20demayo 4-66 Refuge
4-66 Refuge
4-66 Refuge
A boy that was no older than fifteen came trotting up in between the adventurers and Erin. He carried a sword by his waist that bore the insignia of Aeryo by the hilt. “Stop this madness. This is no time for us to be fighting against each other,” Caelan admonished the two parties.
“You know this band of shams?” Erin asked with a narrowed gaze.
“Yes, Lady Erynthea. I am acquainted with these people but I can assure you, they’re no shams.”
“No? The brother of this arbalist assaulted the mother of this girl here and left her to die at the hands of a Demoid. If he’s no sham, then I fear for the future of the adventurers.”
“And I see you have already killed the one responsible, so there’s that. Let us leave it at that, shall we? Now it’s really no time for us to be fighting amongst ourselves.”
“...You have changed, Caelan.”
The boy chuckled awkwardly. “Mister Cassius had reprimanded me severely for my last blunder...”
Erin’s gaze then went back to the arbalist and his companions, who were all glaring at her.
“My lady, please stay your blade,” Caelan entreated.
“...How did you come to know them?” Erin asked as she dispelled her sword.
The Arbalist and his companions also reluctantly lowered their weapons.
“By circumstances. His Grace has dispatched the Aeryons to aid and provide relief to the city in the middle of its ruination. We have formed a haven at the square closest to the guild where the survivors are taking refuge. This gentleman and his companions were out in search of his brother and I was sent to assist them.”
“I’m afraid it’s all your efforts are all for nought,” Erin remarked.
“So it seems... There you have it, my lady... Now, can we head back? It’s not safe to dawdle in one spot for long. If any Demoids are nearby, they would be able to hone in on our scent.”Updated chapters at novelhall.com
The arbalist’s glare did not leave Erin. “I’m not leaving my brother behind.” Saying so, the arbalist went to retrieve his brother’s body, intentionally bumping shoulders with Erin as he walked past her.
Erin said nothing in return and simply embraced the girl firmer in her arms and whispered words of assurance to the girl.
****
The return journey to the haven was short and without any thrilling events. The walk took them only an hour and they arrived before a makeshift gate that was fashioned out of numerous metal objects. It functioned like a drawbridge where a person controls a wheel lever from the inside to open and close the gate.
“This was all built just a few hours ago?” Erin asked.
“Yes,” Caelan answered.
“But how?”
“Mages. It wasn’t easy but His Grace had the patience and the resources to make sure the barricades and gates get completed before any great misfortune ensues.”
“Gates? This isn’t the only gate?”
“There are four gates.”
Caelan whistled a tune in front of the gate and seconds later, the gate began to open, revealing a scatter of camps and hundreds of survivors within. There was also a small group of individuals waiting for them with their weapons trained.
“At ease. It’s just us,” Caelan said to the guards.
The guards lowered their weapons and heaved sighs of relief.
Despite how the heavy density of the filth and dirt she was covered in, it barely diminished her beauty, sensuality, and sultriness. Even Erin herself was aware of that. She was proud of it but also a little afraid of it. Many people had been known to meet an unfortunate end due to a woman’s beauty and she didn’t want to become such a cause one day.
Erin quickly changed her garments with the ones the girl had just brought in. Her new garments fit her incredibly well as if they were specifically tailored for her. When she realised her garments were made of Faerie Silk, she was convinced these garments were indeed tailored specifically for her.
After she got changed, she went back to the study desk and started writing out a message on a small paper parchment, detailing that she was safe and had found the haven Aedan set up. She made a copy for each of her companions. She then took out the Mana Cell. Following the instructions from her Appraisal, she poured some of her Mana into the Mana Cell. The stone lit up and began diffusing the essence of the Spirits. Erin then cast Summon Familiar with the aid of the diffused Spirits and had the Familiars deliver her message to her companions.
Though she wanted to leave the haven as soon as possible, she knew over-straining herself would only slow her overall progression in saving the city and finding her companions. So she decided to get some rest on the simple makeshift bed laid out in the tent.
****
“What the hell happened!?” Rylan Grid screamed at a subordinate of his once he heard the report regarding the incident at his secret base and also the current of the city.
“Darius is dead, subjugated by the Venerers. As for the city... all of our spies, agents, and associates, everyone who had taken the Demonification potion had all gone mad and mindless. None of them is sound of mind. They had all lost their marbles.”
“But how can this happen?!”
“Milord... it’s definitely because of Marduk,” answered another subordinate.
“That’s impossible. We made sure that he would not have control over the Demoids. The fucking Warlock assured us. We paid him a fortune for that assurance!”
“The Warlock might have been working for Marduk all along.”
“Damn it... Damn it! Damn it!” Rylan cried as he flipped his desk over and repeatedly stomped on the floor to vent his frustration. “...What of the Arch Mages?” he asked once his wrath had dissipated to some extent.
“The Arch Mages are currently busy with maintaining the barrier that surrounds the noble district. They are also being hounded by the other nobles to triple their efforts to ensure no unforeseen circumstances would happen.”
Rylan snorted. “It’s Marduk we’re dealing with here. Unforeseen circumstances are bound to happen.”
“M-milord...” a subordinate called out hesitantly.
“What is it?”
“The capital has already been informed of Sephordia Valley’s state.”
“What!? By who!?”
“By the High Lady of House Valdrun, milord. We just received a confirmation letter from the capital that they are sending reinforcements our way.”
“That damn bitch! She’s in cohorts with Marduk, isn’t she!? She wants to take over the valley.... That fucking— Traitors... Traitors and betrayers everywhere!! These fucks... I’ll kill them all...”
“T-that’s not all, milord...”
“More bad news?” Rylan inquired with a furious glare.
The subordinate nodded meekly. “It’s regarding the commander of the Venerers...”
Rylan widened his eyes. “No... it can’t be... Tell me my guts are wrong...”
“I’m afraid you’re not wrong, milord. She is in the know too and our scouts had informed us that she’s currently rushing here and she would be arriving on the morrow.”
Rylan sighed in resignation and slumped to the floor. “I’m ruined...”
“You definitely are, Lord Grid,” said Ruyo who had somehow appeared at the doorway of Rylan Grid’s study.