CH. 16

"Huh?"

"I said, you dumb oaf. What. Are. You. Doing?"

"Oh, boss Julius… Jus' havin' some fun… Won't be able to once we're done her' ya know."

"You really are a sick individual Atard. I knew you were depraved to some degree, but to a child? The Duke's daughter no less? I shouldn't be surprised really."

Julius, the spear wielding leader combating the noble's knight from earlier, stood behind Atard. His mask was much more detailed and the plated armor adorning his body was styled in a way that offered him freedom of movement, but heavy protection over his vital areas.

The Duke's daughter? Now that caught my attention, the pieces of the puzzle began assembling themselves.

These bad guys were here to kidnap her, more than likely to demand a ransom from the Duke or for some other reward that suited their desires.

Just by simply being the daughter of a Duke made her a very expensive prize. It still wasn't evident as to which dukedom she belonged to but, regardless, it didn't matter.

Any of the families were tied closely to the royal family and the authority, power and influence of a Duke was nothing to sniff your nose at.

"A guy has his needs sir. Specially' wen' it coms' to lil' noble brats."

"Though I can't argue with that, in this case, I find myself disagreeing with you."

Julius sighed and stabbed the shaft of his spear into the earth, leaning into it. The blade was coated in the vibrant, coagulating wetness of blood, having licked the bodies of the soldiers and knight.

Even having apparently executed a successful mission, the damage inflicted to his armor and clothing indicated it had still been hard fought. Even wounded, that knight sure had worked a number on him.

There were a significant number of cuts and welts covering his exposed skin, so he hadn't escaped completely unscathed.

"Ya manage to kill tha' bitch captain?"

"Oh her? She was an impressive opponent, I'll grant her that much. Even after copping the arrow and the bites of my spear, she managed to hold out far longer than expected. She even managed to land a few cuts on me."

"Ya just too good boss. Ain't nevr' seen anyone who coul' best ya. Ya a master wit' tha' spear."

Now that it was mentioned, the sounds of battle had receded and were no longer playing out.

"Y-you killed F-Freya?"

The noble girl seemed to awaken from her stupor at the mention of her personal protector. Julius leaned down, getting right into her face.

"She gave you a chance to escape when she sacrificed herself for you. Looks like it was wasted though, seeing as you didn't get far."

"She would never be defeated by someone like you!"

Julius grabbed her face with a free hand and squeezed, squishing her facial features into a blobby mess.

"Listen here, Arabella Helios Astrea, you're coming with us, no matter what you might think. So be a good little, obedient girl, just like the noble bitch you are. What a disgrace, just look at yourself, Naked and covered in filth."

He threw her back into the dirt and stood up, walking away back to where the fighting had taken place.

Arabella glared at him, before realizing she was practically naked. Going a deep crimson with shame, she hurriedly grabbed what remained of her dress to cover herself.

If I remembered correctly the Helios Astrea family were very powerful, even amongst the other dukedom's and one of the very closest of families within the political side of the royal family. They controlled a large dukedom to the north, which enjoyed a very successful economy that immensely outstripped the economies of the many other nearby territories combined.

The head of the family, Duke Marcus Helios Astrea was the prime minister in charge of the kingdom, in a position of authority directly below the king. Both had grown up together, their friendship beginning when they were children and attending school as close friends.

So, it was believed that as they held a very old friendship, the king relied on his opinions immensely, often siding with his views over his other ministers.

That would explain why there was such a heavy guard accompanying the Duke's daughter, Arabella. For someone who was held such an esteemed position and noble rank, of course she would be the target of potential kidnappings and the like.

Except that in this case, her personal guard hadn't sufficed in the crucial moments that counted. Although, to be fair, when you're outnumbered at least two to one, the numbers in this matter would have the advantage.

"Be quick Atard. Time's not on our side and I want to be long gone from here by the time the sun begins setting."

"Hurrhurr ya a mean one boss!"

"Sucking up to me won't get you anywhere Atard. Whatever, just finish what you've started without completely breaking her. She has enormous value to us and I still want her in one piece."

"Aye boss, I'll be quick!"

