Chương 10: 5 years
The name of the red-haired boy Leonard saved is Liam. He has no surname. He was abandoned by his own parents as a baby, then was taken in by an orphanage in the city.
Years passed, the situation of the orphanage, which was already struggling without proper funds, became worse, with not even being able to feed the children. Thus, it led them to ask the children who were around or over 10 years old to leave outside to search for jobs or to collect donations for the orphanage.
They knew it was cruel of them, abandoning the children who were already abandoned once. But, they had no choice. It's either let everyone starve or let some of them go to feed the rest.
And they chose the latter option. Liam, after being sent out by the orphanage, roamed and searched for jobs. Eventually, the food items the orphanage gave him before leaving are finished as well.
Although he did find some jobs for himself, the pay was so low that he couldn't even feed himself properly with that. That's when he understood the disparity in pay, they were sucking him dry for the bare minimum because he's just a kid, an orphan at that.
He tried switching jobs, only to find that everyone that was willing to give him a job was all the same category.
With time, he adapted and understood more and more, to how unfair this world is. He also got to know about the existence of magicians, weapon wielders and martial artists and how they are so strong and rich. His desire to become someone like that started to grow.
Until one day when he found a path. He found a group of thugs who all seemed strong and rich. Yes. He wasn't one of the kidnapped kids, but someone volunteered to do the menial work for them when he found that the leader of that group was a weapon wielder.
He didn't care about right or wrong. Blinded by his intense desire, he threw himself into the abyss of despair without a way to get out of it.
After joining them, he gets to know that he's not the only guy, but there are also others like him who got stuck in this quagmire without knowing its depth.
He was scared but also disappointed in himself for joining these monsters in human form, blinded by their show-off of power. He didn't know they were kidnapping children or making them into slaves.
Even after spending a year outside the orphanage, his knowledge of these is close to null. He was then asked to act like a child in the alley and get them information on any potential goods.
As much as he hated it, he was faced with two choices. One, revolt and die immediately, or second, submit and survive for now.
He chose the latter and became a spy. In fact, the 6-year-old girl who was rescued along with him is also one of the potential goods he gave them info about.
He thought he would never be forgiven for his crimes and become a slave to these people, those like the children who were caught or, in the best case, get killed and be buried inside the building.
But now he's standing outside that very building under the moonlight, he's still processing what had happened.
As he looked sideways, he could see the figure of a petite girl who seemed to be traumatized. He felt guilt over his actions, but he didn't know how to make up for it.
'Could I ever be able to make up for this??'
....
While Liam's mind was filled with his own thoughts. Inside the building, Leo was standing like a statue while holding a sword in his hand.
Utter silence.
The whole room that was filled with over a dozen kids just a while ago, now seemed to be empty. With no pain or suffering, Leonard sent them off. They were all completely wiped out with nothing that could point out that they once existed, only leaving behind deadly silence.
A silence that was completely contrary to Leonard's heart. His thoughts were scattered.
'It's better.. . It's better for them than that hellish life...'
He thought to himself, trying to calm his heart and gather his scattered thoughts together.
His heart is sore at the fact that he couldn't fulfill the promise he made years back and still keeps failing.
It's not the first time it has happened. In fact, right after his second rescue mission years back, he noticed the pattern of delays in the information provided to him. At first, he thought there was no other way but to hand these children over to the empire even though he knew what awaited them.
But later he became enraged at their repeated delayed information and tried to investigate and rescue them himself. But even for a peak-master ranked individual like him, it's-neigh impossible to search through this whole Luna kingdom.
He decided to ask for help from his colleagues. Surprisingly, they accepted to help him only to be surprisingly caught red-handed by the empire guards who were led by a grand master, and he was reprimanded for acting alone.
But his status as the son-in-law of the Roderick household prevented them from having any funny thoughts.
Forget about taking action against him, if they dare to even disrespect him over this small issue. Then, only the emperor can save them and prevent their heads from rolling on the ground. That's how dangerous the Rodericks are.
If one thought they were some easy-going family after seeing their benevolent exterior, then they couldn't be more wrong. They are scarier for that very reason; they know how to maintain their balance. When to advance, when to retreat.
In fact, there is a saying that goes around in the upper echelons of the Asper Empire about the Roderick family which is said to have saved many lives,
'If you come across a Roderick magician, then stop using your senses and start utilizing your instincts!'
Why?
It's because of the esoteric field of magic they are pioneers in; illusion.
Illusion as magic might not sound strong, and frankly it's not, normally that is. But the techniques they have and the way they utilize illusion magic is what makes them infamous.
That quote was actually said by a King-realm martial expert who was utterly bullied by a Roderick magician of the same realm in a fight, years back.
He went back to where those children were standing. When they saw him, their bodies stiffened as they struggled to breathe normally.
Leo knew these two were mentally unstable, especially that little girl.
"Calm down both of you, things are settled. You are now free." (Leo)
Liam, when he heard the word 'free' felt a myriad of emotions that included relief, happiness, sorrow and guilt. He couldn't bear the pain any longer. He looked at Leo and was about to confess.
"R-Respected sir,... I-I'm not-"
"I know."
Leo cut him off before he could finish the sentence. Leo knew that he wasn't one of the kidnapped children. For someone with as much experience as him, he found that out at a single glance.
Liam was flabbergasted at his reply. If he knows, then why did he save him? He couldn't understand.
As if understanding what was going on in his head, Leo replied,
"Don't worry. Whatever you've done, your still a kid, you still have time to make up for it."
At his words, Liam but his lips as his eyes become blurry. He nodded heavily.
Leonard looked at the little girl, bent down on one knee, he smiled at her. But all he could see was her getting more terrified. Smiling wryly, he asked,
"What is your name, darling?"
"C-C...Cia-ra"
"OK, Ciara. Now I'm going to do a little check on you to make sure you're fine. It won't hurt, so don't be scared, alright?"
Ciara reluctantly nodded. What choice does she have?
When he touched her hand, Ciara shuddered. It's quite easy to see how terrified she is. Leo, after a simple check-up, placed his hand on her head and slowly patted her.
Ciara, who was shivering slowly, seemed to calm down. It's not like his touch is magical, rather he had cast a spell to calm her down forcefully.
Then he took her and Liam to the orphanage he personally founded in his hometown away from the city.
The reason why he brought Liam even though he is already 12 years old is because, one, he didn't trust him enough to let him be just because he felt guilty over his actions, so he wanted to keep him under surveillance. Second, it's for the sake of Ciara. He felt it would be better for her to have a fellow 'survivor' along with her until she grows up.
After handing them over to the caretakers, he left for the Roderick household. The birthday of Jayce is coming up in a week. He needed to be there.
'haa, it's already been 5 years since his birth.'
----
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