A Ryu That Isn't A Ryu

"Am not sure what you are talking about." Evelyn spoke, trying to act ignorant as she walked outside the room.

"Sure, feel free to runaway from reality, but you know 'reality' is something that haunts you until you either die, or accept it."

From what Noir could understand it seemed like she didn't use the ability for unethical purposes and most likely only replaced other's injuries with her own well-being, though it was just an estimation by Noir.

…

Noir's injuries were still being healed by the threads, "Once I've recovered to some lengths, I'll go outside and see the situation."

Noisy talks of the villagers could be heard, likely a commotion caused due to the news Noir's had delivered, it was expected but what wasn't expected was-

"A Ryu Invasion." Evelyn's mother entered the room.

"What are you implying?" Noir questioned as he got up from his bed, his movements were slow and subtle, pointing towards the fact that he hadn't recovered yet.

"Four Ryus tried breaking in through the village walls." she continued after a pause, "They looked like they didn't have a will of their own, or at least that's what I understood after matching your divination with the current situation." 

"That's wise of you." he sat back on the bed.

She noticed his quick recovery, "Evelyn healed you?" unsure of whether Evelyn got better at healing or something was special with him.

"Uh, yes she sure did, however part of it is also due to my body's ability to heal itself a bit quicker than the normal human." 

Deciding not to question him any further, she answered shortly, "I see." 

"So were you able to subdue the four Ryus?" Noir questioned as he took a fruit from the tray.

"After getting some of our best hunters injured, yes."

"Am assuming you and the elders have decided to fully trust my words?"

"Yes, we'll be taking defensive steps inorder to stop the Ryus, as that's all we can do at the moment."

After taking a bite of the blue apple-like fruit, Noir spoke, "That won't save you from the massacre that's about to occur." he gave a faint smirk and continued, "Surely, you didn't think that the current attack was even an 'invasion', did you?"

By this far, she had kind of guessed what Noir was implying, "You think it wasn't even an 'attempt' but rather a test?"

Noir replied after gulping the bite, "Yes, a test to try and see the manpower of this village, taking into account that some of your 'best' hunters were injured in the process of subduing a mere 4 Ryus, I can only pray as to what will happen when hundreds of Ryus appear."

Sarah was at a loss for words, if 100 mad Ryus were to appear, they 'could' indeed handle it due to the divination Noir provided, but even that won't be without suffering 'major' loss. 

Hiring mercenaries from the kingdom of Amperium as well as providing them with food etc, the cost of it was too huge and even that won't offer them 'guranteed victory'. 

Breaking through the heavy silence, Noir spoke, "We still have time."

"How much?" she spoke, her voice filled with nervousness.

After a moment of pause, Noir spoke, "Assuming that they are controlling the Ryus by feeding them something engraved with their spells, it would be 2 weeks or perhaps more." 

"Any other possibilites? What if its something else, perhaps using some sort of gas?"

Picking another fruit from the table, he spoke, "2 days or perhaps even less" he added, "But am pretty sure that isn't the case. Let's not speak negatively, shall we?"

The wisdom or perhaps the experience that Noir held, Sarah could clearly sense it, the way he spoke, acted and lastly the way he appeared. To Sarah if she had to describe Noir, it would be,, 'Someone who know's everything that is to come, will come, shall come.'

Concluding that Noir was a person of great value, she asked him, "Will you help us further in this battle?"

Noir didn't hesitated for a single second before he answered, "Sure, saving the ones who saved me? Sounds good to me." he smiled.

No, it wasn't kindness that led him to choose this, there were multiple reasons. 

Firstly, right-now he was no less than 'dead' for the kingdom of Wereshia, so his identity as well as his advantages as a noble were next to none, if anything he was at disvantage since any news of him 'being alive' will lead to him 'not being alive', leaving him with a single option, to live silently at a secluded place until he grew powerful and what is more better than a village secluded by 2 kingdoms?

'If I ever decide to move to the kingdom of Amperium, I'll need financial help as well.'

Lastly, 'Evelyn'. A person who he hadn't heard of in the novel, which was probably due to the fact that she died in the massacre, was a person with such a deadly ability, if he could get her on his side then the chances of his 'final plan' succeding would sky rocket.

"Can you walk?" Sarah asked.

Noir replied, walking a step, his movements clunky, "Yes, though not smoothly." 

"Could you bear with it, till we reach the elders discussion hall?"

Evelyn entered the room, "Mother, I'll lend him a shoulder, so it won't be an issue."

'Looks like someone wants to make up for their behaviour.'

"I am really grateful." Noir teased as he took support from Evelyn.

Sarah led the way while Evelyn and Noir followed her at a slow-pace.

The village was bright and filled with colours, kids playing and laughing joyfully, everyone was happy, while the recent Ryu invasion did led to a bit of tension, it didn't shake their happiniess.

"Do they know about the upcoming massacre?" Noir whispered in Evelyn's ears.

Her cheeks flushed but she regained her composure, "No, they don't." she answered slowly.

"It's good that they don't know, they say, 'ignorance is bliss'. Sometimes it's better to not know then to." he once again whispered in her ears.

"And don't." she added.

"Don't what? Don't tell them?"

"No, don't whisper things into my ear." she said, her face flushed, not looking at him.

"Fine, don't blame me later if they hear things they shouldn't."

"I doubt it would come to that. We have reached the elder's hall." Evelyn spoke pointing at the huge hall made of wood infront of them, it had roof made of wood as well as had straws on top, which gave it an elegant yet rural feel.

Sarah walked in first, followed by Evelyn then Noir.

Inside the house were multiple elders, some doubted Noir and his ways, while the rest were discussing possible ways to counter the massacre.

*cough* *cough* Sarah coughed, attempting to gain all of their attention.

All of them looked at the door, where Sarah, Evelyn and lastly Noir was standing.

She continued, pointing at Noir, "This is the individual who has provided us with the divination." 

The elders looked at Noir, all their gazes sharp and filled with questions. However Noir didn't even flinch, he was standing there, waiting for an oppurtinity to speak.

"But his abilities aren't limited to divinations and which is why I would like to allow him to help our hunters and lead them throughout the battle."

They talked among themselves for some time, soon one of them spoke, "We do not doubt his capabilites but leaving the lives of our hunters in the hand of someone, isn't an easy task for us as well. So we would like to ask for him to demonstrate his abilities."

"Sure, I have no issues with it. When should I demonstrate?" he asked, a faint smirk on his face.

"The sooner, the better." the old man replied politely.

"Where should I demonstrate?" Noir gestured with his hands.

"Wherever you want." 

"Good." his smirk grew more visible indicating that he knew what to do.

…

"Aren't you still recovering?" Evelyn asked Noir on their way to the forest.

"Well, I never said I wasn't. Demonstrating my abilities? isn't a big deal, I can do it even when am on the verge of death."

"The last was a joke right?"

"Who knows?"

…

They reached the forest.

"Watch carefully as I am not going to demonstrate it again."

He firmed his stance and was thinking of demonstrating his abilities on a tree. But fate? It had other plans. 

A mad Ryu, it's body emitting aura darker than shadow itself, eyes red and dark fur. It wasn't a normal Ryu that was turned mad, it was a powerful one, one which was in no one's control.

'...Just what were they trying to do with a high-ranking Ryu from the north?'

It wasn't from the south, but even in north it wasn't common, black fur and red eyes speaking honestly it wasn't even a Ryu.

…