"Shit they're too many!" the guy who seems to be the leader of the mercenaries shouted. "Hey boss, leave that carriage and run with us."
He closed his eyes when he heard that, he is not worried about himself but rather to the fate that is awaiting the two young ladies that is bound by the same chains as him. He is old and cannot be sold for labor but the two with him are young and beautiful, moreover his previous master said that they are still pure. His heart ached for the fate of the two as he hears the running of the horses and the delightful shouts of glee by the raiders. He suddenly remembered the days bygone.
He is Salazar Enright a steward of the Bhelraion Noble house. He became a servant to the house when he was just 10 years of age. Through hard work and determination he earned the trust and respect of his colleagues and eventually the master of the house which made him to be a proper butler. The master that he served is Renal Galiger Bhelraion, a noble in the Valheiman territory of the Hanzelburo kingdom. He is a wise man that knows not only to govern and manage his land but the compassion to not only rule the people but to lead them to prosperity. He is hard on criminals and the corrupted but fair in treating the commoners. In fact he is highly respected by the people of his land.
But this did not last long, the master that he served has suddenly became ill. He was stricken by an unknown disease and left this world without leaving behind a will. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, yes if this was normal the succession would be on the eldest son.
"What are you blabbering about?! You're a 6th rank mercenary! You should be able to turn things around!" the ear screeching noise that the mercenary was shouting returned him to his senses for a while, but suddenly remembered a scene that was similar to this one, a fight.
The eldest son, Enreall Sylvia Bhelraion was born to a commoner woman whom his master has truly loved. He was born with great care and attention, he has inherited both the father's talent for leadership and his compassion towards the people which cause him to be popular even amongst the city's crime syndicates. He even reformed the hoodlums that haunt the dark and desolate streets of the Valheiman City but that is another story.
Although Lord Renal was faithful to his wife, he was forced to marry another with noble blood as to strengthen the Bhelraion Family.
Rullia Sinihara El Fruella the second daughter of the El Fruella household who rules the adjacent territory of Valheiman territory, the Drecana territory.
Salazar believed that Rullia has truly loved his master because she was desperate for the attention and love that the Lord Renal was giving his first wife. This has got him into thinking, maybe if he had loved his wives equally then this wouldn't happen?
"Ah fuck it! Suit yourself!" shouted the leader of the mercenaries as he had left the slave merchant with no hope to escape.
Escape huhh... Did Lord Enreall really escape? He muttered softly.
Rullia gave birth to Rondel El Fruella Bhelraion. The brothers formed a relationship like those of true siblings when they were young but as time marches on, they've become more and more separated.
Then the the goddess came for Lord Renal and as he had left this world without a will, the younger brother challenged Lord Enreall for the right of succession through a one on one combat which shocked Salazar.
Lord Enreall was known for his combat prowess, in fact he can even beat the knight's captain on a single combat.
So Salazar watched the duel proceed hoping that the young master Rondel doesn't sustain any irreparable injuries and that the two can reconcile the relationship they once had.
But the reality that he had been expecting became an illusion as Lord Enreall staggered through this battle. It wasn't because the young master Rondel is skilled but because the movements of Lord Enreall is... unreal. It almost felt like he was ill.
The fight was short and disappointing. It was just like 2 boys swinging their wooden sword but regardless, Lord Rondel won and the young master Enreall gets defeated.
After that... after that, Lord Rondel either killed all those loyal to the young master Enreall or sold them to slavery. And this is where I am now.
Well... They will just kill an old man like me. What I fear most is what will happen to the two young lady who was rescued from the slums by the young master Enreall. As he look outside the caged carriage, Salazar can see the vulgar eyes of the filthy men ogling the two young ladies.
He had accepted that this is gonna be his fate and he cannot do anything anymore, if he struggled, they might toy with them just so they can see his face full of despair. If I had known that this would happen, then perhaps I should have practiced swordplay.
But then she came, a young and very beautiful lady with flowing black hair, swinging beautifully to the rhythm of the wind.
He wanted to tell her to run but before he can even mutter a single word she charged at them with a force of a storm, a literal storm because she uses lightning magic which is rare.
Everyone of them either fall through the swing of her hammer or by the lightning strikes above their heads. It wasn't even a battle anymore, it was simply an extermination. A massacre.
But she didn't look like she was getting tired nor she was enjoying her enemies suffer. The young lady just plows through them like they are just weeds and she's the sickle. He then notice something about the actions of the young lady. Her power is greater than the mages back in his territory but why is she not using magic to quickly eliminate the raiders? Salazar immediately answered his own question, she was just toying with them, not out of fun but of boredom.
With just a swing of her hammer, she took a out a number of raiders and by using the phenomena called magic, she can indiscriminately bring many of them to death but she just stands there, seemingly observing their actions. But if they were to fight her by means of a sword or a bow, she comes charging like an arrow to kill them where they stand. If they ran away, she'll deliver death by magic and if they try to beg for their lives, she'll end them with a downward swing of her hammer.
