Chapter 37: Rid Van

[Please, If you need any help in the future, don't hesitate to come to me and as long as it is within my power, I'll do my best to fulfill it!] The Count promised with a solemn expression while the others in the Room except his wife looked surprised.

[ My Lord, please calm down. I'll be sure to put that in mind... But I have to know, what's going ?]Haru tried to speak in a polite manner, So that he would not come off as Rude. One must know that, from the Aura he felt from this Man, he could tell that he was a "King"(Reminder: the final line between a class 6 and a saint just like Xavier) and he couldn't even tell to what extent! it was left before he became one and he was sure this man would beat Xavier or the swordsman hands down.

But such a Man was talking politely with him, how could he not be polite?.

In fact, Haru has always been worried about times like this, as he did not know how to act in front of this Noblemen. Therefore, at the time He could only imitate books and movies inspired from the medieval period.

He had to imitate almost everything. The way he spoke, the way he moved, everything. It seemed to work so far though.

Hearing this, The Count gave a wry smile and continued, [excuse my manners. I'm just relieved! Please understand that my daughter left home, and on her return, she's dragged into this mess. as a father, I was extremely worried,] he apologized as he place his behind him.

He looked at everyone in the Hall and then decided that this was the best time to elaborate on the incident, [It was just last night as I was headed into my Study and requested for some tea that I discovered the Maid was different from the tea girl. I used my divine sense to probe and found a strange mana within her body, I was with my wife in there, and we asked the maid to introduce herself, but she rushed towards my wife but unfortunately for her, my wife is a Senior class 6 flame mage. She used her flame prison to lock her up. who knew she would poison herself , not long after there was a commotion in the Castle.]

Lord Van explained the incident in an orderly manner from beginning till end.

[what??!! My lady can cultivate?!] An Elder suddenly said as everyone looked at him oddly, but the conversation quickly moved on.

His wife however had remained silent throughout the whole narration. There is a great resemblance between Maya and her even if She looked to be in her late 30's, she had long black hair that reached her lower back, it had light shades of red around the edges, 'probably originated from her cultivation' Haru thought as he looked away, even He wouldn't have known she was a mage if he didn't have a system that allowed him have a basic understanding of cultivation.

[based on the evidence left behind, it shows that it was the church and I would've believed if I didn't sense that maids mana signature. the ones who escaped seemed to be the ones who attacked the carriage today. Now we saw one of them having the war God's qi technique.] Count Van suddenly said.

An Old man with trimmed grey beards and a long ponytail suddenly pulled their attention [hmm...]

Haru's pupils constricted as he had not sensed this man at all and yet it was as if he had always been there, in fact it was like he was meant to be there. His voice seemed rather soothing as he quietly observed everyone in the room. When Haru felt his gaze, it felt like he was being pricked by needles but it didn't last long as The old man moved towards them from the doorway he had been standing.

[Father] Count Van said in surprise.

[[[Great Lord]]] everyone chorused as they bowed, well except Haru who was looking at the elderly Man with wide eyes. This was because, when the man lifted his hand to pat the count's back he saw a tattoo from beneath his robe

<Lord Ríd Van(Gale King)>

Cultivation: Peak Saint Rank

Alignment: Terra Empire

God: Gord (Master of the Mystic elements)

This was what was hanging above the old man's head, His name was Rid Van, the man who was said to have built the several cities and towns that was now under the Van family. There was a rumor that Haru had once heard in Primux, it was said that the Van family was once of Marquis Rank but due to them supporting the Crown prince of the empire, the present Emperor which was also the sixth Son back then, decided to deal with them.

Unfortunately, Rid complete the quest that he had been given and became a saint, forcing the Emperor to only use every method to demote the Van Household and as a saint is an important asset to any kingdom, He could not seize any of their property nor go too far either, so even though the patriarch title of the family became a Count, They had the asset and influence of a Marquis.

In all of the Terra Empire, there were only 4 peak level saints that were known till date with Rid being the 5th one. The second reason Haru was surprised was because of the God Rid was following, when he came in earlier and saw that everyone except Xavier and Son were flame related, he felt they were serving "Vadur" Son of Flames but seeing Rid made Haru understand that serving Gods might just be a question of preference and gaining the recognition of said God.

