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Chapter 13 - Journal |-| 13

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Just as the moon came to be placed near the middle of the night sky a figure stood with their back facing the huge container. This port that is a part of Kinsel are no longer in full functioning situation. It has now become a storage container for the Empire to sjip product overseas.

Light click of heels emerge from behind. Twirling within his fingers is a cup of red wine which he happily take a sip and throw the remain into the ocean. Without looking back he said. "You listen to my summon I see, Miss Detective. Opps, would you rather be called Young Marquess, Xue Yanyi."

The person in question has her hair blown across her back by the ocean breeze, Her firm standing is making it seem more like a battle when in truth it is merely a discussion. Maybe?

Yanyi who knew that she had been caught from the beginning change her frown into a smirk. Her posture change to be more relax and more playful. "If I am the infamous Young Marquess Xue, then everyone would be knowing my personality already. Even you Eduoard Choffard."

"Hahahah! You know how to make a man laugh, Young Maqruess. Not only that, I believe that you also has the blood to kill innocence." He gladly take out his silver pendant and wear it across his necktie. Proudly, he strode forward and stop around 10 feet from Yanyi.

"Funny you know. A father who knew that their daughter had done a vial crime yet stands firm with such love. You really wanted to follow your daughter in everlasting purgatory, right?" A bullet flew through Yanyi's right shoulder, merely by passing her cheek and ear.

A smoke came out of a revolver that is within Eduoard grasp. Yanyi didn't flinch an inch. She knew exactly what she is getting herself in. "Careful with your words, Young Marquess.Do you really wish for the downfall of Kinsel and Volparine as a whole?"

Yanyi — "And would risk to bear the burden of the collapse of treaty peace between Anderil and Volparine, Sir Eduoard?"

Eduoard — "My Kingdom would know that I'm doing what they want. Weakening the structure of Volparine means a greater chance of victory."

Yanyi — "So there are still people wanting to prode a war instead of living in peace. Such weirdos."

"Your Signia." He pointed the gun down to where the location of large containers are. He gesture for his head meaning "Throw them away." He wanted to make sure that this become a situation where he is in control not the other way around.

Staring at where she ought to throw them and looking down to where her signia pouch is located she can't help but further her frown. Glaring at Eduoard, she takes of the said pouch and throw them in the direction.

The man than started to laugh miniacly, monologuing to himself. Proud much that he had done the impossible. Making the blood of Volparine High Noble fall down and bow before him. At the end of his sentence he look to the moon and with a sadden tone he pray "...My daughter,... Papa will make sure you get your peace sooner..."

He then toss the gun away and replace it with a new weapon, a signia and an azure one as well. Yanyi can contain her laughter no more and burst into one. "My, my. You really go ahead and bought another signia the same as the suspected one here? Are you stupid." Laughter continue to erupt from her lips.

Eduoard — "SIlence! I have the upper hand against you. Now, what shall I do to make your father rethink of his decision of sending you here."

Yanyi — "Hold your horses. Sending me here? No one send me here."

Eduoard — "Preposterous! You're the heir to the Xue's name! It would be impossible for your father to not know where you are!"

"Do you really think that any kid who had been torture for years through double the harsh training would stay in that bird cage? HAHAHAHAHAH!" She continue to laugh while Eduoard tried to make sense in what he is hearing. He still believe in what he was told.

"Impossible! Ridiculous! Absurd! My informant has never been wrong!" It immediately turn Yanyi to become stiff again. She straighten herself back on her own two feet. 

Eduoard thought that he has gain the upper control but a swift look into Yanyi's wide eyes can turn him into a shivering prey. Her beautiful silver iris turn complete hollow, no light can penetrate them. It looks as if you are staring right into a void, no where to run but to accept your fate.

Her smirk broke the illusion by a thread. "Destroying Kinsel? Do you really think that I came here unprepared, Sir Eduoard? I, Xue Yanyi. The daughter of the infamous Blade Reaper of the Empire. One of the strategist that lead to the victory of Volparine, came unprepared?"

Her heels click through the cement floor and closing their distance. Her calm and scary eyes rendered Eduoard to not able to move anywhere. When she takes three steps forward, he takes two step backwards. Eventually she was only three inches away from his face. 

She took another step and with close proximity and the angle of where her eyes are being stared at, Eduoard Choffard stumble by his own footing. Swiveling away until he is back to back against a wall of container. 

