman informs them to start the enquiry. The remaining mixed voice in the surrounding also began to crumble. With a composed gait, the old woman went into the center of the place and put her hand on the top of burned flame.
“The Hundred Eyes, please be our witness”
Following the old woman, every titan began to murmur the same word like her. Giving prayer to their guardian god; to the God of Hundred Eyes (Algos De Plenus Okrys).
By doing that, every argument that will be conveyed from now on, would have given their deity acknowledgement. This is also one of the enquiry to the wise man’s dictum which must be followed.
“First, I want to inform everyone about this enquiry. There’s no other thing than the Rubel Clan’s grieve mistake “
“・・・・The enquiry, already passed long time ago. In the end, our Brave were stained!”
Not long after that, various clans raise their own voices. Every clans who have received devastating damage from the Truth of Eye’s Disorder. Especially the Brave who have been called by the strong men, become the first victim after being defeated by the Stained Beast which under Rubel Clan control.
“Indeed. But, the Hundred Eyes will no overlook our mistake. Our Brave finally discovered the Stained Beast corpse”
Among the raising commotion, the Fifth-eyed began to barge his voice.
“Was it only one? Or perhaps telling me the Third-eyed Seat able to defeat it!”
“Nay. Our Brave was discovering only the corpse”
“You had asked an enquiry just for that? Damn you Kaellous, you have aged too much!”
The old woman slowly faced the Fifth-eyed who has stood up from his seat. The eyes that had been wrinkled her face, didn’t lose any strength at all.
“The number of Stained beast’s corpse that have been discovered by our Brave, is exceeding more than ten number”
This time, an uncontrolled astonishment spreading among the titan. Even the Fifth-eyed Seat has shocked by her word.
“The Stained Beast・・・・”
“Was it truly, for such thing・・・・”
“Then, nothing to be scared!”
“However, the Truth of Eye’s Disorder・・・・”
The titans are grumbling each other. It seems the titan were still persisting by not opposing again Rubel Clan’s deed. And one of the reasons is, the existence of Stained Beast’s strength.
If their presence has gone, then the prerequisite will become different too.
“We will demand the decision for the Hundred Eyes. The Rubel Clan’s deed, was it true or false!?”
With a silent voice, no one has raised their voice. The enquiry already has been said, then the answer must be given without any unnecessary word.
————However, this time was not in the least.
“Rubel Clan’s deed・・・・・was it truly a mistake?”
Among the seated titan, there is another person who has stood up beside the old woman. Having the largest body than anyone else, the Fifth-eyed Seat broke the current flow and throwback the enquiry.
“In the first place, the Six-eyed Seat are too few when they born. When the Six-eyed Seat appeared, we should guide it to the Hundred Eyes. But when there is none of them were born, won’t it sufficient if the Fifth-eyed Seat able to replace them!”
“・・・・Are you sane?”
At that time, the Sorcerer has realized. This Fifth-eyed Seat wanted to gain favor by themselves after make the Rubel Clan as an example.
Unable to endure the scene before him, the Third-eyed Seat of Brave also began to stand up. Same like before, the Brave shout at the Fifth-eyed Seat with a glaring eye.
“How・・・how shameless you can be. We are in the midst of the enquiry. There is a limit to say such statement in the front of the Hundred Eyes!!”
“I’m sure the great Hundred Eyes will observe us with full of forgiveness”
An anger slowly swells inside the Brave after hearing the Fifth-eyed Seat’s evilness intent before him. Not only staining the sacred enquiry, he even tries to changes the king selection. For the Brave, it was not something he could forgive.
“How much・・・・how much rotten your eyes have been!!”
“You have heard it Kaellous・・・・in the first place, are you speak the truth about the Stained Beast? Aren’t you mistaken it for something cowardice like a mere Third-eyed Seat!”
“You even call us without shameless! What an unsightly remark! Don’t even think you will be acknowledged by the Hundred Eyes!!”
