Chapter 36 - The Reaper to the Rescue? Part 2
POV: Alan
After the Shade escaped, the battlefield was wiped by the [Hero]s of Slodidal and the Paladins of Oulene. Once the battlefield was cleared, they began to set up camp, and I was taken to a secluded tent. After a while, I was greeted by Eril, Blaze, Yoichi, Symond, and King Lener Oulene.
“So this is the [Reaper of Flames] eh!? The man who ravaged my kingdom for years before suddenly disappearing only to show up again trying to bring it down? Interesting! What an interesting fellow!” [Lener]
“Alan…?” [Eril]
“Heh, that’s right… so what will you do?” [Alan]
“Killing you will not even suffice for the lose I’ve suffered! This time too I-” [Lener]
“Wait! Your highness, I don’t quite understand. Care to explain?” [Yoichi]
“What is there to explain! He is a murderous man who gave me quite the headache before he left Oulene!” [Lener]
“I’d also like to hear, from both you and the [Reaper of Flames].” [Symond]
“Tch… Fine! It was 36 years ago that the [Reaper] made his first appearance. At the time he wasn’t so strong and was in a group of three wreaking havoc, killing officials, assassinating, robbing, and causing mass murder throughout the villages of my kingdom. As the years go by, the killing increased until about 20 years ago when the group had a breaking and split. Then about 5 or 6 years later, no more words were heard about the [Reaper] that burn all with fires of the pitches black.” [Lener]
At this point I could see all their eyes stare at me, the most painful ones had to be Eril. Of course it would end this way, I never did tell her about my past since we met after I left Oulene.
“Tsk, from just this it is easy to see why King Lener is upset, especially during this type of era.” [Symond]
“Hmm… agreed, but let’s hear what you have to say Alan?” [Yoichi]
“Huff… I guess… How should I start? Okay, I was an orphan, abandoned by my parents during a famine while I was young, maybe not even 6 years of age. Ever since, I can’t remember how their faces look like. And during that time I was taken in by an organization called [Plague Mist], and they were the one who taught me to kill. All the children were put into groups of three, in mine were Alfrid, Elena, and me. Elena was the oldest and strongest at the time and both me and Alfrid looked up to her. We were assigned various missions of high difficulty because our group was the best, and all of them required a slaughter fest. But the more we killed, the more she changed… the more WE changed… and, I didn’t like it.” [Alan]
“Teaching children to kill?” [Yoichi & Symond]
“[Plague Mist] you say? That mysterious group that’s been causing problem since the founding of Oulene? Those slippery bastards!? Wasn’t their main base destroyed about 26 years ago… wait, it couldn’t be…” [Lener]
“I got tired of killing killing killing. I just couldn’t take it anymore, I tried to persuade them to leave together with me. But by then… Elena was too far gone, she’s crazed about killing. She’s only elated during life and death situation, she thirsted for blood… she wasn’t the strong elder sister that protected and took care of me and Alfrid anymore. I couldn’t stand seeing her that way, so I challenged her to a fight, if I won she’d have to follow me and if I lost, I’d die. At that time I didn’t think I could do it, but I had somewhere along the way surpassed her without anyone knowing. I myself wasn’t aware and in the heat of the fight, I accidentally dealt her a fatal blow… Alfrid could never forgive me for that… We fought, but he couldn’t beat me and I didn’t want to kill him too… so after destroying the base, where I found Blaze’s egg, I fled and became an adventurer in Slodidal.” [Alan]
“Elena the [Terror of Shadow Blades] and Alfrid the [Lord of Oblivion] right? So that’s what happened to the [Terror of Shadow Blades].” [Lener]
“Alan…” [Eril]
“Sorry I didn’t tell you Eril… I’m just a murderous man who’s done nothing but kill his entire life. And again I’ve stained my hands red with innocent human blood once more…” [Alan]
“...” [Blaze]
“Huff… in this case, although you aren’t completely excused of your actions, the ones to blame would be the organization [Plague Mist]... ah this is complicated…” [Symond]
“Annoying… Regardless you’ve killed my citizens, that can’t go unpunished.” [Lener]
“I don’t see a point, he’s already a dead man. Literally and figuratively since he won’t be alive much longer. At most two weeks at the rate the mana is leaking from his body.” [Yoichi]
“That won’t do, I-” [Lener]
“Wait, King Lener Oulene… I apologize in advance but, please let it slide this one time… as an act of mercy… and please do consider the fact that, although he did kill many of your citizens now or before, he was the one to drive back the Shade. Without his help this time, your kingdom may have fallen…” [Eril]
Tears roll down my face as I saw Eril and Blaze bowing down to King Lener to appease for me. Even after hurting them so much, they really still cared about me.
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“Though I can’t forgive the [Reaper] for killing my friends and subordinates… I also agree that there is no point in punishing him in his state.” [Symond]
“Unless you are going to do something to Empress Eril and Princess Haliel in his stead.” [Yoichi]
“Tsk… In that case… I shall overlook your case because of your contribution in the fight with the Shade and for taking out the head of the [Plague Mist] organization. Without that head, they have become less daunting… but, I am still unhappy with your actions.” [Lener]
“Thank you so much, King Lener Oulene. In exchange I shall send over some people to help cleanse your land...but I cannot aid you much in trying to get into the Glaswen-Slodidal Alliance aside from mentioning your interest in our next conference.” [Eril]
“Hpmh, it seems you saw through it huh? No matter, it was my fault for not joining when I had the chance, my ignorance is to blame, but I’ll gladly accept your cleansing offer.” [Lener]
And after an additional hour of discussion, everyone began to leave one by one. Eril wanted to stay but her wounds still need to be attended so she left hesitantly. And right after Yoichi left, he came back with someone interesting, the butler Eril mentioned that was serving my little girl Haliel. From just a glance I could see the air of a killer from the way the butler carried himself. I’ve been around enough killers to know by instinct.
