Chapter 34. Incident.

Three months later, Eros finally finished with the King's library and even found a small clue related to the book of Astaroth, over which he puzzled for almost a year and found it in a history book. It described the story of a great magician who fought on equal terms with dragons, destroyed demons only with a wave of his hand and many, many other nonsense.

When Eros finished reading to that moment, he wanted to abandon her, but one thing hooked him. It was a painting depicting a smiling man, with long black hair up to his shoulders, bright scarlet eyes, and a pleasant appearance. He was wearing a white shirt and dark trousers, and there were several rings on his hands, but this did not surprise Eros, but the book that hung in the air, to his right at head level. It was very similar to the one he had, but the color was duller and there were pages.

Then Eros began to read every word until one "Grimoire" flashed. And the next week after that, she passed almost without sleep, in a week he slept only ten hours and still found almost nothing, only in one dictionary, the designation of this word was very old:

"Grimoire is an accessible textbook of magical art and contains many spells, prayers, recipes and recommendations for the magician."

The description was very sparse, but clear. Still, Eros doubted that the author of the book gave the correct description when he looked at his "book" without sheets. But still, he finally had a clue and this could not but rejoice.

***

After spending a little more than three months in the capital, they were finally going to leave it and move on. Nevertheless, the king was upset when he found out about this and even offered to stay, but they refused. He was not going to detain them, he only helped with provisions and other things necessary for the trip, and the next day they left the capital, and headed towards the city of Margaret, which is two weeks from the capital Fiore.

***

*One week later. Capital Fiore.*

An ornate carriage arrived at the entrance from which a beautiful young woman emerged. She had brown eyes and long, bun-style blonde hair. And also a very attractive figure.

- Mrs. Leila, may I see you off? - a group of ten knights approached her.

- I will be very grateful.

***

A cold wind was blowing outside, and dark clouds were approaching from the west ...

- It will rain soon.

- Yes, we need to find somewhere to hide, I don't want to get wet, - added the gloomy Roni.

Eros, on the other hand, peered at the map and nodded to something.

- We go in that direction, there should be a small village, and we will turn over there for now.

Half an hour later, when they were about to approach the village, Eros frowned at the smell of burning.

Others noticed it as well.

- We are accelerating! - the titan sharply went forward, disappearing from the sight of the team.

He very quickly climbed through the forest until he came out into the open area and froze. A very unpleasant picture appeared before him. All houses were burned to the ground, and the corpses of people lay on the ground.

When the others arrived, they froze.

- Don't stand still, look for survivors! - shouted Eros, those with serious faces nodded and divided.

The village was small and it didn't take them even half an hour to search everything.

- No one, everyone is dead, - said Rick's dry voice.

- Roni?

- In the west, the same thing, nobody, - he behaved more restrained, - But I noticed one strange thing ...

- Also?

Roni nodded and looked pityingly at Rick and Lily.

- I have not found a single child ...

Rick clenched his fist even tighter, while Lily looked at him with sadness.

- Lily! - A loud cry of Eros sounded, he ran to the surprised team, carrying in his arms a girl of about six years old, with long straight dark hair. She was wearing a white T-shirt and a dark skirt - She's still alive!

Lily quickly examined the girl for any injuries, as well as scanned the body with the help of magic, and after a minute she nodded with a slight smile.

- She's fine, she just passed out, - the girl said with relief.

- Okay… - Eros said with a heavy sigh.

- What are we going to do with all this?

- We must report this, but for now, at least bury, - said the titan sadly and looked at Rick, from whom a strong murderous intent emanated, - We cannot catch up with those who did this, so we don't have to do stupid things.

- But ...

- Rick, first let's finish everything here, and then we'll start searching, - he nodded in response.

Eros, ten meters from the village, created a large square pit fifteen meters deep and ten meters wide. And all of them together began to drag the bodies ... At that time the girl also woke up.

- Brother! - exclaimed the girl, and tears flowed from her eyes, Eros, who was closest to everyone, approached her.

- Hey, stop crying, - he said in a soft voice, stroking her.

- W-who are you? - Frightened when she saw the stranger, she began to move back.

- We are magicians, - Eros said with a slight smile, - We passed by and saw what happened here ... But apparently they came late.

- You have not seen my brother, his name is Simon, he is slightly taller than me with black hair ... - her eyes filled with hope when she looked at Eros.

- I'm sorry, but I just found you, and there were no other children here.

Hearing his words, she froze for a moment. Her body began to sway and fall back, but Eros managed to catch her. He looked at her with sadness, wiping away his tears ... The Titan really wanted to help her, but he simply could not ... Now he could not.

***

An hour later, they finished and after filling up the "mass grave", Eros made a tombstone out of stone with the help of magic and put it on it.

- That's all, - the titan whispered, clasping his hands together and closing his eyes, the others repeating after him.

At that moment, they heard soft steps and sharply turned around, the group panicked when they saw that girl. Eros did not pay attention to her. She went up to him and after reading the inscription on the stone tombstone, tears came from her eyes again.

- My name is Kagura, - she whispered softly, sniffing.

- And I am Eros, those two young people Rick and Lily, and that uncle Roni, - said Eros without opening his eyes.

- Eros, are you a magician? - he nodded, - Strong? - again nod, - Then, please, make me strong, I want to find my brother and take revenge, - the girl whispered again, clenching her fists, and her gaze became firm. After all, brother, this is the only remaining close person, Kagura loved him too much and was ready for anything to save him.

- Here it is ... - Eros said thoughtfully, opening his eyes and looking at her, - Good, but not just like that.

- I'll do anything.

- And this is another matter, - laughing, surprising everyone in this clearing, - I will take you as a student, but in return, you will refuse revenge and join my guild, - the next moment, his voice filled with steel, - And leave revenge To me, I will never forgive those who just kill innocent people, - at that moment, he heard a cough and, looking at the gloomy faces of his friends, corrected himself, - That is to us.

They left the village only two hours later. Kagura wanted to say goodbye to everyone and see if any of her belongings survived.

***

A week later, they reached the city and separated almost immediately. Lily and Rick went to the nearest hotel, while Eros, Roni and Kagura went to the branch of the Magic Council to report it.

They quickly reached their destination. The branch of the Magic Council was a large two-storey building made in medieval style with a white cross painted on the wall. To the right of the building was a large area where the Rune Knights were training.

Entering the building, they were immediately approached by an obese two-meter man in the form of a Rune Knight. He was very tense when he looked at Eros.

- Can I help you? He said with respect in his voice.

- Yes, we would like to meet with Senior Lieutenant Thomas.

Before coming here, Eros learned in advance everything about the local commander, and even asked around from ordinary townspeople. All described him as a strict but fair person who respects the law.

- I'm sorry, but the commander is busy at the moment, - the man said with regret, - But I can give him your message.

- If so, tell him that a village forty kilometers from here was burned, the inhabitants were killed, and the children were kidnapped.

After what he heard, the smile on the face of the knight froze, and his eyes widened. Looking at Eros' serious face, the knight frowned.

- I will immediately convey your words, please wait here! - he quickly ran to the second floor.

A minute later he went downstairs, pale and out of breath.

- Please, follow me, the commander is waiting for you!