"Kids?" Ragnar became even more confused, as he didn't know Belal's side of the story that well.
"Ahh… I guess I didn't tell you yet." Getting embarrassed, Belal quickly explained it to Ragnar. "It is a group of kids that I picked up from the streets. I raised them until they were ready to experience the world. All of them are orphans, so they could only call me and themselves family. Together, they made an adventure team called Night Flare."
Oh, it looks like they are about to get interrogated by those Paladin Warriors. This is bad, very bad." Ragnar rubbed his chin, as he could feel how grave the situation was. You don't just interrogate your enemy; you also kill them or use them as bait.
Belal said it in a hurry. "Brother, they are safe for now because of the new Baron. But I don't know how long they can hide. You know the Baron isn't omnipotent."
Ragnar nodded his head, as the new Baron was just a kid and didn't have much reach into every corner of the city. Looking into Belal's sad and concerned eyes, Ragnar sighed before saying. "Belal, you should leave now and try to rescue them out of the city. But don't take too many people with you. I will inform the Lord about it."
"Thank you, brother." Belal quickly hugged Ragnar before he could even react. Letting him go, he signaled Bailey and Tanaka through his eyes.
They were about to leave when Ragnar suddenly called them. "Belal, wait for a bit."
Belal halted in his steps and looked at Ragnar curiously.
"Nothing. It's just… take her with you. I can promise she will be of great help." Ragnar showed Gardenia by stepping aside.
"Huh…" Gardenia was first confused before she became dumbfounded. "Huh? Why me?"
Ragnar squinted his eyes, glaring at her. "Don't ask questions. See this as a test for joining us."
Gardenia stared at Ragnar's face for a few seconds, thinking about something. Then, letting out a sigh, she went along with Belal.
Belal didn't question Ragnar's decision, knowing he wouldn't do any harm to him.
Seeing their shadow vanish after jumping out of the wall, Ragnar headed toward the castle. 'I hope the Lord doesn't get too mad at me.'
…
Knock Knock
"Come in." Benimaru opened his eyes from deep cultivation and glanced at his door.
Click
After the door opened, Ragnar entered his room with a small bow.
Benimaru got up from his bed and sat on the sofa beside him. Ragnar also sat on the sofa, which was opposite of Benimaru.
"What is it, Ragnar? Have you finished the mission?" Benimaru asked, guessing Ragnar was here to report about what transpired on the conquest.
"Yes, my lord." Nodding his head, Ragnar began to retell everything that happened with Gardenia, not leaving any detail.
"I see." After listening to Ragnar's entire explanation, Benimaru couldn't help but facepalm. He didn't expect he would take the lives of innocent demons, which was totally against the goal of the makeshift motto of his organization.
'Well, forget it.' Letting out a sigh, Benimaru asked. "Where is she now?"
"Uhh…" Ragnar stuttered all of a sudden, hesitating to speak.
Benimaru raised his eyebrows, feeling the situation was weird. Never once did Ragnar stutter when telling him something. So, Benimaru became very interested.
Ragnar went silent and picked up his courage. "Actually, lord…"
Then Ragnar started to describe what happened with Belal.
Belal had a calm face at the beginning, but the more he listened, the more grim and surprised he became.
When Ragnar finished his speech, Benimaru stared at Ragnar intensely. Because of him now, Ragnar is a completely different person. Ragnar would never deny his orders or rules. But here he was, giving permission to Belal to go on his own. One could say Ragnar acted on his behalf, but he hadn't made such a rule yet.
If a general could use his authority to assign someone for anything, it wouldn't do any good. Especially in this case. Benimaru didn't want his generals to do anything without telling him, not now. Because they were still very weak, they couldn't act carelessly in such a state. But it might be a different case when they get stronger in the future.
"You have changed, Ragnar." Benimaru blurted it out with emotion.
Ragnar's eyes widened as he was preparing to get scolded; however , it looks like nothing happened. Smiling to himself, he asked. "Did I really change, Lord?"