"SURROUND!!" He shouts, Multiple boots footsteps came froward from their hiding and pointed their rifle directly to Yanyi. Her movement came to a halt at once. He neck can be blown off with a single trigger being pulled.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! YOU REALLY THINK THAT I CAME HERE WITHOUT THINKING?!!! COME SHOW ME YOUR FORCES!!! IF YOU DIDN'T COME HERE WITH YOUR FATHER'S COMMAND, I CAN TAKE THEM ALL ON!!!! COME ONNNNN!!!"

His laughter continues as Yanyi stand in place, silent. Seeing her not doing anything he had figure that she didn't bring anyone with her. Bluffing much as he would see. It was quite known that Yanyi starts to put out a somewhat rebelling attitude. 

If she were to bring in her family's soldiers, her father wouldn't believe in what she said. IN the end, she would come over with an empty hand. His face starts to turn to blue because of continuously laughing.

Despite his cheery attitude, it is easily squash when a tiny giggle emerge in front of him. Turning back his neck to normal position and opening his eyes for once, the young girl in the middle of multiple rifles fully loaded with ammunition is covering her giggles by forcing her lips tight.

Her eyes are turning into a smile, filling her with delight. "What are you laughing at?!" He yell in fury. To see your enemies who is about to lose suddenly laughing with joy would make you feel as if there's something wrong with the situation. 

And of course, there is something wrong with Eduoard plan. The one and only mistakes that he had made in the first place is taking out his grudge against Xue Yanyi. "*sigh* Sir Eduoard, do you really think that I came here to settle the debt you have with my father?"

Eduoard — "Of course not. You also came here to settle the death of your Professor Ouwil."

Yanyi — "Hafl true. Yes I came here to settle the grudge for my Professor, but coming here for my father? Oh you would be more wrong. I do came here for another thing though."

Eduoard — "What is it?"

Yanyi said with a smirk. "For my work." She snapped her fingers and in an instant the surrounding area turns to misty maze. Seeing that the area turn to a blazing blindness, Eduoard immediately shout, "Don't move form position! Hold her in place!" The henchmen stand their ground but still keeping the rifle steady.

Then the smoke is cleared with one fell swoop of a slash. The gust of wind coming off as quite forceful but not enough to move Yanyi from her position. Those who are pointing their rifle to her neck can now feel the sensation she felt for the pass 5 minutes.

A two cold barrels of higher caliber rifles lay towards their skull and their neck. Specifically the area of which the blood vessel and life cord are aligned. Behind these henchmen are full out gear up police militants, pointing their guns directly towards all the people who ahd surrounded Yanyi. 

Eduoard tried to back away but his neck is met with a dagger coming from the sharp end of a gauntlet. "Move and I will pierce your neck, cutting it in half." The familiar sound of the stoic face came into fruition. Luyao is standing behind Eduoard with his gauntlets signia in arms. 

"Thanks for agreeing on this plan, Inspector!" Yanyi said in delight. Eduoard tried to yell "KILL H-!!" Before a shot rise from one of the police militants. There are a total of 30 police militants around them currently.

Luyao —"If any of you dare to pull the trigger to Xue Yanyi! Each and every single one of my men with open fire and kill each and everyone of you! One person's mistakes takes down everyone!"

Eduoard — "... D-Don't s-shoot..."

Luyao — "Eduoard Choffard, you are under arrest for killing, mass kidnapping, damaging city's property, unlawful occupation of government property, and colluding to bring harm to the Empire! You, though a citizen of Anderil are bound to follow and abide by the law of Volparine as you are owning a business chain in this Empire!"

Eduoard — "You all...! Are the spawn of devils!"

"Spawn of devils? I'm sorry, I think you don't quite comprehend what you are saying. The person who should be called the devil is you while the spawn would be your daughter." Eduoard tried to launch to grab Yanyi. She dare to mention her daughter as a hideous thing when she was the equivalent of one.

Seeing that both he and his men had been cornered and that there's no way to turn the tide around, he shouts with all of his might, not caring for his or his henchmen's life. 

"KILL HER! I DON'T CARE IF YOU DIE OR I DIE!! KILL HER!! KILL HER NOW!!!"

When it seems like one of them were about to pull the trigger, he was kneeling on the ground. His knee are bleeding out as a huge cut confirm their presence behind his knee. From the outside you can see much, however, the truth is in fact something had cut their muscles to not being able to function temporarily.

When one of them fall, the other start to fall as well. Confuse by the sudden collapse, Eduoard can't help but put the blame to the one person who he had been eyeing this whole time. Yanyi continue to look at his eyes with calm. Soon enough she pull her hands to her head and what Eduoard saw dangling from her fingers confirm his suspicion.

