Capítulo 18: Chapter 18: Demonic Movement (2)
The name and affiliation only deepened the sense of dread that enveloped Ethan. Kylian Dilo was no longer merely an old man but a demon of some sort, with an association to the Demon Faction that suggested far darker origins and motivations.
As the demonized creature's form became a retreating silhouette, Ethan was left in the aftermath of the violence it had wrought. The guards were dead, the prison walls smeared with their remains, and the escape route now lay open.
The gravity of the situation sank in—the monster had acted with brutal efficiency, clearing the way for its escape, and now it was up to Ethan to decide what to do next.
The Mana-sealing belt was shattered, giving Ethan a glimpse of the power he could access now that his restraints were gone. However, the sense of urgency was clear. The guards would soon be coming to investigate the commotion, and Ethan had little time to figure out his next move.
Should he follow the monster, try to find another way out, or wait and see what would happen next? Each option was fraught with its own dangers and uncertainties.
But one thing was clear: the old man's actions had irrevocably changed the nature of Ethan's predicament, and he needed to act swiftly to navigate this new and perilous situation.
"Boom! Boom!"
"Bang!"
"Ah! Demon!"
"Emergency!"
"Huala…!"
As the demonized old man wreaked havoc in the prison, Ethan seized the distraction to escape his cell and run far away from the chaos.
He didn't want to be seen as a perpetrator with the demons, so he had to get away from there as soon as possible.
In the distance, he could hear the miserable screams of guards and the sounds of magical energy clashes clearly. The fight could be described as a one-sided massacre.
It was as if the demonized old man was becoming exceptionally powerful as he devoured the blood of the guards one after another. It was a terrifying curse power!
The prison's warning bell rang constantly, reminding Ethan that he was not out of danger yet.
Although most of the guards were distracted by the demonized creature, a few were still at their posts.
Ethan cautiously surveyed his surroundings. Finding a narrow gap, he crossed the main gate somehow, mostly because he was using [Muscle Enhancement] to raise his physical capability to the limit.
Along the way, he picked up his sword from the storage room. He had previously noted where it was kept, so it was rather easy to find.
After a while, he finally crossed the main gate, heaving a sigh of relief. "Phew!"
"Hey, wait!"
However, just when Ethan was about to relax, someone called him from behind.
His heart skipped a beat, assuming he had finally been caught.
"Huh, Ethan?"
But when he turned, he noticed a familiar face along with two others he didn't recognize.
It was Aria, with her bright smile lighting up her beautiful face.
Ethan's mind unconsciously eased seeing Aria in front of him. A few minutes ago, he was still doubtful if she would ever talk to him again. But here she was once again, coming to his help.
"What are you doing here, Ethan? Did they release you from the prison or something?" Aria asked, stepping forward. The anger from the previous day's misunderstanding was already gone.
"I-I…" Ethan was about to explain, but an unexpected voice interrupted him.
"Boy, did you just break out of the prison?" an imposing man asked, his eyes sharp.
He was wearing a military uniform embedded with the Araknis Kingdom's crest. He must be some kind of official.
"Do you know it's a serious crime to escape from here? Wait, did you also somehow cause the uproar behind?" The officer's tone turned accusatory.
"No, I didn't," Ethan replied calmly. "It was the work of a demonized human, and I have nothing to do with it."
"Uncle! Help.." Then, Ethan noticed Aria signaling the other man beside her.
"Demonized human? That's a different matter. But why did you get out of there? You should have just stayed there obediently, not causing problems for us. Now let's go, I will take you back to the prison," the official said sternly, leaving no room for argument, as if his words were law.
"Ah, Chief Lionhart, cut him some slack. You know, he is the boy I was talking about earlier," Aria's uncle said, smiling.
Chief Lionhart furrowed his brows. "So, he is the one who was wrongly accused of murdering civilians? Rather, he killed a rogue hunter out of self-defense. I understand!"
"So, tell me, boy, what exactly happened at the prison? Who is the reason behind all this abominable act?" he asked, his expression turning gentle.
Chief Lionhart became very cordial as soon as he heard Ethan had some kind of close connection with the renowned Silvermoon Assassin House.
He had no choice but to do so. The pressure was immense. Who didn't know the history of the Silvermoon Assassin House?
They were creatures of the night, specializing in assassination. They even completed personal missions from the king himself. The king valued them greatly because of their unparalleled skill in assassinations. They had finished off many opposing noble parties for him, after all.
So, Chief Lionhart had no choice but to compromise a little.
"Ethan, explain clearly to Chief Lionhart about the incident. Then he will let you go from here unhindered," Aria told gently in hushed voices.
Ethan nodded and began narrating the whole incident, leaving out the fact about the real person who had become demonized. The old man helped him, even if it was unwanted; he couldn't be an ungrateful ingrate, could he?
"So, someone used demonic art in the cellar, and you don't know him? The situation is really critical, it seems. The demons are becoming more proactive nowadays. I need to inform the city lord as soon as possible," Chief Lionhart muttered, looking worried.
"Okay, you can now take him with you, Lord Astrid and Lady Aria. I have more urgent matters at hand. Please excuse me a little!"
"It's no matter, Chief. Thanks for your gracious help. We can't be grateful enough," Aria's uncle replied curtly.
