612 Lumeria, The Silent Reunion of the Mother and Son (1/2)

”Looks like it won't be that easy, huh.”

Mark whispered as they reached the walls that separated the outer and central area of the town.

Like most medieval-themed cities, it seemed the current Kingdom of Black Duendes also practiced the separation of people by caste. The lower class lived in the outer areas while the upper class lived at the center.

”It was already like this in the past. The higher ranks are separated from the common populace. But at least the security is not this tight.”

Teremillio replied, looking at the guards at the entrance and the ones patrolling outside the central area.

The central area was heavily guarded. And Mark's goal, the Spire Tree Castle, was at its center.

”We have no choice. Hold on tight.”

Mark said as he made his way to an empty alley. And there, he and Teremillio vanished, turning into a surge of black mist that was moving across the ground. Compared to the outer walls, there were a lot of blind spots on the inner walls due to the different structures built around it. This time, even if more guards were roaming the place, Mark would have enough leeway to sneak through.

And as such, he succeeded.

Mark's [Shadow Mist Movement] being able to slip through tight spaces became handy. Even if there were some Demons around with enhanced eyesight or those that were sensitive to psychic fluctuations, it would be hard to spot Mark through those tight spaces.

Unfortunately, Mark could not stop and had to use [Shadow Mist Movement] repeatedly. There was no way that he would be able to travel the streets in the central area freely. Someone would definitely approach him to ascertain his identity.

Thus, from alley to alley, from a roof to another, from wall to wall, Mark traveled repeatedly. He appeared and disappeared without even a second interval. Using this [Empathic Detection], he avoided any possible encounter on the way prematurely.

Of course, it took quite a toll on Mark, considering that it had not been long since he absorbed the [Lightning Mental Crystal], and he was being affected by the emotions of the suffering slaves.

Fortunately, they reached the castle grounds without problems and managed to sneak into an area devoid of people. That gave Mark a short moment to rest as he leaned his back on a wall.

”You really don't look good.”

Teremillio said, sensing Mark's condition.

”I'm fine,” Mark replied as he looked at the structure in front of him. ”Still, this castle is bigger scaled than expected, huh?”

”And that this tree...” Mark tapped on a nearby root that was protruding on the castle wall. ”It thought it should be at least a regular spirit tree, but it's not.”

Teremillio explained.

”I see. No wonder the magical energy here is thicker than before. Well then, where are we going next?”

”Hmm... It should be...”

Teremillio looked around, digging up his memories in the past.

But then...

”Nevermind, found her.”

Mark said as he opened his wings, and soaring up before he and Teremillio turned into mist once more.

***

In one of the bedrooms at the northeast chambers of the castle, Lumeria stood in front of the window. The window overlooked the Kingdom, but it was not what she was staring at. Her eyes stared blankly at the mountains the surrounded the valley, thinking about her son that she had not met for a long time.

”Hah...” Lumeria sighed. ”I wonder how he is doing now.”

This was one of the things she frequently did in the past since her son left this accursed place. This time, however, the feeling was several times multiplied after hearing about her son from the mouths of the Demons.

Lumeria's eyes were blankly staring outside until she noticed some movements in the corner of her eyes. She could not help but step back as she saw a surge of black mist flying towards her window.

Thinking that it was an attack and the window would be definitely broken through, Lumeria put her hands in front of her, murmuring a few enigmatic words.

And then, a glass-like chime echoed as a barrier of light formed in front of her. It was to protect herself from the mist and the shards of glass that might blast off from the sealed window.

But then, to her shock, the mist did not hit the window but seeped into the tiny space that separated it from the wall.

Because of her shock and fear, she almost screamed for help.

However, the mist flew faster towards her, tearing her barrier apart to her utter disbelief. Before she knew it, a hand had already blocked her mouth, stopping her from calling for help.

”Don't make any loud noise. We're not here to harm you.”

The owner of the hand that covered her mouth said.

And, of course, Lumeria did not believe the voice. Those words were what every intruder would say before they do something with ill intentions.

But then, she froze. Lumeria heard another but a smaller voice behind her that sounded very angry. It was accompanied by several sounds hitting metal with a fist.

”OI! YOU BASTARD! GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY MOTHER!”

That voice was awfully familiar to Lumeria.

And then...

”Ouch! Why did you flick me?!”

The familiar voice complained.

”Shout louder that the whole castle can hear you. Let's see what you will do.”

The first voice said, making the familiar voice lower.

”Still, let go of my mother!”

Lumeria's heart was pumping loudly at this moment. The familiar voice had called her mother twice already. She would be an idiot if she did not understand what it implied. However, she was also a bit doubtful. It was because there was an aura of a Demon behind her. This might be a ploy of the Demons to fool her.

Then, the voice of the man blocking her mouth spoke to her once more.