Knowledge is Dangerous [HaiKaveh]

Chapter 2

[Alhaitham's PoV]

Candace took us inside the village chief's house wherein Uncle Anpu lives, for us to escape the sandstorm outside

After I settled the discussion with Dehya and Cyno, we formed a plan to take action regarding the village keepers' case

Later on, they all went outside to start the investigation, led by Cyno and the Traveler "Got it, We'll update if we find something useful"

Since Cyno's identity was known all around this village, people became wary of his presence which makes the villagers appear to be timid around him. Since we can't get answers from them directly due to them being intimidated by Cyno, I had no choice but to take action secretly and observe what we've overlooked from the start

After finding out and making sure what the cause of this commotion was, I needed to go back quickly home to fetch the files I'll be needing to confirm my assumptions

It's a long way to go coming from the desert. Sumeru has not yet developed modern technologies as such vehicles for traveling purposes — adventurer folks and civilians have to endure the long walk under the heat of the sun. It is fortunate enough that some could travel along with a sumpter beast to carry their baggages or take little ones for a ride

When I finally arrived at my house, I found my roommate sitting on the sala with a bottle of liquor in hand. It is almost dinner time and yet he's out here drinking alcohol instead of eating a proper meal

Sighs.

I wonder what's this man up to.

"What are you doing?" I asked as soon as I enter to let him know that I already went inside without even noticing me

He didn't even take a glance at the door to confirm if it was me who comes in, what if it was other man who suddenly entered?

He's careless. Tsk

"Hmm... Just drinking... Wanna have some?" he replied and looked up at me, showing the bottle of liquor while gesturing me to accompany him

He's not the type of person who dwells on alcohol too much. I rarely see him drink and it usually has a reason behind it if he ever decided to

Hmm, I wonder what the reason could be.

I looked him straight in the eyes. His flushed face shows that he's been drinking for a while now. His hair is not styled the usual way, it looks messy today but still flows smoothly on his shoulder up to his upper back

He has probably been leisurely staying here and has no plans to go out anytime soon

Well, that's for the best. Incidents keep happening from one place to another, there is nowhere place safe from anyone as of now. Until we solved the current issue, it's better for him to stay here to avoid getting involved

Especially now that I've only found out the roots of all of this mess.

"No. I still have other things that I
needed to be done" I know there's something troubling him and he probably needed someone to talk to but as much as I wanted to stay, I can't — I need to go back immediately to Aaru Village to contribute what I've learned in the investigation

I locked my sight on the papers at the desk behind him and was about to walk towards it when his hand grabbed the hem of my shirt that stopped me from doing so "Wait..."

"What?" I looked back at him and asked, confused as to why he stopped me

"I, uhm..." I saw his cheeks slightly turned red and his gaze falls down at the hem of my shirt where his hands were placed "have something to say..."