89 See-neaking In (1/2)

It was already pass sunset and the full moon was shining down from above; nevertheless, Allen and Edwin was still awake, trekking up a mountain.

They already exited the Monarch Forest a few hours ago. After getting out, they proceeded to climb up the mountain at Allen's lead.

'Where are we even going?', Edwin thought.

At some point, Allen stopped walking and took out a compass. It was the same compass that he tampered with before they entered Monarch Forest. Edwin saw the compass and made him think why Allen kept taking it out.

Before they even started to climb up the mountain, Allen have been taking in and out the compass for many times.

Unlike yesterday, the compass needle started moving and pointed to a certain direction up the mountain. Allen placed it away in his satchel and continued to stride towards the direction where the needle pointed.

Some time later, the two of them arrived near a pit on the mountain. On the pit, was an encampment of some sort.

”There are actually people living on the mountain?” Edwin remarked, ”Isn't this pass dangerous?”

However, Allen shook his head then pointed to something near the settlement. Edwin looked over and saw that it was a coach, but he felt that it was a bit familiar.

”Could it be?”, Edwin turned his gaze to Allen.

”Yes, it's that same carriage.”, Allen nodded and took out his compass again. The tip of its needle pointing towards the carriage.

”The people camped in there are pirates. The driver of the carriage we rode on is also a pirate.”, Allen added.

”How did you know?”, Edwin asked.

”The accent of the driver was suspicious. It seems like he was forcing to copy the accent of the townsfolk. If he didn't come from the neighboring country the east, then he's a pirate.”, Allen said.

He added, ”So I hid a special kind of metal that I could track on the book that I was reading... and my hunch about that man was right.”

”What are we going to do now then?”, Edwin asked curiously.

”No, what are you going to do?”, Allen returned back the question.

”Me? Wait... I'm going to take care of them myself?”, Edwin asked in surprise.

”You still didn't answer my question. Again, what are you going to do?”, Allen repeated the question.

”I'm going to... kill them all?”, Edwin replied. A tinge of hesitation appeared on his face.

”And why is that?”, Allen asked.

”Because... they killed innocent people?”, Edwin said.

”Alright, but what if there are also some innocent pirates in that camp?”, Allen asked again.

”How can that be possible? Pirates being innocent?”, Edwin was baffled.

”Some of them were probably forced under certain circumstances. Yes, they have sinned in some ways such as stealing and possibly murdered others to make a living, but is that reason enough to end their lives?”, Allen questioned.

'Should I answer yes or no?', Edwin thought. In the end, he couldn't answer back anything.

”We live in a world where morality is one of the basis of what the majority will think of you. Killing is wrong, but there is always a reason for everything that we will do.”, Allen said.

”Edwin?” Allen turned his head to Edwin, ”Have you killed somebody?”

”No.” He shook he his head. As far as he could remember, he hasn't killed a single sentient being yet. Even the elves were only severely injured.

”I will capture them, but what will I do to the ones who did heinous acts?”, Edwin asked.

”Leave them to me. Try to restrain all of them first.”, Allen said. Afterwards, he gave the boy a black robe and sent him on his way.

***

The camp didn't have any walls surrounding it, letting Edwin easily enter its perimeter. He noticed at one glance the nicely built shanties, as if the settlement was a permanent one.