412: || Chapter 401 || He's Awake

|| Chapter 401 || He's Awake

Days within the land remained slightly dim as the sun was obscured by the thick clouds in the sky. Although the day seemed grey within the northern street of the third district, a lively crowd gathered around a group of mages carrying a magical performance. Things like these were relatively rare, for most people in the city often only thought of surviving and living peaceful lives within Helios. The children stared in awe and clapped as a sentinel mage created figures out of light in the air as he told the well-known legend of the White Forest, keeping them safe from the monsters outside. 

The figures sparkled like floating clouds of stars, continuously captivating the audience before it and more people came to take a glance.

"Here it is, Miss. Have a great day!" A stall vendor flashed a big smile as he handed the basket to the young lady in front of him. 

"Thank you." Pola smiled. 'Ah, I hope master would like this new set of oils.' she thought. 

Chuckling, she left the stall and made her way past the dense crowd ahead. She was about to pass by the attraction when sudden loud gasps of surprise caught her attention. Her eyes widened in astonishment when sparkling white trees grew from the ground. And they disintegrated into fine silvery dust when touched. The crowd marveled at the sight, and the applause grew louder. The story ended when the spirit blessed the city with a forest of white crystals. 

Pola's eyes sparkled, and when the mages announced another performance, she quickly drew near the attraction—watching a bit wouldn't hurt. Ah, she had to tell her master about this. He will certainly be interested!

However, the moment she finally squeezed into the front of the crowd, a shrill scream filled the air. A naked man, bathed in blood from head to foot, pushed through the crowd and grabbed one of the mages in the performance. Looks of horror filled the area when the man abruptly pulled out a knife and stabbed the mage in the stomach. Chaos ensued, and men, women, and children started fleeing from the scene. 

"Aaaaah!"

"M-Murder!"

"Sentinels! Call the sentinels!"

Pola grunted as she violently pushed away. She hurried to reach the scene and witnessed the rest of the mages struggling to separate the man and the injured mage.

"My child! Where are you?" The desperate call of a woman rang in her ears. 

With a pounding heart, Pola scanned the area and finally found a child wailing near the fight. However, she wasn't the only one who noticed. The bloodied man deliriously pushed away the sentinels and ran towards the little boy. Alarmed, Pola ran as fast as she could and fortunately pulled the child away before the man's blood-stained hands could touch him. 

"AAAH! You bitch!" Furious, the man approached with a raised dagger. Pola's blood froze. 

Whoosh!

Out of the blue, a crackling flash of purple light struck the man and ripped out a blood-curdling scream from his throat. Then with a thud, he fell, twitching on the cold stone ground. 

Pola blinked, staring at the man on the ground while subconsciously comforting the boy in her arms. W-What just happened?

Heavy footsteps drew near behind her, and a languid voice spoke. "Quite the courage you got there, young lady. Truly, inspiring."

When a shadow enshrouded her, Pola slowly turned her head. 

A man with dark long wavy hair stood prominently behind her. His eyes are gallant as amethysts, and a dim purple glow flickered in his irises. He exuded a powerful, intimidating aura, startling the child in her arms. Strangely, the man was wearing several thick layers of clothing, looking like a person terrified of the cold. However, the weather was warm.

It took Pola a few seconds to stare before she finally recognized the man.

"L-Lord Hyantor..."

"Don't stutter now. I'm no brute." Fridal grimaced. He raised a hand, and a taller man, more muscular man stepped forward and covered the unconscious crazy man with a black cape. His large bulky arms bulged before Pola's eyes, and she swore she saw a vein pulsing.

Erik's eyes curved as he smiled behind the thick mask, and fortunately, the lady finally calmed down.

A few Grekellian men quickly helped stabilize the situation before the sentinels arrived. Pola watched as the little boy and his mother waved at her in gratitude. The pair left the scene, and Pola turned to the prominent muscular men silently cooperating with the maeruthans.

"Pola!" A familiar voice called for her. Hurriedly approaching her was a tall woman with stylish platinum hair. Her skin reddish brown, captivating sepia. And her eyes instantly reminded Pola of the vast oceans of Corhan. Ghana is heavily equipped with armor, but her movements are so fluid-like and swift.

"Are you alright?" Ghana asked in concern when she finally reached her.

"Y-yes..." Pola swallowed, unsure where to look as Ghana's presence overwhelmed her.

Suddenly, a charming chuckle interrupted the two. A pair of silver eyes softened when the youth finally found his two friends. Moulin wore a thick hood over his head as he approached the two women. His eyes are vibrant and striking, impossible not to attract attention.

"Y-Young Ma-"

"Ah, it's you..."

A deep voice interrupted Pola's excitement. Moulin shifted his gaze to the man slowly approaching him and his friends. Hyantor of Grekellia smirked as he assessed Moulin from head to toe. Behind him trailed Erik. It was impossible to miss the gigantic man in the crowd. Helplessly, he followed after his master.

"Pleasure to meet you, youngest brother of the Fraunceses." Fridal greeted with a honeyed voice. His purple eyes bore into Moulin.

"The pleasure is all mine, My Lord." Moulin returned with the same politeness. "I believe this is the first time we've truly met."

"Indeed. Perhaps, it's because a certain someone had no plans to introduce us to each other." Fridal tsked and shook his head. "The High Lord is as unbearable as ever."

