The Original Web Light Novel Project

  Volume 02, Chapter 22: [ First Warning ]

  Original work. By the author 'Pili.'

  The morning light spilled quietly through the curtains.

  Hiroki opened his eyes slowly, staring at the ceiling.

  For a few seconds, he didn’t move. He stayed there, listening to the soft, distant sounds of the PHG grounds waking up.

  "It’s morning already…"

  He exhaled and turned his head slightly.

  "Many things have happened lately. At least… it didn't always end badly."

  He sat up, rubbing his eyes slightly.

  "It feels peaceful now… I guess."

  Moments of silence.

  "Finally, I expressed everything weighing on me to them. At least now we have an explanation for the scenes I've been seeing. But... I gotta ignore them for the moment."

  "With the return of good relations between Yoru and Ayuri, I think things seem to be getting better."

  "I still don't understand Ayuri fully. But… I think I can trust her. She came back. The way she returned to us tells already."

  He got out of bed, stretching his arms.

  "We can finally relax a bit today. Miyu is probably still buried in her books somewhere. I should check on her later."

  He dressed quickly and stepped out into the corridor.

  "Yo! Sleeping beauty wakes up."

  Kenji was leaning against the wall opposite Hiroki’s door, grinning.

  Hiroki blinked for a moment.

  "Huh? You waiting for me? That’s… weird."

  "Nah, just happened to be passing by. Just checking in to see if you’re dead alive again like you have been yesterday."

  "Can we not talk about that…?"

  They started walking down the hall together. Both of them moved at a slow, easygoing pace. Kenji walked with his hands resting behind his head, while Hiroki's face showed a faint smile on his face, reflecting the lifted spirits.

  "It's kind of interesting how much your personality has changed from what it used to be."

  "Huh?" Kenji looked at him, wondering.

  "Yeah…" Hiroki replied with a friendly smile, "I remember the first day we met. At the beginning, you seemed somewhat unapproachable. Yet, that wasn't truly who you were. Your true cool spirit is visible now."

  "Heeh…?" Kenji glanced upward briefly. "Anyway, I don't want to think about the past."

  "By the way, have you seen Yoru?" Hiroki asked.

  "Meh, who knows. She’s probably already at the canteen. I won't be surprised at this point if we find her and Ayuri both together having a good time."

  "I can't even picture that in my mind already. But… I hope things just stay fine."

  Yoru walked out of the stairwell ahead of them, fixing her hair. She noticed them.

  "Oh… you've all made it here already."

  Kenji placed his hand behind his head. "Uhm… It seems our expectations were not met."

  "What?! You abandoned me so quickly!"

  Yoru then approached them, curious about their interaction.

  "Why do I feel like I was the focus of your conversation…?"

  "Ohh…?" Kenji grinned slyly. "You seem to be in the mood. Maybe your reconnection with Ayuri brought your soul back."

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  "Huh…?!" She narrowed her eyes. "Do I really have to wake up in the morning to hear such a ridiculous thing?"

  She changed her gaze towards Hiroki, ignoring Kenji.

  "Morning."

  "Ah… Good morning." He replied.

  "How have you been since yesterday? You didn’t see anything weird new, right?"

  "Y-Yeah… Everything is fine for now… You don’t have to worry that much."

  Yoru turned her head sharply as she crossed her arms.

  "It's not as if I'm too worried about you or anything… I already figured you were fine from the start and just asked, that's all."

  "Um…" Kenji interrupted, "Can't we head to the canteen already…? Staying here without food is tougher than you realize."

  "I don't think we're in a hurry," she replied with a blank stare.

  "Hmm… Could it be that you're hesitant to go there because of what happened yesterday…?"

  Yoru puffed out her cheeks in irritation.

  "I mean…" Kenji carried on, "I can't blame you for feeling nervous with all those stares we received that time."

  "Mwah, fine!" Yoru exclaimed. "Let's go then. We'll probably find Ayuri there too."

  "Yapa!" Kenji cheered excitedly.

  "I see why you’re not popular with girls," Hiroki replied as they walked on.

  "Look who's talking here…" Kenji responded casually.

  "Yeah, whatever you're saying…"

  But as they approached the canteen's double doors and opened them, the atmosphere shifted.

  It wasn't the usual loudness. It was… murmuring.

  The atmosphere there seemed tense and strained.

  “Did something happen here this morning?”

