Chapter 22 - Light’s Envoys

  “I’m telling you, the Light literally blinded me. It blinded me outright like I was consumed in a literal storm of vibrance! And...”

  “Sure, Lenny. As if you could endure the light of Light, herself.”

  “You just have to undermine me every single time, huh, Benjen? Listen, I’m not even exaggerating like I always do, really, it was really beautiful as it was dreadful. It was a really terrifying experience. Something that gave me scares and sense of security at the same time. That I’m protected by that kind of power; no way we are ever going to be in danger!”

  “Of course. We are under the protection of Light, herself, we are the luckiest bunch to ever live. Praise the Light but if I have to ask again, what were you doing near the damn case? Aren’t we supposed to stay away from... you know, the case areas?”

  “Umm, yes. But I just wanted to check how it ended since I was the one who discovered the case and all. Head Captain let me tagged along too though I blacked out in the end.”

  “He wouldn’t normally let any of us tag along but what came?”

  “It seemed one of the Light Envoys was amused by me so he let me tag along, to be specific. They said it was fine and all but surely, Head Captain wasn't really thrilled with me following along. Still...”

  “Wait you saw the Light’s Envoys?”

  “Yes, so?”

  “Light Envoys, the protector of our Empire, the most trusted agents of His Majesty and Carriers of Light?”

  “Yes.”

  “You met them?”

  “Yes, so what?”

  Though he was acting nonchalant, Benjen noticed an ugly smug on his friend’s face, that told him everything.

  He wasn’t going to let him feel the satisfaction so, he decided to hold in.

  “Never mind, go on.”

  Lenny was visibly surprised by Benjen’s reaction and waited for a few more moments for him to ask again.

  Seeing that Benjen was standing still, Lenny dejectedly continued.

  “Still, we got there in the nick of time. The monster was almost gone from all these blackish things eating its body but I’ll tell you, the next moment, Light literally decimated it out from existence. I don’t know how it happened but...”

  “What about him, then?”

  “About who?”

  “Umm, Merik?”

  “What about me?”

  Followed by the voice was a man in all black who was slightly dragging his legs.

  He had a pair of crimson eyes which seemed devoid of all emotions.

  Right as he entered the garrison, every curious gaze in the room landed on him.

  Visibly flustered, Lenny and Benjen both stepped back for one or two before slowly answering in a slightly lower tone.

  “Nothing. We... we’re just glad that you’re back and safe and all.”

  “Why, thank you. Do continue the story. I want to hear the end of it.”

  Cold sweats started to seep on their foreheads and their eyes keep darting left and right, seemingly asking for help.

  No one helped, though.

  “That’s the end of the story, Merik. You came back alive and safe! I... we’re glad! Right, Benjen?”

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  “Of course, Lenny. That’s Merik for ya. No one should ever doubt him, right, Lenny?”

  They were sprouting nonsenses at this point but Merik in amusement didn't stop them.

  He was just staring at them trying to get away from this.

  “Cut some slacks for the two, will you, Merik?”

  It was Landon who came out from his office, holding a piece of paper.

  As always, he had such a sophisticated look on him combined with bold and fierce emotions in his sharp eyes.

  His vermillion hair was neatly combed with some loose strands that were betraying its grace and yet, enhancing his charm many folds.

  Chuckled slightly with a wave of his hand, Merik got past the two clowns and went straight towards Landon.

  Through the corner of his eyes, he noticed that a girl was peeking at him from her desk and when their eyes met, she went back into hiding again.

  The awkward girl was none other than Cora, his cute little junior.

  Pretending not to notice, Merik continued his steps and went into Landon’s office, getting past his “Head Captain.”

  And the door was shut soon after.

  ________________________________________________________________________

  Only a week had passed but Merik was speechless with how this room had changed.

  Before, it resembled a stinking gas chamber with countless books lying around but now, it seemed like the room was possessed by an entity of tidiness itself.

  Merik could almost see his reflection on the neatly polished floor and not just that, books were thoroughly stacked in their rightful places.

  Furthermore, the room smelled so good to the point that it even reeked of a freshly showered bathroom and not a single speck of dust was left visible.

  It horrified Merik beyond understanding that he became worried about his Albert, alarmingly.

  The guy was literally a dirtbag, compared to this!

  Merik was internally pleasantly surprised by the surreal environment but his face didn’t betray his feelings.

  He slowly approached the chair and took a seat.

  Despite all the hurdles with his newfound yet dreadful injuries, Merik put up a cold front in front of everyone and especially towards his superior, Landon Yarrow.

  Landon similarly took a seat in front of him but for a while, none of them broke the silence.

  “Just say it.”

  “Say what?”

  Merik was looking straight at Landon who seemed unbothered by all this awkwardness and casually flipping some pages of a book in front of him.

  Merik gritted his teeth before sighing deeply.

  “Just say “I told you, so.”. I mean you really did warn me so it was my fault.”

  Landon closed the book in a loud thud and met Merik’s gaze.

  Merik continued,

  “I’m sorry about the lantern as well. That was… really unexpected but I have no reason to give. It’s because of my short foresight.”

  Landon maintained his firm gaze for a while and slowly gave out a sigh.

  “The lantern… was a shame. You can keep blaming yourself but I’m not one without fault as well. As a leader, my judgement on letting only of you two to go on such a dangerous mission was quite questionable and that almost cost your lives. I’m sorry as well.”

  A slight frown formed on Merik’s brows but this time, it was in pleasant surprise.

  It was strange coming from the prideful Yarrow, after all.

  “I don’t think you judged wrong. No one could have known how it would have turned out. We were just unlucky.”

  Landon kept his lips pursed and let out a long breath once again.

  Merik couldn’t help but notice a certain emotion on Landon’s rather stoic face.

  Is it guilt? What is he guilty about?

  Merik suppressed his questions and asked in a low voice.

  “Is it true that I was saved by Light’s Envoys?”

  A flick of light flashed past Landon’s eyes before a slight frown was formed on his face. Then he answered in an unsatisfied voice.

  “Yes, you were.”

  “But why? Why are they here? They’re aren’t supposed to involve themselves if it doesn’t concern His Majesty, are they?”

  “Yes, that is correct.”

  Merik kept his questioning gaze still, waiting for the expressionless Landon to answer.

  He answered after a few moments.

  “Merik, you are smart, so you can already guess the answer on why they are here.”

  “So, this case does concern His Majesty?”

  Landon blows a long turbid air before explaining thoroughly.

  “Yes, it does. I was contacted by them soon after you left and was told that the case was extremely dangerous as it involved a really dangerous being. I don’t know much but they said they have been searching for that being for a long time and as soon as they caught wind of it, they came rushing by the order of His Majesty. Or so they said.”

  “Then, what was that being, anyway?”

  “They didn’t tell me.”

  Merik noticed the way how Landon was talking and probed slightly.

  “So, you don’t buy it?”

  “As far as I’m told, they are here for the greater goods and the safety of the civilians but I believe that isn’t all. Seeing how they waited long enough before dealing with it, I couldn’t shake off this unexplainable feeling that I was getting from all of this.”

  “What do you mean? You mean you arrived sooner?”

  “Yes.”

  Merik’s anger slightly escaped his grasp in the form of clenched teeth and a raised voice.

  “What do you mean!? You mean that you arrived soon enough to save us but decided not to!?”

  “...they wanted to see how things would go. They believed that leaving the monster for you to deal with, was the best thing they should do, so they waited. Only after you fainted did they act.”

  “What kind of bullshit is this!?”