Chapter 12

  “Please!” Lord Tincaid yelled. “Please don’t kill me! I won’t tell! I won’t!”

  The hooded figure ignored his pleas and dashed over to him.

  Drakkel knew he needed to stop him. After all, Lord Tincaid was still needed as a witness.

  He pulled out the dagger that he got from Lady Secily and intercepted the figure’s attack.

  Since the figure held no weapon and only used its gloved hands, he thought that the dagger would slice right through. But to his surprise, it didn't. In fact the impact felt like he was colliding against another weapon.

  Drakkel exchanged a few more blows with the figure before it backed away. And around that time, the dagger he received also shattered.

  As the pieces of the dagger fell from his hands, Drakkel observed the figure. From the way it fought, he could tell it was an experienced Sword Fighter, but because it didn’t use sword energy, he couldn’t ascertain what level it was at.

  Also because of the way it fought, its sword style wasn’t something he recognized. It was fought with no weapon and used random and disordered moves. Its attacks appeared to have no particular sequence which made them difficult to predict.

  Suddenly, the hooded figure took out a bottle from under its cloak with a rope attached to it and lit the end of the rope up.

  Drakkel’s eyes widened as he realized what it was.

  “Get everyone out of here!” He shouted.

  The Town Lord nodded and called, “Guards! Guards!”

  However, before the guards showed up, the hooded figure dropped the object on the floor, jumping out the window soon after.

  Flames immediately rushed out of the object, quickly engulfing the items around it. Drakkel pointed his palm towards the direction of the explosion and manipulated his sword energy to curve around it, suppressing the blast.

  Although he was able to block it, he knew he couldn’t hold it off for long.

  Moments later, the guards arrived. As Drakkel was focused on subduing the explosion, the Town Lord shouted in a panic, “Get me out of here!”

  The guards guided the Lord out, leaving Drakkel to deal with the mess alone. He wasn’t sure how he would get everyone out of the mansion while also keeping the explosion at bay.

  However, a solution soon revealed itself.

  A guard came to him and said, “By order of Lady Secily, everyone has left the mansion. Some other guards have already told us the situation. You should try to escape now as well.”

  Drakkel was relieved.

  He answered, “You go first. I’ll be right behind you.”

  As he said this, his energy was waning.

  His body ached and he was growing tired. He felt as if he was about to lose control of his sword energy. If he continued any longer, he would suffer a sword energy deviation and unable to maintain his control of the blast, he would most certainly die.

  With no other options, he sent a wave of sword energy towards the blast to delay it and swiftly left the room.

  Utilizing his sword step, he dashed through the manor and straight to the front entrance.

  But, when he thought he was about to escape, his old injuries flared and his pace slowed down to an ordinary run as the blast caught up.

  As the flaming hot temperature nearly seared his back, a man with long blonde hair and a giant sword slung upon his back, delayed the blast with a powerful sword energy attack, before picking him up by the arm, and helping him get out of the manor.

  Once they reached the outside, the manor exploded into flames. Several people gathered to watch the event.

  Before Drakkel had time to process what was going on, the area erupted into cheer.

  Only when he glanced over to see who it was did a small smile spread on his face.

  The people of the mines were joined by the kids and elderly on the streets, hugging each other as the mansion burned. Some of the women who were trapped with the Town Lord were joined by elderly individuals and men while some embraced only children, their heads hanging low and tears falling from their cheeks. Even amongst the miners and people from the streets, it was clear from the sad faces of some of those around, that they had lost someone important to them.

  The Town Lord was standing next to some guards bound by rope. When the cheering died down, everyone leered at him, some looking ready to murder him.

  A man from the crowd yelled, “Finally, the corrupt Lord who suppressed us for years stands in front of us! We should kill him for what he’s done!”

  The crowd shouted in unison, “Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!”

  Drakkel shook his head. They couldn’t kill him. Although it was well-deserved, If they killed him now, not only would they not find out the reason for his actions, they would not be granted any help from the Swords Clans and would probably even end up as criminals themselves.

  Officials were not allowed to be killed by common people without a trial.

  Drakkel tried to instruct them not to, but what came out was only a quiet rasp. After a moment, he suddenly felt as if something was rising in his throat.

  He coughed and blood spurted out, dripping down his mouth and onto his robes.

  “Stop!” Rillian Adore shouted.

  Interrupted by an intimidating and heavy voice, the crowd instantly ceased their chanting.

  But the man who spoke earlier wouldn’t have it.

  Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  He yelled out, “And who are you to stop us?! This man killed my son!”

  Ri’en stepped out from the middle of the crowd along with Lady Secily. “He’s Rillian Adore! One of the ones who saved us!”

  The crowd broke out into harsh whispers.

  “The Golden Blade? Really? Here?”

  “How could this be? I thought the Golden Peak Swords Clan was not assigned to this area?”

  “Why would he help us?”

  Rillian Adore, still supporting Drakkel with an arm, stated, “My friend and I will bring the Town Lord with us to the Thousand Petals Swords Clan to seek justice for you all! I will also investigate the reason that this has been going on for so long! If you trust me, I’ll make sure that you all are given a satisfactory answer!”

  The people in the crowd continued to speak amongst themselves.

  Lady Seclily joined in, “If not for these two men standing before you all, our escape and the capture of the Town Lord would not have been possible! Since they extended a helping hand to us, can’t we return the favor?!”

  The crowd continued to speak in hushed voices.

  But the sentiment seemed to improve.

  “Well if it's The Golden Blade… Maybe we will get the justice we deserve?”

  “Yes, why don’t we give it a try? We have nothing more to lose.”

  Ri’en and Lady Secily took their places next to Drakkel and Rillian Adore and addressed the crowd.

