Chapter 26: 26:Time To Have Fun

Inside the lavish hall of the City Lord's manor, a group of well-dressed men sat around a large table, drinking fine wine and laughing loudly. They chatted about meaningless things—gossip about noble scandals, a recent bet on a gladiator match, and rumors of a merchant getting robbed by bandits.

"Hah! That bastard thought he could walk around without paying protection fees? Serves him right!" one man laughed.

"Speaking of money, did you see that new girl in the auction house? Damn, she was a beauty," another sneered, licking his lips.

City Lord Lorena, a tall, overweight man, leaned back in his chair, his thick fingers lazily swirling his wine glass. His chubby cheeks jiggled slightly as he laughed at a crude joke when...

Bang!

The door swung open, and a guard rushed in, his face pale.

Lorena's mood soured instantly. His thick brows furrowed, making the fat on his face shift. "What the hell do you want? Can't you see we're enjoying ourselves?"

The guard hesitated but then saluted and spoke quickly. "Sir! A knight from the Grand Duke's estate is here!"

Lorena's whole body jolted like he'd been struck by lightning. He slammed his wine glass on the table, spilling red liquid onto his expensive robe.

"What?! A knight? From the Grand Duke's estate?! What the hell do they want?"

The guard shook his head. "I don't know, sir. He just arrived and demanded to see you immediately."

Lorena pushed the guard aside and hurried out. He wasn't a fool as his rank might be high in the city, but if someone from the Grand Duke's household came, that meant orders from above. And if that was the case...

His throat went dry.

"I swear if this is a problem..."

As he stepped outside, his eyes fell on a broad-shouldered knight standing in the courtyard. The man's armor gleamed under the sun, and his piercing gaze made Lorena shudder.

The knight stepped forward, his voice deep and commanding. "I am the Vice Captain of the Fifth Troop of the Blue Lion Guard. I am here on orders from the Young Master of Veydrin. You are to accompany me to the slums."

Lorena's face twisted in confusion. "Young Master? Which Young Master?"

The knight's eyes narrowed. "You don't know? I am talking about Lord Kael."

Lorena blinked. His lips curled in disdain. "Kael? That trash?"

SWISH!

Before he could react, a sword pressed against his throat.

"Say that again."

Lorena's breath hitched as he saw the knight named Baret holding his blade inches from his neck.

The guards around them tensed, gripping their weapons, but Lorena quickly raised a hand, forcing himself to calm down.

"A-A slip of the tongue. I apologize," he muttered, clicking his tongue in annoyance. He had made a mistake.

A very, very big mistake.

It didn't matter if Kael was a failure, a weakling, or completely useless. A noble was a noble, and a minor City Lord like him had no right to insult one but that doesn't mean he feared him.

Moreover, this person was just an E rank.

Lorena forced a smile. "Knight Baret, what exactly is the issue here?"

"You'll find out soon enough," Baret said coldly, sheathing his sword. Then, he leaned in slightly and added in a low voice, "But remember this, City Lord. My Lord is not the man the rumors claim. If you slip up with your words again, you may find your tongue flying from your mouth. He is not as merciful as I am."

Lorena scoffed inwardly. What nonsense. The boy isn't even awakened. What could he possibly do?

But still, he swallowed his pride and followed Baret.

.....

Inside the rundown orphanage, the air became thick with the tension.

Chris and Meira sat stiffly as if sitting on a bed of nails, unable to move. Their skin crawled with an unnatural chill as they watched the man across from them.

Kael's lips stretched into an eerie, almost inhuman grin, exposing too many teeth. His crimson eyes gleamed with an unnatural light.

"Temple..." he whispered, his voice both soft and sharp. "Which Temple is it?"

Meira swallowed hard, her throat dry. "It's...We don't know about that."

"During one of my visits to ask for more funds from the City Lord, I spotted him donating gold to a deacon."

"As for which church it is, I don't know."

Kael's grin froze.

Then, suddenly..

"Ugh... I am sure it's one of that bitch," Kael spat out.

"WHAT?!"

"WHAT?!"

Meira and Chris both gasped in disbelief.

Chris stared with a pale face..

He's insane...

Meira tried to speak but couldn't find the words. Did he just... call the Goddess a...?!

Kael ignored their reactions, rubbing his temples. His fingers twitched slightly.

"Finally..Heheheh..." he muttered under his breath. "I finally got a chance to trample those bastards..."

He suddenly stood up and stormed outside, his boots thudding against the wooden floor.

Chris and Meira sat frozen for a few moments before they exchanged looks.

Meira gulped and muttered inwardly..

"Madman... He's a madman..."

Outside, Kael heard murmurs among the children as he walked to and fro crossing his arms.

"Calm down Kael...Calm down...Don't get over-excited and ruin things."

"Walk slowly and steadily. Your time will surely come.."

While walking he saw shadows gathering beyond the broken fence.

Moments later, Gare arrived, giving a sharp salute. "Sir, I have called the orphanage directors. They are waiting outside."

Kael nodded, then walked forward with an odd bounce in his step excited, almost gleeful.

As he stepped out, he saw a gathering of orphanage directors. Some looked kind, tired, and burdened by years of hardship.

But a few...

Kael's eyes narrowed. A few of them were too well-dressed, their clothes finely tailored and their rings gleaming with gems.

He stepped forward and asked, "I heard the orphanages aren't receiving money. So, tell me—" his lips curled, his voice taking a dangerous edge, "why do some of you live in luxury?"

Before anyone could respond, a loud hmph cut through the air.

"What does this have to do with you?"

Kael turned his head and saw a fat man, belly jiggling with every step, strutting toward him, a smug grin plastered on his greasy face.

Kael's eerie smile widened even more.

This was going to be fun.