422: || Chapter 411 || Flocked In A Cramped Room

|| Chapter 411 || Flocked In A Cramped Room

Something strong pulled Moulin out. His felt his soul freeze as an invisible force wraps around him. A foreign energy. But it is gentle and forgiving, sparing Moulin the gigantic headache that would strike him once his ability retreats into his physical body. 

There are no echoing voices or the headaches he was prepared to face. Moulin wobbles back on his seat, breathing heavily, and looking around in confusion. What was that? How did he get out? 

When Moulin's vision finally cleared, his eyes swiftly fell on the child in bed. 

He froze. 

Erthyl was awake, staring at him with worried eyes as his little hand held Moulin's wrist, slowly removing the man's hand from his forehead. He was silent and uneasy, not fearful and distressed like how Moulin expected his reaction would be if Erthyl would know what Moulin had done to him. 

What...

"Erthyl, I..." 

The boy shook his head and bit his lips. There was no contempt in his eyes, only worry. 

Then it finally struck Moulin. This child. An aphrodite like him dragged Moulin out of his memories with lone strength. His mana had already manifested...

Moulin had only felt it a minute ago but why hadn't he noticed for a long time? Had Jagra noticed? Pola?

Moulin was yanked out of his thoughts when the child before him yawned, rubbing his eyes drowsy. He looked too sleepy to be conversing with the young man at his bedside. 

The guilt-ridden Moulin fixed the blankets that had crumpled in front of his knees. "I'm sorry. I know you wouldn't like it but I still did it. I'll explain everything."

Erthyl shook his head, blinking his bright eyes. He shifted to a comfortable position, facing Moulin, and revealed a soft smile. Erthyl internally sighed. It was comfortable, the way Moulin entered his mind, gentle and careful. His presence brought ease and comfort as his most fearful memories were touched. However, he was attentive not to let these memories resurface and replay. His energy is so warm and soft. 

Erthyl might not understand most of what happened but he felt it. It was wonderful...

The child's eyes moistened and Moulin paled. Panic sank in his gut. His eyes widened in shock. W-What should he do?

Erthyl chuckled at the young man's worried expression. 

'He's smiling?...' 

The silver-eyed man paused, confused. 

...

Suddenly, Erthyl froze. His sudden reaction caught Moulin's attention. But before the fourth could question, he sensed it too. Silver eyes narrowed.

Silence descended within the room.

...

Creak...

Erthyl froze. Little fingers clenched the blankets in fear. His face turned pale as he trembled. Moulin placed a finger on his lips when the child whimpered. 

"Shh, stay..." He whispered as he stood from his seat. 

Slowly, he approached the room and gave Erthyl one last glance before he opened the door as softly as he could. His feet are made of cotton as he slipped out, eyeing the hallways dangerously. The intruder didn't seem to try to hide his aura from Moulin as if expecting him. 

Upstairs. The youth's eyes are sharp and cautious. 

The lights in the hallways are dim. Pola must have extinguished the lights. He wondered how much time had passed when he was in Erthyl's room.

Climbing, the wooden stairs was no easy feat when trying to reach the upper floor. Moulin was swift as he held on to the railings and climbed his way up while holding his weight. His foot lightly landed on the floor. 

Eerie and dark, the upper-level area seemed too dark to see. If it wasn't for one single light source; the soft beam of light from the only door ajar, it would have been difficult. 

It was Jagra's quarters, left open and vulnerable. However, Moulin was certain he had heard the door shut when Jagra went to sleep. 

Someone else was there...

Moulin approached. He's like a shadow, one with the dark. His eyes fell unto the opening crack of the door and peeked. 

Silver eyes widened in alarm. 

A hooded man stood before the foot of Jagra's bed. His silhouette revealed his tall height and impressive physique. Although he drew no weapon, Moulin could feel his smoldering gaze zeroing on Jagra alone who was currently defenseless, sprawled on the bed, vulnerable to any assassination. 

Suddenly, the man turned to the door where Moulin stood. 

