He moves

Rome 7

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3rd POV*

It has been a day since Luke was smacked on his head. Ladert decided to postpone his death until the man wake up, it would be unfair for the little child if his Father just died, there would be no one to take care of him. Luke has been resting for a whole day now without any sign of waking up. Ladert could not blame him for it was a strong hit, on the head at that.

It would not be a surprise if Luke ended up being vegetable or perhaps just dead. This is what surprised Ladert though, the man has insane tenacity and vitality. It was almost creepy how the small hole on his head was patching up within naked eye. The regenerative ability Luke has scared Ladert, he suspected that he might be some son of deity outside.

In the room of Ladert, Luke could be seen lying on the bed while Lucius was grasping his hand. She has been on his side the whole day, refusing to leave. She doesn't even want to eat and was only persuaded when Ladert mentioned that Luke would be disappointed if she didn't eat.

Lucius stared at the sleeping figure of her father, there was no doubt on her mind that he would wake up as the man promised that he will be there in her every moment. Despite being just 4 years old, Lucius is visibly different from other children. Her memories are clearer than normal as she can still remember the faces of her real parents.

She is also quite mature compared to those the same age children, she behaved and followed her father's words knowing that he is just concerned about her. She doesn't complain when they can't eat properly within the first month of living together, she is just glad that the new Father figure she met is a great one.

"Father… isn't my story funny?" Lucius began talking to sleeping man. "I was born on a higher ground, high above anyone else. My father was a member of the senate while mother is the daughter of the war hero. I-I used to love the life of being aristocrat but now that I saw their true colors… it disgust me" she spoke like a real adult.

Her intelligence is above others as a child, she is just acting childish in front of her Father because she is afraid that he might reject her for being abnormal. She doesn't want that thing to happen. "Mother said that all lives are not equal… I don't believe in her! People should have equal rights! She is just a hypocrite!" Lucius began releasing what she has been carrying on her shoulders.

She ranted for a whole 5 minutes before finally stopping. "Father… t-thank you being a responsible figure for me. I love you" Lucius hugged Luke's sleeping body for a second before leaving the room to eat. What she didn't know was that the moment she left, two apathetic eyes opened themselves to the world. The Monster has awakened.

.

.

.

.

"What do you mean Lumino died?" an old man with short curly white hair asked. He is currently sitting on a chair handling some papers. He is part of a circle inside the senate, to be precise the head of that circle. His name is Theocles Crassus, a man who is on full support to the current Emperor Caligula. The news of Lumino Verant dying is a huge deal for him.

That man was part of circle and him dying would lead to a hole in their circle. Not to mention, Lumino was also a big shot inside the senate. His crazy mouth and endless ideas made him a force to be reckon with. "Explain" Theocles narrowed his eyes at the servant who reported the news. He would not take this easily.

"L-Lord Lumino was in his usual game. He targeted a stall owner this time and kidnapped his son. The owner went along to the game and that was the last thing we heard about Lord Lumino! He was killed by being strangled on the neck!" The servant responded fearfully. A simple mistake would make him lose his head which is why he is being careful with his words.

Theocles of course know what this game is. He is aware of every idiocy that those under him does, although he himself does not understand their quirks, he still treated them normally. Crazy pawn are still useful pawns. "Hmm… as expected he didn't last long. Still his death is faster than what I predicted" Theocles muttered.

"Wait, stall owner?" Theocles remembered something important that he has been keeping tabs on ever since he was a child. "Leave the room" he ordered the servant who immediately adhered the command. Theocles placed his hand on his head contemplating things. 'Is it really real? The prophecy? If so… a monster has been awakened' he thought with his expression turning grave.

???

Luke has finally wake up. This news brought joy to Lucius and Ladert, they even celebrated by cooking burger for him. Lucius was happy that her father has finally woken up while Ladert on the other hand has a complex opinion about it. He noticed that Luke has a different air around him ever since he woke up. It is as if something hidden within him has finally been released or he returned to his real self.

That is what Ladert thought about the new Luke. Of course he is still gentle and sweet with Lucius however it is different when it comes to Ladert. Just by thinking about Luke brought terror to Ladert's being. Luke has visibly changed and Ladert knows it is not a good news, perhaps it will bring chaos to this already broken society of Rome.

Luke decided to stop his stall since it would only lead to more trouble later on. As if nothing happened, Luke started working on other thing. Lucius doesn't know what type of work he does but just the fact that he is still giving her a food to eat is enough for the little girl. Ladert also decided against killing himself, although there might be a slight fear of death, the actual reason for it is to observe Luke.

Ladert just can't keep his calm when Luke do something, it was really unnerving.

2 months has passed since then. Ladert was relieved that his premonition were just false alarm, nothing happened at all! He still has no idea what work Luke does since the man was quite private about the matter, however a certain rumor just reached Ladert's ears.

[A certain aristocratic woman has just passed away and now all of her wealth will be passed down to an unidentified son of her]

That was what the news about. Of course news like that is not uncommon on these areas yet Ladert couldn't keep his attention away from it. He has the gut feeling that Luke is somehow connected to this thing. Ladert has now decided to search for more information about the dead aristocrat, his curiosity just got ahead of him.

Ladert arrived at a tavern where many drunks just got out. He smiled reminiscing about the old days where he could still enjoy life properly. Sadly he could not do that anymore for he has sinned and it is a huge one. He pushed those thoughts aside and entered the tavern. He was welcomed by the jeerings and loud laughing inside, it was the usual atmosphere.

Shaking his head, Ladert looked around and spotted one group of people discernibly drunk. He didn't waste any time and entered their conversation, it was easy since he opened his pocket a bit. Ladert slowly integrated into the group as he now pointed out the topic. "Hey, have you heard of that old woman who just died?" he asked raising his cup.

Upon hearing his words, the group instantly turned quiet. This surprised Ladert since they were just gossiping a while ago. Their mouth were so loose that it wouldn't be a surprise if they just started insulting the aristocrats. All of them turned their gaze towards Ladert who got startled by that, he was instantly sobered up.

"I suggest you don't talk about that. It is dangerous" one of them informed Ladert while shaking his head. "Care to fill me in? I am quite ignorant about the thing" Ladert tried his luck but it was met with gazes of disapproval from the others. "Wait, since you were generous in buying a barrel today. Let me give you a little information… The death of the old woman was the work of a monster"

Ladert stopped on his track hearing that, he doesn't know why but the term monster chilled him. "Monster…?" he tilted his head in confusion. "Yeah, monster. That is all I can say, don't delve too much into it man. It is for your own good" with that the conversation about the death came to an end. Ladert left the tavern without much result.

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