Epic Of The Demonic Sage

Count Gabriel invited the newly arrived Black Rose Knight and the ones who had remaining in the Inanis mansion for the reporting.

Lucius wasn't quite pleased with the other three who had been around all this time and the ones who mostly plagued him with their incessant questions, but he stood to listen to the report.

Countess Lita and Kiana were also present to listen to the news, mostly staying on the sidelines.

"Count Gabriel, as you have explicitly ordered, my companions and I went to Aisse territory. The reason why I am the only one who has returned is because the others returned to His Majesty." The Black Rose Knight explained.

'Did they return to the King of Grantz before or after the attack on Cutlass City and the Bergan's Band? How the king will respond will still be dependent on how he views the situation.' Lucius thought to himself with a frown.

"How did the Earl of Aisse respond to your words?" Lucius asked.

"The Earl of Aisse is willing to meet and discuss everything with Count Gabriel." The Black Rose Knight said.

"Of course he should be!" Count Gabriel scoffed. With the threat of Rancor being mentioned, it made sense that the Earl of Aisse was ready to become supplicant.

"Unfortunately, there has been a certain change in circumstances." The Black Rose Knight said. "I went to visit Cutlass City to check on the Bergan's Band with Earl Aisse's soldiers, but when we came there… there has been great chaos in the city."

"Is it the work of someone who wished to attack Bergan's Band?" another Black Rose Knight asked. It was the same perceptive one who asked Lucius questions before. "The timing couldn't be anymore better."

"Is there anyone who can actually fight Bergan's Band head on, that is a silly idea." Another knight chided his companion and apologized to the Count and his family for daring such statements.

The newly returned knight shook his head. "There was an earthquake and an attack of a mighty Rune Beast that most identified to be close to a Plow Worm."

"Oh, a Plow Worm?"

"According to the testimonies of those who survived the attacks, they carapace was far thicker and it had several spikes on its body alongside great teeth that devoured a lot of the Bergan's Band members. It was even able to take on a lot of hits from numerous powerful gifted users, main forces from Bergan's Band."

"Where was Bergan?"

"He was not around. The second-in-command, Eric managed to use his gift to create an opening, but about a half or potentially more had their lives lost and taken away." The Black Rose Knight shook his head.

"Well, that's quite interesting. An unfortunate incident, but certainly something that I don't mind hearing." Count Gabriel said in a cool tone. He had already heard all the details from Asher, but pretended to be hearing all of this for the first time.

"This must be a new variant of the Plow Worm!" one of the knights said in an outburst. "I haven't heard of anything like this happening recently... pardon me, I've read books about Rune Beasts in my spare time."

"Then you must know that there's still occurrences from time to time that a Rune Beast will gain new characteristics, certainly." Lucius said evenly.

"… but in this amount of time? That amount of change should take at least years…" the Black Rose Knight said, then coughed. "Forgive me, Young Lord Asher. I am simply speaking my thoughts."

"Apologies given." Lucius said.

"Regardless, what shall be done for now?" Count Gabriel asked breaking off the conversation.

The Count knew that the changes of the Plow Worm most likely had to do with the Erudite's Will that Asher had used so he wanted to draw attention away from it.

"Since we've sent some of our men to return to His Majesty, we will be waiting for the next orders that come from him, Count Gabriel." The first knight said.

"Very well then. You are all dismissed."

"Thank you, Count Gabriel!"

All of the Black Rose Knights bowed and then quickly departed to give the Count and his son privacy to talk.

It also allowed the Black Rose Knights to confer among themselves after having not seen each other in weeks.

Once they were gone, Countess Lita let out a breath that she didn't know she had been holding.

Out of everyone in the Inanis family, she was the one who was most nervous and looked at her husband and son with worried eyes.

"Do you think… they might have noticed anything? I do not think that any of them has any gifts similar to that of the Church of Duran, but I'm quite uneasy all the same." Countess Lita said.

"That's quite unlikely, Lita. They might be the vassals of His Majesty, but their talents still lie primarily in combat and not information gathering to have any kind of gift." Count Gabriel said.

Lucius who had ascertained all of the gifts of the Black Rose Knights prior also nodded. "Yes, do not fret, mother. Father has spoken correctly about this matter."

"Actually, even if the Black Rose Knight was rather unsure of how His Majesty might respond to the information, once they hear of what happened to Bergan's Band, it's far more likely that the king will try to suppress them." Count Gabriel said.

"You think so, father?" Lucius asked.

"I am positive. They've been a thorn to his side." Count Gabriel said. "And any thorns that oppose the king will be plucked out."

It was almost a fitting statement, based on how the king of Grantz was able to use Count Gabriel as Rancor in the past.

'There's no doubt that if the king hadn't used my father, the Inanis family would have already been disposed of.' Lucius thought.

"Then we shall be waiting for the upcoming news then, Father." Lucius said.

It would be a bit of waiting, but Lucius already had his revenge on Bergan's Band and so he was willing to wait for further retribution.