417: || Chapter 406 || Diversion

|| Chapter 406 || Diversion

Dawn has yet to come but the clouds could not bear their own weight. Pitch-black darkness enshrouds the town and if it weren't for the little lanterns, hung on the corners of the roofs of a few buildings, it would be very difficult to navigate. Through the narrow pathways and treading on uneven ground, Moulin and the sentinels traveled through the rain as quietly as they could. The last thing they wanted was for people to notice their presence in the district. However, softening the sound of splashes from their steps was quite a difficult task. 

"Should've split up," Aaron complained for the tenth time. And for the tenth time, he received Moulin's cold glare. 

"We already did." 

Moulin turned away as he walked over a small puddle of water. Snow burrowed deeper into his master's clothes. The little furball's head popped out once in a while to peek outside. Carefully, Moulin shifted Snow into the crook of his arm, cradling him. The rain soaked his coat and the cold caressed his whole body but he paid no mind to it. Sarion, on the other hand, wasted no time complaining and showing off his discomfort. This annoying idiot...

"No sign of anything suspicious." Ghana paused under the cover of a roof and leaned against the wall as she listened to the responses from the other sentinels. 

From the looks of her expression, it seems like they haven't found the perpetrator of the spell circle or any suspicious activity in the area. The person could have slipped under their noses or, perhaps, he was hiding well enough to escape the perception of the sentinels. 

"Nothing..." Ghana sighed in resignation. " She glanced at the two behind her and took off her damp hood. 

"If it weren't for the rain, you could have eyes on the sky." Sarion shrugged. 

"Useless..." Moulin murmured and rolled his eyes. Who was afraid of a little rain?

Sarion naturally heard his voice and cocked an eyebrow, "Hey, it's difficult to fly in this weather alright? My feathers get wet and heavy and how do we know this rain wasn't because of a certain someone's mood?"

Moulin's face changed. He threw Sarion a sharp glare, "Because it's not. There isn't a thunderstorm."

Sarion scoffed and turned away, deciding to ignore the aphrodite's cold glare. In his silence, his eyes carefully scoured the area. Moulin shook his head, sighing. 'Why was he even picking a fight with this man? It's like arguing with a child.'

Ghana kept her amusement to herself and cleared her throat. She pulled the hood over her head and spoke before stepping out from the cover of the rain. "Let's head south. I have a feeling we'll be able to find something there."

"How so?" Moulin questioned while following Ghana through the alley. 

"A few days ago, some of our men caught two people trying to murder each other somewhere in that area."

"Perhaps, they had a grudge against each other." Sarion assumed.

"They were a happily married couple who survived together to reach Helios on foot."

Moulin and Sarion exchange looks. 

Ghana narrowed her eyes, "Until then, there wasn't any suspicious activity within that area. However, it's too quiet to ignore."

The three made their way through the rain, soaking from head to toe. The downpour didn't seem to stop. Instead, it grew heavier, completely testing Sarion's patience. It was hard to tell if dawn had already arrived. The world was dark and dreary. Water splashed around their boots as they walked, scanning the area at every stop while they await news from the other sentinels. 

Suddenly, the three slowed their pace, lifting their gaze to see three people making their way toward them. It seemed suspicious for anyone to be awake at this time of the day. They observed the intruder's movements; one was tall with a bit of muscle hidden underneath his coat, and the other three were about half as tall as him. A parent and their children?

They helplessly shivered under the rain, struggling from the biting cold. Moulin watched as the older person carefully guided the children through the alleyway, struggling underneath the cold rain.

Ghana, Moulin, and Sarion pretended to be unbothered by their presence since they seemed to look harmless but they remained cautious, secretly studying the family's movements. 

The older person noticed them and although his face didn't show under the hood, he nodded to them before guiding the children forward as they walked past Moulin and his companions. With narrowed eyes, Moulin glanced at the man who passed by him, "..."

In the youth's clothes, Snow's snout wiggled as he sniffed something from outside the cloak. "...?"

"Moulin, let's go..." Sarion spoke once they were far enough. His neck was getting damp from the little droplets slipping into his hood.

Moulin stopped and spoke, " Let me check something. I'll catch up."

With furrowed brows, Ghana questioned, "Why? We have to keep moving forward. Is it that family? They looked quite innocent. Come, let's keep going-"

Her words were cut off when a noise came from her communication device. With a serious expression, she listened. The rain poured around them in silence. 

"They've found something big. A group of people escaped the southern part of the town."

"That's not far from here..." Sarion raised his head to the multiple pathways ahead of them. 

