Joker

Even though James claimed that the Fang was difficult to track down, there was something about the way he spoke that screamed confidence. And the coldness that radiated from his voice, it seemed as though they he had a personal vendetta against them- or at least one of them.

Wow, you seem pretty confident", Fayna asked with her usual amused expression. Throughout the conversation she had been silent, staring outside the carrige window as if what they were discussing was of no concern to her.

"What makes you so certain you'll succeed". She continued in an aloof manner, distracted by a broken-down wagon they passed and the forest reflecting in her eyes.

Although Edward didn't want to admit it, he was thinking the same thing, but he didn't want it to come off as though he was doubting the nobleman's abilities. For a normal citizen like him who was at the bottom of the social hierarchy, he understood that nobles valued their image a lot. And it would be rude for anyone to underestimate their abilities much less a commoner like him, even if he had a somewhat close relationship with the nobleman.

"During the attack, one of their members had his legs decapitated and left to die in the forest. We captured him and now he's being interrogated by some of my knights as we speak". James announced with his arms folded and a smirk on his face.

Edward couldn't help but display a small unnoticeable smile as he looked at James sitting across from him with his eyes closed. Is he trying to act cool or something, he thought. After James explained, Edward nodded this head, appearing to understand some great hidden truth, "I see", Fayna just replied without actually saying much, going back to her sightseeing, but it would soon come to an end as she could see the manor in the distance. " I have one more question to ask", said Edward putting on a serious look.

Do you know, I remember saying I would only answer three questions. And if my memory serves me right. You've already asked all three questions". Edward felt like he had been slapped in the face as his somewhat serious face turned dark from embarrassment. The truth is he knew he'd already used up his three chances, he was hoping to pull a fast one over the nobleman.

"But I'll answer one more question since your last two questions demanded only one answer", continued James.

"I want to know... why didn't you protect the town when it was under attack?" Edward sat in a hunched position opposite James with his hands crossed covering his mouth, staring at him with stern eyes- almost like he was judging him. Now Fayna paid attention to the conversation, eager to hear the nobleman's answer.

James had a stoic expression, unfazed by Edward judgmental gaze. "I see...". With his eyes closed, James contemplated how he would respond.

"As the Noble responsible for the protection and prosperity of the Muris region…I won't make up any excuses...I failed to protect you and your townsfolk,

and for that, I am truly sorry". He said bowing his head down slightly. Edward was taken back by the sudden gesture.

"N...no…. it's alright...there's no need for you to bow your head to me". Edward stuttered. In every society there was a social hierarchy that predicted a chain of authority, respect and power. In the Calmak Kingdom, nobles were highly ranked in the social food chain- they were greatly respected and had authority no matter where they went. Since he lived in a small town out in the boonies, he had never met any nobles before, apart from James Madric but even with that he felt like it wasn't right for a Nobel to bow down to a commoner

"But tell me young Edward", asked James with his stole face. "Do you think it's only your town that was attacked... multiple attacks happened across the Kingdom."

The news came as a shock to the young teenager as he grasped what James was saying. But he quickly regained his composure as he listened to the explanation. If it was true that the attack happened across the Kingdom, it made sense that the Lord of the region would be unable to protect all his citizens.

__________

Inside the manor James instructed some of the maids to take Fayna to one of their guest rooms while Edward and him had somethings to talk about. Fayna wasn't bothered by this, in fact she was glad to get away from the suspicious gazes they were giving her. Before she went, she told Edward to come and see her later.

"I also want to discuss something with you. It's kind of a private matter…that regard your father", was the last thing she told him before she went off with the maids.

Edward had a complicated look on his face as he watched Fayna disappear around the corridor.

Years ago, after the fall of the Rolix Family- a noble family that was in charge of keeping order among the rouge, as well as bringing criminals to justice and ensuring peace in the kingdom.

In the subsequent years there was a significant increase in the number of criminal activities throughout the kingdom as well as rouges that were causing trouble and disrupting the lives of citizens.

During that period, Edward's father, Ezra Silver was one of the many people who volunteered for the Hunter core project- a special organization created by the nobles to subdue the criminals and take down rouges in the kingdom. They were basically the police of the kingdom. He had lost his life while fighting against some bandits on a mission serving as a body guard to one of the noblemen working as an ambassador to one of the neighboring kingdoms. At least that's what his mother told him.

Edward was brought out of his train of thoughts as he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning around James beckoned him to follow closely behind him, in order to avoid getting lost. Despite his somewhat close relationship with the nobelman, this was his first time in the manor. The interior of the manor was amazing, with intricate designs and portraits of various people postered on the walls. Edward couldn't help but continuously admire everything that came into his line of sight. Thinking about it, it wasn't totally impossible for him to wander off.

The Madric's manor was quite large, the house itself was big enough to accommodate most of the maids and servants. They were walking on a narrow pavement leading to a small shed at the back of the house in the middle of a beautiful garden with a variety of flowers and trees. The shed looked so out of place as it stood there like a sore thumb.

As they stood in front of the shed, James retrieved a key from under his sleeves and opened the door. Inside the shed, Edward was baffled by how incredibly empty it was, except for the lever attached to the wall. What was even more strange was the fact that it seemed that although the exterior of the shed was wooden, the interior was made entirely out of metal.

James proceeded to pull the lever and immediately the sound of gears hitting each other could be heard as the floor beneath their feet started to descend. The young teenager almost stumbling off his feet at the sudden movement, "The man who was captured is currently being detained down here. And I'm sure you'll want to ask some questions". James began to talk as they neared the ground.

Stepping off the platform, they seemed to be in some kind of dungeon with the only source of light been the lamps attached to the walls. There were many cells in the dungeon with some of them having chains attached to the walls,but all of them seemed to be empty as the place was completely quiet… uncomfortable quiet.

They went to one of the cells where muffled noises could be heard. "This is the man that was captured during the assault, can you perhaps recognize him". Edward approached the cell, looking at the man with various scares across his face and blood stains on his clothes. The man looked to be heavily injured and although he had bandages on some parts of his arms and legs, it seemed that he had only been help to the point where his life wouldn't be in danger anymore. Staring at the man closely, Edward couldn't recognize the man.

"I see, that is unfortunate". James cast his attention back to the prisoner as he spoke, "Jack, I am about to ask you some questions, and in exchange I will reduce your sentence. That is if you answ-". James was cut short as the prisoner, apparently named jack started to laugh hysterically as if James had just told the funniest joke, but slowly the laughter began to change into crying as tears flowed down his flushed cheeks. "Reduce my sentence, what's the point of reducing MY FUCKING SENTENCE, after all…", Jack began to sob intensely "they are coming and I'll be dead by tomorrow".