CH18

Helag put away the pocket watch, marveling at the power of the Holy Healing spell.

Such a terrifying Bloodline Curse had been dispelled.

Casting the Holy Healing spell consumed 45% of his magic, leaving him with enough for only one more use.

"This is…" Emil had thought he was doomed.

Helag explained, "This pocket watch has a spell that can dispel curses."

"I see. It seems not all spells are terrifying," Emil said, still shaken by the recent events, which would haunt him for life.

The surroundings were empty, filled only with corpses.

***

Elsewhere in the castle, chaos reigned, with shouts and screams echoing.

With Baron Buck dead, not only were the ambushers outside but also the castle's guards and servants were looting valuables.

The castle, now without a master, was in disarray. Melissa, the sole survivor of Buck's bloodline, was overwhelmed by grief, unsure if she would ever recover.

"Melissa, let's bury the baron and the others first," Emil said, trying to compose himself. He couldn't worry about the looters now.

The dead were gone, and wealth was unimportant. Comforting Melissa was more important.

"I'll check on Old Henry and join you later," Helag said, heading to the rear garden.

With the chaos, Old Henry, unable to move, might be in danger.

Helag encountered many panicked people, some guards clutching gold bars and pearl necklaces, eyeing him warily before hurrying away.

"Help… no…"

Passing a room, Helag saw a guard raping a maid, her clothes torn.

"You looked down on me before! Rejecting my advances…" the guard snarled.

Helag silently drew his bow and shot the guard through the window, killing him.

The maid, gasping for breath, saw Helag's departing figure.

The room filled with the stench of blood, and the maid fled, leaving the guard's body in a pool of blood.

Such scenes were happening throughout the castle, a picture of chaos.

On the way to the rear garden, Helag saw a guard's corpse, pearls scattered nearby, likely killed over loot.

In the rear garden, Helag saw Mary, Old Henry's caretaker, running away.

"Mary!" Helag shouted.

Mary flinched, panicked at the sight of Helag, and ran.

An old woman couldn't outrun Helag. He caught her in two steps.

"Why are you running? Where's Old Henry?" Helag demanded.

Mary's eyes darted nervously. "He… he's asleep."

"Asleep? Show me," Helag said, dragging her to the rear garden.

Inside, the bow still hung on the wall, and Old Henry lay on the bed, looking like he was asleep.

A cup of wine, part of today's celebration, sat by the bed.

Helag approached and found Old Henry lifeless.

"How did he die?" Helag asked.

"He… he…" Mary stammered, "He drank a cup of wine this morning and fell asleep. I didn't think much of it. When the chaos started, I found him dead."

"Deep Blue, analyze the cause of death."

[Analysis complete. Natural death. No signs of foul play.]

Helag felt slightly relieved, knowing Old Henry had passed peacefully. 

"Go," Helag said, releasing Mary.

Mary backed away, watching Helag fearfully, afraid he might kill her.

Outside, Helag heard footsteps and a familiar voice.

"Melissa's alive. I don't know why. Come, I'll lead you. She's only with Emil. Tonight, you can have your revenge on her."

"It's Butler Ivan's voice," Helag thought, climbing to the roof to observe.

Ivan, fawning, followed a young blond man, accompanied by a fully armed group, including four knights.

Helag moved along the rooftops to the banquet square, where Emil and Melissa had just finished arranging the bodies.

"Emil, Ivan is coming with…" Helag described what he saw.

"David? Simon's eldest son. I'll kill him!" Melissa said, enraged.

Emil held her back. "Hide. Helag and I will handle this."

Melissa calmed herself. "I'll wait for you."

She knew she couldn't help and forced herself to stay calm.

Helag took a sniping position on the roof, while Emil hid on another rooftop, ready to adapt.

David and his men swaggered in, his face smug.

With Baron Buck dead, he felt invincible.

"Our families have fought for a century, and we won, hahaha!" David laughed.

They had lost one man, but Buck's side was annihilated.

Helag, hidden on a distant rooftop, drew his bow, the arrow gleaming coldly.

To be safe, he had poisoned the arrow.

The arrow flew, and David, still laughing, didn't see it coming.

A knight sensed danger but couldn't pinpoint it.

"Master…"

An arrow pierced David's throat, blood spraying.

"Master!" The knights surrounded David, but it was too late. He pointed skyward, unable to speak, and collapsed.

"Ugh…"

Butler Ivan clutched his throat, blood bubbling from his mouth, and fell.

"Take cover!" someone shouted.

The group scattered, seeking shelter.

Emil leaped from the roof, with Helag providing cover fire. Their teamwork was seamless.

With Helag's perfect aim and Emil's combat prowess, the group stood no chance.

In ten minutes, Helag put away his bow, and he and Emil cleaned the battlefield, ensuring no survivors.