CHAPTER 253: TRY

"What the..." Kagerou couldn’t believe his eyes as he saw the Magus, and what made him relax a little was the fact that they were wearing the color of Bloodoak Union.

Three of them floated up and hovered beside the roof, looking at Vacuse and the stone dragon. "I told you it wasn’t a real dragon, didn’t I? It was made of stone!"

"Be as it may be, it’s still very lifelike and impressive. I want it," another of the three Magus said.

But the one in the middle was watching Vacuse. "I am Nickel, a union leader. Are you the leader of the dragon hunters that they’ve been searching for?"

Vacuse shrugged. "Kagerou, am I the leader?"

Kagerou bowed. "You are, my lord. You always were."

"Then you have your answer, Nickel. I am the leader of the dragon hunters. What can I do for you?"

Nickel’s eyes glittered as he watched Vacuse, as if he was trying to see through his skin. "You are in the second circle, but they are all so loyal to you. Are you a royalty of some sort?"

"You can think of me as a prince. That won’t be far-fetched, I tell you." Vacuse watched him in return. Even though the man was keeping his power under warp, there was no denying the fact that he was in the fifth circle. All three Magus in front of him were.

Nickel laughed. "Well then, nice to meet you, Prince...?"

"Vacuse. Vacuse Vorrakyn."

"It is nice to meet you, Vacuse Vorrakyn. And I hope to see you before you leave. We do have lots to discuss."

With that, they flew away, chatting among each other as they went.

"What an odd bunch. That Nickel, is he important in the Bloodoak Union?"

"The Bloodoak Union is unlike the other gangs. They don’t have one single gang leader. They have leaders. They were small gangs that came together to hold their territory here together. Against outsiders, they put out a united front, but internally they still argue a lot."

"Impressive," Vacuse said. "But why did the others not say anything?"

"Because they’re also Nickel. The three of them are Nickel. I don’t know his type of power, but it allows him to split himself somehow into impressions of him. I don’t know, but he’s all three.

"I’ve seen dozens of them before. Magus Nickel... is dangerous."

Vacuse could imagine. He sighed and stretched. "I’ve been washing my body with a wet cloth for weeks. I want to do more. I hope you have that?"

Kagerou grinned. "Right this way, my lord."

☆☆▪︎▪︎☆☆

Vacuse spent his longest time bathing since he was born. He felt as if he needed to wash away months of dirt from his body, and the dirty water that he had to change five times proved that he was right.

But he also spent the time because he wanted to gather his thoughts. The Great Dungeon had taken too much from him and also taught him a lot.

A lot had happened and yet so little had changed. Even then, he took the time away from everyone to gather himself and plan for the way forward.

First things first, since he found his men, he needed to break the blood binding from Lady Slave and remove the shadow of death that she represented.

Then he would think of how to end the Great Dungeon.

After his bath, he cleaned himself and wore new robes that had been placed there for him.

"My lord, what should we do with those that were with you?" Kagerou asked.

Vacuse frowned as he sat in the chair in his room and stared at his meal of meat and soft bread. "Ask Yukata. He can do what he wants. If he decides to leave, then give him some money and send him on his way. And if he wants to stay, then give him the least dangerous job. He served me well."

Kagerou nodded, taking note mentally as he watched him eat. "And the lady?"

Vacuse frowned, and his face darkened as he thought of her. "Kagerou, I will personally give her to you. You must keep your eyes on her. No harm must come to her."

Kagerou was surprised to hear that, and he didn’t try to hide it. The last time Vacuse said something like that was for that Morrowling enchanter. "What value does she carry?"

Vacuse shrugged and casually said, "My life."

Kagerou swayed, and his eyes nearly popped out of his head. "You... you are in love?!"

Vacuse stopped eating and looked up at him. He sighed and explained the situation, Kagerou’s face turning grave and graver with each word.

"So that’s the situation," he said after Vacuse finished speaking. "Very well, I will put her in my eyes and protect her. My lord, I will create an independent squad to protect her at all times in case I have to do my own thing."

Vacuse shrugged. "Do just that. And wake me if there’s any kind of emergency."

After drinking water, he turned around and headed to the large bed in the room, falling on it instantly, and he slept.

Vacuse slept for three hours before he woke. The sleep was needed, as his body had been working hard the past days. "It seems there was no emergency."

He sat there for a while and listened to the bustling in the compound. There were cries, faint shouts of pain, laughter, and cursing.

When he went to sleep, the compound had been silent due to the fact that the inhabitants went to do battle. But now they were back.

Before Vacuse could even try to get out of bed, he heard loud footsteps coming toward his closed doorway and then a rough feminine voice. "Let me see him, Amros."

"You can’t see him yet, Magus Sylrissa. He’s sleeping. You should come back when he’s up."

Magus Sylrissa’s voice came again, this time fused with amusement. "But you can’t keep me away if I want to see him."

Amros’ voice was silent a while before he replied, "I can try."