The castle was located in an isolated area, surrounded by thick vegetation. The ancient building was covered in rust and vines. Despite the passage of time, it stood proudly as a silent bearer of the history.
The night is the time when one's inner demons awaken. Even a familiar place becomes different at night. The dark shades, vague contours, strange silhouettes...the forested zone seemed especially dangerous now. Maybe it's all an illusion...who knows?
The Bushes slightly ruffled as several shadowy silhouettes moved forward stealthily. The amount of sound they made was enough to determine, they were being cautious and sneaky.
The lanky, short man with an unshaved beard in the lead raised his hand, signaling to others to stop.
- Are we really doing this, boss?
The towering, bear-like man, whose frame couldn't be hidden by bushes asked the lanky man with a dumb expression.
- Hushh! you fucking moron, don't be so loud!
The lanky man yelled in a whisper and gestured exaggeratedly.
Dozens of people behind didn't dare breathe too loudly.
- Hehe, the city lord will greatly reward us. The riches, the women, and especially...status! We, the Scarlet gang won't lack anything!
The lanky man showed a dreamy expression as if everything he desired would soon be in his grasp. Obviously, this whole thing was his 'genius' idea.
- But boss...
- Husshh, what did I say? What did I say, I tell you?! Listen up maggots, the enemy isn't wet behind ears. They are retired soldiers and adventurers but fret not, we aren't pushovers either. Besides, how can 150 men fail to capture a mere 30 or so unsuspecting bunch? That's right, capture! You can break their legs, but don't kill them. They need to be handed over to the city lord. Is everything clear?
Everyone nodded their heads.
- Oh, right, Blazer! Don't touch the castle! This is an order! These bastards possess the title deed, so we'll be beaten like dogs later if we touch the property! Am I clear?
The bear-like man nodded with a serious, but still dumb expression.
- Alright, Seizer bro, I won't do it.
- Really?
- You can count on me.
Blazer drummed a fist on his huge chest loudly as a sign of reassurance. The sound reverberated across the forest...
- You fucking bastard, what did I say? I will fucking kill you!
- Ow, ow, I'm so sorry boss, I won't do it again...
The sneaky bunch didn't move for a while and stayed low, so the people in the castle wouldn't get suspicious.
When the time was ripe, Seizer showed a ruthless expression and bit off a chunk of apple and crunched nastily.
- Let's crush them!
As he gave a command, his hand involuntarily crushed the apple in his hands...
- Son of a bitch! someone, give me a towel! Right now!
Seizer once again yelled in a whisper. The gang was helpless in dealing with their bosses, but one thing was clear. The Duo, Blazer, and Seizer were not to be underestimated, in combat at least.
* * *
Lorian's ears perked up as his closed eyes shot open, glimmering with a blue sheen.
Sleeping with a mask became a habit. Who knew it would really show its use...
- Oh? We have some uninvited guests, huh? What time is it? How rude...What do you say, little one, should we greet them?
Lorian grinned as a petite shadowy figure appeared behind him.
Elaine cutely nodded her head.
- A pity I can't wake the others in this condition. I'll have to trouble you with this, oh, and tell them this...
After receiving Lorian's instructions, Elaine left the room like a wind.
Lorian sighed as he lamented about the downstairs trip. Some icy-slidey trick did the job, but bumps along the way were annoying.
Before long, Lorian was outside the castle, sitting in his wheelchair in the open field, appearing at ease. The chilly wind didn't make him feel a thing anymore. The moonlight stretched his shadow on the field. Elaine stood behind him expressionlessly, holding a dagger. Its edge shone dangerously.
Thirty or so men stood about ten meters behind them, covered by the shadow of the castle. Their expressions hid caution under their leisurely expression. However, they didn't seem tense or worried at all.
The sound of movement could be heard in the front, from the trees, which encircled the castle.
Before long, dozens of people were revealed under the moonlight.
The lanky, short bearded, short man in the front had sneer plastered on his face as he spat some saliva, appearing disgruntled.
- Your caution doesn't fall behind that of rats. I'll give you that. But to greet us brothers with a cripple and a kid? Tch, how stingy, how overconfident.
