Exposing The Numbered Ones

Rukle smirked. "Smart kid. That's why your mother has gone on a long expedition to other kingdoms,"

"To get allies!!!" Eru exclaimed.

"Yes, we are badly in need of allies, your mother's home kingdom is on our side but I'm not sure how long. As for Lafta, Lijin is already gone ballistic knowing that I'm keeping Deric alive. He will definitely won't accept our peace talks. As for the demons... they have already started infiltration many other kingdoms," Rukle sighed.

Eru sat up straight and peered into his father's worried eyes. "Isn't it risky to send mother alone?"

"It is. But she was willing to give it a chance to avoid war. Now our situation has progressed to a stage that war is inevitable." Rukle gently patted his back and let him sit straight on the sofa. "You don't have to worry so much. Mom and dad will take care of everything for you."

"I want to help!" Eru exclaimed all of a sudden. Even though he had been against the thought of war and bloodshed, he really wanted to support his parents. "I can help. My soul power is strong even master Lumian praised it. I can defeat people easily,"

"It's not that simple. Like that shadow demon, there are more dangerous creatures that hail from the demon realm. You won't be able to handle them," Rukle sternly refused his offer.

"But.."

"No buts. You are not taking part in war. Besides, I came here to talk about something else." Rukle peered at his son without blinking.

"About what?"

"Lumian reports to me that you have the ability to talk to your spirit mount and you have the ability to see shadow demons. Is that true?"

Eru gulped. 'Should I tell the truth? Agh, half troth has already been revealed it better to be truthful,' taking a deep breath he whispered, "Yes. I can,"

"From when?"

"From the time I woke up after almost drowning," Eru whispered, but the fact was that he was able to see from the moment he had reborn into this world again.

His father looked baffled for a second. "H—how do you see them? How do they look?"

"They look just like dark shadows, that's all. But sometimes the people they have attached to have ominous aura around them." Eru explained slowly.

"Wait, wait, so there are others like Deric?"

"y-yes," Eru hesitantly nodded. His father gestured for him to continue. 'Darn, I can just name the numbered one's right?....I guess I will only tell on those I have clear knowledge about.' Taking a deep breath he continued, "First person I saw was the healer Gaius, Zhong's grandfather."

"Dear lord.... you have more?"

"Yes, secondly, I saw five men. That's when the poisoned soup incident happened,"

Rukle paused for second thoughtfully. "I remember that time you were so little. Yet you came running to me and told me about those men. Was that intentional?"

"Yes, I—I wanted to tell you the truth but..... I was not sure if you would believe me," Eru subtly glanced up at his father. His expression was grave.

"Then? continue,"

"Then.... it's.... Yelli," Eru whispered hesitantly, gazing at his father.

Rukle sighed loudly and held his head. "What have I done..... I really should have believed Deric....."

"What's wrong dad?"

"Remember the letter incident. Deric reported Yelli as the culprit, but I never believed him. Now.... I think I put my trust in the wrong person. Oh lord, I even sent her here with you.... did she hurt you? If she touched even your hair, I will have her head," he growled loudly, gripping onto Eru's shoulders.

Thinking back, Yelli did have a mysterious attitude when he was only a baby. But as he grew up, she only showed her good side, so he had brushed off the incident. 'So like your mother.... why isn't your hair like your father?' those words she uttered to him when he was a child. It held no substantial meaning till now. But Eru could piece together why Yelli was affected by the shadow demons.

It was jealousy. Yelli was absolutely jealous of his mother. Once his mother had recounted the story of her marriage to his father. His father should have married Yelli, but he was so in love with mother that he refused anyone else.

Remembering her smiling face, Eru shuddered. 'Darn, shah could have straddled me in my sleep. That's how malicious she is now.' he glanced up at his father's resourceful face and suddenly his eyes went wide. "Dad, how many men did you send with mother? Is she well protected?"

"I send hundred of my guards and Deric's guard, Fang. Why do you ask?" Rukle whispered.

"We recently were attacked. I mean Deric was, but even I was involved. It was in Aaorlin. She was still in contact with Lafta. But as soon as we came here she took action that means Yelli must have conveyed the orders. Dad, she has a long lasting grudge against mother. I'm sure she must have sent some men to exact revenge."

Rukle suddenly stood up. "Not men. She must have sent demons. I suspect she is colluding with them too!"