| <Izarku> Izarku turned his head in rseponse to Noriko's call. "I'll be back," Izarku 'flew' away. The two villagers were stunned. They stared after Izarku. "Perhaps Noriko is calling him," Doros tried to explain. The 2 villagers turned their head to face him with the same puzzlement. "I guess…" Doros didn't think these people would understand. Noriko saw Izarku a few distances away. "Izarku! I thought I saw you here but then I couldn't find you!" Izarku smiled apologetically as he explained his absence. "Wow! You are wonderful!" Noriko exclaimed. Izarku, feeling happy, went forward and kissed Noriko lightly on her lips. "I'll be back in a minute," he promised. Noriko was blushing furiously. < That Izarku! Although he looks cool most of the time, he does somtimes do things that throws me off guard...> Again, Noriko sensed the villagers hiding behind the bushes. She turned her head back but saw no one. < I guess they're composing stories about us again> "That means Gina is a princess from some country and Kaikak is her loyal First Knight." One male villager said with certainty. "That's it. That explains why Kaikak put aside the cow and move to find Gina," another added on. "He can't stop worrying about the princess," the next villager spoke. "That can explain her unyeilding attitude," the fourth villager concluded. "The difference in status hinders their love, so the 2 lovebirds wander to this village hand in hand," "Wow! How romantic!" A lady villager exclaimed enviously. "Just like a stage drama!" Another lady villager added excitedly. "This explanation is simply too perfect, it completely overthrows ' the stage pillar being fancied by ferocious bully and the swordswoman'!" The 1st male villager spoke again. "How about Doros 'the prop-in-charge'?" Another asked.
"It should be 'the emperor's stableman'!" The 1st villager replied. "So
that's it!" The rest exclaimed, marvelled at their 'cleverness' in guessing
the 3 newcomers' identity in the village. Irok has changed his clothing, much to Noriko's surprise. He and his forest friends had build up a barrier to protect the whole village. At this moment, the outside world started to have strange transformation. Six-eyed monsters have multiplied in numbers and now they have broadened their activity area. This cause people afraid to go out at night. "Hey, have you heard it?" A lady spoke. "What? You mean the withering forest, right?" The listener replied. "Didn't that started happening years ago?" "Not only they're withering, there has been rumoured to grow deformed ones." The lady sounds worried. "The speed of rotting now is on a more larger scale than before." "But someone said that only those deformed plants continue to survive," the listener spoke with uncertainty. "Not only survived, but burgeoning," the lady replied. "Mutated monster shellfish become so active suddenly, causing a dramatic decrease in catching of aquatic lives." Quoted by anonymity. "Damn! I won't spare you!" Shouted a man. "What a joke! I return the exact phrase to you!" Shouted his opponent as well. " Don't you feel that fighting and tumult have increased a lot nowadays?" One man spoke. "It feels so strange for this whole month. The government knows collecting taxes only. Days are already hard to get by, and now disputes are going on between countries." "Looks like 'he' has become impatient," Zaina spoke. "So, Madam Zaina also think that this time's changes are also caused by that mastermind?" "Previously he hides in the dark to do things so that no one would notice his presence, but now he has become active," "Has it got to do with the ray given out the prediction mirror?" "That's our friends," Little Gina said. "Friends?" "Yes," Gina spoke happily. "My daughter is saying the ray is opposing the mastermind's power. Every country's nucleus politicians has been banished, and being pursued after their lives. The replacing leaders led this world to unrest, and we really are at our wit's end. It's just like we're driven to the wall. I wonder if there are solutions available," "Yes, maybe it can help us break away from dangers. At the same time, to stop it, the culprit bow is thinking of releasing all its power at one go." "Hey, Gaia," Brag whispered, "I, from just now, couldn't help thinking of Izarku and Noriko." "Yes, me too," Gaia agreed. In the meanwhile Irok has informed Noriko if the good news that they have located Noriko's belongings and the lost horse. They are all in the safekeeping of the flower city's mayor. The horse somehow has returned to the city by its own. Noriko thought they could get their belongings