Chapter 51. Farrah Umbra, the Inhuman

"Big brother, you're safe!"

A nest of cinnamon brown hair had rustled in the winds, and a boy of small size had thrown himself at the elegantly-poised mage. Jacques managed to catch Hugo in his sturdy arms, his cool and stern face choking out in surprise.

Hugo's face was trampled in tears, the fluids flowing down his cheeks and down his chin. "Waaaah!!!" He sobbed, pulling at his older brother's sleeves. "I was so scared!!!"

A tint of grievance fell in Jacques' light pink eyes.

Lucilline couldn't help but chuckle, resting his fist before his curving upwards lips. Along to the movement of his wrist, the copper bell rung twice. "Look at how badly you've scared your little brother. Shouldn't you apologize to him?"

The sound of cries paused.

Hugo lightly brushed his tears away, the droplets dotting his eyelashes. He pitifully tilted his chin, looking upwards. Before his eyes—the reflection of a heavenly creature laid bare. The black-haired nobleman had instantly brushed away the child's bad mood, the sun shining through the swarm of dark clouds, parting the darkness away.

This brother... is really good-looking. The child couldn't help but stare without shame at Lucilline's face. I don't feel that scared anymore.

Jacques, "..." He could tell exactly what the brat was thinking.

*****

Everyone unanimously decided to leave for the Capital City. After renting a carriage, Lucilline invited Jacques and Hugo to come along.

The little boy was unable to refuse, leaving the mage speechless.

Inside the carriage, two long rows of a mattress bench sat across from one another. Lucilline, Willow, and Augustine sat on one side, while Jacques and Hugo did so on the other end. The long and winding length of a harsh rope had been wrapped tightly in the maidservant's fist.

Willow leashed the captured demon, the latter forced to kneel in the centre of the carriage.

Despite being a Shadow Demon, the bloodthirsty creature was unable to melt away and escape. Jacques—the mage—had casted a "brightness" spell onto the rope.

Light was all of the demons' weakness. Once facing the casting of a light or brightness spell by a mage, all demons are typically rendered helpless.

"Say, why were you able to traverse at daytime?" Lucilline found this issue a problem.

Demons never ventured out at daytime. Only some exceptions were when in overshadowed areas; such as near Kirvin Village, where the trees blocked all the sunlight from the swamp and marshy area. While before in the streets, it was almost a miracle for a demon to appear, especially in broad daylight.

Willow grabbed the rope harsher.

"Hurry up and confess!" She thrashed.

The roped demon bowed its head, still unwilling to open its mouth. No matter how hard Willow tugged on the rope, the demon still did not respond.

"Forget it," Lucilline sighed, his delicate face showing no signs of loss. "We can just deliver it back to the Royal Knights. There, they will know what to do to get the answer."

The demon stiffened upon hearing the last sentence.

Lucilline raised an eyebrow, noticing the small detail, and a smile rose from his lips. He tilted his head, his midnight black hair scattering across his shoulder. "It is your own fault for staying silent so long. I heard that the Royal Knights are the best at torturing the answer out of criminals. When it comes to peeling layers of skin slowly... then unveiling the flesh within... oh," His eyes widened in surprise, "I forgot, you're a demon, so you technically can no skin nor flesh."

"Don't worry," The black-haired nobleman continued to intimidate the demon, "There is a group of mages in the Royal Knights. If it's light that you fear, they have that. If it's not light that you fear... Well, whatever you fear of, they should have that."

The demon began to sweat. This nobleman is crazy!

"Young Master," Willow tried to nudge the black-haired young man, "There is a child with us..."

Lucilline paused.

Hugo was clutching on the mage's sleeves, his childish eyes showing pure innocence. He did not understand any of which Lucilline spoke of beforehand.

A sliver smile fell on the nobleman's lips, as his eyes thinned into crescent curves, "Forget what I just said."

*****

Jacques carried his younger brother down the carriage. They landed near a roadside, next to a building. It was a luxurious inn, the roof draped over to shield the front entrance. The cobblestones were polished in great detail, the surface shining from pure friction. A large door stood in between, with a shadow blanketed over its shining glare.

