LOCATED UNDERGROUND the castle, a spacious area that could fill hundreds of people was built centuries ago. The wall was painted in plain white and at the center of the polished marble flooring was an insignia of the Vermilion bird embedded on it. The only lavish ornament was the chandeliers hung on the ceiling.

The Guardian Hall had two entrances. The one behind Aricson led to the North Wing above while the opposite end was the door connecting to the Crimson Village where all the Guardian knights resided.

A group of handpicked knights that solely served the Ancient Clans. They fell under the category of sage knights who were trained to be capable of wielding weapons and magic at the same time, belonging to the League of Guardians.

Unlike other knight leagues, the Guardian knights were provided with a mount. In return, they made a blood contract and should be loyal to the clan they served. Only those with fire element were qualified to be a Guardian knight of the Flamion and had the chance to have a Vermilion mount — a creature gifted by the God of Life.

At present, there were almost a hundred vermilions on the island. the majority of them had a blood exchange — a pact performed to own a familiar or an artifact — with a guardian.

"Was I too lenient these days that none of you had reported anything about me?" he questioned and they were all silent.

The room was occupied with men and women standing in line. Only half of the seventy guardians were present while the rest were on vacation. The guardians and their families had made the island their home so they didn't need to go to the mainland. It was why he gave them to take a month off once in a while.

"There were already two trespassers in just a few weeks. No one even informed me about the first incident. Care to tell me what you have been doing these days?" His voice resounded in the room but they still refused to speak.

His eyes roamed and called out one person.

"Sapphire."

A young girl with fancy purple hair stepped forward. Despite the young age, she was already the Vice-captain and was personally trained by his father and uncle.

She was walking towards him but tripped on her own feet. The girl was the clumsiest person he had met but no one in here could deny that she was one of the strongest knights in battle. She stood up again and bowed.

"Sapphire, reporting, sire."

"Captain Orin had not yet returned. Why don't you explain what happened? Where are all the guardians who were patrolling? It does not mean that if I gave others a vacation then you would disregard your duties too. Can't you wait for your turn?" he stated, his voice lowering in a stern note.

"I'm actually excited for my turn, sire," she answered so sincerely.

Aricson let out a breath and the others couldn't stop themselves from snickering. Aside from being clumsy, Sapphire had a hard time understanding others. Reprimanding her was the same as talking to air. She didn't know when others were angry or sarcastic at her unless they said it frankly.

"Why didn't anyone of you come to notify me about the incident two weeks ago?" he prompted.

She looked up, her brows wrinkling. "There were no incidents weeks ago, sire."

"You didn't sense anyone passing the barrier?"

"No, sire," Sapphire answered.

"How about the Vermilions?" he inquired, growing quite perplexed.

"They haven't sensed anything until now. This was the first time an intruder passed so I'm quite confused when you said there were two."

He glanced at the row behind her. "Is this true?"

"Yes, sire," they all responded in unison.

He recalled what Erkhan said that even the birds did not notice Elise so it might be plausible.

"Never mind about that. Answer me on what happened with the patrol duty instead. Why did I only see a few?" He jumped to another question.

"Most of the Vermilions were all sick for some reason and had not yet recovered, sire," she stated.

His brow knitted on her words. "Sick?"

"Yes, sire. Their feathers kept on falling and their eyes were turning black. It started from one bird and the next day majority of them became like it and had not been moving away from their nest," she briefed which just made his frown deeper.

"Why had you not told me until now?"

"Uhm..." She paused and averted her eyes.

Aricson let out another exasperated breath. "It's been years already and you still have not stepped a foot above."

Sapphire was honestly hard to deal with but he had always been treating her as a family. He had somehow adapted to her personality though it was not sufficient to fully comprehend her. For unknown reasons, she ceased coming to the castle years ago except for the time when his parents requested her.

He knew the only way to make her do it was for Erkhan to ask her himself but it was clearly out of the question since his brother avoided her like an infectious disease.

"I don't like to go inside your castle," she mumbled almost to herself.

"You're currently inside it, Sapphire," he retorted.

"But it's underground," she retaliated right away.

He heard some sneering again and sent a glare to shut them up. He ignored what she said before continuing his queries.

"So, how was it?"

"They've become well already. The one you rode was sick a few days ago."

Members of the clan who inherited the sign of lineage, which was the red eyes in the case of Flamion, have the right to own a mount as well. But as the Rei, Aricson could tame all the Vermilions as part of his privilege, despite having contracted one.

"How about Cress?" he inquired about his Vermilion.

Cress was pregnant at the moment. Its situation was very delicate since Vermilions could only give birth once in all their lifetimes.

"Your mount was not affected, sire."

"Good. But next time when something this big happens, make sure you will report it at once," he reproached her again.

