Chapter 38

  Auspicious Sign was built like a fortress. Unlike the carefree energy that pervaded the air of other inner cities, there was a secure type of strength that almost every person seemed to exude. But this strength also seemed to come with emotional isolation as the denizens of the city weren't friendly at all.

  The city was surrounded by thick and tall stone walls and almost everything was made of rough gray stone sporting a very small array of earthy colors. These stones weren't as polished nor as beautiful as that of other cities, but they were much more durable.

  With neither Drakkel nor Rillian Adore having ever been to Auspicious Sign, the two had to ask directions to find the Swords Clan.

  But the people really were unfriendly. Even a slight glance would have been fine, but those who walked past them didn't acknowledge their presence at all. Because of this, it took a while before they got someone to answer their questions.

  Once the two got to the clan manor, the disciples guarding the entrance, dressed in gray robes stopped them. Their expressions were serious, both standing straight and unwavering.

  Without even a greeting, one of them, a male disciple, asked, “What brings you two here?”

  “We need to see the Clan Leader.” Rillian Adore answered.

  The disciple responded, “Our clan leader won't meet just anyone.”

  “Even Rillian Adore?” Rillian Adore asked.

  The two looked at each other, their eyes widening slightly. Despite their initial reaction, their expressions quickly calmed.

  The female disciple who didn’t originally speak, answered, “Only if he has important business with us.”

  Rillian Adore took out his pass. “I do.”

  The two disciples cupped their hands. “The Clan Leader is busy, Sword Master Rillian. We can take you to him, but he might not see you.”

  “It's fine,” Rillian Adore answered. “I’ll handle it.”

  One of the disciples glanced over to Drakkel and slightly bowed his head to him as well.

  Drakkel figured that people must have already heard that Rillian Adore was traveling with someone which explained their attitude. As for not caring about the spear in his hands, it was likely because Sword Smith Villa’s heirs were required to take up training in one weapon from the Swords Clan. While doing that, they had to become expert Sword Smiths as well. Because of this, it was rare for their Sword Skills to advance past Sword Sworn and even rarer still to reach Sword Spirit or Sword Master.

  The top disciples in their clan hardly ever included the names of any of the heirs for that reason. But during his time as a beggar in larger towns, Drakkel had heard that Firo Fieren’s older brother, Oros Fieren had already reached Sword Spirit. On top of that, he was one of the best swordsmiths in the clan. So, Firo Fieren’s weapon may have been hard to recognize for them, but if his older brother Oros Fieren’s weapon was in his hand, the same may not have held true.

  The two disciples opened the gates. One stepped aside while the other walked through.

  The one that entered said, “Please follow me.”

  The manor of High Mountain Glaive Swords Clan was built much like the town that surrounded it, lacking a bit in luxury but solid in structure.

  Even if the attack were enhanced with sword energy, it wouldn't be enough to create even a single crack in the stone.

  The manor was created simply. It was rectangular in shape and contained a few halls within. The inside was much better looking than the outside, its drab and dreary gray color being contrasted with the velvet blue carpeting and decorated walls of the inside.

  But it still could not be compared to the likes of SwordSmith Villa or even the Thousand Petals Swords clan in terms of beauty and elegance.

  Rillian Adore and Drakkel were led down several halls past many disciples until they reached an open area. The door was round in shape and covered only by a thin curtain so the voices of those inside drifted out.

  “It is good that Firo Fieren will be coming today. Our new disciples require their weaponry. We need to get as many ready as possible before the next summit.” A man said.

  Another man answered, “Yes, Clan Leader. Hopefully he arrives soon. Our disciples have been looking forward to it.”

  As they approached, the original man’s voice asked, “Who’s there?”

  The disciple that led them answered, “It’s me, Aekil, Clan Leader Kazilik. I am followed here by Rillian Adore and his guest. They said they have something urgent to inform you about.”

  The man known as Clan Leader Kazilik said, “Can't you hear that I'm busy?”

  Rillian Adore stepped forward. “Clan Leader Kazilik, I’m Rillian Adore. An issue has come up with Firo Fieren.”

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “What is it?” Clan Leader Kazilik asked in patiently.

  Rillian Adore paused for a moment before answering, “He’s been kidnapped by demons.”

  A deafening silence followed after Rillian Adore's announcement. Even the closest disciples in the halls didn't make a noise.

  After a few moments, an older looking man walked out of the room followed by a younger man.

  The older man seemed maybe in his upper 50s, but his physique was muscular. It was as if he modeled himself after the fortress itself, his bearing hardened and firm.

  Meanwhile, the younger man seemed maybe in his upper 30s and bore a striking resemblance to the older man. It's only that he was a bit smaller in build than him.

  Drakkel had heard tales of the less talented younger brother of the clan leader of the High Mountain Glaive clan. Oftentimes when they fought demons or other criminals in the past, he would never come along. If it weren't for the fact that he had a reputation for being a scholar and poet on the side, many would believe him to not exist.

  Rillian Adore, Drakkel and the disciples cupped their hands and bowed.

  “What did you sa…” Clan Leader Kazilik asked.

  However, he didn't finish his sentence as his attention was swiftly brought to the staff in Drakkel's hands. He walked over and took it, beginning to inspect it.

  With a hand on his chin he said, “Hmm… this is definitely Flame's Trial.”

  Flame's Trial was the name of Firo Fieren’s spear. It was said that as a part of a trial to determine if one would make a worthy heir for Swordsmith Villa, they had to successfully create their own weapon. Piece by piece, they had to melt the metal, fortify the meteoric stone, create the blade, and even add embellishments. Thus far, the number of those who had failed the trial could be counted on one hand. So of course, Firo Fieren and his older brother Oros Fieren had no trouble completing the task. For Firo Fieren, “Flame's Trial” was the result.

  Clan Leader Kazilik’s eyes narrowed as an expression of worry began to wash over his features.

  He turned to the man next to him. “Younger brother, mobilize the disciples to search around the area and send a letter to SwordSmith Villa in the swiftest manner possible. We must locate Firo Fieren.”

  The younger man bowed. “Yes, Clan Leader Kazilik.”

  He quickly left, rushing down the halls and gathering every disciple he met along the way.

  “Do you require our assistance, Clan Leader Kazilik?” Rillian Adore asked

  The Clan Leader shook his head. “You making me aware of this matter is more than enough. Besides, it has nothing to do with you. It’s our problem so we’ll fix it. Now, as you know, I have matters to attend to. I’m afraid I’ll have to leave your presence.”

  Clan Leader Fieren rushed down the hall after his brother. He walked with his hands behind his back, appearing calm in demeanor. But a trained Sword Fighter could see how he entwined his sword step with every move, making his seemingly short strides lengthen in distance.

  “We’ve done all we can,” Drakkel said. “If you want to stay, I won’t stop you, but I still have my own business to deal with. I won’t mind coming out to help if it’s still needed once I’m done.”

  Rillian Adore shook his head. “I’ll accompany you.”

  With that answer, Drakkel was now left to wonder. For how long was Rillian Adore planning to follow him?

  Thinking about it, at first Rillian Adore said that he was following him to Sword Smith Villa Manor to complete his own things. Now they had already visited so many places and he still stayed.

  He looked at Rillian Adore curiously.

  “Rillian, why have you been following me?” He asked.

  Rillian Adore shifted his gaze away.

  “I still need to bring you to my clan as a witness of everything that has occurred thus far. You tried to run away before so of course I have to stick close to you…”

  Drakkel was speechless. There was no way it was that simple. If he wanted to bring him into his clan, it would be too easy. With his power, all he had to do was knock him out or hit his acupoints and he wouldn't be able to run away. Then if he wanted to get him to speak, most beggars would take money. So why go through all the trouble?

  He knew this and yet he didn't dare to bring it up. He didn't want to give him any ideas. Instead he said, “I understand. Then we can go back to your clan after I'm done and we can give them an account of everything we’ve seen.”

  Rillian Adore nodded.

  Since the matter with Firo Fieren was taken care of, Drakkel thought back to their current situation. Among all that had happened, the journey to Earthly Mountain would take two days from Auspicious Sign on foot.

  It was already getting dark, so they decided to stay in the city for a night. Unlike the other inner cities, the prices in Auspicious Sign were only a little higher than Immortal Peak. So this time, Drakkel offered to pay for the inn so as not to have Rillian Adore be the one paying for everything.

  Rillian Adore objected, but Drakkel insisted so he eventually had to back down.

  When Drakkel opened his money pouch, which he thought felt a little heavy before, he realized that someone had slipped some golden coins into it.

  Believing he knew the culprit, he was going to ask Rillian Adore about it. However, when he attempted to, Rillian Adore would ignore any of his attempts to gain his attention.

  Finally, he had to accept the money and used some of it to pay for the inn.

  The inn that they chose was clean and plain. It held no extra or unnecessary things.

  It made sense for inner cities that vacant rooms were hard to find. So Drakkel was happy that the string of bad luck surrounding them when it came to inns had subsided in Auspicious Sign.

  He thought Rillian Adore would feel the same, but he didn't seem to agree. His demeanor which was usually reserved and cold only got worse.

  This time, they were able to acquire a room with two beds. As they rested, all the things that had gone on thus far went through Drakkel’s mind.

  The High Mountain Glaive Swords Clan was also among the list of Swords Clans benefitting from the illegal mining of meteoric stone in Shadowy Ridges.

  He would definitely return to investigate them when he regained his power. However, something didn't add up. He found himself to be at the center of several major events after years of peace. It was almost as if it was by design.

  But, Rillian Adore was also there and he was the foremost Sword Fighter in the present day, being believed to hold the potential to break through past Sword Master. It wasn’t so strange for these things to follow someone with such strong sword prowess. After all, he had been involved in some major events in the past as well.

  He recalled when he solved a dispute between two major villages located near the inner cities causing a possible halt in trade to be saved, beat back demons hanging around Flowering Mountain, and even took down a few hostile sacred beasts located near Densai Forest.

  With these thoughts, his doubts dissipated as he prepared himself for the coming days.