back, although it is quite far away from the village. She asked Izarku if he heard Irok. Izarku told her ever since they arrived at this village Irok's voice and image diminishes as days goes by; now he cannot hear nor see Irok anymore. Irok told Noriko it was not Izarku's fault. He and the White forest's folks had a hard time maintaining the barrier. He didn't let Noriko so that she need not worry. However their strength are near to the limit. He went on explaining the evil perverse keeps expanding in the world, and to support the barrier surrounding the village is truly laborious. However, they could shrink the surface area of the barrier to just around Noriko and the rest of her party, but that would not help much since the villagers are so aware of their every movement, it is possible for the enemies to know their hideout. Back in their room, Noriko repeated Irok's words to Izarku. Izarku sank into deep thoughts and then decided that it is time for them to leave the village. Noriko watched Izarku while she thought. She often seen Izaku deep in thoughts ever since their stay in this village. She could imagine that the next time they encounter the enemies Izarku would surely be controlled by the 'Heaven Ghost' in him. They knew there is a strong force in Izarku' heart, which is capable of expelling the 'Heaven Ghost' in him. All because of a pair of radiant wings that had appeared on his back that day. However nothing happens after that. That should make Izarku solicitous too. Staying in this situation, they still have to think of a countermove. The next day Noriko and Doros were peeking into a big hole in a tree. The Gizmos have given birth to babies. "No wonder the Gizmos won't come out when I called them recently," Doros said. He asked Noriko to find a basket for them so that the whole family can live in it, while he tries to finish up the work. Noriko enthusiastically agreed as she recalled that she has indirectly caused death to some Gizmos when enemies were pursuing her. She kept reminding herself she had no choice but to do that. She was determined to get a good basket then. Three anonymous men arrived, looking down from the hill they were at. "At last…. Why do we keep missing this village for this past one month and keep searching the others? I've finally caught this scent." One spoke. "I've waited so long for this moment. There shouldn't be any mistake," another spoke. "Good good, why don't we hurry up, finish the work and get the rewards? I'm already sick of meticulous life. I want to enjoy to my heart's content!" The third man spoke. "Ya Hoo! Quarry of 200 bags of gold coins. Hold on! We're coming!" Irok and 2 other White Forest's folks overheard their conversation, and Irok quickly flew to warn Noriko and Izarku of the enemies. Izarku and Noriko were at Rookie's shop. Noriko was buying a basket from Hanna while Izarku asked Hanna's mother if she has any clues where he could get a job. "There's plenty of jobs out of this village, Rookie said. He suggested Izarku to join the army since the country is getting into war with its neighbour. With Izarku's ability to lift a 400 yalon cow he should be able to get a satisfactory salary. Izarku replied that he has no intention to get involved in war. He wants to get a one-man job if possible. Rookie moved close to Izarku, saying that Izarku didn't deny about the cow. He thought that is just another rumour, but now it is for real. Suddenly, Irok appeared in front of Noriko and Hanna. "Noriko!" he called desperately. "Irok!" Noriko exclaimed, as she was surprised to see Irok appear when there's a third party present. It happened that Rookie was examining Izarku by patting his body. "Looks like you are those kind of people with supernatural powers," he concluded. "Should be…" Izarku gave a slight smile. "My sixth sense was accurate after all," Rookie thought. Izarku is no ordinary man. Luckily they have nothing to do with them, for he's definitely no match for Izarku. Hanna screamed at Irok, pointing at him as she asked Noriko, " What is he? Floating in mid-air, translucent!" "You can see Irok?" Noriko was shocked. "Eh, what? I see nothing at all." Hanna's mother said. "What's wrong?" Noriko asked Irok. "Noriko, danger! 