Epic Of The Demonic Sage

"Upon the assessment of the assassin's body, we came upon a note that revealed his identity as that of Biroy from the Bergan's Band which was later verified by one of the associates of Leif, the owner of the Blind Crow tavern… and so we will be heading to Aisse territory. Are there any questions?"

Lucius watched Gellor and his mercenary group exchange looks before Finch raised her hand and asked.

"Lord Asher, wouldn't the Count be more capable of dealing with this kind of threat? Is it not better to put yourself at a secure place to prevent further attempts at your life?"

Lucius couldn't help but smile lightly at those words and shook his head.

"As I've discussed earlier, I would like to start taking responsibility for myself even before thinking of approaching my father as a way to challenge myself for the time when I become the next leader of the Inanis Family. This assassination attempt was done to me, and I personally would like to take care of it rather than rely on someone else. It's better to deliver swift judgment yourself, is it not?"

"Yes, Lord Asher. Thank you." Finch's cheeks flushed and she bowed her head. Truly in her eyes and that of Gellor and others, Lord Asher was not like any other noble they've encountered.

Most nobles would simply have their soldiers and forces track down the ones responsible for their assassination or have guards hired to protect them at vulnerable moments, but Lord Asher was going to charge right into the mouth of the lion.

This reminded them of Count Gabriel, and it seemed like it was a trait passed down from the Inanis family.

"You can trust us with your life, Lord Asher. Not one finger shall be laid on you when we head to Aisse territory, isn't that right, Barty?" Albus called out to Barty who bowed his head and nodded. "One Air Vortex and they'll never even know what hit them."

"I'm grateful." Lucius said. "Now that I've briefed you about the mission, I'd like to understand how much information you have on the Aisse territory before we head there."

"We know a little about Aisse territory, Lord Asher. We've been there before a couple of times and has taken missions there." Gellor replied politely.

"I've noticed that none of you seemed bristled when I mentioned that it was the Bergan's Band behind it. Didyou have any encounters with them before?" Lucius asked.

"Bergan's Band is one of the strongest mercenary group out there and has a great number of members, but it doesn't mean that every mercenary group looks favorably upon them." Gellor said with mild distaste.

"They give mercenaries a bad reputation," Ariana added. "With how they deal with their enemies, the common folk sometimes can't help but think that mercenaries are all greedy and power hungry folks, but we're not all like that."

"As for any conflict between us and the Bergan's Band, there actually was one a couple years ago, but it's quite a small situation." Gellor admitted. "Nothing too drastic beyond some of their members feeling like we were unwelcome in Aisse."

"They do tend to think that the entire land of Aisse belongs to themselves, far more than even the Earl there. But I think it's because the Earl is afraid of their power and strength to do anything, from what I've heard." Barty replied helpfully.

"Hmm… if that is the case, then it's quite unlikely that any of you are remembered. A lot of mercenary groups wander around so it isn't your fault when you head up to Aisse territory. I'm sure that others do the same." Lucius said.

"I think the mercenary groups there were either absorbed into Bergan's Band if they were decently strong while others had to go elsewhere." Gellor shook his head.

"Can you even call them a group at this point? It's like an entire army of mercenaries!" Albus said, but then shook his head. "Either way, since they're the ones who attempted to take Lord Asher's life, we'll make them pay."

Lucius was happy enough with the motivation, but then cleared his throat.

"I've informed all of you about this tonight, but it is not like we will be riding down to Aisse territory by tomorrow morning. Instead, I would like all of you to recover and get some rest and then be ready in two days time. Then we will see what goes on after there." Lucius said.

"Thank you so much, Lord Asher!"

"We will rest well and prepare for this mission right away."

After Lucius finished informing them of the mission and their schedule, he bade them goodbye and returned to the Inanis mansion.

​ Lucius made it a little past after dinner, something he did to avoid the attention of the Black Rose Knights that were still being served as guests by the Inanis Family.

The less they saw of him, the better.

Lucius knew that he more or less escaped from their desire to interrogate him about the assassination, but there was a chance that they might still want to speak to him and he was wary of revealing anything unnecessary.

He admired their tenacity and due diligence, but needed them to be preoccupied while he took the matter of the Bergan's Band into his own hands.

It was something, people in knight orders might have understood if they took crusades, but Lucius did not count on it as he walked through the mansion.

"Greetings, to you Young Lord Asher!" a Black Rose Knight greeted him in the hallway.

"Hello." Lucius nodded briefly and continued down for the Count and Countess' room, and leaving the Black Rose Knight unable to say another word or even follow him.

If there was anywhere that these people wouldn't eavesdrop, it would be at the bedroom of the Count.

He knocked on the door. "Mother, Father?"

"Come in." Count Gabriel said.

"What is it, my son?" Countess Lita welcomed her son once he arrived. "You missed dinner, but we are happy that you've returned home at last."

"I've finished some business with Gellor and his mercenary group, and so we will be heading out in two day's time for Aisse territory."