Chapter 44. Into Battle

The Book of Revelation was the artifact that House Delta kept.

It contained the power to answer any question, in return for the asker's most significant thing. Due to this side effect, no humane person dared to use this artifact. Thus, it was left to Grand Duke Delta.

But... how was it possible for such an artifact to be stolen?

And at such a time?

Lucilline stared deeply at the servant, but the latter showed no signs of lying. The servant added on, "Because Grand Duke Delta was busy searching for Young Master, there was a lack of security. Perhaps that is why the artifact was stolen under our noses."

After such a sentence, Percival's body had tensed up.

His lean figure was taut, and the sound of his fist twisting the fabric had crinkled in the air.

"Enough." Lucilline sighed. "Whether there was a lack of guards or not, your incompetence in guarding the artifact will be discussed thoroughly with the King and Queen."

Upon hearing that, the servant sweated. He loosened his hold on Percival. "Understood."

Daphnne and Azalea tossed each other a glance. It seemed that Percival had gone missing from House Delta, ever since Grand Duke Delta attempted at grounding him. This sudden "disappearance" caused Grand Duke Delta to send out troops in search of him. Instead, it only weakened their guard for the artifact, causing someone to revolt and steal it.

The two protagonists sent Percival a look that read "don't worry".

"It was not your fault that the artifact was stolen." Daphnne reassured the brown-haired nobleman. "In any case, don't worry."

Azalea nodded along, his sincere gaze had softened Percival's worries.

Lucilline pursed his lips. "Well, we should get the artifact back." He turned to the servant. "Any news on the whereabouts of the thief?"

The servant had a hunched back from exhaustion. "They couldn't have gone far from the residence! Our guards have already barricaded the entire circumference! Later, the thieves will have to show themselves...!"

Percival lifted his head.

He gritted his teeth, "I'll make sure to take the artifact back."

*****

The sound of racing footsteps littered everywhere on the streets.

Two figures blended in through the shadows. Tetra and Gilg both wore black clothing, with the speed of their running making their figures blur. In Tetra's arms was held a divine book—the Book of Revelation...! It had a hard cover, placated in several hard layers, embellished with patterns of an arching Crown. The golden sides were curving down, like the long necks of geese bending to have a sip of pond water.

Inside of the book were fluttering pages, radiating a blinding golden light.

It was difficult to ignore this ray of light, especially in the pitch black darkness of the night.

Tetra wanted to curse. If he knew just how conspicuous he would appear from stealing this artifact, he would have left the job to someone else...!

Thankfully, he had a companion by his side—

Gilg yawned, not even bothering to cover his wide mouth. "When will this be over with? I want to go home and sleep..." He almost snoozed and toppled over while running.

Tetra, "..." I take my words back.

His companion was just as useless as himself.

After their failed mission at S Academy, Tetra and Gilg were assigned to stealing the Book of Revelation by the organization: Reincarnator "M".

Tetra wanted to sigh.

Recently, the news of Percival's disappearance had caused unrest in House Delta. It was enough for Grand Duke Delta to let down his guard, and allowed "M" to steal this magical artifact underneath their noses...!

"I wonder why does Leader want such a thing." Tetra came back to his senses. He stopped holding his breath, lowering his guard. "This is a dangerous artifact. Although it can answer any of our questions, it will also take our most significant thing away from us. Why would Leader dare to sacrifice such a thing... just to answer a question which we don't even know of?"

Gilg wiped his eyes, focusing on the road ahead.

They turned a corridor.

"Who knows," Gilg was still fatigued. "All we need to do is follow Leader's orders. There is nothing else to it."

His words placed a frown on Tetra's face. Shadows darkened the contours on his face, clearly showcasing the dark emotions brewing on his surface.

"Upset?" Gilg teased.

Tetra ignored him. They continued running—

"Defence formation." All of a sudden, he halted in his steps. The sudden rush had flown the wind backwards, forcing Tetra to waste his breath wildly. His chest hammered twice, and he instantly dropped to the floor, narrowly dodging a rose-hilted sword.

The blade shone brightly amongst the pitch black night.

Daphnne gave a soft "tsk", her gentle features appearing like a wolf dressed in sheep's clothing. She quickly threw an arm before her face, blocking a sudden punch from Gilg.

The heroine was sent stepping back, leaping a few steps behind.

"Hand back the Book!" She pressed, her voice deadpanned.