The young lady took her sweet time in slaughtering the raiders till no one was left standing. However, he did notice one of the raider pretending to be dead. Maybe I can tell her that that one is pretending to be dead and-
But again, before the words can come out of his mouth, the young lady notice the man and the man committed suicide. Salazar has seen his fair share of people committing suicide. The man must've seen something that made him commit suicide and thats it. Dung these tough times, that is a fairly occurring event.
However, the lady produced a calming and soothing light unto her palm and touch the raider leader. The next moment the man came alive only to again meet his demise with an agonizing scream.
He tensed up, his eyes definitely saw that the man had committed suicide. He looked at the two girls besides her only to see them trembling with fearful eyes because the one who slaughtered the many raiders is walking straight towards them.
He isn't afraid of death, but he is terrified at the eyes of the beautiful murderer, the beautiful yet muddled and dark eyes of this murderer.
"T-thank you f-for saving us..." Salazar stumbled for words somthing that had never happened in his life. "T-the Gods have t-truly not abandoned u-us."
"Please do calm down," the murderer said with a smile. "I'm not here to hurt any of you, in fact, I came to rescue you three"
"R-rescue, is it? But we have no need for a rescue from such a great person as your lady and we have nothing to offer you." Salazar said nervously, forcing out polite words out from his mouth.
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"Sir, please do keep your flattery to yourself. But I do understand why you are on your guard. Rest assured that I will never do you any harm unless you cause me harm or get in my way." she said without even batting an eye. "Leaving that matter aside, based on those tattered clothing and collars on your neck, I would assume that you three are slaves, right?"
"Y-yes we are, but why does the young lady ask? Do we perhaps interest you and would want to buy us? Although I speak out of conjectures but if that is indeed the case then that will be impossible."
"Hmm? Why is that?" she answered with a nod as if urging Salazar to continue.
He was right in the gamble that he took in his mind, it seems that the young lady knows little and this conversation proved this. But how much or rather how little does she know?
"Because we need the seal from the buyer, the merchant had already given it to the buyer and-"
"Alright, stop right there."
The lady stopped him. Sweat trickled down at the back of his neck and he can see the two girls are also looking at him dubiously.
"I guess this is just within the realm of my expectations," the lady paused and looked at him with sharp eyes "Old man, I do not like being deceived."
"GAAHH!!" He screamed in pain because a sword made of pure light had pierced his stomach. The girls ran over to him only to see that there wasn't a trace of damage in the body of Salazar.
Confused, they looked at her again from beyond the cage that they are in, she was neither angry nor happy. Only a look devoid of emotions.
"Please do forgive me but I really do not like being lied to when I am being honest," she said then 10 blades made of light appeared at her back, the very same sword that has impaled him. "[Radiant Swords]. I do not really wish to harm you but be careful on your words next time for all of this will strike not only you but also the two besides you. I will ask again, why is it impossible?"
He was aiming to trick her into letting them back to town. He have heard that the man that have bought them was a despicable and cunning man. Salazar thinks that he will use his knowledge on the Bhelraion Family to cause further harm. But seeing the lady with a murderous aura, the man seems to be a better choice.
But now, she leaves no room for negotiations or compromises. She had impaled her with a powerful spell that has no chant which should have been impossible for any magic users.
"I-it really is impossible now," he said as he struggled to get back up on his feet. "his authority is needed for him to pass us, his Slaves, to you... This is the truth."
"Hmm. It doesn't look like you're lying," she said as the swords of light vanished into thin air "So if I wake up that merchant then it's possible?"
"Wake up? But isn't he dead?" asked Iyara, the eldest of the twins. Though the two of them looked alike with their brown eyes and blond hair, what sets them apart is their height as Iyara is slightly more taller and more mature looking of the two.
"Dead? I do wonder about that." she said as she produced a calming and soothing white light at the palm of her hands.
The girls were mezmerized by it but Salazar knew better, for it was the same light that he saw when she resurrected the raider. Questions and doubt filled his head as the young lady walked over to the corpse of the merchant that has a gaping hole in its neck.
"Oh and a reminder, you best be silent when I'm dealing with him." she smiled and showed them a ferocious smile,
"W-wait! Please wait!" implored Salazar.
"What?"
"C-can you really do it?"
"Can I do what? You need to be specific about things, sir." she smiled in return to his nervous and frightened face.
"Can you really revive that man?" he said in a serious tone.
"Wether I can succeed in reviving him or not is none of your concern but seeing as you are now honestly speaking your mind and without the fear and distrust that you have shown me, then yes, I can revive this man." she said like reviving a dead man is just as easy as taking a walk in a park.
"And you... You healed me earlier as well right?"
"Yes? For I'm the one that caused it and I still need you."
So she really did heal me? Perhaps she is the famous saint that the Church of Celesrica have. She is rummoed to be a very beautiful person and can heal any wounds. But... her behavior and the way she is now doesn't resemble a saint from the text. But maybe... Maybe she can do it?
