𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟒
(4)
“At this rate, we’re just dwindling away!”
ㅤ
With a strong tone, Crozet asserted.
Inside the red tent, the main base of operations for “Star Guardian,” there is a meeting place.
In the meeting place, there was a large round table, and four elderly men were seated there. All in their sixties, their names were Bekios, Chara, Bon, and Totom. Aside from them, Crozet and her father, Gangi, were standing.
The old men let out a tired sigh.
ㅤ
“Well, Crozet, that’s easier said than done.”
“Our main purpose isn’t business.”
“Exactly. Letting outsiders into the ‘Star Guardian’ is absurd.”
“Don’t rush things, okay?”
ㅤ
The conservative elders gently rejected Crozet’s proposal.
The official job of the “Star Guardian” is being a dismantler. They bring back demon beasts hunted in the “wilderness” and break them down to distribute them in the market. Although it’s their official job, they’ve been doing it for nearly forty years, so it feels like their main job now, and they can be considered one of the old established businesses in the industry.
“Star Guardian” once boasted top-class results among dismantlers, but they couldn’t stand the test of time. In the past forty years, the only new member they had was seventeen-year-old Crozet. She’s in charge of sectioning, and if you consider the transport team, there hasn’t been any replenishment. Fifty-year-old Gangi, Crozet’s father, is the youngest member.
If things continue like this, they won’t be able to maintain the “Star Guardian.” That’s why Crozet visited the recruitment office to hire a lookout.
Secretly, from everyone.
She repeated the explanation she had given many times before.
ㅤ
“We always end up ‘following the lead’, so we never get the good parts. Do you know what the other dismantlers say about us? They call us ‘Bone-pickers of the old bone squad.’ It’s infuriating!”
ㅤ
The elders burst into laughter after looking at each other.
ㅤ
“That’s a good one. Can’t deny that.”
“Soon, someone will have to pick up my bones too.”
“Who would that be?”
“Well, the last one standing, I suppose.”
ㅤ
The elders began arguing, “It’ll be me,” “No, it’ll be me.” It’s not that they lack pride. When it comes to their main purpose, they become strict. The reason they can laugh is probably that they haven’t really been hurt.
However, Crozet thinks differently.
They are merely dismantlers, shunned by the citizens “inside the wall,” and mocked by their peers. They’ve dedicated their entire lives, literally, for an important mission. Without being understood by anyone, without any objections, they just laugh among themselves.
Isn’t that pitiful?
She couldn’t stand seeing her “family” being ridiculed.
ㅤ
“Anyway!”
ㅤ
Crozet silenced the elders.
ㅤ
“This morning, when I went to the recruitment office, I was informed that a lookout had been selected. We can’t send them away after recruiting them. That’s a matter of the ‘Star Guardian’s’ honor.”
“Crozet.”
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Gangi, who had been silently watching the discussion, softly spoke up.
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“You should have consulted me or Hamaji-san before making such decisions.”
“Because you’d surely object, wouldn’t you?”
ㅤ
Crozet was aware of the circumstances of the “Star Guardian” which did not allow outsiders easily. The very reason she was born was deeply connected to this issue. To ensure the knowledge of the “Star Guardian” did not die out, they bent the rules and allowed her parents to have a child.
Gangi bowed to the elders.
ㅤ
“My seniors, I apologize. I will personally apologize to the other party and decline on our behalf.”
“Otou-san!”
“Stop addressing me like that. I’ve told you many times.”
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Crozet’s father had instructed her to call him by his name. The breaking of their rules was temporary as she is the child of all “Star Guardians.”
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“But they’ve taken the effort to come.”
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At that moment, the tent’s entrance opened.
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“What’s wrong, Crozet-san? You were so loud; it echoed outside.”
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The person who spoke was Crozet’s mother, Maasa. Despite being the same age as his father, she looked very young. She was leading an old woman, who looked nearly a hundred years old, by the hand.
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“Director Theresa, you shouldn’t be out and about too much. It could harm your health.”
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Gangi voiced his concerns for the old lady. The four elders were also of the same opinion and were about to rise from their seats.
But the old woman stopped them with a gesture.
Maasa guided the old woman to a table and seated her.
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“Today, you seem to be doing well. You mentioned wanting to get some fresh air.”
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The old lady’s name was Theresa. She represented the “Star Guardians”, and no one could surpass her.
Theresa made intricate gestures with her fingers.
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“What happened, Crozet-san? Explain.”
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Maasa translated for Theresa. Ten years ago, due to certain circumstances, Theresa lost her ability to speak.
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“W, Well, you see. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Crozet seemed slightly embarrassed as she explained the situation.