Gilg pulled his eyelid, performing an improper and taunting gesture. This had maddened the heroine, who held onto her sword tighter.

"Thieves." She called them that to put out her anger.

Tetra glanced at Gilg, who glanced back. They nodded in understanding.

All of a sudden, they split off. Tetra had ran away, his figure becoming a dashing streak of black amidst the dark night. Gilg pulled out a knife, swinging it hazardously at the heroine. Daphnne was not allowed to chase the running away reincarnator, and was forced to block the knife with her sword's bade.

"Thieves are notorious for stealing, so you won't be able to capture us so easily." Gilg taunted.

Daphnne chuckled. Her iris blue eyes gleamed dangerously, and she pressed forwards, forcing the reincarnator to take a step back from the strength. "Well that is unfortunate that my friends are experts in handling thieves."

Tetra did not dare to look back as he ran.

The book he held seemed to weigh heavier the more he ran. It also seemed to shine brighter, as if replacing the sun itself.

He quickly stepped to the side.

The sound of an arrow swung past his ears, striking deep into the cobblestone ground. Hidden behind a building, Percival furrowed his brows. He didn't bring enough arrows to this fight, and shooting in the dark was like having a blindfold strung across his eyes.

Tetra moved fast, his figure becoming practically inconceivable within the darkness.

Percival gritted his teeth. No, I can't let this continue, he thought, as he continued to run forwards, trying to put distance between himself and the thief. He won't allow the reputation of House Delta become tarnished...!

He waited for the thief to come closer, perching his arrow onto his bow already.

It was nerve-wracking.

Percival despised the dark, and it just happened that the artifact was stolen at night. He was also fighting by himself. All he had was one bow and a few arrows. How could a few arrows strike down his foe? If he aim hard enough, could he hit the target?

The dark made his limbs numb, eating away his senses, just like how they ate through his ever-lasting hope when he was a kid.

The callouses on his fingers had strung in pain, as he rubbed it against the wooden structure of the bow. Even so...

Percival's arms began to tremble.

Even so... I still can't do it.

All of a sudden, Tetra skidded across the ground. He attempted to dodge an extremely close blade—just merely a few centimetres away from his cheek.

Percival was also stunned.

Where did that blade come from...? He was even more stunned, as a familiar figure spun brilliantly in the surrounding winds. Even though it was pitch black dark, this couldn't help but capture Percival's attention, like a sudden candle being lit in his dark study room.

"...Lucilline!" He gasped.

The black-haired nobleman's skin was fair, as he swung his spear. The long-handled weapon aimed exactly for Tetra's eyes—

The latter fell backwards, avoiding a narrow assault.

That attack almost took out his sight. Thankfully, he managed to dodge—

Lucilline flipped back onto his feet, his slender back straight as the handle of his spear. His hair fluttered in the racing winds, resembling a raven flapping its wings and flying to the moon.

He swung his spear again—

Tetra was cut in the air, making a soft hiss before leaping backwards. He clutched his bleeding arm, while his heart raced at his chest.

Percival was mesmerized by this sight.

His arms stopped trembling, as he focused on the blinding light that the spear's blade reflected. The moment that Lucilline arrived, the darkness seemed to fade away, and light replaced the unending frustration and torment.

Percival regained his confidence.

Tetra slipped on the ground, with the spear merely just an inch away from piercing his forehead—

The reincarnator quickly spun on the spot, knocking away Lucilline's spear with his leg. The black-haired nobleman was surprised. The light shining off of the Book of Revelation had reflected his appearance, with Lucilline's delicate golden eyes dilating.

Tetra laughed—

Percival instantly released his hand holding onto the arrow. Instantly, the arrow sprung off of the bow... soaring wildly forwards. It did not waver, leaving behind a streak of light to part through the darkness.

An arrow pierced into Tetra's leg, paralyzing the latter on the spot.

A heightening pain struck in the reincarnator, forcing him to leak out muffled groans. He collapsed on the ground, unable to run forwards anymore.

Lucilline pursed his thin lips.

His muscles tightening underneath his thin clothes, he spun the spear— the blade stopped a mere inch away from Tetra's neck. Lucilline's eyes appeared quite dark and intimidating, as if a snake lurked within those delicate golden irises. "It is your defeat."

Tetra's breath hitched.

