Chapter 14

  Drakkel awoke to find himself in a bed at the inn. He circulated his sword energy and felt it go through his body smoothly.

  Because of this, he figured that someone must have helped him clear it while he was unconscious.

  He looked out the window and saw that the orange and purple hues of the sky from earlier had transformed into a dark blue. To his side, sitting in a chair, was the slumbering figure of Rillian Adore.

  Drakkel wondered how strong he must have been to not only be able to drag him to the inn, but to also carry his greatsword on his back at the same time.

  Of course, he was grateful to be saved, but he couldn’t stop the sweat from leaking from his body and his heart from pumping more quickly as even deeper memories attempted to surface his mind.

  Suddenly, he felt a strong headache forming.

  He shook his head in an effort to get rid of it and the sleeping Rillian Adore opened his eyes.

  His head which was tilted a bit to the side as he cradled his sword at his front lifted up.

  “Are you awake, Drakkel?” He asked.

  Drakkel panicked. He really didn’t want to deal with this trouble. Now that they had solved the issues with Shadowy Ridges, he could move on to Withering Crescent and leave the dropping off of Lord Tincaid at The Thousand Petals Swords Clan of Lunala isle to Rillian Adore.

  But if Rillian Adore knew who he was, the peace he craved might slip from his grasp.

  He laughed. “Sir Golden Blade, My humble self can’t be compared to the Sword’s Wind! I only know a few tricks! Please, don’t even mention us in the same breath! My name is actually…”

  As if he realized something, Rillian Adore’s eyes widened. Then he shook his head. “Nevermind, I had you confused with someone else.”

  Drakkel breathed out a sigh of relief.

  To divert attention from the conversation, he asked, “How did you get out of the mines? The Town Lord didn’t send an order yet.”

  A line formed in the middle of Rillian Adore’s forehead. When he answered, his softened expression again hardened, “A few hours before I got here, The demons all of a sudden ran off, leaving only the mine manager and a few humans protecting the place. But they weren’t fighters so it was easy to defeat them.”

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  Drakkel thought about this strange occurrence. Not only did the demons leave, a powerful figure came to likely kill the Town Lord and bury the evidence. It only proved that something larger was going on.

  Someone else must have been behind it.

  Rillian Adore continued. “I’ve been meaning to ask. Did you retrieve any evidence from the Town Lord’s manor before it burned down?”

  Drakkel nodded and took out the paper about the accounts while avoiding taking out the one about the involved clans.

  Only when he reached into his robes to gather the paper did he realize that he was still dressed in woman’s clothes.

  Ignoring this fact, he handed it to Rillian Adore.

  After skimming through the paper, Rillian Adore nodded. “Good. Since we have the evidence, we can take it to Lunala Isle.”

  “We?” Drakkel laughed nervously.

  Rillian Adore nodded. “Yes. You will come as an additional witness.”

  Drakkel shook his head. He heard him say it earlier, but he didn't believe he would actually be forced to go.

  Besides, the Golden Blade alone would be witness enough along with the testimony of the townsfolk.

  He had been hoping to ditch Rillian Adore and head to Withering Crescent on his own after this, but now he knew that it wouldn't be easy.

  He wouldn't win in a fight against the Golden Blade, so he answered, “Alright but after that, I need to leave.”

  Rillian Adore nodded. “That’s fine. I can even send people to escort you where you need to be.”

  Drakkel waved his hand in the air. “That won't be necessary.”

  Since it was like this already, Drakkel decided to take the free ride, shortening his originally long trip to Withering Crescent. But now the incident in Lord Tincaid’s manor came to his mind.

  He brought his hand to his chin. “Actually, since we'll be traveling together, I want to let you know about something that happened at Lord Tincaid’s manor. A masked figure made a move to kill the Town Lord in his office.”

  He knew the answer but he had to act oblivious, “What do you think it means?”

  “It means it's none of your concern. I’ll handle the rest.” Rillian Adore shot back.

  “But what if he attacks again?” Drakkel asked.

  “If you're worried about your safety, I will handle it and if you're worried about his, I will also handle it. Once we get to Lunala Isle and hand him off to the Thousand Petals Swords Clan and you provide them a statement, it will be in their jurisdiction. If he is attacked there, he will be well protected.”

  Drakkel nodded. “Then we should head out tomorrow. The sooner the better right?”

  Rillian Adore nodded.

  Thinking that they were done, Drakkel expectantly waited for him to leave, but he still sat in his chair, not moving.

  He raised an eyebrow and Rillian Adore said, “Your injuries weren't severe, but they weren't mild either. I'll stay to monitor your condition so nothing happens on the carriage ride over. You can pretend I'm not here.”

  Drakkel gave a half smile and laid onto the bed, turning around so he wouldn’t be facing Rillian Adore.

  He frowned.

  Pretending the man who defeated him was not here was impossible and sadly, that man was annoyingly persistent.