Chapter 3: Mural Town

'So, we're entering Mural Town, where the other three bodyguards Mr. Meyers hired should be. Somehow, we didn't run into any more assassins or thugs for the past 2 days and while that would normally be comforting, it's not. I've been on edge constantly ever since I felt that presence during the battle. I haven't been able to sleep much either, since I know we could come under attack at any time... That's not to mention my leg which let me just say has me running at less than 100% at the moment. I was able to stop the bleeding though, which could count as a plus.'

John released a frustrated sigh, choosing to push his many, many thoughts aside. His monologue to himself brought no result other than causing irritation to rise in him. He had no time to really calm down since he was constantly waiting for another attack.

The pain from his leg injury had stopped long ago and while it was still wrapped up it wasn't too tight. He knew being constricted would only spell danger for himself along with Mr. Meyers. It was simply tight enough to stop the bleeding.

As they rode through the town John took in as much information as he could. There were many children running through several side alleys and open spaces where they were playing ball. He noticed there were a high number of shops, along with a high number of customers. The shops were so full that some even had lines running all the way out into the street.

He found himself unable to ignore the crowded atmosphere. It made sense things would look this way since this town and a few others were so close to Albeade.

Albeade had the unofficial title of being the second capital on the continent of Ruidrid, which coincidentally was located in the country of Lubin. The first capital was the city of Sercius, being located in the kingdom of Mirkol.

A bittersweet smile found its way onto John's face.

The sight before him brought one thought to the forefront of his mind. The hectic yet relaxing atmosphere in the air was like that of his hometown. How it was before, not currently.

Long ago, after Luna's assault, it had been reduced to a ghost town. No one resettled there, due to the grim history behind its vacancies being very much public knowledge.

He raised an eyebrow, something distracting from his reminiscing.

'Hmm something is off...what is this I sense? Oh, that's it! I'm sensing that same presence I felt the day of my fight with those thugs! Wait, I also sense… bloodlust!'

In that instant, much to Mr. Meyers surprise, John scooped him up into his arms and leaped out of the carriage. The split second after John had done so, the carriage exploded and the horse, which had been calm and regal the whole journey, took off in a panic with a frantic neigh.

As John landed, he barely had a moment to process what just happened. He looked at where the carriage once was, the only thing remaining was the rider, however, he was burnt to a crisp.

A loud shriek suddenly erupted which took his attention away from the body, making him turn left to see the horse running full force down the road. Its mane was coated in flames as it dashed, looking like a sight out of hell.

The horse was running furiously and to John's horror, he could see something a bit ahead in the path the horse was trotting toward. The thing in the horse's path was a little girl. The child was standing in the middle of the road, eyes wide from shock. Her legs were shaking as the unit moved closer and closer.

People far away from the child screamed for her to run but she was so scared that her feeble attempt to move out of the way only resulted in her falling down on her butt.

'I have to save the child! But wait, that bloodlust I felt right before the explosion was no coincidence. This could've been the assailant's plan. They would know that in order to save the child or anyone else in the horse's path I'd have to leave Mr. Meyers side. I'm terribly sorry... I just can't! Someone else, please save her!'

John looked down to avoid seeing the possible horror about to occur, but right when he did so, a loud boisterous voice called out.

"Don't be afraid, young one! I'm here to help!"

Right before the horse trampled the little girl a man quickly scooped her up, smoothly sliding out of the horse's path.

The man had a simple brown cloak on, only covering his body, leaving his face for all to see. The man had a deep scar on his left cheek along with red spiky hair, the tips being black. His deep brown skin stood out since they were in an area where people usually had more pale or yellow skin tones.

Even after the man moved the girl out of the horse's path it continued, charging forward with the same ferocity. He then swiftly called out. "Mary!"

At that moment- chains appeared from the ground, from under the horse. They quickly wrapped around it, stopping its rampage as it couldn't push through the restriction.

Once the horse was effectively held in place, it slowly started to struggle less. The way the chains constricted the steed helped to pat down on its main tightly as well, snuffing the flames out. After the steed had fully settled a woman with bright pink hair and a dagger tattoo on her neck walked over to the man and child. She, unlike the man, had white skin.

