Edmond was already 36 years old this year. His bulky frame was donned with golden armor. The blonde hair ruffled against the wind like lion's mane. The sharp gaze and unkempt beard of his gave others the impression of solemnity. Majestic griffin glided in the air. Golden sun rays, cascading down gave him heroic feeling.
Being a paladin, his standing was higher than your average officials in the kingdom. He had a loving wife and daughter, status and money, yet he was feeling dissatisfied...
- To send this daddy in this barren city, do they take me for a small fry? Humph, this daddy's got to endure for a bit. Once my ranking changes from envoy to emissary, the old fogeys won't so easily be able to throw me by the ear.
His muscles were cramped all over. He had to run around for past few days without sleep all for that case.
- Who is so brazen to conduct evil so openly under the rule of the church? Do they have a death wish? I'll make sure to skin the culprits alive when I catch them, but...these damn underground organizations! They simply can't be relied on, how do I differentiate between 3 different reports? In the end, I have to investigate all of them. What a pain...sigh, and here I thought I'd treat this visit as a vacation...
Dense forest lay beneath. Scenery rapidly changed as the griffin passed by the trees at high speed.
Edmond's eyes narrowed.
- This feeling...such thick bloody aura, I wonder which rat is hiding here.
Edmond gave a mental signal. Gryphon flapped its wings and slowed down, then descended in the valley.
- You stay here.
Edmond ordered his mount while he followed the direction of the aura. With the Griffin close by, even if the situation turned bad, he could always flee.
Paladins were very sensitive towards evil aura. Edmond frowned as he felt uncomfortable while he advanced, but his steps were firm.
The aura led him to cave.
The cave was decorated with bright light stones of multiple colors. Edmond was shocked by what he saw at the end of the cave.
The young man with jet black, long hair was resting in the hot springs, which emitted the steam. 3 beauties surrounded him in the hot springs, all naked, half revealing their white skin and fleshy mounds.
One of them had long, red hair, having the temperament of a queen. Her body was the best proportioned, rounded and slim at right places. She was hugging the young man with hot intent in her eyes. Another one had short, black hair and was less developed, but her beauty was in no way impeded as she gave off some special charm. The last one was more petite. She was almost fully submerged in the water, so Edmond couldn't even see her face as steam was thick around that area.
Even Edmond couldn't help but gulp down at sight.
- Oh, surprise, surprise, the great ally of the light and order has visited this humble I! An occasion for celebration indeed, how did I earn this honor?
Chills ran down Edmond's spine as he recognized the modulated voice. His face turned ugly as he growled
- So the Rosewood city's been marked by you guys? Humph, Devil's Candle is getting more and more brazen. What do you think will happen when I go back and report it?
Edmond's threats didn't seem to have any effects on the young man as he answered laughingly.
- IF you go back, that is...
- Do you think you have what it takes to keep me here, Erik?
The young man laughed sinisterly as his eyes narrowed.
- More than what it takes...
- Light sword formation!
Suddenly the cave brightened up as golden blades materialized behind Edmond, seemingly appearing out of thin air.
- Daddy, don't!...
Hearing the voice, Edmond trembled as he looked at petite figure coming out of the hot spring, naked.
His eyes turned furious as he stared daggers at Erik.
- ANIMAL!
- Daddy no!
The petite figure jumped in his embrace. Edmond's expression changed between fury and doting as he said hoarsely
- Ellie, my dear, don't worry, daddy will save y...
Edmond's eyes shrunk with disbelief as he slowly looked down. Unexpectedly, her own daughter had stabbed the dagger through the chink of his armor. Green liquid dripped down the dagger.
- My, my, a heartwarming father-daughter reunion. I'm moved.
Erik came out of the hot springs, naked and walked up to Edmond with a sinister expression.
- You...you!...
His eyes were dimming, but they were plastered on the hateful young man's face.
* Slash
* Boom
The red-haired girl appeared right behind Edmond with thin, long rapier in her hands like a demon and slashed open the golden armor. Defenseless, the armor was torn as its golden luster dimmed. Edmond spurted blood from his mouth.
The light sword formation crumbled.
The short haired girl didn't allow him to react, raised her hand and threw the black projectile at Edmond's face. The skin on his face wrinkled and slowly turned coarse like tree bark. The light dimmed in his eyes.
Erik gently pushed the already dead paladin, who fell on his back.
- Devil's Candle isn't for trash like you to badmouth.
His sneering face turned gentle as he faced the petite girl with the stoned expression. A drop of tear had trickled down from her left eye.
- Now, shall we continue?
The three girls simultaneously nodded their heads and headed to the hot springs, but suddenly Erik's cheerful expression changed.
* CRACK~
The light in the cave extinguished as the light stones were shattered with unpleasant glass breaking sounds.
* Step, step, step~
In the silent cave, the sound of somebody walking in their direction was clear and brought a sense of dread.
Erik's body trembled as he gazed at the vague figure walking in his direction. The darkness obstructed the vision of his facial features. His whole body shone with the green light in the darkness. His steps were unhurried, rhythmical, but brought a huge pressure.
'He's angry...' Erik thought, panic apparent on his face.
The three girls shielded Erik from the approaching figure. Erik's dread-filled eyes flashed, but in the end, gave a signal. The girls made way for the figure but kept being extremely alert.
- Do you know your mistake?
The calm voice of the middle-aged man came from the approaching figure. His every step seemed normal at glance, but if one focused heavily, they would notice how obscure it was. Two 1 meter long blades shone dangerously in the figure's hands. The way that figure held them was a bit strange as they were clutched like daggers in reverse grip and always swayed unpredictably.
Such way of handling blades was almost unheard of, but the figure didn't seem to be uncomfortable. In contrast, the blades felt like an extension of his arms.
- Mantis I...
Perspiration flowed down Erik's face as he bowed his head. In the end, he gritted his teeth and knelt down.
- I acted without thy consent, please punish me...
The figure halted in his steps, but the pressure he emanated didn't lessen. Every passing second felt like years for kneeling Erik.
- At least you know your mistake. Clean up here, leave no traces, proceed with the plan. As for the punishment...
Saying these words, Mantis' figure faded.
'He left...'
Erik gave a sigh of relief.
* Plop
His body shook as he stared at collapsed Ellie, who had her head silently separated.
Erik could only bitterly smile in response.
'So this was the punishment...'
Erik proceeded to clean up the area with gloomy countenance.