Chapter 710 Meeting The Council (2)
After digging into their dinner, Ashton and Astaroth were relaxing on the balcony of their quarters when they sensed a strange presence nearby.
"Did you call room service or something?" Ashton joked.
"I was hoping you did?" Astaroth replied, and the two knew something was odd.
The two had been informed that no one would disturb them until their reports were out. That's why the situation had grown strange. But there was an even stranger thing.
The figure, though, tried to hide its presence. It didn't seem hostile to the duo. Still, given the history between them and the Xyrans, they were alert as they approached the doors.
Ashton had summoned Balmond out just in case, and Astaroth had followed suit with Raphael by his side. Ashton signalled, counting to three before opening the door.
As soon as he yanked the door open, Astaroth jumped forward with the sword. While he never wanted to kill the intruder, he was sure taking a limb or two was fair game.
But to his surprise, as Astaroth brought Raphael down on the intruder, the sword disappeared from his hands and took its original form of an angel.
"The hell you think you're doing, Raphael?" Astaroth yelled at the top of his lungs as Ashton rushed to join them.
Like Astaroth, Ashton was a bit confused with the scenario until he noticed who the intruder was and understood why Raphael disobeyed Astaroth.
"Raphaela, what are you doing here?" he inquired after helping her back to her feet.
Ashton hadn't gotten a good look at her before since she was wearing traditional Xyran clothing. Still, now that he saw her, she was gorgeous, with radiant golden skin and lustrous black hair.
Her eyes were deep and mysterious, and her facial features were perfectly sculpted. She moved with grace and elegance, carrying herself with regal poise.
While she was good enough to make anyone's heart race, for Ashton, Anna was the only one deserving of his love and vice versa.
"I-I was here on Lord Rood's orders," Raphaela mumbled before respectfully bowing to her ancestor. "It's pleasing to see you in good health, Grandfather!"
"You have grown quite a bit, my dear," Raphael responded before returning to Astaeroth's side and smacking him in the head. "Watch where you swing me!"
"Right, right," Astaroth mumbled while rubbing his head. "I'm sorry, Rapahela, I almost killed you there."
"No worries, your lordship," Raphaela smiled. "Now, please... if you will accompany me to Lord Rood's quarters."
Ashton and Astaroth shot a look at each other before nodding. Astaroth had known Rood for a long time and knew he wasn't someone who would betray him like the rest.
Besides, he doubted Rood would even dare try anything, as he should be well aware of Ashton's strength. If anything, he expected Rood to give them some information ahead of their meeting with the council.
Nevertheless, upon their arrival at Rood's grand mansion, it quickly became apparent that Astaroth's earlier assumption was mistaken.
The moment they stepped into the chamber, Ashton and Astaroth recognized that they were not the sole occupants. Waiting for them were Ibis and another Xyran, standing alongside an elderly gentleman whom Ashton instinctively identified as Lord Rood.
But before Ashton could say anything, Astaroth rushed across the room, stopping before the strange Xyran.
"Fuck, you're the last person I expected to see here!?" he shrieked while Ibis watched with a stray tear in her eyes.
"I've been waiting for you, my friend," the stranger mumbled. "I told you I would go to hell for you, and well... here I am."
Astaroth didn't reply and kept staring at the Xyran before him. He had lost most of his muscles and looked weaker than ever before. But there was no mistaking it... the man before him was his long-lost friend. His comrade through various battles and most importantly... His brother.
"Lucifer! Goddamn, I thought that fucker Beelzebub killed you or something!" Astaroth yelped before hugging Lucifer so tightly Ashton almost heard his bones crack.
"Well, he tried, but thanks to Lord Rood, I managed to make it out of there," Lucifer mumbled before his eyes fell on Ashton. "and there he is... You have grown a lot from that shabby brat you were."
Ashton didn't say anything and just smiled in response. Lucifer... it had been a while since he had thought about him. The Xyran who helped conceal his identity before Astaroth appeared inside his head and took over the admin controls.
Well, Ashton was glad that Lucifer was safe, as he meant a lot to Astaroth. But even then, he couldn't think of a reason for all of them to be in there. Especially him, of all people.
"Thank you, Raphaela, for your assistance," Lord Rood commented. "You have done excellent work. You may leave now as your involvement in these matters would unnecessarily put you at risk."
"I understand, my lord. I'll take my leave now."
Saying so, Raphaela was about to leave when Astaroth summoned Raphael in his proper form.
"Go spend some time with her," he said with a knowing smile.
Raphael didn't say a word; he just smiled and bowed to Astaroth before leaving with his granddaughter. Once they were out, the doors were sealed shut behind them.
"It has been a while, Lord Rood," Astaroth opened the dialogue, bowing before the elder.
Astaroth's actions came to Ashton as a surprise, as he didn't think someone like Astaroth would willingly bow before someone else.
"Don't you be like that, boy," Rood chuckled, waving his hand around. "Someone who sacrificed themself, allowed others to brand him a traitor for the sake of peace should bow before no one. Especially not a sinner like me."
"I only did what I had to," Astaroth said with a sad smile. "Besides, I would rather be branded as the traitor than allow my teacher's reputation to be tarnished."
"My apologies if I come off as rude, but can someone tell me what is happening here?" Ashton politely asked, confused by everything.
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