20 Chapter 20: Taken for Granted

After going to the Jura Family, Jiang quickly left to find Kiel, knowing what he had done. He arrived at dawn, and Kiel was supposed to be in a state of near-death. From what he heard, he was barely hanging on. His arm almost severed. And yet, upon his approach, he heard it, the crisp echo of a wooden piece hitting the board.

Tak!

Tak!

Tak!

Upon his arrival, the old man witnessed a sight that would forever be burned in his retinas.

In front of the house atop the hill was of a young man playing a game on his own in a pool of his own blood.

The boy's body was practically falling apart as he played. He was bleeding from all orifice and pores. Bone could be seen on his arm and he had severe burns all around. Kiel was literally on the verge of death. His friend had died in his hands and he killed a man.

This boy was a person who was not even ten. Yet he was someone who remained steady with his placements.

In front of his house, Kiel played on his own, overlooking the East where the town was.

Where the smoldering house of the Jura Family was located. Playing alone, and playing again when a game ended.

Jiang was at a loss for words seeing this insanity.

Playing alone with his blood still streaming down his wounds. With a face that's white as paper and a board had long been encased in his own blood. It was as hauntingly enamoring to bear witness.

"Master…."

Kiel finally stopped and shot a glance over at the old man, "When did you arrive?"

"Ju-just now, Master."

"I see… did you come from the Jura Manor?"

Jiang nodded, "Ye—yes, can I tend to you, Master?"

"How is everyone?" He was ignored as Kiel instead asked him about something else entirely, "Did anyone survive?"

Jiang spoke hesitantly, "I'm sorry to inform you but only Lady Luca survived. Everyone died with a weapon in their hands. If not for someone's intervention and halting the flow of blood and burning her lifeblood to increase her chances of survival, she would have perished as well."

"Oh… so everyone died…." Kiel spoke with his usual monotonic tone, "That's…a shame…."

Tak!

"What of Irys' body?"

Tak!

"She has no relatives or friends, and Luca is unconscious. Master's identity as her friend remains hidden. Family Head Irys made sure no one knew you were visiting her per your requests. With all that said, as her doctor, I am considered to be the closest relative who is conscious; it falls upon my shoulders to organize her wake and funeral. Many townsfolk owe her for all the help she has given them so they are also raising a bit of money to pay for her funeral."

Nearing her death, Irys didn't really see any more use of money. Her Family had substantial wealth, and Irys spent it to help those in need. Businesses flourished, the hungry were fed, those who were sick were given medicines, and the town was thankful for that.

The whole town would feel her loss, and when news of her death circulated quickly, everyone grieved for such an untimely death. Just when she showed signs of getting better, assassins were sent to kill her.

No one has any idea why someone would do such a thing, and if they did, those who did it would have longed to perish before dawn arrived.

'Will any of the people she helped even remember her after a few years? No one even tried to enter the fire to help the Jura Manor. Is this their way of feeling good about themselves?' Kiel looked down at the piece in his hand.

His eyes reflected the bloody piece as his heart started thumping, 'When she was keeping them alive, no one tried to repay the favor. The Lord who received help was behind his guards. They are al—"

"Master!"

"Huh? What is it?" Kiel was awakened from his own thoughts by the old man's call who was now drenched in sweat, "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"No—nothing… I was just asking if Master will allow me to tend to your wounds." Jiang failed to mention Kiel's reaction. The old man was afraid of the boy… why? He just was.

"Oh yeah…I was injured.." the boy raised his limped hand and remembered that he was injured, "Okay, please, help me."

The pain was not gone. It had not even dulled. It had only grown stronger since he lost the adrenaline in his body.

Flow of Life allowed him a great deal of life. His regenerative capabilities would have allowed him to heal from most wounds if left alone. But he was aware that this was not the case for his current circumstance. He would've died in a few hours from bloodlost.

Yet, he failed to even take note. Nevertheless, it did not matter to Kiel why he forgot.

How he forgot.

When it no longer mattered.

But even he did not understand how such a thing could happen, 'I would've died…death… huh.' no one could answer why.

Kiel continued playing all throughout the entire process. He winced in pain once when the first string was administered. But nothing more. He was quiet throughout the procedure. Only the sound of the pieces hitting the board accompanied the procedure

He never stopped playing..

Even when Jiang finished treating Kiel, the boy did not stop… neither did he allow anyone to play with him. For the next week, outside of being treated by Jiang, Kiel continued playing on his own.

He refused to get up. He should have reeked, but oddly enough, the smell of his blood did not rot when he refused to bathe.

He did not feel hungry, nor was he even tired. So, he continued playing. His only drink would be the morning dew that formed on his lips.

The pieces hitting the board would echo all day long without rest.

