Chapter 37

  Rillian Adore went into the carriage, followed closely behind by Drakkel. When the two took their seats across from Firo Fieren, he knocked on the carriage wall. With his signal, the carriage wheels rustled and the carriage began to move.

  On the first day, they didn’t speak at all and the carriage ride was quiet. But on the second day, after a few hours, Firo Fieren cleared his throat.

  Seeing that he was getting weary of the silence and that Rillian Adore didn't intend to speak, Drakkel asked, “So what brings you out of Joyous Encounters, Firo Fieren?”

  Firo Fieren’s eyes lit up as he smiled. He didn’t even seem to care about the fact that Drakkel donned a bamboo hat, hiding his identity.

  He happily answered, “I’m making deliveries. My next stop is the High Mountain Glaive Sword's clan. They requested some weapons. I’ve kept them under the seats, but I’m afraid I can't show them to you.”

  Drakkel nodded. “I understand, I heard that Swordsmith Villa has a policy on not showing off any newly made weapons before they’ve reached their owner. Besides that, I think it's amazing that you're going to deliver them yourself. Don't you have disciples that can do the work for you?”

  Firo Fieren shook his head. “I prefer it like this. My older brother assists my father in running the Swords Clan so it's only right that I make myself useful in other ways.”

  Drakkel nodded. “How noble of you! It looks like your father doesn't need to worry. Having two sons with such great abilities is a blessing. With both of you around, he won't need to worry about the future of your Swords Clan!”

  Firo Fieren bowed his head, “It's an honor to hear such a compliment from the Golden Blade’s chosen companion. I’m glad that we’re riding to Auspicious Sign together. One might say our meeting is an Auspicious one as well.”

  Drakkel smiled.

  Firo Fieren added, “By the way, are you the very companion that assisted Rillian Adore in Shadowy Ridges and Lunala Isle?”

  Drakkel was prepared for this as he had heard this question before. He was about to answer when Rillian Adore spoke first.

  “No. That man and I have already gone our separate ways. This one is a servant I want to bring with me to my Swords Clan. His foundations are good, so I thought I might try to teach him some moves. Though he may be too old to make much progress.”

  Firo Fieren’s eyes darted to Rillian Adore. After a moment, he smiled. “Interesting! I haven't seen you this close to a person since…”

  Rillian Adore's eyes narrowed.

  “Forget it.” Firo Fieren said. “I think it's good that you've taken a liking to someone. These past 7 years, I heard you’ve been in low spirits. Always keeping those around you at arm’s length. It’s like you didn't want to be approached...

  We used to hang out too, but you stopped coming to see me.”

  His expression fell. “You weren’t that friendly to people before, but at least you were affable. However, after that day, you were quite cold to those who weren’t your fellow disciples…”

  He sighed, then gave a small smile. “At the very least, you seem better now.”

  Drakkel was surprised. He hadn’t heard of this before.

  The Golden Blade was always known for being cold and intimidating. Was there really a time when he didn't fit this personality?

  Besides that, the way Firo Fieren spoke, he must have missed spending time with Rillian Adore. But Rillian Adore didn't seem to want to be associated with him.

  Rillian Adore shifted his head to the side, not saying another word. Meanwhile Firo Fieren’s gaze shifted back to Drakkel.

  “And I suppose we have you to thank for it.”

  Firo Fieren leaned forward and attempted to pat Drakkel's shoulder, but Drakkel instinctively jerked out of his range, feeling odd about the sudden contact.

  Firo Fieren, however, wasn't upset by this and instead smiled.

  Drakkel felt a bit bad about what he did, but he didn’t want to address it with Firo Fieren. To distract from this, he changed the subject.

  “By the way, you seem to know Rillian Adore fairly well. What is your relationship?”

  Firo Fieren's smile faded a bit. “My father and his Clan Leader were friends so we used to hang out a lot. It's just that we don't see each other anymore, though it would be nice if…”

  Suddenly, the carriage halted to a stop. The three in the carriage, being skilled in sword fighting, avoided being thrown around by the jolt.

  Once everything calmed down and the carriage was still, Firo Fieren said, “You two stay here, I’ll see what's going on. It's probably just a damaged wheel.”

  “Shouldn’t you bring your weapon with you?” Rillian Adore asked.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  Firo Fieren shook his head, “I’m sure it's just a minor thing. Don't worry.”

  Once Firo Fieren left, Rillian Adore said, “Be prepared. Something isn’t right.”

  Drakkel felt it too, the air felt heavy.

  When Firo Fieren didn't come back after a few minutes, Rillian Adore stood up.

  “Stay here. I’ll check what’s going on.”

  However Drakkel wasn't going to listen to him. Whatever was happening, Rillian Adore would most likely need some backup.

  When the two stepped out of the carriage, Drakkel knew he was right.

  A group of seven demons were gathered together and in one of their hands, was Firo Fieren.

  His eyes were closed and he was slung over its shoulder, unmoving.

