Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Monster of the North (10)

Aurora, who was supporting Tanya from falling back, tried to find the source of the coldness and noise. She didn’t know what was going until she heard Tanya whisper.

The maid was sweating from the deep wound on her back. She was already starting to get a high fever due to her injury. The moment she heard the strange sound, she forcefully opened her eyes. “No…Your Grace…you mustn’t…somebody, stop him…”

As if hearing her plea, Raya grabbed Lucius’ arm. He endured the biting coldness that pierced his hand and tightened his hold. “Stop. Do you understand what you’re doing?”

The last time Lucius used this power, it almost killed him. And yet, even knowing this, why was he willing to go so far? No, Raya knew why. Although the Duke seemed indifferent, he was actually someone who hated seeing others get hurt, especially those he considered his own. If it wasn’t because of the curse, he would have long ago lost his life due to his recklessness. The curse was, in fact, what kept him in line.

While the Captain and Duke were talking, it was up to the other Knights to keep the mutated beast who went berserk at bay. But there wasn’t much they could do. They were no match for it.

Lucius snatched his arm back from Raya’s grip. He glanced at Aurora, who was looking his way. “Make sure she safely returns to the mansion.” He said to the Captain.

That woman was able to pass through the barrier with no trouble. As he thought, she was someone unique. That’s why, no matter the consequence, he needed to keep her safe.

“No.” Raya sternly replied. “I promised your Father to take care of you in his place.”

“My Father died.”

His Father died protecting his people, without once caring about his family. He hated that man for being such a person. Were the Knights...the Dukedom more important than his own flesh and blood? His wife? But after Lucius killed the person who gave birth to him with his own hands, he understood why. It was easier to care for others than the ones who can rip your heart out. That was why he distanced himself from the ones who were the most dangerous to him.

Lucius recalled his last conversation with his Mother.

“Lucius, don’t let the curse consume you. No matter what, don’t let it change your essence as a human being. Protect the people you treasure.”

Since then, he always did his best to follow her words.

“As the current ruler of the Rizar, this is my decision. Step back.”

Raya furrowed his brows and turned the corners of his mouth down to a frown. There was nothing more he could say to change his mind. He backed up and ordered the others to do the same. Knowing what was going to happen next, the other Knights made sure to keep their distance. They had to move at least a hundred feet away from him.

Lyle and Cain were shadow Knights that protected their Master, but they knew what would happen next. And it wasn’t something they could interfere with. Although they endured the bitter cold to stay next to Lucius, anymore and it would only distract him from what he wanted to do. They refused to be the ones to cause their Master harm. So, the two helped Tanya and Aurora move back, while the others carried the injured. The Captain threw Sia over his shoulder and also walked further away from the Duke.

The black sword Lucius held in his hand slowly turned white. A layer of ice covered the trees, the ground, and everything else around him in a 30 meter radius. Even though everyone was a fair distance away from him, they could still feel the coldness seep through their bones.

But the beast who had lost all reason was still running wild. It ignored the coldness and even the layer of ice forming over its body to attack the person closest to him.

Lucius narrowed his eyes. Holding on to the long sword, he took his time to walk towards the beast.

Feeling someone’s approach, the beast paused. It opened its mouth and snarled, as though it was smiling in disdain.

Although the Duke's movement was slow and steady, his speed was remarkably fast as he reached the beast in only two strides.

Lucius swiped his sword forward. A bright light flashed, and the beast was cut into two equal halves along its spine. Without putting up a fight, it was killed. Despite such a gory scene, there was not a single drop of blood. The place that he cut was covered in thick ice, that sealed the beast’s intestines and blood from spilling out.

Although the beast's destruction was fierce, its death was quick and anticlimatic.

The sword returned to its original dark color, and even though Lucius just used it to cut a large beast into two, it was just as clean as when he first pulled it from the scabbard. Red veins covered the white part of the Duke's eyes, giving him a sinister appearance. Even though he was already considered merciless to most, this time was different. His eyes and expression were completely emotionless, making him seem extremely terrifying.

Aurora couldn't help but shiver. She wanted to call out to Lucius, but Tanya stopped her.

“D-don’t…” The fear and unease conveyed by her were genuine. She was horrified from the bottom of her heart.

"No one move." Raya lowered his voice as he spoke to everyone. “Don’t make a sound, don’t even breathe.”

Everyone held their breath.

Just at this moment, he turned his head slightly towards their direction. His eyes were like dark pools of ink, making him appear intimidating.

Some of the Knights put their hand on their sword, prepared to strike if needed.

“Stop!” Raya whispered. “Don’t show any hostility towards him! It’ll only further irritate him!”

The Knights immediately let go of their swords, but they didn't dare let their guard down.

Lucius then tilted his head to the right as though he heard someone calling him. Ignoring the others, he turned around and left.

When everyone was sure that he was no longer in the area, they sighed in relief. Some even wiped the sweat from their forehead.

The Captain quickly ordered the Knights to set up the tents and care for those who were hurt. Including the Knights, there was also a Priest, a Rune Mage, a Doctor, and a handful of servants. The Rune Mage set up a small barrier around them, while the Priest helped the Doctor in caring for the patients.

All Priests were able to use healing runes. But the healing rune only healed superficial wounds, and it wasn’t necessarily a life-saving item.

Aurora hurriedly called for someone to help Tanya get treated.