"Yes." Benimaru nodded his head. "But it's bad. Caring for others will make you stronger."
Benimaru smiled, satisfied with Ragnar's development. However, it also alerted him of something. 'There seems to be more emotion on his face after our invasion of the church. Ravenna had told me he gained an unimaginable power all of a sudden and turned the tides. Unfortunately, I can't find anything in him with my own powers. If only the system was not also silent.'
Thinking of the system, his face darkened.
Here is a short glimpse of their interaction:
"System, can you tell me what is wrong with Ragnar's body?"
[ No. ]
"Why? He is my general and is registered under you. Everything about him should be known to me. So, why are you not talking about his other secrets?"
[ … ]
"System? You there?"
[ ___ ]
"..."
In the current time.
Benimaru stood up, and so did Ragnar. Going to his bed, Benimaru said to Ragnar. "You and Fiain go to the city. Help them in any way possible."
"As you wish." Ragnar bowed his head.
"Also." Stopping right at the edge of his bed, Benimaru turned his head back and smirked. "This is an order given by you. Do not have it go to waste."
"Yes, my lord!" Ragnar gave a full bow. He became serious, as he could understand what Benimaru was trying to imply. 'I can't mess this up.'
Watching Ragnar leave, Benimaru sat in the middle of his bed. However, instead of going into cultivation, he went into deep thought. 'Those guys would surely kill those young kids if it were the previous times. But times have changed. This brother of Ana is not strong, but he has strong management capability, which is very suited for a ruler. So those young guys would be safe. But we can't say anything about them being abducted. Then the situation might spiral down to the abyss.'
Benimaru had spent considerable time with Nil and his team. They were a bunch of hot-blooded, simple kids, and they were his daily customers. He actually liked spending time with them and had a very favorable impression.
'I hope nothing bad happens.' Benimaru let out a sigh before his face turned serious. 'If it is needed, I will go there by myself.'
…
On the edge of the forest.
"Miss, you should change to your human form. I mean, just hide your demonic traits." Tanaka advised Gardenia. They were about to come in with human contact. They couldn't let others see them having a demon with them. They were already wanted everywhere, and Gardenia being like this won't help much either.
Gardenia squinted her eyes, feeling uncomfortable. Demonic traits were her pride; how could she hide them? But she had to follow what she was told. While retracting her horns and tail, she suddenly realized. 'Now that I think about it, I didn't see any demonic traits in Ragnar.'
It wasn't her fault, as she was in a very tense moment. The only thing on her mind was how to escape from Ragnar's clutches.
'He is also a demon, but he too is hiding his demonic traits.' Gardenia started at Belal's back. It wasn't as strong as Ragnar's, but there were a few wisps of demonic aura in him. Then, looking at the other two, she frowned. 'But these two are pure human beings.'
She was confused and, at the same time, very interested in this group. Who was this lord? Why didn't he mind hiding the demonic traits that every demon was proud of? How can he allow humans to work for him? She has so many questions, but no answer for now.
After they came out of the forest, they put their cloaks on, hiding their appearance and bodies.
"Now, let's wait for a disposal carriage." Belal told others and waited patiently.
Gardenia's eyes widened when she heard that. "What do you mean by that?"
"Oh," Belal said, looking at her and coming to the realization that she was new. "We are wanted everywhere, so to bypass the security, we had to mix in the disposal carriage. But don't worry, we won't be hiding inside trash, but cow dung."
Cow dung is rich fertilizer, which is an efficient fuel and biogas producer, a useful building material, raw material for making paper, and insect repellent. When they are brought back to the city, the guards don't check. Using this, they could go in very easily. The only downside was that they had to get smeared in them. They could use mana or vital energy to protect their bodies from being touched by them, but the guards will detect it immediately.
"No, no, no!" Gardenia instantly disagreed. She couldn't let herself get into that. "Forget that; I have a better way."
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