He once again remembered the tattered looks of his former lord. He did hear from a house servant that he got away from the clutches of his younger brother but his state was so horrendous that it is easy for even a child to kill his former lord.
Salazar was loyal to House Bhelraion but he knows that deep in his heart, his loyalty to lord Renal is greater than the House of Bhelraion itself. As a matter of fact, he feels that he cannot show the same loyalty that he displayed for his no deceased Lord. But because of a certain promise he-
"Though I am only guessing here, but information is what you need from me and these girls just happen to be here, am I right?" he deeply bowed his head with the grace belonging to the former servant of the House of Bhelraion. He took a glance to the young lady and he saw him stopped in her tracks and is looking at him expectantly with a smile.
He knows his value isn't that of a fighter and much more than that of a well trained servant but of an informant. He was so well informed of the matter regarding both the inside and outside structures of the House of Bhelraion and it's surrounding nobles that it could very well be developed as a weapon. He knows that some of the information that he hold might cause the downfall of his house but he doesn't care anymore for he has been thrown out. He just wanted to fulfill the request of his former Master and that is-
"In exchange for my loyalty I would like to request for the young lady to heal the wounds and dispel the curse that haunts the son of my former lord. That is the only thing that I ask." he said while still bowing his head.
"I like your resolution but I cannot make a promise. I can heal the wounds but what if I could not take care of the supposed curse that is in him?" she said. "I do not and will not hold on to any absolutes therefor I would like to avoid making a promise. But I will a tend to him if the chance arises."
"At least give me a promise that you will heal him when we do come across the young man." he said. She made a thinking gesture before answering and-
"Fine, I promise to heal him when we do cross each other's path."
"That is all I need to hear. Then please do tell me your name, young lady."
"Chloe Belleriall."
"Then I, Salazar Enright, am your servant Master Chloe." he stood up and looked at the two girls. "Master, let me be clear that I only speak for myself and do not have the authority or say in the decision of these two."
He would like to fulfill a part of the promise that he had made into his former lord and that is to take care of his son Enreall. Although his loyalty has diminished, he would have like to devote himself until he die to Enreall's service, he had no choice but to implore to the mercy of the lady in front of him as the action that he can take is only this one. He will just have to find a way so that Chloe can meet Enreall and treat his injuries.
He had not seen a light more pure and holy than the light that Chloe is producing and he has no doubt that Chloe can heal any types of wounds and curses.
But he cannot speak for the two young ladies in the cage besides him. They all knew each other for they have once been in the employ of the same noble house. But they didn't form any relationships during those times and barely knew each other. It was his decision alone to follow Chloe, he couldn't bring the twins into their talk. They could choose their freedom but doing that will..
"Please let us serve Lady Belleriall. We ask nothing in return but food in our bellies and a roof above our head." Iyara as she lowered her body to the ground to do a deep bow that is similar to groveling. Her sister, Deen, followed through without a moment's delay.
She walked quickly in front of the cage, requested that they lift up their head before finally agreeing to take her in.
Salazar would have checked to see if the young lady has the appropriate assets to take them all in but with that kind of ability, he is certain that money will be the least of her problems.
Chloe, after finishing her talk with the twins, walked dover to the corpse of the slaver.
Salazar was bewildered and could not hide his surprise when she pulled out a number of Nightwolves from a blue glowing thing in the air and scattered the corpses in all direction. Where did these Nightwolves came from? What magic did she use just now? He might never know but he just focused on what is happening and listen well. He was thankful that unlike his eyes, his ears are still good. Then he heard the voice of the slaver and how the honey-like voice of his master kept deceiving the slaver.
At first he thought that she will just torture him to no end until he breaks and gives them up. But listening to the conversation, he can tell that Chloe is assessing him. She is playing the innocent and naive girl in front of the slaver and bait him with the existence of an Elixir, something that the slaver could not ignore no matter what.
He fell for the bait, transferred us then she proceeded to murder him by shooting a sword made from pure light. For he understand that his master have no choice. With the existence of an Elixir he would never leave him alone and come up with various ways to use and manipulate her. Furthermore she posses the ability to heal, the magic that the nobles and churches are in monopoly off.
He would have ignored it if she simply kills him. He didn't mind if she tortured him. But... she showed him or rather to them her 6 radiant golden wings.
The twins stood stock still but he... he experienced a sense of comfort and relief that washed over him like a flood and this terrified him. The duality of his experience upon knowing that the master that she will be serving isn't a human but something greater or maybe far more worst.
She did make a promise with him and going by that logic, her new master Chloe seems like she can be reasoned with.
She murdered all of the raiders in cold blood and without even batting an eye and murdered the slaver but that's only normal in this world and in fact happening almost every season.
She had deceived him and based on what she said, she had actually learned a lot from her simple exchange with the slaver.
Salazar looked at the splendor of her wings but at the base of her feet, he saw the grass that is wildly growing and a single beautiful red flower grew.