I stood there, facing four people, one of whom was Lykon's brother. Lykon was beside me, but we both stayed silent. It felt like we were on trial, and the tension was thick. I looked away, trying to escape their harsh stares.
"This is ridiculous! How could you give such an important mission to newcomers?" shouted one of the elderly men, his arms covered in gold-like ornaments. "He nearly messed everything up."
"I agree. This
Yikes, they were all mad at me, even though I hadn't even spoken to them.
"Everyone, calm down," said Lykon's brother, looking at me. I was nervous, sweating like crazy.
"My friend might have caused some damage, but he saved my sister," he continued, trying to calm things down.
Huh? I glanced at Lykon, feeling like everything was about her.
"Yes," Lykon confirmed, stepping forward. "Lucian saved my life. I was poisoned and couldn't fight, but he protected me from our enemies. Plus, when we arrived, the place was already empty. They had fled."
"Lykon is right. I investigated, and the place was empty," said another voice.
"Empty, you say?" muttered the elderly man.
"It seems they knew we were coming. Instead of blaming Myst, shouldn't we find the spy?" suggested Lykon's brother.
Everyone's attention shifted to him.
"Mr. Evergreen, are you saying there's a security problem?" one of them asked, looking at me.
Oh, I get it. They all want something from me.
"Yes, we need to fix this. I will make sure he's taken to headquarters. For now, let's wait for more information about the missing students," Lykon's brother said, giving me a satisfied look.
"With that settled, I think our meeting is over," declared the elderly man, standing up. "Thank you for your time."
"Lykon, please show our guests out. They might get lost," said her brother.
"Yes, brother," replied Lykon, hurrying after them. Wait, don't leave me here! I tried to follow, but Lykon's brother stopped me.
"Can I talk to you?" he asked.
I gulped, sweating even more. "Y-yes, of course, my lord," I stammered, sitting down nearby. He was still going through some reports.
He looked mature and dignified. I couldn't help but feel jealous of how calm he was.
"You're lucky I stepped in earlier," he said, breaking the silence.
I looked down, embarrassed by my mistakes.
"But don't worry. I don't blame you because I know the demon isn't really you," he continued, surprisingly understanding.
"However, you are now under the organization's watch. Have you heard of the Wardens?" he asked.
The name sounded familiar.
"They...they're against the imperial kingdom, secretly exposing the nobility's wrongdoings?" I guessed, trying to remember.
"Exactly," he confirmed, lighting a cigar. "We work in secret to help those in need, defying the king. It's dangerous, but we persist."
He looked out the window at the night sky.
"And now, you're one of us. That's why you faced resistance. About the mission, did you notice anything strange?" he asked.
"Y-yes, they're targeting me too. They poisoned me. But how did they find out about me?" I wondered.
"Because there's a mole among us. Lucian, your new task is to infiltrate and find the spy. Be careful this time. We can't afford another mistake," he instructed.
So, he wasn't mad about the school incident because he expected it.
"Y-yes, my lord," I said, feeling nervous. "Before you go, wear this," he added, handing me something.
I looked at him, confused.
"M-my lord... what is this?" I asked.
"It is what it is, Lucian," he replied cryptically.
It was a dog collar!
Later that night, I lay in bed, the collar beside me. He said it would nullify the demon's control. "A nullification," I muttered. But did it have to look like this?
Frustrated, I cried and tossed and turned. Suddenly, the room brightened. At the edge of my bed sat a white-haired boy. "...you," I whispered, recognizing him.
"I saw her. She's nearby, laughing at what I did," he said, talking about the being.
I was confused. How could he be here if he was the other me?
He turned to me, tears in his eyes. "Eh..." he choked out, crying. I felt sorry for him. Without thinking, I hugged him.
"I don't understand why you're upset, but you're not alone. I'm here for you. We're in this together," I whispered, smiling. He didn't say anything, but he hugged me back.
He hadn't responded before when I tried to talk to him. I was glad he finally did.