"This is where we'll stay before arriving in the Capital City." Lucilline explained, a lock of long hair hanging by a slender shoulder. "It is getting late."

By the sidewalks, lampposts ignited aflame with candles, the flame flickering within the enclosed glass shield. Their light shone like fireflies wandering in the darkness.

The night sky veiled across them like a dome, only a few blinks of light punctured in the shade.

"Let's head inside, Young Master." Willow lifted her skirt to walk forwards. Augustine adjusted his tie, his cold and sternly handsome face reflecting the warm flame.

He carried a leather suitcase—inside was the trapped demon, who was unable to escape and still tied in the light ropes.

After booking a few rooms, the group had quickly filed inside one of them. Lucilline couldn't help but feel a strange and unsettling gaze falling on his back... Without allowing a single second to slip, the door closed, with the key clicking it shut. Jacques casted a spell, sealing the door, windows, and walls with magic.

In an instant, Augustine threw out the suitcase, sending the trapped demon inside flying...!

"Explain yourself this instant." The butler huffed.

The trapped demon squirmed, its mucous splattering on the ground like dried blood, resembling a caught caterpillar crawling in despair. Its mouth was trapped in place, unable to plead for help or make a sound whatsoever.

Hugo watched the scene with interest.

"Take care of it for me," Lucilline scoffed. "I'm going to wash up."

Jacques stepped near, "I'll go too." He entrusted his younger brother to Willow, who gladly took care of the brown-haired child.

The black-haired nobleman and blue-haired mage headed towards the washroom. Inside was a sink, the stone polished as clean as satin dried sheets. A mirror hung on the wall, reflecting their images on the glass surface.

Lucilline sighed, watching himself.

The cut on the edge of his mouth still lingered, burning red.

Jacques frowned, "I can heal it for you."

His hands reached to gently touch the corner of Lucilline's lips, his slender fingers and knuckles brushing like a feather stroking the surfaces of still water. The lips were crimson red, as if aflame from the wound. Jacques felt that he could wipe away the blood by pure touch.

Sparks of light began to ignite between their skin.

The burning saturation of blood lingering on Lucilline's lips had dissipated, and the wine red fading into a light pinkish tone.

Jacques' eyes zoned out before concentrating again.

"It should be fine now," the mage withdrew his hand, a layer of blush hidden behind his pearly white ears, while his long blue hair covered them.

Lucilline reached to touch his wound—to find that it was indeed gone!

"Thank you," a sweet smile fluttered in his golden eyes, "I will do my best to repay you."

Jacques couldn't help but avert his gaze, coughing bashfully. "It's fine. As long as I managed to help you, all is good."

When they finished dressing and healing their wounds, the two reentered their room. Having settled down completely, Willow decided to stay behind to look after the demon. In terms of pure and brute strength, she was probably the strongest of them all. The rest would head to the mess hall and eat dinner.

In the mess hall, there were several noblemen seated. After all, such a luxurious inn could not possibly be afforded by mere commoners.

Having ordered their food, the group took a seat.

"Only a coffee?" Augustine deadpanned.

Lucilline inwardly sweated.

He didn't want to eat anything and decided to only drink a cup of coffee. Yet his reluctant actions were caught by his attentive butler in an instant.

"That isn't good for your health, Young Master." Augustine played his role as a butler perfectly. If Lucilline hadn't known his past identity as a reincarnator, he would have instantly believed that Augustine trained several decades just to take care of him.

"You barely ate anything this morning and afternoon either." Augustine sighed heavily. "If you sleep with an empty stomach, how will you return back home tomorrow in high spirits?"

Lucilline, "..." In his head, he imagined two very annoying older siblings nagging at him...

Feeling a chill creeping down his spine, the black-haired nobleman could only force himself to pick up his knife and fork, then eat.

Jacques helplessly chuckled.