3 men are heading straight here! They emiciate evil scent exactly the same as those in the outside world!" Rookie asked Izarku what is the commotion about, and Izarku told him the tree spirit Irok has come to warn them. Rookie was flaggerbusted. "How did you get to know spirits?" "Don't tell me they're after us?" Both Hanna and Noriko exclaimed in unison. They paused briefly to look at each other. "We'll get them involved!" They pointed to each other, again in unison. Hanna's mother interrupted by exclaiming that the rumour about Noriko is the princess and Izarku is her knight is true. Hanna chided her mother for saying nonsense in this critical situation. Izarku asked Rookie if they're being after as well, and it seems that both parties are in the same boat. Noriko tried to ask Irok which side the pursuers are after, but Irok was not sure, since he did not know that Hanna's gang is being pursued after as well. By then, the pursuers have approached outside the shop. Izarku and Rookie, getting their weapons ready, went out to confront the pursuers. Rookie holds a sword while Izarku holds a hoe. "Sorry, our shop has some private matters to deal with, so it is closed. If there's anything you want, I'll get them," Rookie spoke. "Humph! Looks like our identities have been exposed. In that case, please bring the two ladies (in the shop) out," the fat man, who appears to be the leader of the three, spoke. "The customers seem to be after us," Rookie spoke softly to Izarku. "I thought there should be only one guy?" the one with hairy mane said. "Correct. It's the one on the right," the fat man replied. "And the left?" the third man, with skinny appearance, asked. "A wandering warrior waiting for employment," Izarku answered smoothly. Then he turned to Rookie and said, "I won't ask for much. Only for today's bill." Rookie gave a dumfounded look. "There you go again! This type of doesn't match your face petty words -- you could still say them out without feeling embarrassed! I alone might not be able to cope with, and is considering so, but you're a Knight! Do help out for free!" Izarku, who turns straight-faced, spoke mercilessly, " Who is the petty one? Moreover I am no knight but a wandering warrior. I need to earn money to carry on living." "Ha ha ha! This guy's really interesting! A wandering warrior carrying a hoe as his weapon. Cool indeed!" The hairy man said. The three pursuers began to do some stretching. "Let's go!" "All right, half price!" Rookie sprang into action since he had no time to argue anymore. "Deal!" Izarku moved as well. (The following scenes show Izarku versus the hairy man and Rookie versus the skinny man. Their tack team manages to win the first round. The hairy man, who had fallen onto the ground, started to transform. Rookie and Izarku were both startled. Since Izarku is the one who knocked him down, the hairy man pounced at him. At the same time, the skinny man stretched, his body turning elastic. He confronted Rookie. The fat man, who leaves the fighting to the other two, advanced towards the tightly shut door and blew. The door began to spoil.) Back to the fighting scene. The hairy man was stunned at his incapability to bring Izarku down with his fast attacking speed. Izarku managed to block all his moves merely with the handle. Sensing his opponent's hesitation, Izarku jarred up the sword that rested on his handle and swung his hoe to knock the hairy man over. The poor man flew backwards as a result of the impact. Next Rookie was still engaged in the gruesome fight with the elastic man. He had trouble warding him off. He was about to suffer a blow from the elastic man when Izarku rushed to his rescue. He thrust the elastic man hard on his chin with the end of his handle and sent him flying before crashing onto the ground. (Izarku has already shown mercy here ^^) Meanwhile the fat man had succeeded damaging the door, and was about to catch the girls when Rookie grabbed him by the collar at the back, dragged him towards the door, and flanged him out of the shop. The fat man was surprised to see Rookie, but nevertheless he drew a deep breath and blow at him. His breath can cause things to rot, and if blown on the face, the person would definitely suffer so much that he couldn't open his eyes. Before the breath could reach Rookie, Izarku has already rushed in front and bounced the breath back. The fat man caught his own breath and cried out in pain, his eyes and nose filled with secretions. The three of them couldn't believe that they're defeated, and felt ashamed as a member of the Haidori tribe, especially they are with superatural powers. Suddenly, the hairy man twitched and started to change his form, but this time round he lost control of himself . He cried out in agony, begging his partners to help him out. It struck to Noriko that the man might be able to transform himself back the same way as Izarku. She urged Izaru to help him. Izarku instructed him not to