Bab 3: 03: Order of the Serpents
"Lady Kally, did you really know where we are going?" Rowan could not help but ask. A few hours passed by, but they were still in the woods.
"Of course, darling. It was.. uhm, this way?" Kalliste pointed randomly to the right. "Just trust in big sister, okay?" Though she had a dazzling smile on her face, she was comically crying inside. Her out of tune voice almost sold her out.
'What the hell have I gotten myself into?' She quickly turned around to hide the droplets of sweat that started flowing down her face. She felt as if there were butterflies in her stomach. They gave a sense of uneasiness.
Meanwhile, Rowan's face bore a mischievous smirk. The tiny star that rose in the corner of his mouth brought out a sense of playfulness; however, he was indifferent and combined it with the cool detachment in his eyes.
'Big sister, huh?' He was enjoying this moment. It was refreshing to speak with someone who wasn't afraid of him. He felt like an ordinary boy for the first time.
He looked at the direction she was pointing.
'But that way was a...' He kept his thoughts to himself. He knew this part of the forest like the back of his palm; however, he stayed silent. She was obviously lost, and he wanted to see how the girl would handle the situation that she created.
'Interesting,' he thought as he watched her disappear in a distance.
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A few minutes passed when they finally came to a dead end. They were now standing over the edge of a steep cliff, which served as the frontier of the ocean and land. The height overlooked an enormous sea of wonder. Under the sun's bright rays, the water was exceptionally azure. The surface looked as though it were covered with billions of sparking gems that were being swept away by the gigantic explosion waves as they crushed on the seasoned rocks with mighty forces. All while kissing the shore of white sand with gentleness.
Though the view was breathtaking, Kalliste could not truly appreciate its beauty. Her knees suddenly gave in, and she slumped to the ground. She was a seasoned veteran who never wanted others to know her weaknesses or fears, for it was a huge disadvantage on the battlefield. However, in that crucial moment, the mask she had worn for over a century finally crumbled.
Perhaps because she was now a child, it became difficult for her to suppress her emotions? She had no idea.
"Lady! Are you alright?" Rowan's heart almost skipped a beat when she suddenly fell. His hands twitched for a moment.
With a blink of an eye, he was already by her side. He immediately noticed how her small body trembled uncontrollably. Her eyes were wide open, and her breath was harsh. Her gaze remained fixed on the ocean.
"Are you…" Rowan stopped talking midway. Seeing the girl's terrified expression, he immediately understood how she felt. However, he had no idea how to lighten up the mood.
Rowan sighed, and without any second thoughts, he gently grabbed her and brought her into his embrace.
Though he offered no words of comfort, his actions were enough to actually calm her down.
He was also confused by himself. He had never done something like this his entire life, so why would he show concern over a stranger?
'It seemed that I needed to gain a better outlook on life in order to see bigger versions of things.'
"Thank you, darling. I am better now," Kalliste whispered softly.
The sound of her angelic voice froze him. It was alluring and tantalising to the ears. As wistful as the wind and light like a water spray. Rowan glanced at the girl. She now had a faint smile on her face.
At that moment, he found himself immobile, his emotionless face blossoming with crimson fire.
She rewarded him with an exquisitely stunning smile that stole the light from all the immortals and celestials in the nine heavens, causing them to be too ashamed to show themselves. Her beauty was indeed peerless and unmatched.
"Ahem." Rowan feigned a cough, subconsciously tilting his head. For some reason, he was unable to return her gaze. However, a small smile etched itself on his face.
"Come, I would show you the way out." Rowan diverted his thoughts as he helped her up.
"Let's go?" As soon as he held her hands, he felt a strong electric wave that entered through the tips of his fingernails and spread throughout his body. He didn't mind it, though, and tightly gripped her slender, silky hands. He appeared to be terrified of losing her, regardless of the circumstances.
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Meanwhile, on the other side, The Order of Serpents, an infamous group of mercenaries, gathered. They were lazily basking in the forest's glory as they waited for their leader. The area was dotted with taupe-brown, archaic trees. The gentle giants stood serenely, not minding the presence of the mysterious group.