Ghana hesitated for a brief moment before she turned her head and sighed, "Don't be long and meet us at the rendezvous point."

"I will." Moulin nodded.

He turned his heel and started walking away from his two companions while Ghana and Sarion quietly stared at his departing figure under the rain. 

Water splashed around his boots and splattered against his calves and thighs. He walked swiftly through the darkness, keeping his ears open to every sound. Droplets trickled down the back of his neck and he felt the growing dampness of his hair wetting his shoulders and back. It was beyond uncomfortable but, he had no time to complain. However, the little furball in his arms huffed in discomfort. Snow wriggled and whined pitifully.

Finally, Moulin caught the sound of multiple splashing, footsteps stepping on growing puddles. They sound quick and loud. They're really not trying to be discreet, are they?

He found himself hiding behind a corner. The sounds are just a few meters behind. Leaning forward, he peeked over the edge and his eyes found four figures waiting before the door of a house. The only light came from the windows, a flickering orange light that looked as if it would die out in the next second. The group is sheltered from the rain, standing underneath the roof overhang. In the darkness, the hooded man fished out a tiny glass lamp from within his coat and start knocking on the door, hoping that whoever was inside would quickly open the door for him. 

Moulin's silver eyes narrowed. He was only two houses away from the group but he wanted to observe their actions. His gaze strayed away from the man and fell on the three children, silent and shivering endlessly. As though he felt their annoying whining, the man clenched his jaw and cursed out at them. "Shut it or I'll pull out your tongues!"

Then he began slamming his fists against the wooden door as hard as he could. His patience is running out.

Suddenly, Moulin felt Snow growl on his arm.

"He's far from being a loving parent, isn't he?" Sarion's voice abruptly disrupted Moulin's thoughts. 

Moulin frowned deeply, refusing to glance at the man leaning over him from behind. "Why did you follow me?"

"You sounded so certain and made me curious." Sarion didn't try to hide his accusation behind the smirk on his face. 

Creak!

At the sound of the opening door, both of them returned their attention to the scene ahead of them. 

With a curse, the man mercilessly dragged the children inside. He ignored their whimpering cries and scanned his surroundings before hastily entering the house.

With quick steps, Moulin revealed himself and headed towards the house.

Sarion followed behind him and the two moved beside the only window of the house's plain facade. Moulin hushed the wriggling little snow-white fox in his arms before returning his attention to the window. Silently, Moulin leaned in for a peek. 

Through the fogging window panes, two large figures stood before each other immersed in a tense atmosphere. Moulin's eyes then found the children, huddled together in a corner, quivering in fear. They've taken off their hoods but their wet cloak clung to their bodies like a second skin. Short limbs embraced themselves, hoping to gather even a bit of warmth. Two little girls and one boy. 

Moulin frowned. Anger began to surge in his veins. 

"How long does it take you to open a single door, huh? Your owner said there wouldn't be any people at this hour!" He fumed when he recalled the three people who walked past him a while ago. 

He spat, "The others couldn't make it. Who would've thought sentinels would be lurking around this area? Are you sure your friends can distract them? Because they sure, don't look reliable to me. Crazy people..."

He huffed, irritatingly skaing off the water droplets from his cloak, "Whatever. Doesn't matter to you folks, right?"

"..." The person before him was a head taller and thinner. His head was shaved off revealing a hideous scar that ran across the right eye to the back of his head. His expression was calm as though he was used to the shouting. 

Realizing that his words weren't getting into the other person's brain at all, he flashes his teeth. Boiling in fury, the man grabbed one of the crying girls and demanded. "I've wasted enough time tonight. So let's get this done with. Hand me the money and I'll help you tie up these children. Better gag them this time to save you from their whining mouths. These rascals don't quit struggling but one hit and they'll be as docile as a tamed dog. I promise you that."

The little girl cried out as the grip on her arm tightened. The man only pull her hard and demanded the money a second time. 

The silent bald man in the room, decided to wrap things up and took out one heavy bag from his pocket and dropped it on the table beside him. The slaver's eyes widened and loosened the string of the bag for a peek. A bluish glow was reflected in his eyes. Precious shards of mana crystals shimmered vibrantly within the bag. 

"This is what I'm talking about." He laughed in delight and hoggishly swiped the bag into his cloak. 

Wild with silent rage, Moulin stood up and prepared to burst into the house. However, a gust of wind startled him and a particular someone raised an eyebrow at him before disappearing. 

"Now as promised..." The slaver took out one thick rope and turned to the crying little girl. "Shut up. Don't make me beat you."

WHOOSH!1

The door of the house suddenly slammed open and a harsh wind drew the rain into the room. The shivering cold forcibly swept inside, startling the people inside for a second time. 