Capítulo 19: Chapter 19: Newfound Resolve
Upon leaving the prison, they made their way to the inn where Aria and her uncle would drop Ethan off. His heart swelled with gratitude toward both of them.
They traveled in an opulent horse carriage, its luxurious interior offsetting the occasional bumps in the road. Aria's lively chatter kept him engaged, her long silvery hair flowing behind her in the breeze.
Aria and her uncle bore a striking resemblance to each other—their build, eyebrows, and even their smiles were almost identical. Their shared silver hair further emphasized their kinship.
However, her uncle's demeanor toward Ethan was far less warm than Aria's. He observed their interaction with a cold, disapproving gaze, clearly uncomfortable with their closeness. Nevertheless, Ethan's gratitude remained steadfast despite the uncle's stern demeanor.
After a little more than an hour, they reached their destination, where they would part ways.
"Aria, I'm very sorry for refusing your help earlier. Thank you so much. I will never forget your kindness," Ethan said sincerely, looking directly into her eyes.
Aria frowned slightly. "Ethan... that again... Am I no friend to you?" She seemed down as she said that.
"Uh, yes, yes, of course we are friends!" Ethan replied, flustered, not wanting to upset her once again.
Aria revealed a soft smile after hearing his reply.
"Hey, boy, come here," her uncle called out from a distance, impatience evident in his voice.
Ethan hurriedly left Aria to hear what he had to say. From his expression, he could guess it wouldn't be anything good.
Aria stayed where she was, pouting. Her uncle had interrupted their conversation, but she couldn't complain. She had to beg him to help Ethan since her parents had refused outright, insisting she shouldn't associate with commoners, let alone use their precious resources to help one. Fortunately, her uncle had agreed after much persuasion.
"Thank you so much for your help, sir. I am really grateful," Ethan said to her uncle, trying to convey his earnestness through his tone and posture.
"Yeah, yeah," he dismissed Ethan with a wave of his hand, annoyance clear in his voice. "Listen, boy, you should thank my niece. You have no idea how much she had to plead with her parents for your sake. They were furious—all because of you."
As Ethan listened, guilt gnawed at him for the trouble Aria had endured. Her genuine efforts had stirred unfamiliar emotions within him. Was this how close friends felt for each other? He wasn't sure, but he knew he owed her more than just gratitude.
But then her uncle's expression darkened, and his next words made Ethan's mood turned sour.
"Listen, boy, don't try to get closer to Aria. Otherwise, you wouldn't know how you even died. No one would ever accept a romantic relationship between you two because you're just a commoner."
His cold, piercing gaze bore into Ethan as he continued. "Don't ignore my advice, Ethan. Don't make trouble for Aria. It won't be good for anybody. With your meager power, you wouldn't be able to protect yourself, let alone Aria."
Frustration grew within Ethan as he listened to her uncle's condescending words. Are commoners not human? Although he didn't know if he had fallen for Aria, he disliked their belittling attitude.
Perhaps, social classe exists in every worlds. Earth was divided by money and this one was by only sheer power.
Aria and he hadn't even touched hands, let alone any relationship. The thought of a relationship hadn't crossed his mind yet. But he had started to feel closer to her, that was all.
Her uncle continued, "Aria's marriage has already been arranged, though she doesn't know it yet. So, don't get your hopes up. The other party is much more powerful than you can imagine."
"Okay, I've said my piece. Now, you need to decide for yourself, boy."
Saying that, he gripped Ethan's shoulder with overwhelming force, causing his joints to crack. From this, Ethan knew he was a true monster. He couldn't even gauge his strength using his [Appraisal] skill.
Afterward, her uncle released his shoulder and gave Ethan one last warning look. His sharp eyes left Ethan breathless.
Ethan clenched his fists, frustration boiling within him. He hadn't even been in this world for a week, yet it had already shown him there is no peace without power.
If he had enough power today, they wouldn't have dared to look down on him. Power… he wanted more power than ever. He desired overwhelming strength to pave his path forward without hindrances. He would gather enough power to turn this world upside down.
As Ethan stood alone in the silent evening, his determination soared. The setting sun cast long shadows, mirroring the resolve growing within him.
This world would learn to respect him, not for who he was, but for the power he would wield. No longer would he be the one looked down upon—he would rise above them all.
---
Aria and her uncle set off on their journey, crossing the noble district with its towering buildings and extravagant luxuries. The area was a showcase of opulence, with houses and villas designed in a grand European royal style—ornate facades, intricate ironwork, and manicured gardens all spoke of an elite society that was worlds apart from the common folk.
Inside their plush carriage, Aria turned to her uncle with curiosity. "So, Uncle, what did you talk with Ethan about?"
Her uncle dismissed the question with a casual shrug. "Uh, nothing much. Just some routine advice. I reminded him how to stay safe, that's all."
"Is that so?" Aria's tone was light, though her eyes betrayed a hint of concern. She accepted his answer without further question, not knowing that her uncle's seemingly benign words had only ignited a fierce determination within Ethan.
As the carriage rolled smoothly over the cobblestone streets, the rhythmic clatter of hooves provided a steady backdrop to their conversation. The golden light of the setting sun bathed the district in a warm glow, casting long shadows across the luxurious surroundings.
Aria looked out the window, her mind wandering back to Ethan and the troubled expression she had seen in his eyes.
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