Devil’s Bodyguard

Evelyn wandered around the empty courtyard the next morning. She had already dismissed the servants and she took another glance around the courtyard before taking out her sword.

Using a Tier 1 Wind Element, she lifted the secret book hidden at the bottom of the courtyard pond. The book rose up gently and the water slide off the tightly woven cover.

The book looked old and worn but the cover was made of woven herbs and the pages made out of thick parchment that had browned with age. But, the pages were all clean and free of ink. There was no writing or drawing on the parchment.

Evelyn opened up the book and flipped through it before inserting her Elemental energy into the book. Gradually, bold calligraphy spread from the first page to the second and onward.

She carefully stared at the first page, took up her sword stance and started practicing. Hour by hour with just a book to guide her, Evelyn carefully refined and mastered her elemental powers.

The process was a slow and time consuming one but she could feel her inner element strengthen bit by bit. As the sun rose up and several hours pass, Evelyn stopped. She placed her sword away before arranging a tea table in the courtyard.

She gracefully sat on the elegantly carved wooden stool before taking a sip of hot tea. A few moments later, the arrival of the emperor was announced.

Shyly, she glanced at the golden figure who appeared in the doorway.

"Evelyn…" A cold and flat voice rang out from the golden figure.

"Yes, father?" A soft quiet voice answered back. The voice of a properly groomed innocent young princess.

The golden figure came closer and revealed a man with black short hair hung over a worn face. Piercing black eyes stared back at Evelyn and the scar across his left cheeks stood out sharply in jagged marks. He wore tastefully decorated golden clothing inlaid with golden jewels.

To put it simply, he was a walking block of gold with a general's face. His aura was sharp and cold which was no surprise for a man confirmed to have killed his 5 brothers and sold off his 7 sisters for the throne. He was a glorious general on the battlefield and his ruthlessness left shivers up the people's spines.

So while they rever him, they are also wary of him.

Evelyn had a harmless and gentle smile on her face as she watched the block of gold sit down next to her. He elegantly held the cup of tea in his hands before taking a quiet sip.

"Is something the matter, father?" her voice asked hesitantly.

"Yes. You realize you are 16 this year, correct?" he suddenly asked.

Evelyn took a nervous sip of her tea that sent ripples through the amber-colored liquid.

"Yes, father."

"We will have a banquet to celebrate your coming of age when you turn 18. But for now, train up your fire element."

After finishing his words, he took a worn-out book and placed it in front of Evelyn before leaving.

Just before he stepped outside though, he dropped another sentence, "Make sure you are at least a Tier 2 by the time you turn 18"

A soft delicate smile stayed on Evelyn's face as he disappeared before it faded. She took the book and flipped through it before throwing it on the table.

"Idiots who want to control me."

She raised her hand and the sound of a man choking came from a lush tree overhanging her courtyard.

"There are also stupid idiots that want to spy on me."

The eyes of the spying man held fear and surprise before his face turned purple. His mouth was left wide open but no sound came out. Gradually as he held his own neck to try and get rid of whatever force was choking him, his eyes rolled back and became lifeless.

Evelyn flicked her fingers and flame started to eat away at the body. Soon, nothing but a pile of ash that was scattered to the four winds were left.

~~~~

Asura Catillo was rearranging his subordinates in his palace when a spy of his rushed in frantically.

He fell down to his knees and cupped his hands in front of him.

"My lord! I have an urgent report from our forces in the Brimbloom Mountains in Northern Castillo!"

"Speak."

"Our forces had left the Brimbloom Mountains a week ago and headed east towards the Crimson Forest. However, they were spotted by sh.i.p.s that were docked at the very edges of the Crimson Forest where it meets the Azure bay. No flags or anything indicating their countries was spotted so we can only suspect Lagash and Azure"

"Injuries and deaths of the troops?"

"No deaths, however, half of the troops were poisoned."

"Can the poison be identified?"

"No, my lord."

"Did our poison specialists take a look?"

"Yes, my lord. They estimate that those troops have a week to live. Fortunately, they can prolong the effects of the poison to half a month and are frantically looking for an antidote. They do not have high hopes for the lives of the troops, however."

Asura Castillo did not follow up with a question this time and closed his eyes in deep thought. His subordinate stayed kneeling on the ground, afraid to disturb his lord's thoughts.

"Sebastion."

"Here, my lord."

A tall man with a calm and warm aura appeared. He was quite handsome with dark red hair that fell down to his back and intense amber eyes. A tattoo of a wolf covered part of his neck and disappeared underneath his dark blue suit.

"How is your search for the Miracle Doctor Sage?"

"I have a good lead on her whereabouts. Her last three patients are from Phoenicia so she is likely still here. I've pinpointed her to somewhere near the capital of Phoenicia, Blazing Phoenix City."

"Alright, I will track her down."

Both bowed and the subordinate on the floor rushed out of the room to report back to his camp.

Sebastion looked at his lord before melting into the shadows again.