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n“…”

nSylvester stared at the audacity of the woman. Yes, she was beautiful. Yes, her bust was gigantic, and yes, she was arousing–But she was nothing compared to him when it came to authority. Gracia Kingdom was now his playfield.

nBam!

nSylvester shut her up first with a solid gender-neutral slap. She fell back hard from it but got back soon enough.

n“H-How dare you attack a woman… ghk!…”

nShe swallowed her words as Sylvester caught her by the neck and lifted her to her feet. He brought her face close to his while looking like an uncaring maniac. “Do you know what I do for a living, my lady? I kill heathens and preach the name of the Lord. I am the direct student of His Holiness, the Supreme Pontiff.

n“Sure, go ahead and shout rape, but do know that you, your son, and every living thing in your barony, from a peasant to the last speck of grass, will be burnt down. Your son, your name, your legacy–All will be remembered as a family of heathens.”

nHe clenched her neck tighter. “Woman, I came here to kill the Bloodling, and I shall leave after doing that job. But, if you dare come in my way, I will spread the word that you, too, pray to the devil. After all, your ancestor did make that promise to whoever lived in the forest. You thought I wouldn’t know about it?”

nThe baroness’ face started to turn blue as she couldn’t breathe. But more than that, Sylvester’s changed attitude scared her to the core. He was cold and calm, and his perfect looks only made him more threatening.

n“So, tell me, what will it be? Death and destruction of your name and house, or getting to live?” Sylvester asked.

nShe stuttered while forcing the words out. “L-Live…”

n“Good night.”

nThud!

nSylvester didn’t let her go immediately and ensured she passed out first. Then, he used healing magic to fix all the marks over her body, then robbed her and left her room peacefully.

n‘The test has failed. She’s a wild woman, an uncontrollable and untrustable asset. I will have to look through another lens, it seems.’

n“Maxy, she had big pom-poms!” Miraj spoke from his shoulder.

nSylvester chuckled and agreed. “I wholeheartedly agree, Chonky. She did have some great, big personalities. Felix would have killed to touch them. But, personalities can be deceiving.”

nMiraj jumped on his shoulder and rubbed his cheeks on Sylvester’s. “How about my personality?”

n“…”

n‘D-Did he not realise what I meant by personality?’

n“Well, you’re a good boy. Let’s go to sleep na�””

nBut he stopped and looked at the terrace of the castle from the window. He noticed Augustus sitting at the edge alone as if lost in thoughts in the near darkness of the summer night.

n‘What’s he doing this late at night there?’

nSylvester knew something was going on with Augustus, and he had kept himself at a distance the whole time to not seem too intruding. But he decided to go and talk to him now.

nHe also arrived at the terrace and then similarly sat beside him. “Couldn’t sleep?”

n‘The same sorrow and peace, but what’s this new strange scent… It smells like nothing… Weird.’

nAugustus nodded and stared at the sky. “Sylvester, everyone says you’re extremely wise. Of course, it’s illogical to ask, but can you guess what happens when one dies?”

nSylvester was secretly a master on that topic. But he couldn’t tell others. So, he had to make things up. “Life is… Too complex to be over so easily. I’m sure there is something in the next frontier. Perhaps a new life? Who knows.”

n“Have you?” Augustus looked at Sylvester’s face. “Ever wished you were born under different circumstances?”

n‘Has the work-related frustration finally caught up to him?’

nSylvester tried his best to support the man and answer. “Honestly, yes. I sometimes wish I had been born differently. Maybe rich and with some hope for inherited power. But I do not care anymore as my mum is dear to me. What about you? My story is famous, but how did you become God’s Favoured candidate?”

nAugustus fell silent for a few minutes and kept staring at the distant sea. It was only faintly visible as the high waves occasionally shone under the twin moon’s lights.

n“Lord Bard, my journey started as any small wave in the sea, which only becomes bigger and more violent as it travels forward and grows. I still remember that day my life changed entirely.

n“I was merely five years old when it happened. I was playing with my little, one-year-old sister at home. My mother saw me talking to the air that day. Eventually, it became the norm, and I’d occasionally be found somewhere around the house speaking to the air.

n“When asked, I’d say a name and what the person looked like. It was all good until I took my grandfather’s name, who had died even before I was born, and I even described his appearance. It scared them, and they took me to the nearby large Monastery.

n“They tested me there and found out I could see the souls of the dead who did not cross over and other ghosts. In addition, when they tested my talent, it was apt for a Grand Wizard.

n“From there, my life changed for the worse as they called me in God’s Favoured. I trained every single day in the Monastery, away from home. Mastering fighting, praying and exorcising. Years passed, and I eventually arrived at the School of Dawn in the Holy Land.”

nSylvester could sympathise with him. The church stole the man’s childhood. “I can understand. I was brought to Holy Land when I was merely a month old. Holy Land is all I’ve known for most of my life.”

