บท 24: 24. Desperation (I)
CHAPTER XXIV: DESPERATION PART 1
A pair of horse drawn carriages stood hidden from view in the forest. The front carriage was twice as long and surrounded by Beastkin of different races armed to the teeth.
The second carriage was more ornamented and smaller. Pulled by a pair of white stallions. Inside sat three individuals.
On the left sat an elderly man in black robes covered in dust and dirt. A fowl smell emanated from his entire being. His skin was more wrinkled than a rhino. His hairs more white then snow. He went by the name of Merus. A former A-class adventurer who lost everything.
Next to Merus sat the ever cool and collected Menato. A wolf Beastkin of immense speed and agility said to rival the Imperial Magic Knights.
Opposite them, towards the back of the carriage sat Toshiba Okutake. A middle-aged man with long black hair and a slightly wrinkled face. A sort of caramel brown skin but a bit light. An almost rectangular face with a handlebar moustache. He carried with him an eery aura of immense magical energy. One of the strongest seniors of the famous Okutake House.
"You said it wasn't magic so explain!" Demanded Toshiba.
"I stood face to face with him. Like Merus said." Menato began. "I could not sense a single drop of mana in or around him. The brilliant aura of black and red flames surrounding him. The mysterious attack he used against Mankato. None of it was magical energy. I could not sense him using any kind of magic. I cannot even begin to think what it was."
"You said he knew where you were as well?" Merus joined in.
"Even with all of us wearing the special rings that prevent us from being sensed by others of our magic. He could sense us coming and warned the others. They prepared for our arrival even before we arrived there." Menato answered.
An eery silence came about as they all pondered this new enemy.
"Call Mankato now! Perhaps he has somekind of insight since he briefly fought him." Toshiba ordered to Menato.
Menato simply nodded and exited the carriage. Living Merus alone with Toshiba.
"You said he would not be a problem." Toshiba began.
"He's not! He might have somekind of weird energy but he's not much of a threat to your lieutenants or yourself."
"Indeed. I'm still intrigued by his abilities though. He might have a few things up his sleeve."
"it seems my initial assessment was only half right. Menato confirmed that he doesn't have a single drop of mana. Yet his true strength and abilities? I can't begin to imagine what they are."
For the next few moments the pair sat in silence. Eventually Menato returned with Mankato. Mankato joined Merus on one side. Menato sat together with Toshiba.
"You briefly fought the mysterious fellow. Care to elaborate?" Toshiba demanded.
"Of course my lord!" Mankato started. "When I swung down my sword at him with considerable strength he could barely hold me off. As we struggled he somehow increased his strength until he overwhelmed me at full power.
Of course using my magic I could easily have fought back but the orders were not to reveal our full abilities. After that we exchanged a few attacks but we were still holding back. He seemed to know that I was more experienced then him so he released his full power with somekind of weird energy that had him in black and red flames.
He proceeded to suddenly jump and attack me with his sword. When i jumped to dodge it was all a part of his plan. He used my inability to change direction mid air and launched that weird energy thing at me."
"Yes we know all of that but what I mean is like anything you might have heard?" Toshiba asked.
"Heard anything? Hmmm... let me think. Now that you mention it I heard him talking to the girl with the guards. It seems he could sense us in the trees. Even the Lord all the way here and Merus. She asked about if we had any special abilities like a high rank should know. It seems he could only sense us but he couldn't tell our strength or abilities like a high rank should. He mentioned its because he doesn't have any magic but I didn't take him seriously at that."
"I see... well done Mentako. It seems for certain he doesn't have any magic. His ability to sense others is also severely limited."
"Thank you my lord!"
"Now live us. We have some important business to discuss."
Mentako simply nodded and exited the carriage.
"Now Merus... we need to talk about your brother, Erikson." Toshiba began.
My name is Freya Mikaelson. I am a sargeant of the Rostalio Royal Guards. I've been part of the Gurads since I was 16 so for 7 years now, almost 8.
Now I'm not saying that I'm an elite like my uncle or father but I've been doing this long enough to know that something is up with Eto. Looking at him after those Beastkin left gave me this weird feeling of Doom in my stomach. He seems like a very reasonable man but I know next to nothing of him. All I know is that he's strong, very strong. Maybe even stronger than me but I don't think I've seen his full strength just yet.
Even looking at him now, finishing that mountain of meat. I still can't get rid of that feeling. Something bad is going to happen. Either because of Eto or he's involved somehow. I don't really care what his plans are, as long as it doesn't interfere with our plans to save the kingdom from bloodshed.
As we momentarily stop I watch him continue to clean up that wild boar all by himself. How can he eat that much and still look dissatisfied. His stomach might be an empty abyss. Within half an hour he finishes. A boar the size of a dwarf.
At the moment we are having a break of lunch. Since the incident earlier this morning, we've traveled non-stop for 10 straight hours. Helena suggested we take a 2 hour break for lunch. That was almost 2 hours ago. We should be departing any minute now.
"So there's something I wanted to ask You!" Eto suddenly says and joins me on this rock away from the rest. It's quite a large stone or boulder, enough to easily hold 10 people.
"Go ahead." I answer.
"It's a bit awkward but I need to know." He begins. Blushing a bit. I think this has to do with our night together.
"We talked with your uncle yesterday but there was one thing we neglected or forgot about." He paused and cans around to make sure no one is listening in. "I did cum inside of you so is there a chance you might get pregnant?" He asks after seeming to gather resolve.
Well that is a very important question. I don't know about him but I don't want children. I've seen how things go wrong with children and I don't want to put my child through the same problems I did. Absentee father and mother, raised by strangers and the extended family. My job is very important, not only for me but also for the kingdom as a whole. It's already hard enough as it is. Having a child will only complicate things more. As for Eto's question.
"No... there's no chance of me getting pregnant anytime soon. I have taken this potion, most men don't know it but it prevents women from ovulating for up to 5 years. It's mostly for warrior types such as myself. In any case I don't want children so I can't have any accidents."
He seems very disappointed by my answer. Was he perhaps hoping? There are tons of other very attractive women who want children. I'm simply not one of them. He suddenly looks up at something hovering in his eyesight. Like something only he can see. His expression worsens and his head slumps. He let's out a tired sigh before looking at me with groggy eyes.
"I see... well your answer makes things a lot easier." He says.
"What do you mean?" I asked. There goes that doom feeling again.
"If you were possibly pregnant or there was even a chance. I might have to use something very important to cancel something." He answers while getting up. An eery calm oozes from him now. The feeling of doom is pounding hard in my stomach.
"What do you mean you have to cancel something!? What exactly is that something you have to do!?" I ask in panic as he reaches for his sword. The others suddenly notice my raised voice. Suddenly the winds grow stronger as Eto unsheaths his sword.
"I have to kill Helena Detalia!" He declares. His entire self has changed somehow. What is his problem?
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง