[BL] Guardians of Fate
Chapter 104 - 22: A Feeling Beyond Rationality [9]

Chapter 104: Chapter 22: A Feeling Beyond Rationality [9]

Duke Alfred Hartengrove sat in his seat in the council chamber, his expression icy and unreadable. On the heavy oak table in front of him was a map showing the locations of all the nearby safehouses. The advisors were in a frantic discussion after hearing the news.

Although there was a chance that the Calamity would not come to the duchy, Stormhaven was still close to Angelbay City. The travel time was about an hour or two by carriage. The decision to evacuate was just a precautionary measure, and his advisors agreed with it as well. In case the Calamity went on a rampage given its tendency to grow stronger and wilder after each cycle, the Duke wanted to put the safety of his people first.

"How can we monitor the status of Angelbay City?" one of the advisors, an elder named Racouth, asked urgently. "We need someone to tell us what is happening so we can be prepared."

"I have already taken care of that," the Duke said calmly. "Two of my men are among the soldiers there. They will inform me as soon as they have established a safe distance from the city after the evacuation."

"I still cannot believe my ears!" exclaimed another advisor, a woman named Perrina. "Who would have thought that those intruders would come to our world again! After what High Summoner Xanthe went through..."

"Your Grace, we must capture this Otherworlder at once!" Racouth declared.

The Duke nodded. "I know. But first, we must get our people to safety."

"Of course," Perrina said in agreement. "However, we must discuss a strategy for—"

"That can wait until later," the Duke said gruffly before rising from his seat. "Now that all captains are present, we will proceed as we always do in these situations."

Without delay, he began barking orders. He gestured at the map and instructed the generals to evacuate along the marked routes and also to prepare their cavalry to escort and defend the citizens. Then, the infantry was to reinforce the defenses around the key entry points and set up checkpoints along the main roads.

Duke Alfred couldn’t help but think of his son. Unfortunately, he never expected too much from Leon. The boy was simply too soft-hearted for his own good, and yet he was twenty-four years old now. He wished Leon would just grow up and mature soon and see his side of things for once.

Also, the way Leon had reacted during the carriage ride bothered the Duke much more than he cared to admit.

He better not do anything stupid.

I’m sure he would dare not. Not with the risk of making me angry.

However, even he seemed to have everything under control, he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling in his head.

I will deal with him later, he decided.

‏‏‎ ‎

* * *

‏‏‎ ‎

Leon stood in front of the door leading out of his room and took a deep breath. He wore a sling bag around his shoulder, concealed by a black cloak with the hood pulled back.

He had packed a few things he thought he might need, like a change of clothes, a canteen, a map, money, a commcrystal, and a blanket. He even took the commissioned portrait of his mother to remember her by.

Although he had never met her — she had died after giving birth to him — he still felt reluctant to leave her picture behind. During his lonely days, she was there, an invisible presence to whom he spoke. His father had some pictures of her, so he talked to them too, sometimes even including his father in the conversation.

When he received her portrait on his sixteenth birthday, he felt that she was becoming a solid image in his mind. If he didn’t take it with him, he was afraid that he might really forget her face.

He glanced back at his room and felt his shoulders slump, a sense of sorrow lingering in the air. Once he walked out this door, he was never coming back. This was going to be the last time.

Mother... am I doing the right thing? he wondered.

This was the room that he had spent years in. Even during the previous Calamity attacks, he stayed here, clutching the photo of his mother to his chest, afraid that the monster would come and destroy everything, including her.

But now he had her with him, and he felt that she was giving him strength. The strength to do what he really wanted to do.

I never had the courage to run away before, but now... Leon looked back at the door and changed his expression to one of nonchalance. Now, I have a goal to attain. I have to follow what my heart tells me to do.

Even if it seems irrational.

He opened the door.

The two guards looked at him as he stepped out and closed the door behind him.

"Your Grace, what brings you out of your quarters? The Duke has given orders that you must remain in your room..."

Leon didn’t listen, his eyes glancing inconspicuously around. The corridor seemed deserted except for these two, so this was his chance.

Think of them as training dummies, he thought to himself. Imagine that you’re back in that training field, practicing your movements.

Don’t hesitate.

"I intend to go and meet my father," Leon told them calmly. "I have something important to discuss with him."

The guards exchanged unsure glances. "Well... I’m afraid that’s not—"

They never got to finish their sentences.

Leon’s movements became a blur. Like lightning, his right hand shot out and struck the first guard right on the side of the neck. The guard’s eyes widened in surprise before he crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

In one seamless motion, Leon spun around to face the second guard to his left. The guard raised his arms in surrender — perhaps he didn’t have the courage to stand against the Duke’s son no matter what — but Leon couldn’t risk it. He did the same to this guard with a swift and precise blow that knocked him out within seconds.

Leon stood over their motionless bodies, breathing heavily.

Great. My father will kill me once he finds out about this.

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