His eyes glanced over at the sharp blade, which stopped just an inch before his neck. If he dared to move a single step, then that blade wouldn't hesitate to jab into his flesh and skin... But...

"Are you sure it's my defeat?" Tetra taunted.

Lucilline wavered, "What are you talking about—"

All of a sudden, a shadow dropped down from above a rooftop. The sound of wind rapidly brushing against thick fabric had resounded through the air. A woman instantly knocked Lucilline over, pinning him strenuously onto the cobblestone ground.

A harsh sound ripped through Lucilline's brain, as he flinched in pain.

"Ah... a beauty." The woman gasped. "I've never seen the great Lucilline Rubius up close. I must say, you keep your skin very clean. I'm so envious..." She sighed.

The woman had short and unkempt hair, the strands of riveting and dark chocolate brown constantly brushing against her neck. Her figure was skinny on the hollow side, almost like a skeleton about to decompose. She wore a leather coat, and tight pants, which outlined her skinny figure in a fine contour.

She straddled Lucilline's lap, with the latter struggling in her hold.

Due to the struggling, Lucilline accidentally tore his collar, revealing a piece of unblemished and fair skin. His neck was pale, exposing fine blue and light veins underneath the skin.

"Stay still, villain." The woman whispered the last two words, "You wouldn't want your dear friends to know about the catastrophe you will bring to Lydia Kingdom, then you better keep silent."

Lucilline's brows furrowed.

"Gira! Stop fooling around," Tetra frowned.

The woman; Gira; had pouted. "But I want to threaten this little cutie more..." She wanted to flick at Lucilline's forehead, trying to tease him. However, the world had other plans for her. Instantly, a shout came from behind her, but Gira wasn't fast enough to react.

Gira was knocked off of the black-haired nobleman, landing onto the cobblestone ground harshly.

"Don't you dare touch him!" Azalea growled. His white hair softened his contours, but his amethyst purple eyes contained a deep murderous intent. A dark wisp floated and danced in his pupils, and his sharp chin added to his richly aggrieved expressions.

He was like a pup guarding his owner, with the white fur on his back waving wildly. No matter what, he wouldn't let anyone hurt his loved one!

A sword was instantly swung across Gira's head, who shut up afterwards.

The woman narrowly avoided, drawing out her own blades. She took out two daggers, with the metal coated in a mysterious purple layer.

However, she was immediately shoved aside.

Tetra threw the Book of Revelation at her, and Gira swiftly caught the blinding golden book. She was stunned, but also understood instantly. The woman spun around, turning her back to her opponents, then raced off.

"Hey...!" Lucilline quickly sprung back up.

However, Tetra had directly sprawled himself onto the black-haired nobleman, pinning him back onto the ground.

Gira had long disappeared into the horizon.

Azalea had shoved Tetra off of the black-haired nobleman, while the latter struggled to fight back. The two had found themselves engaging in a brawl, both swinging their weapons and fists hysterically. Lucilline propped himself back up, swinging his spear back down.

At last, a loud thud illuminated the dark area.

Tetra was knocked unconscious by the spear's handle. He collapsed onto the cobblestone ground, completely blacked out.

The fighting finally stopped.

"We need to chase after that woman." Azalea gritted his teeth. He mustn't let those thieves get away with the Book of Revelation...! For... justice.

Lucilline agreed.

Coming out from behind a building, Percival volunteered, "I'll stay behind and keep this thief down." He nodded solemnly. "You guys go. If I follow you guys, I will only drag you down. After all, I am more of a long-distance fighter and have limited stamina."

The villain and male lead nodded back.

After settling things, they raced forwards, chasing after the woman's back.

Author's Note:

SUPER IMPORTANT INFO HERE!

I just wanted to add and clarify something, because I've also recently been trying to think about it thoroughly. So, the Sequence Contract doesn't "transfer" wound(s). Rather, it "shares" the wound(s).

For example, if Lucilline was cut by a paper, then Willow would feel the pain on the mark at her chest. If Lucilline died, then Willow would also die. However, if it is the other way around, then Lucilline won't receive the same pain that his servant feels.

If Lucilline got like... idk, stabbed? His wound "would not" transfer to Willow. Rather, Willow would have the same type of severe wound. This doesn't make Lucilline's wounds heal faster either. He would still have his wounds.

Yeah, so... the Sequence Contract was just used by higher-ups to threaten their servants with pain.

Yes yes? Understood? Great! ヽ(^o^)