"Freeze!" An armored guard mobilised by the worried citizen, his drawn sword glinting in the cold light, shouted the second the man came out of the shop. Alarmed by the painful screams echoing ominously through the street, they asked for his intervention.
However, his serious expression shifted as he recognised the black-haired traveller. "Is that you, Gaston? When did you come back?" He asked with a raised brow.
"Nice timing. Where is the woman who worked in this shop and her kid?" Gaston inquired, his signature smile broadening on his face.
Stunned by the question yet recalling Gaston's reasonable nature when others complied, the guard answered, tucking his fingers around his chin. "I think there was a story about them going for the naming ceremony six months ago and never returning to the village. That's everything I know."
Then, following protocol to resolve the situation, he added, "Follow me to the station. I need you to recount what happened before setting you free."
However, his eyes trembled in fear as his words lingered in the air, watching Gaston's stick crashing against his neck at horrifying speeds.
"I don't have time for this and don't care about consequences anymore," Gaston said amidst the blood-curdling sound of a head being ripped by sheer power.
Before dying, the guard suddenly remembered a bizarre body he had disposed of seven years ago. Its decapitated corpse struck him as mysterious, causing him to ponder, 'How can a blunt weapon cause such damage?' Unsurprisingly, his head flew in the air as he experienced the answer.
The observing citizens screamed in fear, "Murder, murder in broad daylight!" and scrambled away like a flock of sheep, leaving the smiling Gaston alone in the street.
His investigation complete, Gaston put his hood back on and walked toward the edge of the village, his eyes shining like two stars as he thought. 'It's a little early to return. But for my goal, I can sacrifice my vengeance. I'll have to use "that" to save time.'
He would be lying if he said he wasn't disheartened. Yet circumstances hindered his desire to torment Lucius slowly for his foolishness.
Pondering, he left the village in the barony's manor direction, excited to see his years of preparation bear fruits.
***
A few hours later, Sir Max dropped the report he read with gritted teeth and hurriedly ran to share the information with Lucius.
"Sir, the bastard is back in town. He killed a guard and an old apothecary before leaving." He explained, his fists clenched into two balls.
"What?!" Lucius answered, his voice an octave higher after hearing the news about his bastard's return. Then, he added, "Plaster wanted posters everywhere and stop him at any cost. We need to get rid of him once and for all."
Tired of living under the threat of a vengeful son and understanding he would never change despite the chance he gave him, Lucius finally decided to remove this thorn from his feet thoroughly.
With a nod, Max continued his report. "From the witnesses' testimony, the apothecary Gaston killed was the old man accompanying Julius and Alina. They also mentioned he asked about their whereabouts."
Upon hearing the sad news, worry gnawed at Lucius' heart as he urged, "Don't let Julius learn about it. I don't want such a good kid to be tainted by anger and revenge so young." Then, anger flashed through his eyes as he thought, 'Did you disappear seven years ago only to come back and try to destroy my family again? No matter what you plan, I won't let you succeed!'
With resolve hardened, he analysed the event's testimony and planned for the worst-case scenario.
"He'll come here to get Alina and her child. Give the maids a week off and increase security around the manor. I don't want even a fly to pass without being reported!" Lucius ordered, his solemn voice echoing in the great hall.
With a bow, Max left to carry on his duty, his eyes ablaze with unwavering determination. Despite his strength, he was afraid of Gaston too, and wanted to snuff the threat.
As the clinking of his iron boots echoed in the corridor, Eleanor stepped from behind Lucius' throne and said, hate glowing in her eyes, "I told you years ago to at least imprison him for what he did. Even if he is your firstborn son, you can't forgive what he did to Nathan!"
Even if Gaston's assassination attempt failed, it left irreversible damage on her son's body, crippling his mana circuits and rendering him unable to use mana. She failed to understand why her husband allowed him to live freely.
"I wanted him to live an honest life and understand his mistake," Lucius replied with a trembling voice, covering his face with his hand. Why did his boy end up like that? He had treated him and his mother so well. Yet that's how things turned out, leaving them only one option.
"Trust me, Eleanor. I won't make the same mistake twice. I gave him a chance, not two." He said, using his hand to fix his hair's strands and revealing his determined gaze.
"I hope so. He is a living nightmare I can't support anymore." She said, remembering how they lived in anticipation, imagining the worst after he disappeared for seven years.
They both knew Gaston hated them and wanted revenge after Max reported the news seven years ago when he hired him to carry the royal orders.
That's why they tested and investigated Julius' background so extensively, scared of Gaston's devious plans. What if the madman trained the boy to make him infiltrate and destroy his family from within?
After all, who knew what devious schemes could be brewed in the bastard's head?
***
Meanwhile, Julius diligently cultivated in his room, oblivious to the undercurrents swirling around him.
However, a sensation of unease assaulted Adam's mind from nowhere, scratching his senses and causing his glowing eyes to narrow. 'What is wrong with me today?' He pondered, wondering if the distracting feeling would disappear if he went to the dream place.
Acting on his idea, he closed his eyes and swiftly informed Julius, "I'll nap for a few hours. Don't wake me."
***
As he woke up in his apartment a few seconds later, the annoying sensation resurfaced, stronger than before, causing him to frown in displeasure.
'Should I take a walk to empty my mind?' he mused, trying to find a reason for his discomfort. Then, he rose to his feet, left his room, and stepped into the plaza.
The red moon illuminated the empty place as his eyes darted left and right, hoping to encounter someone in the gloomy area eleven. However, he only saw the terrible tower reaching for the sky, its frame a testament to grandeur and might.
Faced with the impressive yet terrifying structure, he couldn't help but reflect, 'I'm much stronger than before. Should I try the second trial?'
Strangely, the scratchings he endured lessened at this thought. But he swiftly dismissed it, thinking, 'I won't be able to heal my soul again. It's too dangerous.' However, the scratchings buzzed in his mind, stronger than ever, causing his eyes to bulge and his hands to hold his head subconsciously.