She believed she was doing the right thing, but she should have thought more about the approach. At the very least, she should have had her mother on her side.
After pondering for a moment, Theresa moved her fingers.
ㅤ
“I appreciate your feelings. However, at this stage, we cannot let outsiders in. It’s for fulfilling our crucial mission.”
“But. . . . . .”
ㅤ
In the “Star Guardian”, Theresa’s decisions were absolute. They couldn’t be overturned.
Yet, Crozet argued back.
ㅤ
“No matter the mission, if we can’t sustain our lives, we can’t fulfill it. If our reserves run out and we don’t even have food, it’ll be too late. In that case, now is the time.”
ㅤ
She trailed off, falling into silence.
Just as Theresa was about to gesture again, the entrance to the tent opened.
ㅤ
“Oh my, everyone’s here.”
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The person who entered was an elderly woman in charge of certain tasks, named Sumi. Sumi, with her cheerful and carefree nature, reported with a smile.
ㅤ
“We have a cute visitor. Apparently, he came for a lookout job. Such a small boy, so impressive.”
ㅤ
Next to the old woman, a petite boy shyly peeked out.
ㅤ
◇
ㅤ
This was an entirely unexpected turn of events.
The boy looked about ten years old. Due to his short stature and thin frame, he appeared even younger.
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“I’m Luo. I’m, um, grade four, wizard. . . . . .”
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The boy, bathed in the gazes of many adults, was visibly flustered. His self-introduction faltered.
Sumi grinned as if she had found a rare little creature.
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“Kuro-chan, Kuro-chan. This child is a wizard. Amazing, isn’t it? It’s my first time seeing such a small wizard.”
ㅤ
A brand-new collar was placed around the boy’s neck.
Its color was green.
The wizard’s grade is divided into four levels, and one can distinguish them by the color of the collar. Green signifies the lowest grade, a fourth-grade wizard. They have weak powers and are not very practical.
Nonetheless, just being a wizard made him a being to be wary of. After all, they have the dangerous mindset of wanting to obtain power, even if it means eating the eggs of the deadly demon beasts.
The elderly members of the transport team began to murmur.
Why is a child here? Can such a small child really stand guard? Is he truly a wizard? What kind of magic does he have? Even in front of their guest, they were bombarding each other with unanswered questions.
Theresa moved her fingers, and Maasa asked.
ㅤ
“Crozet-san, how long is the contract?”
“Ah, yes. For now, it’s one month.”
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Maasa also seemed to be taken aback by the next instruction.
ㅤ
“Guide that child and explain the job.”
“Huh? Is that okay?”
“Since we issued the recruitment, it’s only proper to respond properly. Be courteous.”
“Yes, thank you!”
ㅤ
Hoping Theresa wouldn’t change her mind, Crozet quickly curtsied, holding the hem of her skirt.
ㅤ
“This way.”
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Then, she took the boy’s hand and left the assembly hall.
With the young man gone, the assembly hall was filled with a silence of doubt. Even the usually cheerful elderly were making perplexed faces.
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“Director, is this really okay?”
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One of the elders, Bekios, asked.
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“We’re dealing with one who harbors evil magic.”
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Theresa opened her eyes wide. Though her voice had become weak and withered, her mental agility was not compromised. She moved her fingers quickly, and Maasa interpreted.
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“Wizards are under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Magic. We cannot deny the possibility that they have some contact with the “Star Guardian.” It would be too unnatural to recruit and then send him away.”
“But he’s just a child. And a fourth-grade at that, what can he possibly do?”
“He might be lying about his age or grade.”
ㅤ
Everyone gasped. They knew that the Bureau of Magic, which owns a special squad called the Black Neck Squad, would resort to any devious means.
As she moved her fingers, Theresa cast a sharp gaze at the younger elders.
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“To begin with, only residents of “Inside the Wall” with a confirmed status should be able to apply for jobs at the staffing agency. There are better jobs available, so no one would intentionally apply to be a lookout for a dismantler.”
ㅤ
That was true.
Dismantlers, who break down demon beasts to distribute their parts as food or materials, are indispensable to the city. However, many residents have prejudices against them. Moreover, being a lookout is a grueling job.
Theresa grimaced in discomfort.
ㅤ
“It’s been ten years since the “Fanatics’ Rebellion”. There has been no contact from the central authority so far, but the kingdom’s policies aren’t always consistent. If they’ve detected the presence of the “Star Guardian” and dispatched vanguards, then. . . . . .”
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After conveying everything, he takes a deep breath.
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“We need to observe that person and determine their purpose.”
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