"You! You didn't get rid of all your signia!" Yanyi step over the kneeling men and strode directly towars Eduoard. She hadn't made a single noise from all the constant yelling and blaming coming from his mouth. Until he had finish, Yanyi waited. "I did throw out my signia. But you never specify for me to throw out all my signia."

Yanyi — "My new link signia is something I kept hidden. After all, I knew that you also won't come alone. What else am I supposed to do to save myself."

Eduoard — "..."

Yanyi — "Want to cuff him up and reveal everything?"

Luyao — "Sure."

He took out a hand cuff and lock it in with Eduoard's hands behind his back. For once, the all proud Eduoard Choffard stays silent. Yanyi get closer and starts to do her own search of answer. "Can I continue?" She look over to the where her boss is and got a firm nod from him.

Staring at the now kneeling man, Yanyi can't help but imagine the face of her Professor that has been with her through thick and thin during her academy years. She gets why he wanted to get revenge on her father by killing her. But why is the Professor become his target? He could have target anyone who has relation to the Xue and it would still be the same situation.

"I understood your motive to get revenge on my father through me. But what I can't quite grasp is the involvement of my Professor in this ordeal. Why him?" The man's eyes turn to the ground all this time tilted back up to met hers. Then he smirk yet his eyes filled with fury and satisfaction.

Eduoard — "You say my daughter is a criminal deserving of death. Well that man is the major start of her downfall. Alongside you!"

Yanyi — "What?"

Eduoard — "She was three years older than you. Her favorite is chemistry and that professor is her idol and mentor. Everything was fine and dandy... until you came into the picture. She used to be the golden student of that Ouwil dude. But when you came, she was swat away.

Yanyi — "..."

Eduoard — "Every time she would seek his praise, you would be causing trouble. Since that professor has taken you under his wings, he had been the one to fix all your mistakes. 

When she wants a praise for an award winning competition, you would be running away jumping from the class window, 

When she wanted to show her new concoction, you would be heavily injured from getting into a fight with the Duke's daughter. 

When ALL she wants are comfort from stress! YOU would be spending time with him with your FRIENDS!"

Luyao — "..."

Eduoard — "She says that its normal for teachers to care for other students. Her voice... it sounds defeated. Then, the time come where that professor finally snap with her constant searching for comfort. That cause her to go down the wrong route. She got expelled, and join the group where your father catch."

Yanyi — "..."

Eduoard — "If that MOTHER FUCKING BASTARD!! Had cared for her, she wouldn't have fallen the wrong way... She wouldn't have been caught... I WOULD NOT HAVE LOST MY DAUGHTER!!!""

Eduoard laugh after his rage yet tiny drops of spherical glass form and slide down his cheeks. He was suffering. But suffering doesn't mean that it would be justified to kill someone. "You have ruined my plan, Xue Yanyi. But I swear, I will make sure you get your payment soon."

Out of no where a tune coming from a lyre echoes through the ocean breeze. Yanyi and the other didn't see this as something much. The dead of the night makes it possible that ocean can produce whatever sound they want. They had certainly overlook this part.

The next moment, Luyao's grunt came and brought Yanyi to look over only tu be met with a punch. It send her a few feet away. Thankfully she hadn't lock her signia and used it for a shield. Though it works she can still feel the bones of her a bit disorganized.

Eduoard had somehow break lose from his cuff and his eyes are looking at her in fury. If you could even call those eyes. It was utterly dead. No light and heck, no sclera. Both of his eyes are in the color of his pupils, whole. Yanyi didn't see this in her plan and grap a container wall to propel herself forward.

She kick Eduoard chin with her knee and let him stumble to the ground. She had hope that it would stop there, but it didn't. She can see some sense are kicking in yet he is still trying to attack her. Yanyi is still dangling in the air which prevents her from reacting to dodge.

*PEW!*

"ARGHHHH!!!" Eduoard falls to his knees, clucthing his now bloodied hand. Yanyi who had nearly loss her life from his grip to her face let out a sigh of relief. Luyao had been on the side pressing into his ear intercom. "Target down. Thanks Kazuto." Luyao had immediately cuff him again but this time making sure that he wouldn't be able to break free by giving him three handcuff.

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On the other side...

Kazuto is laying on the roof of a container observing from not his scope but as well as the hidden microphone that Luyao had attach to himself and Yanyi. Irene is sitting next to him, handling the technologies they are using. They had shared smirks and laugh from the moment the plan start.

