Freedom Jumper-Chapter 175: Professional Eavesdropper

Donning a mind filled with questions, Elijah strolled out of the library while walking backwards.

Truly, the Library of Historia was a sight to see, unlike many buildings Elijah had even seen in his past life. The reason that comes to mind is the fantasy-esque design that grew out of style for the efficient and sturdy modern look.

Saskia twirled her black hair and tapped Niko and Elijah on their shoulders from behind. "Unfortunately, I must return to the estate."

"That's okay. I'm glad you were able to join us. It was... refreshing to go somewhere new." Elijah responded slowly.

Time began to freeze, until Saskia finally said her goodbyes. Reaching in for a hug, she quickly switched to a handshake.

"Oh." Niko watched everyone play out, and smiled when Saskia shook his hand."

As Saskia was walking away — calling a carriage with her hand up high, Elijah could only begin to laugh. "I think she might like me."

"No one would like a depressed idiot like you."

"That was cold Niko. But you are right..." Elijah thought about his current mental state and realized he was quite happy – contrary to his usual self. There was no sense of fear in his heart, but a heart that skipped a beat from excitement. "I think it's because of Saskia, but also because of this new area we are exploring."

An agreement was made to avoid beast hunting today. After all, Elijah and Niko were unable to roam without supervision. The state of emergency was real, but still wouldn't stop Elijah with his "tactics".

Instead, they took their time at wasting the day, and walked into the Northern Market District of Sefrah.

The streets were filled with life. White and blue buildings adorned with glass-sectioned windows revealing many groups of people sitting down for a nice lunch. When looking up and around the area, Elijah failed to miss many citizens standing on their third story balconies. Most of these people were women and children while their husbands and fathers were out working.

More than ever, feminism did not exist. Instead, a traditional take on woman taking care of the house and children was chosen every time. Unless of course the family had no choice but to leave their kids during the day. Not everyone were as fortunate as Paladins, businessmen, engineers, and anyone smart and skilled enough to make a proper living.

Upon walking into a news building, they were greeted by a man known as Perry. "Young gentlemen, may I ask what you would like to learn about today?"

"Learn about?" Elijah was slightly confused. "We would just like a pursue the papers, to learn about anything."

Perry gave a slight bow while pointing his hand in the direction of the "Daily Happenings" section. "Go right on ahead!"

Niko followed Elijah in paging through the events, but stopped once he found a page to the murders. "Elijah! Remember the murders that Richter had told us about?"

Elijah had done the exact same thing, only this time with a paper related to the ongoing war.

The mysterious murders happening within the kingdom are only occurring in Sefrah, and are suspected to be a recurrence of the mysterious chain of murders that no one seems to ever find a culprit for.

The reason for a newspaper being made in relation to the war is to keep the people aware of everything they should know.

So far, the only known attacks on the Kingdom were the two that happened at the Academy Testing Center. Other than that, no reported occurrences are making the headlines.

The question the journalist had asked at the very end of the paper was as follows. "Is this a confirmation of war, or the continuation of a child's game?"

Subsequently, a decision by Elijah was made related to the murders — unbeknownst even to Niko.

Elijah would spend some time during the nights he has trouble falling asleep to instead peer over the streets of Sefrah. According to the newspaper, these murders are happening mysteriously during the night. The bodies were always found in on the streets and alleys, laying lifeless in random positions. An unfortunate poor soul who decided to get an early start to their day would be the one to discover the body.

Yes, this is by no means Elijah's problem, but a desire to observe the silent night of the streets is high. "...Might as well try and solve the problem..."

"Did you say something Elijah?" Niko asked while walking through a thick crowd. Apparently everyone was in line for a top of the line restaurant.

"N-no. I didn't say anything..."

...

A night full of stars and a crescent moon was sure to be a beautiful one.

Just a short hour ago, twenty-one o'clock had come resulting in a symphony of bells ringing throughout the kingdom. This was testament to the start of the curfew. Anyone not following the rules will be taken in by the enforcers surveying the streets.

Unfortunately, the system itself is broken in this aspect. The Enforcers are nothing more than cannon fodder employed by the House of Order.

The Enforcers only know the single aspect of their job they are required to execute.

Upholding of the law.

An Enforcer does not by any means possess skill when it comes to combat, and rarely possess any special powers unless the flaw makes it unusable in combat.

Within the cannon fodder are true experts, but most people who are physically able will join the Protectors, Peacekeepers, or Adventurers by default.

