บท 30: Family Heirloom
Volume 2 : Mystery of the Bottle
Three days after the Blood Purge, Lexander wasted no time and resorted to teleportation magic to head to the Capital. With his friend dead, he had to inform the last of the family, Sancha Sanguis.
He was a loyal person and although he failed to protect Leonis, his duty bound him to seek Sancha, who was Leonis' cousin. Unlike him, however, Sancha was the leader of the Sanguis Family and an important member of the Aristocratic Consortium.
Not only was she a capable and responsible individual, she was also renowned for her fierce physical and magical strength.
Like her cousin, she inherited the unique ability to manifest barriers but, as she trained since childhood, her mastery over it had long since reached perfection. Not only that, Sancha also had studied in the Nemia Magical Academy and learned how to control the two elements she had a strong affinity with; Fire and Wind.
Sancha Leonis was 34 years old, a distinguished woman of high social status and many titles to her name. She was one of the younger members of the Consortium, but she gained the respect and fear of many.
Currently, inside her residence, situated in the capital, Lexander was kneeling with his head lowered. Facing him was a furious Sancha, her high black heels angrily tapping on the ground.
"Not only did he kill himself, but he also buried the family heirloom under his stupid manor? What kind of bullshit is this?!"
The woman had long dark red hair, not unlike that of Leonis, her black eyes were sharp and seemingly able to read through anything. She glared at Lexander but did not lash out at him, for she knew he had tried his best.
"My lady, I searched the whole place but I couldn't find it."
"Well of course you couldn't! It's a damn coin!"
"..."
Lexander sighed and maintained silence, opting to let her vent her frustration.
"What of the body? Was there anything on it?"
"About that… my Lady. The body was burnt beyond recognition, we couldn't even confirm its identity. But circumstances lead to one conclusion, unfortunately…"
"You think I care about him? After the stupid things he did in the past? He should have been grateful I exiled him instead of executing him! Him and his disgusting wife!"
"My lady, please control your anger."
"You…"
Eventually, Sancha took deep breaths and walked to her desk. She absent-mindedly looked at a stack of papers before looking at the kneeling old Knight again.
"I want you to track all of his servants and question them… thoroughly. They must've seen him hide it either inside or outside the manor."
"As you will, my Lady."
"I know how soft-hearted you could be, Lexander. But this is a serious matter and I would have it no other way."
Just as she was about to dismiss him, she remembered something.
"That maid… what was her name again? Ah, yes! Evelyn, right?"
"..."
"She also disappeared? Hmpf! How very convenient. She was his trusted confidant so she must know something. I'll deal with her myself."
*****
Back in Wilsden, inside a rarely visited florist shop, Elyna was sitting near the counter and looking at a special coin found within the pouch given by her late Master.
"You reckon it's special or something?"
Her elderly mother came from the back and also gazed at the golden black coin. It looked different than a normal Gold and it had strange engraving on it.
"Maybe it was put there by accident?"
Elyna frowned but did not reply immediately. She fiddled with the coin for a good while before stuffing it in her pocket and tending to a new customer.
…
"Master, you've been grinning like a fool since this morning."
"Oh, was I? Excuse my manners. Heheheh.."
Arthur shrugged his shoulders and quickened his steps. He had been in a good mood ever since he set off from Wilsden, but today was a bit more special as he remembered about the strange coin.
As it was stored in Leonis' vault, it had to mean something. However, as he saw no use to it, he gave it to Elyna's mother.
He wasn't that knowledgeable about Leonis' background, but if that coin was really important, then his famous 'cousin' would surely search every nook and cranny for it.
"I almost feel bad for her."
"Master, your creepy commentary is making me rethink my decision."
The maid, now in completely different clothes, looked at her master's back and softly harrumphed. Since her maid outfit was burnt and shredded, Arthur provided her with female traveling clothes. They weren't as exquisite as the unique french maid outfit, but they were, at least, comfortable to move in.
Still, Arthur could not help but laugh every time he remembered how Evelyn acted sad when she dramatically discarded her favorite clothes.
It has been three days since they embarked on their aimless journey, and in the first two, Evelyn mostly remained silent. However, once she noticed that Arthur was literally traveling at random, with a destination in mind, she started getting worried.
"Master, we'll be entering the Hollow Creek Region soon."
"I'm well aware of that, thank you."
"..."
"What? It would be a nice and much-welcomed change of environment."
The maid sighed and retorted, "The Hollow Creek Region is infested with monsters. It would be unwis-"
"Come on, my dear Evelyn! I have you by my side. There's nothing to fear. Moreover…"
Arthur snapped his fingers, resulting in rectangle-shaped yellow-ish barriers to appear in front of him. After training non-stop for many days, he managed to raise the Skill's level to 5 and that made the quality of the barrier infinitely better.
Not only could he change the shape, but he could move the barrier themselves. With a gentle pushing gesture, the barrier would- with an impressive speed- shoot forward or to either side. If used efficiently, it could prove a good weapon.
