章節 3: Chapter 3
The dynamic trio of Yahil, Fleur and Ulric were still in the room, having a bit of childish fun. After all, in the quarters where they lived, it's not like they could have a regular childhood anyways. But, they made the best that they could. They conversed, cracked jokes and played small games in order to pass the time. And yet, they couldn't wish for a better life than this. Is it because they don't know any other life? Maybe. Is it because of the bond they built? Definitely. The fiery ginger, the black haired beauty and jade eyed prodigy. It shouldn't have worked and yet it did. These three were considered the best of the new generation, the children that had been brought up all around the same age. Yahil with his determination to get the job done, Fleur with her ability to think and decide in the moment along, with Ulric with his natural ability to pick things up fast. As a combo, this made the team unstoppable.
Soon enough, a knock came at the door of the trio, their head turning to it. It was opened quietly, a man in a woolen robe much like Ulric having appeared. However, this robe seemed to be much more formal, a black robe with a hood. This was a council member, a member who had once been an active participant in the jobs of the so called "hunters" of the Wilted Rose. Once age caught up to them, they joined the council, working directly under the leader of the Wilted Rose.
"Yahil. Fleur. Ulric. Bateus wants you in the mess hall." The robed individual explained, walking off. All three adults nodded, grabbing their frock coats and taking their leave onto the mess hall. Why had Bateus wanted them there? They had no clue, but it was time to find out. Their footsteps echoed in the normally chattery hallways, taking note of how empty it was. As the three entered the mess hall, opening the acacia doors, the chatter filled their ears as they realized why it was so quiet. Everyone had been gathered in the mess hall for some sort of assembly
"Ah, and the guests of honor arrive!" A man on a stage proclaimed. The stage was located at the end of the mess hall, overlooking the tables and the area where the men and women living in these quarters would get their food. The man up on the stage was the man that Ulric had bumped into those long 11 years ago, back when he was only a child. And now, the adult, aged 22, was smiling at him. The man who gave Ulric his name, who took him in. Who taught him. He had learned quickly that his name was Bateus, and that Bateus was the leader of this whole team. The three gave small nods and lifted hands in appreciation, looking over to Bateus who signalled for them to come up to the stage. The three obliged, walking onto the top of the stage and gave small smiles. Bateus may have been older than the rest of his counsellors, but he didn't look a day over 30. He had some wrinkles on his face to show his age and elderly. However, it was as if he completely stopped aging by then. There had even been rumors that he had found the fountain of youth.
"As you all know, these three were sent on an essential mission last night. To eliminate Sir Theodore Herald. Theodore was a thorn in our side for the entirety of his political campaign for Royal Secretary. He always wished to rid of the Wilted Rose, had he finally gotten to the position of Royal Secretary, his wish might have just come true. For what are hunters to do against the royal military?" Bateus spoke, erupting a chatter of agreement in the crowd. Bateus spoke in a commanding, yet comforting voice. A voice of a leader. His movements, his body language all spoke of someone experienced and worthy. He was someone that Ulric couldn't help but look up to.
"And these three... What is it that your group was nicknamed?"
"Uh, T-the Tenebrae, sir." Yahil quietly responded and nervously, his hands behind his back as he twiddled his thumbs. This caused a raise of the eyebrow from Bateus.
"The Tenebrae! Quite a fancy name, if I do say so myself." He joked, grinning. A playful humor from a man with no mercy, what a combination.
"The Tenebrae finally dealt with that crooked nose knave, getting him out of our side once and for all. His falsification on the Wicked Flower threatened to dismantle our entire family, and could we allow that? No! Of course not! So please, give it up for our three warriors!" Bateus proclaimed. It didn't take long as the crowd gathered erupted into cheers, applause spreading around. The three couldn't help but allow a smile to drape on their faces. I mean, who couldn't? The praises were always gonna stroke their egos. That was until one person spoke up.
"Why should we congratulate that churl? So he killed someone that couldn't even fight back. Big deal." An outspoken voice proclaimed. The voice belonged to one Luca Bilbao. Luca had always seemed to have problems with Ulric for no reason whatsoever. Perhaps it was jealousy.
"All he did was slice someone's throat. Anyone can do that..." Luca continued, the crowd going silent as he began to approach the steps to the stage. Bateus had a smirk on his face, knowing exactly what was to come from this encounter.
"I don't know about you guys but," Luca continued, walking up to the stage, making him face to face with the trio. More specifically, the large man was staring down Ulric who reciprocated the look.
"They've done nothing to earn my respect."
That was enough. Yahil lifted his arm, his hand balled into a fist. He flexed his arm to add even more damage as he went for a left hook onto Luca, being stopped by Ulric as he grabbed his wrist mid motion. Ulric gave a shake of his head, telling him to not do it. Unfortunately, he couldn't stop Fleur, who responded to Luca with a slap. A slap that echoed throughout the mess hall.
"What would you know about respect, you glos pautonnier!" Fleur yelled in a fit of anger. This was strange to Ulric and Yahil. Fleur was normally the most cool headed of the three, so seeing her fly into a fit of rage was... Unusual. And Fleur was indeed angry. She could take disrespect, but to Ulric and Yahil? They worked far too hard to be disrespected by someone who was so jealous of the group that he would embarrass them and himself infront of everyone. However, Luca was unbothered by the slap.
"That was a nice lovetap. Maybe I could show you mine later... Now, back to what I was saying-" Unfortunately, Luca never got to finish his sentence.
"Shut your mouth, you dirty pig." A voice filled with fury said. It was Ulric. His eyes were burning with anger after that comment about the lovetap. It was obvious that these three were all extremely protective of each other, and would not stand disrespect towards any of the three.
"You think I don't deserve your respect? Fine then. I'll show you what earns respect." He said, waving his hand. Yahil and Fleur looked at each other with a face of worry before closing their eyes, nodding slowly as they walked off the stage. Ulric took a deep breath, grasping his frock coat as he began to remove it. He stripped off his robe as well, revealing his extremely defined body. This left him in only his boots and black cotton pants, ready for war.
"You wanna fight?" Luca asked with a grin, already beginning to reciprocate the preparation.
"Now, this I've been waiting for." Luca said, revealing his body. Much like the 5'10 Ulric, Luca was also extremely muscular. However, he clearly weighed MUCH more than Luca. The 6'1 Luca was pure muscle, seemingly to only focus on strength.
"Quit talking. You keep your mouth open and I can't promise that you'll keep all your teeth." Ulric commented, beginning to tip onto his toes, hopping up and down as he put his guard up. Luca kept quiet except for his huff of annoyance, a grin of malice on his face as he put his guard up. Ulric seemed as if he was dancing compared to the flat footed Luca. Before the fight, Luca had a few select words to say.
"After I beat you, I'll beat Yahil. Then, I'll take Fleur for myself..."
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票