He picked up food for Hugo, dropping a few tomatoes and broccoli for the little boy. This earned a huff and low groan of complaint.

"You know, broccoli is a very healthy vegetable." Jacques began to instruct. "It is an important asset to growing your body. You wouldn't want to stay short your entire life, right?"

Hugo paused.

A look of torment welled inside of him, as his hands shook. He slowly ate a broccoli, chewing it... and struggling to swallow it down.

Lucilline watched the child eat. The black-haired nobleman couldn't help but admire the sight.

"Eat some too, Young Master." Augustine deadpanned.

A few pieces of broccoli dropped on Lucilline's plate.

Lucilline: !!!

He was shocked into stupor, "W-What is the meaning of this." His golden eyes widened, his gaze sharp when directing at the butler.

Augustine did not falter from that heated gaze. "It is also for your own good, Young Master."

Lucilline hesitated. Although he couldn't taste the flavor, he had heard from several townspeople that this vegetable was highly unlikeable! Since his butler doesn't know of him being unable to taste food... doesn't this mean that his butler is trying to displease him?!?

"This..." Lucilline's eyes lowered.

But eating a few pieces wouldn't hurt.

"Yes, you should eat more." Jacques agreed. He plopped a few pieces of broccoli on Lucilline's plate as well.

Lucilline: !!!

Augustine: (；･'д･') !!!!!!!!!!

The butler remained his composure, his cold and indifferent demeanor standing like an unswerving glacier wall. His handsome mannerism resembled a frigid bitter Winter. No matter how heated the conflicts are, he continued to remain unmoved. Yet, at that moment, Augustine felt that his identity as Lucilline's butler was being threatened...!

The hairs on his arms raised from shock.

He was absolutely unable to accept someone else snatching his role!

"Hurry and eat," Augustine cooed. Swiftly, he held a fork and stuck it in a piece of broccoli, the glow of silver flashing before his own sharp eyes. "Open your mouth." He leaned close, his handsome face and sharp contours pressing forwards. The butler held the fork before the black-haired nobleman's mouth, clearly insisting on him to eat... but the glare in his eyes made it look like a death threat.

Lucilline felt his heart drop. What did I do to anger him...?

Hugo: ???

The young boy only became more confused, as he noticed the tightening grip of Jacques' fist around his utensil... almost as if the mage was struggling to suppress his emotions.

"Okay...?" Lucilline accepted the broccoli, swiftly eating it off of the fork.

Augustine's eyes flashed a strange light.

"One is not enough." Jacques couldn't help but add on. He too stuck a fork in a piece of broccoli, gesturing for Lucilline to eat his.

Lucilline: ???

He could only accept the broccoli, his pearly white teeth sliding the vegetable off from the tips of the fork.

Jacques didn't really understand why he was competing against Augustine. Perhaps he'd always respected Lucilline so much for what he'd done at the Holy Church... so that was why he wanted to take care of him? Right?

Meanwhile, Augustine's face had blackened... darker than a pot.

"Eat another one?" He stuck a fork in a piece of broccoli—the sound of metal scraping against the porcelain plate. That was how harsh his actions were.

Lucilline began to sweat inwardly.

"How about mine instead?" Jacques got another piece of broccoli. The gaze in his eyes was friendly, but an unknown sense of pressure slammed down in the room.

Lucilline didn't understand. What was so good about broccoli!?!

"Ahem, I'm full." He quickly stood up from his seat, his slender figure burrowed within the glow of the ceiling's lights. "I will go outside to walk it off."

Augustine was about to get up as well, but a sudden sharp glare through the air made him sit back down.

Lucilline reprimanded him, "I'm going. By myself."

When the black-haired nobleman's figure left, the dining table returned to silence. Hugo watched the two stunned young men, then blurted out, "Hehe."

*****

Enshrouded by the dark gloom, Lucilline walked past several lampposts—their shine beginning to flicker. The cool breeze chilled his bones, yet sobered his mind. He could sense his own blood rushing past veins and sloshing into foam.

His leather black heels cracked against the cobblestone coldly.