As she approached the two, many others who witnessed the event followed in droves. He turned towards the pink-haired woman. "Thanks for the assistance with that, Mary.

"It's no problem. Was just doing my best to provide support." She then turned away from him, crouching down to the little girl's level, and with a smile questioned softly. "Are you hurt, sweetie?"

For a moment the little girl just looked at her blankly, still in shock but then Mary gently placed her hand on her shoulder. At that gentle act of reassurance, the child's eyes slowly started to water before full-blown tears streamed down her face. She fell into the woman's arms and started bawling.

"Thank you so much, miss! I was so scared!" She cried sheepishly.

Mary embraced the child, a smile on her face.

"You're very welcome. But you should be thanking this man behind you," she pointed at the man; "He was the one who swooped into the rescue."

After a short while, when the little girl could slow the tears enough, she turned toward him, a nose full of snot.

"Thank you so much, sir."

"No worries, and don't worry about calling me, sir. My name is Ashur."

He flashed a big smile, giving a thumbs up. "Just call on my name whenever trouble comes. I'll be sure to come to the rescue."

The little girl smiled back, admiration in her eyes. "Thanks Ashur. I will!"

After chatting a little more and with a pat on the back the little girl ran off into the street once more, a couple of kids running alongside her.

The crowd, which had been surrounding them all slowly dispersed one by one as well. Some left without saying a word, having relieved faces while others spoke to the pair, calling them heroes and giving thanks and such.

John glanced toward Mr. Meyers.

"Are you okay sir?"

He nodded silently in response. His eyes weren't focused on the scene before them, they were looking behind from where the two had narrowly escaped their fates.

He held a pained look on his face, and for a moment, John feared he'd been injured however when following his gaze he found the source of the look. His sights were on the carriage, which was now just charred pieces of scattered wood along with the rider, who was still as a mouse lying in the rubble.

The look might've been rooted in frustration; that he couldn't have been saved just as he had been.

The pair rose, John lifting Mr. Meyers up who quickly patted himself down, getting the dust off his clothes.

"Thanks for saving me Selvic."

"Of course sir."

"It's unfortunate our rider couldn't be saved as well. It's all because of me that…." His voice trailed off, allowing silence to consume it. Mr. Meyers face was darkened as his eyes strayed on that area.

John found himself agreeing with the man. It was unfortunate. If he had been a little faster in sensing the attack, then the chances of all three of them making it out safely would have been assured.

"Excuse me."

John quickly whipped around to see the source of the deep voice. The brown-skinned man with a scar over his cheek and the pink-haired woman with the dagger tattoo stood before him.

The man was smiling warmly at John, the woman was a bit behind him. She, like Mr. Meyers, was looking at the rubble, having a concerned look on her face.

"I assume that horse and this carriage belong to you?" The red-haired man questioned, pointing behind him at the now calm horse, who was still restricted by chains.

John looked between the two before responding. "That it would be. That whole scene was my fault."

The woman, who had been looking at the rubble turned to look at him, a serious expression on her face. "How so?"

"Well, I'm an adventurer, currently on a job. I won't get into details but I had the opportunity to save the child but didn't, prioritizing my current mission. Objectively that was correct but if it hadn't been for you and the man next to you, that child's blood would've been on my hands for not stepping up."

The man's eyes opened wider ever so slightly as if a revelation overcame him. "Oh, would you happen to be here on a bodyguarding job perhaps?"

John's expression changed from one of shame to one of wariness as his shoulders tensed. He was preparing for the worst after giving his answer.

"Possibly. Why do you ask?"

"The person behind you. That's your employer, you're Mr. Meyers, right?"

Before John could question who the man was and what he would do if Mr. Meyers was his employer, Mr. Meyer spoke first. "Ah, so you must be the famed Ashur."

"Huh?"

John looked over at the red-haired man, dumbfounded. He thought to himself. 'Is this the same Ashur who's been making waves in the West of Ruidrid? They say he's the miracle son of the Sun Clan. Wow, I can't believe I'm seeing him in the flesh. I remember hearing a bit ago that he's on track to become the new Height after Larouge retires.'

Ashur smiled. "You are very right. It's funny how that worked out. I thought I'd have to look for you but it seems you found me first, my employer."