Unsealing Emptiness

Rufus asked while his eyes twitched. It was apparent that the other party was lying to him, but he did not have any proof or any other way to confirm, so all he could do was ask again.

However, his efforts were in vain since no one even budged at his question.

“Yeah. It happened exactly like that... Some minor details were missed, but they are not important, are they now?”

Rufus turned to look at Ozul, who was still patting Jinx on his lap.

“Of course, why would details ever be important.”- Rufus gave an obviously fake smile to Ozul.

He was already at his wit’s end, but for some reason, whenever he thought about making a move against the kid, Rufus felt some impending doom. He trusted his instincts and did not ask anything further.

.....

‘This kid survived a battle which killed even a Rank-8 Mage such as Edwin-Who even had many life-saving relics. I can’t make any rash move before informing his Majesty.’

With such thoughts in his mind, Rufus restrained himself from doing anything that he would regret later.

Even that pet of his gave him the uncanny feeling. No matter how he looked, the kid seemed to be shrouded by some mysterious fog that he could not see through.

“It was quite tragic, really. I even shed some tears when Duke Edwin gave his life for others.”

Listening to his words, anyone would think that Ozul actually cared about all of that. But one look at his impassive face, and you would know that he did not mean anything that he said.

“...Yes, of course. His act of self-sacrifice would be announced to the public as well.”- Rufus replied with a smile that did not really look like a smile.

Irene, on the sidelines, could not understand why her grandfather was behaving so weirdly. He would never lose his composure even in front of the Emperor; why did it happen so often with this pretty faced boy around? She could not think of any reason aside from his pretty looks.

‘But grandfather is not into that... is he?!’- Irene had her mind filled with all sorts of scenarios.

“So, you have nothing else to say?”

“I’m finished with my part. But let me advise you, kid. The game you’re playing, it could easily ruin you.”

Rufus had a serious face as he warned Ozul about the consequences of these games. However, Ozul did not care about any consequences since only a Rank-9 Mage was somewhat of a threat to him.

And he was pretty sure that the Emperor wouldn’t make a move himself due to some ruler dignity or something.

‘What would they do with this pride of their when they wouldn’t be able to do anything later?’- Ozul looked down on anyone that would not change their ways when the situation required it.

“Oh~ I may not know the pieces, but I know myself. The game is already mine; I’m just bidding the time.”

Ozul offhandedly replied, but no one in the room could understand him except for Rufus, who had some inklings on what he was trying to say.

However, Rufus did not think that his hunch was correct because one would be insane to play against such big pieces! But then he recalled Ozul’s behavior, and he felt the chill down his spine, looking at the calm face that had its gaze fixed on the cat’s onyx eyes.

After saying his part, Ozul stood up and left the room, followed by Jinx and the duo.

Raven looked strangely at Ozul’s back since after he had obtained his leg back, he seemed to be a different person!

Don’t get her wrong, He was still as indifferent as ever, but a bit more... engaging?

‘He’s changed...’- Raven thought while looking at the broad shoulders that seemed lonely even when someone walked beside him.

Before, Ozul would find it a bother just to speak, but now, he had the time for playing with others! It spoke volumes of how much Ozul had changed.

“I did not change, Raven. I just freed a part of me that was never really there.”

As if sensing all her emotions, Ozul suddenly said, which startled and confused Raven at the same time.

She was startled since he always seemed to sense the changes in her emotions. In contrast, she was confused at his explanation.

‘Well, most of his explanations never make sense anyway.’- Thinking as such, Raven did not mind his confusing words and focused on other things. Though before she could say anything, Blaze beat her to it.

“What are the plans for the future? Back to being Mercenaries again?”

“Well, the future is running behind us right now. Let it come to us; no need to chase it.”

Blaze was about to ask what he meant by running behind them, but before he could say anything, a voice sounded out;

“Wait!”

When Raven and Blaze looked back, Irene was running towards them with a letter in her hands. When they looked closely at the letter, there was a stamp of Mercenary Guild’s emblem on it!

Irene quickly caught up to them, and after giving the letter in Blaze’s hands, she ran off again.

But before running off, she shouted;

“I will get my revenge! Just you wait, you scumbags!”

The trio, of course, did not care about that childish threat and kept their focus on the letter.

“Read it.”

Blaze opened the letter to look at the contents and replied;

“It says that the Headquarters in the Capital has summoned us there. There is no reason explained either. It also says that our license as the Mercenaries would be revoked if we did not report there.”

“Hm? Well, our new destination is the Capital then...”

Ozul said while gazing at the night sky that had clouds slowly forming. Others may not notice it, but he saw better at night than in the day.

Even though the clouds concealed those annoying twinkles, he couldn’t peer at the void either! So Ozul had conflicted thoughts about a cloudy night.