  The two bowed. “We’ve been working tirelessly to free all of you. We hope that you can let us settle this matter as well! We promise that we only wish good things upon all of you!”

  Some of the servants and guards standing at the corner jumped in.

  “Yes, Lady Secily and Ri’en have been helping us fight all this time!”

  “It’s true, they’ve done a lot for us!”

  Lady Secily and Ri’en smiled at them. Suddenly, Drakkel remembered something.

  Where were Enzo and Rou?

  He squinted his eyes, looking towards the servants and saw a servant ready to sneak off. He patted Rillian Adore’s shoulder and pointed in the direction.

  Rillian Adore yelled, “Guards! Stop him!”

  With his command, the guards rushed to capture the servant. When Drakkel looked upon his face, he saw that it was Rou.

  The guards forced Rou to stand next to Lord Tincaid. As he stood there, his eyes darted all around, surveying the crowd. Finally, he looked down in defeat, not daring to speak.

  After a while, there were talks amongst the people of who would be their new Town Lord now that Lord Tincaid was captured.

  Ton stepped forward from his place in front of the servants. “I think we should make Ri’en and Lady Secily our new Town Lords! They’ve done a lot for us, so I believe they would be best to keep until we’re back up and running to our usual selves. By then, we can officially vote in a new Town Lord!”

  The crowd seemed hesitant at first, but they didn’t object. It only took a few moments for them to process what was said. Ton was right after all, they had to appreciate the deeds of those who saved them. And the women Lord Tincaid kept around were a testament to all the work the two put in.

  Like the changing of the tides, the sentiments of the crowd slowly swayed, until sounds of agreement resounded all around.

  “Yes, I think that would be good!”

  “Lord Ri’en and Lady Secily have a nice ring to it!”

  “If it’s just until the town is rebuilt, I don’t see why not!”

  The royal court had struck a deal with the Sword Fighters. It would not interfere in any business having to do with Demons and Sword Fighters unless it involved high level court officials, members of the royal family, or the capital.

  The Sword Fighters were responsible for bringing criminals to justice and reporting them to the court as well as subduing demons. Sometimes, the court might ask Swords Clans to assist in catching a specific criminal, but most of the time, the Swords Clans did it passively.

  The Swords clans were each paid a monthly wage by the court based on how many criminals they caught and how many demons they defeated during the month. The clans also made money by completing odd jobs for individual citizens and businesses.

  If the Town Lord was brought to Thousand Petals Sword's Clan and proven to be guilty, then by law, the Royal Court would allow the people to assign their own Town Lord because the one they had chosen for them was guilty of several crimes.

  “Then it’s settled!” Ri’en said. “Now, everyone, return home! The Golden Blade had his fellow disciples brought us food to eat from the neighboring villages! They’ve dropped it off to every home here. Anyone that doesn’t have a home can pick it up at the inn in the middle of the town!”

  The crowd cheered and dispersed, chattering happily with each other. When they cleared, the rest of the disciples from the Golden Peak Swords’ Clan could be seen standing in the distance, watching Rillian Adore.

  Ri’en turned to the servants and guards. “You all go too. I’m sure you would like to catch up with your family members or get some good food and drink in your stomachs.”

  A guard standing near Lord Tincaid and holding down Rou, asked, “Will you be ok if we leave them alone?”

  Rillian Adore nodded.

  At that, the guards and servants exited the area, leaving only Lady Secily, Lord Ri’en, Drakkel and Rillian Adore with Lord Tincaid and Rou.

  Rillian Adore glanced down at Rou and said, “You were scared of him, weren’t you?”

  He used his head to gesture to Lord Tincaid.

  Rou nodded, pulling out a worn satchel, he said as he stared at it, “The way I treated him, it was all an act. I was afraid. Afraid he would kill my daughter… You see, he already killed my wife.

  Years ago, my wife secretly left to work for the Town Lord. I had an injury and couldn’t lift heavy items anymore. There wasn’t much work I could do and we were running out of money. So, she decided to go.

  She left behind a note so I wasn’t worried at first. But too much time had passed. I wanted to investigate, but couldn’t leave my daughter alone. She was only twelve at the time.

  So, I sent her along with a traveling merchant who I had befriended to live with my brother in Lunala Isle and came in to work for the Town Lord while searching for my wife.”

  Tears fell from his face. “But when I asked around, I found out that she died. This despicable man!” He pointed to Lord Tincaid, “Is a lecherous beast! He demanded that my wife serve him. He forced her… So… “ His voice trembled as he forced out, “So…she killed herself.”

  He sniffled, “I planned to leave and report the matter to the nearby Swords Clan, but the Town Lord's caught wind of this. He kidnapped me and forced me to work for him. He said that if I refused, he would send some people to find my daughter…

  He said she might look a lot like her mother and would serve as a good replacement.”

  Rillian Adore’s eyebrows narrowed as he shot a rageful glare at Lord Tincaid.

  Lord Tincaid shrunk back in response..

  “I… I had no other choice.” Rou continued.

  “This satchel…” he held the satchel out, “Was made for both of us by my wife, her mother. That's all I have to remember her by…”

  Rillian Adore shook his head, “I think it’s time to return to your daughter, Rou.”

  He gestured for one of the faraway disciples to step closer and put out his hand.

  “Ling,” He said. “Bring me some coins.”

  The man named Ling handed him a bag of coins and Rillian Adore took a few out.

  He placed them in Rou’s hand. “This should cover your travel, food and lodgings. You’re free to go.”

  Rou gratefully took the coins and bowed to Rillian Adore several times. “Thank you! Thank you!” He cried, “I don’t know how I'll ever repay this debt.”

  Rillian Adore nodded.

  Rou bowed one more time before leaving the area.