Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent-Chapter 290: Title at the End
While they were in the middle of a conversation, the carriage that was transporting them suddenly stopped.
Everyone craned their necks to take a look at the situation.
Just then, a warrior who had introduced himself as Arthur came to them and said. "We will temporarily be stopping here to get some rest. Please step out of the carriage to help us with some tasks."
No one complained about the arrangement and they all quietly stepped out of the carriage.
After everyone had alighted, a young girl approached Arthur with a hesitant look.
"Uhm, sir…"
Arthur turned his head and saw her fidgeting nervously. He found her pitiful so he asked with a smile. "How can I help you?"
Seeing that he was easy to talk to, Faye no longer hesitated. She pointed at Azazel who was still inside the carriage and asked. "What about him, sir? Is he not allowed to go out?"
Arthur frowned upon hearing this.
Everyone in the group was wary of the demonkin, including William who was the only Transcendent Knight present.
Thinking about this, he shook his head firmly.
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that he has to stay there."
Faye's shoulders drooped when she heard his cold response. "But…"
She wanted to explain herself, but Arthur raised his hand and said. "Please understand my difficulties."
"Faye, there is no need to force them." The red-haired barbarian, Apoy, came to dissuade the girl. He knew that everyone would find it hard to trust a demonkin. Even for himself who had interacted with Azazel, he still found it unbelievable. What more about the others who hadn't spoken with him?
Faye sighed and lowered her head. "Alright."
Arthur was about to leave when he heard a series of footsteps behind him.
"What happened here?"
"Sir William!" Arthur immediately gave the old warrior a salute.
William smiled kindly and waved his hand. He looked at them and asked. "So can someone tell me what's going on here?"
Arthur hesitated. "This…"
Before he could speak, Faye approached William and spoke with a pleading tone. "Sir, please allow Lord Azazel to step out of the carriage! He couldn't sit comfortably because of his restraints and he hasn't eaten anything since we left! He is not an evil person!"
William smiled faintly at the young girl.
What a naive child. To think that she would still have a kind heart after being betrayed by her own father. Now, she is speaking up for a demonkin who she hadn't even known for a long time.
The old Transcendent Knight gently tapped the young girl's head. "Alright. He can come out of the carriage and eat with the group, but I can't remove his restraints."
As long as the demonkin was restrained, it wouldn't be an issue.
Hearing this, Faye's eyes lit up. "Thank you, sir!"
"Thank you for agreeing to her request, sir! I promise to keep an eye on the demonkin. You have my word!" Apoy was also happy.
Wiliam chuckled. "No problem."
He then sent Arthur a look and said. "Guard them well."
Arthur acknowledged the command with a salute. "Yes, sir!"
While Arthur was escorting the demonkin, William went to inspect the surroundings together with Fredrinn and the other Elite Knights.
"Sir, the demonkin is dangerous. Letting him out might cause us some trouble if he tries to escape." Fredrinn muttered.
The others didn't say anything, but they also agreed with his words.
"I understand your worries. I'm also afraid of that demonkin, but if he truly wanted to escape, he would have already done it earlier. Those chains might be able to restrain a normal Transcendent Knight, but for a demonkin like him, destroying them wouldn't be an issue." He had sensed the overwhelming mana the demonkin possessed and it was something that surpassed his own.
Fredrinn and the others were stunned by his words.
"If what you said is true, then why did he not try to escape?" Von asked with a look of confusion.
The others were also curious about this.
William shook his head. "We all have stories to tell and that demonkin is no different. If you are that curious, why don't you ask him yourself?"
Von was speechless by his response.
At this moment, Arthur had already brought Azazel to the temporary camp where all the other rescued people were gathered.
As soon as they arrived, most people left in a hurry. There were a few who stayed, but they moved further from Azazel, clearly out of fear.
"Wait here. I will bring you guys some food." Arthur said before he walked away to get their food.
After he left, Faye looked at Azazel with pity and asked. "Are you alright, my lord? Do you want us to help you sit more comfortably?"
Azazel glanced at the young girl. He had never received this kind of care from anyone before, not even from his own family. "I'm fine. Thank you."
Faye smiled faintly. "I see. That's good to hear."
Apoy chuckled and remarked teasingly. "Look at you acting so tough."
Azazel didn't say anything and just closed his eyes, pretending that he didn't hear him.
Apoy's smile stiffened upon seeing this. He felt that this demonkin was way different than what was told to them about demonkins. His curiosity towards Azazel increased, making him more interested in getting to know more about him.
"Hey, Azazel…" He called out, disregarding honorifics.
Azazel opened his eyes and looked at the barbarian. "What is it?"
Apoy stared deeply at him and asked. "What do you plan to do if House Silversword decides to set you free?"
Hearing this, Faye who was listening perked her ears.
Azazel was taken aback, not because he was surprised by the question, but because he couldn't give him an answer.
After about ten seconds of silence, he shook his head. "I also don't know, but do you really think that they will allow a demonkin to roam freely?"
"You make a good point."
Apoy shrugged.
"If it was me, I would definitely lock you up to prevent my people from panicking."
"How could you say that, Lord Apoy? Lord Azazel is a kind man. He will never hurt anyone!" Faye was dissatisfied with Apoy's casual remarks.
Apoy forced out a smile, but he didn't say anything.
What a naive girl. With this kind of mindset, it would be easy for others to fool her.
"Faye… you must not blindly trust other people. What they show you might not be their true self. They could be hiding their sinister side beneath their fake smiles." Azazel sternly warned the young girl.
Faye looked at him in surprise. This was the first time he had spoken to her in such a serious manner. "Even you, my lord?"
Azazel looked away from her and stared at the horizon. "Not even me…"
As he uttered those words, he recalled the experiences he had gone through before he arrived at this place. The people he had trusted but betrayed him, his family who had discarded him, and his friends who had tried to kill him. Everything was still fresh in his mind.
Somehow, Apoy could sense the complicated emotions from his tone, but Faye was still too young to understand the implications behind the demonkin's words.
"Food is here. What were you guys talking about?" A voice suddenly drifted into their ears.
They turned around and saw Arthur holding a box filled with all sorts of food.
Apoy who had been starving since earlier approached him with a grin. "Let me help you with that, sir."
Arthur didn't reject him. He handed the box to the barbarian and said. "Just let me know if you need more. We have plenty of food so there is no need to worry about not having enough to eat."
"Absolutely!" Apoy gave him a thumbs up.
The atmosphere lightened up after the food was served. Everyone happily enjoyed their meal while talking about random matters.
However, this rare peace was interrupted when Azazel sensed something from the distance.
This aura… someone is coming.
He frowned as he looked in a certain direction.
Fifty… one hundred… two hundred… there are more than three hundred of them and the person leading them is not to be trifled with!
"What happened, Lord Azazel? Is the food not to your liking?" Faye asked when she noticed that Azazel had suddenly stopped eating.
Apoy also looked at him with a baffled expression.
Azazel didn't respond. He kept his gaze in the same direction, his eyes flashing with vigilance.
Suddenly, William appeared in front of them with a 'whoosh'.
The old Transcendent Knight's expression was heavy as he muttered. "Someone is coming and they don't seem to have good intentions."
"What?!" Arthur was the first one to react.
With a wave of his hand, William commanded. "Bring the civilians to a safe place and tell our warriors to prepare for battle!"
"Yes, sir!" Knowing that the situation was dire, Arthur didn't linger and left to inform the group.