Alarmed, Moulin gritted his teeth, materialized a weapon, and stormed into the room! 

Whoosh! 

The windows of the room suddenly burst open! Cold shivering air streamed inside. Moulin shielded his face but advanced. 

Unfortunately, the unknown man slipped away through the window and vanished. 

Jagra was startled awake. He panted, confused and shocked at the sudden noise within his quarters. 

What was that sound? What's with this sudden cold?! Who opened my window?!

Moulin lowered his weapon and cursed under his breath. 

...

The morning breeze plucked at Ghana's cape as a frown decorated her face. She stood before the door of Jagra's house and raised a hand to knock. 

However, the door was opened before it happened. 

What faced her was Pola's weary face, deprived of sleep and extremely exhausted. She looked as though she had gone through a tormenting experience. But when Pola finally realized who was at the door, her eyes brightened and her cheeks reddened in embarrassment. She was evidently aware of how terrible she looked right now. 

Ghana blinked, scrutinizing her face. The two of them were too surprised to move. 

"Who's there?"

Jagra's loud voice brought the two back from their thoughts. Ghana cleared her throat as Pola fixed herself before letting her in. Two sentinels accompanied Ghana and what trailed behind her...

Pola stiffened. 

Moulin and Jagra climbed down the stairs after a long serious discussion about the events that occurred last night. Jagra's face looked as though he was about to kill someone. The wooden mug in his hand threatened to break. Moulin helplessly followed behind him, knowing that whatever he'd say to him would remain ignored. His friend was intent of casting multiple traps around his property to seize last night's intruder. He hadn't been wrong. There really was someone watching him in the shadows and Jagra was determined to catch him. 

When he reached the end of the stairs, he tsked when his slipper was about to fall off his feet. He curtly responded to Ghana's greeting before lifting his head. "Why are you here so early in the morning-"

Jagra froze. 

Moulin wore the same expression when he saw the scene before him. His footsteps stopped before he could even reach the end of the staircase. 

Ghana guiltily with the two sentinels as more than ten kids peeked from behind them. Their curious innocent eyes fell on the two people at the foyer's staircase. They were behaved, resisting their curiosity as they scrutinized their surroundings.

After a few seconds of staring, Moulin finally noticed a familiar figure among the sentinels. Tall and bulkier with a mask on his face, Erik waved a hand at Moulin. 

Erik? Why is he here?

Appalled, Jagra's jaw dropped and the mug in his hand fell to the floor. The hot coffee spilled on the floor and splashed his feet. 

"Ah!" Jagra stumbled back from the burn on his toes. Moulin hurriedly steadied him. 

Pola closed the door and awkwardly walked towards Jagra and Moulin. Sigh, what bad timing.  1

...

The delightful sound of children's laughter bounced into the drawing room.

The two caretakers showered the children with smiles and games, entertaining them as long as they could. Contrary to the delightful atmosphere of the room, the atmosphere in Jagra's drawing room was dreadful and tense. Moulin could almost taste Jagra's fury in the air while he sat in silence. 

Jagra glowered at Ghana who hesitated to meet her friend's eyes. Near the windows, Erik calmly received the tea offered by Pola and complimented her after having one tasteful sip. Erik's large stature almost took up half the space in the room. 

Unable to stand Jagra's deep stare, Ghana began to explain. "We needed a temporary place to keep the children. It's only for one night. Tomorrow, they are transferred back to the Three Towers. They have to fix the residence and necessities before it is occupied."

"Why my house?" Jagra raised a brow. 

"Because I cannot trust anyone to can take them in. The one who disclosed the location of the orphanage was one of the orphanage's caretakers. He was one of the old workers." Ghana's expression turned serious. 

She couldn't believe that he had done such a thing. Fortunately, the sentinels were cautious enough to sense the caretaker's suspicious movements. If they were even a minute late, Ghana didn't know how many lives would have been lost. The orphanage house was destroyed but the Three Towers were quick to prepare a new residence for the children. However, they needed a bit more time to organize it.

