Atticus [BL] Chapter 17 Operation 1/3

At the not so crowded small market of Cerefina village.

Nerys and Elwin were scrolling through the narrow paths winding between rickety stalls draped with colorful awnings. Their eyes trailed through the wooden crates and woven baskets.

Suddenly, Nerys stopped, drawn to a particular stall where a farr in a straw hat stood behind a display of fresh fruits.

"These pears are fresh from the harvest," Nerys said, picking one up. He turned it over in his hand, marveling at its pale green skin speckled with golden freckles that seed to glisten in the light. "And looks delicious, too..." he murmured.

Elwin watched Nerys smile while admiring the pears in his hand.

"You are certainly right, ma...madam!" cried the farr from the opposite stall, unsure how to address the person who had complinted his harvest.

Nerys wore a loose white linen lace-up shirt paired with black trousers, but it was the bonnet—a style typically worn by won—that stood out. Elwin had borrowed it from his friend Leslie, ensuring Nerys could conceal his long, pointed ears.

Nerys's long white hair flowed freely down his back, gently swaying in the breeze. A woven basket rested on his arm, completing the delicate image. He looked every bit like a fine lady, but his voice unmistakably betrayed him as a man.

"We'll buy it. Please, give us four," Elwin said to the farr with a smile.

Since Nerys would be staying with Elwin for an indefinite ti, Elwin decided to take him to the small market of their village for shopping, to which Nerys was happy to co along.

Nerys put four pears in the basket he was carrying, "It makes happy to see that humans are eating fruits and vegetables." he whispered to Elwin.

"We also eat at."

Upon hearing Elwin's words, Nerys paused and stared at him in slight surprise, "at?"

As they continued to stroll on the sidewalk, the two engaged in a casual conversation. Elwin humd in response as he nodded.

"Does your kind don't eat at?" he asked, his voice only audible to Nerys.

"We only feed on vegetables, fruits, and grains." Nerys briefly answered.

"You should try. When we get back, I'll cook you sothing—"

Elwin was cut off when, suddenly, a man nearly collided with him—saved only by Nerys, who quickly pulled him aside.

"I... I'm sorry," the man stamred before hurrying on his way, leaving the two behind before Elwin could assure him it was no problem.

Nerys, however, continued to watch the man walk away, his arm still holding Elwin close.

"Do you know him?" He asked Elwin, his eyes still lingering on the man whose face was hidden on the flat cap he was wearing.

Elwin furrowed his brow at the question and glanced at the man who was casually strolling by the stalls, "I'm certain I'm not familiar with that man."

Finally, Nerys looked away and turned to Elwin, "We should finish shopping and hurry ho."

His voice carried a hint of seriousness and declaration of sothing ergency that Elwin imdiately understood.

"A...alright."

*

Owen reached an intersection and quickly ducked into an alley, pressing his back against the wall. He stood there for a mont, waiting for a while, before cautiously leaning out to glance in the direction he had co from.

He saw that Elwin and Nerys were already walking through the market, their back facing him.

He watched them in secret, unable to look away as he stared at how Nerys held Elwin's hand and carefully walked him through the small crowd until they disappeared from his sight.

"...You're alive." He muttered to himself.

Suddenly, a presence behind him jolted him back to reality. He spun around almost instantly, his movents sharp and alert.

"Woah... Owen, it's , Molly."

A girl, older than his age, looked at him with furrowed brows, "Are you alright?"

Owen cast her a glance before he started to walk.

"Why are you here? What's the finding on your target?"

Molly, Owen's team mber, followed him and walked by his side, "Just a normal, poor lad. He goes to the forest every night for their source of inco, which is selling dried wood in the market."

Owen was a Sanction team captain. His team consisted of only four mbers including himself and were all years older than him. The mbers would sotis wonder how he even got nominated to be a captain considering he was the younger among them all.

Joining the Sanction was simple, either you get recruited by the church or you join on your own. There was no need for any special traits, as long as soone was physically able to. Being able to witness a human with their chest or stomach sliced open and hollowed out without vomiting was considered a plus.

mbers of Sanctions were not disclosed to the public, and they still live like what a normal civilian do. The only difference was, that they were on a constant lookout for strange happenings in their surroundings, looking out for people who were likely to be practicing dark magic and other forms of dark mysticism.

The dark nature of the heretic people had left significant changes on Owen. When soone gained the position of a captain, you needed a good amount of contribution to be promoted into a team leader of a Sanction: successfully capturing heretics, providing relevant intel, etc.

"I'll continue with my operation, I'll see you and the others in the chapel tonight."

Molly paused in her tracks as she watched Owen turn in direction and leave her without saying goodbye.

"Sigh... This kid always has his own world."