When the Brave wanted to ask a new enquiry with outrage, in the same time a sudden roar blasting through them.
“Sileeeence!!! ・・・・We are still in the Hundred Eye’s presence”
A roaring voice which made everyone hold their tongue went through the place, it was not something like an old person can do. Everyone attention is focused on the Four-eyed Seat of Sorcerer. At the time when she opened her eyes, even the upper Fifth-eyed Seat like him was losing his power against her.
“The Fifth-eyed Seat. You may watch the enquiry if you think like that. Tonight is the enquiry to the wise man”
As the Fifth-eyed Seat shut his mouth and look around him, the piercing gaze shoot through at him from the seated titan. And because of that, he was unable to say anything back.
“Only the Hundred Eyes who able to guide the chosen throne”
“We will not forgive the Stained Beast who disturbed this rightfulness”
“This is something we must see with our eyes”
“Enquire it, let’s ask an enquiry to them”
“Once again, to the Rubel Clan, we must enquire it”
“We must enquire their mistaken deed at once”
One by one their voice has risen after another.
“The enquiry has been revealed. This time, the Hundred Eyes has also acknowledged this enquiry”
The old woman reached out and highly lift her arm to creating a burning fire ball.
“Our clan (Barysu Genos) has once again united as one. Hundred Eyes, be our witness!!”
Among the titan who got excited after standing up, only the Fifth-eyed Seat who has bitter expression on his face.
“・・・・・What a fool”
He began to walk away while leaving the dissatisfaction feeling behind. Not long after that, the one who in the same clan like him, start to follow his back.
Only the Third-eyed Seat of Brave who intensely gazing at them and try to follow them, although he cannot leave the old woman side. At least, seeing them off was the best thing he could do.
After leaving away from the fruitful enquiry to the wise man’s place, several titans moving through the forest in a quick pace. Between them, the titan who have the biggest body, heavily shook his head. The Fifth-eyed Seat titan who roughly stepping out in frustration.
“Damn you Kaellous! Prying too much with the past sealed eyes!!”
“The enquiry has been revealed. They will surely saw this as a mistake”
For the titan, the result of enquiry to the wise man will be considered as the Hundred Eyes Deity’s will and has absolute restriction power. For starter, the clashes between Rubel Clan and united clan are certainly cannot be avoided.
“What should we do Fifth-eyed Seat. If we leave it be, our clan will be confused・・・・”
“We cannot leave it as it is”
The Fifth-eyed Seat comes to halt his step. Smile with a vicious smile while thinking an devious plan.
“・・・・Then, we can simply tell them”
The titan beside him looked at each other.
“To the Rubel Clan”
After narrowing his fives eyes, the titan was looking at the edge of the forest.
◆
Not long after the enquiry has been revealed, every clan were returning to their own village. From now, they will be preparing for the war and assembled once again after that.
The titan from the Kaellous Clan were also already returned back to the village. As if the clan member were waiting for the return, and excitedly making a noise by their feet after hearing the alliance.
The old woman informs her clan member after returning from a long trip.
“My brethren Kaellous Clan. The time for the truth is near. Soon we will join together and once again ask an enquiry to the Rubel Clan. For now, we must prepare for that!”
The voice of agreement was overlapping each other, and then every titan began to divide for fulfilling their roles.
Although they were the first one who cast the enquiry, the Kaellous Clan is the most prepared clan in vicinity. Because of that, they have much time to be relaxed.
“My Servant! I have returned! Where is the goblin・・・・!?”
The Brave who have returned to his tent, at that place, he has found strange thing created beside him.
“What・・・・kind of joke is this”
Even with the braveness which only the Brave can have, he couldn’t help to feel freaked out. What placed in there was an armor made from the demonic beast which the Brave wanted to give for the goblin Braver. Although, there should be no progress before he went to enquiry, there was something like a human form which created by the bone of demonic beast. Moreover, it had already hanged on the nearby tree before he notices it.