Above the tall branch, Porteur Aim lay down, his gaze fixated on his colleagues. The others, unlike him, who liked to nap, seemed to have their own world. His eyes, which were the shade of acorns, stopped when he saw Aloisia. The only female in their group. He felt his blood rush up to his face when he saw her. Though she had loose, black clothing, it did not hide her burnished complexion.
Her nicely sculpted body captured his attention even more. Her long legs highlighted her slim, narrow waist.
Porteur stared at her with dreamy eyes. She was the content of his dreams almost every night. How could he forget the first time they met? Her long, shadowy, black hair was like a silky thread as it danced with the wind. Plump lips like strawberries, and eyes like the deepest shade of the night. Though she was not talkative, Koa, her twin brother, covered up for her. They may share the same face, but their personalities were different.
Goosebumps suddenly electrified his entire body when Aloisia looked at him. Porteur froze like an idiot.
He immediately diverted his eyes away from the twins. His vision settled on the grassy side of the clearing. There he saw Terrence Ciaom. Another member of the group. The man was busy practicing his sword skills. With every step, dry leaves and small twigs crackled beneath his feet.
"Does he ever get tired?" Porteur asked himself.
In the three years since their group was formed, he had only witnessed the man's relaxation during meals. He could not deny that Terrence was the most hard-working among them. He used to be pale and skinny, but years of hard work showed a huge difference from the Terrence of the past, then to the present. His fit clothing hugged his muscular body nicely. His broad shoulders exuded strength, and his slightly crooked nose likely resulted from years of combat. He used to be slightly taller than Terrence, but now he stood a head taller than him. His eyes would most likely be his most attractive part. They were the perfect combination of the spring sky and, at the same time, the emerald giants. Even a man would find himself drawn to them. They held a mysterious charm that could attract anyone. Terrence is unquestionably the ideal partner for any woman.
Suddenly, the gentle wind struck Porteur, causing him to yawn. The orchestra of birdsongs followed, making him drowsy. He straightened up, ready to welcome the dreamland with Aloisa. However, the high-pitched voice of Scipione Rolid shattered his peace. Even if he did not see who shouted, he was sure that it was Scipion. The most boisterous, loudest, and eccentric of their group.
"That scumbag! Of all times, he had to scream when I was on the verge of paradise." His face wrinkled. He had already mastered the art of not giving a shit about others, especially someone like Scipione. However, the bastard appeared to be adept at getting under his skin. He once again peered down and gave Scipione an uninterested look.
Scipione stood in the middle and seemed to be talking about something, but Porteur did not care. In his eyes, the man was like a prostitute. He would gladly open his legs for any amount of money, as long as he received payment. He somehow understood his actions, though. Unlike them, the man used to be a beggar when he was a child. However, the moment he worshipped money and material things, he left his humanity for good.
Porteur rolled his eyes as he wondered how Scipione was able to glide with an athletic grace even with his Samson physique. His angular cheekbones were sculpted into shape by a talented craftsman. His sharp contour was almost flawless. Perhaps he could have been handsome, if not for his shoulder-length cinnabar hair that was greasy and braided like a thick rope. His eyes reminded Porteur of the dark, buttered chocolate that only nobility could afford. However, his supercilious personality made him the ugliest person that he had ever seen. All that arrogance with no grace, utterly toxic.
Porteur spat on the ground. He could never get along with someone like that.
"Sir Aim, Sir Grakobuldo would be here at any moment. Why don't you get down here and join us?"
A gentle voice interrupted Porteur's thoughts. He narrowed his eyes on the last member of the group. Lucas Palihor smiled innocently while looking at him. Contrary to popular belief, Lucas was not the sheep surrounded by wolves. The man specialised in deception. He hid his true nature with his kind smile and gentle voice.
