CHAPTER 135: Difficult To Clean Up

Felix looked at him waiting for what he had to say next.

"You are aware Vermilion Bird's host wasn't of the same age as the others," the king continued.

Felix nodded his head.

"And that host died eight years ago," he replied.

"But why is he here?" the king asked.

"Because he was passed on to someone," he answered.

The king smiled, "Those young lads have seen so much more than what you have seen in the few years that you are fighting."

Helios had told him that Vermilion Bird appeared and so he was able to tell just how that came to be.

"Before coming here, do you know where they were?" he asked again.

Felix shook his head this time.

"They were exterminating demonic beasts at an island that they found to be a factory of some sort, not wanting all those demonic beasts to spread in the world."

The king sighed, "When they received our call of help, they finished what they can before rushing back here."

Felix lowered his eyes.

"You see son, they are not beiong nonchalant or were they not treating this seriously. Because they were, so serious that even in pain, they chose to fight."

The king patted his shoulder, "Watch them fight, if you still think that they are not being serious after watching them. Then I won't stop you for whatever it is you want to think."

*****

"Have you calmed down?" Willow asked Stormie after giving her water they bought in town.

Stormie nodded her head before sniffing.

"I'm sorry, I snapped out," she said.

Saphira smiled and bent over so that they are on the same eye level.

Stormie was sitting down while she was standing.

"I think if you didn't speak up, one of us would have. We have our mission but that doesn't mean we will just swallow their words against us."

She reached out and wiped the remnant of tears in Stormie's cheek.

"We didn't grow up to be like that."

She stood up and looked at all of them.

"So no matter what happens, never swallow the insult of the people, whoever they are. But you must also understand that you cannot go overboard..."

They nodded their heads, they couldn't have another war after all.

"Because it is difficult to clean up."

Her words made all of them look at her as if asking if she was joking.

"Why are you looking at me like that? I am serious here."

"So if we can do it discretely without having the Empire to clean up after us, we don't have to hold back?" Willow smiled as she spoke of this.

Saphira grinned at her, "You know what I am saying. They don't know us and so they have no right to look down on us."

Willow smiled knowingly as well.

"Don't you think the two of them are getting along quite fine when it comes to being dark?" Ridge whispered to Nixon.

Nixon could only nod his head to agree with him.

Willow and Saphira wouldn't usually talk, even on their travel towards this place.

But if they were to speak with one another, it would be about something dark.

"Ouch."

Saphira pouted when Hunter suddenly knocked at her head.

"You really speak of such words in such places?" he lightly berated her.

They were in public and some people have heard what she just said, now they were looking at them with uncertainty.

Saphira grinned and waved her hand towards them.

Stormie laughed and the rest smiled.

"Shall we look around now then?" Saphira clapped her hands and the seven of them checked the whole place.

At first they were invited to spend the night in the palace but they refused and chose an inn at the edge of the imperial city instead.

"I can only apologize about the actions of my son," he said towards Reginald.

He had given him a call to inform him that they have arrived at the same time to give a proper apology.

Reginald shook his head, "You don't have to worry, those children won't just swallow everything. Plus they are not the type to hold a grudge. If they talked back to your son, surely days from now, they are already fine."

The king was silent for a bit before opening his lips again.

"The young lady... with Vermilion Bird..."

"Oh, she had shown him? Well it is what you think it is, before dying, the young lady took Vermilion Bird from her sister. But I hope you won't spread it to the others. She will show them as she please but I don't want her to be the talk of every Empire and Kingdom."

Reginald spoke of it in a gentle manner but his tone was firm.

The king shook his head, "I have no plans of speaking with the rest about gossips and stuff. I am just amazed at how strong they are."

"Strong..."

Reginald repeated that word but didn't comment any longer.

Soon the call ended and he leaned back on his chair.

"They were simply made to be strong by the events that followed their lives. To the point of us parents pitying them for it..."

He sighed heavily and closed his eyes.

One thing lead to the other and they were given trial after trial.

Now they are supposed to fight against their mentors.

Their beloved without a chance of backing out.

Stormie's words were real.

All seven of them, even Saphira despite not having the mythological beast were made to train at such a tender age.

And what pained their parents more is the fact that not once did these children complain about not being able to play like normal children.

At such a young age, they were already given responsibilities that made them think it was only natural.

"If it were us, we would have wished for them to play around as well. And it pains us that the people of the world and most of all of our Empire sees them as weapons nurtured to fight."