Because of that, it was looked like a deceased titan skeleton. Even for the Brave, this kind of bad taste make him speechless into that extend.
The Servant who has been glared by his three eyes, shrunk from the distance, but eventually pointed at his feet as if he has something to say.
“This is, what the goblin Braver say it was necessary for them”
With a great interest and vigor, the Brave now asking the goblin who moving around quickly on his feet.
“Goblin Braver. What kind of harassment is this!?”
“Yeah, we are now securing the movable range by estimating the available space. Thanks to that, we are able to calculate the amount of muscle we need to move. Although, we still can’t secure the right amount, we will estimate it on how far we can go・・・・・”
They should be able to converse but, their word is not connected at all. All the Brave can do is completely covered his head.
“・・・・Hundred Eyes, please guide me!!・・・・Well, fine. More importantly”
After giving up everything he saw, the Brave sit down heavily on the spot.
“The enquiry has been revealed. As the Hundred Eyes had guided us, we will once again ask an enquiry to the Rubel Clan”
“Oooh・・・・!”
As the Servant continue to cross his arm while sit down with one knee up, his eyes now lifted by the upcoming battle before him.
“Because of your work, we cannot thank you enough for defeating the Stained Beast for us, goblin Braver. Originally, it was something we must to face but・・・・”
“Don’t worry about it. But from now on, you will go to fight, right?”
While sitting there, Eru give a wry smile. Just like the Brave said before leaving for the enquiry, he nods in agreement.
“That’s right. We will face the Rubel Clan to ask an enquiry. But we still have time for a while. I will gladly lend my strength anytime when you need it・・・if it was not something like this harassment”
The Brave trying to keep his sight on the fake skeleton corpse beside.
Eru who start thinking after crossed his arm, leaking a ‘mm-hmm’ noise on his mouth. There is something he must do in this short time, and that answer is most certainly.
“Then, before you going out to fight, there is one thing I would like to borrow everyone strength”
“Fumu. What is it?”
As he stood up and began point his finger to the west where their hometown located.
“I want to recollect my treasured・・・・my Silhouette Knight which had been destroyed after fighting Stained Beast and fall in that area. However, because it was too heavy for us to, we need a great strength to bring it here”
“Fine, it will be easy. I am with my Servant will lend our strength to you”
For a titan who have a tremendous power, carrying a luggage was too easy for them.
“We might need some round trips though. The place is around the Stained Beast’s carcass”
“I see. Then, we already know that place. Fumu, well then Servant, bring the basket”
“Understood”
By the Brave order, the One-eyed Servant brought a huge bag which had been made with a strong vine.
“Are you sure? Didn’t you have another important matter to attend on this time, right?”
“We still have a time to spend, reminding we still need to prepare. Besides, this is our thanks to you, goblin Braver. No need to reserve”
The Brave proudly hit his chest. Under such circumstances, Eru and Addy who brought along with the Brave and his Servant went left to recover the Silhouette Knight’s wreckage and a place where the Stained Beast’s carcass located.
Bocuse Sea of Trees.
There are many powerful demonic beasts who lived in this land, both from the ground and either on the air. There is no other way to survive except having a power like a titan or using a weapon like Silhouette Knight.
In that such forest, there is a huge shadow who was flying and ruling from the sky. It was something shaped like a bug with a shining rainbow wings around it, and also leaking a buzzling sound to its surrounding.
The giant bird, monster bird, and any other demonic beast who live in the sky, would rather run away after sighting that figure. It can be said that such being is on the topmost demonic beast. Among of them, there is a thin and reddish tint that rising a loud cry. And then, with an inorganic, and emotionless eyes; ‘they’ are turn to one direction, lowering the altitude, and landing to the ground.
Their destination is a small opened village in the forest. With many eyes opened in astonishment, the death incarnation of spreading stain has been descended.