Jagra realized how serious the situation was based on Ghana's words alone. Today, the sentinels would uproot the cultists from Helios' land. They will be targeting the children. 

"Alright..." Jagra massaged the creased of his forehead with a deep sigh. "But I have to warn you. This place isn't as safe as you think it is. Yesterday night, Moulin caught someone who snuck into my room while I was asleep."

Ghana furrowed her brows, "You couldn't sense him?"

"I was tired! I wanted to sleep!" Jagra lifted his hands in the air in exasperation. 

He clenched his jaw and returned to the discussion. "But I will catch him and I will put up every single artifact if I have to. Especially with this!"

Jagra fished something in his pocket and slammed it on the table in front of him. He presented a fist-sized rock, embellished with a complex rune-carved surface. Three mana stones are embedded in each corner of its triangular shape. 

Even from his seat, Moulin could feel the strong mana emanating from the object. The four people curiously scrutinized the strange stone on the table surface.

"This will trigger a barrier so strong, anything who will touch it will be vaporized. I can't believe I have to use this. But I have no choice. Not even a cockroach can enter or escape my property now once I activate this." Jagra sneered. Pride filled his eyes. 

"You want to use this with children running around?" Moulin furrowed his brows. 

Jagra scrunched his nose when he realized this. After a few seconds, he sighed in defeat. "Fine, I'll make sure it won't affect the children and sentinels within the property..."

The four continued to discuss the matters of the children settling within the house. Of course, rules should be imposed such as forbidding the little ones from entering Jagra's workroom and office. Almost twenty sentinels will be stationed around the house including Erik, who had volunteered to help guard the children. 

Jagra furrowed his brows, "You better catch these cultists and make all of this worth it."

Ghana raised her eyebrows when she heard his words. A smile filled her face. "We will."

Jagra's expression softened slightly. He knew his friends were more than capable. Together, they could achieve many things. These cultists were only one of them.

Jagra took a breath and stood up from his seat. "Alright then, I'll make preparations-"

BANG!

"No! Don't go in there!"

"Stop!"

Three children suddenly burst into the room and ran around the sofas. Jagra and the three people in the room stood in shock. Tea was spilled and tables and chairs bumped while more people entered the cramped room.

The caretakers immediately chased the children, throwing worried glances at the people within the area. Sentinels came to help. However, their interference only made the room chaotic

Jagra looked tormented as he watched the mess around him. He chanted to himself. 'It'll be alright. One night, yes. It'll be alright. One night."

Erik, the only one who was amused by the whole situation, finally put down his teacup and picked up the children one by one. Three little gazes blinked in confusion. They were running so fast, why had the whole world stopped? Wait! We're so high up!

The children giggled happily as Erik carried them. In relief, the caretakers thanked Erik and followed him out of the room. 

Moulin could not resist a smile as he watched. What an interesting sight...

Tug...

Moulin, "..?"

The youth lowered his gaze to find a small little girl pinching his pant leg. Her arms were wrapped in bandages but she seemed well and healthy. The girl's eyes looked pitiful and curious as they stared at the silver-eyed young man before her. 

Surprise filled Moulin's face. She looked quite familiar...

"Nara..." 

...

Nara?

Moulin stopped when Ghana called from the doorway.

Nara... It's the girl who was rescued during the investigation a few days ago. He recalled the pitiful child carried in a sentinel's arm under the drizzle. 

So this was her...

Moulin looked down and smiled, "Hello..."

The girl's eyes brightened when she heard her soft voice. "H-Hello, M-Mister!"

"Nara, let's go..." Ghana sighed.

"O-Okay..." The little girl hesitated. Her tiny fingers refused to let go of Moulin's pants. 

Moulin chuckled, "Let's go, Nara..."

"Mn!" 

How easily her expression changed. Ghana shook her head amused. 

The little girl voluntarily held Moulin's hand and led him towards the doors. For a moment, her curious eyes fell on the barrier stone artifact sitting on the table. 

"That's not a toy you can play with, alright? It's dangerous." Moulin advised. 

Nara nodded. "Okay..."

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