Then the big revelation came from Eduoard about his daughter. Both of them can't help but be silent. "Yanyi is not evil..." Irene said out of the nowehere. Kazuto who had been frowning during the story look away from his scope and saw the complex expression across his partner's face.

He sat properly, cross-legged and make her tunr towards him. Holding her shoulder and swatting the stray strands of hair from the breeze. "I know. And I believe that there's more to the story that what we are given."

Irene — "Everyone misunderstood her! In the Academy! At home! SHe was suppose to be the Lunar Maiden! Why can't anyone put thier tursy perfectly!"

Kazuto — "Hey, hey! Everyone can't see the Yanyi we all see. But I'm sure, one day. We all see her the same way. The Yanyi that wants happiness for all the things she had been through."

Irene — "...You don't know her... How can you said that..."

Kazuto — "Because I know that she has a friend like you."

Irene can't help but turn her cheeks red, Thankfully the cold breeze from the ocean cover that for her. Swatting his hand off of her shoulder they stayed there for silence. That is until a music of lyre came through the intercom. 

Kazuto became alert and go back to his snipping position. Loading his sniper and finding the whereabouts of the suspect he was shocked to see his brother being throw to the side so easily, Though his shock didn't falter him a second as he move to direct his weapon to where and when he finds it appropriate.

Just after he had stumbled down after being kick in the chin by Yanyi he finds it more easy and quite painful for Eduoard to feel a bullet pierce his palm. Just as he decide on where to shoot, the said man is about to jump to where Yanyi.

He pulled the trigger.

The bullet got more hot and hot with how the mana of Amber collected by the distance he had. The screams that can be heard even without the intercom approve of his shoot. Pressing his ear piece he said "Fire shoot! Target hit, Affirmation? Next Command."

Bzzt!

"Target Down. Thanks Kazuto."

"Glad to help, brother." He turn off the item and lock his signia away. Irene had pack all their equipment and was about to carry it down before Kazuto takes everything and sling it over his shoulder. "A lady shouldn't do any heavy work."

"Tch! I'm not a weakling, jackass!"

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On Yanyi and Luyao's side

After taking down the culprit, Luyao had been busy organizing and commanding the police militants to take the culprit to be brought over to the prison. The Inspector of Liopil station had a discussion with him on what to do.

He had answered that since it is regarding the previous case that the Empire had to bear witness, they have to transport Eduoard Choffard to Capital State of Ashrin and wait for an Imperial Trial. 

"I will write letter to Ashrin central police station as well as the Imperial family to get this settled. The rest of the henchmen will be undergoing national trial. Marquess Ryuichi will be overseeing this trial. Set up a date and occasion of the trial."

"Yes sir!" The man salute to him and went on his way. Luyao turn to see the situation one last time before each of them are hauled away in the truck. He didn't see Yanyi at all in the operation clean up.

Walking a bit further and crossing the large container where everything unfold he saw her sitting by the pier edge. Her blue hair blown by the wind letting him see the sadden and guilty look on her face. Approaching her, he sat down beside her and stare down the horizon where the moon will later disappear. "Thinking about what he said?"

She nodded. Her mind are elsewhere yet her body is here making her able to respond without thinking much about what or who is asking her. Luyao didn't think that it was his part to comfort her. What does he know about her academy era. He and Kazuto had been home tutored by the best teachers in the same academy. Can't really go when you have some problem.

"In some way, I did cause his death." Yanyi said in sorrow, Truth be told, Luyao have had enough of her trying to blame herself when it was someone else's doing. He also had gone through the same thought process when he discovered that he was adopted. He was very young back then.

Before he could open his mouth to debunk her idea, she tilt her head upwards and takes in a deep breath from the horizon. Letting it go, her face are now more relaxed and turn to be more acknowledging. "Professor Ouwil. Thank you for all your effort in saving all the lost children all your life. Though not all can be save, you are still a human. A human who has taken care of everyone in need... even me... Thank you!"

Seeing her giving a farewell message to where the sky is makes him proud. Old folk used to say that when you aren't able to attend a funeral of someone you love, give them a farewell by the sea and looking into the horizon. The sky is the limit and the ocean is a never ending mystery. This call that may their life blossom without any limit and full of many adventures.

Standing back up on her feet, she puff her chest forward and turn to look at her boss. "Come on. We have more work to do." He rolled his eyes as he followed her to where everyone is. Irene and Kazuto had just make it to where they were.