"Yes, sire. I'll make sure Captain Orin will talk to you immediately."

Her dubious reply caused amused grins that he gave them another piercing stare. The reason they could act like that was that all the guardians had a special bond in their family. They knew he was strict but they were also aware that he was not the kind of leader who punished his subject for petty reasons. As long as they got their job done and protected his family, he had no issue with them.

"And to all of you, you could have sent an orb to report it to me. Especially you, Daniel, since you're the head caretaker of the Vermilions."

One of the blonde men stepped out from the front lines.

"Some of us did, sire, but you did not respond so we thought that it was just a minor concern," Daniel informed.

His eyebrows drew together, realizing it was partially his fault. He had been staying in his room these days and no magic could penetrate his chambers. Though it was strange no servants informed him. 'Is it possible that someone sneaked into my territory?'

That person would not be able to cross the barrier easily if someone did not lend a hand from inside. Aricson had to make sure to discuss this with his uncle as soon as possible.

"Alright, to the next subject. Have you heard of any Mundran that can use an elemental flow?" 

Confusion was plastered on most of their faces. Even he himself felt the absurdity of his question because elemental flow was the main distinction if a human was a Mundran or an Enchanter. 

Despite that, Daniel still answered, "There is no such thing, sire." 

"Correct. However, the one I fought was the one I described. He was thoroughly human with no elemental flow yet he was able to call forth the spirit of darkness."

He could hear their sharp intake of breaths. It was followed by loud murmurs as they talked to themselves. He cleared his throat and everyone kept quiet. He, too, was confounded when he discovered it.

First, a person from another world then, now, a Mundran human who could use magic attacked their island.

"I will dispatch more people to investigate this matter. For now, this will still be handled by us. If proven that this is more dangerous than what we anticipate, the problem would be immediately forwarded to the Association," he announced.

They all formed a fist and tapped it to their left chest twice and agreed in unison. "Yes, sire!"

"Meeting adjourned. Sapphire, stay here."

All of them quickly dispersed and the two were alone in this empty hall.

Sapphire obviously did not get why she was staying even though this was not the first time he wouldn't let her leave because of her mistakes.

"What was it, Rei?" she inquired.

"You, silly girl. That Vermilion's sickness was a grave problem. If it was not solved, then I will not even know that all the treasured Vermilion of our ancestors have died already."

He was busy scolding her but she kept fiddling her fingers and peering her eyes around except at him.

"Sapphire," he called and caught her gaze.

"But it was solved, right, Rei?" she countered back, disconcerted.

"It was a good thing you were lucky this time."

She smiled broadly with green eyes twinkling at him. "I know! Lately, I feel like I'm superbly lucky, sire."

"You're being cheeky."

Aricson massaged his head, feeling befuddled since their conversation was going nowhere. In the end, he just sighed and let her be.

"My brothers and sisters also said the same. They told me I was always cheeky with you. Isn't cheeky being impudent and disrespectful? But I always address you with your title and bow. I am so confused, sire."

He stared at the pouting woman in front of him. In physical appearance, she looked almost the same age as Elise. However, Sapphire was definitely older yet the other was fully adept in all areas while this one was like a child.

Although, he was aware that behind those innocent smiles were sharp claws. She wouldn't have been appointed as a Vice-captain if she did not have the ability but her behavior needed to change. Those who did not know her would certainly be offended if she kept on being like this and would never get along with others.

"When Uncle returns, you could have your vacation and think about your other job," he announced.

She looked at him flabbergasted. "How do you know that!?"

"Everyone recognizes you the moment you stepped out at the festival years ago," he revealed to her.

"Really? Why did they not tell me? It's so embarrassing!" she hollered and rushed out without properly saying goodbye.

Afterward, he climbed upstairs and headed to his room. Passing by Elise's room, he stopped in his tracks unknowingly.

It had been a long time since someone piqued his interest. She was very different from the people he had met, literally, since she was from another world.

It was a few days ago that his patience snapped, causing her to catch all his frustrations. He wanted to apologize and had been inquiring about her whereabouts every time he went out of his room. Nonetheless, he never did talk to her, simply ending up just a door away from her.

This afternoon, he heard the servants talking about her and how she went outside. It was growing dark but she was not back. He felt the same uneasiness just like with family. He was frankly scared something bad happened to her for some reason.

When he saw that she was attacked, all he wanted was to kill the man. It was not just his responsibilities that made him take action. She woke up the unknown feelings deep inside him and, in truth, he did not know what to do with them.

༻❁༺

U n S c e n e s

Q: Cute or mature?

Aricson: I prefer not to answer.

Elise: *sighs* He's such a killjoy. It's definitely mature for me. Guys like that are ten times better than a childish one. But... I would like it if he can act cute sometimes too.

Aricson: *intense stare*