"The Archwood Region has some beautiful sceneries, I admit. However, I've had enough of those. We need to delve into ghastly and mysterious places… only then will he have fun."
"Master, I really do not share your suicidal enthusiasm. Please reconsider."
"Out of the question! Then again, you don't share my excitement but you'll tag along, yes?"
"..."
Seeing her keep her mouth shut, Arthur burst out in laughter.
"Good good! I expected no less from a friend of mine. Isn't that right, Mort?"
The talking zombie, recently named 'Mort', wobbled its head then looked at its grinning master. It didn't follow their conversation, nor did it have the intelligence to comprehend complicated discussion, therefore, it cackled along.
Evelyn coldly looked at Mort and distanced herself from him, clearly disliking the fact that she had to travel alongside him.
"Master, I've got a couple of theories, if you don't mind."
Arthur expectantly looked at her and halted his steps. He did a swift survey of their surroundings before pulling a wide half-broken wooden log and sat on it.
"This is as good of a place as any to rest. Do continue…"
They were traveling for a couple of hours now. Mort was a tireless undead and Evelyn had an impressive constitution. It did not mean that Arthur was particularly exhausted, but since they were soon about to enter the notorious Hollow Creek Region, it would do them well to get one last resting session, so to speak.
"By now, I'm sure you are not Leonis Sanguis, Master."
"That is understandable. But, if that's the case, why do you keep referring to me as 'Master'?"
Evelyn sat across him, her jet black eyes giving him an intense and inquisitive stare, as is their wont.
"I'm a maid. My master might have changed, but I will not shirk away from my duty."
"That's an awfully bad way to express your thoughts. Just say you want to come with me, it wouldn't kill you to be honest once or twice."
"I don't know what you're talking about, Master. Although you are a lunatic, I much prefer you over Leonis Sanguis. At least I don't have to deal with his incessant nagging all the time."
"To be complimented by the ever-gloomy Evelyn, what a lovely day!"
"Your sarcasm is as bad as ever, Master, but I digress." She glanced at the immobile Mort then continued, "I think- no… I'm certain it happened when Leonis was attacked right outside of Wilsden Town. That old man named Latif, I first suspected you might be him."
"And what made you change your mind?"
"You were inside Latif before jumping over to Leonis Sanguis. It was better to control a noble than an unknown old man dwelling in a solitary hideout. It was then that you started orchestrating your 'great escape'. Is my theory correct, Master?"
Arthur let out a short chuckle and shrugged his shoulders, neither denying nor confessing anything. Nevertheless, that did not stop the Maid.
"I've heard that certain Demons can take possession of people. Yet, I don't think you're a Demon."
"Ah! Now you're talking about interesting stuff."
Seeing him actively responding, Evelyn raised her eyebrows and was about to say something but he was faster.
"Demons, or the Demon Race as a whole. Mind explaining to me why everyone hates them?"
In the blink of an eye, Arthur switched the subject and prematurely ended the brief discussion concerning his real identity. Evelyn saw no point in insisting anymore and indulged his curiosity.
"Some say they are a blight upon our star. Ever since they appeared, the wars between them and humans never ceased."
"That's not what I want to know, though. My interest regards the intrinsic hate and fear of the Demons in general. I've seen one with my own eyes, but she didn't look any different than humans."
"It's all a matter of perspective, Master. The majority of the humans are uneducated and hold fast to nonsensical superstition about the Demons and what they could do. Additionally, the Holy Church actively encourages the persecution of any and all Demons."
"So… it's an extreme case of Racism, is it?"
Evelyn nodded once while adding, "You could see it that way, Master."
"But, if they loathe and kill those different from them, how come this hate does not stretch to other Races. Why Demons specifically?"
"As I had said, it's due to the bloody history between the two Races. There had been decade-long wars that resulted in the death of thousands. Neither the Humans nor the Demons want to relinquish their reign or live in harmony."
"Interesting. And what do you think about this?"
Upon hearing this, Evelyn sighed and responded, "Again with this, Master? I don't believe my opinion would change anything."
"It obviously won't. Still, this is one of our 'favorite' discussions and I'd like to hear your thoughts about the subject matter. Do you view the Demons as a threat? Will you strike down a Demon if they appeared before you?"
It took the maid a bit of time to think then voice her thoughts with a serious look.
"It depends. There are many dangerous humans, but it's also the same for Demons. While not all seek to kill us, most will. Therefore, if a Demon attacks me, I will retaliate with force."
"So you see them as a threat?"
"Only if they are hostile… like the Demon who tried to assassinate you. Master, what about you? I'm genuinely curious."
"Me? Frankly, I don't know. However, if the opportunity presents itself, I would be glad to befriend one. You see, I'm interested in their biology and nature. I've got an itch that urges me to learn more about them, especially after my fateful encounter with that Demon Lady."
"I'd rather you wouldn't. They are much more dangerous than you think."
"And here you are subjecting what others say to every existing Demon. I'm surer than sure that there are kind and benevolent Demons, some worthy to travel with. It will be quite difficult to find them, however…"
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