307 Apprehension
After a couple more questions, the associate confirmed that it was really Biroy who attempted to assassinate Asher Inanis.
It was something that Lucius had expected all this time, but it was a different matter for the three Black Rose Knights.
“This changes everything. When the others return here after visiting Earl Aisse, we’ll have to confer on what to do.”
“The king needs to hear of this. Surely, we’ll take more decisive steps against the Bergan’s Band.”
“For now we wait until the others come back and just perform our duties of protection.”
The three Black Rose Knights discussed to themselves, finding the new findings as great discovery. Meanwhile, while the three were preoccupied, Lucius took it as a chance to talk with the Count.
“Father, I have something to tell you now that everything’s been confirmed with Biroy and the Bergan’s Band.” Lucius said. “Privately.”
“Of course, let’s return to the mansion first.” Count Gabriel said. “I also have something I wish to discuss with you.”
“Is that so?” Lucius didn’t think that there’d be more to discuss after the conversation about Rancor, but he was mistaken.
After the visit to the jail, Lucius and the Count conferred in the study to discuss their private matters. Lucius immediately decided to bring up the topic that he wished to get approval from.
“Yesterday, I’m not sure if mother was able to tell you about my plans regarding the Bergan’s Band.” Lucius said.
“Unfortunately not, your mother had been preoccupied in helping me calm down.” Count Gabriel shook his head but then eyed Asher with a look of pride. “But of course it makes sense that my son would like to take revenge himself! What is it that you have in mind? Now that these knights can confirm that it was Bergan’s Band, we can ask for aid from the king.”
“That is all well and good, father, but I also have plans on my own.” Lucius said. “Also, I am not actually quite sure how much of those words are from the king himself or from the Black Rose Knights. They might still hesitate or stall since the Bergan’s Band is a powerful mercenary group after all.”
Count Gabriel’s expression hardened and he shook his head. “I do not think that the king will be a coward. If we let the power of the Bergan’s Band to accumulate even further after this transgression then we would certainly be fools who do not know how to run a kingdom.”
Lucius nodded briefly.
“Regardless, I’ve already made up my mind that I wish to have my own way of causing initial havoc for the Bergan’s Band and I only need your permission to do it.”
“What did you have in mind?” Count Gabriel asked.
“To put it simply, since we are personally unable to act against the Bergan’s Band, I will instead be using the power of Rune Beasts to make them pay for their crimes.” Lucius said.
“Rune Beasts?” Count Gabriel asked.
“Yes. A Plow Worm to be exact.” Lucius said.
The Count mulled over Asher’s words, and he couldn’t think of a way for Plow Worms to be of any danger to the Bergan’s Band due to their non violent nature… however, he had trust in Asher’s judgment.
Maybe Asher learned something during Master Kain’s instructions? Count Gabriel wasn’t sure, but he wanted to warn his son.
“I’ve been able to mostly redeem myself of my deeds as Rancor in the past due to the accomplishments I’ve performed in war, but it does not necessarily clear things for everyone. In fact, Earl Aisse is one of those individuals who I’ve shared an enmity in the past with.”
“Do not worry about that, father. I have no interest in going head on conflict with Earl Aisse or Bergan’s Band. I will not be even going to Aisse territory as a young lord but will be going there in disguise instead.”
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“Yes, Kiana had already helped me prepare them beforehand.”
Count Gabriel is surprised but also impressed by his son’s decisive actions. “Will you be doing this even if I haven’t given you permission?”
At those words, Lucius paused and simply smiled.
“What do you think an Inanis lord will do in this situation?”
“Well said!” Count Gabriel chuckled. He could see more of himself in Asher than he did before, although that didn’t mean that he wasn’t concerned of the young man’s safety. “Perhaps we can include at least one Black Rose Knight into your vassals who’ll accompany you?”
Even though Count Gabriel couldn’t personally accompany Asher to allow the young man a chance to have vengeance of his own, he at least wanted more security.
“I won’t be taking any of our guards, father.” Lucius said. “Bringing them along would make things suspicious. We can’t have any of that happening while crossing towards the Aisse territory.”
Count Gabriel frowned and locked gazes with his son.
Over the course of the last few months, the Count had seen his son grow and change into a mature young man unlike anything he’d seen before.
It was a gift from Etara, a second chance for Asher and the Inanis Family… but that didn’t remove the fears that the Count still had.
Asher may have trained himself, but the fact remained that he had no gift and even with the Wind Scar sword, there was a limit to how many times one could use the artifact.
Count Gabriel knew from his experience on rampaging as ‘Rancor’ that there were many times that he could have lost his life over the course of his search for the ones behind his mother’s assassination.
The Count could only imagine what it was like for his son to have nearly lost his own life while in the comforts of his own home.
“Asher, I do not mean to discourage you from your goals, but going alone by yourself like I did is too dangerous. Surely the time when you participated in the war against Gisir is enough to learn that.”