Bab 70: Chapter 70: The Night Was Still Young
The banquet that followed went on in a slightly exaggerated manner, at least for Huey and his "date." Lyra eventually got over her shock and ultimately ended up going along with Huey, not like she had a choice to begin with.
The Village Head and the Council were very adamant about throwing a send-off for the strange warrior, and even reserved a large hall for it. There was a colorful array of splendid dishes that made even Huey raise a brow in astonishment.
But contrary to what he may have expected, the only ones present were a few: namely, the Village Head, the Elders, and a handful of officials, including the brawny warrior, Barak.
"Oh, big oaf, you got your arm back," Huey said as the large figure of Barak approached him with a large smile. The warrior with mane-like hair sat down next to him rather gracefully and nodded while touching his right wrist.
"It wasn't irreversible damage, as long as I could still find my severed wrist. The rest from there was easy. Although it wouldn't make much of a difference if I got it fixed or not," he said, giving a laugh that sounded like a bellowing rumble, causing Huey to wince.
His red eyes flared and he shot him a glare from the side. "You're fucking too loud, dammit!"
Barak only laughed still after that. But Huey ignored him this time and directed his gaze to the warrior's wrist. Indeed, as he mentioned, it was really cleanly healed without scarring or even the slightest signs that it was severed a day before.
'That little girl was strong enough to sever the oaf's wrist that easily. Interesting.' Huey's lips unconsciously curled slightly as Sonia's image flashed in his mind. But of course, that was also on the premise that Barak had initially underestimated her, but it was still a praiseworthy feat regardless. 'As expected of a Blade.' Huey huffed, forgetting he never really attributed any of his fears or achievements to his family. All of Huey's feats and achievements were his, and his alone.
Huey Blade was never patriotic or particularly dutiful to anything or anyone. He loved his family more than he would openly admit, sure, but he wasn't delusional enough to believe it was because of the blood running in his veins. The current place Huey reached at that very moment was all due to his tenacity and bloody spite.
Huey barely suppressed the twitching in his brows and his smile from faltering as a thought ran through his mind. 'That little brat had an interesting child while I was away!' He was green with envy for some reason. 'I was slaying monsters and bathing in blood each day, while here he was... he was... Fuck you, Shiloh!'
While he cursed bitterly from the deepest, darkest, and most twisted corners of what was his equivalent of a heart, Barak continued to speak next to him. His tone and demeanor had turned somber.
"I was careless at that time. The Mistress of Coldblood, Sonia Blade... to think such a terrifying woman would actually come out here herself. In the end, we still don't know the reason for that." As he listened to this remark next to him, Huey remained silent and stared forward indifferently.
Yes. In the end, he had kept the truth about his relationship with Sonia and the Knight Commander of Allan Fort a secret from the Tribe. It was something even Bling Hathaway agreed on. The Ntuli Tribe were already beginning to believe in making a good relationship with Huey, but that could all easily turn over if they discovered he was, in fact, related to those who ruled over their most hated enemies of the Walls.
As for the reason he gave for deciding to leave, that was simple. He had overstayed his welcome, and there was no longer any business he had left with them. Each party had accomplished their respective sides of the deal that was made.
Or so, Huey said. About the overstayed welcome part, considering the way the Tribe was fawning over him, they certainly didn't find that a problem. But Huey had to leave regardless. And so, it was with reluctance that they were throwing this banquet.
Although the Head, if it were up to him, would do anything to tie Huey down to them. Even as far as sending a list of women to cater to him, but Huey, while fuming and deeply flattered regardless, had sent them all off.
His gaze drew indiscernibly to the Village Head, who was at the other side of the wide, expansive round table, currently discussing some matter with one of his officials next to him. 'What a troublesome and sly old man,' Huey lamented deeply in his heart with a sigh.
It was never easy chasing off a list of beauties willing to throw themselves at you. That took a lot of considerable willpower. And for someone like Huey who had amplified feelings, it took four times the effort.
'Snu snu...' he cried in his heart. But his face remained motionless and unreadable.
At that point, Barak glanced at Huey's other side, at the young lady seated tensely with stiff shoulders. She had glossy long black hair that ended with bluish-purple tips, and her sapphire eyes were wary and sharp. Yet there was a tinge of hazy red on her cheeks as her eyebrows kept twitching at intervals.
Lyra's beautiful face was full of barely hidden turmoil. She could feel the oppressive gazes and animosity of everyone present on her and was wary, but at the same time, she couldn't shake off Huey's earlier words that made her head almost scatter. 'Dammit,' Lyra cursed her raging emotions. It was all because of the stupid core! Yeah, that was it. All the core's fault! So Lyra kept telling herself.
Barak withdrew his gaze and said in a low, meaningful voice to Huey, "I heard your next destination will be the Domed Fortress of Allan Fort. The home and capital of the Devils."
'Capital?' Huey raised his gaze just slightly but didn't say anything. He continued to pretend to be unperturbed and detached as he listened.
Barak paused, gauging him with his gaze for a brief moment. But as the red warrior remained as unreadable as he always was, he continued after a short while. "I know you have your reasons, and I can't stop you. I also know we may have a rocky relationship, especially considering our meeting. But I want to let you know, on behalf of the entire Ntuli Tribe..."
And then Barak raised a large mug from the table and flashed a very toothy and broad smile at Huey next to him. "Warrior of the Walls, if you ever need a place to return to, then we of the Ntuli Tribe shall be waiting for you. As your first allies in the apocalypse."
Huey smiled. He reached his hand for the table and snorted. "Jeez. I told you to stop calling me that, you big oaf..." He raised his own mug and lingered before fully turning. "...but I guess I can overlook it for a little." Then, in a brief toast, they knocked the mugs against each other.
The next moment, Barak burst into heavy laughter and Huey's expression fell. Lyra watched all this from his side with wide eyes filled with dread and despair.
Tyla, who was watching from a corner, noticed this and snickered with a slight grin. "Are you smiling?" Isha, who was nearby, noticed and squinted at her.
Tyla turned to her companion and her expression turned stone cold as she walked past her.
"You're imagining things."
Aside from Huey and Lyra, the Head and his officials, including the Council of Elders, there were a couple of warriors who served as servants and hosts around the place. Both Tyla and Isha just so happened to be among them.
The cold-faced Tyla walked through the bustling atmosphere with a small round tray in hand. Her aloof expression completely hid her thoughts and made her deepest intentions a wandering mystery. Just then, Huey noticed her figure from the corner of his eye. A sinister smile curled on his lips.
All of a sudden, Huey was feeling mischievous, and Tyla suddenly felt an inexplicable chill from nowhere.
'What was that?' she shuddered.
The night was still young.
***
Bonus Chapter. 2 down, one to go.
It's still 6th of August here, but webnovel time counts different, so I guess I was late a bit.
Well, I'll release the third bonus chapter and tomorrow's chapter soon.
And apologies for the slow progression of the story, for those who don't find it exciting. I'm just trying to have fun actually.
Please show you're support. I'm rounding up volume one in the next three chapters at maximum.
Then we'll go premium. I really hope this goes well with you're support.
Thanks, everyone
Hadiah
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