  When Drakkel glanced to the side, he noticed that the horses were gone and the coachman was dead, his body laying limply at the front of the carriage.

  “Drop him.” Rillian Adore said, gazing at Firo Fieren.

  When the demon that looked to be the largest of them spoke, Drakkel feared they weren't dealing with an ordinary threat.

  He huffed a laugh. “You small and weak thing. Who are you to make demands of me?”

  His voice was menacing, deep and dark. Unlike the other demons they had faced before, he seemed stronger and more calculating.

  His appearance was a bit more human-like. Instead of the ashy gray of a normal demon’s skin tone, his was more pale. He even had long dark brown curly hair that was packed in a ponytail on his head. But what gave away his appearance was the redness of his eyes, his black claw-like fingernails, and the unique symbol on his forehead.

  Rillian Adore unsheathed his sword. “If you don't drop him, I’ll have to force you.”

  The demon smiled. “Let’s see if you can.”

  Rillian Adore dashed towards the demon, utilizing his sword step. At the same time, the demon carrying Firo Fieren left the area.

  Drakkel tried to give chase but was blocked off by the other demons.

  The demons attempted to attack him, slicing at his body. Meanwhile, the demon fighting Rillian Adore shot waves of demonic energy at him, which he either blocked with his own energy or his sword.

  Over the hundreds of years that humans fought with the demons, they had learned a few things about them.

  Demons were ranked according to strength. The weakest demons had hardly any sword energy but possessed very durable bodies. No ordinary person could realistically do any damage to them so Sword Fighters were called in whenever they showed up.

  Their appearance was like what Drakkel had seen in Shadowy Ridges. Gray skin, dark eyes, black claw-like fingernails, and a black symbol on their foreheads.

  The demons ranked above them were more human-like, but their features could still not be quite as hidden. Their look was like the man they were facing now, human in appearance but with defining features such as visible symbols, claw-like nails, and unique eye and hair colors.

  The strongest of demons appeared fully human. One would only be able to point them out by their demonic energy and their symbols; which were not always black and did not lie on their foreheads; these highest ranking demons were nearly mythical.

  In the long ago past, sightings were recorded, but since no one alive today had ever seen them, even though demon attacks still occurred occasionally, many began to believe that the existence of those stronger demons was a legend.

  Drakkel continued to dodge every attack that came at him. Eventually, he had taken down three of the five demons attacking him.

  Despite his best efforts however, without a weapon, he couldn't slay the demons. So, in time he grew tired and when he fought the last two demons, he was already reaching his limit.

  In a decisive strike, he decided to expend more of his sword energy, using his sword step technique to swiftly knock the last two demons out. When he was done, he turned around and saw that Rillian Adore was still struggling with the demon that attacked him. He jumped into the fight and the demon and Rillian Adore halted their battle.

  “Don’t come over!” Rillian Adore shouted.

  The demon smiled at them. “Actually, do come over. We're about to be done here anyway.”

  Like a puff of smoke, his figure disappeared from in front of them. He appeared at the location where the other five demons were.

  Gazing down at them repugnantly, he said with a sneer, “Useless things.”

  He took two fingers and sliced towards the unconscious demons, killing them.

  This warranted the surprise of Rillian Adore and Drakkel.

  The demon scoffed and looked at them. “A nice match. But next time, leave the interrupter behind and fight me one on one.”

  He laughed and hopped into the distance, heading in the same direction as the demon that kidnapped Firo Fieren.

  Rillian Adore began to give chase, while Drakkel surveyed the area.

  After a few minutes, Rillian Adore returned and shook his head.

  “You couldn't catch up?” Drakkel asked.

  “No,” Rillian Adore answered. “I lost him at the river nearby.”

  Drakkel sighed. “Then I guess we have no choice. We have to report this to the High Mountain Glaive Swords Clan.”

  Rillian Adore nodded. “If we’re going to do that, we should bring whatever Firo Fieren was holding to them as well. I’m sure SwordSmith Villa already told them that he was coming. If we’re the ones who show up instead, then they should believe us.”

  “Good idea.” Drakkel replied. “Let’s move the carriage and bury the carriage handler first.”

  Rillian Adore nodded.

  Once Rillian Adore and Drakkel moved the carriage to the side and buried the carriage handler’s body, they went back into the carriage to locate the items that were to be delivered.

  It didn't take long for them to pull out a wooden box from under the seat.

  Also next to the box was a beautifully designed spear with a dark brown wooden base covered in aqua blue embellishments and unique crafts.

  The tip of the spear was clear and cold, seeming to be made carefully and with full consideration to detail. The quality was definitely top tier, but not unexpected. After all, it was owned by the second son of the leader of the Sword Smith Villa Swords Clan. Nothing less could have been wielded.

  Rillian Adore carried the wooden box while Drakkel carried the spear and they quickly made their way to Auspicious Sign. Because they were in a hurry, it took them just under two hours to reach their destination.