SWNOVELXO Chapter 152: The People of his young Lord
The commander's brows knitted, his hand folding into a tight fist as anger coursed through him.
The revelation that an HS had fallen to a demon was both repulsive and infuriating, stirring the commander's anger. Though it was neither the first time such a tragedy had occurred nor the first life a demon had claimed, the bitterness of it remained undiminished.
Finding out the HS had been killed by a demon, of course they all naturally concluded it had to be one of the 16 demons. But for what? Why?
According to the report, none of the villagers seemed to have died except for four little boys along with the 12 demons. If the villagers had been spared, then for what reason had the demon killed the HS? Did they engage in a fight?
The commander's gaze turned once more, sweeping over the huddled Beni who shuddered under his gaze. Their only means of finding out exactly what happened is in no condition to even speak. It felt frustrating.
"Escort him to his dorm and keep a close watch on him—he is not to act recklessly before Ms. Quin returns," he ordered.
With that, he left the room.
*****
Back in the house, Seiya had fallen into a deep slumber after Kaeliyus helped with his bath and wiped his eyes clean. Since his eyes weren't in any good condition, he refrained from using a blindfold and made sure the lights in the bedroom were dimmed.
Kaeliyus left Seiya to rest in the bedroom and came to the living room where he sat on the floor in a meditating position, restoring his strength. Even though he had also been fatigued from the battle, he didn't crave sleep—he'd rather stay up to watch over his young Lord.
As Kaeliyus meditated, the early morning stretching into daybreak, a disturbance tugged at his senses. The barrier he had placed around the village had shattered.
His eyes fluttered open, narrowing slightly as he maintained his composure. Who or what had broken it? Had the escaped demons truly returned?
He knew well enough that his barrier was nowhere near the caliber of the one the demon had used to trap the villagers. Its destruction was not unexpected—but the speed at which it had fallen was. It had barely been any time since he and Seiya had left, yet already, it was undone.
Kaeliyus sighed, stuck on what the best cause of action was. Should he go throw an eye to see who had broken the barrier? Was it really a good idea to leave his young Lord alone in the house? He couldn't decide.
Kaeliyus rose from the floor, and headed toward Seiya's bedroom, entering as silently as he could to not disturb Seiya's sleep. He cast his gaze down on Seiya's sleeping form, peering into Seiya's peaceful face that radiated calmness. Seiya's breath came out soft and low, his chest barely even rising and falling.
As Kaeliyus stood, gazing down at Seiya, he pondered things within him: could he really leave his young Lord in the house alone while he's asleep and defenseless? Not that there's any potential threat he knows of that would come to the house and harm him, he just still worried.
As for the villagers, Kaeliyus didn't want to ignore them either. After all, they were now the people of his young Lord—ones who would serve him. From this battle of saving the villagers, Kaeliyus sought to ensure that the rightful bond between a Lord and his people was firmly established between them and his young lord.
After all, a Lord should have people, he should rule. And to Kaeliyus, this was the start of his young Lord's journey. For his young Lord's future held no peace but his own destruction.
Kaeliyus remained standing beside Seiya's bed, mulling things over silently when Seiya's drowsy voice cut through.
"What is it?" He asked, eyes shut, his body not budging.
Kaeliyus was a bit taken aback by the abrupt sound of his young Lord's voice. He had thought him to be in a deep slumber. Then, does that mean he was the one who had disturbed his young Lord's sleep?
In truth, however, no matter how deep in sleep Seiya was, he always heard his surroundings and was still able to feel the presence of people. Unless he was unconscious.
Since Kaeliyus was surprised by Seiya speaking, his response naturally came a little late. But when he regained himself, he immediately bowed with reverence.
"My Lord, I apologize for rousing you from your rest," he began softly. "I sensed that the barrier I placed around the villagers had been broken. It troubles me, yet I hesitate to leave you alone."
"You can go," Seiya said and went silent, not uttering any more words.
"But my Lord—" Kaeliyus attempted to protest but when he saw Seiya's brow wrinkle slightly, he swallowed back his words.
"Then my Lord, excuse me." With one final bow, Kaeliyus vanished.
Before long, Kaeliyus reappeared within the shrine grounds inside the village, his presence carefully masked. Aware of the potential threat lurking nearby, he chose to remain hidden as he moved soundlessly through the village.
As he neared the cluster of houses where most of the villagers resided, he noticed figures from the association had arrived. They were the ones who had broken the barrier—and now, they were interrogating the villagers, who appeared to have been interrupted in the midst of rebuilding their home.
Watching from afar, the villagers appeared reluctant to even acknowledge the officials who had paid them a visit, unwilling to entertain their questions and curiosity.
Of course—who would welcome intruders who shattered their defenses? Kaeliyus mused within himself. Besides, the villagers belong to his young lord; their loyalty should be unquestionable.
Even though Kaeliyus was happy that the villagers were keeping to their word of not outing Seiya regarding what had happened, he still remained back rather than leaving, watching secretly from afar—ready to end anyone among them who defies his young Lord's words.