5

New scenery after so long, I never expected that the streets of Nevaeh, which used to be quite empty, are now filled with many merchants. Has this city drastically transformed into a trading hub?

Setting that aside for now, there is another change that surprises me. Even though it's still morning, there are already many people on the streets. Could this be a sign that Nevaeh has seen an increase in population in just five years? Well, it's not important to dwell on that! Right now, I need to find a place to eat.

I didn't have to walk far, as I finally arrived at a restaurant. It was quite spacious and bustling. I quickly sat on an empty chair and placed my order. While waiting for my food to arrive, I thought it would be nice to listen to the stories of people around me. Who knows, there might be some useful information.

As if answering my request, someone sitting at the table next to mine with their friends said, "By the way, did you know? Last night, the security guards who were chasing Benjamin Donatien and his son were wiped out!"

"How strong were the father and son to be able to slaughter them?" another person asked.

"Apparently, out of the five security guards, only one managed to escape! That person said Benjamin Donatien was killed, but his son sought revenge using a strange Beast!"

A strange Beast? Could they be referring to one of the seven unique Beasts? I'm grateful for eavesdropping on their conversation. Well, let's continue listening.

"I think it's not an exaggeration. I heard that Keres Nevaeh will lead a hundred soldiers to capture Benjamin Donatien's son."

"Keres Nevaeh?! That arrogant noble's son? I'm sure he has malicious intentions."

"Yeah, no matter what, he's the eldest son of Duke Byron Nevaeh."

Hm... I think I've heard enough. I have a rough idea of the conversation. It's time to eat and then take action.

As quickly as possible, I finished my meal, without waiting long, I immediately left the restaurant and surveyed the surroundings. Sure enough, on the street, I saw a young man armed and riding a horse. Behind him, about a hundred soldiers obediently followed on foot, despite their leader riding a horse.

Well, let's blend in with the astonished crowd of civilians and follow this troop. I doubt they would pay close attention to being followed.

As per the conversation at the restaurant, they indeed entered the forest. I'm curious about the extent of the truth behind that story and how much of it is just rumors. Now, I just need to verify the truth before taking any action that could endanger my life.

After walking for quite a while, not far ahead, a young man with short hair stood tall. In front of him, nine men dressed in blue uniforms were clearly the dead security guards. But the information from the restaurant seemed slightly off because there were nine bodies here, not four as they assumed.

"So, you understand that you are lowly and intend to surrender! I, Keres Nevaeh, am quite impressed with your attitude!" said the young man leading the troops.

"I suspected you would come, Keres Nevaeh. Or do you prefer to be called Young Master Nevaeh?" It was evident that the young man now surrounded by Keres Nevaeh's forces was not afraid at all. "Unfortunately, you were wrong to say that I would surrender. I've been waiting here solely to avenge my father!"

"Naville Donatien! Watch your manners!" shouted one of the soldiers.

Keres Nevaeh now showed an unhappy face. "You dare! After capturing you, I will make you scream for death, Naville Donatien!"

"Unfortunately, that is not possible!" Naville's right eye immediately emitted a blue light, but Keres' soldiers also activated the power of their right eyes. However, there was a difference between Naville and the others. The young man's Beast was Thestral, one of the unique Beasts I was looking for.

Now it's confirmed that what people said was true. It's time to wait for an opportunity to come and take away the young man named Naville. Ah, this will be difficult. It's better for me to stay away from this dangerous area for now.

The battle began, and upon Keres' command, the soldiers behind him immediately attacked Naville using their Tiger Beasts. Although the first attack was launched by ten people at once, in one flap of his wings, Thestral managed to knock them all down. The power of Thestral Beast was indeed formidable, but could it defeat a hundred people?

"Don't stop! Keep attacking at full strength! He's alone while we have a hundred!" Keres Nevaeh did not let his soldiers reduce their attacks.

Instead of being afraid, Naville smiled. "I will show you the difference between us!" In the blink of an eye, everything turned black, or rather, nothing could be seen, just darkness.

Thestral's unique ability, in addition to being physically stronger than the Tiger Beasts, was the power to blind his opponents for a few seconds. Of course, not all unique Beasts possessed this ability, as other Beasts had different unique abilities, such as the Sphinx Beast's ability to hypnotize.

"No!"

"Argh!"

Even though it was only for a few seconds, Naville truly made use of the time. He managed to eliminate a hundred soldiers brought by Keres. The only one left now was Keres, as if Naville intentionally left him for last.

"This is the difference between me and all of you," said Naville. "Now only you remain, Keres. Don't you want to unleash your Beast? Oh, are you still not allowed to kill your father or mother?"

"How dare you insult me!" Keres seemed displeased. "I am the child of Duke Byron Nevaeh! The ruler of the Nevaeh territory!"

"To be honest, I don't care about that. In fact, I plan to exterminate your entire family! Because of your injustice, my father was accused of something he didn't do!"

"Huh! Who cares about a minor mistake like that! You'd better surrender now. I might be able to forgive you and let you live!"

"Look who's talking?" Naville shrugged. "Someone without a Beast like you will not be able to defeat me!"

"You...!" Keres spurred his horse at full speed towards Naville. "Even without a Beast, a noble like me will surely be—"

Tragically, Keres was killed by a kick from Naville's Thestral Beast that pierced his stomach before he could finish his last sentence. Now there was only Naville, me, and scattered bodies here. The power of unique Beasts was truly terrifying, it sent shivers down my spine.

"Well, well, that was impressive. You managed to eliminate a hundred soldiers in just a few seconds," I said, approaching slowly, causing Naville, who was already relieved, to flinch a little.

Immediately, Naville became cautious. "Who are you? Are you one of Nevaeh's lap dogs?!"

"Don't be too wary, I genuinely praise you. I never expected you to do something so extraordinary."

"Tell me who you are, or I will kill you!" Naville threatened firmly.

"I'm just a commoner passing by. My name is Ars." My indifferent attitude might disturb Naville, but that's what I hoped for. "Other than that, I have no connection whatsoever with Nevaeh."

"It seems like you are underestimating me!" Naville immediately attacked me with his Thestral Beast, just as I expected.

The surprised and incredulous expression on Naville Donatien's face was what I had been waiting for. How could he not be shocked to find out that his proud Beast couldn't kill me and instead vanished, blending into the air.