"What in the-"

The slaver's words were cut off when something sharp cut through the air and pinned him to the wall. His head banged against the hard brick wall making him black out for a second. Three thuds sounded and pain burst all over his body. When he looked down, four feather-like knives stabbed through his legs and shoulders into the wall rendering him motionless. He screamed in agony. 

The knives were meticulously shaped and carved delicately to resemble golden feathers. The sharp edges gleamed against the orange glow of the lamp, glaring dangerously.

The other man was shocked in his place. He snapped out of his trance and hurriedly reached out to grab one child and escape the place. However, before he could move, A knife's edge pressed itself hard against his neck. Fear doused his whole body, freezing his limbs and even his breathing. 

"Move and I'll cut your neck open..." Sarion threatened. 

The bald man felt sweat drip down his back as he nodded. 

Moulin blinked when he entered the room. The Morfaer was fast and his skills were admirable. Moulin had to admit, Sarion was much faster than him. He stepped inside, scanned the room and his eyes fell on the poor children with pale faces, curling against the wall in fear. 

Furry snow-white ears twitched. Snow jumped out from Moulin's arms. His little paws scurried across the ground toward the man pinned to the wall. His jaws are bared as he jumps and plunged his fangs into the man's right hand that was about to pull out a weapon. The man cried out in pain as Snow ripped out a bit of flesh from his hand. Blood splattered on the ground, seeping into the little crevices of the bricked floor. 

The dagger fell to the ground with a clang. 

Sarion raised his brows, "Huh, smart pet."

"Grrr..." Snow bared his bloody teeth. 

Moulin walked towards the children, softly reassuring them. After a while, they stopped shaking and lifted their head to look at him, mesmerized by his silver eyes. 

"You're safe now..." Moulin softly said. 

As though a dam burst, the children cried loudly, large tears dripping from their jaws as they bawled. They clung tightly to Moulin, never letting go, burrowing into his wet clothes. 

"Ah..." Moulin helplessly stroked their hair. 

The youth's gaze drifted towards the little girl crouching beside the table leg. Shivering, she cried as she stared, wide-eyed, at Moulin, unable to tear her gaze away from him. 

'She must be terrified. Her injuries seemed much worse than these two.' Moulin thought.

"Moulin? Sarion?" 

Ghana's voice resounded from the communication device.

"We're here," Moulin answered. "Find anything?"

"We did."

Noticing the strangeness of her voice, Moulin frowned, "What happened?"

On the other side of town, Ghana stood with tightly clenched fists. The sentinels rushed around her, hoping to not disturb her. 

The ground beneath her feet was soaked. The red liquid clung to her boots. It seeped through the gaps in the cobblestone, carried by rainwater. 

Before her feet, a pale face, blue from blood loss and eyes wide and lifeless, stared at Ghana's figure from beneath. Rainwater fell into the giant hole within its stomach, mixing with the crimson fluid. Raindrops slid down the wooden stakes implied into its guts. Its body, mangled and maimed until it looks unrecognizable. The horrid sight could make one imagine the insane pain this person had gone through. 

When Moulin and Sarion heard of this, their faces changed. The silver-eyed youth slowly turned his gaze to the bald man threatened by Sarion's blade. 

Ghana continued with narrowed eyes, "This seemed to be a diversion. The corpse looks a few days old. The man with the children... Did you find them?"

"We've caught them," Sarion replied. 

"Good. I'll send some people to your location." Ghana stared at the dead body before her. 'Lunatics...'

It didn't take an hour for the sentinels to reach the house's location. They quickly captured the two men and took the children with them. The little girl with a bruised arm tugged at Moulin's coat when the sentinels were about to take her away. 

Moulin's eyes softened, "Don't worry. They won't hurt you."

Hesitantly, the little girl sniffed before she let's go and was carried by the sentinels. She gave Moulin one last glance before they left. The rain finally lightened into a soft drizzle.

Sarion scoffed and wiped the blood from the knives in his cloak. "I'll go first, young master."

Before Moulin could say a word, the Morfaer transformed and soared in the sky despite the rain. Confused, Moulin stared at the bird until it disappeared. 'What's with him?'

Shaking his head, Moulin helped the sentinels clean up before staying behind to make sure the scene appeared normal.

...

"...?" 

A few minutes later, Snow shifted in Moulin's arms, raising his head and scanning the area. His beady silver eyes sharply searched their silent surroundings. This time, the fox ignored the soft thumps of rain on his furry head.

Moulin noticed his movements and straightened his back. 

He like he was being watched.

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