~AHHHHHHHHH~ The humanoid shadow let out a hoarse sound, felt rejuvenated, it got up form its kneels to a king position, and stretch its body as if nobody is around.
Then it closed his hollow eyes to feel its healthy body healed and slowly open them again.
Alden who now is focused more then ever, looked around him. the tavern, which was once a place full of laughter and joy, now housed two dead body that even if someone were to make a full investigation would not know what type of creature did to those body.
Then it shifted his gaze from Albert and Byron.
Turning to those are still alive.
Lukas who already fell down, completely given up his escape. shivering with fear at the truth that had just unfolded, with gasped of awe and stupor at the two power figures that were fighting like gods. He did not even realise, just as Byron soiled his pants. He too did the same.
And on the other side, Gwen seems to take more realistic approach, although everything has unfolded would leave any weak hearted person at a dismay or at least stiffen like Lukas. That seems to be a different case to this woman. Tracking back to the word that the Princess has spoken about the mysterious person that made Byron act like that and even gather them here. Made Alden fall into a deep thought.
After few seconds Alden came back from his concentration.
[Not enough information] he thought, then his gaze shift to her, seeing his eyes landing at her. Gwen felt her knees weaken; she did not even know what to do. She did not know why this humanoid figure has suddenly looked at her like this.
Although she was conspiring with Byron before, she as a personal maid that was carefully selected by the Conaway family, Alden's mother side of the family. has never even thought about betraying them.
She was born and grew up in an ordinary family in a poor port, she lived free of trouble until she was about 10 years old, but at that point life changed. By accident she showed the ability to wield fire affinity, as a result, not knowing where to take her child. Gwen's mother sought safety within the Conaway family and ended up being recruited personally by her mistress Cecily Van Farrow,
Gwen was put under heavy training to be a top maid to serve a lucky noble, but that story did not go as the mistress predicted.
Traded to show Duke Mason with good will again. Cecily's father and the head of the family give Gwen away to Alden. Displeased by her father decision and toppled with Alden inability to wield nothing. Cecily become cold towards her own child. She as the concubine has already planned to have another child with Duke Mason. As such she did not even blink when she heard her own son is going be placed like a Princess in a tower in faraway city. In fact, she was the one who managed to encouraged Duke mason to go ahead and make the decision.
And as the plan proceeded, Gwen fate has already been decided. Looking after a cripple for the rest of her life.
She as the young mage, who was sort of loved by her peers in the Conaway Family domain, she as the battle warrior. She as the one who will become someone one day. Refused to accept it. Rage filled her every day, catering to her so called master. Gwen become sour, she often even talks back at the young lord, and at times she was the one who pushed him to fall off the staircase. Breaking his legs. Gwen pretends innocent and lied about doing it.
Byron saw through her lies and told his plan for the young Alden. Become ecstatic about this plan, Gwen joined him without even thinking.
As time passed, their member grow, from Albert to Lukas. She even believed all the people inside the castle is on her side. Day by day. Gwen's daring became more obvious bold. But today did not go as she and the rest has expected.
Coming back from her daze, Gwen remembered all the things that she did to her lord, and when she saw the humanoid kill Albert and especially Byron, she knew whoever this humanoid shadow is, was a person who is secretly watching them. She even believes that this person was the Young Lord true bodyguards. And at that thought, Gwen's fear accelerated.
[I'm going to die] she thought
As the humanoid shadow looked her, it begins to slowly walk towards her, not even batting an eye at her panicked retreat, the Humanoid shadow just kept walking. then suddenly
*SHAWWWW* it disappeared and appeared right in front of Gwen.
Gripping her by her neck, Gwen struggled to free herself, slowly being lifted by the humanoid shadow. Gwen's death is nearing, up close, Gwen could see behind the hallow eyes, is filled by nothing but disgust and rage for her. She knew she would die.
~Who gave you the nerves Gwen~ the humanoid shadow spoke, losing his grip on her neck to let her breath and answer.
"Please no" she answers, at the thought of dying in his hands, tears begin to fill her face slowly falling at the wooden floor of the tavern.
~You think you deserve mercy, after what you all been doing~ he asked her.