Black slightly baggy clothing with button-pockets were slipped on, including Elijah's black hunting shoes he dared not to create slits in. Slowly and expertly, the lock of the wooden door was loosened, following with Elijah cradling each step down the metal and wood staircase.

Underneath his clothes were three invisibility runes in the midst of being activated. Within seconds, the light in Elijah's body disappeared, followed by the sound of wind separating.

Whoosh!

The vibrantly lit Waterway of Orneas was first seen while in the sky. Even the water itself had a shimmer to it besides the bright orange and yellow runic lamps placed along the edge of the river.

Currently, the time is close to 22 o'clock.

Walking diligently through the streets are Enforcers clad in gray uniforms adorned with bronze accents and accessories. Hanging on their belts also lie handcuffs for detaining any lawbreakers, a baton, and even a runetec pistol with a dense air rune that did not draw blood.

Instead, what one would feel would be a sharp pain at the point of impact — similar to a plastic bullet. The power was fine tuned by runic engineers with red core mana batteries. One of the many inventions that aided in a safe haven.

Elijah passed all the way into the Northern Market District of Sefrah, and flew from building to building.

The Market District was very diverse with many of the three story buildings being a home for an entire family. The blue roofs were steep, but flattened out at the top for attic space and even rooftop balconies.

Inside many of the third-story windows were dim lights illuminating a sleeping mother, or a curious individual staring into the streets with a hot glass of cacao milk gripped in their palms. Elijah saw many people relaxing on their balconies and rooftops, frolicking in the sanctuary of a clear sky..

Finally, Elijah had found a lookout spot above a bell tower — one that stood higher than any building in the present area.

Humans were rebellious by nature, and sorry after the fact. As such, explaining why the few trudged quickly through the streets. Everyone always had a reason.

A shadowed figure began to melt into the vignette of Elijah's vision. The contrast was what allowed Elijah to see a figure so far away. Pure white walls, mottled gray stone sediment with natural patches of grass and trees, and the amber lamps that soothed Elijah's eyes.

Whoosh!

Elijah's figure stayed glued to the feeling of his thin unbuttoned overcoat sliding across the roofs ridges. His entire persona was invisible, yet, he still chose to be a daredevil of the urban skies.

The man who was receiving the enforcement stood there without moving a single inch of his body. Soon after, the man continued on while pointing forward — insinuating his home was in that direction.

"I guess I will follow them..." Elijah voiced to himself while tailing the enforcer and citizen. From what it looked like, the Enforcer had wanted to make sure the man made it home safely due to his older age.

Once turning the corner into an alley, the Enforcer became curious and anxious. With an awkward life void of the opposite gender, this enforcers confidence was down the drain. Even prying into the personal lives on duty felt embarrassing. "Are you entering your... Gulp... home, through the back door, sir?"

The older man turned around and looked into the enforcer with his baggy eyes. A large group of his shaded black hair had visibly poked his eye, but did not falter the man whatsoever.

"Yes. I just have to find my key, do you have a light on you perhaps?"

"Uh... I think I do." The Enforcer paused and shuffled his hands around his leather utility belt. "My name is Dominic by the way, what is yours?"

Pulling out a chain full of eight different sized keys, the man responded softly.

"You may call me..." The man's lips began to slowly curve into a smile after he paused — as if he had been waiting for that very question. Yearning for a simple conversation within the gloomy reality of debt.

"Idris."

Elijah's fingers were gripping the ridge of the roof, visibly eavesdropping into the conversation. Ever since a few second's ago, he had been feeling an annoying itch in his stomach. Its barely noticeable sensation gave Elijah a hint.

'What is the warthog?' Elijah questioned himself...

"Idris..." Dominic thought nothing but how cool the name sounded. "Ah! Here we are... Sorry, the light bar we are given is so small but so powerful. If only the damn mana lamp wasn't flickering, we could just use that."

Dominic took a glance at a flickering lamp that was posted above a side door, assuming this was where the man lives. Once the small rectangular light bar was held close to the keychain, Dominic clicked a red button causing light to appear.

Idris fumbled through the keys looking for a specific one.

Suddenly, within a moment of silence and when Dominic had turned his head to look into the entrance of the alley, an intense amount of pain radiated his soul.

Slowly, Kyle's head dropped with a cold expression. His blurring vision was just barely able to see a metal key placed inside his sternum. It had an ethereal glow, and resulted in an abrupt soothing feeling washing over his mind.