17 The Lancaster Territory (1)

I slowly unrolled my eyes...my view was a blur, I saw a figure of a man with blonde hair looking at me from above with a blurry and restless expression on his daring face.

"Glad your Awake," Harold said with a grin on his face.

Xarth slowly sat up and begins wiping his eyes.

"Harold?"

"Hi, it's your Older Brother."

"What are you doing here?"

"Why am I not allowed to visit my little brother?"

"No, What happened to Ernoul and Zero?"

"You seem to have a lot of time worrying about others than your own, Don't worry they're fine they have some wounds but it isn't life-threatening."

"I'm Glad."

Harold lightly smacked Xarth's head with his fist.

"You should worry for your own health."

'Idiot' Harold quietly mumbled to himself.

"Hey! is that how you're supposed to treat a patient!"

"Oh ho, I was just worrying for you in your stead...Are you really a patient if you have this kind of energy all lying around."

Xarth scoffs at Harold's Comment.

"By the way, where are Ernoul and Zero there's something I would like to discuss with them?"

"They're outside, probably eating lunch right now with the others, You did a good job waking up at the right time."

"Are you mocking me I'm not that hungry?"

*GROWWLL

"Woah what was that it sounded like thunder!"

"You're exaggerating!"

"We seem to have gotten close."

"Why bring that up now?"

"Well, it's nice."

"W-What?"

"Why are you surprised it's natural between brothers."

"Well, I thought you hated me?"

"Yeah, I did." Harold looked at Xarth with a cold gaze.

"W-What?" Xarth started to frown.

"Haha, I'm just joking, On the contrary, I like everything about you much more than you think."

Harold replied with a beaming smile reaching to both of his ears.

"Hey stop it! Why are you talking like that!?"

'What's with Harold did he ate something weird for him to act this way.'

'Haha teasing once in a while is fun."

"You must be hungry let's go eat lunch."

"Y-Your not going to ask me anything about the incident?"

"Well I got the gist of the situation from your acting knight and Sir Zero, but I still need to ask you some of the important details later after i receive Duke Jidek's reply...But for now, let's eat I'm quite hungry as well."

"What reply from the duke?"

"Are you easily forgetful? Your still young!"

"Just tell me."

"Okay okay, Didn't we captured some bandits on the way to the capital we need to hand them at Duke Jidek's Territory it's along the way anyway. So we won't be burden with taking the bandits with us to Selene and I want to meet with him as well I heard he was a Respectable individual well considering his title Duke he must be an amazing person. Thus I'm currently waiting for his response now. And also we'll be staying there at an inn, I know you don't like sleeping outdoors."

"Not really, I don't mind we could save money that way."

"Hahaha, we don't need to. aren't you aware of what wealth runs into your name? And honestly, I don't like to sleep outdoors it gets pretty cold at night."

"Okay...I'll follow you, go ahead."

"Oh, Can you even walk on your own?" Harold asked in a worried tone.

"It's Fine I can manage."

"Then I'll go out first, You sure you're fine?" Harold asked once more.

"Yes hurry along!"

Harold lightly chuckled he glanced over the empty corner of the tent where Soleis is invisibly floating. He then quickly shifts his gaze at the entryway of the tent and gone on out first.

'What? !?... that human can see me? I guess he has the potential to be a contractor too! That's two people now better tell Art.'

'Hey Art I think that human could see me!'

"What? who are you talking about?"

'The man who addresses himself as your older brother?'

"Really? Does he have high mana?"

'Yeah not as much as yours though. but there's something familiar about him."

"Really I'll ask him about that later."

'That was an unexpected scenario...I didn't imagine that side of Harold he's definitely different from all the other Noblemen. So far all I can think about the word Noblemen are that they are all greedy pieces of sh*t hungry for power and fame, they are literally the embodiment of Human scums in society.

However, I know for a fact that there are some good people in some of them too. Now that I know what Harold feels towards Xarth I won't act awkward with him anymore it's much better to have a good relationship with him so whenever I need help, I'll just rely on him.'

Xarth fixed his clothes before going out of the tent, he could see people eating happily under the large shade of the tree while Harold was sitting on a log talking with Zero. Harold noticed Xarth and started signaling him to come to sit beside him with a beaming smile on his face.

'Seriously, What a change of pace? Not that I hate it.' He begins to march toward Harold gracefully.

'Hey!? Isn't the Young master in a pretty bad condition earlier.'

'Yeah, I saw it too! He was with the Swordmaster and that new trainee knight. Wasn't he unconscious when they brought him back!?'

'Uh-huh, Do you guys know the reason why they came back like that?'

'No...'

'Seriously causing troubles again ain't he that bratty second son of the Count. Shouldn't he act refined he's noble for crying out loud?'

'Hey, dude watch your mouth! if you don't want your head to roll down on the ground.'

The soldier that was sent by Count Richard was quietly gossiping with one another about what they had witnessed earlier.

'Art they're gossiping about you!'

"Ignore them," Xarth whispered to Soleis who was annoyed at the men who were talking bad about Xarth behind his back.

'Gossip all you want. I'm used to it.'

'Feeling superior just because you are a team leader.'

'Gosh feeling almighty when he didn't do anything worth it.'

'Hey didn't you hear the rumors he was carried by Sung-min to his position today? Goddamn lucky bastard.'

'Poor Sung-min wasn't he the one who was supposed to get that promotion! Why Lee Son he didn't do any work!?.'