think of self-denyal and feel originality's strength. Slowly, the man stopped transforming, changing back to his human form again. Rookie congratulated Izarku admirably for his fantastic instructiuons of Haidori tribe and thought he has attained enlightment, but Izarku said he wasn't from Haidori tribe, he merely tried his luck. Rookie slipped his step. Izarku asked the 3 men if they knew Gaia, and Rookie murmured to himself that he had heard this name before from Bandam. Noriko & Izarku were both surprised that Rookie knows him, as well as Hanna and her mother. Later the 3 men told them that they are Jeida's wife and daughter, and Rookie is the police leader. Then Rookie suddenly realised that Izarku is the rumoured one who rescued Jeida and his gang. The 3 men left the place, determined to repent and start afresh. Meanwhile, Rachef and Goriya were discussing about Heaven Ghost when Keimos burst into the room, shouting his impatience. Rachef pacify him by saying he's taking him to a place. Back to Noriko & the rest. The 5 of them, Rookie, Izarku, Noriko, Hanna and her mum were descussing together with Irok about the evil presence around the world. Hanna fumed for being unable to help out since she has no power. Noriko explained to her by quoting Jeida's words, saying that although their strength is little, but by being part of this world, these strength will chain up and spread from one to another, and naturally, one day, every people in every corner in this country will be able to produce little power. Noriko flushed as the rest was stunned by her words, while Izarku smiled. Rookie solemnly requested help from Izarku and Noriko, but Izarku told him they are on run as well; and they might do bring harm to them rather than help. However Izarku agreed to help them out, after they discussed it with Doros. Rookie asked Izarku and Noriko for their real identity, and Izarku replied "Esclopping princess and first knight." On their way back, Norkiko complained Izarku' about his acknowledgement as a princess and first knight. Izarku told her in a matter of fact tone that they couldn't just tell them that they are Heaven Ghost and Awakening. Noriko says that she feels so embarrassed because she doesn't look like a princess at all, not to mention behave like one. Noriko added that Izarku, in order toclaim himself to be a knight, he must kneel down, hold the princess's hand and swear to protect her till death, ending with a kiss on the princess's hand. Noriko demonstrated by kissing his hand. "Is that so?" Izarku frowned a little. He kneel down, much to Noriko's surprise, taking her hand and did exactly what she instructed. Noriko blushed as she quickly s squat down to look at Izarku , telling him that she's just stating an example. Izarku smiled and told her that to him, Noriko is his princess. Noriko's face went crimson. Izarku stared at her for a moment, then laughed. " Izarku! You're playing my reaction again! Not fair! I've been tricked again!" Later Izarku half dragged the reluctant Noriko back to the village, and on their way they saw a mother with her two children. Noriko didn't want Izarku to feel sad, so she hugged him from behind," It's all right, Izarku. You still have me," Izarku smiled and gently pulled her away, saying that he no longer feels sad again if he saw this scenario, since he knows Noriko will always by his side. Noriko's face turned red again, but she tried not to show how touched she was. Izarku curiously asked when she's doing with this awkward look on her face, and Noriko told him that she thinks he's poking fun of her again. Izarku couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Ha! Just as I guessed!" Back to the working place, they couldn't find Doros, so they decided to wait for him by the grass slope nearby. They were having a light chat, where Noriko spoke about her family members. Suddenly, Izarku found Noriko shimmering, slowly becoming transparent. Without thinking, Izarku lurched forward to hold her. This unpredicted movement startled Noriko. She was about to question Izarku when she saw Doros arriving. She mistook Izarku's sudden gesture as simply indicating Doros's arrival. However, Izarku was shivering with fear. He could not imagine what would happen if Noriko really disappear in that instant. Back to Rachef. He took Keimos to the previous cave where he had a fight with Izarku in Book 9. He showed Keimos a whole cave of crystals, they were so huge that Keimos was beginning to feel awed. Meanwhile Tazashina was hysterically throwing vases and breakable items onto the floor, venting her anger. She