After putting down the Grim, Truman turned around to look at his new attendant and employee. Star, a girl with long blonde hair, nose a tad bit small and the light-blue dress of his store. They suited perfectly for her size. His experience, and the recounting of the merchant, told it that she was from the southern lands. Many southern had long, blonde or brown hair. Even the men of south was like a lady. Their long hairs would put the girls of Pale Coast in shame.

‘’Would you take care of Grim while I talk with Cartman?’’ He requested, patting Grim’s head as Star nodded with brightened eyes. I knew she loved kids...she can’t be a pervert, right? He felt it was normal to think such stupid things when you are apart from the world. At least it would be nice if they got along.

‘’Come with me Cartman,’’ He said and took the stairs to the 2nd floor of his store, entering into his private room. It was foreshortened and simple to a great amount of contrast, to his grand estate. A few golden statues of heroes and famous artists were placed on the shelves. An irony it was, how the creator of these couldn’t manage to create her own self. His bed was small, smaller than the Grand merchant Kato’s, whom he met at a occasion in Realm Gate. It was enough to fit three people of his size although.

He pulled a seat for Cartman, preferring to sit on his little dream residence. The seat, made with fine wood, showed a  Craftsmanship that was both delicate and precise. A fine detail it was that, the head of the legendary creature, Dragon, committed on top of it.

Cartman closed the door behind him and sat down. ‘’Yes sir?’’

‘’I’ll get to the point.’’ He took a deep breath, ‘’But before that make sure to silence the surroundings.’’ Cartman furrowed his brows. He seemingly understood the importance and fatality of the situation. That was how he, Truman, wished him to be. Alert and cautious, straight to the point, and efficient. That was how he grew Cartman up to be.

Cartman put his hands on his left chest, right next to his heart. A chant emerged from his mouth, like a whisper from the ghost. A soft light of low impact embraced the walls of the room. The warm feeling of the mana and soul of a caster, once more, taught him how relaxing it was to be. It was as deadly as it was relaxing, nevertheless. Just a basic, sneaking illusion spell was enough to devastate a poor soul. Condemning the mind, it was one of the cruelest things in the world. The silence and desolate darkness was worse than anything a Deusborn could imagine.

‘’You’ve improved....’’ Truman said, maybe complimented. He didn't care how Cartman put it to be. Then started.‘’I’ve found a piece of Soul Stone.’’ Cartman’s eyes flashed, he continued, ‘’It is the size of a thumb. It's effects might be lowered but it is more than enough. Maybe five, maybe ten years. I can afford to find another piece in the meantime.’’

''Isn't this...amazing?''

''Yeah, it is a miracle I found one so soon.'' Truman sighed with a straightened his back. His feather filled head stood more like a wizened hawk than a old rooster, to Cartman who was in thoughts. ''But you will deliver it.''

''Me?''

''Yes.'' His voice severing the nails, Truman spoke.

''And I will be alone, I guess?''

''Not possible. Grim and Conall will be your companions.''

''What? Sir forgive me if I’m rude but this is and will not be acceptable in any kind of situation.'' It was his time to talk with force,’’ You swore an oath, sir. An oath in the name of my lady! You can’t endanger a innocent child in any case even with the lacking presence of my lady’s omnipotent power! Especially in a matter which involves factions of devil gods and traitorous bastards!’’ His anger was unreserved. Opulent with sharp light and seriousness his eyes moved, then pierced into Truman’s. Fights and wars between heroes and devils were never safe. Even for him. Even for...Auber.

Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

''Raiden of Cowfry, you might be acquainted with him. His help will be great help to us. Cartman, I know what you feel my child.'' For a moment, Truman looked crestfallen. He was not a man of figure, or an exemplary person. But he knew as well, he shouldn’t be afraid nor weak. He was just nervous, probably, from the incoming event. That was how, he thought, Cartman was consoling himself.

''Me, him, and about a hundred and twenty warriors and mages. Prepreations were ongoing for months''

''Don’t tell me...Aeneas?'' Cartman inquired, with unwillingness.

''I never was a man to risk my beloved, Child.'' Truman's gaze seemingly shook Cartman. ''But I will admit. He was also a decoy.''

''What are you expecting to do then? Do you have enough distractions and manpower? A hundred and twenty men won’t even be enough to stop a branch of faction.'' His gaze softened without him realizing. ‘’I don’t even talk about information flow, secret agents and consent of governor. Even if you can bribe everyone, you can’t purchase loyalty.’’ It was a sight that awoke many memories for Truman. He couldn't, even if he wanted, see that gaze these days. He stood up and took out a box from under his bed.

''We made everything we can do. All other is up to you and your comrades. Take this.'' He told while giving the box to Cartman. ''Cover it with the mystifying cloak and be sure not to leave any trace of it.''

''SIR-.''

''Tell me, what are you gonna risk...if it comes down to business?'' A pressure from the depths of a soul enveloped Cartman’s heart. It was an ability of once glorious ageds’. Sole purpose of the aura was to suppress and force to obey. Truman could see Cartman shivering and trembling and sweating under the ferocious attack of the pressure.

''My life.'' Cartman said through his gritted teeth. Truman looked at him, then shook his head. ''Alright, let's go down. My niece is probably waiting for me with teary eyes by now.'' I'm getting old huh? I can’t even assert my influence…

‘’There will be many other groups setting out with you at the same time.’’ Truman explained while descending the stairs. ‘’None of them will be aware of what they carry. Everyone is a decoy, even you. Don’t forget this, ever.’’ They came down, only to find both Grim and Conall sleeping right beside Star’s table.

‘’Conall.’’

Her sharp ears perked up. She stood up and got in front of Truman. A whiteling wolf had it's own pride, it deserved respect. And Truman was one of the bizarre ones of this family. He gave respect.

‘’Today might be arduous for you...for us. You can get tired or hurt. So do not blame Grim or Cartman if ever something happens. Do you understand me?’’

Conall gazed at the Truman, then turned to look at Cartman. Her senses picked up something wrong, something seriously wrong. Her instincts, like a chirping of a bird, told her to refuse. But her howl was greater than it. She blinked once, growled twice, then nodded. All it took was ten seconds to accept his proposal. Then came the Grim who awoke from his 15 minutes of sleep.

‘’Grim, I have something to show you here.’’ Truman said as Star, prepared beforehand from the looks of it, bringed something. It was covered series upon series of bandages and intertwined ropes. A small, symmetrical bulge at the lower part of it looked like a hilt. And it was definitely smaller than Grim himself, only by a little amount, however.

‘’This is...a gift. You know, Uncle is rich and extravagant and all that things. But I never bought you a present. It feels strange now, isn’t it?’’ He looked deeply at Grim. ‘’It is yours now, a weapon of your own. A tool to protect yourself and others. But beware my niece.’’

‘’Beware of those who seek harm and pain upon you.’’

Grim looked around. He felt like something was off but that was how a child’s mind worked. He didn't care much and soon, his only interest was on the thing in front of him. He wanted to tear apart the bandages to see what was inside, but Cartman stopped him.

‘’What about opening it at home, Grim? This way you can show off to your cousins!’’

‘’Great idea Cartman! I knew you were a good friend.’’ He happily hummed and hugged his new present. ‘’Thank you uncle! I’ll also buy you a present when I get older, so be ready alright?’’

‘’Yes yes! I will be ready for that day but time seems to be late. You should get going by now.’’

‘’Hmmhm.’’ Grim nodded at Truman’s words and looked at Conall. ‘’Shall we go now?’’