Chapter 36: The fall of Phirsecots (2)

The rest of the journey was silence.

After 20 minutes, the bus passed a steel gate into a private residence. Ray glances outside and sees a water fountain in front of a huge mansion. The bus stops.

The old man and Ray both step outside and are greeted by the servants of Dadelion family. They escort Ray and the head of the family to the meeting room. Ray steps inside and immediately regrets it.

'Why is that greedy brat here?' He curses while looking at a particular person.

There is a long table which extends over 5 meter which is occupied by numerous. Two of them particularly stand out than others because of their expensive attire. Those two are the successors of the Dadelion sentinel family.

At the end of the table, the old man also the current head of the family takes a sit. The seating arrangement represents the hierarchy in the family. Ray is sitting directly besides the Head while the successors are sitting away. This sparks the feelings of jealousy and envy between the young masters of the house and Ron who is an outsider.

As the head of the house the old man knows what exactly is happening between his sub-ordinates but he doesn't step in to clear it. He glances towards a young man who is wearing the expensive attire. The boy has blonde hair with a lean face and he has black eyes. Not particularly handsome but he has a determined look on his face.

'Currently, my entire house is torn between Joesph and Chris. Knights who have served me for a long time wants Joesph to be the next head. Joesph is sharp and strong warrior. He reached the level of intermediate knight at the age of just 21. He also inherited my skills quite well. More importantly, he values reputation and traditions above all. An ideal knight.'

The old man next looks at the second person with the expensive attire. This person is probably the youngest in the room. He also has grey hair and black eyes. He has a round shaped face which average at best. But this boy doesn't seem to be much interested in the meeting as he is dozing off while leaning his chair.

'Chris on the other hand is too naïve. Unlike Joesph, Chris was born in rather peaceful times. He lacks battle experience and has a lazy attitude but his blessed element gives him an edge over his brother. The elders of the house constantly praise his element. He almost got expelled from his school because he crippled all of the instructors just because they treat him like a normal student. On one side with got hardwork and determination. While, Talent and arrogance on the other side. Then, who will be the next sentinel?'

Suddenly the old man releases an explosive amount of mana. Both Joesph and Chris struggle to breath. Some weaker knights are already on the ground.

'Who cares? At the end, the one with more power will trample over the weaklings.' The old man smirks while looking at Ray who is sitting casually like nothing happened.

The pressure disappears. "Now, that I have your attention. We will start the meeting."

After few seconds of rest. Joesph gets up from his seat. "Currently, the vampyers are being too aggressive on the Northern side."

Everyone glances at the papers on the table, it is a rough map of the Red border. The northern side is surrounded in a mountainous range and it has three fortresses spread around those mountains.

"Our two fortresses were destroyed in the span of a single week. Currently, fortress Findel is being surrounded by the enemy troops and they have requested reinforcements."

"Is there any sign of a noble appearing?" A knight asks.

"No. From the reports provided by our scouts. The army only consists 4000 undead zombies which are led by a single Falseblood." Everybody on the table starts to discuss creating a disturbance.

'A falseblood? How could such weakling conquered two of our fortresses?' Ray wonders.

"Silence." The old man slightly taps on the table and everybody quiets down.

"Are there any signs of mutation?"

"No, grandfather." Joesph answers.

A hand raises in the back.

"Speak, Chris."

"I think the vampires are planning a large scale invasion. This army which is led by a falseblood is just a decoy. One of our destroyed fortress had a 3 star priest sent by the Lumineux knighthood. If that priest couldn't defeat a single falseblood then something fishy is going on there. Therefore, I suggest sending an intermediate knight instead of low knight." This last statement made it clear to everyone that this meeting is an indirect attack to Joesph.

Ray observes Joesph's twisted expression.

'Trying to send your brother to the frontlines where death is guaranteed. Such a vicious child.' The old man grins creepily.

"Cast your vote. Those who agree to sent an intermediate knight."

7 people lifted their hands. All 7 of them are quite young and they are sitting close to Chris.

"Those who are against sending an intermediate knight." 6 people lifted their hands. All of them are old in age, not many of them are sitting close to Joesph.

The old man purposely waits for few seconds. He is waiting to see if any knight betrays their chosen successor. Unfortunately, there no betrayals, not in the open at least.

