Chapter 3: I GIVE YOU MY WORD
THEN SHE CONTINUES her words of what she is about to say. “My grandfather encountered on the battlefield some Paradeisians. He was already sternly injured from a battle as he fought with his life against some legionnaires from a different kingdom. Finally, when my grandfather faces them and beheld their intimidating and tremendous amount of grace that they have, he dropped on his knees as he was exhausted. He closed his eyes as if he was giving them his life to take. And to escape from the Paradeisian was impossible with his condition.” She pauses for a second . . .
She looks at me with glimmering eyes, as if she wants me to say something about her tale.
So I finally spit out my opinion of what happened to his grandfather. "So, that is why you ask me that question, huh? Because you yourself hold a personal grudge against the Paradeisians. So they murdered your grandfather mercilessly. Even if he was already half dead. Well, it’s who they are after all—”
“They saved my grandfather,” she cuts me off.
My mouth is left open of what I heard, and my eyes freeze, and I am asking her what she meant by what she said by my glare towards her.
“What on earth did you say?” I ask her with a narrowed eyes set on her.
Do I mishear something? Or I do not hear exactly what she said since the hallways were kind of deafening because of the silence. Then she said it again, but now with more fluency.
“They saved my grandfather, they tended his wounds and took care of him. Those Pradeisians healed him. He went missing for two months and nobody in this kingdom knew where he had gone. When he came back the king called his attention to the Bastion to ask him some questions. And after a week, he was found dead. His corpse found lying in the north forest with a sword still piercing on his chest. They said it was a thief who killed him by surprise.”
I am dazed by what I heard. I couldn’t even make a sound. I try opening my mouth, but I can’t even utter a word. I am so shocked.
But before I could even react or say something, she continues talking. “You want to know why I’m telling you this? Because you belong to a mission that will be dispatched for grace enwrap in the next few days. And that place is where grace zeal is hovering. And a lot of kingdoms will definitely come to fetch there, and an expected battle is to occur. You might die there no matter how powerful and strong you think you are.”
My eyes expand, and I swallow with intensity as she said that because she is right.
She continues, “There is something I want you to confirm. Well, I hope that there will be some Paradeisians that will be there also. You can see for yourself if what kind of monsters are they indeed, as what we are always being told. Or if my grandfather was right.”
Now I am able to speak, “What do you mean by that? Why don’t you go see it for yourself? Why don’t you go with me on this mission? Our Brigade might look for legionnaire reinforcements. And ask support from other brigades for this type of mission.”
“No, I can’t die yet,” she replies with a half-smile.
“Why not? I mean it’s not that you’ll die out there,” I reply.
“I need to confirm and know the truth. I need to avenge my grandfather to those who murdered him.”
“Cristine Black, I don’t—” Right before I say another word she interrupts me again.
“Don’t you understand, Zinvul? My grandfather was murdered within this kingdom. Someone who is powerful. I know my grandfather very well. He was strong, and you know that too! His grace was enormous. It doesn’t make sense. No mere thief can ever kill my grandfather! Besides he was a kind man. He was a friend of all people even the thief and criminals respected him as an honorable man. Some evildoers even came during his funeral that they were sorry about what happened to him!” She exclaims with her eyes teary and begging for someone to believe.
Her eyes convince me that she is telling the truth as the water that welled in her eyes drops. So I give her my word . . .
“I believe you, Cristine Black. I will see it for myself when we set off for the mission.”
We headed to the healing charter so that our professor would not question us when he finds out that we did not go there.
The day ends. I go home. Still recalling in my mind of what actually I’ve heard. But I remember, why is my mind wandering during our session? What was I thinking at that time?
So I pause, take a concentration, and try to remember it. Aha! That’s right. I remember! I always have doubts about what the course being taught to us. About the Kingdom of Paradeiso of how cruel they are. And when I begin believing in my doubt, I always have a headache. As if there’s something—a magical force that is prompting me to stop doubting what we are being taught.
I should ask others too if they feel the same way that I’m experiencing.
And then I remember also. That Cristine Black would always stare at me every time that happens to me during the session.
But why is it, it’s so easy for me to believe her? How would I know if she’s lying? Is she a traitor to the kingdom? No, those eyes are desperate, sad, and in grievance asking for help and justice.
Yes, I’ve already given my word to her. I will find out in the field! I will find out the truth about the Powerful Kingdom of Paradeiso!
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone