413: || Chapter 402 || A Step Closer

|| Chapter 402 || A Step Closer

The paper remained smooth as the tip of a pen glides against it, embellished with elegant thin, and thick black strokes. Waiting for orders, the man beside the desk quietly observed his righteous leader.

Finally, Lord Maxille Fraunces puts down his pen, carefully reading the letter before sealing it with his family's crest.

Briefly reviewing the few documents left on his desk, he silently passed the letter to his trusted subordinate.

"They will start tomorrow."

"Yes, my lord." The sentinel saluted before leaving for the door. Before leaving, the man didn't forget to acknowledge the other noble seated on the couch, placidly staring at the lord behind the desk.

Once they were alone, Emlen spoke. "Are you certain about your decision, brother?"

He wore a doubtful look with brows drawn in unsettledness.

With a sigh, Maxille straightened in his seat. They had already repeated this conversation several times, and his younger brother was irresolute, wavering within. It wasn't that he couldn't trust Moulin to join the demon worshipper investigation. The thought of exposing Moulin to anything involving black magic and fiendish demons during their inspection made Emlen extremely apprehensive. The unease slowly filled his heart to the point that he was dying out of worry.

Maxille understood Emlen's concern, but he shook his head and responded, "He needs experience if we are to give him the responsibilities of our house. Taking part in the investigation will help him understand. He will learn more from this than just reading what we give him."

"..."

His brother was right. However, Emlen remained hesitant.

"He has enough strength to protect himself, Emlen." Maxille stood up and approached his younger brother. Expressionlessly, he placed. a hand on the worried man's shoulder.

"Although he attracts people like bees to a flower, he is formidable and intelligent. He is not to be trifled with."

Frowning, Emlen turned slightly to see Maxille approaching the doors. Tsk, does he always leaves once he finishes saying what he needs to say?

His thoughts were cut short when the door sounded shut, and the lord of the room finally left. Emlen sighed.

.....

"He's finally awake," Moulin muttered as he scrutinized the young boy cautiously sitting on the bed.

When the little boy's eyes fell on Moulin, he stopped trembling, and relief washed away his fear. He looked as though he had been saved from a disaster. His frail fingers clenched tightly on the soft blankets. The blue iris of his left eye shone like the glistening seas of Corhan. No one could resist sympathizing with him and treating him gently.

"How is he?" Asked Moulin when he finally overcame his surprise.

"H-He is well, my lord. He's a bit feverish, but I'll have him take some medicine until he fully recovers." The nurse replied while carefully putting away Moulin's coat. Afterward, she meekly excused herself to fetch the medication from the other room.

"He's calmer now that you're here," Jagra observed the young boy nervously, staring at Moulin. When Jagra took a step forward, the boy flinched and hurriedly looked at Moulin with imploring eyes.

"We won't hurt you. You're safe." Moulin comforted as he unhurriedly approached the bed.

"I believe he thinks everyone else except you would harm him." Jagra assumed, staying put while he observed the pleading look on the boy's face.

True to his words, the boy didn't recoil or tremble once Moulin reached him. The aphrodite maeruthan carefully studied the child's expression as he sat at the edge of the bed. The boy leaned back against the pillows, wordlessly comforted by Moulin's presence.

He's wrapped in thick bandages, which made him look quite vulnerable, as though one touch could shatter him. What was more noticeable was the black runes written on the bandages around the child's neck.

"Those are healing runes," Jagra explained when he noticed Moulin's look. "I wrote them myself. The child's vocal cords were heavily damaged, so I had to think of other options that should be painless for a thin child like him. Although his body is slowly recovering, it would take a while for his voice to return."

"He won't be able to talk?"

"No. However, he will be capable of speaking soon when the runes finish healing."

"I see." Moulin gently smiled as he patted the child's knee. "Thank you, Jagra."

Jagra chuckled, "You're welcome, young master. I hope you recommend me to your family's mage houses."

"None of them are as capable as you." Moulin smiled.

Half an hour later, Moulin carefully covered the slumbering child's body after he had finished changing his bandages. The boy winced as he struggled to get comfortable on the bed. He breathed steadily a while later. The moment Moulin left the room, a crease appeared between his brows.

"I have to admit. He's very cooperative when you're the one tending to him. He may be the most gentle patient I have seen in many years." Jagra complimented, lifting his head to reminisce several troublesome unforgettable memories.

Moulin sighed, "But I won't always be here to take care of him."

"Oh, yes. I heard you would investigate the demon worshippers running rampant in the districts." Jagra spoke as he walked Moulin to his office.

"Yes. Perhaps, I may be able to find information about the boy."

Jagra furrowed his brows. "Do you think he's related to the demon worshippers?"

Moulin shook his head. "I don't know. But there is something strange about him. And the injuries inflicted upon him..."

"You can't possibly think it's uncommon." Jagra frowned. Concern was written all over his face. "In this world... At this time... It is not unusual."

Despondent but calm, Moulin nodded. "Yes, I understand. But I can't ignore it. The woman who feigned to be his mother was suspicious. I think she's hiding something more disturbing."

Jagra stared at his friend's wary expression for a few seconds. There were many times when he couldn't understand what Moulin was thinking. It wasn't unusual for him anymore. This friend of his was always full of surprises.

Sighing, he opened the door to his office. "I hope whatever it is you find in the investigation will bring an end to the chaos in this city."

Moulin smiled faintly and entered the room.

...

The next day, the busy streets of the fourth district are disturbed. A hound howled and grew almost as big as an adult. Bones cracked and clicked under its dark fur, and a circular wound bled on its back. It bared its jaws at the frightened people and began giving chase. Many were shocked, silly unable to comprehend the situation.

When the sentinels came, five people were already wounded and bleeding on the ground. After an hour, the dog was finally subdued. However, it struggled so hard that it cut through the ropes and wounded three of the five sentinels holding it down. In the end, the beast was killed.

Silence and relief flooded the entire area.

"Tsk," Ghana watched as they hauled the corpse into the crate. She is dressed to blend with the crowd. However, her height and strength seem to make her a bit less unnoticeable.

"The seers would have been happy to study such an unusual thing." She added.

The composed man standing beside her frowned. Like the female maeruthan at his side, he is casually dressed, and the hood covers his hair and half of his face. Underneath his layers, a few weapons were hidden.

The bloody scene when they pierced the creature's heart with a spear flashed in his mind. Moulin slowly muttered, "The wound on its back..."

In an instant, Ghana's face turned serious. "Our seer told us it was a curse, written in demonic language."

A cool breeze swept passed them, and Moulin closed his eyes. "They are really trying to be troublesome."

"The more we need to capture them." An annoyed smile stretched on Ghana's lips. "Come, we must gather at the rendezvous before noon. Our intelligence says a suspicious group was seen entering a hidden underground passage."

Nodding, Moulin gathered the maeruthans and headed to the meeting place buried deep within the forgotten locations in the third district. The air was heavy with balefulness squeezing into one's lungs. Their shadows seemed to tremble and move as they explored the narrowest and darkest paths in the districts. Surprisingly, it wasn't far from Jagra's neighborhood.

The dreariness couldn't be felt from the dim passages and dusty walls they passed but from the withering air and mysterious atmosphere. Moulin felt as though he was brought back to the dark woven woods of Meian, where all sorts of monstrous creatures now roam. The presence of something forbidding tapped on him, and he could not know what it was. 

They found themselves approaching an abandoned stone house within a deserted neighborhood. Ghana told Moulin how this place was once used to examine visitors for the Kron's corruption. Many people who lived here kept falling sick. Not long after, word spread that this location was cursed. A month ago, it was announced that a new temple and hospital would be built here. It meant the land would undergo a thorough cleansing that relieved the people's hearts within the district. 

"Is it here?" Moulin questioned, assessing the details of the house. 

Ghana nodded, and with a wave of her hand, a few maeruthans cautiously entered the building. The rocks crunched under their heavy footsteps. 

"Stay here. We'll go check the back of the house." Moulin cast Ghana a glance and left with a few sentinels. Ghana curiously stared at Moulin's back until he was out of sight. 

There was nothing much to search at the back of the house. There was a simple garden plot, dried and devoid of plants except for a few patches of grass. There were also a few saplings and a tiny pond. Helios was surrounded by mountains and valleys, which were usually abundant with wildlife. However, ever since the Kron rose to devour life, anything beyond the walls of Helios was nothing but death. If it weren't for the core, empowering the land within the walls, not even a fly would survive. 0

"We found nothing, Sir Fraunces." One of the maeruthans approached. "Perhaps, we should join the others inside."

" Very well..." Moulin nodded and began to leave with the group. 

Snap!

Their footsteps stopped. Vigilance spiked. 

In an instant, they drew their weapons and faced the thick trees. Moulin spread his awareness, caressing every blade of grass and every crevice on the ground. A chilling breeze swept past their ears, whispering incoherently. 

They waited a few seconds, and still, only silence awaited them. Moulin couldn't find anything and slowly withdrew his mana. 

Did they scare it off? 

...

Suddenly, a sentinel came running toward their group. He panted while hurriedly asking them to follow the others inside. It seems that they have discovered something strange.

Moulin glanced around the area before he nodded and gestured for the others to follow. Anticipation burned in his chest. Just what did they find?

Once they finally vacated the area, the wind turned still. A large figure peeked out from one of the trees in the area. Brown eyes within the eyeholes of his mask blinked worriedly. Sighing in relief, he leaned against the tree and placed the necklace's pendant close to his mouth. 

"Master, how long do I need to follow him?" Erik questioned with an exhausted tone. 

On the other side of the communication artifact, a muscular older man was lazily lying on the couch, enjoying deserts fed to him by dainty slender fingers. 

Lord Hyantor hummed before responding, "Tail him until they find something. You'll stop when I say the word."

Erik grumbled, "He almost caught me. The young master's mana was very sharp and destructive."

He felt as though he was being skinned when the youth's forcefully, frigid energy swept over him. Fortunately, he conjured a barrier that made him invisible and protected from the mana's reach in time.

"Keep following him. Don't worry if you get caught. I'll deal with it."

With that, their connection ended, leaving Erik standing in confusion and distrust. He sighed heavily before staring at the dilapidated building. 

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