Chapter 13: Walking towards death

It was a long way walking route to reach the giant backyard entrance of the magnificent royal castle, located at the center of the city. Decked up neatly in the servant attire, Noah was holding a small basket of fruits in his arms. He was anxious but not alone. Kirin was walking right next to him, however, his sharp, hawk-like eyes consistently monitored the situation around them.

While reaching near the tall parapet wall boundary of the castle, both found a relatively small metal giant in front of which two armed royal guards were standing tall. They hid behind a giant oak tree and kept following the situation.

There was a small queue of people, who were almost dressed like Noah, carrying different types of goods with them and entering the castle after the guards were checking their belongings. Pretty soon, Noah realized they were the servants of the royal castle, who were coming back from the marketplace and that was the particular reason, Kirin chose to buy that fruit basket for him to carry inside.

"Am I going inside through this route?" With confusion in his gaze, Noah turned his neck towards Kirin, asking him in a fretful tone.

"Wait, you can't go inside yet." In a hoarse, hefty voice Kirin responded and averted his gaze at another young royal servant, walking past the oak tree towards the queue holding a small basket. Just having a glance, Kirin's brown eyes shone mysteriously and he declaimed in a cold voice, "Sheoran, cover your mouth and don't dare to scream!"

"H-Huh? What--"

But before Noah could utter his words complete, Kirin moved ahead to grab the young man's neck within his elbow grip and smacked a sharp blow on the back of his head. In the flick of a second, the man lost his senses and collapsed right before them. However, the sight froze Noah in immense shock, and his whole body started shivering.

"W-What did you d-do? Did you just kill him!?" In a whispered shout, Noah wadded his eyes filled with dread.

"Why would I?" In a cold, grumpy voice, Kirin retorted back while dragging that unconscious man behind the oak tree.

Without giving further explanations, he started to search inside every pocket of his pant, and soon enough, a cryptic smirk flashed on his face as Kirin took out a small seal from one of them. He lifted his gaze up and handed the seal to him as he proclaimed, "Here, keep it safely with you."

"W-What's this?" In his rolled gaze, Noah quivered while looking at the absurd-looking seal with a small metal wolf-head carved over it. The color of the seal was charcoal black.

"It's the servant's seal and you need to keep this carefully with you while heading inside the castle. Don't even think of losing this seal, it's important as your life. Also," holding his arm, Kirin handed over that seal on his hand and grabbed the silver dagger to take it out from his corset and hand it back to him.

"Keep this with you too. There will be dangers in every corner of the castle. I know you are too scared to even touch it, but you must keep a weapon along with you. Once you come back, we can get ample money from selling it." Kirin carefully tucked the dagger inside the hidden pouch of the corset on Noah's waist, explaining in a fretful tone.

A palpitating shiver of his phobia curled on his body while Kirin was tucking the dagger in his pouch, but Noah barely tried to hold himself firm as it was not the right time to panic. He darted a concerned glance at the unconscious man on the ground as he asked, "And...what will happen to him?"

"I will take care of him. Don't fret, I won't kill him." He assured.

Lifting his gaze up, Noah exhaled a heavy sigh and clenched the seal tight in his hand. His heart ached again to watch Kirin's devotion towards him, to this extent, so that he could safely let him get inside. He peered into his eyes and mumbled in a soft tone, "Thank you for everything, Kirin. Then, I am going inside now."

"Wait," Kirin grabbed his arm and narrowed his gaze with a deeply concerned look embedded in them. His low voice shivered a little as he proclaimed, "M-Make sure, to come back alive tomorrow through this same route! I won't go anywhere and will wait for you here. D-Don't you dare die alone inside! Understand?"

Hearing his sincere concern throbbed Noah from inside as he could feel his grip shaking on his arm. He realized Kirin was badly scared, but barely trying to act tough before him. Watching the young lad's loyalty for his companion, a pained smile curved on his lips as he pulled him closer for a hug.

Getting embraced by him all of a sudden, a sharp ache stirred Kirin against his chest as he immediately tried to restrain his hold, "Hey, w-what are you doing---"

"Kirin, I can't promise you yet. I will try my best to come back alive. But...if I fail to do so, promise me you will run away somewhere far and live a good life." Noah patted his back while resting his head on his shoulder as he whispered.

The urge of dreadful tears that Kirin was trying to suppress inside grew tough for him to hold back anymore. Tears unknowingly dripped down his supple white cheeks as he embraced Noah tight in his arms, pleading to him. "You have to come back, Sheoran! You...must stay alive!"

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"Who are you?"

As his turn reached on the queue, one of the guards at the gate tossed his sharp question at Noah, making him flinch a little. Looking at the curious dark eyes of that giant man, he tried to forge a nervous smile, "I am a servant too, M-Master. I was recruited recently."

"Really?" The man swirled his big eyes and observed him from head to toe, especially at the fruit basket he was carrying along with him. In a stiff voice, he asked, "Seal?"

"Oh, h-here." Noah gulped and handed it over to him, trying his best to get a grip over his fearful pounding heart.

The guard checked the seal for a few seconds and reluctantly gave it back to him. He moved a step away from the door and declaimed in a hoarse tone, "You may go inside now."

Letting out a sigh of relief Noah slowly marched his steps forward before turning back one last time to see Kirin behind the giant oak tree. His heart pounded more in fear, letting him wonder, 'is that what it feels like walking towards death?'

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