NOVPUB
Chapter 67: 67:Regression?
Silence fell.
Kael blinked. "Baron Althas?"
"Baron Alt....thaaaasss!Does someone know him!"Kael asked at the night who shook their head.
"It’s Althas or Altross?"Gare asked.
"Al...Atros..."
Before he could finish, kael pulled the dagger out of Fabi’s leg, wiping the blood off on his clothes like it was nothing.
Then, he burst out laughing.
A deep, uncontrollable laugh that sent chills down the spines of every knight present.
"Oh man, I really hope you’re not lying." Kael chuckled darkly. "Because if you are... well, let’s just say this was the fun part."
Fabi panted heavily, barely staying conscious.
Kael gave Ramos a glance. "You hear that, old man?"
Ramos, who had been watching silently, finally spoke. "Baron Altross, huh? That son of a bitch."
Kael grinned. "Well then, looks like we have a little visit to pay."
Kael had just looked around when he heard a loud gasp..
"Huh! What?"Kael turned back at Fabi only to be shocked.
The moment Fabi uttered the’ name, his body convulsed violently. His limbs spasmed, his back arched unnaturally, and his remaining eye bulged in pure agony.
Then—
Blood exploded from his mouth, nose, ears, and even his empty eye socket.
A sickening gurgle escaped his throat as blood sprayed everywhere, staining the ground and splattering across Kael’s boots. His body twitched for a few seconds more, then fell limp like a broken doll.
’....’
Everyone in the camp froze, eyes wide in shock. Even the most battle-hardened knights weren’t prepared for such a gruesome sight.
Kael stared at Fabi’s corpse, his expression unreadable. Then, he sighed in annoyance and wiped a bit of blood off his face. "Well, that’s fucking inconvenient."
Ramos’ face darkened as he stepped forward, crouching beside the body. His fingers traced the strange, dark marks that had now appeared on Fabi’s skin. He let out a deep sigh and muttered under his breath.
"A cursed contract."
Kael’s ears perked up. "A what?"
Ramos nodded grimly. "A contract bound by the preachers of evil gods. It ties the fates of both parties—if the bound individual betrays the contract, death is immediate and absolute."
Kael whistled, crouching next to Ramos. "Damn. So that’s why the bastard was so stubborn. He didn’t want to talk, not because of loyalty, but because he knew he’d drop dead the moment he did."
Ramos exhaled heavily. "Yes. He probably wanted to live, but..." He glanced at Kael, his lips twitching slightly. "It seems your methods scared the shit out of him. He broke before he could stop himself."
Kael chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Guess I’m just that persuasive."
The knights exchanged nervous glances.
Persuasive? The man had tortured Fabi until he chose death over holding his tongue.
Kael clapped his hands together. "Well, at least we got something useful. Baron Altross, huh?" He stood up, stretching. "Looks like we have a new target."
Ramos, however, still looked uneasy. His gaze lingered on the corpse, then on the bloody ground beneath it.
Something didn’t feel right.
A cursed contract was no small thing. The kind of people who used them weren’t simple assassins or mercenaries.
They were the kind of people who were always involved in heinous things like defying the fates of the God of the world..
And if Baron Altross was involved in something like this...
"FUCKKK!"
"This might be a pain in the ass."
.......
"Where are we going now?" Kael asked, his frown deepening.
"This doesn’t seem like the road to the Duchy."
"We’ll be stopping at a baron’s estate on the way," Ramos replied.
"Ohh! A baron! Which one and why?"
"To stock up!"
Kael rubbed his chin, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "We’re not just going to politely ask for supplies, right?"
Seeing the madness in Kael’s eyes, Ramos shook his head and sighed.
"I see you’re quite sharp."
"As you know, we’re close to Baron Altros’ estate. When we first came here as merchants, his land was the only one we passed through and stayed in for a bit before moving on. So..."
Ramos didn’t need to finish. Kael already understood.
"Are we going in full glory, or will we hide?"
"Should we butcher him or...?"
Ramos grinned hearing Kael question.
Kael grinned back.
.....
Astros City
Astros was a small town with about 10,000 people. It had grown from the surrounding villages, forming a quiet settlement. Most people farmed or raised livestock, while some worked as mercenaries, hunting monsters. 𝔫𝖔𝔳𝔭𝔲𝔟.𝖈𝔬𝔪
It was a normal day. People were out in the fields, selling goods, chatting, going about their lives.
Then the ground shook.
A man stopped mid-step. "Huh? Did you feel that?"
"Yeah... there’s a disturbance."
"The ground is shaking..."
Then, they heard it.
A deep, thunderous rumbling in the distance, growing louder with every second.
People turned their heads and froze.
A massive carriage, shining with gold and luxury, rolled down the road, pulled by powerful black horses. Behind it, knights in full armor rode on horseback, their lances gleaming in the sun.
It was a grand procession. Something the town had never seen before.
A noble’s arrival was always a big event.
The town fell silent.
Some stared with wide eyes, amazed.
Others felt dread creeping up their spines.
Whoever was inside that carriage... wasn’t normal.
.....
Inside the Baron’s Mansion
"Hey, get up!"
SPLASH!
Cold water drenched the woman in bed, jolting her awake with a gasp.
She squinted against the dim light, her vision adjusting just enough to make out the sneering face of a maid standing over her.
"Ohh! Is the little princess angry?" The maid mocked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Did you start thinking you’re a real princess just because we call you that?"
Her laughter echoed through the shabby room as she threw a bundle of ragged clothes onto the soaked woman’s face.
"Get up and wash. Madam wants you at the table"The maids sneered and walked away.
The woman blinked, dazed. She sat up slowly, her mind clouded with confusion. Her body felt heavy, unfamiliar.
Barefoot, she walked across the dirty, unwashed floor and stopped in front of a cracked mirror.
Inside the mirror,staring back at her was a chubby woman with golden locks and blue eyes.
Silence filled the room.
"AHHHHHHH!"
A scream tore through the air.
Her breath came in panicked gasps. "Who is this?!"
She reached for her face, touching her round cheeks, her thick fingers, and her double chin when she felt a headache and was unable to remember anything.
"No... Who am I?"
Pain ripped through her skull, making her stumble back. A headache so intense, it felt like someone was smashing her head with a hammer. Memories flooded her mind, crashing over her like waves.
She groaned, writhing on the floor, clutching her head as the pain clawed at her.
The foggy memories started to gain clarity.
She lifted her head, her pale face reflected in the mirror.
"Ari... Ariana Altros?" Her voice trembled.
She touched her face again. The realization hit her like lightning.
"Is this the afterlife? Am I dead?"
"Am I having flashes of memories of my childhood right now?"
