The sky was unusually red during the dusk. The market was still bustling as usual, but a few people did notice it. But what was even more noticeable that there was a bright star in the dusky sky, shining with a faint purple.
The Royal Police marched around, a loud whistle gaining everyone's attention.
" The curfew time is near! Everyone, please return to your house!"
The shouts of the policemen stunned people.
" What? This early? It's not even 7 in the evening!"
" What's happening today? The curfew isn't this early."
One of the senior policemen walked forward and spoke in a loud voice.
" It's an order issued from the Church of Endless. Everything shall be explained tomorrow. However, please comply with our order for now!"
Spencer and Rowan got out of the carriage as they saw the scene.
" This…This is unexpected. The curfew shouldn't start now." Spencer frowned. " Young Master, what should we do?"
" Send back the carriage." Rowan's eyes turned deep. " Let's stay here and assess the situation."
Rowan and Spencer blended in the hurried crowd, keeping an eye on the Royal Police movements. Suddenly, Spencer frowned as he pulled Rowan along with him.
Quickly moving through the streets, Spencer paused his steps as they slowly looked before them.
" The Dark Inquisitors?" Rowan looked at the knights in full black armor as he spoke in surprise. However, along with them stood two men who wore long black robes with purple stripes on them. Rowan could see a symbol resembling a lantern.
" Those are…"
Spencer nodded, " They are from the Church of Endless, too. Judging from their attire, they are high priests of the church."
" Interesting, it looks like they are getting ready to go somewhere." Spencer muttered.
Rowan was curious as he asked Spencer, " Why do you think Uncle Spencer?"
Spencer rubbed his chin, " It's really unusual for the Dark Inquisitors and High Priests to be together. Unless the situation is really dire and City Administration is really afraid of some mystical trouble, they won't be mobilized."
Rowan was surprised when he heard that. ' Elena saw the catastrophe in her dream. Does it mean the church also knows about it?'
' So, it is today after all.'
One of the secrets about Elena that only Rowan knows is that Elena was someone with a strange ability; she could see prophetic dreams. Alas, she always hated her ability because her childhood was filled with nightmares and symbolism, making her isolated.
She took some caution and managed to seal her own ability to have peaceful sleeps. Alas, call it fate or something else, she visited the Church of Endless and had one after so many years.
Rowan totally trusts Elena's words, hence he has already made preparations.
" Looks like they are planning to curfew on the city, while they are rushing outside. Could it be, the danger is outside of Westford?" Spencer probed loudly.
" Young Master, I think the situation might turn dangerous."
Rowan shook his head, " No need, we won't leave."
" Uncle Spencer, is there anywhere we can stay for a moment?"
" There is a place I know." Spencer nodded. " Please follow me, Young Master."
Following Spencer, Rowan entered a small shop. The shop was filled with various types of fabrics. When Spencer entered the shop, an old man was elated to see him.
" Mr. Spencer! It's been a while since you came here!"
" Haha, Hello, Mr. Terry." Spencer smiled. " Young Master, meet Mr. Terry. He is one of the best fabric sellers in Westford City. He did all of our carriage's inner decorations."
" Young Master?" Terry was stunned as he hurriedly bowed. " Greetings, Young Lord…"
" Rowan, my name is Rowan." Rowan smiled. " Please, you may rise."
" Thank you, Young Lord Rowan." Terry smiled. " How can I help you?"
" Nothing really," Rowan explained the situation. " We need to stay here for a while since the curfew is declared early. Hope we aren't disturbing you."
" No, no! You aren't. Please, it's my pleasure to serve you." Terry nodded hurriedly.
Rowan was looking around the store, touching various fabrics. He could see the silk and cotton, while various leathers and furs too.
" Ohhohoho, look at this beauty."
What Rowan picked wasn't any fabric, but a single barreled gun, with a mahogany wood handle encrusted with gold engravings. Rowan held it, checking every aspect of it.
" Young Lord's eyes are really sharp." Terry smiled. " This gun was a gift my father received from a Viscount of North. Truly exquisite craftsmanship, isn't it?"
" Indeed, it does look good. But I guess, it's only good for hunting and defense." Rowan commented. Spencer smiled as he shook his head.
" Young Master, it's hard for ordinary people to keep a gun that could kill someone. Not only do you need a permit for it, you also require yearly reviews and expenses."
" But ah, anything can be deadly if it hits the right place, eh? Even this can." Rowan chuckled.
" Please, I have asked my maid to bring some refreshments. Enjoy your time here."
As Rowan and Spencer waited there for a while, Rowan felt the strange smell became even intense.
" Uncle Spencer, let's go."
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It was already past sunset, and the crimson sky was already turned dark. Yet the single star still shone bright on the horizon, waiting for the moon to rise.
The crowd certainly lessened, yet there were still people on the street. Some of them were busy closing stores, some of them finishing the final task of the day, but everyone hurried after the curfew was declared.
" Huh?"
A man suddenly stopped unloading crates as he looked at an alley with confusion.
" Hey, can you smell it?"
" What?"
" Don't you smell something funny?"
" Ehh? Now you say it…"
His companion also paused as he stood straight and sniffed. " Yeahh, what is this?"
" It looks like it's coming from the alley."
As the man approached, he realized the alley was darker than usual.
" ARRRGHHH!"
The companion was startled as he heard a scream; the man had already vanished in the alley.
" What happened?! Are you alright?"
The second man rushed to the alley, only to see a trail of blood leading into the darkness.
" What the fuc-"
Before the man could react, a shadow crept behind him and a rope snapped around his neck.
" KHUEGHHH!!"
The man struggled to breathe, but the rope tightened instantly, snapping his neck. The man's eyes dimmed instantly as life escaped his body.
" Dig out his heart faster; we need fifty hearts to break the seal of the gate."
" Aye aye, right away." A hooded figure laughed as he held a metallic claw gleamed on his fist.
" I love this work."
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Rowan held the gun as Spencer rushed behind him. Suddenly, both stopped their steps as they looked before them.
" Uncle Spencer, am I dreaming?" Rowan was stunned.
" N-No, Young Master." Spencer was flabbergasted as well. " I am seeing it too."
Before them was a huge portal, with broken mirror shard like crystals hovering around it. The portal emitted a gentle blue light, looking like a mesmerizng vortex.
Yet what Rowan felt was a tingling sensation through his body, making him clench his teeth.
" Uncle Spencer…"
Spencer's heart trembled when he heard Rowan calling him, an ominous premonition rose in his heart.
" No, Young Master, you don't mean…"
" Hehe." Rowan grinned. " Yes, I mean exactly that."