Lyall’s gaze bore into , his voice strained. "Is this why you were talking about a will? About... sothing happening to you?"
His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken fear and concern. I t his eyes but remained silent, unwilling to answer right away.
I looked at him silently, without an answer.
Finally, I broke the stillness. "I don’t plan on dying," I said softly, but my tone carried a steely resolve.
He looked at , "But I can’t guarantee that I’ll co out unscathed so, when I do order you to leave, you must leave. Do you understand?"
His body seed to grow tighter as I said that and I felt as if he would lash out but he simply got down to his knee with his hand over his heart.
"I shall follow any command you give , Master." He spoke resolutely, "But this life of mine is yours, if I can’t protect you then my life is useless."
He lifted his head to et my eyes, I could see the determination burning in his eyes.
"I will not let you sacrifice yourself while I live to see it."
I sighed, his words were backed by the fierce loyalty that he felt towards . It was a good thing but I didn’t want him to die for , I wanted him to fight and live but not end up dead while being on a mission where he couldn’t even see his family one last ti.
Another reason why, I shouldn’t screw it up. I should do all I could to destroy that demon and return safely back ho.
"I understand," I spoke and he blinked as if not expecting that response.
"You... You’re not going to go behind my back and do sothing reckless, are you Master?" He asked drawing a surprised chuckle from .
"Do I look suicidal to you?" I asked pointing at myself.
"I have people to look after, I have kids whom I have to watch growing and my family who’s waiting for , how could I die in this place?" I asked placing my hands over my hips and he stared at for a mont before I saw the relief softening the lines of tension on his face.
His shoulders loosened a bit and he stood up.
"Besides, you know I’m not a reckless person," I said.
He smiled at that, "I know, Master. You’re a really ticulous person who plans their moves before execution. I just... foolishly thought that maybe you would not use that thod in these circumstances."
I smiled, he had got that right on. I had decided to go the very extre without considering my choices here. I just failed to realise that, I had assets and the strength that the demon could never get.
"That includes you guys too." I told my Patrons.
They didn’t reply at that but I knew they heard it.
Now, all I had to do was wait for the next place where the demon would do sothing. He had said that I needed to figure out where he would be at in three nights, that ant that he was traveling. I just wondered if he was traveling with the Pope.
What was the point of keeping that guy alive? Just what was this demon plotting?
I didn’t have ti for his gas, I needed to return to Sestia within the couple of days at any costs.
"Lyall, get a map." I said making him frown a bit but he obliged.
After a couple of minutes, I had the map of Denril spread out on the table.
"This here is the Holy Place," I said placing my finger on the spot.
"The demon showed his sign here, but he wasn’t at the Holy Place, that ans sothing like what happened at those villages will happen again." I muttered.
"You an the attack?" Lyall asked and I nodded.
"Station our n around these villages," I instructed pointing at the villages in the vicinity, wondering just what the demon was thinking.
"Tell them to observe the place and as soon as sothing seems wrong, contact imdiately."
"I’ll go with you, Master." Lyall spoke up and I shook my head.
"No, the Templar Knights have testified that the Dragon was there for the fight, that ans I have to keep this up. That demon wants to have so entertainnt out of it, I’ll give him that much before I drag him out of his hole." I said before I looked at him in the eyes.
"I want you here to protect the child for ."
Lyall nodded, understanding my command, before we both heard the sound of rushed footsteps approaching my room.
He moved to the door, opening it to find a breathless man standing there.
"What is it?" Lyall asked, his tone sharp.
"Soone from Duke Lancaster’s mansion is here... They say they want to see the Master," the man stamred between huffs.
Lyall glanced back at , awaiting my response.
I gave a single nod, and he stepped out to et the visitor.
I grabbed my cloak and mask, preparing for what lay ahead, as the sound of two sets of footsteps drew closer.
A knock at the door.
"Co in," I called.
Lyall entered, followed by a cloaked figure.
"It must be sothing urgent for you to co personally," I remarked as the figure lowered their hood.
It was Damon.
"It is," he confird, his tone weary.
"The King has reviewed the evidence I presented against the Temple, but he’s not willing to remove the corrupt officials imdiately," Damon explained.
I tilted my head slightly. "And?"
"The attack on the villages near the Holy Place only complicates things," he continued. "Now even the King thinks it’s so kind of curse."
"Didn’t he hear that a Dragon intervened and resolved it?"
"He did," Damon sighed, "but opinions are divided. Fear is spreading—people are terrified it might happen again, and we still don’t know who or what we’re dealing with. The King has ordered a full investigation and instructed to stay away from the Temple’s business for now."
I sighed. "He’s afraid of losing his power."
Damon hesitated before asking, "What should we do?"
"Nothing," I said plainly.
"Nothing?!" he exclaid, his voice rising.
"That incident will happen again," I stated firmly.
His eyes widened in disbelief. "What?!"
"But this ti, I’ll ensure the casualties are minimal."
Damon opened his mouth to argue, but I cut him off.
"The Royal Knights will already be stationed near the villages. Let them see firsthand what a Dragon can do," I said with a hint of finality.
Damon sighed deeply, his shoulders sagging under the weight of his burdens.
I glanced at Lyall. "Get him so water."
Lyall bowed slightly before leaving the room.
I gestured toward the chair in the room. "Sit, Damon."
He staggered slightly before collapsing into the seat. His fingers trembled as he placed them over his thighs.
"Are you scared?" I asked quietly.
"I’m... worried," he admitted, his voice unsteady. "I thought we were only dealing with the Temple’s corruption. But now, these strange and dangerous events..."
I wanted to tell him the truth—that a demon was toying with us, baiting . But I held back.
Lyall returned with a glass of water, which Damon took with trembling hands. He drank deeply, and as he did, I crossed my arms over my chest, observing him.
"The force behind these events isn’t sothing the Royal Knights or Templar Knights can handle," I said.
Damon’s gaze lifted to et mine, his expression uncertain.
"The chaos will continue for a while," I continued, "but it won’t last forever."
I stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Damon flinched slightly at the contact but didn’t pull away.
"I’ll leave as soon as my work here is done," I said, my voice steady. "But until then, stay strong and handle your responsibilities on your end."
Damon looked up at , his pupils trembling with unspoken fear. But then he swallowed hard and nodded.
"I will do my best," he said, his voice quiet but determined.
He left after that and I watched his carriage leave through the window.
"There are n stationed around him, right?" I asked Lyall.
"Yes, Master."
It wasn’t unheard of but even Damon was in danger, he didn’t even know that so of the assassins who were tasked with taking him out were taken out silently by our n.
Damon was the Duke so, it was only obvious that he would have dangers, just like, Davian. Damon wasn’t a child as Davian but I couldn’t help but recall the ti that I was at Frosthail.
The cold place was strangely comforting for my elent, the people were good enough and it was quite entertaining while it lasted. Maybe I could visit it once after I finish things here.
That made also wonder if he had managed to tap into the power of his Aura yet. He could beco a great Knight if he could harness the power in him. I was looking forward to his as well as others’ progress. This war was their training ground for the future hurdles. I just hoped that they would get all the lessons that they needed to master before the real deal ca up.
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