Chapitre 10: 10. The Tyrant

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Word Count: 2900 Words

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Gazing up at the tumultuous clouds, Williams let out a sigh. "Perhaps going out with a bang wasn't the wisest choice."

Hearing his comment, Echinda chuckled. A playful smile tugged at her lips as she replied, "You've truly outdone yourself this time." Her gaze shifted upward, tracing the storm's unruly path. "Even after you've stopped casting, the storm rages on, lightning striking relentlessly." She paused, turning back to him, her expression a mixture of wonder and exasperation. "It's a good thing we ventured far from the city. This would have caused a panic, no doubt. To summon a storm of this magnitude... You've turned my magic into something entirely beyond what I ever imagined. This," she gestured toward the roiling heavens, "is no longer a magic trick but a disaster."

A sly smirk spread across Williams' face. "So, does this mean I pass?"

Echinda laughed, the sound light and genuine. Slapping him on the back, she replied, "Of course! After this display, there's not much left for me to test you on. You're ready for anything. You could even join the ranks of magical researchers if that's what you wanted."

Feigning deep contemplation, Williams rested his chin on his hand, his expression exaggeratedly thoughtful. Looking at her from the corner of his eye, he asked, "So, what about the advanced magic you mentioned? Or was that just bait to get me to learn the basics?"

Her grin faltered, her face growing serious as her gaze turned back to the stormy skies. The distant rumble of thunder punctuated the silence before she spoke. "Seeing this... I'm certain now. You're incredibly strong."

"I suppose I am," Williams responded, studying her face. There was a serene yet melancholic look in her eyes as though she was lost in the vastness of her thoughts.

Echinda let out a soft giggle, shaking her head at his confident reply. "You suppose you're strong?" she teased before her tone shifted, her voice quieter. "To be honest, this storm is the advanced magic I spoke of." She stretched out her arms toward the chaotic sky, gesturing to the tempest that showed no signs of relenting. "Can't you see the sheer devastation it could cause? This is destruction incarnate," she said, her eyes distant, reflecting the storm above.

Williams smiled faintly, acknowledging her words. "You're right. It's more than enough. Let's head back soon."

As the storm's intensity seemed to grow, Echinda sighed, her attention drawn to the mountains on the horizon. Pointing toward them, she turned to Williams. "We should take shelter there. I doubt this storm will be letting up anytime soon."

Williams nodded and followed her as they made their way toward the mountainous region, their steps dwarfed by the power of the storm raging around them.

---

The deafening roar of thunder echoed through the dense forest at the mountain's base. With the sky cloaked in storm clouds, it was nearly impossible to tell the time of day.

Williams stepped out of the cave they had taken refuge in, his shoulders slightly hunched against the relentless rain. His eyes swept the horizon, watching as the storm continued its merciless onslaught. He sighed, a tinge of frustration in his voice. 'Did my Tyrant Uniqueness interfere with the technique?'

He turned his gaze to his hand, flexing his fingers as though to test the limits of his power. His eyes softened as they drifted toward Echinda, who slept soundly within the cave. Her breathing was calm, a sharp contrast to the chaos outside. A faint smile touched his lips before he shifted his attention to the mountain's peak.

Stepping out into the downpour, Williams made his way toward a towering tree near the cave. The sound of his boots on wet earth was swallowed by the cacophony of the storm. As he walked, his shadow seemed to ripple unnaturally, stretching and twisting like living ink. From its depths emerged grotesque creatures—monsters whose forms were both nightmarish and eerily majestic.

The beasts froze upon meeting his gaze, their glowing eyes wide with primal fear. They forze, as they lost consciousness before they turned normal and, they bowed deeply before dispersing to guard the cave.

Williams continued his ascent, his steps steady as he climbed the ancient tree. Reaching a sturdy branch, he balanced himself and leaned back against the rough bark, finding a strange solace in its solidity. He stretched out his hand toward the storm-torn sky, as though trying to grasp the furious clouds above.

In response to his silent command, the tempest began to wane. The lightning ceased its relentless strikes, the thunder faded into silence, and the heavy clouds dissipated, revealing a vast, star-strewn sky. The pale moon hung low, casting its gentle light over the now-quiet forest.

Williams' hand remained outstretched as if to grasp the serene moon itself. A faint smile played on his lips. 'It seems I'm recovering', he mused. 'But there's still a long road ahead before I reclaim my full strength.'

For a moment, he sat there, bathed in the moonlight, the stillness of the forest a stark contrast to the storm that had raged just moments before. Peace settled over the land, but within Williams, the storm continued to brew—the hunger for power growing.

---

The next day, Williams walked calmly behind Echinda as they made their way through the dense forest. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of rain from the storm they had left behind. Eventually, they reached a road that wound its way toward the city, its surface muddy from the night's downpour.