nAugustus sighed and backed up from the terrace edge to stand up. “That is why I am not the God’s Favoured, Lord Bard. I see it clearly now. I was stuck in a race where only I was running because you had long passed me and had finished it. So I will be taking my name back from this race now.”

nSylvester stood up as he sensed a lot of negative emotions. ‘What’s happening to him? Why is he so depressed?’

n“You can still become a Guardian of Light in time. You are meant for greatness.” Sylvester tried to cheer him up.

nBut Augustus shook his head and left. “None of us are special, Sylvester. We’re just worker ants of a colony of millions. Good night, we have a battle to fight tomorrow.”

nSylvester watched as Augustus left with his head held low. He wanted to call him out but held himself back. They were friends but not that great of friends.

n‘I should get him to join my team after speaking with the Pope. He’s far too depressed for some reason.’

nSylvester decided and went to sleep as well.

n…

nKnock! Knock!

nKnock! Knock!

n“Lord Bard, please open the door!”

nThe next morning, Sylvester was already awake and getting ready for the battle by putting on his armour when the hurried knocks came. He rushed to open the door and found a soldier standing there. “What?”

n“I-It’s the Baroness! She has asked for your presence at the castle gates in your armour. She said it’s an emergency.”

nSylvester picked up his spear and put Chonky on the shoulder. “Move on then. Did you inform Sir Dolorem and Archpriest Augustus?”

n“Yes, Lord Bard. They are already present at the gates.”

nSo Sylvester rushed out too. But he noticed something was different about the castle that morning. ‘There used to be so many soldiers all around. Where are they?’

n“Chonky, be careful. Throw explosive crystals if something dangerous comes at us.” Sylvester ordered.

nSoon, he reached the castle gates and found Baroness in her steel armour, looking majestic. She was sitting atop her horse and glancing at Sylvester. A hint of fear and shame was visible in her eyes.

nBut Sylvester acted like nothing had happened the previous night and mounted his horse that Sir Dolorem held.

n“What happened?” He asked.

n“The battle, my Lord. They have found the Bloodling. It’s at the forest’s edge, near the beach in the east.” The Baroness notified him.

nSylvester turned to Sir Dolorem. “Are you two ready?”

n“This is what we came here for.” Sir Dolorem affirmed. While Augustus merely nodded.

n“Good, let’s move then, my lady.” 𝚍ｎ𝚘ｖ𝚕．𝚘𝚛𝚐

nWith that, the Baroness and her army of a thousand galloped towards the beach. They were to pass through the forest, however, so they remained on edge with swords brandished.

nThis time Sylvester didn’t remain close to the Baroness to seduce her. He had already decided not to go after her since her mind was too messed up.

n‘Strange, where is the Master of arms?’ He wondered as the hatred and jealousy scent was not there like the last time.

nPaaa…!

nThe soldiers at the front blew a horn and signalled the army to slow down. Sylvester also moved forward to the front of the army to see where they were.

nAs he moved, he noticed the light was increasing, and the trees were becoming less dense. The beach had arrived, he reckoned. Even the breeze of the sea became strong soon.

nWoosh!

nHe came out of the treeline in one go and saw the wide, open sandy beach. It was slightly cloudy that day, and the sea seemed to be a little violent. But, the scene he saw in front was more savage than anything else.

n“Aaaa…”

n“Mama!”

n“It hurts!”

n“Please! Let us go!”

n“My children!”

n“Don’t kill us!”

nScreams of nearly thirty children echoed simultaneously as they were all forced onto their knees in a line. Behind each child was a soldier with a sword, holding it at the necks of the kids.

nSylvester frowned and moved closer. “What is the meaning of this? Why do you have the tribal kids?”

n“Haha, you thought you could outdo me, Lord Bard?” Spoke the Master of arms, Sir Anthony, while reeking heavily of jealousy. “I won! I have utterly won!”

n“My children! Please don’t kill them!”

nSylvester looked to the side and found more and more people from the tribe coming out of the forest, pleading with Sir Anthony. But they only got caught by soldiers instead.

nSylvester stared at his other side, at the Baroness. “Did you sanction this?”

n“No, I did not. But, isn’t this for the best?” She asked and started praising the knight. “Sir Anthony! You are brilliant! With the cubs out, all those barbarians will soon come chasing. You have made me proud, and I will ensure you’re rewarded well later. Soldiers, round up all the tribesmen!”

nAt the Baroness’ order, the soldiers started to move and catch whatever came out of the forest.

n“My lady! This one’s for you!” Sir Anthony suddenly, ecstatically, erupted again and raised his sword high. The aim was at the small neck of a child, who sat on his knees with no expressions on his face. “I tribute this victory to the great name of House Rosewood… To my heavenly Baroness!”

n“Stop! You fool!” Sylvester cursed as he recognised the child. He leapt to stop Sir Anthony for the doom he was about to bring.

n“That’s the medium! It will unleash the Bloodling!”

nThud!

n________________________

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