Seizer growled with an angry expression. Clearly, they were being underestimated...and he didn't like that feeling.
Lorian smiled under his mask as he spoke in a 'humble' tone.
- Brother's overthinking things. We've already shown so much courtesy by greeting you here. One can't be too greedy. Have you ever visited noble houses? They find a single butler sufficient as a guide to the guest. How can we be considered rude then? After all, there's two of us here.
His meaning was full of sarcasm, meaning not to mention 'the cripple and a kid,' even one of them would be enough to deal with them all...
Realizing the meaning behind his words, Seizer seethed in anger and showed a wretched smile.
- Big words. I wonder if you can back it up, cripple? Archers!
The Scarlet gang hesitated a little, but still followed his order. Didn't he just say to not kill them? Wouldn't the rain of arrows to finish a kid and a cripple be an overkill and a waste? But it made sense. Seizer hated it the most when people belittled him. He could also be thinking of scaring them, who knows?
But Seizer was serious. His arms were gripped as he showed a grin and ordered
- Fire!
The twanging sound echoed collectively. The air whistled as countless steel arrows whistled in the air. The rain of arrows was about to descend upon Lorian and Elaine with the purpose of ending their lives in an ugly way.
The Unlaughing gang tensed up. They had long since been convinced by Lorian, but they couldn't help but worry.
- Boss!
Karl stopped the man who was about to jump about to join the battle. His expression showed determination and a strong belief.
- We need to follow the orders.
- But...will he be fine?
Someone asked anxiously.
Boris, who stood in the front, unmoving smiled wryly. If only this much was enough to deal with that monster...
Lorian faced the menacing descend of arrows unflinchingly, wearing a slight smile.
- Hide behind me.
He whispered gently as chilly mist started spreading around him. The ice crackling sounds filled the air. Thin ice threads started wriggling around his whole body like snakes.
- Ice thread: Cocoon!
Soon his body was fully covered in icy armor made out of thin ice threads. Only his cold, blue eyes were left uncovered. He crossed his hands to cover his face and prepared for the impact.
The heavy sound of metallic arrowheads colliding with something hard filled the air. The rain of arrows even pushed his wheelchair back couple of centimeters.
Seizer's eyes changed as the alarm rang in his mind.
'These fluctuations...a mage?!'
The heavy steel arrows, which were strong enough to tear flesh and break bone continued being rebounded from Lorian's icy armor.
Seizer's brows tightened as he thought of something.
'No...a combat mage? Such terrific control. There's something strange about his ice too. He's...dangerous.'
Finally, the sounds stopped and the ice receded from Lorian's body, revealing his wholly unharmed self.
- Everyone, charge!
Seizer realized, that his enemy didn't have a large pool of world essence. The spell he had cast was terrific, increasing one's defense and offense to the new level. Such spells couldn't be cast by any random mage as without sufficient resistance against said element, high precision, talent, affinity and attunement it was impossible. He had to quickly finish him off before the aid would come.
The scarlet gang roared as they drew different menacing weapons and charged at Lorian.
Lorian himself revealed a ridiculing smile, then whispered gently.
- You can play with the back row.
Elaine obediently nodded her head and vanished like a wisp of smoke. Seconds later, the desperate yells and startled shrieks could be heard. The archers were being slaughtered like chicken by a small shadowy figure.
She was like a tiger in a flock of sheep. The peak mortal realm at such a young age. Terrifying killing skills and battle sense...she truly was a monster.
- Die!
Meanwhile, Lorian was surrounded by people who were a second away from hacking him with their blades.
Smiling coldly, chilly mist once again gathered and burst from his chest.
- Ice block: Repel!
Icy shockwave threw the attackers meters away. Their movements became rigid as a thin layer of ice had spread around their skin.
- Aaaah!
And their skin started cracking under the chilly ice.
Another row of people, who were ready to charge at him hesitated upon seeing the sight. Fear was apparent in their eyes
- Idiots! He's a spent force. Finish him!
Seizer yelled hoarsely.
- Bastard, die!
Suddenly the man, whose brother was swept in Lorian's previous attack took the initiative and charged at Lorian and lifted his blade to gather the momentum. The others followed his lead with a loud shout.