"Then, it is decided. Joesph Seland Dadelion, the only intermediate knight present at the moment. Will be deployed-"

Suddenly, Ray who was quiet all this time lifts his hand in the air. The old man stops.

"Uh. My lion, do you have any question?"

Ray glances at Joesph. "No. I am voting."

Chris grips the table tightly that it cracks. "I am voting against sending an intermediate knight."

"May I know the reason?" The old man asks.

"It is foolish to send an intermediate knight. Just like this brat stated, the army led by the falseblood is a decoy. Then, why should we send an intermediate knight straight into their trap?"

"What are you implying?"

"That we should we attack first. The current troops present in the fortress can kill a falseblood with ease. This will catch the enemy off guard and we will gain intelligence about their scheme as well."

"Such marvelous plan, young lion." The old man praises Ron while Chris glares at Ray.

The meeting continues, for another 2 hours. At the end they decided to order the fortress to attack while dispatching a low knight accompanied with 1 squadron of soldiers.

Ray comes out of the meeting room, yawning loudly.

"Haha! Young lion. You should stay the night."

Ray turns back and sees the old man smiling at him. "It's not night anymore and Hestia will kill me, if I don't go back now."

"Haha! You have your worries. But can you talk with this one before returning?" The old man points to the back, Ray looks up and sees Joesph standing in the distance.

"Sure."

"Stay healthy. May the Horizon bless you, my young lion." The old man bids farewell to Ray.

Joesph walks towards Ray and bows. "I, Joesph Seland Dadelion shows my gratitude. Thank you for voting in my favour."

"Yes." Joesph stands up and looks straight in the eye of Ray.

"Then, Sir Phirsecot. Will you support me in the succession w-" Before Joesph could finish Ray lifts his hand.

"I have zero interest in the family politics. I only helped you because if you went to the frontlines, the chances of you coming back are non-existent and that brat will be the next Head which is a problem."

"T-Then, you think I am better than Chris?"

"When did I say that? You both are unfit for the position of the Head."

Joesph grips his hand tightly and bows once more. "I will try my best to exceed your expectation."

Ray turns back and begins walking towards the gate. "I would be happy if you could even see my expectations."

Joesph quickly runs behind him. "Sir! Where are you going?"

"To my residency?"

"Then, please take my car. You didn't bring your car when you came."

Ray turns back. "Yeah. Wait, can I take your car to Clamoire?"

"Do you even need my permission?"

Joesph quickly makes a call and a butler comes with stylish SUV. The butler gets out and hands the keys to Ray. He takes a seat inside.

'Honestly, this is comfortable than I thought.' Ray steps on accelerator and zooms ahead.

On the way he calls Hestia. "Honey, get ready. We are going to Clamiore now." Hestia who is half sleep just nods.

30 minutes later, Ray is driving the car and Hestia is sitting besides him while Ian is sleeping in the back. Both of them are in their casual clothes. Hestia is wearing a loose shirt which shows her cleavage and a comfy long pants on the bottom. Ian is wearing some shorts on a long sleeve t-shirt. 

"Anyways, dear. Where did you get this car from?" Hestia asks.

"Looks good right? We should buy one when we go home."

Hestia just sighs and presses a button which lowers her seat. Ray glances at her and sees that she is sleeping.

10 minutes passes. Ron is getting annoyed at his own knights. 'Ugh! Why are they so slow?'

Just then his watch rings. It's from the knight captain. He picks up the call. A man in full knight armour is on the screen. "Sir! Our vehicles can't keep up with you. Can you please slow down?"

Ray glances back and sees both Hestia and Ian are sleeping.

"Leave us. Change your route to directly Clamoire family's residency. We will meet you there."

"But sir-" Ray hangs up the call.

Then, he steps on the accelerator. An hour passes and nothing happens. Hestia and Ian are fast asleep and Ray is getting the dopamine of his life.

'Hmm. Forest area starts from here. I should slow down.'

Finally, Ray takes his foot off the accelerator. He looks outside the window and sees a series of large trees and curvy roads.

Suddenly a log of wood drops on the road out of nowhere. Ray quickly turns his wheel and steps on the break. The car drifts and flips. Mid-air, Ray breaks the roof of the car and jumps out.

He perfectly lands on the ground with Hestia and Ian in his hands. He slightly shakes their bodies waking them up.

"Wake up. We are under attack."