Xarth momentarily clenches his hands to form a fist, he quietly sat beside Harold while Zero was focused on eating his portion.

His face complexion started to look gloomy.

'Hah! I just have to remember that.'

He subconsciously let out a loud sigh.

Someone talked at that moment...

"Young Master Xarth, How are you feeling?"

Asked the man with brown hair who seems to be in his mid-thirties.

"Thanks for your concern but I'm fine."

"Oh, it's an honor Young Master for you to thanked me for such trivial matters."

Cairo pleasantly replied and handed down Xarth's portion of the meal.

He carefully grabbed it from Cairo with both of his hands. It was warm, The fragrance of the Curry can be smelled all over the area where they were eating. Xarth just stared at the bowl of Curry with a stoic look on his face.

"Is the food not to your liking?" Cairo worriedly asked.

"No, It's nothing."

'I just felt nostalgic eating Curry.'

He took a spoonful of Curry soup including some of its meat and quickly ate it...

The savory sauce of the Curry filled Xarth's mouth, the tenderness of the meat quickly melted in just one seemingly bite.

'Tasty!! The authentic taste of Curry, Oh how I missed this.'

"Xarth do you like it?"

"Yes, it's delicious."

"Really? To be honest these days I noticed that you're different from your usual self, It's like I'm talking to a stranger! Haha."

Xarth flinched at those words directed at him, An ordinary office worker Lee Son, was mysteriously transferred to this world for some unknown reason...And was even forced upon to own Xarth's body, with no idea what had really happened to the real owner at all.

'I feel guilty...the brother you talk about is no longer here. I don't know what happened to him before I came to this world.'

"You could say I got some senses to my brain now. And acting like a brat at my age is something that I shouldn't do forever. Right?"

"Yeah, I guess so, Which is why it's reassuring. Hopefully, you won't get yourself caught up with trouble during our stay in the capital."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Xarth continued eating his curry when Cairo Harold's Butler whispered to his Master about something that made Harold stand up from the log that he was sitting on.

"Xarth be sure to eat all of your portions, I'll go to my tent to wait for Duke Jidek's response."

"Sure..." Xarth responded while stuffing his mouth with curry.

Harold left to go to his tent leaving Xarth and Zero alone...Someone whose hair was Red as Blood sat beside Zero who seems to be waiting for this opportunity a while ago.

"Hyung-nim are you alright now?" Ernoul asked in a shaky tone.

"Yes don't worry, How about you I heard you guys have some injuries? "

"It was not that bad, In any case, I'm glad your safe... But I just can't understand something."

"What something?"

"How did you defeat that Monster without having any injuries."

Then suddenly someone chimed in too.

"Yeah, I would appreciate it if you would tell us."

'Huh! Zero!? Did I just make him intrigued with me? That's really strange Zero's not the type of person who would do this kind of things. Unless if he views me as a threat, Now that's a different story.'

"Hmm...To be honest I really don't know what happened as well...The last thing I remembered was being slammed against the wall by The Yellow Serpent and that last loud explosion at the end. When I woke up I was already inside a tent lying down on a comfortable bed."

"Really Hyung-nim...Then maybe someone secretly protected you. I'm sorry Hyung-nim I didn't have the strength to protect you when in times you needed help. I promise I will get stronger." Ernoul earnestly replied as he felt bad that he was unable to protect the person who gave him a second chance.

"Thank you Ernoul no need to apologize."

"Hmm...Are you really telling the truth?" Zero asked with a chilling gaze.

'Ah just take the goddamn bait! I don't want to be associated with you any longer. I just needed your help right now but I wouldn't ever want to meet you again in the future. My priority right now is the safety of Xarth's older brother 'Harold'

"Of course," Xarth replied with an unfazed look on his doll-like face.

"Alright."

"Goodbye! Hyung-nim the Captain is calling for us."

"Hurry along."

Ernoul left quickly as the Captain of the journey called for every soldier to have a meeting.

"Oh, Sir Zero there's something I would like to discuss with you."

'I need to make that deal!'

"What is it?"

"I'm sure your in need of money, right?"

"Yes."

"Then do you want to work for me as a mercenary?"

Zero glanced at Xarth with a confused look on his face...He shifts his head and started to think before turning his head back to reply to Xarth's offer.

"Why specifically do you need a mercenary for?"

"I need someone to guard me and Harold when the time comes."

"Okay...For how long do you need me to work?

"Until the king's celebration ended."

"Why until the king's celebration?"

'What's your reason? Do you know something that's supposed to happen on that specific day?' Zero thought this.

"I can't give you any more information regarding that." Xarth casually replied back as he crosses his arms.

'I'm sure he's suspicious of me right now. but I know for sure that you'll take on this deal. Because of your lack of information also I seem to have piqued your interest. For someone who has all the criteria checked regarding a person you really need the most.'

Zero started to think then someone suddenly interrupted.

"You don't need to worry about the money, I'll give you as much as you want, you will also have accommodations and food ready for you every day. isn't that a great deal?"

Zero looked at Xarth who has a subtle yet cunning smile on his face.

'Hm...I really need money now, and this person seems to know something. I need all information I could get, And in any case, I could easily dispose of him as well, This is definitely beneficial for me...For now, let's see where this goes.'

"Then I'll take you up on that offer."

'Succes! I don't have to worry about the casualties when I would bring the appearance of the Mc earlier than the time of the incident.'

Xarth extended his hands showing the sign of a handshake...Zero shook hands with Xarth to show that the contract was set in stone.