Echinda smiled as she turned to him, her eyes lighting up at the sight of movement ahead. "Look, there's a carriage heading this way. Why don't we ask for a lift?" she suggested, her voice carrying an easy confidence.

Williams sighed, his tone tinged with caution. "Do you think that's wise? It might not be safe."

Shaking her head, she chuckled. "It would be dangerous—if you weren't here. But we've got you, the Lord of Thunder, haven't we?"

Williams smirked, tilting his head slightly. "More like the Lord of Storms. But I suppose 'Tyrant' has a nice ring to it."

Echinda's curiosity was piqued. "Lord of Storms makes sense, but why call yourself Tyrant?"

He nodded at her question, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "Because I defeated the previous 'Lord of Storms'—the one who called himself the Tyrant. I took his title when I took his life."

The weight of his words hung in the air, sparking further curiosity in Echinda, but before she could probe deeper, the carriages drew near. She redirected her attention to the driver, waving to signal him to stop. "Excuse me!"

Williams stood back, arms crossed, watching as she approached the driver. So predictable, he mused, his lips curving into a faint smirk. 'Using her beauty to get things done, quite cliché. She is beautiful, there's no doubt about it, but... Well, all I can see is someone who pretends to be beautiful. The carefully concocted mask of hers, it is beautiful and probably also the most ugly thing about her.'

Echinda gestured for him to approach, and Williams walked up with measured steps, offering a polite bow to the merchant in charge. "Thank you for the ride," he said, his tone courteous yet distant.

The merchant, a burly man with a tired expression, waved him off with little interest. "Fine, fine... Just get on."

As the caravan of carriages began to move, the merchant's own luxurious carriage took the lead while Williams and Echinda were directed toward one of the carriages at the rear. Williams noticed Echinda exchanging a few pleasantries with the merchant before following him.

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Standing in front of the assigned carriage, Williams eyed the horses and then the ornate door. Just as he reached for it, the door creaked open, revealing a boy about his age. The boy's curious eyes landed on Williams, and his brow furrowed in confusion.

"Who are you?" the boy asked, glancing past Williams, searching for context.

Before Williams could answer, Echinda stepped forward, her graceful demeanor immediately capturing the boy's attention. He blushed faintly as she smiled at him and spoke. "We were traveling to the city, and your caravan's owner was kind enough to offer us a ride."

The boy's expression shifted to one of understanding. "Oh, so you're heading to the Lawless City too? Come in," he offered, gesturing for them to enter.

Williams stepped aside, his actions deliberately theatrical as he bowed slightly and extended his arm toward Echinda. "After you, my lady," he said, his tone mockingly dramatic.

Echinda sighed, shaking her head at his antics. "You should go in first," she replied, her voice soft but firm.

Raising an eyebrow at her response, Williams hesitated for a moment before relenting. He climbed inside, careful not to brush against the edges of the carriage's cramped interior. Once seated, he turned and held out his hand, silently offering assistance. Echinda smiled at the gesture, appreciating his care despite his usual nonchalance. She climbed in after him, settling beside him on the padded bench.

"All comfortable?" asked a voice from across the carriage. Echinda's gaze wandered to the other passengers—a boy, the same one who greeted them earlier; a young man in his mid-twenties; and a girl who appeared to be Williams' age.

Echinda turned to the speaker, the young man, and smiled politely. "Yes," she replied simply.

---

"So," the young man began, leaning forward slightly, "is it your first time heading to the Lawless City?"

Echinda shook her head, her answer curt. "No."

The young man seemed to sense her unwillingness to elaborate and leaned back in his seat, choosing not to press further. However, the other passengers' curiosity lingered, particularly toward Williams. His striking appearance, with his sharp features and an aura that seemed both regal and dangerous, set him apart. If Echinda exuded a goddess-like charm, then Williams carried the intensity of a devil.

Their clothing didn't help matters either. Lavish and impeccably tailored, their attire hinted at nobility, making it easy for others to assume they were on some covert mission. The young man and the boy stole occasional glances at Echinda, captivated by her beauty. Meanwhile, the girl seated beside them seemed drawn to Williams, her gaze darting to him whenever she thought he wouldn't notice.

The carriage rattled on in relative silence, the passengers too wary to strike up a conversation with their enigmatic companions. It was as though an invisible wall separated Williams and Echinda from the rest, their fear of them being nobles.

And so, their journey back to the city continued, cloaked in an uneasy quiet, as the Lawless City loomed ever closer on the horizon.

---

Staring out through the window, Williams observed the city drawing closer, its skyline a curious blend of chaos and progress. His gaze wandered beyond the dusty road to the distant train tracks snaking their way toward the city's heart.

He mused silently, confounded by the world's peculiar state of advancement. 'This world is so disjointed. Some parts scream of the steam age—if not the iron age—yet so much of it feels trapped in the shadows of Earth's medieval era. It's as if only fragments of progress have been allowed, leaving the rest to languish in stagnation.'