Two hours late, things were finally starting to settle down. The servants prepared a large tent for her, and two Knights were assigned to guard her outside at all times.

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Thankfully, she was able to get proper care for her wounds and was no longer in pain. She had long washed up and changed her clothes. Thanks to their attentive service, the messy and torn attire from earlier was nowhere to be seen.

“Miss Aurora, do you mind if I come in?” A voice called from outside.

She stood up from the bed. “Yes…of course…”

The Captain, Raya, along with four other people entered her tent. Seeing who was standing in the back, Aurora quickly ran to her side and grabbed her hand.

She ignored the shocked and curious gazes from the others. To them, it was strange for a Lady to be worried over a servant more than attending to the guests who have come to visit her.

“Tanya! Are you…okay?”

Tanya smiled, happy that the Miss was worried about her. “I’m fine. Please don’t worry.” She squeezed Aurora’s hand to show that her injury wasn’t that bad.

“Unfair! Aren’t you going to ask if I’m okay too?” Sia pointed at himself with a pout. “I want to be asked if I’m okay by you too,” he said with a wink.

“How audacious!! Don’t you know she’s an important guest of the Duke’s?! Watch your mouth!” Tanya glared daggers at him. She’s hated that insolent tone of his since the first time she met him. He only enjoyed flirting with beautiful women. She never understood why Master trust him enough to send him on important missions.

Sia was amused. He enjoyed teasing Tanya and making her annoyed. “Ehh, but I didn’t say anything rude…”

“Everything about you is rude!”

Sia chuckled but didn’t say anything more.

Although Tanya had fooled everyone, Aurora was able to see the brief dejection on her face.

“Miss Aurora, let me introduce you to someone,” Raya called, getting her attention. He didn’t bother to chastise Sia on his behavior. With him, the only thing that worked was physical punishment. He’ll leave that for later. “This is High Priest Abel Parteda and Rune Mage Dorsen Marcade. They were very close friends of the previous Duke. It’s thanks to them that we were able to find you so fast.”

Raya no longer underestimated this woman, but he still didn’t have a good impression about her. After all, Lucius wouldn’t be in this dangerous situation if she had just stayed put. Still, he didn’t reveal his misgiving and politely addressed her.

Aurora graciously curtsied to show her appreciation and greeted the two men. “Hello…nice to…meet you.”

After she finished, Raya pointed to Sia. “Siathrich will escort you, Tanya, and the High Priest back to the mansion. You will be safe there.”

Aurora scrunched her eyebrows. “No…I will…stay here.”

A severe expression formed on his face. “I can’t allow that. His Grace ordered me to send you back.”

Filled with determination, she didn’t break eye contact with him. She caused this, so she wouldn’t leave by herself. Aurora wanted to find a way to bring the Duke back.

Raya grimaced at her stubbornness that was exactly like the young Duke. He knew the look in her eyes very well. Once he made a decision, nothing would shake his resolve. “Fine, but you have to follow all my orders. Don’t wander around too much and always make sure that Siathrich is by your side.”

The corners or Aurora’s mouth lifted in a slight smile. “I understand.” She thought he would disagree with her, so she was caught unprepared when he said yes. Although she knew he had some sort of motive for giving in so quickly, she didn't care.

And as Aurora thought, there was a reason. He didn't want to lose any more manpower. With some of the Knights injured, he wasn't confident if he could subdue Lucius if he returned to attack them.

“Vice Captain Siathrich Niall, I expect you to protect her well until Master’s return.” Raya glared at him in a firm manner.

Sia straightened his back and put his fist over his heart. “Yes! I don’t mind sticking by a pretty lady’s side until the Duke’s return!”

When Raya’s eyebrows twitched, Aurora and everyone else couldn’t help but laugh.

But Aurora’s smile quickly vanished as she thought back to those bone-chilling eyes that stared right through her. It was as though he was another person altogether. Even the mana coming from him felt completely different from what she sensed from him before.

How could that be? How was it possible?

Aurora never heard of someone carrying two types of mana that conflicted against each other. She was puzzled. Such a thing should be inconceivable. Based on her experience and intuition, she felt his condition was abnormal.

Aurora took a few deep breaths as she tried to calm herself. “Can you tell me…what happened? Why…was he……the Duke…like that?”

“That’s…” Captain Raya hesitated. He knew that Aurora was a Witch. Besides him, Abel and Rune Mage Dorsen, everyone else thought she was only a guest. While Halon, Lyle, and Cain were aware that she was summoned as a Familiar, they weren’t given any more information about her. He wondered how she’d react when she learned about the Duke’s past.

Abel and Dorsen glanced at each other. They were really curious about this woman who ended up being tied to Lucius. And for her to be a Witch…they still didn’t know if this was the Heavens playing a joke to torment the Rizar family. Or maybe…it was just a coincidence that would bring upon a great change.

Unexpectedly, it was Abel who stepped forward. “I will tell you.”

Raya wasn't really happy about this. Although he was curious about how she'll react, he didn't think this was something they had the right to tell.

The Priest shook his head at Raya. “She’ll eventually hear the rumors. Instead of following misleading rumors, it’s better to clear things up now.” He turned back to Aurora and directed her to have a seat. “It will be a long story.”

The others stepped outside, while the Captain, Abel, and Dorsen stayed behind.

“This story starts eight hundred years ago. When a normal human saved a Witch's life, prompting her to make a decision that they both later regretted. And that was the beginning of the Rizar’s curse…”

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