"Halt."
And for some reason, Damian's heart skipped a beat. Ignoring the voice, he continued on his way, however…
"Yes, you. The black-robed boy."
Damian stopped and deep down I knew; without a doubt, the boy must have recited every profane word he could think of.
'Hehehe.'
Somehow I found it amusing. Literally, I saw no difference between him and me. Or… was that just my feeling?
Damian spun and faced Alexander.
"Lift your hood."
"..."
Damian remained silent and just stood there as if he was planted.
"How dare you disrespect the Prince—"
Alexander raised his hand and the Knight next to him immediately stepped back, he kept his mouth shut.
"Lift your hood."
Alexander asked one more time. His golden eyes watched how the boy's pale and thin hand stretched out, and–
–Fwoosh!
In a split second, fog covered the area. However, before Damian could take a step, a gust of wind blew and he closed his eyes; he was forced to cover his face and pin his feet to the ground.
The wind stopped and the surrounding suddenly turned dead silent. His eyelids slowly opened and the fog he cast was nowhere to be seen.
He lifted his head and Alexander along with everyone present there were stunned. Their eyes stretched wide and mouths gaped open.
"...Ian?"
Alexander broke the stillness and this time, it was Damian who was startled. He placed his hand over his head and then he noticed that his hood fell off.
Wasting no time, Damian channeled his mana into his feet and ran as fast as he could.
"Ian! Wait! Where are you going?!"
Alexander kicked his horse and after his little brother.
–Gallops –Gallops –Gallops
However, suddenly the earth soared. Realizing that it was too late to evade, his horse stumbled.
–Neigh!
The horse plummeted to the ground. Alexander rolled athletically and landed perfectly on the floor.
"Your Highness–"
Knights dashed toward him but he hastily cut with a shout.
"What the hell are you doing?! Pursue Damian!"
"We–we understand!"
–Piii –Piii –Piii
Whistle echoed around the space and Damian clicked his tongue in annoyance. He cast another fog and sprinted toward the residential area.
"Where is he?!"
"We–we lost him."
Damian hid his body and peeked at them from an alley. He clutched his heart as he panted heavily.
"Search the whole city!"
"Yes, Sir!"
–Rattle –Rattle –Rattle
Soon, the clattering sound faded away. Damian leaned his head against the wall and exhaled a sigh of relief. Unknowingly, his eyes caught the city wall.
Since it was impossible to get through the entrance, I thought the only way to get out of Agatha was to jump off the wall.
After catching his breath, Damian began moving again but with stealthily and more caution. When he reached the last house, he could see a staircase leading up the wall across him.
His blue eyes vigorously looked left and right. As he didn't see anyone on the street, he immediately ran and went upstairs. Arriving at the top, Damian moved closer to the parapet and looked down to see how high it was, but–
–Rattle –Rattle –Rattle
He turned toward the sound and the Knights surrounded him from both sides, giving him no room to escape.
–Tap –Tap –Tap
Footsteps were heard and a black-haired boy climbed up the wall via the stairs he had taken earlier. His golden eyes stared at him intently, and as soon as he arrived Alexander spat out his thoughts.
"Enough with the game of hide and seek."
'Looks like Damian fell into Alexander's trap.'
Regardless, Damian looked at him indifferently. Alexander glanced down when a bright light shone below and a magic circle was created beneath his feet.
"Ian what's the meaning of–"
Alexander was unable to continue his words, and his eyes opened wide when Damian answered him with action.
"Aarrggh!!"
"Urgh!!"
"Arrggh!!"
The Knights that surrounded them were swept away by a strong wind and a loud crash followed as they all landed on the ground.
Alexander dashed towards the parapet and looked down only to see his knights unmoving with blood flowing from their bodies. He immediately turned to his little brother with burning eyes.
"Have you gone mad?!"
Alexander clutched his head in frustration and sighed sharply. He tried his best to suppress the anger that was raging within him.
"I… I will turn a blind eye to this and won't tell this to His Majesty either, but please, Damian, promise me that you will willingly follow me back to the Palace."
"..."
Damian just stood there with an expressionless face. After a brief silence, Damian opened his mouth.
"I won't."
"Just... What are you going to do out there?! You have no idea how dangerous–"
Alexander shut his mouth when a sword appeared in Damian's grip.
"–Ian–"
"If you want to stop me, try with your sword."
"Ian–"
"Save your words. I don't need them."
Alexander clenched his fists and his breathing became rough. People who saw him could tell that he was trying so hard to tame the beast that ran amok in his heart.
"Haa…"
After a few seconds passed, Alexander loosened his fist and let out a long and deep breath as he managed to quell his anger.
"Ian–"
His words cut short and his eyes widened when something incredible fast passed a few millimeters away from his face, something wet sliding down his cheeks.
He raised his hand to touch what it was and red liquid stained his fingers. Alexander could only sigh once again. He raised his head and looked at the boy standing not too far from him.
Lament painted his air as he spoke in a low tone.
"Ian… I don't want to fight you."
"Then let me go."
Alexander shook his head.
"I can't."
"Then stop me."
Damian extended his arms and a fireball rushed toward Alexander through a magic circle on his palm.
A split second before it struck him, a sword appeared in Alexander's grasp and he swung it.
–Slash!
The fireball was cut into two pieces horizontally and both of them slipped through Alexander's sides.
–Boom!
It exploded as they hit the wall floor behind Alexander.
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