Lorian cursed under his breath. He was already running low on mana.
Without enough money, he could only be satisfied with self-study from the library of the castle. However, such method was way too dangerous. His recent injury was the result of his failure in his spell experimentation. This new injury stacked with the old ones, which weren't healed properly. This is why he was in such state once again...
'Force step'
His left leg pushed on the ground and propelled his wheelchair to roll backward. The ice floor was being created underneath as the wheelchair rolled at high speeds. The figures of the attackers were getting smaller in his eyes...but he wasn't done.
He withdrew several flying daggers, froze them and flung his hand.
The frozen daggers exploded into ice metal shards and embedded into dozens of people from the Scarlet gang.
Karl caught Lorian's wheelchair which was sliding on the newly created ice path in their direction.
- Impressive.
He said with a smile. The people from the Unlaughing wore reverent expressions as they looked at Lorian.
- Your turn, everyone. Don't show mercy.
Lorian spoke softly. The Unlaughing gang roared vigorously as they charged at the enemy, which was thoroughly disoriented from Lorian's and Elaine's assault.
- Leave it to us, Boss!
- Yeah, let's show them what's Unlaughing gang is made of!
- Beat them, boys!
The full-scale battle unfolded. Though Unlaughing gang was inferior in numbers, their battle strength was preserved, while the majority of the enemies were injured and disorganized. The Unlaughing gang's people were mostly near the peak stage of the mortal realm, which means their all-out punch could fracture normal person's bones. Their battle experience wasn't lacking either, so they easily dominated the battle from the first moment, but as soon as they engaged with 2-3 enemies, they were being held down.
Seizer was at the brink of insanity as he charged at Unlaughing gang with a menacing look, ready to drink their blood.
- Not so fast.
Karl descended down with his greatsword and flung Seizer couple of meters away. He could only stabilize his body after taking several steps back.
Seizer sneered and didn't back off, unafraid of Karl's huge frame.
Meanwhile, Blazer's muscles bulged as his cudgel was raised in the air.
- Your opponent is me!
Boris yelled and stood in front of him, wielding double maces.
- Flaming strike!
Blazer yelled as his cudgel caught fire. Boris met the attack by crossing the maces above his head.
*BANG!!!
His feet sunk in the ground as his bulky feet almost crumbled then and there.
Boris didn't seem to mind at all as he pushed back with his double maces.
Boris yelled and the top of his maces buzzed with electricity. Blazer's grip weakened as his hands were numbed. Then, he was pushed back.
- Thunderclap!
Boris hit two maces on each other. The shockwave numbed over dozen men, giving his allies opportunity to finish them off.
Seizer was having an upper hand as he sneaked around Karl like a fox and attacked here and there, weakening him. However, seeing the dire situation he could only grit his teeth and order.
- Retreat!
The Scarlet gang fled like beaten dogs, leaving 3 to 4 dozen dead comrades behind.
- You'll pay for this!
Seizer left these words while showing wretched expression and fled without looking back.
Lorian was silently watching from a distance as the things unfolded.
A robust figure appeared behind him.
- Do you think it was his doing?
It was Genos!
Lorian shook his head.
- Unlikely, city lord's going to be pissed I guess. He'll be pressured in the auction. That's not a bad thing.
Genos stood in silence as he stared at him.
- I don't know what you're thinking. We are still too weak to face them...no, we never had a chance. Once the auction ends, the city lord will no longer hold back.
Lorian smiled as he asked.
- And you're still willing to follow me?
- I'll do everything to have my revenge, even if the chances are low.
- What about your daughter?
- She's in safe hands. Now that I'm alone, I'm free to get everything back owed with interest.
Genos spoke unhurriedly, but his eyes revealed suppressed flames, which would one day burst out.
Lorian pushed the wheels and slid towards the castle's door's direction.
- Very well, I'll try my best to not disappoint.
Genos remained standing with tranquil expression, watching the gang gather the spoils of battle. Their moods seemed great as they were being loud.
However, Genos couldn't share with their happiness. There was no lack of worries burdening his heart.