Tak!

It will start.

Tak!

It will end.

Then it will start again.

Three more days later, another person accompanied Jiang to visit the lonesome boy.

Luca approached Kiel and sat across from him.

Tak!

"Family Head." Luca bowed respectfully to Kiel. Her bow was so low it was a kowtow.

When she lifted her head, Kiel was looking straight at her.

He held on his face a lifeless expression, without a semblance of light, "Do not call me that, Luca. I never married Irys, and never have I agreed to marry her. That means I am not the Family Head."

"That may be so, but the Family Head already made preparations for you to take her place."

Luca brought out a scroll, but Kiel only spared her a glance and was ignored. Luca opened the scroll and read it aloud herself, not minding his attitude.

—Well, if you're reading this, that means I died even after all the effort you put into keeping me alive. Now, I don't know if you will read this to its end or be bored halfway through, so I'm going straight to the point. I'm leaving the assets of the Jura Family in your hands, my only friend, Kiel. Everything that I leave behind my wealth and my treasures to you, anything that has value. This is the least I can do to accompany this useless blind annoyance.—

Luca finished reading the entirety of Irys' will. Jiang wasn't that shocked, and Kiel did not have much to say.

"I thought Irys was only blind physically, but it appears I was wrong."

"Family Head, please, watch your words." Though she respected and felt eternal gratitude towards Kiel, even Luca had a reverse scale that cannot be touched. Hearing disrespect pointed at the previous Family Head's way was not something she would let be.

"Shout as you would, but that is the truth. We knew each other for three months, and now she presents me as the successor? In my eyes, it should be you who must succeed her wealth; you watched over her since she was young. You were like a sister and a mother to Irys, and I could see that you cared about her enough to risk your life for her."

"Don't think ill of the previous Family Head because it was I who wished for this arrangement. I was there when she abruptly made the decision to write her will; she asked me if I wanted to inherit everything, but I knew that I would only lead the Jura family to its downfall, so I asked her to choose the best candidate to lead us… and though the Jura family has no servants, we have the assets to rise again. With you leading us, we can rise again… and fulfill the previous Family Head's wishes."

The Jura Family will only fall if it was not handed to someone who could lead. Kiel was the best candidate one could find. He's intelligent, wise, resourceful, and broad-minded. He moved without anyone noticing and was beyond Irys in every front except his ability to socialize.

Kiel was the perfect leader for the Jura Family to have a chance to rise, and Luca knew that he was the perfect candidate, "The Jura Family is from the Central Plains before we were betrayed by our close allies. The Family Head's parents were killed in a siege, and her depression led her to contract the Spring Tears. The previous Family Head did not say it to you, but, when alone, she would often speak of a chance… that the Jura Family could go back to the Central Plains and erect a tomb for her parents. But... more than that. We might be able to gather leads on who sent the bastards after the Family Head. Those people who have been trying to find us and get the treasures and secrets of the family must have been the one to have sent these people our way."

Luca knows that one of the bastards from the Central Plains orchestrated this, "Family Head Kiel, please... help me avenge her."

Her voice was calm and cold. Her eyes reflected the same emotion. She was furious that she was ready to abandon her own beliefs. She was ready to end her life if it meant getting back at the people who took the little girl's life she called her master.

TAK!

Kiel finished another game.

"Where is Irys buried?"

"…at the backyard, under the Silver Willow Tree where you two frequented." She answered with a bitter expression on her face.

"That is all I needed to hear… Luca, I understand your circumstances, but I still cannot accept the position of Family Head."

"But—"

"I am not finished."

Luca could not defy his orders. He looked her in the eyes, a deep sadness brewing in its depths.

"I could've saved Irys if only I was stronger, but... I failed. Do you think I don't want to avenge her? I do. I want nothing more than to find the person who did this and kill them. But, I cannot leave my home just yet. I promised to wait for my family here. I will not leave this town unless it is absolutely needed. Irys is a friend, but I will not persecute my own tasks to fulfill her dreams. Besides, I know that I will not be a good leader in my current state. Maybe, one day, when the time comes, and I decide to leave, if you still wish for me to lead you, then come find me. For the time being, I will remain here and wait... and recuperate for the right time when I can stand again."

Kiel was strong, but his state of mind at the moment wasn't. He's aware that he can be led by emotions, and if not checked, he would only implode without accomplishing anything.

His promise to his parents was the only thing keeping him on the ground. The prospect of seeing their smiles when they return keeps him from wanting to cause destruction.

He cannot leave lest he risks becoming an advent of Death.

"Then, what am I to do? I grew up to be a servant and a protector of the Family Head; since young, I served the family, and now… without her… without anyone to give orders… I know not what I should do."

