Chapter 20

  The next morning, someone knocked on the door.

  A servant said, “Esteemed guests, Sir Litoren is here. He expressed that he wishes to apologize again for what happened yesterday. He would like to see you.”

  Thinking about the previous day's events and the consequences they almost faced, he replied, “Tell him there's no need.”

  “But he's insisting….” The servant answered back. “He said..”

  Drakkel's heartbeat quickened as Litoren Bovis’s voice rang through from the other side. “I politely ask you to come out. I won't do you any harm.”

  Drakkel furrowed his eyebrows. He wouldn't do him any harm yet his tone was so aggressive.

  Litoren Bovis continued, “If you don't come out, I'm afraid that the door will be broken in an accident. I can be a clumsy person, you see…”

  Drakkel sighed.

  Looking to his side, he saw that Rillian Adore was already up and alert. He gestured to the door and signaled that he would be walking out, but Rillian Adore grabbed his wrist.

  Some Sword Fighters were good at sensing Sword Energy like Ri-en. However Ri-en was only a Sword Hero when he became a sword outcast.

  If one with his abilities was to achieve Sword Master like Litoren Bovis, it would be difficult to hide anything from him. When they performed as a troupe, they used a small amount of Sword Energy so he wouldn't really notice. Worse comes to worse, they could say they studied a bit on how to use sword energy and could only achieve Sword step with it. But for directing messages with sword energy? That took precision. Precision that Litoren Bovis might pick up on.

  So, grabbing onto Drakkel's wrist, Rillian Adore could only mouth, “be careful.”

  Drakkel nodded and put on his bamboo hat, then Rillian Adore put on his own hat before Drakkel headed for the door.

  When he opened it, Litoren Bovis was waiting there, his arms crossed and a somewhat friendly expression on his face.

  Litoren Bovis was a handsome man with long dark brown hair that settled at his middle back, slightly pale skin, and hazel eyes. He held a calm demeanor yet an aggressive energy. One could tell that if they crossed him, it would be like waking up a sleeping tiger. So although Drakkel could likely take him, for the good of others, he still made sure to be cautious.

  Litoren Bovis smiled. “Come. Let's walk to the courtyard.”

  Without any other words and even without checking if he agreed or not, Litoren Bovis turned around and started walking.

  Not wanting to find out what other tricks he had up his sleeves, Drakkel only silently walked behind him.

  But as they walked, a thought came to mind. This man was unpredictable. He could be taking Drakkel to a place where his clan members were lying in wait to ambush him.

  He thought this might be the case and yet, it didn't feel that way.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  As the manor was small, it didn't take long for them to reach the courtyard and despite Drakkel’s doubts, the place appeared to be empty.

  However, the man continued to walk until he found a secluded area and turned around to face him.

  With a serious expression, his mouth moved. But the words that came out were for Drakkel's ears alone, being imbued with Sword Energy. “You really should do a better job of hiding, Drakkel Fin.”

  Drakkel laughed. “Me, Drakkel Fin? The Demon King? No way!”

  Litoren Bovis laughed along with him. “Yes, I didn't believe it either, but then I remembered what was said about Shadowy Ridges, found out about the troupe from some locals, and connected the dots. Wasn’t it Rillian Adore who helped you dodge my attack too?”

  Drakkel's mouth twitched. This man was really too annoying!

  Litoren Bovis continued, “Don't worry, I won't reveal your location. I just wanted to confirm it.”

  Drakkel weighed what to do. Litoren Bovis said he had confirmed it, but had he? After all, he didn't call his clan to check or even demand they take off their veils so maybe he wasn't being honest.

  Then again, If he really wanted to, even if they were innocent, if he said the Demon King was amongst them, at best his clan would thoroughly interrogate them and at worst, they would be killed.

  Yet Litoren Bovis stood here calmly talking to Drakkel. Even odder, he stood comfortably and without his weapon as if he didn't think that Drakkel held any hostile intent towards him.

  “I know that what they say about you is a lie.”

  Drakkel froze.

  What did he say?

  “I know who my clan leader and his son are. Tifon was rightfully beaten by you. He threw his weight around the clan too. Those who didn't join him were under the threat of being bullied so I defended them. Now the clan is split into two factions, those who support Tifon and those who support me. In truth, if Tifon was a good person I would have allowed him to take the Clan Leader position without a fight. But he was unruly, causing trouble not only inside the clan, but outside.”

  He looked into Drakkel's eyes. “Because of this, I'm sure he deserved it. The time he was healing was one of the most peaceful times of the clan and seeing his father leave him out of the Sword Summit due to shame was a treat as well. In the past, he would join our team just because he was the clan leader’s son, stealing the spot from those more capable. Then I would have to carry us to a respectable rank with his dead weight. So, I really have to thank you. Now, I want to let you know that I won't be going after you. I have my own things to worry about. That's all I have to say.”

  From the way he spoke and carried himself, Drakkel could tell he wasn't lying.

  He cupped his hands. “Thank you.”

  Litoren Bovis was beside himself. “A bow from the Demon King?! I really don’t deserve it.”

  He smirked.

  Drakkel stifled a sigh but couldn’t stop his mouth from twitching. “Fine, fine. If that's all, I’ll be leaving.”

  Litoren Bovis nodded and Drakkel turned around and headed back to his room.

  When he arrived, Rillian Adore, who was seated in a lotus position on his bed, asked him what Litoren Bovis wanted.

  Drakkel sighed. “It seems that Litoren Bovis is more talented than I gave him credit for. He already figured out our identities.”

  Rillian Adore’s eyes narrowed. “Did he threaten to tell others?”

  Drakkel shook his head. “He said he wouldn’t reveal us. What he said about his situation made sense so I'm inclined to believe him.”

  He walked over to the bed and took a seat. “Still though, I believe it would be prudent of us to leave as soon as possible. We should tell my Senior Brother and the others.”

  After sharing the news of what happened when Drakkel met Litoren Bovis, Drakkel, Rillian Adore, Aurien Wavel and the other disciples prepared to leave.

  Once the Emperor’s official left with the Forging Rivers Clan members, their group departed as well.

  As they stood at the door to the manor, accompanied by Ri’en and Lady Secily,

  Ri’en said, “Too many things happened. I didn’t get to congratulate you on finding each other Drakkel and Aurien.”

  Aurien Wavel nodded, “We appreciate it and we appreciate all the help that you have given us. You are our clan’s benefactor.”

  “Me?” Ri’en asked. “If Drakkel and Rillian hadn’t saved us first we wouldn’t even be speaking of this. The most we can say is that debts have been repaid and even then I feel like I haven’t paid enough. You can always remember that if you need any help in the future, we will provide it. The doors of Shadowy Ridges will always be open to all of you.”

  Aurien Wavel smiled. “Thank you.”

  After cupping his hands, he said, “Then we shall take our leave now.”

  Ri’en nodded.

  Before they left, Drakkel realized that he forgot to say something.

  He turned to Lady Secily and smiled. “May you be healthy and give birth to a healthy baby, Lady Secily.”