002

c h a p t e r   2  :  y o u n g    m a s t e r (2)

AINS decided to look for Amir. If he wanted to know the general situation he was in, he had no other choice but to ask him.

He found Amir standing upright just outside his study who reflexively bowed upon seeing him.

"Do you need something, young master?" he asked politely, still wearing that benign smile.

'Really hypocrite,' Ains thought.

"Indeed. Come inside for a moment." He gestured at him before returning inside.

Amir sat opposite him, looking attentive. That abyss-like eye stared at him unblinkingly. He didn't know if he was doing it intentionally, but it gave him chills just being watched by his uncovered right eye that reflected his image.

Ains moved his gaze away from the man.

"Tell me where are we at the moment."

It's hard to admit but Ains knew that at the moment, Amir was the only person he could rely on. Until he returns to the capital, he had to stick with him diligently.

This world was not as peaceful as it may seem. And he had personally witnessed how utterly terrifying those sleeping dragons in his previous life go berserk when disturbed. Those who deemed everything underneath them must not be provoked as it will only bring disaster upon them.

The Merzic Continent has the Empire at its center. But being at the center does not mean they possess the greatest power in the continent. There were still beings and organizations that the world did not know of.

The usual calm facade of Amir was now full of confusion. Either way, as a competent butler, he answered his young master honestly.

"We are currently in Bermil Town. The young master was sent here by the King himself. You were punished to spent a month here and was not allowed to go back to the capital until then." Amir watched his young master who was obediently listening to him.

"Hm, is that so?" Ains absentmindedly replied.

In the eyes of his butler, his young master was probably sad that he was being punished cruelly by his father.

But Ains had no time to pay attention to Amir. Hearing that familiar town once again triggered his memories from his previous life. If he was not mistaken, the infamous Apo Forest was located just outside Bermil Town. And a small town situated at the center of the forest was that certain exiled general—who lead the undead soldiers in the front lines—birthplace.

Those undead soldiers became famous as they swept through the battlefield like a ghost. Later on, people started to get curious about their origins. Some even went to the black market to buy information about them. Not long after, everyone could hear their story through bards, merchants, performers, and ordinary citizens. It spread like wildfire throughout the whole continent.

The name of that helmeted general was also dug out—Gautier¹ Bendek, the helmeted ghost king of the battlefield.

"Young master?" Amir called out.

"Ah."

"Are you alright?"

"Yes. You may leave."

Ains lowered his head to hide his brightening expression. He waited until he was left alone before bursting out laughing.

He really couldn't help it. Who would have thought that he would be sent back two years before the war? He had much more plenty of time than he had believed.

'Gautier Bendek. I will pull you to our kingdom no matter what.'

* * *

THE next day, while the sun was proudly looking down from above, the heat illuminated the townpeople's faces as they each went on to start the day.

Outside the small wooden house were a prestigious carriage donning a few golds on its surface and intricate carvings. Ains was currently stepping inside it with the help of Amir. This morning, Ains informed him of their departure. The other had no objections of what his young master desired to do.

The so-called punishment won't stop Ains from doing what he wanted. In addition, he was aware that this punishment was just an excuse so those officials in the palace could finally shut their mouths. He held no grudge at all. And he felt no remorse for what he had done.

"Have a safe trip, Young master Ains." Baron Bardrick, who insisted on sending him away, smiled at Ains.

Ains looked at him deeply.

'Maybe I could use him in the future.'

With that thought in mind, he gestured at Amir. Amir drove the carriage forward; their destination was the Apo Forest.

It was said to be one of the three sacred places on the continent. For an Apothecary, Apo Forest was holy land. It was filled with all kinds of herbs and fruits that only those proficient in potion making and medicine could bring out its true worth.

'Speaking of potions, that person should have been at Apo Forest, right?'

'How old is he now? Sixteen? How terrifying.'

Oskar was considered a genius that only appears every millennium. He was only eighteen when he made those heaven-defying potions that shook the whole continent.

Ains took a glance at Amir's straight and wide back.

'Nah. That one is a monster.'

Ains felt his heart shook when Amir suddenly looked behind him. Their eyes met and for a moment, he suddenly couldn't move.

Amir flashed him a smile before asking about his well-being.

"Is everything alright, young master?"

That previous suffocating pressure was gone. He nodded at Amir before turning his attention outside the window. He dared not to look at him anymore.

'What a scary man. I should return him to second brother's side as soon as we arrive at the capital.'

* * *

THE smooth ride was interrupted with a sudden halt. Despite not having a trained body, Ains had his instincts honed during the war in his previous life. It had saved him countless times during his close encounter with death.

And currently, he could feel countless eyes on him—on his carriage to be exact. That familiar feeling of being at the receiving end of numerous preying eyes filled with killing intent made his body go on alert subconsciously.

His rounded eyes slowly misted due to not blinking but he looked more like he was about to cry with his lips pursed tightly together. This was what Amir witnessed when he checked on his young master. He's always smiling expression turned cold.

"Young master, no need to worry. I will handle it as quickly as possible." However, the voice he used to speak with Ains was a lot gentler than usual.

"Ah?"

Ains did not hear what Amir had said as he was too focused on what was happening outside.

'Bandits.'

He never thought that he would encounter such cliché scenarios the moment he stepped out of his dwelling. He sighed for he knew the journey would be delayed. He sat comfortably as he knew Amir could easily handle them.

Amir flinched when he saw his young master sighed. His body appeared to be in a much more relaxed state than before.

He bowed deeply; eyes colder than usual. "Then, I shall excuse myself for a moment, young master."

"Hm. Be careful."

Amir stilled for a second. "Yes."

Soon, amidst the rustling of leaves and whispers of trees against the wind, an ear-piercing shriek rang throughout the forest accompanied by the loud thuds of bodies falling on the ground. The wind blew the window cover briefly and he instantly caught a whiff of blood scent mixed in. He frowned, covering his nose, he lifted the cover and peeked outside.

Countless bodies were wearing black outfits laying on the ground lifelessly. Some had cut on their necks, bathing on their blood and some were even missing a part of their body.

Ains stared at that sight unblinkingly.

'How brutal.'

"Young master!"

When Amir saw his young master staring dazedly at the bloody scene, he was worried that it might stimulate him. And upon seeing his pale face, he regretted not killing those bandits as quick as possible.

"Is it fine now?" Ains asked.

"Yes," Amir answered stiffly.

Ains was silent for a moment. He scanned Amir's body, looking for injuries. But as he had expected, Amir was really strong.

"Are you okay?" Despite having a full grasp of what Amir can do, he still decided to ask out of courtesy.

Amir froze before he once again wears his usual smile.

"Yes."

Ains nodded. "Let's go then."

'He had to reach that village before sundown'

* * *

footnotes: (1) Gautier | \ o-teer