thought she and Rachef will make a compatible pair, but his ignorance on her was shattering her dream. She vows to make a big credit so that Rachef will turn his attention to her. Back to Noriko. The two parties were travelling in a cart towards a town by the name Stetney. Aref, Rookie's real name, suggested to sell his goods there. He was sitting in front with Izarku reining the donkeys. Rookie put a friendly hand on Izarku's shoulder as he hinted to Izarku to show-off his skills as an attraction so that they could sell their stock faster. Izarku coldly rejected Aref's 'wonderful suggestion' by saying that his job is to be a protector; and he cares nothing about business.Aref went on persuading, saying that if he couldn't sell his stock, then they will not have any money to pay for food and shelter, not to mention paying Izarku the protection fees. He even agitated Izarku further by saying, "Surely you do not want Noriko to sleep in the open, do you?" Izarku sweated. After some debating, he agreed, but only under the condition when they couldn't sell the stock. Back to Rachef. He was out from a conference with the businessmen, and one man mentioned that he had not seen Tazashina. Rachef gave a disconcerted face as he recalls his mother, who treats him as a hindrance to her happiness. He pushed her down the stairs one day when a man came to his mother and said that he would like to educate clever Rachef. He did not want his mother to stand in his way, following him like a greedy dog seeking for good food and shelter. Rachef's greatest wish is to feel that he is really alive and he wants his life more excitable than ever. A hideous face appeared out of nowhere, as it responding to Rachef's strong wish. The hideous face promised that he'd help Rachef to fulfil his desire, if Rachef helps him in return. Later the face disappeared. Rachef's face was grim as he pondered why Awakening, that is Noriko, can induce Heaven Ghost to expand to such alarming power. Back to Noriko. The two parties have arrived at the town. It was very crowded. Noriko and Hanna went to look for Hanna's mother, Neena, who had gone wandering in curiosity. A group of soldiers saw the two girls, and smiled crookedly. Aref had left their cart in an inn unattended as he followed Izarku who suddenly went out of the inn. However the owner of the inn ran out as well, complaining to him that his cart is obstructing his business. Aref was about to ask Izarku to find the girls but Izarku had already left before he could open his mouth. Izarku easily found Noriko and Hanna in the middle of the crowd. Noriko ran to him, pointing at the soldiers surrounding them. "They accuse us of anti-government!" Izarku tried to reason with them by saying that they had just arrived at this town to do business. One soldier replied him, saying that they need to come along with them to their headquarters for questioning. Then he grabbed Izarku by the hand. One soldier grabbed Noriko on the shoulders from behind. Without thinking, Izarku twisted the hand grabbing his and flung the man down, while his other hand grabbed the head of the soldier who was holding Noriko. He flanked him as well. The rest of the soldiers were about to attack him when someone came to interrupt. This interrupter, who was a soldier himself, appeared to be their superior. He reprimanded his subordinates and apologised to Izarku and the two girls on their behalf. Later he went away. Izarku took the girls back to where Aref and Doros were and went alone to find Neena. The four of them proceeded to apply for a business license. Izarku found someone secretly trailing him behind, so he jumped up to the rooftop to shake the spy off. He was scanning through the town, but jumped down swiftly from the rooftop when he realised the people below had noticed him. He had located Neena by then. She was sitting on a bench chatting with an elderly man. She saw Izarku coming, and happily ran to meet him. She missed her step and was about to fall when the elderly man held up his crutch to support her. Izarku wondered who that elderly man was as he walked with Hanna's mother back to Noriko and the rest. The elderly man watched them disappearing into the crowd, his face thoughtful. Two girls called him. "Grandfather!" The elderly man turned to face the two girls. "Finished buying stuff?" he asked. "Yes, almost," said the girl with straight hair. "There was a commotion just now and we went to take a look. We heard that there's a nimble man," the one with curly hair said. End of Book 10
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