She was also lost. Without a purpose to start a life. Luca knew not where to begin this life without a person to give her direction.

Tak!

"...If you really want to, then, I shall take the mantle in name only."

"Re-really!?" the light returned to Luca's eyes.

"Do not celebrate; I will still not do anything. As for what you can do…wait here." Kiel abruptly got up and entered his house.

He went and rummaged around the house and came out carrying an ax and a book.

"That is—" her eyes immediately turned savage seeing the ax in Kiel's hands, "—so you had it, all along."

"The one I killed was wearing a mask and burnt his face to ensure we wouldn't be able to trace back anything to someone. So, I tried to see if it had any soul intent on it to see if I could create a Tracing Swallow and trace it back to its creator."

"Did the Family Head find anything?"

Kiel shook his head, "It was wiped of any intent, and I am left with nothing. You can try to find its creator yourself. The Runes that housed the essence of the flames in its core are very defined. Every rune is distinct to its creator, especially with such a flame. If you want to know who created this, either trace the Blacksmith who crafted this ax or go and find who possesses the Azure Serpent Flames. From its divine attribute, it's not something common. If you want to do something, then… find clues to who killed Irys. If, one day, you find out who they are… I will kill them. And burn their souls as incense before Irys' grave."

Though he was but a boy, his words were not something the two adults would take lightly. The words he spoke were not light. He meant every word. Every single intent it held would be acted upon in the near future.

He then handed the ax to Luca, "The Red Demon had flames that smelled like Blood. Look into that as well. It might lead you somewhere. Also, train this cultivation method. If you are going to search for the attackers of the Jura Manor, then, you cannot be defeated by them another time."

Kiel handed her a book for cultivation he himself wrote, "That will be all."

"...I will, Family Head."

Kiel soon turned to Jiang and handed him a blood-stained book, "These are the very basics and necessary skills you need to become a Spirit Doctor. The words I used might be archaic and outdated, but it should connect to today's era. You are now a True Spirit Realm cultivator; you should live up to 150 to 200 years without a problem. The cultivation I taught you should last until you reach Ascension; by then, you should find a new method of cultivation."

"Thank you, Master. I will live up to your expectations."

"Don't do that."

"Huh?"

"Live to fulfill your own wishes. Follow your own dreams. I am but a person you encountered in your life, insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Do not tether your achievements to my view."

"I... I understand." Jiang bowed deeply, thanking him for his guidance and wise words.

Staring at them, Kiel stepped back into his house, "The two of you can leave now. If you need anything, come find me. The two of you should erase any thoughts of sending me anything; I have enough to survive. I can take care of myself… I bid the two of you good luck."

Kiel closed his doors, and as he did so, he could tell that the two kowtowed at his doorsteps before leaving.

He remained without words.

His eyes were still without light.

That day, he only stepped out of his house at around dusk and found the board clean of any blood.

He looked at the horizon and carefully picked up the pieces. After cleaning up the front yard, he went and took a bath. Got a change of clothes and then left as soon as he felt like he regained "normal function".

He arrived at the Jura Family Manor, where dozens of people visited Irys' grave. Kiel hid in the shadows and waited until there was no one present.

Just before midnight… Kiel stepped out of the shadows.

He walked past the burnt gates and mansion to the garden behind the manor.

Underneath the Silver Willow Tree, there was a lone tombstone bearing the name [Irys Jura].

When he closed his eyes, he could still hear her… and when he opened them, he could see Irys frolicking about with a smile.

He looked up to the moon, but only disappointment was reflected in his eyes.

"At your current state, you cannot open the path," Ouroboros said, knowing what Kiel wanted deep in his heart.

"I know…." He answered.

"If you wish to, after you are healed. You can cultivate and open the path. Maybe by then, she would still be in the otherworld. She might still be walking down the path. You might see her again."

Kiel did not respond to Ouroboros' suggestion.

"Find her in the Astral Path because you failed to protect her in this….." The thought could not help but make him laugh, "... I am a fool, aren't I?"

Kiel stared at the tombstone, his eyes wavering.

His breathing… shaking.

"I already knew that our time was limited… but I still took it for granted. Knowing I would save her… knowing she would live… I acted foolishly."

"Do you miss her?"

"… yes." he answered with a pained smile, "...deeply so."

He got on his knees and began carefully setting up the board in front of her grave.

One last time… he wished to play a game.

The pain of loss haunted him, and as he began another game, he realized another truth to living.

"Everything is fleeting, and only when it is lost can one truly understand their value."

Thus, Kiel moved a piece with trembling hands and started another game.

Tak!

As his piece echoed, a single tear hit the board.

"Let's play… my friend." Kiel looked forward and saw a girl that was no longer with him.

Tak~

Kiel mourned Irys' death with a game.