[Aiden's POV]
The more Hoshin spoke, the more certain I became that he knew Seraphine was an angel hybrid. The next second, it became immediately clear to me who the culprit was. I pushed all thoughts aside and focused on the situation ahead.
"Master Aiden, you don't have to lift a finger. You just came from the dungeon. Please let this maid be of use to you for the first time." Seraphine turned slightly.
"Bones, you are summoned by Master Aiden, so make sure to keep out of harm's way. I will deal with these fools who think they can hurt my master." She spoke.
"Okay," I nodded.
"Wow, making me work with an angel spawn. You are cruel, Master Aiden," Thane spoke as he reverted to his skeletal form.
This new look of him was much more striking and deadly. His bones had turned into obsidian color, and the blue light in his eyes and chest had turned amethyst. His robe now looked more combat-suited.
Hearing the request and looking at her determination, I decided to comply with her wish. I would also have to learn about my summons if I want them to be citizens of my city.
As it was taught in the academy, a good ruler doesn't force people to change their thinking; he just provides a suitable environment to nurture that thought if proven useful or cripple it if it's threatening to society.
It was very easy to remember that line in exams but much more difficult to follow in real life.
Two attackers earlier were still on the ground trying to get up, but her attack was so quick and elegant that I missed most of it. To not miss out on anything, I activated sigils under my eyes to slightly keep up with movements.
The remaining three lackeys were caught up in the bone trap of Thane, and the leader stood a small distance from Seraphine. However, a chill permeated the air as I could see a little bit of fog appearing around.
For a moment, I thought I should help. I was sure I wouldn't get killed in one hit, and I could even distract them for a few seconds.
Suddenly, the chill in the air evaporated as the edge of Seraphine's sword shone brightly. The frozen ice spears were laid on the ground, broken and melted in a few seconds.
Looking at the threat level of Hoshin, he was a Saint-Rank, but he was effortlessly subdued by Seraphine, so for a moment I didn't believe my eyes.
"Why is she so strong, system?" surprised, I asked.
[She is an SSS-rank summon host; even with sealed powers, only high-tier cultivators could stand against her.]
"Apparently, I was underestimating my maid," I remarked.
In a few minutes, she and Thane had demolished the group of Grandmaster-rank cultivators led by Saint-Rank.
Thane moved beside me and spoke, "Thank you for the core, Boss. I had chased power my whole life, and in just a few hours with you, I have already crossed my peak."
"Don't mention it; I couldn't use it anyway, and it would be a hassle to sell a new powerful necromancer core in the market." I waved my hand.
Seraphine approached me next and spoke, "I have immobilized them, Master. What would you like to do with them?"
"Nice work, Seraphine. You have done well." I complimented her and moved to the leader, sprawled with his hands and legs severed; his body was filled with deep and shallow cuts that were bleeding profusely.
He was trying to murmur something, but his face was swollen and his mouth was full of blood. I crouched down and asked, "Which organization do you and Ryuk belong to?"
The eyes that were filled with pain suddenly showed surprise. I further added, "What are you surprised about? That I know it's Ryuk who told you about us or that you belong to an organization?"
He tried to speak but only vomited blood. I asked Seraphine, "You can do holy magic; can it be used to heal him a little bit?"
She nodded and proceeded to heal him with a golden light.
"H-how can a powerful being cross over, and why are you with him?" Hoshin spoke the first words as he was healed enough to speak.
"Cross over?" That was entirely out of my thought process.
"What do you mean by crossover? And what organization do you belong to?" I repeated myself; something about this was giving an uneasy feeling.
"Heh... I already spoke enough; you don't know who you messed with. When...aahhhhh," he was interrupted midway as Seraphine stabbed her sword in the open wounds.
"Speak only about the questions you are asked. Otherwise there are many parts to cut from your body," Seraphine threatened and I had to admit. I was terrified and liked this side of her at the same time.
"Do you have some kind of memory-reading spell, Thane?" I asked.
"No boss, although I could increase his pain or introduce nightmares in his mind, and it wouldn't even take long," he answered.
"Then hurry up; he may have bribed someone to stop traffic on this road, but it won't stay like this for long." I stood aside to let him do his work and started thinking. Hoshin's screams quickly filled our surroundings as he drowned in his nightmares.
This situation brought me to face something that I knew I may face someday if I decided to create my own city. But I never expected it to be this soon.
Despite being kind at my core, I didn't abhor violence. That's why I made myself proficient in hand-to-hand combat, bow and arrow, and even learned a basic level of mastery for other weapons.
However, killing someone thoughtlessly was never my goal, and I had never killed anyone before.
One of the reasons I hated my family is because they made their children kill someone at the age of 8. It doesn't matter if the person was a criminal or not, so I refused to be part of such practice.
But now, I have to decide should I kill them or hand them over to authorities. If I do, I would be caught up in the investigation, and my future plans would be hampered.
While I was in my thoughts, Seraphine spoke, "What are you thinking, Master Aiden?"
I looked at her and said, "What would you do in my place? Would you kill them or hand them over to administration?"
"They attacked you, and you just defended yourself. So you shouldn't worry about having it on your conscience, Master."
"But if it still hurts you, I would end their lives in your stead. After all, it's my duty as a Battle Maid." She comforted me.
Hearing her words made me realize something, I can't always walk on egg shells and think about others. I have to think about myself too; they attacked me, and if I hand them over to officials, then my dreams and my plans would be derailed.
So, I can't have my dreams delayed because I was too chicken to act. I moved towards the leader, who was screaming with his already damaged throat, and took Seraphine's sword.
"It's okay master. You don't have...." I stopped her before she completed it.
"No, I can't be your master and expect you guys to do something that I can't bring myself to do." I reiterated my thoughts.
A panel materialized before me.
[Seraphine – Trust +2%]
Dismissing the panel, I asked, "Any progress, Thane?"
"He has been living his nightmares for about 30 years, Boss. My spell stretches from 1 second to 1 years Boss. So he should at least say something," Thane explained.
I nodded as he lifted his spell; the leader was looking like he was on his last breath. "I w-will t-tell you. Just stop with the nightmares; I can't see myself getting beaten by women for everything." He spoke with some effort.
"We belong to an Organization known as..." KKRA–SPLAT
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AN: Hello guys, thanks for supporting the novel so far. With your love and support this Novel is under the process of contract signing and would be contracted soon. After the contract, I will upload 2 chapters/day. So stay tuned as Aiden journey further and establishes his city.
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Thanks 😊