Rid Van was a follower of Gord, master of the mystical elements which consists of all variants like Gale, Storms, Ice that he saw with Xavier. Thinking up to this point, he looked at Xavier and John as though he had come to an understanding.

[The aura I sensed earlier, I have felt it before. though you might have sensed the War God's Qi, there was something else mixed with it.] Rid once again spoke.

Everyone looked at Rid with a serious expression while The count asked [ what do you mean Lord father?]

[When I once traveled out on my quest, I ran into a group called the "Forsaken", they consist of people who have been abandoned by their Gods or they chose to abandon their God. they believed that Chaos gave birth to all things, including the Gods!] Rid said.

[the Forsaken?] Haru muttered softly as a prompt casually appeared on the lower left side of his view, telling him that he had a new information added to his library.

Meanwhile, Rid continued with his story [At that period, they would go from village to village, killing and plundering while sacrificing the victims to Chaos].

His words seemed to have changed the atmosphere of the Great Hall, everyone wore serious expressions.

[Does this mean they have set their sights on us?] An elderly man finally asked the question lingering in the air.

Rid replied curtly before explaining his thoughts, [No!they seem to be trying to cause friction between us and the church. I suspect this is but a distraction from their main motive.]

[Distraction?] the Count muttered.

At this time Haru spoke up, [ Honestly, I had the same suspicion, they were doing their all to avoid an outright battle even though they had actual strength. if his accomplice had done the same thing he did at the end, then i would have been in trouble]. when he finished speaking, everyone became aware of his presence once more and they were reminded that this was the man who had fought the false saint.

And of course, Rid was also part of the people looking at him.

[Itachi has seen great Saint] Haru said with a small how which brought up different kinds of reactions on the people present, especially The count.

It had to be said that in both achievement and age, Haru couldn't compare to Rid in the eyes of this people.

And the count couldn't even rebuke Haru because, the Saint didn't seem to mind and Haru on the other hand didn't seem simple as his over all strength was equivalent to a newly upgraded saint rank.

[Hi? Itachi? a strange name... I'm guessing you are not from this parts.] Rid spoke in an amused smile.

[yes I'm not... Itachi of the Uchiha clan] Haru spoke casually but the expressions on the viewers were very colorful. In this world, there were different legends that says "besides the several kingdoms, empires or great sects, there were hidden clans who hold great power. no one knows where they were or to what extent their influence goes."

Now when they see the way Haru behaved while using "Clan" to describe where he came from, they could only picture it as one this Hidden Clan. immediately, some elders began making plans on how to get on his good graces and tie him to their family.

obviously Haru was not aware their self induced hypnosis as his discussion with the saint was coming to a close.

[I thank you for saving my granddaughter, feel free to stay in the family castle. I dare not say I am a master in front of your clan's masters but if you have any questions please feel free to contact me at my courtyard] Rid used his words to probe, but unfortunately or fortunately, Haru didn't bother to refute his words which in turn further increased the misunderstanding.

With a nod towards Xavier, he continued talking to Haru, [Xavier would be taking you to your temporary lodging]é

[I understand] Haru said as he gave small bow and followed Xavier out. meanwhile the meeting continued to discuss what was to be done.

initially, Haru wanted to help investigate but their attitude made him decide against it. obviously he wasn't trusted yet... So he went into the room assigned to him and soon fell asleep.

---------------------------

From the air, Alchrod looked at the ridiculously beautiful glowing lake as every single bit of Mana on the island of fate revolved around a lone figure, while slowly stabbing through her skin with the colors almost too intense to be true. There was the silver lines of fate, the blue of the lake, the immaculate white skin of his sister Eliya, the rich, elemental steel color of the Mana chains as it locked down every.

[Eliya... just tell me where you and Zoldevi sent your divinity?] Alchrod said as he laid on top of a gold Cloud.

[grrr...go smash your heard on the mountain of maletem, AaaaAArgh!!!] Eliya said through grunts as Alchrod chuckle in delight.

[Oh dear sister, just call back your divinity and all this would be over.] He said.

[So you can repeat what you did to mother.] Eliya countered while Alchrod's mouth began to twitch. [Hmph...] lighting suddenly struck down from his hands to Eliya's rib causing her to scream.

As she noticed Alchrod had left, through tears she made a silent prayer [Save me]