Before leaving the basement, Auriel splashed acid on the corpses. After confirming that they were melting, he proceeded to exit the basement with the invisible Loki perched on his shoulder. This noble bird was big but fortunately as Awakened, Auriel was able to carry him on his shoulder with ease.
Servants were running here and there in a rush while some butlers were yelling orders to maids about preparing bath and food.
Auriel passed these servants with quick stride as he wanted to greet Clint himself to look good in his eyes to have him on his side. Having a Grandmaster, who was going to be Transcendent at his side was something he didn't want to miss.
Hence he left the mansion quickly, only to hear the heavy footsteps of hundreds of Weaver soldiers who were marching towards here.
He tried to straighten his clothes but noticed the fact that he reeked of blood. Moreover he didn't have anything to purify this blood scent, so he just continued to the gates and hoped that Clint would miss the blood scent.
When he arrived at the gates, guards gave way to him immediately with fear and respect apparent in their eyes, in contrast to their usual mockery.
But Auriel didn't have any second to notice this change of the guards as his eyes locked to the incoming soldiers, particularly the one atop a horse cloaked in blackened armor.
This man was also clad in lusterless black armor adorned with silver lines on its dreary surface, barely discernible beneath the stains of blood. Even his helmet wasn't spared as it was dyed to dark crimson, a jagged gash was on its left eye. Moreover a single black feather perched on top of his helmet, swaying with every of his movement, giving a sense of foreboding while adding an eerie touch to this knight's already menacing presence. Gripped tightly within his gauntlet that was adorned with wicked spikes, was a formidable glaive with deathly aura. Its blade spanned to imposing 40 inches while its shaft, which was also metal, was extended to menacing 100 inches, cutting the ground while being dragged by the black knight. The glaive possessed deathly beauty, yet its lethal nature was unmistakable.
Auriel couldn't help but open his mouth in shock at someone wielding such a formidable weapon on the battlefield. Even though he knew that it was pretty much possible with even the power of the Master.
But he quickly pinched his thighs to recover himself as he needed to calm himself to receive this personage. After all this was the person he was waiting for just a moment ago, his 'brother' Clint Weaver.
'Damn, this bastard is too intimidating and cool…' Auriel thought and put a smile on his face.
"Welcome back, brother!" Auriel greeted loudly as he waved.
As the black-armored intimidating knight turned his head towards Auriel, the latter was pretty nervous after receiving the piercing gaze of Clint who was under the helmet.
Then Clint lifted his hand and stabbed the huge glaive to the ground, making cracks around it.
With slow movements, his gauntlets moved towards his helmet and slowly removed it by holding from the sides. His long dark hair fell over his face after he got out of the helmet, revealing his sharp features and pale but handsome face with a small, genuine smile on it.
'Handsome bastard…' Auriel clicked his tongue with jealousy but didn't break his expression.
Clint hopped from the horse and grabbed his glaive into his hand, for some reason he was excluding a murderous gaze towards Auriel's direction.
Auriel didn't know the reason for this but didn't back down from his place. He was living with Clint for about 20 days and he knew that this man was genuinely caring him
He thought that Clint wouldn't harm him, and even if Clint wanted to harm him, Auriel didn't have any chance to escape from him. So, he just stood still without causing suspicion.
Eventually Clint stood before Auriel, who had opened his arms for a hug. But Clint didn't give his brotherly hug like he always does, and his hand shot through with a speed impossible for Auriel to see and caught Loki.
Auriel's eyes widened in shock as he heard the thrashing sound of Loki in Clint's tight grasp.
Without even waiting for a second, he hit Clint's arm that held Loki. "Hey! The thing you are holding is my pet. Can you let him go, brother?"
Clint flinched after hearing Auriel and loosened his grip on Loki. Then he slowly put Loki back onto Auriel's shoulder and tried to pet his head. But Loki escaped from Clint's touch and perched on Auriel's head.
"It is your fault, brother. Ravens are known to hold grudges, you know? He would attack you if you weren't in scary armor." Auriel explained as he patted Clint's back.
Clint coughed into his hand and turned to his soldiers. "Return to your houses and rest for 2 days. You guys deserved this. Glory to Weavers!" His voice was cold and filled with pride while looking at the army.
"""Glory to Weavers!""" After repeating the same sentence a few times, soldiers began to dismiss.
Clint turned back to Auriel and hugged Auriel's shoulder with his arm. Then he began to question him with a concerned expression. "Now tell me, are you okay? Did you get injured in the gate opening? I saw the corpse of your butler, are you mentally fine? And where and how did you get an invisible bird, Riel?"
These rapid questions were a bit too much to answer while standing on foot, hence Auriel decided to continue this talk in the Weaver mansion.
"I am perfectly fine but let's talk inside when you wash and fill your stomach. You must be tired, brother."
Clint bobbed. "Sure, Riel."