His most striking characteristics are his bright, chocolatey, latte brown eyes, which reveal the gentleness of his features. Just one look, and it could soothe anyone. A skill that hid his brutal nature. He sported a Mohican cut and eyebrows shaped like scythes. An aquiline nose and high cheekbones sat above an oaken jaw. He wore a black and white, sleeveless tunic, which reached his midthigh, revealing his packed shoulders and sturdy physique.
Instead of answering, Porteur ignored the man and scanned the small glade. From his vantage point, the sun's rays perfectly enhanced the frozen frame. Suddenly, a pair of jays that screeched up high in the tree's canopy got his attention. He quietly observed the birds. They drifted across him in a flash of white and red, as though trying to size them up. A smirk, filled with suspicion, appeared on his face as he caught sight of the furtive bird.
He knew who it belonged to; however, he stayed silent. Heavy footsteps from nearby interrupted his thoughts once more. Soon enough, Rique Grakobuldo, the mysterious leader of the group, entered the scene. He had a serious look on his face as he scanned the surroundings. The black tunic that was hidden underneath his old, brown cape covered his bulky physique. The double scar on his right face was another notable feature. It looked like a small valley that was ripped into his flesh. A flaw in his visage that would remain there forever. A cold reminder of what he had experienced. It served as a symbol of all the things he had lost and sacrificed in the past.
Meanwhile, Rique ran his hands through his oily hair, and it stuck in clumps. The paths of his fingers had visible, snowy flakes that could be seen all the way down to the scalp. Perhaps it was time for a wash. After all, the cologne that he used could not mask the stench. He was also the tallest of the group and possessed a particular charm that made his members feel safe enough to follow him around. Like a natural-born leader.
"Listen up. Today, we go for a hunt. They wanted the target back, alive. We would receive a handsome reward if we successfully completed this mission, so it's crucial that you avoid any mistakes." His voice was deep, enough to install fear in normal people. He eyed his subordinates one by one.
"How boring. I was under the impression that they were sending us to another nation. Or better yet, hunt a wyvern on the sea or play with a gargoyle. Anything but that." Porteur once again yawned as he said these words. Though the reward was tempting, he would rather spend his days sleeping than to find someone.
"Porteur was right, boss. I would rather train than find some missing person." Even Terrence Ciaom, who had halted his practice, disagreed. As someone who dreams of joining the Imperial Knights, he would rather spend his time training the sword.
"Say, boss. How much was the reward again?" Scipione grinned madly. He was like a maniac as he licked the sword in his hand. The mere thought of the handsome reward made him drool in excitement.
"Could I take his limbs or arms as a reward if we find him instead of money? My collections were quite old, and I required something new for my research." Lucas Palihor enquired with a gentle voice. However, the murderous glint in his eyes, as well as the wicked smile on his face, revealed his true nature. At that moment, he was like a predator, ready to devour anyone who fell for his kind smile and gentle words.
Meanwhile, the twins stayed silent. They already had a hunch about their target; however, they shut their mouths.
Seeing their hesitation, Rique brought out a black envelope and distributed it among them.
"This was highly classified information, so make sure that you destroy the evidence after you read it."
"But, boss. Could we at least know the name of the target?" Scipione once again asked. Although he didn't intend to read it, the word classified information caught his attention. It must be a high-ranking noble or aristocrat.
"The third prince of this empire, Prince Rowan Lacarus Clevario."
This turn of events came as a considerable shock to the group. Even Porteur, who was still on the tree, almost lost his balance.
The twins sighed. They already knew that this day would come.
Terrence only blinks twice before regaining his previous pose.
Despite his smile, Lucas was already formulating advanced plans to preserve such a precious body. His hands twitched uncontrollably with excitement as his heart pounded heavily in his chest.
It was not every day that they were given a mission to hunt a prince. The reward was also so exorbitant that they could likely live in luxury for a few years.
"If you all got my point, then get moving! We would have to separate to find him quicker. Let us meet when the rooster sang upon the lemon, and the sun gave in to the darkness of the moon."
As soon as the words escaped his lips, all of them suddenly vanished in thin air. All with a serious look on their faces. How could they resist the special code that was created for A-rank mercenaries?
Hadiah
-- Hadiah diterima Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone