Age of Beast Tamers and Exorcists
Chapter 66: A Lad

Chapter 66: A Lad

Zmey opened his eyes. He sighed. And mumbled in a weak tone, "Ah... what happened?" He felt tightness in his neck as he rose to his side from the surface beneath him—a soft bed. He closed his eyes as he turned his neck; the cracking of his neck bones resounded in his ears. At that moment, he assessed his surroundings. He looked from here to there... "Uh?" The room had a dim light from two flamelamps on both sides. If Zmey could see clearly, he thought a kind of yellowish bricks should be the ones making up the walls. His jaw dropped even more when he glanced forward. It was surprising that iron railings of a sort guarded the entrance. But also, a strange man was sitting very close to the gate, outside the room. What room exactly? A cell! ’What’s going on?’ Zmey asked himself, tightening the cloth of the bedspread in his fist. "What did they say you’re up to, lad?" the man asked. Zmey, not even realising it, had gaped straight away. He couldn’t say a word, either from cluelessness or an overwhelming sense of dread. ’Why am I feeling this way?’ Taking in the fact that he was knocked out back then when he followed the armies was when he realised that... no one other than this man was making him feel. His eyes were hollow, hard to see from the distance like a lion’s own. He had crossed both his arms and legs, exuding authority. His golden hair was wrapped to one side, with a hairband holding together two braids on the other. A red handkerchief was wrapped around his neck. He should be in his 30s... Everything about him seemed like nothing Zmey had ever seen before. His creamy pants seemed as though magnificent on their own, that not even a flicker of dust or light fell on them. Zmey couldn’t tell if the lamps or the blue lights in the man’s eyes lit up the harsh space outside the cell. A swirl of memory moved before Zmey’s eyes as though he was back on the chaotic battlefield. He could vividly see this man as gallant and strong as a whole titan, pouncing over flaming buildings and chasing over himself.... The red Western Dragon! Zmey felt shivers running down his spine. Was it the overwhelming speed he had to chase after a creature that... could move leagues within seconds? Or the mix of magics that sent the world dancing behind him? Zmey swallowed. If this man knows his real identity... For some reason, Zmey found himself bowing. "I’m delighted to meet you, Captain Luca Xero." The Captain asked straight away, "What business did you have with those Necrots? You’re just an amateur. Must be the dead were wavering at you to join them that time..." Zmey looked here and there, only to find one fact outstanding. It didn’t seem they saw him as a criminal or accomplice of the Necrots after all. This means he was in a position to say his mind now. What a relief... The captain said, his tone serious. "... I would have said that. But seven hells. Disappearing with the Necrot and returning safe doesn’t ring the same bell." "Curse it," Zmey said under his breath. He knew what it was to have such a man interrogate him. They wanted him dead if he tried to lie. What else was there to imagine when it’s him? He was so powerful and fast that he forced even the great Western Dragon to retreat. Still, this man chased right after it. Zmey didn’t recall what happened next after that. But for one, he knew Luca Xero would slit his throat if he showed any trait like a Necrot. Or he doesn’t act like a true man... He swallowed. "Hmm..." Then he raised his body, looking up at Luca. "Yes, I chased after the Necrot," Zmey said in a frank manner. He clenched his jaw, staring straight into Luca’s eyes. "Then what?" Luca shifted his body. "Mm?" He uncrossed his legs and stood closer to the gate. Still, Zmey remained resolute. Before Lucas could speak, Zmey interrupted. He knew his life hung by a thread if he didn’t. "I knew I couldn’t match the power of those beings. But what else is there to fear if not death?" he stated. Still, the intense glare in Luca’s eyes was unignorable. He pushed on... he had to convince this man, "Death. Why should I wear one? I’m a soldier after all..." "... Then is it the attribute of one to act in a way that shifts the threat towards those he has to protect? Tell me, lad," Luca interrupted. Zmey swallowed. "... Still, I couldn’t let them go freely. They have killed our men and women... that both of us have lost count of. I might have got there in time to stop the tragedy of someone else..." Luca cut in, "If the Royal Army or others hadn’t arrived in time, you know you could have died? After that, would you still be able to protect the tragedy?" Zmey opened his mouth to talk. But only a light air came out instead. His head faced downwards. He wanted to give him more, wanted to defend himself. Besides, he couldn’t tell him the truth. But he was short of words. The side of his head ached so much he didn’t even want to think. He always thought about external challenges. But the internal one was even more challenging. He apologised, "I only had my mission in mind. I’m sorry if I got too much in the way of people’s safety..." Luca held his stare at him. He had been staying outside the capital for a while now. But he didn’t know his return was to take on a new apprentice, as Lord Arkenzie had told him. He then said, "Hey, listen up, lad..." Zmey glanced up. "... Perhaps, it’s because of this that they assigned you to me. You lack the qualities of a real soldier, but at least, you seem to have the basic skills. Strength is expected of a fighter, no doubt, but intelligence prevails over it. But, seven hells... you lack intelligence. If you do, you won’t have pursued that way..." Zmey clenched the bedspread in his hand. But he for one knew he should get this done with first. Luca asked, "Why did you come to the Sanctuary at first?" Zmey replied, "To get stronger, my lord." "And has that changed now that you have faced that challenge?" Zmey bowed... he assumed he was catching up with this somehow. "Yes," he said, his tone one of a kind Luca had heard in a while. "I don’t want to go through the long process of training here anymore! The Necrots aren’t waiting. Many more of them are out there, either feasting on poor human lives or overseeing the hot game. I believe with a great mentor by my side, I will ascend to a greater height and be a useful tool to defeat them. I promise you!" Luca didn’t smile nor snicker as Zmey expected. What else to expect from someone with hollow eyes and a hollow heart too, maybe? Luca nodded his head and turned away from the gate. Before he disappeared out of sight, Zmey heard him say, "Very well." He sighed.