And so, the plan to catch the mass kidnapping and killer has come to an end. Let us see what awaits these fellow in the future.

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-~*~-

Yanyi is dipping her pen into the ink and writing the last few messages on the paper. signing her name she clean her brush and whistle to call in the creature that had been sleeping on her bedside table. A blue transparent bird flew towards her onto her fingers. 

Rolling the paper, Yanyi place it on its back and kiss its little head. "Be save and send the letter to him okay, Willow?" *Chirp* the creature happily chirp to her commands.

Opening her bedroom window, she bring her palms to the sky, letting the little one into the sky. She didn't move away from the window until the little bird flew off from her peripheral view. "Yanyi! Time for dinner! Come cook!"

"Coming!"

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After three days of travelling, the little bird reaches the designated destination and using its beak to knock on the window from the windowsill. Soon the window open and a stature of a man stand up front the little one. Without much waiting, the little bird flew to his shoulder.

The man walks over to his desk and have a seat on his chair. Taking the Willow onto his finger, he take the folded paper from its back and hand out a hand-full of seed onto the table.

"Eat all you want, Willow. Have a rest for week here." He stroke the tiny head as it happily flew to the pile of seed. After ensuring that the little messenger had his share of reward, the man turn his attention to the letter at hand. 

His blue vest and white cravat adorned with gold braid threads. His sleeves had been overturn to the outside as it had been a long day of work for him. "What did you get for me this time, Licia?" Opening the said letter it read.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Greetings, Leon.

Blergh! Weird when I address you formally even if I have too. Anyway, here's what I have to tell you about our adventure so far. 

First and foremost, someone from the high noble already knew who I am. But as I had expected, he wouldn't open a single word about me. Their rivalry really do come in handy sometimes.

Second, I had been accepted into the Kinsel police force by the Chief Inspector. Though I had applied as a detective, I think my role would differ as time goes on. 

Third, we had finished a case involving a mass kidnapping of young women and. Unfortunately, the death of one of our professor. Professor Ouwil had been killed and his body had been sent to his Ashrin manor. If you would, I'd appreciate it if you can see to his funerals on my behalf.

The culprit's name is Eduoard Choffard. He is a Anderilions that works here in Volparine. This has a connection to the case my father had worked on four years ago. It is involving the human trafficking that sneak into Ashrin through the Kinsel shore. If he ever mention such words of profanity. I hope you can calm it down and bring some sense to him.

Though the case do involve my father, it does have my involvement in his motive. Apparently, his daughter is one of our senior. She had been expelled due to bad behavior. He had pinned such even on both me and Professor Ouwil. Though if you would and as much as it would help me, decrease the amount of time my name is mention.

That's it for now, I'll write more to you. Farewell, the shining sun of the Empire. Your Highness, Crown Prince, Devian Leon Valionix.

Sign, Your Rion Partner.

Xue Licia Yanyi

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"You troublemaker Rion sister of mine. Always like that." He flipped the paper to the back and saw a scribble to the back. This messages is not usually how they communicate. But it was implemented in order to not let anyone else in on what they had. Though the downside of this methods is that it can only potray one letter of messages only.

He open up a secret compartment of his desk and place the paper inside. At the very least he will keep said letter until the trial is finished. Though she hadn't mention the fact that Eduoard is being sent to the capital, its just the norms to have a trial in the capital if it ever involves any previous trial about the empire.

He then continue to look over at the little guy on his desk. He is now placing his little butt on his desk while stroking its full belly. For a creature that resemble an animal, it certainly has the personality of a human more.

"Have anything to say, Willow?" The little guy tilted its head to Devian in a confuse manner. He understood what he want, but not on a full context. Seeing his mistakes, Devian rephrase his words again. "Anything from Licia you wanted to tell me?"

Understanding his words, the little guy began to chirp in a beat. It is in a morse code. Though such task may be easy to do multiple time. Considering that the messenger is their little friend, Devian and Yanyi retort to use it for long messages.

The chirp spell. 'L'_'Y'_'R'_'E' "Lyre? What is that instrument meant?" He question to himself. Though as he should take it he should be careful with anything involving it for the time being.

*Knock* *Knock*

"Dev, it's time for your swordman ship test. The Marquess is waiting at the courtyard." A man within Devian's age walk through the door and address him informally. Giving one last stroke to his little bird, he said. "Mind closing the door after me, Luciel?"

"At your services, your highness. Ugh! I now understand why Yanyi didn't call you formally. So weird."

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