The first one who notice the oddity is the Third-eyed Seat of Brave.
“・・・・Did something happen?”
In the group who was moving through the forest, the Brave suddenly stop his step and began to look around. It seems his sense of being trained warrior was able to notice something. Was it something like a sound or tremor, even the Brave himself doesn’t know either. But he certainly feels something.
“Look everyone, what is that?”
In the group who have stopped their advance, Eru was pointing at the sky after he trying to turn around his body. The group who looked at it, obviously notice something has happened in there.
Several lines of black smoke flowing from the ground, and a shadow-like figure who flying on the sky. Moreover, the surrounding area was already covered in a fog.
The Brave recognized it the moment he saw the scenery before him. He knew the existence who could do that. Therefore, the Brave shout a loud cry and opened his eyes.
“The Stained・・・・Beast!! No way! Why they are here・・・・!”
“Brave! Don’t tell me that direction, our・・・・clan’s village!!”
The Servan screamed with a trembled voice. Right now, that direction is where they had come and also the direction of the Stained Beast and the smoke. And the place lies before it is none other than anything they could thought.
Not even thinking about it, the Brave running straight to that direction. Soon after that, the Servant was also following him on the back.
“Addy, we will follow them!”
“Yeah!”
In pursuit of the titan who rushing at the maximum speed, Eru and Addy were also start to follow them.
The closer they have come back, the better they could see the sky above the village. The sky has changed into ashen clouds mixed with the strong acid poison which had been released by the Stained Beast. They weren’t sure what kind of state happened bellow it. Even thinking optimistically couldn’t help them from imagining it.
At that time, the Brave who running on the front suddenly reduced his speed. They got someone else presence coming from the front. From this situation, they cannot think other than their allies at all.
As the Brave stood up and pull out a rod without hesitation. The Servant was also stand beside him, and preparing to engage the person who come to them.
“Please wait, Brave! That is your・・・・”
Eru who was watching above the trees, giving him a warning. The Brave and his companion who still hasn’t jumped at the front, waiting for a slight movement.
“Aah, Brave・・・・”
What appeared before them were the titans from the Kaellous Clan.
“You fellow, so you’re safe! What’s happening in the village・・・・”
Although the Brave began to regaining his calmness after sighting a familiar eye, he soon returned to that state again when considering the number of the titan who lives in the village were obviously less than appeared before them. Besides, many of them were wounded and even some of their body has swollen after taking the strong acid.
“What happened・・・・where is the rest!?”
The Brave pulling out the unscathed titan unintentionally.
The titan who still full by themselves began to firmly look back at the Brave.
“Without noticing, they come from the sky. When we realized it, we are already too late and everything covered in stain・・・・we cannot even attack them, running from them was all we can do”
The Brave expression has changed like a something crushed. Eventually, he realizes that there was no old woman figure on that place.
“W, where is the Sorcerer・・・・!?”
“・・・・To let everyone escape, the Sorcerer use her magic・・・・to fight the Stained Beast alone! But I’m afraid the Sorcerer was already retuning to the Hundred Eyes side・・・・”
As soon as he heard the answer, the Brave had sunk to his knees. Then he whammed his fist against the ground.
“・・・・・・・・・・・・I will not forgive this・・・!!!!”
The Brave who had raised his face with a bloody eye, trying to run through while leaving a loud cry. Eru jumped in the front of his eyes after seeing the Brave who was going to lose himself.
“Brave! You must not go!!”
“Goblin! Don’t stop me! This is our・・・!”
The Brave right now was no different from a beast. Although he was emitting a massive killing intent on the head-on, Eru didn’t even hesitate to oppose him.
“If you go, then who will protect your wounded clan member after leaving them here!?”
The Brave took one step ahead, and endure it. Gritting his teeth until a bubble start to leak from the edge of his mouth. Even now the anger that emitting flame has turned into shimmer, and shakes the Brave surrounding.
