Chapter 30

The sun nearly touch the mountains, and with the remaining light slowly fading, Dallor’s grin grew wide, his chest throbbing with the mix of pride and excitement for what was to come.

The supposed time was at hand. With all the preparations he’d had done, he became confident things will go his way. He was certain the king will reward him for his service and deeds.

The man could not help imagining himself kneeling in front of the king, receiving praise, congratulations, along with getting a title for his job.

His daydreaming ended upon glimpsing at the shadow emerging from within the darkness. Before revealing a hooded individual.

“Have you found out anything yet?”

He asks, putting on a stern face before facing his subordinate.

Brenton Fox, a once proud and skilled knight from the capital, was now reduced to nothing but a meager spy, all because of some rumor told by a noble. And as punishment, they had disfigured his face in such a manner. He can no longer show it to anyone.

In order to return the king’s favor, the fool is left with no choice but to accept every job given to him.

And now that the man was under his employ, he was going to use him in every way possible.

“Apologies, sir. They don’t talk much, and on the rare occasion that they do, they mostly keep to themselves. All three of them only hover among the refugees.”

Brenton lowered his head in shame.

For the past days, lingering around the strange travelers, he’d not seen them ask for the so-called family they’d lost.

It made him think these people were from another kingdom who snuck in there. But their accent, familiarity of the nearby forest, and clothes say otherwise.

“No matter. There are other ways we can make this work.”

Dallor waves it off, scratching his eye patch to hide his grin.

He’d already planned ahead of time on what to do. It just so happened. The arrival of those individuals sat well with what he had in mind. So, even if they could not get them to act, he had something up his sleeves that will make things work.

“What will you tell the duke?”

Brenton furrowed, wondering what was the man planning.

For the past few months, he’d been under the adviser’s care. Not once did he understand the person’s way of thinking?

All this time, he thought the adviser was loyal to the duke, only to find out the fellow had been plotting to overthrow the man all along.

Of course, he had no qualms with this, considering these were the orders of the king, together with his own sake. But he can’t get around why the so-called geezer would betray his employer, seeing as the duke was a just man.

Then again, he had no say in such things, as he was nothing but a tool for the king. And people like him have no use for such thoughts, especially someone such as him who needs to prove his loyalty and worth to his liege.

Yet even if he continued saying it in his head, after hearing the adviser’s plan and the demise that would befall those villagers made him reconsider.

“That is for me to decide. For now, keep an eye on that group. I don’t want to lose sight of them. Make sure they stay within the mansion at all costs.”

Dallor gave the hooded knight a sharp stare, noticing the man’s sudden interest in his plans, making him wary.

Even if the person was nothing but a handy man now, they once considered him an elite. So, he thought it best to be careful around him.

“As you wish, sir.”

Brenton, being the obedient soldier, quickly gave a bow before retreating into the shadows once more.

But before the hooded warrior can disappear, Dallor signaled him to come closer. He then takes out a medium size jewelry box from his pocket.

“Take this with you.”

He gives the container to the fellow, who frowned upon receiving it.

It was a wooden box with sigils carved on the sides of it. Though it did not emanate any kind of energy, it had several paper seals attached to it, together with a silver chain wrap around it.

“What is it, sir?”

Brenton could not help but ask.

Even with his keen senses towards energy, he could not find any semblance of power inside the thing. So he wondered why it had so many magical attachments and lock.

“It will come in handy when the time comes.”

Dallor threw in a quick grin.

He’d almost forgotten about that special item given by the king. Though he heard it was a failure, there was still a use for it. And that was the perfect chance to test its capabilities.

“If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave now, sir.”

After sensing his employers disregard, he shrugs it off, reminding himself once more that he was only there to follow orders, nothing more.

So, even with that uncertainty, he gladly brings the box along, putting it in pocket on the side of his clothing, near his left chest, securing the container by attaching the chain to his inner shirt.

The man was quick to dismiss him. And with that, he keeps to the shadows and makes his way back to the refugee encampment.

If he was to regain his pride and honor, he needed to prove he was worth it. Also, he wished to fully erase the blasphemy and lies being thrown at him.

Thanks to the darkness of the night, his movements and actions remained hidden. He’d finish mingling with them, so now he opted into espionage, not having any luck with the previous options. He thought he’d at least listen in on what they were talking about, try to gather any information out of them.

From where he was, he only had a view of the group, but could not hear anything. He wanted to get closer, but the minute he tried to take another step, an immense weight took over him, making it harder to move.

It was the pressure being released by the two of them, which made him reconsider. Sensing the danger they pose, he backs away into the shadows.

He needed to rethink his strategy, especially after glimpsing their leader. The man did not seem to emit any kind of sensation, which only made him more wary, considering the skill and power he saw before.

He’d become so enthralled with his contemplating, he did not notice the energies closing in on them, until it was too late.

Loud explosions echoed through the front gates, along with the screams of bystanders and soldiers alike.

It took a few moments before the guards reacted, running straight for the source of the commotion.

Brenton wanted to see the culprits, but paused. It made him think if this was the so-called plan the adviser was talking about.

Before he can react, the box in his pocket throbbed, making him flinch from the sudden eery energy it released.

It began vibrating, emitting an ominous power he had never felt before. His knees wobbled from the fear grasping him.

What was he supposed to do with it now?

The item was glowing purple, releasing ripples of pure energy all over the place. Slowly affecting every person within his range.

The screams of pain, agony, and panic grew louder, as one by one the people around him fell.