His fingers drummed lightly on the windowsill as he glanced back into the carriage. The young girl, still stealing glances at him, was as persistent as ever. He sighed inwardly. 'I suppose being handsome does have its downsides. She's far too young for me to even entertain the thought, she's probably sixteen. Now, where was I?'

Turning his attention back outside, he admired the city's strange allure. 'This place has a charm of its own—a cyberpunk dystopia mashed together with the air of a cult city. Perhaps the perfect place to begin my little venture. My cult.' He smirked at the thought. 'I wonder how the Diablos or the Shadow Garden would react. Unlike their sprawling organizations, I'll limit mine. Quality over quantity.'

---

The carriage came to a stop just outside the city gates. Stepping down, Williams turned his attention to Echinda, who approached the merchant to finalize their fare. He watched as she handed over a small pouch, her movements graceful yet measured. She glanced over her shoulder, catching his eye. Williams quickly averted his gaze, pretending to study the horses pulling the carriage.

The vehicle rattled away, and Williams' eyes followed it. 'They still rely on carriages and horses, after all. I wonder if I could even ride a horse.' The thought amused him. 'I've never tried before. It might be worth learning.'

Echinda appeared beside him, jabbing his ribs with her elbow. "Already missing the girl, are you?" she teased, a playful grin lighting her face.

Sighing at her relentless humor, Williams turned to face her. "I was looking at the horse," he replied flatly.

Still unconvinced, Echinda fell into step beside him, her smirk widening. "Come on, no need to lie. I saw you looking at her. Admit it, she caught your eye."

Exasperated, Williams shook his head. "Nope, you're wrong. I only looked at her because I could feel her staring at me. That's all. And for the record, I was wondering if I'd be able to ride a horse, not flirt with a stranger."

"Sure, sure," she replied, clearly unimpressed by his denial. Nudging him again, she added, "She was gorgeous, though. I'd be worried if you didn't have at least a little crush on her. I mean, what kind of teenage boy isn't interested in girls? That's suspicious."

Her words struck a chord in him.

"A teenage boy, huh?" Williams chuckled softly, lifting his eyes to the sky. His remark seemed to confuse Echinda, who tilted her head slightly. After a moment, he shook his head and replied, "Let's just say romance isn't something I'm interested in."

His words lingered in the air, striking a chord in her. A flood of wild scenarios filled her mind. 'Could he have had his heart broken? Perhaps by some girl, or… a woman? Knowing him, anything's possible. Oh, poor Williams.' An imaginary tear rolled down her cheek as her thoughts spun melodramatically.

Williams shuddered, catching snippets of her internal monologue. 'Her imagination is terrifying. And what's with that old woman she's imagining? Does she seriously think I'm inclined toward those nearing their deathbeds?' He suppressed another shudder. 'And the other scenario? Nope. I refuse to entertain it. I might need to bleach my brain after this. All those weird novels and manga she read in her past life must've twisted her mind.'

Breaking free from her daydream, Echinda caught up to him, falling into step once more. She sighed dramatically, a playful smile curling her lips. "Well, she was a beautiful girl. You should've tried your luck. You know, enjoy life a little. Unless you want to end up alone." She glanced at him, tilting her head. "Though, now that I think about it, I'm not even sure what you would consider beautiful."

Williams sighed, weary of her persistence. "Beauty, huh?" He cast a thoughtful glance at the crumbling walls of the city ahead. "It's a subjective thing. To some, this twisted city, with its corpse-littered alleys, might be beautiful. To others, it's nothing but an ugly stain on the world."

Echinda nudged him again, rolling her eyes. "What's the point of that little speech? Stop dodging the question."

Williams smiled faintly at her impatience. "Beauty is an abstract concept to me," he said. "But if you must know, you're far more beautiful than that girl. And I mean in terms of attractiveness. That said…" He paused, meeting her gaze directly. "I'm not interested in romance. Not now, at least. I've neither the time, money, energy, nor patience to waste on a relationship."

His words caught her off guard, and she stared at him in surprise. After a moment, she shook her head with a sigh. "You do know I'm older than you, right?"

Williams chuckled at her question, shaking his head with exaggerated drama. "As I said, I'm above the petty, mortal concepts of love and marriage. I've transcended such trivialities. Romance? Relationships? That's beneath me."

Echinda burst into laughter at his theatrics, her voice ringing in the still air. "You sound exactly like a chuunibyou," she teased between giggles.

Williams frowned, feigning ignorance and acting as if he is unfamiliar with the term. "A what now?"

"An eighth-grader with delusions of grandeur," she explained, her laughter bubbling up again. "You're definitely suffering from eighth-grade syndrome!" Still giggling, she walked ahead, leaving Williams behind to brood over her words.

'She does have occasional slip ups.' bringing a smile upon his face.

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**The End**

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