Moulin calmly smiled, "Perhaps, he has his reasons. I heard you had rescued my attendant from the assailant. You have my thanks. My Lord."

"Happy to be of help." The Lord smiled. His tone is silvery and gentle.

In the distance, they watched as a group of maeruthans took away the madman's body, wrapped in thick cloth, into a wagon. Sentinels questioned a few witnesses before dutifully reporting to Ghana. Unease layered her face, and it brought an unsettling feeling inside Moulin.

They found a strange tattoo of a three-eyed snake on the side of the man's neck. He was a devil worshipper. They needed to examine the blood coating the man's body as soon as possible. Perhaps, it was human blood.

"It seems we will expect more chaos days within the city," Fridal declared as he stood beside Moulin. Erik nodded as he silently observed the young white-haired man standing beside his master.

Moulin only glanced at Fridal, examining the strange smile on the man's face. He sensed no sinister aura around him, but his words brought a foreboding feeling that something terrible and unexpected would arise in the future. He didn't like it one bit.

...

A few hours later, Moulin sat near her brother Emlen while they waited for Maxille to return from his meeting with the High Lord. Silver eyes occasionally glanced at the impatient man whose foot wouldn't stop tapping the floor. Unable to bear Emlen's fierce look, Moulin had to tell him to calm down several times.

"That bastard should have listened to me." Emlen gnashed his teeth before sighing heavily.

"Eldest brother was being cautious." Moulin gently persuaded. "He did the right thing by installing more sentinels in the districts. We need proof."

Emlen shook his head and kneaded his forehead, forcing himself to calm down. Ah, he was supposed to look over the new maps the cartographers sent to his office right now. Something annoying just had to happen.

Suddenly, the doors opened, and Maxille Fraunces entered the sitting room. His expression didn't look good, making Moulin even more concerned. What happened? Did it not go well?

"Brother?" Moulin called as he slowly stood from the chair, and he watched as his brother struggled hard to keep a gentle smile on his face. Indeed, something doesn't seem right.

"Everything is well." declared Maxille. His face is calm, and he solemnly places a hand on Moulin's shoulder, bringing a bit of comfort into Moulin's heart.

"The report-"

"The High Lord has commanded the Veresyahs to join the search for devil worshippers in the city. We will be scouring every nook and cranny in each region, and an assembly of the lords will be held in three hours t aso discuss further information about these devil worshippers."

"Finally." Emlen dramatically lifted his hands. "Took you long enough to make a decision."

"Everything must come through the High Lord." Maxille glared at him.

Emlen groaned before he turned and left the room, leaving his two siblings behind.

A search for the devil worshippers...

From the documents Moulin read, these people started growing in groups recently. Their actions weren't as wild as that crazy man Lord Hyantor subdued. They held little meetings and vandalized, but none of these actions were harmful to people.

However, if this situation were neglected, the higher order would face another troublesome problem aside from the Kron. Moulin didn't really think he was ready to be involved in the matters before even his lessons could end. However, it seems his brothers would need every help they could get. Furthermore, he didn't want any more cases piling on his brothers' desks. Moulin finally decided.

"Brother..."

Maxille turned to his youngest brother with a calm gaze. Internally, his heart is tender when facing his precious little brother.

Moulin hesitated a bit before he straightforwardly looked into Maxille's eyes.

"I have a request..."1

...

"My Lord, the concoction is finished. When will you appraise it?" The junior mage curiously asked as he approached the wide wooden desk.

Jagra stood up from his seat and paused for an answer. "I'll check it upon my return. Until then, make sure to store it away, understood?"

"Very well, My Lord."

Jagra nodded and left the room in quick steps. His footsteps bounced off the walls making heads pop out from the doors in the long corridor. Jagra calmly thought about the child Aphrodite left in his care. A few days have passed, and he still doesn't show signs of waking up at all. Were his injuries too severe for his fragile mind and body? Jagra decided to conduct another examination in case he overlooked something.

He finally arrived at his home and crossed the threshold of the adjoining room of the guest room when the child's nurse for today abruptly crashed into him.

"M-My Lord!" She stuttered in surprise. Her plump face is white as a sheet.

Jagra steadied her. "Calm down. Did something happen?"

"T-The boy's awake..."

Jagra's eyes widened. He nodded slowly and calmed her down before he walked inside the room.

There, on the clean bed, a thin little boy nervously sat within the blankets. His face is terribly pale, and his eyes quiver in fright, darting around the room as though he was stuck in a nightmare. The dim light from the windows tickled the strands of his short brown hair, and his exposed skin was pale and sickly. It looked as though he was going to pass out at any moment.

When the boy finally noticed Jagra standing before the door, he stiffened and trembled.

Jagra calmly approached the boy and paused when the child uneasily shifted away from him. His little hands fearfully clutched the blanket, and with searching eyes, he looked past the doorway. However, the only person he could see was only these two unfamiliar strangers. His heart thundered.

Jagra was about to comfort the child when he heard the door open, and the nurse jumped in fright.

In the same instant, the child's eyes suddenly brightened.

Jagra furrowed his brows and turned around. He sighed relief, "Moulin, you came right in time."

The Moulin blinked. When his eyes met the child's, he slowly gave his coat to the previously startled lady.

"He's finally awake..."

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