Eru slowly reached a word to the Brave who had changed into a beast.
“And from their information, the village was already・・・covered in stains”
“I already know about that! I am! ・・・・I am a Brave!! If I don’t stand right now, then when will I must stand for the future!!”
The one who stand to stop the Brave is his companion words.
“Brave・・・just like the goblin said. The village are already・・・・our companion, many of them couldn’t escape and become stained・・・・”
The Brave who had trembled while gripping hard his fist, suddenly hit the ground using his head.
“Damned Stained Beast! Damned Rubel Clan! Such a deed! For them to show this to the Hundred Eyes・・・・!! I will not forgive・・・・・I will never forgive this・・・・!!”
One of the titans went forward to the Brave who was grieving in the sadness. There is a young female titan who held on its arm.
The Brave slowly raised his face and faced the girl’s four eyes. A young eye, who lived with fear and stain; engulfed with an anger, even so giving the light of a strong will inside it.
“Brave, I have a word from the Sorcerer・・・・I must apologies for returning to the Hundred Eyes side ahead. You must correct this mistake, Brave. For that reason, you must train as for the one who will succeed my eyes・・・in the end, we will hide our embarrassment and we must escape to live!!”
Afterwards, the Brave has leaked a roaring voice that doesn’t even to be in this world. As for real intention, he wanted to leave it to his anger and find a way to avenge her. But now, as the strongest warrior in the village, and as the protector of the Sorcerer. It doesn’t change if the Sorcerer was still young and immature.
The Brave who had been shaking for a while eventually placed his arm and kneeled before her while keeping open only one eye on his forehead to face the girl.
“My new Sorcerer, I will swear it here. I will protect you from any disaster until you have succeeded your predecessor・・・・and I will surely to correct the Rubel Clan deeds, and have them to be judged by the Hundred Eyes”
“Brave, there are not many who inherited this eye from our predecessors. But I will surely overcome this trial. Until then, I’m in your protection・・・・”
Although the titan still considered as a child, she was still big for a titan. And she was rather successfully replying to his words, even though she seemed had been tensed in the front of trembled Brave.
One after another the surviving Kaellous Clan member, imitating the Brave by kneeled before her while closing their eyes.
While the Clan’s life pulse hasn’t been run out after falling from the misery, the remained clan member was united and resumed their walk.
“・・・・I’m glad, it seems has already settled then. Brave also stopped rushing in too”
Eru and Addy were watching the titan condition above the tree. They couldn’t intervene their clan problem. They just lend them their power a little.
Suddenly, Addy who hasn’t got any reply from Eru; look at his direction. His sight is far away from them, to the direction of Kaellous Clan’s village which still covered in a white fog.
“・・・・・What happened? Eru-kun?”
“Nee, Addy. The Stained Beast attacking the village meaning”
At that time, Addy has remembered something. In that village, together with Eru, she does know what he means by that——―———
“What do you think about the demonic beast material we that still in research?”
“・・・・・Uwaa”
Without knowing she took a step back. Because she now has seen. The smiling Eru. A smile with full of anger that will incites the whole world.
“Fufufu・・・・for a mere bug stand against me again in the second time”
From the top of the branch, Eru looks at the remaining Kaellous Clan including the Brave.
“It seems, we have a same interest with them”
Eru and Addy were working for their own purpose. It would be the best if the just could escape the forest and return to the kingdom. Although it was coincidental, his Silhouette Knight had already destroyed twice, there is no way he will leave it as it is.
“At first, I didn’t intent to get involved between the giant’s conflict・・・・but, it seems I must have Rubel Clan-or-whatever is pay for it. The cost of destroying my Silhouette Knight is expensive you know・・・・!”
At this time, one of the titan’s clan; the Rubel Clan has completely make an enemy of the world most problematic Knight Comander; Ernesti Echavalier from the Silver Phoenix Knight.