chapter 371: Part of the investigation
His voice trembles, an unparalleled fury began to eat him, with raw pain. Blood continue to drip from his fist. His golden eyes are blazing even more with barely contained rage.
"I would have accepted it....you know I would...but not like this!...not when a foreplay happened and killed the innocents. The deaths,the destruction, the grief it was all planned by someone!"
His outburst was followed by a heavier force that te butler couldn't endure, feeling overwhelmed he decided to leave.
Eros was still not aware about the pressure he is releasing thought his father did not even stop him.
With so much emotions clawing into his mind, he couldn't help but step back, breath heaving. Each step he took images flash through his mind, woman and children's lifeless body. The burning village they tried to save, the screams and the agony of not being able to do save them.
The guilt ate him
His responsibility
His grief
And now
His rage
"Let me in father....I will hunt them. I will burn the trail they crawled in from. I will give our dead the justice they deserve. Please, some of them weren't even given a proper burial, can we not do the same with the justice they deserve"
The duke is well aware of this so with no other choice, he gave the answer that might elevate the situation.
"I will asked for the emperor and the archduke to let you in, though us from the duchy usually mobilize to do the killing, perhaps this time investigating might do us some good too"
As he said those words the heavy and dark force that is pinning the room disappeared. Eros look at his father smiling in relief as he felt the heavy burden in his chest lifted.
"I will inform you if the emperor approves"
The young duke nodded in enthusiasm, very expectant about the reply.
"Thank you Father, then I will take my leave, thank you again"
Eros left the office with regain vigor as he rush back to his room, his aid Liam at his side.
"We need to prepare, I want available details about the current circumstances of the case, Liam you already had someone who can sell us the information right?"
The loyal servant nodded his head and inquired about the things he need to investigate.
"Right how about the first place where the brood mothers were found, look for it. Then find who is the lead investigator aside from the arcduke see if we could get some info with them"
Each word, each order were all writen in codes that only him and Eros can read.
"Do what you must Liam and be safe"
"I will young master"
The third day of the year ended and as the blue snow stop falling, it marked the final day of the blood season. The sun rose once more, the light it brought made the devastated land more visible than the evening light. Those who survived could not help but cry in grief as they witness their home, their family all remaining in pieces. Some only have an arm to bury while the worst cases are families with nothing to see, they had no choice but to use the deceased belongings instead. The cementery was filled with tombstone of those who died protecting others. Each territory, each city, they were all mourning, none was able to celebrate. It was a victory they didn't want to acknowledge, for the lives that laid its foundation won't be able to witness it.
Amongst the grieving crowd the emperor had extended its help, sending relief and construction materials in order to help them. The kingdoms under the empire were allowed not to submit taxes for a year, so their treasury wont feel burden as they recover.
Many mages and construction workers from the imperial arrive from many devastated places to ensure that the reconstruction will commence immediately. Soon in just a flip of one day slowly the continent is healing. The fifth day of Ianuarius arrives and from the depressing situation, life is slowly thriving and from shouts of agony, you can now hear sounds of hope.
"Hey I need more wood here!"
"How about coals?"
"Who is hungry? We brought food!"
"Don't worry madam your house will be fix we got you"
Eros hearing those words made his heart melt, the imperial house wasted no time to send the needed materials for revitalizing the wounded areas of the continent. The air that made him sad, it was replaced by the resilience of the people that brought him joy.
"Isn't lively Emilia?" He young man asked as he look at the person walking right beside him. It was Emilia his fiancée and one of the people behind this dreadful situation.
"I am happy that this town is recuperating fast"
She said with a sweet smile on her face, it was dazzling plenty of the people seeing them cant help but look at her.
Eros fondly look at the person in front of him, finding her presence calming the young man couldn't help but smile in return.
"I know your kingdom wasn't spared with this calamity, but I am thankful despite what happened you still came here"
"I was worried these past few weeks many things has been happening with you, and with this tragedy I know you are wounded. So I just wanted to show you that I am still here. No matter what happened"
Her voice was strangely calming the storm that continue to torment him slowly calm down. Easing as if they found a light that they guide them to safety.
Eros unknowingly smiled again he was happy but he knows that his mission to join the investigation will arrive soon. He hope he will be allowed to join, his desire to avenge his people was so strong it would leak an heavy pressure, that all he could think is how to prove he is worthy to be approved. So while waiting for a reply he is managing the recovery of the most affected area of the region.
He wants to show them that he is doing his duty as heir, and unlike his brother who is more focused on residing and fighting for the tower, he is here helping his people. Though speaking of his siblings, his sister seems to be getting mush farther away. She became cold and for some reason he could no longer recognize her.
Did she changed?
Or perhaps it was the real her that she just continue to suppress.
*Sigh*
He couldn't help but sigh thinking that all this time the sister that he know was someone following along him and his friends.
"Whats wrong? Are feeling sick again? I brought some tea with me it might help you calm down" she sincerely offered but Eros just shook his head.
"I'm sorry but I cant join you for tea, I need to return to the estate since my father might bring the news I have been waiting for"
Emilia frown not understanding what he meant but Eros just find that reaction cute, so with a bit of restraint he pinch her cheeks.
""Dont worry its nothing dangerous, you can just think of it as one of the things a heir must do" he reassure her giving a smile he rarely does.
His expression and smile, Emilia study them wanting to see what he was trying to hide, but before she knew it too, she was smiling along Eros.
"Okay I wont pry, since you are busy I will return home"
"Then let me take to the teleportation pod, the imperial mages should still be there"
Emilia just nodded, however for a moment her expression waivered a bit as she heard the word imperial mages. E$n@joy the s+to%ry by read!in-g+ on M!|V+|L!E%MP#YR*.
"Whats wrong?"
"Hmm? What do you mean Eros?"
"Ah, sorry I just thought for a moment that you look unwell"
'Scared to be exact' he added in his mind but didn't try to say it. He observed her waiting to see what her next words will be. Emilia knowing the look in his face quickly shifted her expression and honestly speakto avoid any suspicion. In her experience its best to express you feeling when dealing with Lionhearts, these people are highly sensitive after all.
"I am just a bit scared that is all"
Eros locked his gaze on her and sensing no lies he immediately took her to the station which contains the large teleportation pod.
Emilia and her two knights stood at the magical circle waiting for it activates.
"See you" she said with a smile Eros could not comprehend.
"Dont make a face like we wont see each other again, your makig me nervous"
Emilia jolted a bit not expected that she was making that face, and as the magic of the teleportation take over. She left a smile that made her fiance in daze.
"What....was that smile"
He felt confused but felt like he should ask later.
"If there is a problem just in case I will send a message for her"
Right after that he went on and return to the the center of Lioness, Olympia.
"Welcome back young master greeted by the butler"