Any hope that had arisen of this Julius guy of putting a stop to Atard's assault, were dashed. Even though he was the leader of a group of bad guys, I'd thought that even he would have some boundaries as to what was beyond simply being bad.

Hell, he'd even disparaged Atard over his sickness.

But it appeared that he was more than willing to allow Atard to seize the personal prize he sought.

SNAP!

"Who's there?"

A branch gripped in my hand inadvertently snapped under the I was pressure exerted upon it. Though not loud in its breaking, the sound was enough to make me flinch as I realized my mistake.

My attempt at sneaking away quietly had been dashed, since I was instead side-tracked by the appearance of Julius.

Julius whirled around and eyed the surrounding area wearily.

"Ther' ain't anyone ther' boss."

After glancing around in response to his master's reaction. Atard proffered up an answer to his question.

"Shut up Atard! I know you're there… Come out unarmed or I'll skewer you where you're hiding."

He narrowed his eyes and leveled his spear, pointing it exactly where I was sheltering.

Not good, this is definitely not good.

Maybe if I just stayed quiet and not moving, he would think it was just his imagination. For all he knew, it could have been anything in the forest, say, an animal stepping on a stick, or a bird building a nest.

"Last chance. I know you're in that bush, my arte has picked you up. I may have missed you before because I was distracted by my stupid subordinate, but not now. Show yourself!"

His arte? Did he mean something other than magic? Or was he referring to something akin to an ability certain characters in games acquired?

Another thing I had failed to learn about it seemed. The mistakes I had been making were pilling atop one another, showing my ignorance since coming to this world.

Not that I had the opportunity to reflect on my actions right at this time.

"Alright then, prepare yourself for death! Tell them who sent you when you reach hell!"

'Wait!"

Crawling out from the bush I held my hands up in the air, like I was being pointed at with a gun. Making myself look as harmless as possible was the only option available.

"A kid? How long ya ben' ther' boy?"

"Ooft!"

Atard straightened up and approached me, picking me up by the front of my shirt and tossing me down beside Arabella.

Arabella eyed me wearily, not that I could blame her. Only moments ago, she was about to be sexually assaulted and now a peeping tom was discovered only meters away from where the crime was about to take place.

"…"

Unsure what to say or do, I kept my mouth shut, not wanting to provoke the ire of either men.

Julius crouched down beside me, his masked face looking even more sinister now that I was close enough to observe the markings carved into it. Behind the hollowed eyes of it, I saw dulled, white eyes.

Why are his eyes white? I've never seen anything like that…

"Concealing yourself in a bush, watching us, is the act of a coward brat. I hate cowards."

"Lemme' carve 'im up good…"

Atard withdrew his dagger again and licked its blade. There was no doubt in my mind that the particular dagger before my eyes had inflicted untold pain and suffering on many others before today.

"Wait Atard. I want to know who he is first."

"Hmph." He sheathed the dagger.

Pressing the point of his bloodied speed against my throat, he pushed home his point of how dangerous he was. Not that, being threatened as I was, he needed to impress that upon me. The entire situation was more than enough.

"Are you just a degenerate who likes watching the suffering of others? Or a pervert? Well… Which one is it? Be quick with your answer, because my arm may get tired and could accidentally slip…"

From the front of my neck, tracing around the side, he demonstrated the act of severing my head from my shoulders.

These guys meant business. No amount of lying or squirming I used, would I be able to work my way out of this. If this Julius character thought even for a second I was trying to pull the wool over his eyes, I'd be done for.

"I-I'm neither… I w-was just p-passing by when I-I heard what was h-happening. So came t-to see for m-myself what it was."

"Are you by yourself? Don't lie to me either…"

"I am. T-there's no one e-else here…"

Thankfully, I had sent Lilly away from the very beginning. So, I wasn't exactly lying when I said I was alone. She was safe.

I actually felt slightly relieved that she wasn't here. Why was that?

I shook the thought from my mind and focused on what was happening to me in the moment. It was dangerous for my thoughts to wander. I needed to focus.

"Hmph… Doesn't appear that you're lying… Who are you? Just some town rat that's crawled out from the sewers?"

"N-no… My name is Seth Vite Brumann… My father is the Baronet of this territory, Keiran Vite Brumann."