He could hear his heart hammer once—twice—then—

"Are you going to stop following me?" A cold voice that no one else heard before had bellowed. Lucilline deadpanned, his demeanor elegant yet domineering.

A shadow shifted behind.

"You know what I want." A neutral voice hollered. "Release my companion right this instant. Then I will consider letting you leave alive."

Lucilline arched an eyebrow. "Do you even have the capacity to kill me though?"

The demon squirmed. It jumped upwards, taking form in an ugly mush of viscous black liquid. The liquid shaped into a human body with no face and no distinguishable features. Only pure darkness.

"You have no weapon, and I am a Shadow Demon. I have the advantage here—there is darkness everywhere at night. It is safe to say that I definitely have the capacity to kill you." The demon exclaimed. It was confident in its own victory.

"Just surrender yourself. You can head back in the inn, and sneak my companion back to me! That way, I'll let you leave alive." The demon offered.

Lucilline's pale face contained no expression, unmoved.

The light flickering from a nearby lamppost illuminated his unblemished features.

"...what if I refuse?" His lips moved, cold words spoken.

The demon stilled. "...THEN YOU DIE!"

A double-bladed axe flung towards Lucilline, who was surprised at the sudden conjugation of such a large weapon. Nevertheless, the black-haired nobleman swiftly spun, dodging the assault.

"Take this!" A holler, and the demon caught the thrown double-bladed axe.

It swung at Lucilline's head—

The black-haired nobleman ducked with grace, his back bent at a 90 degrees angle. His every posture was imbued of elegance and nobility. Silky black locks of hair flown in the breeze, the silhouettes dancing to a great ballroom song. "I don't need a weapon to defeat you."

A straight kick knocked the demon down.

"Shit!" It blurted out.

Another kick was about to hit down at its head—

The demon quickly dissipated into the shadows. Its double-bladed axe liquidated, dropping into the puddle of shadows. Lucilline withdrew his kick, his leather boots shining despite the missed opportunity.

"...tricks can't save you." The black-haired nobleman clicked his tongue at the roof of his mouth.

He could sense the ominous breeze tousling his hair, creeping down his skin, and resounding in the faraway distance. He was no longer the same weakling three years ago. He underwent training every single day; his unrelenting ambition stronger than ever. He has become someone that others could rely on.

A double-bladed axe chopped at his ankle—

Lucilline jumped up, spinning to dodge the assault. "Dammit!" A curse was heard from the demon, who took shape back in human form.

All of a sudden, it morphed its arm—

The arm extended exponentially... reaching all the way to Lucilline, who landed at a few metres away! The double-bladed axe raced at the black-haired nobleman, reaching his neck in merely seconds!

"This—" Lucilline was stunned.

A gust of wind traversed past his keen pearly ears, then grabbed onto the demon in a deathly grip. Not even a single second passed yet—

The demon bursted into an explosion of black viscous liquids.

Its flesh splattered onto the cobblestone, squirming like mucous worms. However, it quickly lost life and dissipated into ashes... leaving the surface of the land at last.

"This aura belongs to...!" The Dream demon in Lucilline's mind spoke again.

"You're Lucilline Rubius, right?" A low feminine voice spoke in the cold air. The black-haired nobleman felt a chill rush his spine, and his bones shivering underneath the weight.

Black heels clicked against the cobblestone ground, and a black dress rippled through the whispering winds. Locks of glowing white hair—so bright that it seemed to incandesce like the sun—yet gloomy like the mourning moon. A woman stepped out from the shadows, her slender and hourglass figure sashaying past the streets.

A pair of crimson red eyes stood out from her pale ghost-like skin. Her nails were painted in striking onyx black, and her lips curved upwards in a jarring colour of red.

"And who might you be?" Lucilline became wary.

He could have finished off that demon earlier, but... this woman was definitely not ordinary. She was able to crush the demon in an instant. Is she even human...? What if she is also a demon...?

"I am Farrah Umbra." The woman declared. "I've been searching for you, Lucilline."