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POV: Nym
So much has happened since I began my mission, and I’ve come across information that could completely collapse the current balance of power in the Imperial Counsel. With this information, the Loyal Faction could completely wipe the Royal and Reformation Faction. It’s just that I had not been given even a little bit of a chance to report back to Lord Dolon.
“Nym, how is the Princess doing?” [Laurel]
The main cause for this headache of mine is because of this stupidly loyal guard. If he is not by the Princess’ side, then he is bothering me and not giving me a chance to even write the letters. Seriously, I’ve even begun to wonder if he sleeps at all.
“She’s alright. Nothing seems to be out of place other than her not waking up yet since the battle’s end.” [Nym]
“Ah… but I’m still worried…” [Alissa]
This stupid girl doesn’t help either. Especially because we are always together and she won’t let me slack off to write the letters. She even saw me writing them once and I had to lie that I was just writing my diary. And if not these two, then I’m bothered by the other guards and servants.
I also had to keep on acting like I’m Nym in front those that knew the actual butler. Those people are the hardest to deal with. Adding all these various factors in, I barely have time to act as myself, and any slip up could spell my doom. Really, I’m getting so stressed lately.
“Huff…” [Nym]
“You look tired lately Nym, is everything alright?” [Laurel]
“Ahaha, t-that’s not the case at all. But… I suppose a stroll wouldn’t be so bad.” [Nym]
“In that case, I’ll help Alissa take care of the Princess while you get some fresh air.” [Laurel]
“Then I’ll have to take you up on that offer.” [Nym]
Finally I could spend some time to myself, but I still don’t feel comfortable. No matter what I just can’t in enemy territory. Still, getting a break from those two is relief in of itself so I didn’t hesitate to try and find someplace secluded. After a while of walking I found a place with almost no people around.
“Ah, finally I can send my reports!” [Nym]
Grabbing into my pocket, I took out a Gale Hawk whistle, the typical beast used as a messenger. It may seem conspicuous if I do so now, but then again this is the best time to do so, when everyone is tired and exhausted. In the end it still won’t be able to carry all the reports I had written so far, so I had to decide which was more important to send first.
“Hmm, with this I could send maybe these three first?” [Nym]
“Oh, hey Nym! What are you doing here? Came to check on Alan for little Haliel?” [Yoichi]
I was caught completely off guard by the [Hero] Yoichi as I finally decided on the top three most important reports. Luckily I had yet to use the whistle, so all he saw was just me holding a bunch of paper.
“Ahaha… yeah… I just thought she’d want to know how her father is doing once she woke up… hehe…” [Nym]
“You’re a really thoughtful person huh? Hmm, well no one is in there right now, but you can go in.” [Yoichi]
Saying so he lead me to the entrance of the tent I was just hiding behind. As I realized where I was hiding, I cursed myself for being so impatient about sending my reports that I had ignored my surroundings. After leading me in, he left with a remark and left me alone with the Human race’s greatest Killer, the [Reaper of Flames].
“Well, I’m on my way back to send a report so I’ll be going now. Sorry to bother you again Alan.” [Yoichi]
“So… you are my daughter’s butler? Interesting… with your skills, you can easily serve and protect her from the shadows can’t you?” [Alan]
“!” [Nym]
I was shocked by the completely unexpected words that flew out of his mouth. Although he said it in a friendly tone, I was still scared by how well he can gauge my strength just by taking a look at me for the first time. From his eyes alone, I could feel great pressure, and this was without his killing intent or aura.
‘W-what a frightening person!’ [Nym]
“What’s wrong? Are you shock to see a corpse talking? Heheh… I guess it can’t be helped that even someone as strong as you are unnerved by this phenomenome.” [Alan]
“Ah, ah well, I apologize for staring… I can see where the Princess got her strength from, ahaha…” [Nym]
Although I am scared, I am still a professional in my area of expertise. I quickly apologized and broke out into little chats with the [Reaper]. Seriously hearing of his feats, and seeing him up close are two completely different things. Even with him being immobile right now, I still wouldn’t dare make a move against him.
“Has she really become that powerful… no, I shouldn’t doubt it. I did see her skills on the battlefield already… Sadly I wish she wouldn’t have needed to be that strong without me or her mother…” [Alan]
It seems that the familial issues within the Royal family is really complicated. This would be a great opportunity for the Loyal faction who wants to get rid of the Royal family for the good of the Elven nation. Though it might help the Reformers, who wants more interaction with these pesky Humans, as well.
While we chatted, I didn’t let any important information slip, I remembered anything that seemed helpful. I was now quite grateful for this encounter, but I wish I hadn’t thought like this. The last sentence he spoke to me as I was about to leave shook me to my very core.
“It was great having this little chat with you. I just hope you don’t have any thoughts on hurting my little girl, now do you mister butler?” [Alan]
“!” [Nym]
The tone he used for the first half of the sentence was cheerful and happy, but his question was asked in a deep heavy tone. It was as if his words alone could crush me into smithereens. My desire to send back the reports were greatly dampened, and I even wondered if he saw through me from just our conversation.
“I-I wouldn’t dare! Never has such thoughts even cross my mind sir Alan. W-well, I’ll take my leave now if you’ll excuse me.” [Nym]
Looking at his smiling face made me scared, but at least it consented to allowing me to leave. Not wanting to stay there any longer, I made my way back to Laurel and Alissa with even more stress than when I had left.