13 Because I Have To Protect You

"Elwin, it's me."

"Nolan…!" Elwin gasped before he dashed to the door and opened it for his sudden visitors. "Thank goodness you came," he muttered in relief.

Nolan, followed by Atticus, stepped inside his tiny house. Elwin peeked his head outside and scanned the dark surroundings before he pulled back, closed the door, and locked it.

"Nolan! I have something to—"

Elwin paused in confusion behind his two visitors, watching as they looked at Nerys, who had suddenly knelt on one knee in front of them.

"Master..." Nerys suddenly spoke with his head facing the ground, "You are the one who called me forth. I am bound to your will, summoner. Speak your will, that I may serve you, as is my purpose."

Looking at the Chthon, Nolan felt Elwin crept next to him and whispered, "He told me someone had summoned him last night…it was you?"

While Nerys remained kneeling on the ground, Nolan swept his gaze at his butler from his side behind him.

Atticus, with his cold gray eyes, was coldly looking down at the Chthon kneeling in front of his Young Master.

"What's your name?" Nolan asked, returning his gaze down to Nerys.

"Please call me Nerys, Master."

"Get up, Nerys," Nolan commanded before he walked past him towards his friend's tiny kitchen.

Elwin's small house had no living room or a room for guests, it only consisted of a kitchenette and a bedroom.

Scared of being left behind along with Nerys and Atticus, Elwin quickly followed Nolan.

As per his Master's command, Nerys stood up to follow him when suddenly, upon standing up, his forest-green eyes met Atticus's calm yet cold gaze. It only lasted for a second, as Nerys quickly fell back to his knees, this time he kowtowed to the ground.

"My Lord…!" He cried in pure surprise and fear, "I…I didn't expect you to be here. Please, forgive my insolent action—"

"Get up,"

Atticus didn't open his mouth and spoke with Nerys through his mind. His echoing cold voice sent chills to the low-rank Chthon. The immense danger he had felt earlier was actually coming from Atticus.

As per his command, Nerys stood up, but his head remained bowed. He had a lot of questions in his mind, but he didn't dare to ask lest he would disrespect Atticus.

"I grant you the right to do whatever he wants you to do and follow his orders. However,"

Atticus's cold and oppressing voice made Nerys froze to his feet.

Atticus stepped forward, and walked past him, "I am the only one who has the right to call him 'Master'. You are not special to have that privilege. You're nothing but a mere minion to comply with his small whims."

"Yes, My Lord…" Nerys quickly replied, his voice full of reverence.

Atticus reached the kitchen with just a few steps and found Elwin sitting close to Nolan as he rambled about the event that happened during the day and how Nerys was in his house when arrived after visiting him.

Suddenly, Elwin flinched as he felt a cold chilling sensation behind him and quickly, he scooted his chair a little farther away from Nolan's. There was no need to check who or what it was, the striding of Atticus's shoes was like a warning to him.

Don't stay close to my Young Master, you're not worthy. Even without confirming it, Elwin knew something of the sort was running through the butler's head.

Atticus walked towards Nolan and stood beside him without saying anything. Nerys on the other hand stood next to Elwin, and before he could think of how he should address his summoner, who unexpectedly had an unclear relationship with Atticus, Nolan immediately spoke to him.

"I need you to look out for Elwin. Protect him at all cost."

Nerys and Elwin were caught off guard. They threw glances at each other before they looked at Nolan in confusion, especially Elwin.

"You… It's actually true that you are his summoner?" he asked in disbelief, "Why'd you not tell me you were actually summoning an underworld spirit, I could have also summoned my own Chthon!"

Nolan ignored Elwin and didn't bother to explain what he did and how he had turned into a cat.

He continued to Nerys, "An organization from the church called Sanction is now on the hunt for heretics. Only death suits as a punishment to those who have gone astray from the orthodox teachings of the church. Elwin and I are in a serious situation right now."

Elwin fell silent. He didn't expect Nolan to go to such an extent just to protect him. He wanted to throw himself towards his friend and give him a hug but he held himself. There was a possibility that Atticus might flung to the ground before he could even touch Nolan.

"Until I can think of a way to remove the threats on us, I need you to stay by his side and guard him."

Nolan was a year older than Elwin. Although it was not obvious to Elwin, Nolan actually treated him like a younger brother. Whatever treatment he received from his older brothers, he would pass on to Elwin.

Although he approached Elwin for personal and selfish reasons, he had grown a familial affection for his friend and he deemed it with a great sense of pride that he was responsible for his safety. Elwin had no family but him.

Nerys rested his right hand across his chest and bowed, "Yes, sir."

Satisfied to see his response, Nolan's purple eyes darted to Elwin, "We should avoid attending a gathering during the night. You can both leave the town if necessary."

Elwin's expression turned grave. He didn't realize the graveness of the matter, he was scared to his wits without any idea of the seriousness of their situation. Only then when Nolan stare at him in such seriousness that the situation was not only about getting punished by the church for their heretic practices, but it could be a full rebellion of different beliefs and faiths against the orthodox church. 

"Don't worry, sir, I will never hesitate to put my life on the line to protect Elwin, you can trust my words," Nerys said with conviction.

"Good, then we will be on our way," Nolan said and stood up from his seat.

"I-is that all?" Asked Elwin in surprise and glanced at Nerys then back to Nolan, "Was that only the reason you came here?"

It was not. He was supposed to bring him to the manor for his safety. It was only a coincidence that his summoning from last night actually succeeded, and was lucky that Nerys was already with him.

"Yes, I have to make sure you are safe. There's nothing to discuss for now." Nolan simply said and proceeded to exit the kitchen.

Elwin followed and walked him to the door, "Will you be alright?" he asked Nolan anxiously. He knew that his strange butler would protect him, but he couldn't help but worry.

Atticus and Nerys followed them in silence.

Seeing his anxious state, Nolan lifted his hand to ruffle Elwin's wavy, ginger hair. "I'll be alright, stop worrying."

Elwin hugged Nolan, and almost immediately, he felt Atticus's piercing gaze on his back. He immediately let go of his friend and bid him goodbye.

When the two visitors finally left, Elwin took a deep breath and sighed as he closed the door and locked it. He returned to the kitchen with Nerys following closely behind. Slumping into a chair, he sat down heavily, and Nerys did the same, settling into the seat beside him.

Elwin tilted his head and gave him a puzzled look, "Why are you sitting so close to me?"

"Because I have to protect you," Nerys replied as if it was stupid of Elwin to even ask why.