Having to carry the bruised, burnt, and cut-up body of her grandchild was not a pleasant experience for Nizael.
She had hurried back home because she had heard of what happened between her daughter and that bastard of a son-in-law, yet she didn't expect to come back to see an attempt on her grandchild's life.
Arriving in Lulu's room Nizael gently laid her on the bed, seeing her grunt in pain from this caused her face to contort.
- "Gather all the servants in this household immediately! And tell the private doctor to come here immediately."
Shouting at the nearest servant she began looking over Lulu's body with greater focus, seeing the servant hesitating agitated her more.
"I said now!"
- "Ah, yes Madam!"
Watching the young woman scamper out of the room all Nizael could do was sigh.
- "I didn't expect this to happen so soon... I'm sorry Lulu, everything will be better when you wake up." With a kiss on her forehead, Nizael left some trustworthy women to guard Lulu's room.
At the current moment, Latia and her father weren't at home, so the only higher figure of authority at the moment was Nizael, Lulu's grandmother, and the current head of the Bavel family.
Nizael was a tall and proud woman, she had short crystal-like black hair with a young face with very few wrinkles present, she was an awesome and beautiful grandma.
After arriving at the top of the stairs Nizael looked down to see around fifty people In different work attire bowing down to her
"Great to see you're all in attendance. Now I'm certain you should all know why you've been summoned, correct?"
- "Madam I ca-" Lifting his head and attempting to speak Alfine was cut short.
- "Did I say you could speak! Let alone raise your head!" Just seeing the man try and speak to her with that proud look of his disgusted her, and he had the gall to look her in the eyes.
"You left my granddaughter alone and didn't bother even trying to assist and protect her from that crazed cultist posing as an Ether Knight. I wouldn't even say it's outlandish were you to be accused of letting that madman enter."
"Syde, take him to the Kalloon as well," Speaking toward the soldier that just entered, she returned to the servants.
"Raise your heads, you're all dismissed as of this moment, there will be no severance pay. Also, Syde I need you to send a message to the Noval Clan when you're done, I finally have a job for them."
With the grunting from the servants and a nod from Syde, Nizael turned around to return to Lulu's bedside.
- "Madam, Madam wai-" Alfine tried again to speak up to Nizael, yet he was ignored, once again. This time, not even a response before he was gagged and dragged off.
Upon entering the room the doctor had just finished checking up on Lulu and her condition, she had her in new clothes and wrapped up in bandages.
Hearing Nizael entering the room the doctor turned towards her with an unfortunate look placed on her face.
- "...How is she doctor Hila?" Expecting a negative response, Nizael prepared herself.
- "She, well, the skin on her back and right forearm are badly damaged, it's possible that the damage will be permanent. Her hands have been scarred and she most certainly has been mentally damaged, it is hard to tell when she will wake up. This incident will also stunt her growth."
- "I see... I apologize, I will have to ask you to watch over her for the time being Doctor."
- "It is alright Madame, I will make sure to help the Young Miss recover." There was a look of pity in the Doctor's eyes when she looked over at Lulu.
Nizael thought that that was fortunate, how strange to think that a gaze of pity was fortunate toward her granddaughter.
- "Well then, I'll leave you at it. You're free to come to me if you ever need anything."
- "Of course."
With that, they ended their conversation and Nizael left the room and waited in the study for Latia and her husband to arrive.
...
- "Mother what's going on!?" Bursting through the door was an agitated Latia, " You said something happened to Lulu?! Where is She?!
- "Please calm down first dear. She's fine at the moment, just resting. Let's wait for your father before I explain anymore.
- "Ok... ok where is she?"
- "In her room."
With that, they both went to Lulu's room. When she saw the state of her daughter Latia broke into tears, and silently wept at her bedside.
- "Why do you have to go through this..."
...
After the passing of two days, Lulu finally stirred awake.
When they entered her room they couldn't help but wallow in grief when seeing the blank look on her face as she was stuck outside the window.
The figure of a child covered in scars and burns was not a pleasant sight, especially for her mother, who could never get used to this.
