Enigmas

"You've got it wrong, I-I was just trying to save the young boy, I wasn't-"

"Liar! She's a witch, an evil witch! Don't listen to her words!"

"Criminal!"

"Scums! Laying your hand on a poor child!"

Hilia panicked, she could feel the venomous stares and hearing the spiteful words from them made her intimidated.

This is bad, I didn't expect any of this to happen!

Yoan knew the situation would only escalate further and he kept the syringe in his pocket. He prepared to unsheathe his sword, when Mino appeared right beside him, clamping his hand down hard on Yoan's arm.

"Don't move, swordsman."

Yoan was utterly surprised, both at Mino's speed and strength.

"Arrest them." Mino ordered, his facial expression not changing. The soldiers followed his orders instantly, apprehending Hilia.

"Ahhh! Let me go! I told you I was just trying to help that child!"

"Hilia!"

Yoan clicked his tongue, moving his body and his leg, kicking Mino on the back. However, Mino reacted swiftly by twisting Yoan's arm, causing him to cry out in pain. Not having a chance to recover, Mino punched Yoan in the stomach and knocked him out by hitting his neck, his smiling facade not slipping even once.

"Yoan! Let me go--mmph!"

The soldier covered Hilia's mouth and she glared at Mino, her irises changing yet again. Mino noticed it, speaking quickly.

"Knock her out, fast."

"Mmm! Mm-"

The soldiers carried an unconscious Hilia and Mino watched her, seemingly a little cautious.

A priestess shouldn't linger on any negative energy or negative emotion. It's dangerous.

Mino thought to himself, commanding the soldiers to carry Yoan.

"What should we do with them, captain?"

The crowd was still in an uproar, and Mino glanced at the two of them, still maintaining the smile on his face. "Throw them into the dungeons."

"Yes, captain." The soldiers saluted, marching to the gates without a word.

Kneeling down on one knee, Mino patted Omar's grandfather on the back. "I'll bring you back home first."

"Wh-what about my poor Omar? My grandson…"

"I'll bring him to the royal doctor, don't worry."

"Oh, my poor grandson. What did he do to deserve such treatment from an evil witch?"

Mino lifted his head up, watching his comrades bringing Yoan and Hilia into the town. He recalled how moments ago, he shoved the package that was supposed to be delivered to him, right into Yoan's backpack furtively without anyone noticing it.

His smile faltered for a second, appearing grave. He went back to his smiling demeanour in the next moment, no one noticing the sudden change as he helped Omar's grandfather and Omar.