  Hiroki wondered to himself.

  Kenji stopped grinning.

  "Uhh… What’s going on?"

  Yoru frowned in confusion. "It seems we missed something."

  Instead of sitting at tables, most of the people were gathered near the main notice board on the wall.

  "Is that… news?"

  Hiroki squinted.

  Standing in front of the board, reading a large poster, was Ayuri.

  “She might know more about what happened before us.”

  Kenji noticed her as they approached the board.

  "Hey, Ayuri. What’s everyone looking at?"

  Ayuri didn't turn around. She was looking over the crowd and the billboard's attached paper.

  Yoru stepped closer, trying to read the bold text on the board.

  — URGENT NOTICE: WESTERN DISTRICT ATTACK INCIDENT —

  [ NIGHT CROWS STRIKE AGAIN ]

  Confirming hostile activity by the group known as 'Night Crows'. Severe property damage reported. Minimal loss of life, but some are missing or have been kidnapped. The Royal Guards showed up late after receiving the complaints. Investigations are still ongoing.

  ———

  "What…?"

  Yoru’s voice faltered.

  Ayuri finally turned, her expression tight as she heard her.

  "Oh—It’s you guys… Sorry, I didn’t notice."

  "Ayuri," Hiroki asked, stepping forward. "What is that?"

  She hesitated, then stepped aside so he could see.

  The report on the poster was grimly detailed.

  There was also an extra sheet of paper, appearing unofficial, attached to the bottom of the main advertisement. The font was different.

  "The Kingdom is rotten. This is our judgment. The false King will fall."

  Yoru's eyes widened in panic.

  "W-What… was that?"

  "I just saw it," Ayuri said quietly. "It was here this morning."

  Kenji frowned, looking around at the panicked recruits.

  "But… this doesn’t make sense. And since when does the PHG post news about the Capital? Aren’t we independent?"

  "I agree," Ayuri nodded slowly. "It’s highly unusual. But… I checked with a few guards who came in early."

  She looked down.

  "The news… is true. There was an attack last night."

  Hiroki felt goosebumps spread across his body.

  "Attack…?"

  His mind raced.

  “Have they begun… again?! There's no doubt. It must be her… Renne.”

  The image of that girl with her mocking smile flashed in his mind.

  "Why is she doing this? What does she want…? How did everything happen so smoothly!?"

  A surge of anger boiled in his chest.

  "That girl… I can't stand her at all."

  His hands clenched into fists at his sides. He was trembling.

  Ayuri noticed.

  She reached out, placing her left hand gently on his shoulder.

  "Hiroki."

  He looked up. His eyes were burning.

  "I understand," she said softly. "It’s terrible. But… from what I heard, there were no major casualties. They burned buildings. More like they wanted to spread a message."

  "A message?!" Yoru snapped, her voice sharp. "They terrorized people! Why are we just standing here reading about it? Why aren't we doing something?"

  She looked around at the room full of capable fighters.

  "The PHG has hundreds of members! We could do something about it!"

  Ayuri sighed, removing her hand from Hiroki’s shoulder.

  "We can’t."

  "Why not?!"

  "Because, after all, we are free agents," Ayuri replied to her calmly. "Unless the Kingdom explicitly requests our help, any intervention by the PHG members would be seen as… an act of aggression or interference. The Royal Guards and the PHG have always had… tension."

  Hiroki clenched his teeth. His face reflected discontent.

  "So we just watch…?" His voice was deep.

  "Is that why Seina suspended us?"

  Ayuri stayed quiet, listening to him.

  Hiroki looked directly into her eyes.

  "She said it was for our own safety. Perhaps she knew… didn’t she?"

  "Maybe she suspected we were targets," Ayuri replied to him. "Or even a threat. Being a likely target for the Night Crows."

  "Threat?" Hiroki scoffed. "Us?"

  "I don’t think she believes that," Ayuri said quickly. "But… she has to be careful. Maybe in a few days, things will change. Maybe she’ll call us back. I know how she usually thinks."

  Hiroki looked down at the floor.

  "I don’t want to wait anymore…"

  "I want to do something. I know I can help. I have to help."

  "What is Seina even thinking about…? Have they abandoned us? We, who know more about the enemy than anyone else?!"

  That morning passed quickly, under the heavy weight of the news and their helplessness.

  [TO BE CONTINUED…]