- "Lulu... how are you feeling?" Sitting next to her bedside, Latia carefully held her hand observing her with a look full of worry.
Lulu didn't rotate her gaze as she took a moment to respond.
- "I can't feel... the skin on my back and... arm. My... throat hurts," after struggling to speak she put her hand to her throat, trembling as she held it there.
- "... I'm sorry dear, I couldn't protect you. I'm so sorry." Tears started flowing out as they fell continuously on the blanket, staining it.
Lulu turned towards her mother as streams came from her eyes as well, embracing each other and they silently cried in each other's arms.
Watching the scene with bittersweet smiles on their faces, Lulu's grandparents quietly left the room to give them some space.
Sitting in the lounge, Nizael and her husband, Sol, were facing each other with quite serious expressions on their faces.
- "It's my fault I should've cleared the house of Pest before she came here." Sol sighed while rubbing his knuckles.
- "No. It's both of our faults, I should've postponed my expedition outside the city, If I didn't leave this would never have happened. We should have been more vigilant, this situation is bigger than just one person."
Nizael could also only sigh as she gritted her teeth at the entire situation.
"I contacted the Noval Clan, they need work and we need new and competent workers.
- "Yes they would be the best to ask, and their view towards the Blue is slightly different compared to the others."
- "Indeed... but let's not trust them too much, I don't want to risk this situation repeating itself." Just reminding herself of what just happened angered Nizael to the point where she also broke the armrest of her seat.
"What else did you find out about that madman?"
- "He has ties with the Nexus family, they most likely sent him here to get rid of her. They're quite extremists."
Bang! - Nizael slammed her fist into the table upon hearing this, breaking it.
- "That Loabnick! First, he kicks my daughter to the curb then he tries to kill my granddaughter! Send word to the tower immediately, since we can't kick them out of it we must at least pressure them to their lowest."
- "I'm far ahead of you dear, I've already cut off all connections and support to the Nexus family. Now we just need to wait."
They both had satisfied grins on their faces at the thought of ruining that disgraceful family.
- "Great! I can't wait to see the look on their faces, they'll learn not to mess with the Bavels. I'll be heading to the Kalloon to speak with its new residents.
- "Alright, don't linger there too long, I don't want you smelling like that place."
Hahaha! - "Got it, got it," With a loud laugh she stepped out of the lounge and checked in on Lulu and Latia before heading off to the Kalloon.
...
Unhoh City,
Stepping out of his private assault ship, the Tower Marshal's shoulder-length grey hair blew in the wind when he stepped onto the ship dock. After observing the dock for a few moments he scratched his short beard.
- "Private! Where is General Bavel?" Speaking to the nearest soldier he raised his voice.
The private in question stumbled and nearly dropped his rifle as he was caught by surprise.
- "S-She suddenly called off her participation, she said there was a home emergency, a family issue, Sir."
Annoyed by her sudden change of plans he decided to let it be as his reason for visiting this city was right ahead of him.
There was a small caravan of cargo ships accompanied by a small Squadron of assault ships. All the ships were gilded with the symbol of multiple spiky snakes biting down on a planet and its orbiting moons.
It was the Kritol. The Kritol looked quite similar to the face of the Detrid races. They had similar hair skin complexions and pointy ears, yet each of them had different types of wings on their back.
They were packing crates of supplies within the cargo ships at a relaxed speed, taking their time, as if they were welcomed here.
The people around the dock were eyeing them cautiously and nervously while trying not to get into conflict with them.
The Tower Marshal approached the Kritol that was looking through the supplies on a clipboard to check if everything was accounted for.
Upon spotting the Tower Marshal his face glistened as his lips and eyes curved upwards as he shouted out in sarcastic joy.
- "Well If it isn't the oh-so-great Tower Marshal Muller! It's a pleasure meeting you again."
- "Zeke..." Muller's voice was lightly tinted with his underlying anger after seeing a similar face.
"To see you after that incident is surely a pleasure indeed."